Dreaming of bringing your cool 3D creations to life, but worried about the cost of filament? You’re not alone! Many makers, from beginners to experienced hobbyists, face the same challenge: finding good quality 3D printer filament without breaking the bank. It can feel like a puzzle, trying to figure out which cheap filaments are actually worth buying and which will just lead to frustration and failed prints.
This is where we come in! We know the struggle of sifting through endless brands and materials, wondering if a lower price means lower quality. That’s why we’ve done the research for you. In this post, we’ll explore some fantastic, budget-friendly 3D printer filament options that won’t compromise your projects. You’ll learn how to spot the good deals and avoid the pitfalls, so you can print more and spend less.
Get ready to discover how to get the most bang for your buck and keep your 3D printer humming with affordable, reliable filament. Let’s dive into the world of cheap, cheerful, and high-quality filament!
Our Top 5 Cheap 3D Printer Filament Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Cheap 3D Printer Filament Detailed Reviews
1. DEEPLEE PLA 1.75mm 3D Printer Filament
Rating: 8.7/10
Looking for a reliable and high-quality filament for your 3D printer? The DEEPLEE PLA 1.75mm filament in black is a fantastic option. It promises smooth prints, vibrant colors, and great accuracy. This filament is made from top-notch PLA, making it perfect for all your creative projects, from fun figurines to special decorations. Its neat winding and consistent diameter mean you’ll have fewer printing problems.
What We Like:
- The PLA is made from good quality materials. It gives you smooth prints and bright colors.
- It prints consistently, which is great for making models and decorations.
- The filament is wound very neatly. This helps it feed smoothly into your printer.
- The diameter is very accurate, with only a tiny difference of +/- 0.02mm. This means your prints will be precise.
- It sticks well to different layers. This helps prevent prints from warping.
- The package is sealed in a vacuum to keep it dry and clean.
- It works with most FDM 3D printers.
- The cardboard spool is easy to put on and take off your printer.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it’s great for many uses, it might not be the best choice for prints that need to withstand very high temperatures.
- The color is black, so if you need other colors, you’ll need to buy those separately.
Overall, the DEEPLEE PLA filament is a solid choice for anyone wanting good results from their 3D printer. You can trust it to help you create amazing things.
2. 3Dgenius Silk PLA 3D Printer Filament Triple Color Silk PLA Filament 1.75mm 3D Printing Filament Fit Most FDM Printers
Rating: 8.8/10
Unleash your creativity with the 3Dgenius Silk PLA 3D Printer Filament! This special filament comes in a dazzling tri-color combination of rose red, sky blue, and green. Each strand is infused with all three colors, meaning your prints will shimmer with a unique, ever-changing hue as you look at them from different angles. It’s like having a surprise party for your 3D models!
What We Like:
- The tri-color effect is truly stunning, making each print one-of-a-kind.
- You get a smooth printing experience with no clogs or bubbles thanks to the careful packaging and drying.
- The filament has a high dimensional accuracy, ensuring your prints are precise and well-connected.
- It works with most FDM 3D printers, making it super versatile.
- The finished prints have a beautiful, charming gloss that really makes them pop.
What Could Be Improved:
- The spool is 250g, which might be a bit small for larger projects.
- The recommended printing temperatures might need a little fine-tuning for some printers.
This 3Dgenius Silk PLA filament is a fantastic way to add a touch of magic to your 3D printing projects. Get ready for eye-catching, vibrant creations!
3. 3Dgenius Silk Rainbow PLA Filament 1.75mm Silk PLA 3D Printer Filament Shiny Fast Color Changing Gradient Filament Fit Most FDM Printers
Rating: 9.0/10
Unleash your creativity with the 3Dgenius Silk Rainbow PLA Filament! This vibrant filament transforms your 3D prints with a stunning, fast-changing rainbow gradient. Its silky texture gives your creations a beautiful, glossy finish, making it ideal for art projects, crafts, and even beginner 3D printing enthusiasts. Get ready to print models that pop with multiple colors from a single spool!
What We Like:
- FAST COLOR CHANGING FILAMENT: Enjoy a beautiful rainbow effect as the colors shift every 10-12 meters, perfect for showcasing all colors on larger prints.
- SILKY SMOOTH FINISH: The unique silky texture produces prints with a wonderfully smooth and glossy surface.
