Petg vs Tpu Filament: Which One Should You Buy?
Rigid PETG and flexible TPU filaments compared on hardness, print settings, pack size and colors for makers choosing between tough parts and flexible parts.
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A maker choosing between rigid parts and flexible parts faces petg vs tpu filament as a material choice first. PETG suits tough, rigid parts, while TPU suits flexible parts that bend and recover. This comparison puts two PETG and two TPU listings side by side on hardness, settings, diameter accuracy, pack size and colors, using only what each listing states.
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Verdict: Choose PETG for rigid, tough parts, such as the mechanical parts, holders and clamps named in the ELEGOO listing, and choose TPU for flexible parts such as phone cases, watch bands, insoles and gaskets, where the stated 95A hardness matters. Neither side wins on every spec, because the PETG listings state no hardness and the ELEGOO PETG listing states no print settings.
Machines on the list
SUNLU TPU Filament 1.75mm(250g*8,8 Packs,95a TPU)
A flexible 95A TPU filament in eight 250g packs across eight colors, with stated spool dimensions for AMS use.
Pros
- Flexible 95A TPU for parts that bend and recover
- Eight 250g packs in eight colors, from black to orange
- Spool diameter 140mm, width 36mm and hub hole diameter 53mm stated
- Nozzle 210-230°C, bed 50-60°C and speed 80-120mm/s stated
Cons
- Warranty description lists only 1, with no term stated
- Each spool is 250g, so longer prints need more spool changes than a 1kg spool
- AMS use calls for a printed spool adapter, per the listing
- Print speed is a range of 80-120mm/s, not a single setting
SUNLU PETG Filament
A tough PETG filament in a 4kg bundle, with stated print settings and diameter accuracy of +/- 0.02mm.
Pros
- Toughness and high impact resistance for sturdy, resilient parts
- Layer adhesion that reduces warping, with less stringing stated
- Nozzle 240-260°C, bed 60-70°C and speed 50-200mm/s stated
- 4kg bundle in black, white, grey and oak
Cons
- Warranty description lists only 1, with no term stated
- No flexibility stated, unlike the TPU examples
- Print settings are ranges, not single settings
- No spool dimensions are stated in the listing
SUNLU TPU Filament 1.75mm,(1kg,Black,95a TPU)
A flexible 95A TPU filament in a single black 1kg spool, with stated print settings and diameter accuracy of +/- 0.03mm.
Pros
- Flexible 95A TPU for flexible applications, robotics and fashion projects
- Layer adhesion with a smooth finish, wear resistant and oil resistant
- Nozzle 210-230°C, bed 50-60°C and speed 80-120mm/s stated
- Diameter accuracy of +/- 0.03mm with vacuum packaging stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated in the listing
- This listing is black only, in a single 1kg spool
- High speed claim is relative to ordinary TPU, with no baseline figure stated
- No spool diameter, width or hub hole diameter is stated, unlike the 8-pack listing
ELEGOO PETG 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm Black 4KG
A tough PETG filament in a black 4kg bundle of four 1kg spools, with diameter accuracy of +/- 0.02mm.
Pros
- Toughness and durability with high impact resistance for mechanical parts
- Smooth printing with minimal warping and shrinkage stated
- Diameter accuracy of +/- 0.02mm with neat winding to reduce tangles
- Dried before packing and vacuum sealed, with clog-free and bubble-free printing stated
Cons
- No warranty term is stated in the listing
- No nozzle, bed or speed figures are stated in the listing
- No flexibility stated, unlike the TPU examples
- Bundle is black only, with no color choice stated
Side by side
| Spec | SUNLU TPU 250g x 8 | SUNLU PETG 4kg | SUNLU TPU 1kg | ELEGOO PETG 4kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HQ Score | 62 | 60 | 59 | 58 |
| Material | TPU | PETG | TPU | PETG |
| Hardness | 95A | Not stated | 95A | Not stated |
| Diameter | 1.75mm | 1.75mm | 1.75mm | 1.75mm |
| Diameter accuracy | +/- 0.03mm | +/- 0.02mm | +/- 0.03mm | +/- 0.02mm |
| Nozzle temperature | 210-230°C | 240-260°C | 210-230°C | Not stated |
| Bed temperature | 50-60°C | 60-70°C | 50-60°C | Not stated |
| Print speed | 80-120mm/s | 50-200mm/s | 80-120mm/s | Not stated |
| Pack | 8 x 250g | 4kg | 1kg | 4kg, four 1kg spools |
| Warranty | 1, no term stated | 1, no term stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 3 November 2026.
