Flexible filaments like TPU and TPE open up a whole new world of possibilities—from phone cases and gaskets to shock-absorbing mounts and wearable devices. But printing flexible materials is more demanding than printing with PLA or PETG.
To get smooth, reliable flexible prints, you need a 3D printer that’s specifically good at handling soft, stretchy filaments. In this guide, we’ll cover the top 7 3D printers for flexible filament in 2025, based on performance, ease of use, and proven reliability.
What Makes a 3D Printer Good for Flexible Filament?
When printing TPU, TPE, or other flexibles, look for:
- Direct drive extruder: Provides consistent filament feeding without bending.
- Precision filament path: Minimal gaps and tight tolerances.
- Good bed adhesion: Prevents soft materials from moving during prints.
- Fine-tuned retraction and extrusion control: Reduces stringing and blobs.
- Adjustable print speeds: Flexible filament prefers slower speeds (20–40 mm/s).
Without these features, printing flexibles can quickly become frustrating.
Top 7 3D Printers for Flexible Filament
1. Prusa i3 MK4
✅ Best Overall Choice for Flexible Filament
- Extruder: Direct drive (Next-gen Nextruder)
- Build Volume: 250 × 210 × 220 mm
- Bed Surface: Removable PEI sheet
- Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Highlights:
- Tuned profiles for TPU, TPE, and soft filaments
- Exceptionally reliable filament handling
- Automatic first-layer calibration
- Flexible steel sheet helps soft prints pop off easily
Why It’s Great:
Prusa’s firmware and hardware combination makes printing TPU almost as easy as printing PLA.
2. Bambu Lab P1S
✅ Fastest Printing Flexible-Friendly Printer
- Extruder: Direct drive (fully integrated toolhead)
- Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- Bed Surface: Textured PEI plate
- Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Highlights:
- Handles TPU reliably at high speeds (up to 200 mm/s for rigid TPU)
- Excellent cooling and automatic flow calibration
- Advanced vibration compensation ensures clean flexible prints
Why It’s Great:
Blazing fast, but smart enough to slow down where flexibles need it.
3. Creality K1
✅ Best Budget CoreXY for TPU
- Extruder: Direct drive
- Build Volume: 220 × 220 × 250 mm
- Bed Surface: Flexible build plate
- Max Nozzle Temp: 300°C
Highlights:
- Great acceleration control for delicate flexibles
- Direct drive and auto bed leveling included
- Excellent performance after firmware updates
Why It’s Great:
Affordable CoreXY printer that balances speed and flexible filament reliability very well for its price point.
4. Sovol SV06 Plus
✅ Best Large-Format Flexible Printing
- Extruder: Direct drive all-metal hotend
- Build Volume: 300 × 300 × 340 mm
- Bed Surface: PEI-coated spring steel
Highlights:
- Large build volume for oversized flexible parts
- Direct drive with short filament path
- Open-source Marlin firmware for advanced tuning
Why It’s Great:
A rare combination of big printing space and solid flexible filament performance without breaking the bank.
5. Bambu Lab X1 Carbon
✅ Best High-End Printer for Flexible Materials
- Extruder: Advanced direct drive
- Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
- Bed Surface: PEI plate or textured plate options
Highlights:
- Automatic material system detection and flow tuning
- Excellent thermal and mechanical stability
- Active chamber temperature control (great for tricky flexibles)
Why It’s Great:
If you want a hands-off flexible filament printing experience, X1 Carbon makes it almost effortless.
6. Flashforge Adventurer 5M Pro
✅ Best Enclosed Option for TPU/TPE
- Extruder: Direct drive
- Build Volume: 220 × 220 × 220 mm
- Bed Surface: Flexible plate
- Max Nozzle Temp: 280°C
Highlights:
- Enclosure stabilizes ambient temp for better soft filament prints
- Compact design with easy filament loading
- Beginner-friendly slicer with TPU presets
Why It’s Great:
Ideal for printing TPU without worrying about drafts or temperature swings.
7. Voron 2.4 (DIY Build)
✅ Best DIY Flexible-Printing Powerhouse
- Extruder: Customizable direct drive (e.g., Galileo, Stealthburner)
- Build Volume: Custom (commonly 300 × 300 × 300 mm)
Highlights:
- Extreme mechanical rigidity
- Fully enclosed build chamber
- Advanced slicer profiles for flexible materials
- Infinite tuning possibilities (with patience)
Why It’s Great:
If you enjoy building and tuning printers, a well-built Voron can print TPU better and faster than almost anything else—and at industrial-grade quality.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing
| Factor | Importance for Flexible Filament |
|---|---|
| Direct drive extruder | Essential |
| Precision filament path | Highly important |
| Build surface adhesion | Critical |
| Chamber temperature stability | Helpful for ultra-soft TPU/TPE |
| Easy slicer settings | Reduces trial and error |
If your goal is easy, reliable flexible filament printing, prioritize direct drive and tight filament control above all else.
FAQs
Q1: Can I print TPU on any 3D printer?
Technically yes, but you’ll get much better results on printers with direct drive extruders and tight filament paths.
Q2: Do I need an enclosure for printing TPU or TPE?
No enclosure is required for TPU, but it can help stabilize temperatures for certain soft TPE variants.
Q3: What nozzle size is best for flexible filament?
- 0.4 mm is standard.
- For ultra-soft TPU, 0.5–0.6 mm can reduce clogging risks.
Q4: Can flexible filament damage my printer?
No, but flexible filament can jam if your printer isn’t properly tuned or designed for it.
Conclusion
Choosing the right 3D printer for flexible filament printing makes a massive difference. Whether you want a reliable all-rounder like the Prusa MK4, a speed demon like the Bambu Lab P1S, or a customizable powerhouse like a Voron, there’s a perfect machine to match your needs.
Direct drive extruders, slow and steady speeds, and excellent filament control are the keys to successful, stress-free flexible printing. Pick wisely, tune carefully, and you’ll soon be creating durable, stretchable parts like a pro.