7 Best Rainbow Filaments: Colorful Addition to Your Collection

We’ve recently reviewed a few of the best rainbow filaments on the market and compiled a list of our seven favorites!
By
William McCollum
William McCollum
Research Writer
William is a talented journalist who’s been working in the industry for more than 10 years. He writes for our site on a freelance basis, putting all the expert findings to read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Rogelio Coulter
Rogelio Coulter
Expert Consultant
Rogelio is a tech genius. It seems like he knows everything when it comes to “How does it work?”. He is also an incredible IT specialist and a beginning graphic designer read more
Last updated: August 12, 2023
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Do you want a seamless, smooth finish to your 3D prints? And why not have the x-factor with rainbow coloring? We have done all the research to help you! The filaments we have reviewed are the top of the game for high-quality printing products, often with a beautiful sheen.

We looked for the best rainbow filament, and among the features we looked at were print quality, color and sheen. If you wish for some color, a number of these filaments offer a gradual change in color. Furthermore, we wanted to see if the filaments printed well, without sticking. And how much the filaments clogged up the machine or caused bubbling. We also looked at how shiny the end-product was and if that shine was uniform. Based on all these features, we have created a handy table for you as a quick overview. There’s also a buying guide to help you make the right choice for your next 3D printing project.

Quick Summary

  • Editor’s Choice: Yousu Silk Rainbow PLA Filament
    "A quality filament that provides consistent results over a wide variety of prints. Shine, adhesion, and print strength are what you can expect."
  • "With its fairly rapid color change, you can expect a completely multicolored product, making it ideal for smaller projects and prints."
  • "An array of iridescent colors adds a remarkable shine to the end product, no matter how big or small your print is."
  • "High-quality raw materials create uniform winding without tangling, clogging, and bubbling."
  • Best Durability: 3D Printer by iSANMATE Store
    "Compatible with all FDM printers, this durable filament uses a mixture of hues and glosses to create a remarkable end result."
  • Best Compatibility: AMOLEN PLA 3D Printer Filament
    "With this impressive rainbow filament, you can expect bright, shiny finishes in a clear texture. Ideal for larger prints where you can see the full-color effect."
  • Best Tolerance: Aystkniet PETG Filament
    "Premier materials and superior precision work together to create zero shrinkage and warping, leaving you with an impressive end result."

Top 7 Rainbow Filaments Reviewed in 2024

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Features
  • Material: Polylactic Acid
  • Color: silk rainbow
  • Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Printing temperature: nozzle temperature of 210°C – 225°C (410°F – 437°F) and bed temperature of 60°C – 80°C (140°F – 176°F)
  • Weight: 1 kg

More features: suitable for hanging on a lot of FDM 3D printers

The Yousu Silk Rainbow PLA Filament filament is our editor’s choice and our absolute favorite product because it provides consistent results over a wide variety of different prints. The high-quality prints that YOUSU is known for provide you with smooth printing, low shrinkage as well as no clogging or bubbling! With the strength of PLA+, this is the ideal rainbow filament for outdoor projects that require a stronger, more durable material.

Compiling a list of the top rainbow filaments wouldn’t be complete without a product from YOUSU! Well known for their quality 3D-related products, their rainbow filaments don’t disappoint. Every printing aspect – shine, smoothness, layer adhesion, stringing, and strength – is top-notch!

Unlike other filaments on the list, such as the PLA Filament by TTYT3D, the YOUSU is constructed from PLA+, which is stronger than regular PLA. If it’s the strength you’re looking for, you should consider the Yousu Silk Rainbow PLA Filament!

    What makes it stand out?
  • Some filaments tend to be brittle. Since YOUSU is PLA+ is much harder than your average filament, it doesn't bend or break easily.
  • This makes it the ideal medium for prototypes or consumer-related products that extend your average hobby project.
    Which disadvantages must you keep in mind?
  • Despite all its good features, the one issue that seemed prevalent with this filament is that it doesn't cool and harden as quickly as regular PLA.
  • While this could be because it needs to retain heat longer, it can be frustrating for some users. If you're going to opt for PLA+, make sure you factor in the extra cooling time.
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3957 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.5
9.7
Features
  • Material: Polylactic Acid
  • Color: silk shiny multicolored rainbow
  • Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Printing temperature: 401-446℉(205-230℃)
  • Weight: 1.5 kg

More features: strong compatibility, 100% tangle-free tips

This rainbow filament comes highly recommended because the filament color changes fairly rapidly (every 3 – 5 meters) compared to any other printer. It also has a silky finish and does not clog or bubble.

