TPU vs PEI
How TPU and PEI compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- TPU is easier to print, tougher and more flexible; PEI is stiffer, more heat resistant and better outdoors.
- PEI typically prints about 135 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PEI typically prints about 95 °C hotter on the bed.
- TPU is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 17 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 158 TPU filaments in 945 colours, and 17 PEI filaments in 24 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| TPU | PEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | Stiffer | |
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Dry before printing | Needs an enclosure, Dry before printing, Needs ventilation |
| TPU | PEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Thermoplastic polyurethane | Polyetherimide |
| Filaments listed | 158 | 17 |
| Brands | 70 | 10 |
| Colours | 945 | 24 |
| Nozzle temperature | 210–240 °C | 340–380 °C |
| Bed temperature | 30–60 °C | 120–160 °C |
| Density | 1.21 g/cm³ | 1.27 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 344 m | about 327 m |
| Max drying temperature | 70 °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
9 brands make both TPU and PEI.