TPU vs TPE: Which Flexible Filament Should You Print?
Last updated September 01, 2026 • Shore hardness, elasticity & printability for flexible FDM filaments
Flexible filaments let you print parts that bend, stretch, and absorb impact instead of cracking — think tires, gaskets, phone cases, and drone bumpers. The two names you'll see are TPU and TPE, and they're often used interchangeably, which causes confusion. TPU is a specific type of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) within the broader TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) family. In practice, "TPU" usually means a firmer, more printable 95A material, while "TPE" refers to softer, more elastic blends. This comparison helps you choose the right one for your printer and your part.
Flexibility Comparison Table
| Property | TPU (95A) | TPE (85–90A) |
|---|---|---|
| Shore hardness | 95A (firm flex) | 85–90A (soft flex) |
| Elongation at break | ~300–400% | ~400–600% |
| Abrasion resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Layer adhesion | Excellent | Good |
| Print difficulty | Moderate | Hard |
| Nozzle temp | 220–240°C | 220–240°C |
| Recommended extruder | Direct drive | Direct drive (mandatory) |
| Typical price | $28–$45/kg | $35–$55/kg |
Shore Hardness and Real-World Feel
Shore hardness is the key spec. A 95A TPU feels like a shoe sole or a hard rubber wheel — it flexes under pressure but snaps back firmly. An 85A TPE feels more like a silicone band or a soft grip — it stretches easily and deforms under light load. Most "flexible PLA" profiles sold for desktop printers are actually 95A TPU because it's the softest material a typical direct-drive extruder can reliably push. Softer TPEs (below 90A) buckle and jam in all but the most tuned Bowden setups, and even on direct drive they demand very slow print speeds.
Printability and Equipment Requirements
Flexible filament is the one material class where the extruder matters more than the hotend. Direct-drive extruders — standard on modern Bambu Lab, Prusa MK4, and Creality K1 printers — handle 95A TPU at 25–30mm/s with minimal trouble. The short filament path prevents the soft material from buckling. Bowden extruders can sometimes manage 95A TPU at very slow speeds, but soft TPE is effectively impossible without a direct-drive conversion.
Retraction is the other gotcha. Aggressive retraction pulls soft filament back and forth through the PTFE tube, causing buckling, jams, and under-extrusion. Most flexible profiles reduce retraction to 0–1.5mm at low speed, or disable it entirely. Print speed drops to 20–30mm/s, and volumetric flow is capped low (3–6 mm³/s). Drying is essential — wet TPU prints stringy and bubbles, ruining the surface.
Which to Choose
- Choose TPU (95A) for tires, wheels, phone cases, drone bumpers, and any part that needs durable flex with abrasion resistance. It's the practical default for most makers.
- Choose TPE (85–90A) for soft gaskets, wearable straps, grips, and seals where maximum elasticity matters more than print speed or durability.
→ Overture TPU Profiles • → Polymaker PolyFlex Profiles • → Creality K1 + Overture TPU Profile • → Prusa MK4 + PolyFlex TPU95 Profile
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TPU or TPE more flexible?
TPE is generally softer and more flexible (Shore 85–90A), while TPU is firmer (Shore 95A). TPE stretches more but is harder to print; TPU is the practical middle ground for most makers.
Can you print TPU on a Bowden extruder?
It's difficult. TPU prints far more reliably on a direct-drive extruder, where the short filament path reduces buckling. Bowden printers can manage harder 95A TPU slowly, but soft TPE is near-impossible.
Do flexible filaments need retraction?
Usually reduce or disable it. Retraction can cause soft filament to buckle and jam. Most TPU profiles use 0–1.5mm retraction at low speed, with slow print speeds of 20–30mm/s.