There are a wide variety of 3D printers on the market with a range of price points, sizes and functions. However, one of the most important components is often overlooked — the extruders that lay down the filament to create the 3D objects. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best 3D printers extruders on the market.
Read on to find the best extruders for your 3D printer.
Our Editor’s Best 3d Printer Extruders Reviews
Bestseller No. 1
Creality Official Ender 3 Extruder Upgrade Metal Drive Feeder 3D Printer Parts for Ender-3 Pro/3S/3 V2/3 Max CR-10/10S Gray Aluminum 1.75mm Filament Extruder
- 【Quality Assurance】100% official all-metal 3D printer extruder. High quality aluminum alloy material and sandblast to surface oxidization, ensuring this gray extruder is last for long term use. Works better than original plastic stock extruder. Original Creality 3D printers accessories for Ender-3/Ender-3 Pro/Ender-3S/Ender-3 V2/Ender-3 Max/CR-10/CR-10S
- 【Work Better】Our 3d printer extruder kits have an adjustable bolt so that you can adjust the pressure of the extruder gear as needed. The extruder drive has better stronger pressure pushing the filament into the printer nozzle and so will improve the printer's performance. 40 Teeth drive gear feeds the 1.75mm filament, compatible with PLA/ABS/Wood/TPU/PTEG
- 【Improved Performance】The optimized extruder with metal extrusion and original hotend kit pushes the filament into the printer nozzle, greatly making the metal extruder retain power in filament feed-in. And the beveled filament intake can prevent scraping the filament as it is pulled into the feeder
- 【Easy To Install】DIY kit and you need to assemble by yourself. The full necessary screws & parts kit for the extruder is included. Referring to instructions or our 5th picture to install, it is very easy and straightforward to switch to this upgraded part on your machine
- 【After Sales Support】More than 20 engineers provide 24/7 customer service with 12-months limited and lifetime technical assistance. Please kindly contact us(seller) via “ask a question” find us directly cause our customer service will respond to you within 24 hours no matter what question
$9.99
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Bestseller No. 2
Redrex Dual Gear Ender 3 Extruder with Two Washers Metal Drive Feeder Upgrade Kit Compatible with Creality Ender 3 V2 Pro,Ender 3 Neo Series,CR10 3D Printer TPU Filament Supported(Motor Shaft>20mm)
- 【Dual Gear Extrusion Mechanism】:The filament is gripped by the dual drive much more firmly with less deformation, so it doesn't jam as much in the tube, nozzle or hotend.
- 【Upgraded Idler Gear Design】This idler gear is upgraded with two washers on both sides, so the sharp gear will NOT ride against the bottom of the arm or chew it up.
- 【Spring Adjustable Extruder】The extrusion spring tension could be adjusted by tighten the screw,which greatly improves the printing accuracy and feeding issue.
- 【Application】:This all metal dual drive extruder is compatible with Ender 3 V2,Ender 3 Pro,Ender 3,Ender 3 Neo,Ender 3 V2 Neo,Ender 3 Max Neo,Ender 5 Pro,CR10 S series 3D printer.ONLY suit for 3d printers with motor shaft over 20mm,please measure the shaft length before placing the order.
- 【Kindly Reminder】:Please calibrate the E-steps from 100 to 139; Please lubricate the gears before first use;for 3d printers with filament detector,as the height of our dual gear extruder may be different from the original one, please print the model to rise up the filament detector to make them at the same height;for Vyper users,please swap the motor wire sequence to make it turn forward instead of reverse
$13.99
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SaleBestseller No. 3
FLASHFORGE AD5X Multi-Color 3D Printer, CoreXY 600mm/s High-Speed, 1-Click Auto Leveling, 300°C Direct Drive Extruder, 220x220x220mm Build Volume, Ideal for Precision and Efficiency
- Vivid Multi-Color Printing: Bring your creations to life with vibrant, multi-color prints. This printer supports up to 4 colors simultaneously, giving you endless creative possibilities.
- 1-Click Auto Leveling: Enjoy smooth, uninterrupted prints with the advanced 1-Click Auto Leveling feature that automatically calibrates your print bed for optimal results every time.
- Ultra-Fast 12X Printing Speed: The AD5X features a Core XY structure with speeds up to 600mm/s and acceleration of 20,000mm/s². Its stable design boosts both efficiency and print quality, making it ideal for rapid prototyping and batch production.
