Magigoo vs. Glue Stick | Hands-On Test & Review

Martin

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Poor print bed adhesion is one of the main reasons for frustration in 3D printing. Many users quickly resort to normal glue sticks or even hairspray to increase the print bed adhesion. But there are also special products like the Magigoo glue stick* that creates a perfect adhesion for all standard filaments. 

The Magigoo glue stick is applied like a normal glue stick and creates a perfect print bed adhesion for all standard filaments. The print object comes off almost by itself as soon as the print bed has cooled down and it can be easily removed from the print bed with a damp cloth. 

Why the Magigoo glue stick is better than a normal glue stick, which types and alternatives are available and how it performs in the practical test, you will find out in this detailed review. 

Key Takeaways 

  • Special 3D printing glue stick suitable for all standard filaments.
  • The liquid adhesive spreads perfectly on the print bed (unlike normal glue sticks which often clump).
  • Magigoo glue sticks are so long-lasting that one application costs only a few cents (100 to several hundred applications, depending on the print bed size).
  • The print object comes off almost by itself as soon as the print bed has cooled down.
  • A damp cloth with water is sufficient for cleaning. 

Who Should Buy the Magigoo Glue Stick?

If you often have problems with print bed adhesion and warping, the Magigoo glue stick is ideal for you. It offers perfect print bed adhesion, prevents warping and is very easy to use. Even if the purchase price is quite high, it is so long-lasting that an application costs only a few cents. 

Advantages & Disadvantages – Magigoo Glue Stick

PRO:

  • Perfect print bed adhesion
  • No warping
  • Simple application
  • Easy cleaning (damp cloth)
  • Long-lasting (> 100 applications)
  • In the long run cheaper than normal glue sticks

CON:

  • Initial price is quite high
  • Two further work steps (apply and clean print bed)

Magigoo Application

The application of the Magigoo glue stick is very comparable to other glue sticks. The big difference is that the adhesive of Magigoo is a liquid. Through the felt applicator, the liquid glue flows onto the print bed and hast to be evenly distributed.

Here are the steps of using the Magigoo glue stick: 

  1. Shake Magigoo glue stick
  2. Press the end onto the print bed to make the adhesive flow
  3. Spread the liquid adhesive evenly on the print bed
  4. Print
  5. Remove the object after the print bed has cooled down
  6. (Optional) Clean print bed with a damp cloth 

These steps apply to the classic Magigoo glue stick, which is suitable for PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU and HIPS*. For some more special types of Magigoo, there are extra steps. But more about that later when I go into the different types.

Magigoo can be wiped off with a damp cloth. This is a great advantage compared to other glue sticks that can only be dissolved with solvents or dishwashing liquid with hot water. 

Magigoo vs. Normal Glue Stick

I tested the original Magigoo glue stick* and compared it against a normal glue stick. The focus was on the application, the print results or the print bed adhesion, the yield, the removal of the print object and the cleaning of the print bed after printing. 

Application: The application of the Magigoo glue stick is similar to that of a normal glue stick. In principle, you distribute the adhesive as with a pen on the print bed. The difference with the Magigoo glue stick, however, is that the glue is liquid and is applied by pressing on the felt applicator.
Since the glue is liquid, the glue layer is much more even than with a regular glue stick. The glue from a normal glue stick is solid and can clump. The surface of the print bed is then no longer completely even, which can reduce the accuracy of the first layers. 

Print results / print bed adhesion: To test the improved print bed adhesion with both glue sticks, I printed filigree objects on different print bed surfaces with suboptimal settings. I adjusted the settings so that the first layer would not adhere to the print bed without glue sticks.
While I was able to significantly increase the print bed adhesion with a regular glue stick, some corners of the first layer still did not adhere properly. No matter which print surface I used, I could not create a perfect adhesion with a normal glue stick.
With the Magigoo glue stick, I could create a perfect print bed adhesion on every print bed surface. Even the most delicate objects adhered to the print bed without problems and with poor settings!  

Yield: Depending on how big a normal glue stick is, it lasts for 10 to 30 applications. The Magigoo glue stick is significantly more expensive than a normal glue stick, but it lasts between 100 and several hundred applications, depending on the size of the print bed.
Magigoo even recommends reapplying the glue stick before each print, because one application costs only a few cents and a failed print costs more due to wasted filament and electricity costs. Switching to the Magigoo glue stick is definitely worth it (both cost-wise and because of the better performance)! 