- CLOGGING FREE & BUBBLE FREE: Vacuum-sealed and dried filament means no stringing or bubbles for a smooth and stable printing experience.
- HIGH DIMENSIONAL ACCURACY: With a +/- 0.02mm diameter tolerance, your prints will have excellent layer fusion and bridging.
- WIDE COMPATIBILITY: Works with most FDM 3D printers using 1.75mm filament, including popular brands.
- CHARMING GLOSS: Made from upgraded PLA, this filament delivers a captivating shine on your finished models.
What Could Be Improved:
- 250g Spool Size: For larger projects, you might need multiple spools, as the 250g size is on the smaller side.
- Color Transition Speed: While fast, achieving a specific color combination might require careful print planning or multiple attempts on smaller prints.
The 3Dgenius Silk Rainbow PLA Filament is a fantastic choice for adding a touch of magic to your 3D prints. Its ease of use and stunning visual results make it a joy to work with.
4. ERYONE Silk Dual Color PLA Filament 3D Printer 1.75mm +/- 0.03mm
Rating: 9.4/10
Get ready to add some serious wow factor to your 3D prints with the ERYONE Silk Dual Color PLA Filament. This cool filament changes colors as you print, giving your creations a beautiful, shimmering look. It’s like magic for your 3D printer!
What We Like:
- Amazing Dual Colors: This filament is half one color and half another, and it blends together as you print. You can even change the color mix by turning the filament!
- Silky Smooth Finish: Your prints will have a gorgeous, pearly shine that looks like silk.
- Works with Most Printers: It fits 99% of FDM 3D printers and 3D pens because it’s a standard 1.75mm size with very accurate diameter.
- Easy Printing: The filament is wound perfectly, so it won’t get tangled. It also helps prevent prints from warping or stringing.
- Strong Prints: This filament sticks well to the print bed, which helps avoid problems like curling. Your printed parts will be nice and strong.
- Great Packaging: The filament comes in a neat, reusable vacuum-sealed bag with a little packet to keep it dry. This means it stays in good condition until you’re ready to use it.
What Could Be Improved:
- Smaller Spool Size: The 250g spool might run out quickly for larger projects.
- Color Combination Limitations: While the blue-green is beautiful, you might wish for more color options to choose from.
This ERYONE Silk Dual Color PLA Filament is a fantastic way to make your 3D prints stand out. It’s easy to use and produces stunning results.
5. Epelay 3D Printer Filament
Rating: 9.3/10
Unleash your creativity with the Epelay 3D Printer Filament Dual Color Silk PLA. This bundle offers four spools of vibrant, color-changing PLA, perfect for adding a touch of magic to your 3D prints. Get ready for eye-catching models that shimmer and shift hues with every angle.
What We Like:
- Stunning Dual Color Effects: The silk PLA creates gorgeous, smooth transitions between two colors on each spool, making your prints pop.
- Neatly Wound and Tangle-Free: Each 250g spool is carefully wound, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted printing experience without frustrating tangles.
- High Precision and Consistency: With a tight ±0.02mm tolerance, this filament provides excellent bed adhesion and consistent extrusion for flawless first layers.
- Wide Compatibility: Works with most FDM 3D printers that use 1.75mm PLA filament.
- Great Value Pack: The bundle includes four different color combinations, offering a total of 1kg of filament for numerous projects.
- Reliable Performance: Made from premium materials, it offers stable flow, strong adhesion, and resists clogging and bubbling.
What Could Be Improved:
- Pre-Drying Recommended: For optimal results, the filament needs to be pre-dried, which is an extra step before printing.
- Specific Temperature Settings: While guidelines are provided, users might need to fine-tune settings for their specific printer for perfect results.
This Epelay Dual Color Silk PLA filament is a fantastic choice for hobbyists and creators who want to add a professional and artistic flair to their 3D prints. Prepare to be amazed by the dazzling color shifts and smooth finishes.
Your Wallet-Friendly Guide to Awesome 3D Prints: Cheap Filament Secrets!
So, you’ve got a 3D printer, and you’re ready to create cool stuff! But then you see the price of filament, and your eyes get wide. Don’t worry! You can still make amazing things without spending a fortune. This guide will help you find the best cheap 3D printer filament so your projects can shine.
