ABS vs TPE
How ABS and TPE compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- ABS is stiffer and more heat resistant; TPE is more flexible.
- ABS typically prints about 20 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- ABS typically prints about 55 °C hotter on the bed.
- ABS is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 54 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 151 ABS filaments in 1,021 colours, and 13 TPE filaments in 41 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| ABS | TPE | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | ||
| Toughness | ||
| Stiffness | Stiffer | |
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | ||
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Needs ventilation | Dry before printing |
| ABS | TPE | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Thermoplastic elastomer |
| Filaments listed | 151 | 13 |
| Brands | 72 | 9 |
| Colours | 1,021 | 41 |
| Nozzle temperature | 230–260 °C | 210–240 °C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | 30–60 °C |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ | 1.20 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 400 m | about 346 m |
| Max drying temperature | 80 °C | 60 °C |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
7 brands make both ABS and TPE.