PVA vs PEI
How PVA and PEI compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PEI typically prints about 165 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PEI typically prints about 85 °C hotter on the bed.
- PVA is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 11 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 22 PVA filaments in 24 colours, and 17 PEI filaments in 24 colours.
| PVA | PEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polyvinyl alcohol | Polyetherimide |
| Filaments listed | 22 | 17 |
| Brands | 15 | 10 |
| Colours | 24 | 24 |
| Nozzle temperature | 180–210 °C | 340–380 °C |
| Bed temperature | 50–60 °C | 120–160 °C |
| Density | 1.23 g/cm³ | 1.27 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 338 m | about 327 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
5 brands make both PVA and PEI.