What to Look for: Key Features of Cheap Filament
When you’re hunting for budget-friendly filament, keep these important things in mind:
- Diameter Consistency: Good filament has a smooth, even diameter. If it’s lumpy, your printer can get jammed. Cheap filament might have more bumps.
- Color: Does the color look like the picture? Sometimes cheap filament colors are dull or not what you expect.
- Strength and Flexibility: Even cheap filament should be strong enough for your prints. Some are too brittle and snap easily. Others are too bendy.
- Ease of Printing: Does it stick to the print bed well? Does it melt smoothly? Some cheap filaments are harder to work with.
- Odor: Some filaments smell strong when they print. Good filament usually has little to no smell.
Important Filament Materials
Most cheap filaments are made from common plastics. Here are the most popular ones:
- PLA (Polylactic Acid): This is the easiest and most popular plastic for 3D printing. It’s made from plants, so it’s eco-friendly. PLA is great for beginners because it’s easy to print and doesn’t warp much. It’s perfect for toys, decorative items, and prototypes.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene): ABS is stronger and more heat-resistant than PLA. It’s good for parts that need to be tough, like car parts or tool handles. However, ABS can be trickier to print with. It needs a heated print bed and can warp. It also gives off fumes, so you need good ventilation.
What Makes Filament Quality Go Up (or Down)?
The quality of your filament affects your prints a lot.
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Good Quality Factors:
- Pure Materials: When filament makers use good, clean plastic, your prints will be smoother.
- Precise Diameter: Filament that is exactly the right size all the way through prints better.
- Good Additives: Sometimes, special ingredients are added to make filament stronger or more colorful.
- Proper Drying: Filament can absorb moisture from the air. Wet filament causes weak, bubbly prints. Good makers dry their filament well.
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Bad Quality Factors:
- Contaminated Materials: If the plastic has dirt or other junk in it, your prints will look bad.
- Inconsistent Diameter: This is a big one! Lumpy filament causes printing problems.
- Too Much Moisture: Wet filament is a common problem with cheap options.
- Cheap Dyes: The color might fade or be uneven.
User Experience and Use Cases for Cheap Filament
You might think cheap filament is only for practice prints, but that’s not true!
- Beginner Projects: PLA is your best friend. Print simple shapes, small toys, or test designs. You can learn how your printer works without worrying about wasting expensive material.
- Color Experiments: Want to try out lots of colors? Cheap filament lets you do that! You can print a whole rainbow of items.
- Draft Prints: Need to check if a design fits or looks right? Print a draft with cheap filament first. If it’s perfect, you can print the final version with nicer filament.
- Non-Critical Parts: For items that don’t need to be super strong or look perfect, cheap filament is a great choice. Think about simple desk organizers or decorative pieces.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap 3D Printer Filament
Q: What is the cheapest type of 3D printer filament?
A: Usually, PLA filament is the cheapest. It’s made from plants and is easy to produce.
Q: Can I use any cheap filament with my 3D printer?
A: Most cheap filaments are okay, but always check if they are compatible with your printer. PLA is usually safe for most printers.
Q: Does cheap filament cause more printing problems?
A: Sometimes, yes. Cheap filament can have inconsistent diameter or moisture, leading to jams or poor print quality.
Q: How can I tell if cheap filament is good quality?
A: Look for consistent diameter, good color, and read reviews from other users. If it’s very cheap, it might be lower quality.
Q: Is it worth buying cheap filament for important prints?
A: For important prints where strength and looks matter, it’s usually better to spend a little more on higher-quality filament.
Q: How do I store cheap filament to keep it good?
A: Store it in a dry place, like a sealed bag with a desiccant packet (which soaks up moisture). This helps prevent it from getting wet.
Q: What does “filament diameter inconsistency” mean?
A: It means the filament isn’t the same thickness all the way around. It can be thicker or thinner in spots, causing printing issues.
Q: Can I mix cheap and expensive filament in one print?
A: Yes, you can. But if you’re changing filament mid-print, make sure they have similar printing temperatures.
Q: Are there any safety concerns with cheap filament?
A: Some filaments, like ABS, can release fumes. Always print in a well-ventilated area, especially with cheaper options that might have less pure materials.
Q: Where can I find cheap 3D printer filament?
A: Look online on big shopping websites. Many brands offer affordable options. Reading reviews is key to finding good deals.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.