Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 vs Bambu Lab TPU 95A HF

Who this comparison is for

This page is for anyone choosing between these two specific 1.75 mm spools: Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 in Black (SKU PD01001, 750 g) and Bambu Lab TPU 95A HF in Black (51100, 1 kg, with spool). Both are 95A, a soft grade, so the questions are mostly about your printer: how it feeds filament, how fast you want to print, and what your multi-material system can take. If you're new to flexible filament, start with our TPU compatibility guide. For other brands and hardness grades, see the TPU filament shortlist. We also compare PolyFlex TPU95 with its softer sibling in PolyFlex TPU90 vs TPU95, and TPU 95A HF with Bambu's TPU for AMS and NinjaTek Cheetah.

How we compared them

This is a research-based comparison. Every figure below comes from the makers' own data sheets, product pages, and wiki guides, listed in the sources. We haven't tested either filament, so nothing here is a measured result of ours. Where a maker describes its own product, such as "printer-friendly" or "3 times faster," we label it as the maker's claim.

We only put numbers side by side where both makers publish the same kind of value. For these two, that is almost nothing beyond print settings, so most of the strength data stays out. We explain why below.

Side-by-side specs

750 g against 1 kg

PolyFlex TPU95 is sold only as a 750 g spool. Bambu's TPU 95A HF holds 1 kg. So one spool of PolyFlex gives you a quarter less filament than one spool of TPU 95A HF. Check the net weight on the listing, and compare cost per kilogram rather than per spool if price is part of your decision.

Speed: different numbers, not a like-for-like measure

This is the clearest difference in intent. Bambu sells TPU 95A HF as a "High-speed printing TPU" and says it prints three times faster than its standard TPU 95A. Its store page tests both on the same model specimen, 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm tall at 40% infill, printed at 230 °C: 12 mm³/s and 147 mm/s for TPU 95A HF, against 3.6 mm³/s and 44 mm/s for TPU 95A. Its data sheet gives a print speed below 200 mm/s.

Polymaker doesn't sell PolyFlex TPU95 as a fast grade. Its data sheet gives 30–50 mm/s. Its product page gives 20–40 mm/s in the print settings and a 40 mm/s maximum in the specifications panel, and recommends printing "VERY slow" on stock, older printers. We list the data sheet figure in the table, but the product page is the more cautious of the two.

These figures come from different methods. Bambu's comes from one test model, and Polymaker's is general guidance for most desktop printers. Read them as each maker's advice, not as a measured race.

Feeding: direct drive and Bowden

Soft TPU is hard to push through a long tube, and Polymaker says so plainly for PolyFlex TPU95, though its wording pulls in more than one direction:

Bambu's TPU 95A HF documentation is written for Bambu Lab printers and doesn't give Bowden settings. Bambu's A2L TPU guide makes the same general point about resistance, warning that "an overly long PTFE tube" can lead to extruder gear slipping, filament wear, or feeding interruptions. If your printer uses a Bowden tube, Polymaker's Bowden retraction numbers sit beside its warning not to set up the printer as Bowden, and Bambu gives no Bowden guidance, so check your printer maker's TPU guidance first. Our TPU compatibility guide covers direct drive and Bowden in more detail.

AMS and multi-material systems

Neither filament is for a standard AMS or AMS lite.

• Bambu Lab TPU 95A HF. The store page marks it "All AMS Series NOT Compatible." Bambu's filament guide lists TPU 95A among filament that is "too soft" and says such filament "cannot pass smoothly through the AMS / AMS lite channel." There's one documented route: Bambu's A2L TPU guide marks TPU 95A HF "Only compatible with AMS HT," fed through the AMS HT's dedicated TPU outlet. The AMS HT's store page explains what that means. TPU goes through the port at the rear of the top cover, you push it through to the extruder by hand, and the AMS HT "cannot use the automatic feed and return function" for TPU, though it can still be used as a drying box. The same page says the AMS HT can't run drying while it feeds a print through the bypass port. So there's no automatic color switching with TPU 95A HF.
• Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95. Polymaker's product page doesn't mention the AMS. Bambu's notes for the AMS say to avoid "flexible materials, including TPU, TPE," because they may get stuck in the feed tube, and Bambu's rules for 95A TPU apply whoever made it. Bambu's A2L guide covers only Bambu's own TPUs, so it says nothing about this spool. The AMS HT's store page does list "generic TPU" for its bypass outlet, which means the same manual feeding with no color switching. Otherwise, feed it from the external spool holder.

