Table of Contents
Introduction
Creality Ender 3 has been a top-voted 3D printer many times for its reasonable price tag and amazing performance. It is considered the best 3D printer for beginners with its many features. However, with 3D printers come filaments that can get a bit confusing. If you are someone with the ender 3 and are thinking about which filament to use in it, then you are at the right place.
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In this article, we have carefully chosen the 5 best filaments that we think would be the perfect options for you. Keep on reading and find the product that matches your choice. However, before jumping on to our picks, let us clear some of your basic queries regarding the filaments for your ender 3.
What Filament Type is Suitable for Creality Ender 3?
A high-quality filament is one that has a smaller diameter. This means that it can get heated up faster; so, the faster it melts, the quicker you can print. Following are the filament types that work best with the Creality Ender 3.
PLA Filaments
These poly acidic filaments are the best choice for ender 3. They are made from biodegradable resources and are also non-toxic. This type of filament also does not require a heated print plate in order to stick to the build plate. These small details make this filament a very fuss-free option. However, if you still wish to use a heated printing plate, then you shall heat it somewhere between 60 to 80 degrees for it to adhere properly.
Be mindful of the temperature because, in filaments, such details are critical. The PLA filaments come packed with some advantages like being sweet-smelling, user friendly, and are fairly durable. Another property of these can be that they are somewhat brittle. Among some notable features of PLA filament lies in its versatility. It is used for making wood, metal, glow-in-the-dark, and numerous hybrid filaments.
ABS Filaments
ABS filaments (Acrylo butadiene styrene) are oil-based plastic filaments. These are more durable and kind of more flexible than the PLA filaments. These are the second-best option for ender 3 according to our research. They can resist sunlight and moisture to some extent. Therefore, this material is used for printing functional parts.
The print bed needs to be heated around 60 to 110 degrees for this to work at its best. While this filament seems more durable and premium, it does carry a very strong chemical odor. Moreover, you need to do some research to deal with this filament, as it can get a tad tricky to print it and is not very user friendly.
PETG Filaments
Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified (PETG) is a semi-transparent filament with a really high tensile strength. These filaments take flexibility to another level and dominate the game by delivering a great finish. They are eco-friendly and really user friendly.
This material has a certain resistance to neutral, acidic, and alkaline mediums. This material is the best for projects that require a clear or almost transparent look. It also offers high durability and really impressive strength which makes it stand side by side with PLA and ABS filaments. However, it requires really high temperature to function properly, ranging from 220 to 240 degrees.
The models rendered with this filament are recyclable and you can print this filament with or without using a heated print bed.
Filament size
There are two most commonly used standard diameter sizes of filaments. These are measured as 1.75 mm and 2.85mm and they come with their unique characteristics. The Creality Ender 3 uses a filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm. Any other sizes of diameters will not fit the printer. There are a few advantages of the 1.75mm filament as stated below
- Can print quicker
- It can capture and print minor details
- Offers better flexibility with flow rates
- Retains higher surface to volume ratio
- Higher extrusion rate
The Picks: 5 Best Filament for Ender 3
Hatchbox PLA Filament
The Hatchbox PLA Filament is the top choice for many beginners. It is preferred due to its low odor and non-toxic, poly acidic material, which is its best feature and works very well. It comes with a spool weighing 1 KG. The filament is desiccated and sealed and requires an extrusion temperature between 180 to 220 degrees for best results. With no heated bed required, it is a green-friendly option for various styles of printing
Key Features
- Uses poly acidic material
- Has a diameter of 1.75mm
- Weighs a 1000 grams
- It has a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03 mm
- Black in color
Pros
- Quite durable
- Eco-friendly material
- Gives nice and glossy prints
- Comes in other colors as well
- All the colors are really nice and bright
- Does not require a heated print plate
- Minimal bending
Cons
- Somewhat brittle
- Can absorb a little moisture
Solutech PLA Filament
The Solutech PLA filament is an excellent choice for those who wish to have all the nice features but also have to keep their budget in place. It ensures trouble-free action with the printer and gives superior outcomes. These filaments are very much similar to the Hatchbox filaments in terms of material and description, but they have a very prominent advantage here which is their price. Therefore, many customers go for Solutech filaments.
Key Features
- Has PLA material
- Weighs 1000 grams
- Features a diameter size of 1.75 mm
- Dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm
- Available in black color
- Features an ultra-smooth technology
Pros
- It is highly compatible with most 3D printers out there
- Easy on the budget
- Comes in other colors as well
- No heating bed required
- No oil residue
- Vibrant color results
- Biodegradable
Cons
- Takes longer to print than other filaments
CC3D PLA Filament
The CC3D PLA filament is one of its kind and made its mark. Its feature which really makes it stand out from the others is its metallic finish that looks phenomenal. Although its prices can be a little higher than the rest customers have found it up to their satisfaction and love its results. It has a recommended temperature of between 195 to 220 degrees. So if you are someone looking for a unique and shiny result, then you should opt for this.
Key Features
- Available in silk copper color
- Has a diameter of 1.75 mm
- Dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.05mm
- Weighs a 1000 grams
- Features PLA material type
- Has a printing speed of 30 to 60 mm/s
- Compatible with FDM 3D printers
Pros
- No heated bed required
- No polishing required
- Stable print
- Eco-friendly because of the PLA filament type
- Fairly durable
- Available in 10 other colors
Cons
- Not suitable for outdoor printing
- Can absorb moisture
Hatchbox ABS Filament
The Hatchbox Company also provides ABS filaments which are the best ones out there for this type. Its material type is such that it is preferred for printing things that can be kept outwards because of its resistance to moisture and sunlight to some extent. This detail renders it a favorite of many and its recommended temperature is usually higher than PLA type filaments. For better adhesion, you must try a temperature of between 210 to 240 degrees.
Key Features
- Uses ABS material type
- Features a 1.75mm diameter size
- Weighs 1000 grams
- Dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm
- In white color
Pros
- Can be polished with vapors
- Can withstand sunlight
- Bold and bright colors
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor parts
- Very durable
- Available in other colors as well
- affordable
Cons
- Requires a higher temperature
- Not so rigid
ESUN PETG Filament
ESUN PETG Filament is really suitable for those who are willing to look for a material that effectively prints for their arts and crafts projects. You can use it to make vases and many indoor objects with beautiful results. It has a high tensile strength which helps to make it really flexible. Its recommended temperature is also quite high, which is between 230 to 250 degrees.
Key Features
- Features PETG filament material type
- Provides a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.05 mm
- Weighs a 1000 grams
- Has a diameter size of 1.75mm
- Available in 16 colors
- Has semi-transparent colors
- It has compatibility with most FDM 3D printers
Pros
- Very flexible
- Easy to use
- Very eco-friendly in nature
- Offers good durability
- Really strong
- Low shrinkage
Cons
- Requires high temperatures that can damage nozzles
- Can be sticky
Final Words
Choosing the right filament for your Creality Ender 3 can be a tricky task. However it all depends on what you need to print with it, and how you want its properties to be. You must also keep in mind the protection of your ender 3 and not choose something that ends up being problematic for the printer. We have tried to provide you with the best of the best filaments out there which would all work perfectly with your ender 3. We hope that you make the right choice that suits your requirements and falls nicely into your list of preferences.
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