Removing the print object: Removing the print object is often quite difficult with normal glue sticks. Depending on which type you use, the object may be firmly attached to the print bed after printing. However, some types can be easily removed by hand. What all normal glue sticks have in common is that the underside of the printed object is sticky and needs to be cleaned.
With the original Magigoo glue stick, the printed object comes off almost by itself after the printing plate has cooled down. With certain types of Magigoo, you have to help a little with a spatula. The big advantage here is that the underside of the printed object is not sticky. 

Print bed cleaning: The cleaning of the print bed of the Magigoo glue stick is done with a wet cloth. Normal water is sufficient! In contrast to normal glue sticks, this is a great advantage, as normal glue sticks can only be removed from the printing plate and the print object with cleaning agents and hot water. 

PLA on Glass Bed With and Without Magigoo 

Many hobby 3D printers like the Ender 3 V2, Voxelab Aries or Ender 2 Pro have a textured glass surface as a print bed. Glass is very suitable for most standard filaments, but offers under certain circumstances too little adhesion for filigree first layers of PLA.

Since the combination of PLA and a glass print bed is very common, I compared the print bed adhesion with and without Magigoo. 

The result: even with active cooling on the first few layers, I was able to successfully increase the print bed adhesion through Magigoo to the point where I was able to print this Infinity Cube (link to object) without issue. Without Magigoo, of course, there was massive warping and a failure of adhesion and resulting misprint. 

So if you have problems with print bed adhesion on a glass print bed, Magigoo is the perfect solution. I was really amazed at how strong the adhesion actually is, even though you couldn’t see that much adhesive on the glass surface. 

Magigoo Types

Besides the original Magigoo glue stick which is suitable for most standard filaments, there are also special variants that are also suitable for exotic filaments. Their name “PRO” indicates that they are especially aimed at professional users who appreciate a guaranteed print bed adhesion to avoid unnecessary costs of a misprint. 

Magigoo Original

Suitable for: PLA, ABS, PETG, HIPS, ASA, TPU

The original Magigoo glue stick* is suitable for all standard filaments and is perfect for the hobby area. It is easy to apply, guarantees a perfect adhesion to the print bed and prevents warping or a complete detachment of the print object. 

It lasts for at least 100 applications and is therefore cheaper in the long run than a normal glue stick. The special adhesive releases the print object directly as soon as the print bed has cooled down. 

There are no stubborn residues on the print bed or the print object. The print bed can be easily cleaned afterward with a damp cloth with normal clear water. 

Magigoo PRO PC

Suitable for: PC filaments* (polycarbonates)

This variant of the Magigoo glue stick has been specially developed for PC filaments. PC has such different properties that the original Magigoo glue stick does not deliver the best performance. 

Otherwise, the application is exactly the same as the original Magigoo glue stick. Also, the cleaning is the same, a wet cloth is enough to remove the glue from the print bed. 

Magigoo PRO PA (Nylon)

Suitable for: PA filaments* (polyamide or nylon)

The Magigoo PRO PA glue stick was developed for nylon filaments and guarantees a warp-free print bed adhesion for all nylon filament types. As with the original Magigoo glue stick, the PA glue stick also has the magic release after the print bed has cooled down. 

Magigoo PRO PP

Suitable for: PP filaments* (polypropylene)

PP or polypropylene is a very popular plastic in the industry. It is stable, durable and relatively cheap. Since it is difficult to print and cannot be processed by cheap 3D printers, it is all the more important not to produce misprints. 

The Magigoo PRO PP glue stick was developed for this type of filaments and offers a perfect print bed adhesion for these filaments. Despite the specialization on this exotic filament, the Magic pro PP glue stick also has the property that it can be washed off with normal water and releases the print object effortlessly on a cool print bed. 

Magigoo PRO Flex

Suitable for: Flexible filaments

Although you can also print TPU with the original Magigoo glue stick, for specialized flexible filaments like TPR or other TPE variants, the Magigoo PRO FLEX helps better in creating a good print bed adhesion. 

It is applied in the same way as the other glue sticks from Magigoo, but differs in the release of the object after printing. 

To best remove the printed flexible filament from the printing plate without causing damage, you need to soak the entire printing plate in water for about 30 minutes to 2 hours. After that, the printed object should be very easy to remove. 