- Exceptional Print Quality: The AD5X delivers outstanding print results with its advanced dual-channel cooling fan, vibration compensation system, and 300°C direct-drive extruder.
- Versatile Nozzle Options: Equipped with interchangeable nozzles in 0.25mm, 0.4mm, 0.6mm, and 0.8mm sizes, the AD5X supports everything from ultra-fine details to large, rapid prints. Whether you’re focused on precision or speed, it adapts to your creative needs.
$339.00
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Bestseller No. 4
ELEGOO 3D Printer Extruder for Neptune 3 Pro/3 Plus/3 Max 3D Printer, Fully Assemble Dual-Gear Direct Drive Extruder, ELEGOO Official 3D Printer Accessories
- Fully assembled extruder for Neptune 3 Pro/3 Plus/3 Max ONLY
- All extruders are tested before shipping, so some test filament may remain inside
- ELEGOO Official 3D Printer Accessories
- If you encounter any quality issues, we're always here to help
$39.99
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Bestseller No. 5
ELEGOO Neptune 3 Pro 3D Printer, Quick Assembly with Auto Leveling, Direct Drive Extruder, PEI Flexible Platform and Removable Touchscreen, 8.85x8.85x11 inch Printing Size
- Reliable Printing with Ideal Build Size: ELEGOO Neptune 3 Pro offers a standard 225x225x280 mm/8.85x8.85x11 inch build volume, ideal for daily projects. STM32 motherboard and silent stepper motors ensure smooth, accurate movement with noise levels as low as 47dB. Ready to print in minutes with pre-assembled main parts and a full toolkit
- Powerful Direct Drive Extruder: The Neptune 3 Pro features a dual-gear direct drive extruder with a 3:1 gear ratio, built from durable SUS303 stainless steel. It provides consistent filament feeding and fewer clogs, supporting PLA, TPU, PETG, and ABS with ease
- Smarter Printing, Less Worry: ELEGOO Neptune 3 Pro includes 36-point auto bed leveling, making setup effortless while ensuring a perfect first layer. Filament runout sensor and power-loss resume function give you peace of mind during large or complex prints
- Upgraded Nozzle System, Fewer Clogs: The nozzle system includes a titanium throat tube, brass nozzle, and widened aluminum heat sink. Combined with a front-mounted cooling fan, it enhances heat dissipation and helps prevent clogs during longer or faster jobs
- Precision Z-Axis for Stable Results: Dual lead screws with dual motors ensure steady, accurate Z-axis movement. Durable POM V-guide wheels provide smooth motion and long-term reliability, ensuring consistent performance for every project
Bestseller No. 6
Creality Official 3D Printer Extruder, Upgraded Aluminum Drive Feed Extruders Accessories for 3D Printer 1.75mm Filament Works with Creality CR-10 Series, Ender 5 Series, Ender 3 Series
- ✔️Durable Material -- High quality aluminum alloy material and sandblast to surface oxidization, ensuring this red extruder is last for long term use!
- ✔️New Upgraded Design -- The upgraded red extruder has removed pneumatic joint so as to increase gear density, preventing the joint fracture between pneumatic joint and Teflon tube. What's more, you can adjust the gear pressure of extruder in time by adjusting bolts.
- ✔️Improved Performance -- The optimized extruder with metal extrusion and original hot-end kit pushes the filament into printer nozzle, greatly making the red extruder retain powerful in filament feed-in. And the beveled filament intake can prevent scraping the filament as it is pulled into the feeder.
- ✔️Install Easily -- You just remove the old Creality extruder & screw and then install the new red extruder. All the necessary accessories are included in the package.
- ✔️Wide Compatibility -- Red extruder is suitable for Creality 3d printers accessories: Ender-3 series, Ender-5 series, CR-10S, CR-10, CR-10mini, CR-10 S5, CR-10 S4.
