The 10 most-used FDM filaments compared side by side: printing settings, physical properties and real-world performance. Print it, pin it, or download the free PDF for the maker bench.
2026 edition · reviewed June 2026The 10 materials below are ranked by how widely each polymer family is sold and printed by hobby and prosumer FDM users in 2026. The ranking combines consumer filament market share (PLA leads the segment at roughly 23 percent) with consistent inclusion across the major filament guides. Materials are grouped by polymer family, so close variants such as PLA+, silk PLA and the different nylon grades sit with their parent. Where lists diverge most is positions 8 to 10, so those slots favour materials you can buy off the shelf and print on a well-equipped consumer machine, rather than industrial-only polymers.
Performance is shown as bands (low, medium, high) rather than single lab numbers, because tensile strength, impact and heat figures vary widely by brand, grade and how a part is printed. Temperatures, density and price are given as typical ranges. Treat every value as a calibrated starting point, not a datasheet guarantee.
| Material | Best use | Nozzle | Bed | Enclosure | Ease of printing | EUR / kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PLA | Models, prototypes, indoor and decorative parts | 190–220°C | 50–60°C | Not needed | Beginner | 18–28 |
| 2. PETG | Everyday functional parts, watertight and mechanical | 230–250°C | 70–85°C | Not needed | Intermediate | 20–30 |
| 3. ABS | Heat-resistant functional parts on an enclosed printer | 230–255°C | 95–110°C | Required | Advanced | 20–32 |
| 4. ASA | Outdoor and UV-exposed parts | 240–260°C | 95–110°C | Required | Advanced | 30–45 |
| 5. TPU | Flexible parts, gaskets, grips, phone cases | 210–235°C | 40–60°C | Not needed | Expert | 35–55 |
| 6. Nylon (PA) | Gears, living hinges, high-wear mechanical parts | 250–280°C | 70–110°C | Recommended | Expert | 45–70 |
| 7. PC (Polycarbonate) | Maximum strength plus heat: fixtures, lighting, helmets | 260–310°C | 100–130°C | Required | Expert | 45–80 |
| 8. Carbon-fiber composites | Stiff, dimensionally stable structural parts, drone frames | 220–290°C | 45–120°C | Recommended | Advanced | 50–90 |
| 9. PVA | Water-soluble support for complex overhangs | 185–215°C | 45–60°C | Not needed | Intermediate | 60–110 |
| 10. HIPS | Dissolvable support for ABS; light, machinable parts | 230–245°C | 100–110°C | Recommended | Intermediate | 25–35 |
Carbon-fiber composites need a hardened steel nozzle because the fibres are abrasive. PC and nylon need an all-metal hotend and dry filament. Prices for composites, PVA and engineering grades vary widely by brand.
| Material | Density | Strength | Impact / toughness | Heat resistance | UV resistance | Moisture sensitivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 | High but brittle | Low | Low (~55°C) | Poor | Low |
| PETG | 1.27 | High | Very high | Medium (~75°C) | Good | Medium |
| ABS | 1.05 | Medium to high | High | High (~100°C) | Poor | Low |
| ASA | 1.07 | Medium to high | High | High (~100°C) | Excellent | Low |
| TPU | 1.20 | Low (flexible) | Extreme | Low (~60°C) | Good | High |
| Nylon (PA) | 1.02–1.15 | High | Superb | High (~90°C+) | Medium | Extreme |
| PC (Polycarbonate) | 1.20 | Highest | High | Highest (~110°C+) | Good | High |
| Carbon-fiber composites | 1.10–1.30 | Very high, stiff | Medium (less than base) | Follows base polymer | Follows base | High |
| PVA | 1.20 | Low (support only) | Low | Low | Poor | Extreme |
| HIPS | 1.04 | Medium | Medium to high | Medium (~90°C) | Poor | Low |
Density is in g/cm³ for the base polymer; fillers such as carbon fibre, wood or metal raise it. Heat resistance is shown near the glass transition or deflection point at which unsupported parts start to soften, not the maximum survivable temperature.
Useful materials that did not make the most-used 10, either because they serve a narrower job or because they need industrial hardware.
This chart is the lookup. When you need to calculate cost, weight, length or print time for a specific job, use the interactive tools.
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Reviewed June 2026 · next scheduled review January 2027.