Best 3D Printer Nozzle in 2021
Level up your 3D printing with our top nozzle recommendations
- Last Updated Apr 27, 2021
Tasked with depositing filament on the print bed to bring 3D prints to life, the nozzle has one of the most demanding jobs of any of the constituent parts of a 3D printer. It is the part that has the most significant impact on the final quality of your creations, not to say how long the printing process takes, and as such, it’s well worth spending some time to find the right nozzle to level up your 3D printing experience.
With the ever-rising popularity of 3D printing, there are countless nozzles of varying diameters and types to choose from as manufacturers bring more and more options to the market, which can test even the most patient builders trying to figure which one is best for their needs and aims. Which is the best 3D printer nozzle?
To answer that very question, we’ve pieced together this helpful guide highlighting some of the best nozzle options currently available. If you’re on the verge of pulling your hair out and need some pointers to ease the process, you’ve come to the right place.
Products at a Glance
How We Picked
So, how did we pick the best 3D printer nozzles? To help us sort through the numerous options out there, we focused our search on multiple key factors, specifications, and features that define every nozzle: size, diameter, build quality and materials (steel, brass, etc.), supported filament, known issues such as clogging, and, of course, real-world printing performance.
After scouring the market, we narrowed our selection to four nozzles that strike a careful balance of all the above to deliver the best printing experience at several different price points. It goes without saying that there are plenty of other great nozzles out there, but for the purpose of this article, we’ve had to slim down our selection. If you feel we’ve missed out on some top choices, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comment section below.
Read on to find out what each brings to the table, where they fall short, and where they shine brightest. For those that require a bit more guidance on what to look for when shopping for a 3D printer nozzle, you’ll find a handy ‘Things to Consider’ section at the end.
Best 3D Printer Nozzle in 2021
E3D is one of the most respected nozzle manufacturers in 3D printing, chiefly because they are responsible for producing the popular V6 hot end found in so many 3D printer extruders. As such, their nozzles are designed for compatibility with a vast swathe of 3D printers and are quality products to boot.
The E3D Hardened Steel Nozzle is a prime option for those looking to experiment and print with abrasive materials such as carbon fiber, wood-based filaments, and metal-filled types. While the E3D Hardened Steel Nozzle is undoubtedly capable of handling thermoplastic filament like PLA and ABS, there are better options out there for those primarily using such materials that don’t require as much temperature tinkering to produce impressive prints.
The high-quality black hardened steel construction is among the most durable out there, suitable for years of use. The nozzle can support temperatures up to 500 degrees, plenty to mitigate the higher temperatures needed to make the most of hardened steel nozzles. A smooth interior lining ensures clogs are rare, perfect for those looking for a reliable nozzle.
With the aim of offering builders plenty of options, the E3D Hardened Steel Nozzle ships in a broad range of sizes suitable for both 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm filament, covering every application from detail-oriented miniatures to large practical creations. The sizes offered include 0.25 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.8 mm.
Lastly, one of the most attractive features of the E3D Hardened Steel Nozzle is the price point, which considering the quality and durability of the nozzle, is reasonable.
Another great option from the folks at E3D, the E3D Nozzle X is one of the more versatile options out there because of its unique construction, which marries a hardened tool-steel base with a nickel plating and a WS2 ‘polyphobic’ nano-coating.
The novel design aims to combine the abrasion resistance of hardened steel and the high-temperature resistance of materials like copper to create a nozzle that is extremely hard and durable and can handle temperatures without softening. The result is that the E3D Hardened Steel Nozzle can confidently print a range of materials, everything from abrasive carbon fiber-filled PEEK to nylon by way of thermoplastics.
The nano-coating works to ensure hot filament doesn’t stick to the nozzle surface to drastically reduce build-up, improve first-layer deposition, promote smooth layering throughout a print, and guarantee easy maintenance.
E3D is so confident in the durability of the Nozzle X that the company offers a lifetime wear warranty: should the nozzle wear out, E3D will replace it free of charge, no questions asked.
Additionally, the E3D Nozzle X is extremely affordable for what is essentially a ‘nozzle to rule them all’ as E3D puts it. Much like the hardened steel variant, E3D Nozzle X variants for both 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm filament are available, as are the following bore diameters: 0.25 mm, 0.3 mm, 0.35 mm, 0.4 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, and 0.8 mm.