As a specialty filament, it is 1.5kg, not the usual 1 kg. This rainbow filament was firstly selected for the fact that it changes color fairly rapidly, meaning that you truly get multicolors in your end-product. Secondly, the product doesn’t bubble or clog.

Compared to many other products on the market, it changes color very rapidly. While it may only change every 10 meters rather than the manufacturer’s stated 3-5 meters, it is still going to give you a truly multicolored filament.

    What are its best features?
  • Rapidly-changing colors give a truly multicolored finish compared to other products.
  • There is a sheen to it.
  • It does not bubble or clogs.
    What could be improved?
  • The silky shine is not uniform all over, and the dullness can’t be avoided.
  • The filament sticks, so you will need a filament threader.
  • You need to ensure you have specific settings for the filament to work well.
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Chosen by 3174 people in the past 30 days
9.6
Customer Feedback
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9.3
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9.1
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9.5
9.6
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Features
  • Material: Polylactic Acid
  • Color: shiny silk multicolored
  • Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Printing temperature: 220°C
  • Weight: 1 kg

More features: easy to print

The manufacturer claims that this rainbow PLA filament changes every 3 – 5 meters. While this may not be true in practice, it certainly gives a beautiful sheen. The reviewers also found that many people were able to print well when using the correct nozzle and temperature. We chose this filament for its sheen and beautiful colors. It also prints well, for the most part.

This rainbow PLA filament gives a really good shine to the end-product. This is different from the MIKA 3D, where they shine isn’t consistent on the product. Color may not change, in practice, as rapidly as the MIKA 3D, but the colors are really stunning. However, some reviewers had issues with the filament getting stuck, despite experimenting with various settings.

    Why are we impressed?
  • The iridescent colors.
  • The shine of the end-product.
  • Ease of printing.
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • The print quality in certain instances in terms of extrusion.
  • The color could be more accurately represented on packaging and marketing material.
  • The filament getting stuck is an issue for some.
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9.5
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Customer Feedback
9.1
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9.2
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9.1
9.5
Features
  • Material: Polylactic Acid
  • Color: shining rainbow
  • Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Printing temperature: 200°C-230℃
  • Weight: 1 kg

More features: premium quality, vacuum package with desiccant

The PLA Silk Rainbow Filament provides one of the best satin silk luster effects of all the products we tested! Color changes every 15 – 17 meters, so you’ll only get the full effect if you print a large project. High-quality raw materials make it easy to use and avoid nozzle jamming and minimal deformation.

A smooth extrusion makes for uniform winding without any filament tangling. Additionally, this filament has a stronger layer of adhesion which always leads to a better first printed layer.

This particular rainbow filament changes color every 15 – 17 meters. Compared to the Shiny Silk Rainbow PLA Filament by MIKA3D, this is considerably longer. A longer distance between color changes makes it the ideal filament for larger projects where you can get the full effect of each color.

    What stands out?
  • It’s impressive that this filament has such a great first layer adhesion and easily sticks to a smooth PEI sheet.
  • It also performs well with nozzles sized from 0.25 to 0.6mm without clogging.
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Since each color only changes between 15 – 17 meters, it takes a very big or much denser product to enjoy the full rainbow effect.
  • Some users have hinted at the possibility of a shorter span between colors to enjoy more colors on a smaller project.
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9.4
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9.0
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9.3
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9.3
9.4
5
Features
  • Material: Polylactic Acid
  • Color: color change
  • Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Printing temperature: not specified
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.

More features: odorless, made of natural materials

The iSANMATE 3D Printer Filament is the perfect filament if you need to print projects weighing more than 300g. With its bright rainbow colors, you can expect a project that features constantly changing colors and provides a final result of a multi-rainbow mix! Reliable, durable, and made from natural materials, this filament is compatible with all 1.75mm printers. Since this filament doesn’t require a heating bed, it’s the perfect application for 3D pens and printers such as the Ender 3, Mendel, and Monoprice.

We added this popular product to our list because it’s so easy to use and provides an amazing-looking end product! An impressive mixture of hues and glosses makes this an ideal option to consider if you’re looking for a rainbow-colored product!

When you compare this rainbow filament to a few of the others on the list, it’s crucial to note that this unit doesn’t require a heating bed. It’s ideal for use with a 3D pen and FMD printers such as the ever-popular Ender 3!