$9.99
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Bestseller No. 7
3D Printer Extruder Kit, Upgrade Ender 3, Ender 3 V2 Upgrades Metal Extruders Aluminum MK8 Bowden Extruder 40 Teeth Drive Gear for Creality Ender 3 Pro/Ender 5 Pro/Ender 5 Plus/CR-10 Series 3D Printer
- 【Compatibility】:Compatibility: This Upgraded 3d printer accessories is an original upgraded replacement part for Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2, Ender 3 Max, Ender 5, Ender 5 Plus, Ender 5 Pro, CR-10, CR-10 V2, CR-10 Max, CR-10 S4, CR 10, CR-10 S5, CR-10 Mini, CR-10S, CR-10 Plus, CR-X, CR 20, CR 20 Pro. It is also compatible with other 3D printers except the printers using a direct drive setup. No need to change stepper motors or other mounting hardware. 40 Teeth drive gear feeds the 1.75mm filament, compatible with PLA/ABS/Wood/TPU/PTEG
- 【Stable and durable】:Our 3d printer extruder kits have an adjustable bolt so that you can adjust the pressure of the extruder gear as needed. The extruder drive has better stronger pressure pushing the filament into the printer nozzle and so will improve the printer's performance.
- 【Improved Performance】: The optimized extruder with metal extrusion and original hotend kit pushes the filament into the printer nozzle, greatly making the metal extruder retain power in filament feed-in. And the beveled filament intake can prevent scraping the filament as it is pulled into the feeder
- 【High quality material】:Our 3d printer extruder kits Made by high quality aluminum,last much longer 3D printed extruder feeder drive.
- 【Easy To Install】: 3D Printer Extruder kit and you need to assemble by yourself. The full necessary screws & parts kit for the extruder is included. referring to our straightforward image instructions for quick installation.
$6.49
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SaleBestseller No. 8
Upgrade Ender 3 Extruder, Ender 3 V2 Upgrades Metal Extruder Aluminum MK8 Bowden Extruder 40 Teeth Drive Gear for Creality Ender 3 Pro/Ender 5 Pro/Ender 5 Plus/CR-10 Series 3D Printer
- Compatibility: This Upgraded 3d printer accessories is an original upgraded replacement part for Ender 3, Ender 3 Pro, Ender 3 V2, Ender 3 Max, Ender 5, Ender 5 Plus, Ender 5 Pro, CR-10, CR-10 V2, CR-10 Max, CR-10 S4, CR 10, CR-10 S5, CR-10 Mini, CR-10S, CR-10 Plus, CR-X, CR 20, CR 20 Pro. It is also compatible with other 3D printers except the printers using a direct drive setup. No need to change stepper motors or other mounting hardware.
- Last Over Years. Made by high quality aluminum, last much longer your stock plastic or 3D printed extruder feeder drive.
- Work Better. It makes loading the filament easier and smoother, no worries about filament scraping or breaking.
- Fits 1.75mm filament. 40 Teeth drive gear compatible with PLA/ABS/Wood/TPU/PTEG. Please Note: Some printer models like Ender 3 and Edner 3 Pro, their original extrusion gears cannot be removed, so these model printers do not have to change the extrusion screw. Ender 3V2，its extrusion gear can be replaced.
- Easy to Install. This extruder DIY kit comes with an instruction of how to put it together, which makes it more easy to install.
$7.99
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Bestseller No. 9
Official Creality New Sprite Extruder Pro Upgrade Kit, Direct Drive Extruder-Pro Kit for Ender 3/Ender 3 V2/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 Max/Ender3 S1/CR-10 Smart-Pro 3D Printers, Support BL Touch/CR Touch
- NOTE:Compatible Models:Creality Ender-3/Ender-3 Pro/Ender-3 V2/Ender-3 MAX 3D Printers. Creality Ender 3 S1/Creality CR-10 Smart Pro 3D Printers (Only the extruder components can be used for Creality Ender 3 S1 and Creality CR-10 Smart Pro 3D Printers, and the connecting wires and mounting brackets in the kit cannot be used.) Ender-3 MAX NEO (requires 4.2.7 motherboard + flash firmware) Ender-3 NEO (requires 4.2.7 motherboard + flash firmware) Ender-3 V2 NEO (requires 4.2.7 motherboard + flashing firmware + installing limit switch bracket)
- 【Creality Official New Upgrate Extruder】All Metal Design Hotend and direct drive extruder enables the Ender 3/Ender 3 v2/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 Max 3D printers a direct extrusion and high temperature printing conditions.Small and Exquisite.It can be applied to direct and bowden filament feeding to meet printing needs of users at dirct and bowden extrusion.
- 【Dual Gear Feeding】The double-toothed structure does not damage filaments, which makes feeding more reliable and stable . Works with PLA/TPU/PETG/ABS, and other flexible filament. The use of gear with 3.5:1 gear ratio which perfectly matches with motor makes extruder force up to 80N. More precise control of feeding withdrawal.All-metal hotend with titanium throat allows you to print high temperature materials up to 300°C.