Polymaker also ships on cardboard, and Bambu's AMS notes strongly advise a spool adapter or adapter ring for cardboard spools in the AMS. The AMS HT's store page also doesn't list generic TPU among the filaments it supports for drying, so check with Bambu before drying PolyFlex TPU95 in one. Our AMS filament compatibility guide collects Bambu's rules for TPU and spools.

Temperatures and build plates

The nozzle windows overlap at 220–230 °C. PolyFlex TPU95 runs 10 °C cooler at the bottom of its range, and TPU 95A HF 10 °C hotter at the top. The bed ranges are very different in width. Polymaker gives 25–60 °C on PC or textured PEI, with glue when needed. Bambu gives a narrow 30–35 °C with glue, on its Cool Plate, Engineering Plate, High Temperature Plate, or Textured PEI, and its store page says TPU 95A HF isn't compatible with the Cool Plate SuperTack. Both makers say the cooling fan should be on.

Bambu's filament guide lists TPU as fine on open-frame or enclosed printers. Its data sheet gives a 25–45 °C chamber range for TPU 95A HF. Polymaker's data sheet says no enclosure is needed for PolyFlex TPU95.

Strength figures: not comparable

Both makers publish elongation and Young's modulus, but they used different test standards, so we don't set them side by side. Polymaker tested PolyFlex TPU95 to ISO 37 (a rubber tensile test) and gives 551.2 ± 23.5% elongation at break and a Young's modulus of 33.6 ± 0.9 MPa, in X-Y only. Bambu tested TPU 95A HF to ISO 527 (a plastics tensile test) and gives above 650% elongation in X-Y and above 480% in Z, with a Young's modulus of 9.8 MPa in X-Y. Polymaker's product page labels its figures ISO 527 and gives the modulus as 33.6 "GPa," which conflicts with its own data sheet. We follow the data sheet, which gives ISO 37 and MPa.

The specimens differ too. Polymaker printed at 230 °C on a 50 °C bed with 100% infill, two shells, three top and bottom layers, and the fan on, and doesn't state a speed. Bambu printed at 230 °C on a 35 °C bed at 140 mm/s with 100% infill, then annealed and dried the specimens at 70 °C for 12 hours before testing.

We also left out these figures:

• Impact strength. Bambu gives 123.2 kJ/m² (X-Y) and 86.3 kJ/m² (Z) to ISO 179, without saying whether the bar was notched. Polymaker gives no impact figure.
• Water absorption. Polymaker gives 0.82% at equilibrium without stating the humidity. Bambu gives 1.08% saturated at 25 °C and 55% RH.
• Melt index. Polymaker measured at 210 °C with a 1.2 kg load, and Bambu at 210 °C with a 2.16 kg load.
• Heat resistance. Bambu lists heat deflection and Vicat as N/A, and Polymaker doesn't list either.

Density is the one shared figure, both to ISO 1183: 1.20–1.24 g/cm³ for Polymaker and 1.22 g/cm³ for Bambu. That's close enough that a kilogram of either gives you about the same length of filament.

Drying and storage

Both makers say TPU takes on moisture. Bambu calls TPU 95A HF "highly sensitive to humidity" and recommends drying it before use and after storage.

• Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95. The data sheet gives 70 °C for 8 hours. The product page's print settings give 65 °C for 8 hours, "Only if the material has absorbed moisture," and the specifications panel shows no drying entry. We list the data sheet value.
• Bambu Lab TPU 95A HF. The data sheet gives 70 °C for 8 hours in a blast drying oven, or 80–90 °C for 12 hours on an X1 Series heatbed, and printing and storage below 20% RH with desiccant. Bambu's A2L TPU guide adds 75 °C for 18 hours in an AMS HT, although the AMS HT's store page lists only TPU for AMS among the TPUs it supports for drying. The spool is rated to 90 °C. Bambu says a microwave or kitchen oven isn't suitable.

Check your dryer's documentation, and for PolyFlex, how it handles a cardboard spool, before heating either. Our filament dryer vs dry box guide covers the options.