    What do we love it for?
  • We found the print quality of this filament quite exceptional.
  • Aside from being easy to use, the filament provides the color combination exactly as it promises.
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Surprisingly, this filament is somewhat more brittle than generic PLA and can break on the first round of printing.
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6214 people in the past 30 days
8.9
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.4
8.9
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Best Compatibility

AMOLEN PLA 3D Printer Filament

Features
  • Material: Polylactic Acid
  • Color: Z-shiny multicolor rainbow
  • Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Printing temperature: 190-220°C
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.

More features: tangle and clog-free, highly compatible

The AMOLEN PLA 3D Printer Filament is a popular choice among hobbyists, and it’s easy to see why. Its shiny multicolor filament changes color every 15 meters offering red, green, and yellow. With its clear texture and shiny appearance, this product is ideal for large prints where you get the full effect of all the various colors. If you intend to print lithophanes, the AMOLEN is regarded by some as the ideal filament!

AMOLEN’s shiny PLA Filament made it to our list of favorites because of its high compatibility with most FDM 3D printers. These include LulzBot, MakerBot, Mendel, MakerGear, and YOUSU. It’s always easier to get a filament that’s compatible than to struggle to find the right one for your Printer.

Unlike some of the other models on our list, such as the Aystkniet PETG Filament, this filament has an impressive end result with the promised shiny and even silky result!

    What stands out?
  • One of the features we found impressive is the quality of this filament.
  • It provides a tangle and clog-free appearance with good shaping.
  • Unlike some other brands out there, there's no warping, no bubbles, and no jamming.
  • With a printing speed of 30 – 60mm/s, you can expect a quality end result.
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Some spools seem too badly wound. In this instance, the filament keeps catching under itself, resulting in tangling.
  • If you're not sitting right there during printing, you'll have to learn to edit and repair your failed prints.
  • In some cases, there are spots where the plastic is twisted or wrapped the opposite way.
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4591 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.9
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.7
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
9.0
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Best Tolerance

Aystkniet PETG Filament

Features
  • Material: Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol
  • Color: rainbow pink
  • Diameter: 1.75 mm
  • Printing temperature: 200-220°C
  • Weight: 2.2 lbs.

More features: +/- 0.02 mm accuracy, fits most FDM printers

If you’re looking for a filament with superior precision, you’ll love the Aystkniet PETG filament as much as we do! The tolerance of 0.02mm precision – better than the 0.05mm standard – ensures you’ll have no shrinkage or warping! It melts well, doesn’t clog the nozzle, and feeds smoothly.

Aystkniet’s premium PETG filaments are made from premier materials and will easily meet any of your printing demands. Quality materials ensure you have ease of printing and higher purity with low shrinkage. The superb layer bonding makes for a great end product!

Unlike filaments such as the Shiny Silk Rainbow PLA Filament by MIKA3D, this product is more suited to bigger print types. If you’re using your 3D Printer for prototypes or work projects, this is a perfect filament to consider!

    What are our favorite features?
  • As the preferred choice of designers and engineers, this filament is compatible with all standard 1,75mm FDM printers.
  • We like that its filament quality makes it suitable for a wide variety of different print types.
  • You can print anything from cosmetic prints, artificial showcasing items, and even high-end prototypes.
    What could be better?
  • Several users have found that the spools they received have a dull end result. This is rather disappointing, considering the vibrant, silky promise on the package.

Things to Consider

If you do a lot of 3D printing, you’ll undoubtedly know exactly what you need and what to expect from your chosen rainbow filament brand. You could even already have a favorite brand. On the other hand, if you’re a hobbyist just getting into the swing of things, you might be slightly overwhelmed by all the rainbow PLA filaments on the market.
As with 3D printers, it’s important to note that not all filaments are the same or provide similar results. Once you know what you want to print, it becomes necessary to find a filament with the features that will give you the best end result. We’ve compiled a handy buyer’s guide to help you identify the top features to consider when you’re shopping for the perfect rainbow filament. Keep reading for a closer look at these features and why they’re important!

Important Features

Rainbow filaments are the ideal way to create a multicolored 3D project without having to layer one color on top of each other using different colors and a complex process. This type of filament makes printing items such as toys and ornaments a firm favorite among hobbyists. Some of the top features include material, printing temperature, and diameter. While some features can seem more important, it’s important to keep your end project in mind. Read on for a better understanding as to why these features are so important!