- 【Efficient Heat Dissipation】Simulation of flow field mechanics and dual fan design results in powerful heat dissipation function and more stable model formation. Customized dual silent fan with metal fan cover, it is more safer when high temperature printing.
- 【Suitable for various models】Sprite Extruder Pro Upgrade Kit can compatible with Ender 3/Ender 3 V2/Ender 3 Pro/Ender 3 S1/Ender 3 Max/CR-10 Smart Pro 3D Printers, easy to install and use. Come with a short cable for connecting BL Touch/CR Touch
$109.00
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Bestseller No. 10
LNL - Tenlog TL-D3 Pro Dual Extruder 3D Printer - 300 Degree High Temperature Nozzle,Silent Mainboards TMC2209 Drive,600W Power Supply,Support PVA TPU ABS PLA Nylon,11.8''x11.8''x13.8''…
- 💥 EACH MACHINE Has Been Fully Tested at Our U.S. Based Warehouse to eliminate the chance of damage during overseas transit. This ensures you’ll spend more time printing and less time troubleshooting. If you do have a problem, our full time regional staff will always be here to help.
- 【Independent Dual Extruder Design】Our TL-D3 Pro dual extruder 3D printer has dual nozzles independent of each other, so you can print in dual material/duplication/mirror mode. With dual material printing mode, you can get two color models. Choose duplication or mirror mode, you can get two models of the same color or different colors.
- 【Upgrade Borosilicate Glass Bed】Upgraded borosilicate glass bed enables prints to adhere better without warping. After the bed cools, models will pop-off with little to no resistance, leaving a smooth finish.
- 【Self-Developed Silent Motherboard 】The TL-D3 Pro built-in self-developed silent motherboard TMC2209 driver, which has stronger anti-interference, faster and more stable motion performance, silent printing, and low decibel operation.
- 【Metal Copper Brush】 Our new copper brush can wipe off additional filament before and during printing, this will result in significantly less stringing and artifacts.
Best 3d Printer Extruders Buying Guide
Before choosing the best 3D printer extruder you should consider following options:
1. Extrusion Rate: Measured in milliliters/hour, this is the amount of liquid that the extruder can output in one hour. If you need a high volume of extrusion, make sure your printer has a high rate.
2. Temperature Stability: Look for a printer with a stable temperature range, ideally within a .5 degree Celsius range. This ensures that your print will have consistent results.
3. Maximum Extrusion Rate: This is the maximum amount of material the extruder can output in one minute or the “throughput rate,” measured in grams/hour.
4. Maximum Output Temperature: Look for a printer that can output at higher temperatures, up to 240 degrees Celsius. Higher temperatures allow for stronger materials and a wider range of materials to be printed.
5. Extruder Type: The extruder type you select will depend on what you will be printing. There are two main types: extrusion and injection molding.
Extrusion is the most common and uses a screw and barrel system to melt and push the filament through the nozzle. Injection molding uses a pressure system to force the filament through the nozzle.
Depending on your application, you may need one or the other. For general use, extrusion is typically the best option.
What else you should know about 3d printer extruders
1. What is a 3d printer extruder?
A printer extruder is a device that is used to push molten plastic through a small opening in order to create 3D objects.
2. How does a 3d printer extruder work?
A printer extruder is a device that melts and pushes out plastic filament so that it can be deposited in layers to create 3D objects.
3. What are the benefits of using a 3d printer extruder?
Some benefits of using a printer extruder include the ability to print with a wider range of materials, greater precision, and faster printing speeds. Additionally, printer extruders can be used to create custom shapes and designs that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to create with traditional manufacturing methods.
4. What are the limitations of using a 3d printer extruder?
A printer extruder is limited by the size of the printer bed and the type of filament that can be used.
5. How can I improve my 3d printing extruder performance?
There are a few things you can do to improve your printing extruder performance:
1. Make sure that your filament is the correct diameter. If it is too small, it will not be able to extrude properly.
2. Make sure that your nozzle is the correct size. If it is too small, it will not be able to extrude properly.
3. Make sure that your extruder is properly calibrated. If it is not, it will not be able to extrude properly.
4. Make sure that your print bed is level. If it is not, it will not be able to extrude properly.
5. Make sure that your printer is not clogged. If it is, it will not be able to extrude properly.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best 3d printer extruders. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best 3d printer extruders will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.