What each maker says it's for

• Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95. Polymaker describes a TPU "engineered to work seamlessly with most desktop 3D printers" that "can stretch over three times its original length." Its examples are protective covers, flexible connectors, and wearable accessories.
• Bambu Lab TPU 95A HF. Bambu describes "an exceptionally soft and flexible filament with extraordinary impact resistance," for parts that need to withstand impact, collision, and falling, printed faster than standard TPU.

Polymaker

Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 (Black, 1.75 mm, 0.75 kg)

Best for

Flexible covers, grips, bumpers, and seals on printers that handle 95A TPU.

Skip this if

You need a softer TPU than 95A, or fast print times, or your printer is set up as Bowden and you can't print very slowly (Polymaker highly recommends direct drive and says Bowden is possible only at very slow speeds).

Specs, strengths, and limitations

Material

TPU

Diameter

1.75 mm

Net filament

750 g (filament only, not packaged weight)

Hardness

95A

Format

cardboard spool

Maker's nozzle range

210–230 °C

Strengths

• Manufacturer states it is engineered to work on most desktop 3D printers without specialized hardware.
• Manufacturer states it can stretch over three times its original length.
• Manufacturer TDS lists shore hardness 95A and no enclosure needed.

Limitations

• Slow printing: the TDS recommends 30–50 mm/s.
• Spool holds 0.75 kg, not 1 kg.
• Cardboard spool: Polymaker says it redesigned its spool edges to spin well in the AMS, but its Flexible TPU FAQ says TPU is often too soft to feed through the AMS and suggests avoiding it. Bambu Lab also advises against TPU in the AMS and recommends an adapter or ring for cardboard spools.

View on Amazon ↗ (opens Amazon in a new tab)Details checked 2026-10-06 against the manufacturer. Price and availability are on Amazon.

Bambu Lab

Bambu Lab TPU 95A HF (Black (51100), 1.75 mm, 1 kg, filament with spool)

Best for

Fast single-color flexible parts such as bumpers, grips, and cases, fed from an external spool on a Bambu Lab printer.

Skip this if

You want to run flexible filament through an AMS or AMS lite for multicolor prints.

Specs, strengths, and limitations

Material

TPU (high-flow)

Diameter

1.75 mm

Net filament

1000 g (filament only, not packaged weight)

Hardness

95A

Format

plastic spool

Maker's nozzle range

220–240 °C

Strengths

• Manufacturer states it prints 3 times faster than standard Bambu TPU 95A.
• TDS lists breaking elongation above 650% (X-Y) and impact strength of 123.2 kJ/m² (X-Y).
• Manufacturer states it comes on a high-temperature reusable spool (PC + ABS, rated 90 °C).

Limitations

• Not fed by any AMS: Bambu's store page lists all AMS series NOT compatible. Bambu's TPU and X/A2L guides allow the AMS HT only as a sealed drying chamber, fed via its TPU outlet.
• Manufacturer calls it highly sensitive to humidity and says to dry it before use and after storage.
• Bed temperature window is narrow, 30–35 °C, and the TDS calls for glue on the plate.
• Color per the listing's selected variant; check the color before buying.

View on Amazon ↗ (opens Amazon in a new tab)Details checked 2026-10-06 against the manufacturer. Price and availability are on Amazon.

Verdict: which should you buy?

Choose Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 if…

• You print on a direct-drive printer from any brand and are happy to print slowly, at 30–50 mm/s or less.
• You want a wider bed window, 25–60 °C, and don't want to rely on glue.
• You're fine with a 750 g cardboard spool fed from an external holder.

Choose Bambu Lab TPU 95A HF if…

• You print on a Bambu Lab printer and want a 95A TPU its maker sells for higher speeds, with Bambu's own data sheet settings.
• You want 1 kg on a plastic spool rated to 90 °C, so you can dry it on the spool.
• You have an AMS HT and want to use its TPU outlet and drying, accepting that feeding is manual, or you're happy with the external spool holder.

Safety and limits

How this page was checked

Every temperature, speed, feeding rule, drying setting, spool detail, and test figure above comes from the manufacturer documents in the sources section, retrieved on 2026-10-09. We haven't printed with either filament for this page, so nothing here is a measured result of ours. Polymaker's data sheet and product page disagree on drying, speed, and the test standard for elongation, and we've said which we followed. Bambu's data sheet tables don't always align values with their row labels when extracted, so we checked each value against its row. Values vary by color and revision, so check the current data sheet for your spool. Read more in our editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.

TPU: what to check before you buy a spool ↗