Best ABS Filaments for Heat Resistance in 2025

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is the classic engineering thermoplastic — it's what LEGO bricks are made from. For 3D printing, ABS shines when you need heat resistance (up to 105°C), impact toughness, and the ability to be post-processed with acetone vapor smoothing.

The trade-off is that ABS is significantly harder to print than PLA or PETG. It requires an enclosed printer, high bed temperatures, produces fumes, and is notorious for warping. A quality filament and proper setup make all the difference.

1. Polymaker PolyLite ABS — Best Overall ABS

Polymaker has engineered their PolyLite ABS to address the biggest pain point of ABS printing — warping. Their "Warp-Free" technology uses a modified formulation that significantly reduces shrinkage during cooling, resulting in far fewer failed prints.

In our testing, PolyLite ABS warped roughly 60% less than standard ABS filaments on the same printer with the same settings. The heat deflection temperature of 104°C is on par with any standard ABS, so you're not sacrificing thermal performance for printability.

The ±0.02mm tolerance is tight for ABS, and the filament extrudes smoothly at 245-265°C. Layer adhesion is excellent, producing strong parts with good impact resistance. Acetone vapor smoothing works beautifully, creating a glossy, injection-molded appearance.

Best for: Anyone who needs ABS's heat resistance but is frustrated by warping issues. Ideal for under-hood automotive parts, electronics enclosures, and functional prototypes.

2. Hatchbox ABS — Best Reliable Standard ABS

Hatchbox ABS doesn't try to reinvent the wheel — it's a well-made, standard ABS filament that produces consistent results when you have proper equipment. At $22-26/kg, the pricing is fair for the quality.

The filament performs as expected for ABS: strong, heat-resistant parts with good interlayer bonding. Warping is standard for ABS (use an enclosure and high bed temp), and acetone smoothing produces excellent results. Color accuracy is good across the range.

Hatchbox ABS is a solid choice for experienced users who already have an enclosed printer and understand ABS printing fundamentals. It doesn't have the warp-reduction tech of Polymaker, but it's a reliable workhorse.

Best for: Experienced makers with enclosed printers who want reliable, no-nonsense ABS.

3. eSUN ABS+ — Best Budget ABS

eSUN's ABS+ offers a modified ABS formula with improved impact resistance and slightly reduced warping compared to standard ABS. At $19-24/kg, it's the most affordable quality ABS option.

The "plus" formulation shows in practice — parts are noticeably tougher than standard ABS and slightly less prone to cracking during printing. Layer adhesion is good, and the filament extrudes smoothly. Temperature requirements are standard at 235-260°C nozzle and 95-110°C bed.

eSUN ABS+ is a solid choice if you're printing ABS regularly and want to keep material costs down without sacrificing too much quality.

Best for: Budget-conscious users who print ABS regularly for functional parts.

4. Prusament ASA — Best for Outdoor Heat Resistance

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is ABS's outdoor-friendly cousin. It offers similar heat resistance (~100°C) with the critical addition of UV resistance — ASA won't yellow or degrade in sunlight like ABS does. Prusament's version is predictably excellent.

Prusament ASA prints at 240-260°C with a bed at 100-110°C and an enclosure. Warping is somewhat reduced compared to ABS but still present. The surface finish is slightly matte, and parts are strong with good impact resistance. As always, Prusament provides per-spool QC data.

At $30-36/kg, it's a premium option — but for outdoor applications that need thermal stability (security camera housings, garden fixtures, automotive trim), ASA is the right material choice over ABS.

Best for: Outdoor applications needing heat and UV resistance. Security cameras, garden fixtures, automotive parts.

5. Polymaker ASA — Best Value ASA

Polymaker's ASA offers the UV and heat resistance benefits of ASA at a lower price point than Prusament. The ±0.02mm tolerance is excellent, and print quality is consistently good. It's a strong alternative if you want ASA without Prusament's premium.

Best for: Outdoor-rated parts on a moderate budget.

Buying Guide: ABS Printing Requirements

Enclosure is Mandatory

ABS shrinks significantly as it cools. Without an enclosed chamber maintaining 40-60°C ambient temperature, warping is virtually guaranteed on anything larger than a few centimeters. Even a cheap IKEA LACK enclosure makes a huge difference.

Ventilation is Critical

ABS produces styrene fumes during printing, which are harmful with prolonged exposure. Always vent your enclosure to the outside or use an activated carbon filter. Never print ABS in an unventilated room. ASA produces similar fumes.

Bed Adhesion

ABS adheres well to: PEI sheets (heated to 100-110°C), ABS slurry (ABS dissolved in acetone), Kapton tape, and hairspray on glass. A heated bed at 100-110°C is mandatory.

Post-Processing

ABS's superpower is acetone vapor smoothing — exposing prints to acetone vapor melts the surface layers together, creating a glossy, smooth finish that hides layer lines. This is unique to ABS-family plastics and produces stunning results.

When to Choose ABS vs PETG

Choose ABS when you need: heat resistance above 80°C, acetone smoothability, or LEGO-like stiffness. Choose PETG when you need: easier printing, similar strength without an enclosure, or UV resistance (or choose ASA for both).

Prefer easier printing? See Best PLA Filaments for Beginners or Best PETG Filaments for Strength and Durability. Make sure you have the right 3D Printer Nozzles for Different Materials — ABS works fine with standard brass nozzles.