The only complaint we can throw at the Nozzle X is that temperature configuration can verge on the complex when paired with certain printers and materials. Beginners may find the troubleshooting offputting and may prefer to opt for a more user-friendly brass alternative.
Being the most popular type of nozzle, brass nozzles are the most prone to wear and tear, especially for particularly prolific makers. The LUTER Extruder Nozzles stand as a low-cost way to swap out a tired nozzle on a printer equipped with an MK8 type hot end.
They are widely compatible with many 3D printers, including popular models such as the Makerbot Creality CR-10, MK8 Makerbot Reprap Prusa I3, and most other 1.75mm PLA ABS 3D printers equipped with extruders sporting an external M6 thread. Print results are smooth using the LUTER Extruder Nozzles, and they work well to avoid errors and clogging thanks to a rounded chamfer despite their low cost.
Perhaps the most attractive feature of the LUTER Extruder Nozzles is the range of bore diameters included in the set (conveniently housed in a plastic case for easy storage): 2 x 0.2 mm, 2 x 0.3 mm, 12 x 0.4 mm, 2 x 0.5 mm, 2 x 0.6 mm, 2 x 0.8 mm, 2 x 1.0 mm.
It goes without saying that as brass-based nozzles, the LUTER Extruder Nozzles aren’t suitable for coarse, abrasive materials. Using them with anything other than PLA or ABS grinds away at the nozzles’ innards, causing them to be virtually unusable due.
The LUTER Extruder Nozzles are generally well-machined, but dud batches with threading issues and clogging problems have been known to crop up here and there. To counter this, we recommend buying from a retailer with a robust return policy to source a replacement quickly.
Those looking to tinker with coarse materials and needing an upgrade from a comparatively more fragile brass nozzle should consider the Mudder Hardened Steel Nozzle. Priced affordably and shipped in sets of either five, ten, or fifteen nozzles, the Mudder Hardened Steel Nozzle features a bore diameter of 0.4 mm and support for 1.75 mm filament – one of the most popular and versatile configurations given their best of both worlds capabilities that balance precision and print speeds. Compared to E3D hardened steel nozzles, these are considerably more affordable.
The hardened steel construction makes the Mudder Hardened Steel Nozzle suitable for abrasive materials such as carbon-fiber fills, fiberglass, and metal-infused filament. The thermoformed steel ensures resistance to wear, corrosion, and heat to reduce softening and guarantee durability over the long term, even after prolonged use. Hardness tallies up to 50 HRC.
As such, the nozzle performs rather poorly with thermoplastics due to the need to push much higher temperatures than brass nozzle options. Even with suitable materials, temperatures do need to be adjusted accordingly to get good results.
It’s worth noting that the Mudder Hardened Steel Nozzle is designed to pair with printers using MK8 hot ends, specifically the Creality Ender-2, Creality Ender-3, Creality Ender-3 Pro, Creality Ender-5, Creality CR-10, Prusa i3, Anet A8, and Reprap printers.
The machining lottery does play its role here, so defects do pop up occasionally, but nothing a quick return won’t solve.
Things To Consider
Our Verdict
Leveraging one of the most respected names in the 3D printing world, the E3D Hardened Steel Nozzle proposes an easy way to transform any V6 hot end into an abrasive material printing workhorse. With quality etched into every nook and cranny of the nozzle, the slightly higher price is warranted, although entirely reasonable in the grand scheme of 3D printing costs, especially as the E3D Hardened Steel Nozzle should last for years to come and produce consistent prints.
Similarly impressive is the E3D Nozzle X. Designed with versatility in mind, this nozzle marries some of the best characteristics of different nozzle types to create an option capable on all fronts and compatible with numerous filament types. A top choice for makers that want to experiment untethered to a brass or steel nozzle.
Brass nozzles wear, and if you’re in the market for an upgrade but don’t want to break the bank, then the LUTER Extruder Nozzles are a value-packed, low-cost level up as long as you have a compatible 3D printer with an MK8 extruder. The range of sizes and multiple pieces of each bore diameter also give makers plenty of options to create everything from detailed miniatures to larger, functional prints.
Finally, the Mudder Hardened Steel Nozzle is an affordable way to modify a 3D printer to confidently tackle coarse materials such as metal-filled filament, all while keeping costs down.
We’ll now wrap up our guide to the best 3D printer nozzles. Don’t hesitate to hit us up in the comments section below with any recommendations of your own or questions and concerns.