Material

7 Best Rainbow Filaments: Colorful Addition to Your Collection
When it comes to ensuring a quality print, you’re going to need a reliable filament material.

The material used for nearly all rainbow filaments is PLA, which is polyester made of a combination of fermented plant starches. This material is useful for any hobby or display objects such as ornaments or even toys but is not strong enough for professional use.

If you’re going to need a filament for printing prototypes or items used outdoors, you should consider PLA+.

In general, PLA+ is made when additives are added to the regular PLA to make it both stronger and more durable. A product on our review list to consider is the YOUSU Rainbow Silk PLA+ Filament.

What you may like the best about it is that it’s biodegradable once outside in the environment but very durable for those homemade objects. It’s also made from renewable resources such as corn starch, maize, or even sugar beet pulp! Filaments such as the 3D Printer by iSANMATE Store is made from natural materials, and as an added benefit, it’s also odorless! So, when purchasing your filament, determine what you’ll use it for. Then purchase filament strong enough for that application.

Color variety

7 Best Rainbow Filaments: Colorful Addition to Your Collection
When you’re considering a rainbow filament, it’s usually for one reason – you want as much color on one project as possible!

The idea of a rainbow filament is to provide you with a variety of colors, one after the other. This means you could start printing in green, and as the print continues, the green becomes red, and then yellow or purple, depending on the colors on offer on the filament.

The end-product color you can obtain depends on the filament that you use, how much infilling you do, and how large your object is. For MIKA3D filament, you will almost certainly see quite a remarkable color change in your finished object – truly demonstrating rainbow colors. This may happen to a slightly lesser degree with the PLA Filament by TTYT3D, but the other filaments are more likely to show a gradual color change.

Of course, any silk filament will give lovely iridescence to your creation if you like this kind of finish. It’s important to bear in mind that using a large filament on a smaller print object will only render one of two colors.

These colors also won’t be as widely spread if the object isn’t large enough. For smaller projects, opt for a filament such as the Shiny Silk Rainbow PLA Filament by MIKA3D, where the color change happens between 3 – 10 meters. For larger projects, using a filament such as the AMOLEN PLA 3D Printer Filament where the color changes every 15 meters.

Diameter

7 Best Rainbow Filaments: Colorful Addition to Your Collection
Filament diameter is important because using a filament with an inaccurate diameter to what your slicer is expecting to print will cause an inferior end result. A filament with a wrong diameter can lead to small holes, missing sections, and even too much filament in certain places.

For the most part, FDM 3D printers use a filament with a diameter of 1.75 mm. Always check this before buying a new brand you haven’t used before. The Aystkniet PETG filament and the 3D Printer by iSANMATE Store are only two examples of the 1.75mm diameter found on most standard filaments.

Recommended printing temperature

It’s important to know the temperature parameters required for a successful print. Generally, rainbow filaments aren’t much different from the ordinary settings used for regular PLA filaments.

The recommended temperature to use varies between 185 – 230°C.

Always look for a product that falls within this category. Anything lower will give you an inferior product. It’s important to remember that if you want a glossier surface on the finished product, you’ll need to increase the extrusion temperature.

Our review features the PLA Silk Filament by Enotepad Store that yields a printing temperature of 200°C-230℃. If you require a lower printing temperature, you should consider the PLA Silk Filament by Enotepad Store, which has a color change every 15 – 17 meters. Color might not always be even or always be as shiny as advertised. Be sure to check rainbow filament reviews to determine if other users are happy with the general end result.

Compatibility

One of the aspects that can make or break the success of your filament is its compatibility with your printer. It’s important to check if the filament you’re considering works with your printer before buying it.

Since the average FDM 3D printer has a diameter of 1.75mm, we specifically chose filaments in this category to ensure you’d have the required fit. The Shiny Silk Rainbow PLA Filament by MIKA3D, as well as the AMOLEN PLA 3D Printer Filament, are well known for being compatible with all FDM 3D printers.

Package weight and size

The filament is measured in weight. It’s important to remember that since PLA has a higher density, 1kg of PLA is significantly more than 1kg of a different material such as copper fill. Ensuring you have enough filament upfront will keep you from running out mid-print!

Invest in a digital scale to determine the actual weight difference between the spool when it’s full and when it’s empty. This will give you the weight difference between what’s actually filament and what’s filament plus spool.