How to choose petg vs tpu filament
The split is flexibility. The TPU listings state a Shore hardness of 95A and flexible thermoplastic polyurethane, with applications including wear seals, plugs, gaskets, insoles, watch bands, phone cases and drone parts. The PETG listings state toughness, high impact resistance and layer adhesion, with no flexibility claim; the ELEGOO PETG listing names mechanical parts, holders and clamps. If the part must bend, the TPU listings state the material for it; if it must stay rigid, the PETG listings do.
Print settings
Settings differ by material and listing. The SUNLU PETG listing recommends 240-260°C nozzle, 60-70°C bed and 50-200mm/s speed. Both TPU listings recommend 210-230°C nozzle, 50-60°C bed and 80-120mm/s speed. The ELEGOO PETG listing states no nozzle, bed or speed figures, so its settings cannot be compared from the listing alone. The ELEGOO listing states opened filament should be dried completely before using again; see the best filament dryer for petg and best filament dryer for tpu guides.
Pack sizes and colors
Pack size and color differ more than diameter, since all four listings state 1.75mm filament. The SUNLU PETG listing is a 4kg bundle in black, white, grey and oak, and the ELEGOO PETG listing is a black 4kg bundle of four 1kg spools. The SUNLU TPU 1kg listing is a single black 1kg spool, while the 8-pack listing is eight 250g packs in eight colors. Diameter accuracy is +/- 0.02mm on both PETG listings and +/- 0.03mm on both TPU listings.
What the listings leave unclear
Several specs are missing or incomplete. Neither PETG listing states a Shore hardness, so hardness cannot be compared across both sides. The ELEGOO PETG listing states no print settings at all. The SUNLU PETG and 8-pack listings give a warranty description of only 1, with no term stated, while the other two state no warranty term. The TPU 1kg listing states product dimensions of 7.67715 inches x 2.24409 inches x 7.67715 Inches without labeling them as spool dimensions, while the 8-pack states spool diameter 140mm, width 36mm and hub hole diameter 53mm explicitly.
Choose PETG if
- You want rigid, tough parts such as mechanical parts, holders and clamps.
- You want stated print settings, as the SUNLU PETG listing gives nozzle, bed and speed ranges.
- You want a 4kg bundle, in four colors from SUNLU or black from ELEGOO.
Choose TPU filament if
- You want flexible parts with a stated 95A hardness, such as phone cases, watch bands and gaskets.
- You want the stated TPU settings of 210-230°C nozzle and 50-60°C bed.
- You want color variety in small packs, as the 8-pack listing gives eight colors in 250g packs.
Project Match
- Rigid mechanical parts, holders and clamps: PETG examples, which state toughness.
- Flexible phone cases, watch bands, insoles and gaskets: TPU examples, which state 95A hardness.
- Multi-color flexible parts in small amounts: SUNLU TPU 250g x 8, with eight colors.
- Large rigid prints from one bundle: either 4kg PETG bundle.
FAQ: lasers and CNC
Is PETG flexible?
Not as stated. The PETG listings state toughness for rigid parts, while the TPU listings state flexible polyurethane with a 95A hardness.
Can TPU print at PETG temperatures?
The stated ranges differ. Both TPU listings recommend a nozzle temperature of 210-230°C, while the SUNLU PETG listing recommends 240-260°C.
Which pack gives the most colors?
The SUNLU TPU 8-pack listing, with eight 250g packs in black, white, clear, grey, red, blue, green and orange.
Does any listing state a warranty term?
No concrete term is stated. Two listings give a warranty description of only 1, and the other two state none.
Related: pla vs petg filament, best filament dryer for petg, best filament dryer for tpu and 3D printers.
