eSUN: filament overview, who it suits and print cost calculation
eSUN is one of the world's largest filament manufacturers: the brand specializes in consumables rather than printers, and its spools sit on the shelves of nearly every 3D printing store alongside local brands.
Material range
| Line | Approx. price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| PLA+ / PLA Pro | $13 – 20 /kg | better impact resistance than regular PLA |
| PETG | $15 – 22 /kg | the staple engineering plastic, moisture-tolerant in storage |
| ABS+ | $14 – 20 /kg | less odor and shrinkage than regular ABS |
| ePA (nylon) | $30 – 50 /kg | high strength; hygroscopic — dry before printing |
| eTPU | $22 – 35 /kg | flexible filament, a range of Shore hardnesses |
Who it suits
- Shops that want predictable filament at a sensible price without paying for niche brands.
- Anyone printing across multiple printers and materials — eSUN covers nearly every mainstream plastic under one maker.
- Orders where spool-to-spool consistency of shrinkage and color matters — the extended PLA+/PETG lines are well documented and predictable in slicer profiles.
What to keep in mind
- eSUN makes no printers — hardware depreciation must be calculated separately, per your printer's brand.
- The engineering lines (ePA, some eTPU) are hygroscopic — skipping the pre-print drying raises the scrap rate, and with it the real cost of the job.
- The actual price depends heavily on the specific material in the range — compare "eSUN" with another brand only for the same plastic type.
Pros and cons
Pros: the broadest material coverage under one brand, consistent spool-to-spool quality, affordable pricing on staple PLA/PETG/ABS.
Cons: no printers of its own; the engineering lines (nylon, some TPU) need a dryer for stable results; the premium materials (ePA) cost more than entry-level alternatives.
Calculate your price in a minute
Free calculator: part weight, print time, material price — no sign-up needed.
How it affects your print cost
With filament — unlike a printer — what goes into the job cost is not depreciation but material price per gram, taken from the model's sliced weight and the spool price. For the hygroscopic lines (ePA, eTPU), add drying time and electricity as their own expense line, exactly as you would for PETG/nylon from any other brand — see the PETG and nylon guides.
