PVA vs HIPS
How PVA and HIPS compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- HIPS typically prints about 40 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- HIPS typically prints about 45 °C hotter on the bed.
- HIPS is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 62 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 22 PVA filaments in 24 colours, and 15 HIPS filaments in 46 colours.
| PVA | HIPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polyvinyl alcohol | High-impact polystyrene |
| Filaments listed | 22 | 15 |
| Brands | 15 | 12 |
| Colours | 24 | 46 |
| Nozzle temperature | 180–210 °C | 220–250 °C |
| Bed temperature | 50–60 °C | 90–110 °C |
| Density | 1.23 g/cm³ | 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 338 m | about 400 m |
| Max drying temperature | 55 °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
4 brands make both PVA and HIPS.