ELEGOO TPU 95A review: a friendly first flexible spool, with preparation still required
At a glance
An approachable flexible filament when the roll is dry and the intended feel is checked.
The setup
- Standard ELEGOO TPU 95A formulation.
- Black one-kilogram spool, 1.75 mm filament.
- Separate from ELEGOO Rapid TPU 95A.
Why consider it
- Encouraging results for first flexible projects.
- Pliable parts that retain a useful shape.
- Presentable black finish without extra finishing.
What to weigh up
- Drying can be necessary before a clean first print.
- Inspect the reel before feeding from a dryer.
ELEGOO TPU 95A is worth considering for a first flexible project if you have a workable drying routine. The black-spool feedback is encouraging about printing and finish, but the most useful condition is easy to miss: a profile that works well does not make filament condition irrelevant.
A smooth first project starts before loading
Generic-profile success appears in the feedback, alongside an Ender setup that needed its own settings. There is also a clear difference between a conditioned roll and a roll that strings. Treat a ready-made profile as a starting point, then establish whether the filament and feeding path are ready for the job.
- Inspect the reel. Look for cracked flanges and check that it can rotate in the holder you intend to use.
- Check the material condition. A wet-arrival complaint and improved results after drying make this worth attention before troubleshooting every slicer setting.
- Print one useful feature. A flexible lip, a narrow wall or the part’s tightest bend is more informative than filling a plate immediately.
The damaged-reel experience was followed by an offered replacement. The practical lesson is to inspect before beginning a drying-and-printing routine; it is not evidence that all reels are fragile or that a replacement is guaranteed.
Flexible enough for what?
The material is described as pliable without feeling especially soft. That can suit a cover or shaped adapter that needs to bend while keeping its form. It can disappoint if your mental picture is a squashy rubber toy.
Intended feel
A cover that fits around an object
Useful check: Test installation and removal without overstretching the thinnest area.
A part that keeps a flexible shape
Useful check: Print a small section using the intended wall count and infill.
A very soft cushion or squeeze toy
Useful check: Compare hardness choices before buying; a TPU label does not settle the feel.
The finish can be worth keeping visible
Smooth, glossy black parts and a presentable raw finish are positive themes. This matters for exposed covers where you would rather avoid a finishing process. It is still worth testing the actual visible faces: favorable appearance does not establish precise dimensions or a rated load capacity.
Leave room for a slower routine
A successful toy-printing experience still calls for slower printing. That is compatible with the positive first-time experience: approachable does not mean printing it like a fast PLA. Start with the printer’s appropriate flexible-material guidance and judge a clean result before optimizing time.
Choose the standard TPU 95A deliberately. ELEGOO also sells a Rapid TPU 95A line; its settings and speed claims should not be silently transferred to this spool.
Pros & Cons Analysis
Based on supplied customer reviews and verified product documentation
Pros
- A manageable route into flexible printing. The black-spool feedback includes successful first TPU projects and working generic profiles. This supports a trial on a suitable setup, while keeping slower printing and individual calibration in the plan.
- Useful when bending and shape retention both matter. The described feel is flexible without being especially soft. Try the intended wall geometry; these subjective experiences do not certify sealing, cushioning or mechanical service.
- The raw surface can suit an exposed part. Smooth and glossy black results make covers a plausible use. Confirm the finish on the visible face rather than assuming every orientation or profile looks the same.
Cons
- Packaging does not settle print readiness. Moisture-related defects appear in the feedback even though other rolls produce clean parts. Check the roll’s condition before blaming the profile or expecting every new spool to behave alike.
- The spool is part of the workflow. A broken reel prevented a drying-while-printing setup, although a replacement was later offered. A quick arrival inspection can expose that problem before a long job.
Make the first roll a preparation check
ELEGOO TPU 95A is a reasonable starting point for flexible covers and shaped parts if you can condition the filament and give the first profile time to settle.
- Choose it when a pliable, shape-holding part fits the project.
- Pause the bulk order until a small print confirms softness, finish and feed.
- Resolve drying first if you need a completely preparation-free workflow.
My first trial worked—what should I check next?
Repeat the most demanding feature using the actual spool holder and drying arrangement planned for the full job. A clean small print is a good start; consistent feeding is the next useful check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ELEGOO TPU 95A the same as Rapid TPU 95A?
They are separately named product lines. This review covers standard TPU 95A; use the instructions for the actual spool instead of transferring Rapid TPU speed claims.
Will it feel like very soft rubber?
Do not assume so. Feedback describes flexible but relatively firm parts. Wall thickness and infill should be tested on the intended shape.
Technical Specifications
| Product type | Flexible TPU filament |
|---|---|
| Formulation | ELEGOO TPU 95A; not Rapid TPU 95A |
| Nominal Shore hardness | 95A |
| Filament diameter | 1.75 mm; manufacturer tolerance ±0.02 mm |
| Reviewed package | Black, 1 kg spool |
| Manufacturer nozzle guidance | 220–240°C on the official pictured spool label; check the supplied roll |
| Manufacturer bed guidance | Not established in the checked standard-TPU page; do not substitute Rapid TPU guidance |
| Feeding compatibility | Match the exact printer and feeder; no automatic-system compatibility established |
| Drying and storage | Official pictured label: 70°C for 8 hours; check supplied spool and drying equipment limits |
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