Like Elmer’s glue, Magigoo cannot be used on a hot build plate. You’ll eventually damage the dispenser and make it difficult to get more glue to come out. Tragically, Elmer’s doesn’t work for every situation. There’s a complicated range of different factors that go into whether or not you’re getting good first layer adhesion, including the type of filament, your print bed material, the print in question, and your settings. Overall, Layerneer Bed Weld has superb adhesion and makes things easy to pop off the print bed as soon as it cools. In other words, it works for both types of adhesion issues: over adhesion and under-adhesion. I rate it as the best on the market for all these reasons.

Don’t be surprised if Elmer’s isn’t a miracle solution for you when you’re using non-PLA filaments, printing something with delicate parts, etc. In these situations, I recommend opting for a more specialized 3D printer glue, such as the one below. Best Glue Overall: Layerneer Bed WeldIf you only get problems every once in a while and would rather spend your limited hobby budget on new filaments or cooler upgrades, it’s understandable to prioritize saving money. So, considering the reliability and filament compatibility you’re getting, Magigoo is a solid secondary option to Layerneer Bed Weld – especially if TPU is giving you the most trouble. There’s little to be disappointed in (the applicator, mainly), and lots to love. Best Multi-Purpose Glue: 3D Gloop!

If you ever create multi-part 3D prints, Gloop! can fuse them seamlessly. If you regularly feel annoyed with layer lines but don’t want to shell out hundreds for a resin printer, Gloop! can help with that, too. For more on this, we also have an article on the best glues for 3D prints. However, certain filaments like TPU aren’t supported. Layerneer reports a small amount of corner lifting with TPU on their internal warp stress tests, but some people have found a great deal of success with it regardless. Painter’s tape is even worse. It only works consistently on lower bed temperatures and is slightly harder to source than the other two. It’s the type of adhesive you should use in a pinch – not your go-to solution.Magigoo is technically re-wettable, just like Layerneer Bed Weld, it just isn’t advertised as such. If you fill a spray bottle with water, give it a couple of spritzes, and swirl it around a bit, you can use one application for multiple prints. If you want consistent, worry-free results, then Layerneer Bed Weldis for you. It’s a very utilitarian and no-frills option. Elmer’s glue is easy to apply – even a 5-year-old can do it – and is a very functional adhesive for using with typical 3D printer filaments like PLA, PETG, and ABS.