Bear in mind that package weight could indicate filament plus spool, so you could potentially be short if you assume total package weight equals total filament. Always check if the package gives you a separate spool weight. If it does, simply subtract that from the total weight, and you’ll have an idea of how much filament you’ll actually have to work with!

3D printing enthusiasts have two basic tips that new hobbyists or casual printers might find useful.

Handy spreadsheet: Draw up a spreadsheet of different spool weights. That way, if you buy different brands, you can keep a record of the spool weights. This makes it easy to calculate the amount of filament you have to work with.

Determine various spool weights: Weigh your empty spools and record them on your spreadsheet. This is particularly important if you’re printing a bigger project.

To give you an idea of the varying weights, our review list features the Shiny Silk Rainbow PLA Filament by MIKA3D that weighs 1.5kg and the PLA Silk Filament by Enotepad Store only weighs 1kg.

FAQ

What can you make with rainbow filament?

You can make items that are for less rugged use using 3D printing from the rainbow filament. So, if you wish to print models for a hobby, this is for you. You could make models, like figurines, such as Pokémon figures, or Lego figures, or dragons and still figures. You can also create lightweight items like masks. Other ideas are the classic hobby objects, such as planes, cars, or ships. Other, slightly more functional uses include vases. However, for anything that is functional, this plastic is just too fragile. It would not stand any amount of constant resistance or pull.

How to know the amount of material needed for a project?

How much filament is required to print an object is like asking how long a piece of string is. Most small home projects require about 50 grams of filament. The average rainbow filament roll is about 1 kg. So, you can make about 90 Pokémon figures with or roll of filament or one birdhouse. It all depends just on how tall or wide your project is or how much infill you do. 20% infill is going to take a lot less filament than 100% infill.

Does rainbow filament contain metal particles?

While it contains metallic colors, rainbow filament does not contain metal; unless it specifically states so. So, rainbow filaments have this lovely iridescence and luster to them that is transferred to the product. Metal, however, is not required for this. Metallic colors simply have particles that reflect light in various directions, so you have no need for metal. Metal might be required when you’re trying to construct a heavier duty object than with PLA, but it really is not necessary for a bright shine. You will see the sheen on all of our chosen products, but MIKA3D may result in a little dullness on some surfaces.

Is it possible to mix and match colors while using rainbow filament?

It is not possible to mix and match colors using rainbow filament. The colors come rolled up on the spool one after the other, and it is pretty much the luck of the draw when the colors of your projects actually change during printing. The only exception to this seems to be the MIKA 3D, where the colors change quicker. The TTYT3D also changes fairly rapidly compared to other filaments, but this does depend on how much infilling you do and how large your project is otherwise. If, for instance, you do 80% infilling on your project, you’re going to definitely see a more rapid change of color than if you do a 20% infill.

Our verdict

We hope our informative review of our 7 best rainbow filaments will make it easier for you to choose the ideal option for your Printer and your project! Let’s revise the three options that amazed us the most. The YOUSU Rainbow Silk PLA+ filament is our editor’s choice, and we rated it at 9.8. This filament really impressed us because it consistently provides superior results over an extensive range of prints. With this filament, you can look forward to low shrinkage and no clogging. Additionally, it’s PLA+ making it stronger and more durable than some of the other options.

On the other hand, the Shiny Silk Rainbow PLA Filament by MIKA3D, rated at 9.7 and our premium pick, is worth considering because it’s a specialty filament weighing 1.5kg, making it ideal for bigger/taller projects. It also changes color sooner than other filaments giving you a more extensive color range on your project!

Last but not least, there’s our best value option, the PLA Filament by TTYT3D, which we rated at 9.6. With this filament, you can be assured of a shorter color change, ease of use, and a stunning color combination on your end result!

References

1.
Improving Interlayer Adhesion in 3D Printing with Surface Segregating Additives: Improving the Isotropy of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene–Styrene Parts
Printed 3D objects built by fused deposition modeling (FDM) are well-known to exhibit large anisotropic mechanical properties. This anisotropy is due to poor diffusion and entanglement of chains between filaments during the deposition process.
2.
PLA vs. ABS: Whats the difference? | Hubs
PLA and ABS are the most popular materials on Hubs. This comparison will help you select the best option for your project.
9,8
Total Score
Yousu Silk Rainbow PLA Filament - Editor’s Choice
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