PC vs HIPS
How PC and HIPS compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PC is tougher, stiffer, more heat resistant, better outdoors and more flexible; HIPS is easier to print.
- PC typically prints about 45 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PC typically prints about 10 °C hotter on the bed.
- HIPS is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 54 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 47 PC filaments in 131 colours, and 15 HIPS filaments in 46 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| PC | HIPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | Stiffer | |
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Dry before printing, Needs ventilation | Needs an enclosure, Needs ventilation |
| PC | HIPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polycarbonate | High-impact polystyrene |
| Filaments listed | 47 | 15 |
| Brands | 27 | 12 |
| Colours | 131 | 46 |
| Nozzle temperature | 260–300 °C | 220–250 °C |
| Bed temperature | 100–120 °C | 90–110 °C |
| Density | 1.20 g/cm³ | 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 346 m | about 400 m |
| Max drying temperature | 75 °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
8 brands make both PC and HIPS.