Filament finder

Which filament do you need? Answer two quick questions and we'll point you to the right material, the filament we sell for it, and whether it suits your printer.

1. What are you printing?

2. Which printer do you have? (optional)

Our suggestion

Special finishes: silk, matte, marble, sparkle and more

For: something that looks special · Material: PLA with a special finish

Most special finishes are PLA, so they print as easily as normal PLA. Pick the look first – a finish changes how a print looks, not how strong it is.

Filament we sell for this

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Suits): These PLA finishes print on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • P1S (Suits): These PLA finishes print on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • P2S (Suits): These PLA finishes print on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): These PLA finishes print on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • Bambu Lab says PLA Wood must be dried before use, and it doesn't work with a 0.2 mm nozzle.
  • For many colours in one print you need an AMS. See which AMS fits your printer.
Read: Which AMS fits my printer?

Other uses

Indoor models, toys and decorations: PLA

For: models, toys and decorations · Material: PLA

PLA is the easiest filament to print, comes in the widest range of colours and finishes, and warps very little. Bambu Lab calls PLA the default filament for most 3D printers.

Filament we sell for this

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell, and in every AMS.
  • P1S (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell, and in every AMS.
  • P2S (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell, and in every AMS.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell, and in every AMS.
  • Keep PLA away from damp air. Bambu Lab recommends drying it before use if you're not sure how it has been stored.
Read: PLA vs PETG

New to 3D printing: start with PLA

For: i'm new to 3d printing · Material: PLA

Bambu Lab's beginner advice is to start with PLA and only move to other materials once you're confident. It prints at lower temperatures and gives predictable results.

Filament we sell for this

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • P1S (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • P2S (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): PLA prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell.
  • Not sure about refills? A refill is the filament without the plastic spool – it fits onto a Bambu reusable spool you already own.
Read: Refill or filament on a spool?

Strong, practical parts: PETG, PLA Tough+ or carbon fibre

For: strong, practical parts · Material: PETG (or PLA Tough+, PLA-CF, PETG-CF)

Bambu Lab rates PETG higher than PLA for strength and durability, and it's still easy to print. For stiff parts, carbon-fibre filled filaments are an option – they need a hardened steel nozzle.

Filament we sell for this

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Check): PETG and PLA Tough+ are fine. For PLA-CF or PETG-CF, fit a hardened steel hotend first (the A series comes with stainless steel). PETG-CF can't go in the AMS lite.
  • P1S (Check): PETG and PLA Tough+ are fine. For PLA-CF or PETG-CF, fit a hardened steel hotend first (the P1S comes with stainless steel).
  • P2S (Suits): All of these print on the P2S. It has a hardened steel nozzle as standard, so carbon-fibre filaments work out of the box.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): All of these print on the H series, which has hardened steel nozzles as standard.
  • PETG absorbs moisture more than PLA. Keep it sealed and dry it before use for the best finish.
Read: PLA vs PETG

Outdoor parts: ASA or PETG

For: outdoors (sun and rain) · Material: ASA (or PETG)

Bambu Lab describes its ASA as having excellent UV and weather resistance, ideal for outdoor parts. ASA needs an enclosed printer. On an open-frame printer, Bambu Lab's PETG Basic is the alternative: it has improved resistance to water, UV and temperature.

Filament we sell for this

  • Bambu Lab ASA£21.99UV and weather resistant. Enclosed printer required; not for AMS lite.
  • Bambu Lab PETG Basicfrom £15.99Suggested by Bambu Lab for outdoor accessories.

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Check): ASA isn't recommended on the open-frame A series. Choose PETG Basic instead.
  • P1S (Suits): The P1S is enclosed with a carbon filter, so ASA and PETG both print.
  • P2S (Suits): The P2S is enclosed with a carbon filter, so ASA and PETG both print.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): The H series is enclosed with a heated chamber, so ASA and PETG both print.
  • ASA comes on a high-temperature reusable spool. Bambu Lab lists ASA as not compatible with AMS 2 Pro drying – use an AMS HT or the printer's heated bed.
Read: How to store and dry filament

Heat resistant parts: ASA or ABS

For: heat resistant · Material: ASA or ABS

ABS and ASA cope with heat much better than PLA. Bambu Lab gives a heat deflection temperature (a lab test) of 100 °C for its ASA and 87 °C for its ABS. Both need an enclosed printer.

Filament we sell for this

  • Bambu Lab ASA£21.99HDT 100 °C (Bambu Lab figure), also UV resistant.
  • Bambu Lab ABSfrom £15.99HDT 87 °C (Bambu Lab figure), tough and durable.

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Not recommended): Bambu Lab doesn't recommend ABS or ASA on the open-frame A series. You'd need an enclosed printer such as the P2S.
  • P1S (Suits): The P1S is enclosed with a carbon filter, made for ABS and ASA as well as PLA and PETG.
  • P2S (Suits): The P2S is enclosed with a carbon filter, made for ABS and ASA as well as PLA and PETG.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): The H series has an actively heated chamber (up to 65 °C) for engineering materials.
  • ABS and ASA give off fumes while printing: use an enclosed printer with a filter, in a ventilated room.
  • Neither works in the AMS lite.
Read: Bambu Lab printer comparison

Flexible parts: TPU for AMS

For: flexible or rubbery · Material: TPU

TPU bends instead of snapping. Ordinary TPU is too soft to feed reliably through an AMS, so Bambu Lab makes TPU for AMS (Shore 68D) that works in all AMS units, including the AMS lite.

Filament we sell for this

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Suits): TPU prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell. Softer, ordinary TPU should go on the external spool holder or the AMS HT's bypass, not through the AMS.
  • P1S (Suits): TPU prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell. Softer, ordinary TPU should go on the external spool holder or the AMS HT's bypass, not through the AMS.
  • P2S (Suits): TPU prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell. Softer, ordinary TPU should go on the external spool holder or the AMS HT's bypass, not through the AMS.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): TPU prints on every Bambu Lab printer we sell. Softer, ordinary TPU should go on the external spool holder or the AMS HT's bypass, not through the AMS.
  • TPU must be dried before use (Bambu Lab). The AMS 2 Pro may not dry TPU fully – use an AMS HT or the printer's heated bed.
Read: How to store and dry filament

Supports that come away cleanly

For: easy-remove or soluble supports · Material: Support material or PVA

Support materials are used only for the layers that touch your model, so supports come away cleanly and leave a smoother surface. PVA dissolves in water.

Filament we sell for this

Your printer

  • A1 mini, A1 or A2L (Suits): Works with an AMS lite or AMS so the printer can switch between model and support.
  • P1S (Suits): Works with an AMS so the printer can switch between model and support.
  • P2S (Suits): Works with an AMS 2 Pro or AMS HT so the printer can switch between model and support.
  • H2S, H2D, H2C or H3C (Suits): On the two-nozzle H2D and H2C, or the H3C tool changer, the support material can have its own nozzle, so there's far less purge waste.
  • Damp PVA can jam in the AMS – dry it first. Bambu Lab lists PVA as not compatible with AMS 2 Pro drying; use an AMS HT (85 °C).
Read: Which AMS fits my printer?
PLA vs PETGThe two everyday filaments compared.Store and dry filamentBambu Lab's drying temperatures and times.Materials & finishesPLA, PETG, ABS, ASA and TPU at a glance.

Sources

General advice only: check each filament's own details for your print. Still not sure? Call 01495 820215 or email hello@grp3d.shop.