Magigoo PRO HT

Suitable for: High-temperature filaments like PEEK

The original Magigoo glue stick has only a certain temperature range. In order to allow print bed temperatures of up to 150 °C, the Magigoo PRO HT was developed. This makes it ideal for filaments such as PEEK. 

The application and release of the object after printing are identical to the original Magigoo glue stick. Simple water is sufficient to clean the printing plate. 

Magigoo PRO PPGF

Suitable for: Glass Filled Polypropylene Filaments (PPGF)

This Magigoo glue stick variant was developed for glass-filled polypropylene filaments. It is similar to the Magigoo PRO PP glue stick, but differs in the print object removal after printing. 

Since the adhesive effect of this glue stick is extremely high, the print bed must be heated to over 80 °C to be able to remove the print object from the print bed. The print bed adhesion is usually so strong with this variant that you have to use a spatula to remove the print object from the printing plate. 

Magigoo PRO Metal

Suitable for: Metal Filament BASF Ultrafuse® 316L

The Magigoo Pro Metal is specially designed for the BASF Ultrafuse® 316L filament. To print this metal filament it needs a very high print bed adhesion to avoid warping. 

The print bed adhesion created by the glue stick is so strong that you cannot simply detach the printed object from the print bed. Just as with the glue stick variant for flexible filaments, you have to put the printing plate in water for 30 minutes up to 2 hours to be able to detach the printed object. 

Magigoo Large Format (120 ml)

Suitable for: PLA, ABS, PETG, HIPS, ASA, TPU

The original Magigoo glue stick is also available in an XXL version with a spreader roller. As you can imagine, the application is much more efficient and faster. In addition, the large supply of glue is enough for hundreds of applications. 

The main advantage of this variant is the fast application of the adhesive, which is especially interesting for professional users. If you want to treat numerous printing beds with the adhesive, the application with a spreader roller is much faster than with a glue stick. 

PEI – Printing PLA Perfect Without Adhesive

If you print mainly with PLA, a PEI film* is a good investment for you. It offers a very good print bed adhesion for PLA and makes Blue Tape or glue sticks mostly obsolete. 

The print bed adhesion with a PEI film is not as perfect as with Magigoo, but it is sufficient for 90% of your print projects. Only with very filigree first layers, it could be that here and there a corner of the print bed detaches or you get some warping. 

PEI films can either be cut to the right size or are directly available in the right size. They are also suitable for other filaments, but not as good as for PLA. If you are not only printing PLA, a Magigoo glue stick is still useful. 

Magigoo Compatible Filaments – Table

MaterialManufacturerMagigoo TypeInitial Layer Bed temperature (°C)Default Bed Temperature (°C)BrimBrim Width (mm)Initial Nozzle Temperature (°C)Default Nozzle Temperature (°C)EnclosureChamber Temperature (°C)
TholusKimyaPC120120300300Recommended
ABSUltimakerOriginal8585yes7240230
PolyLiteABSPolymakerOriginal10595250250
ABSeSunOriginal110110240230
ABSAtomic FilamentsOriginal110110250250Recommended
ABS-TFilament PMOriginal110110yes10250250Recommended
ABS “Not Dead”Filament PMOriginal110110yes10250250Recommended
ABS-TFilament PMOriginal100100yes10250250Recommended
ABS “Not Dead”Filament PMOriginal100100250250Recommended
ABSIntamsysOriginal9090240240Heated Chamber55
Extrafil ABSFillamentumOriginal110100yes8240240
PolyLiteABSPolymakerOriginal10595245245Recommended
PolyLiteABSPolymakerOriginal9090240240Heated Chamber55
Extrafil ABSFillamentumOriginal110110245245Recommended
PolyLite ABSPolymakerOriginal10595245245Recommended
PolyLite ABSPolymakerOriginal10595yes8250250Recommended
Easy ABSFiberologyOriginal110110yes10245245Recommended
ABSFiberologyOriginal110100yes10240240Recommended
ABSFiberologyOriginal110100yes10240240Recommended
ASA NaturalBASF Innofil3DPC110110280275
ASAFillamentumPC110110250250
ASA+3DPrimaOriginal100100230230Recommended
ASAFilament PMOriginal10090yes20240240Recommended
ASAFiberologyPC110110265265
DurabioMitsubishi ChemicalsPC110100yes7260260Recommended
PP CFLehmann VossPP8080yes8280280Recommended
PP CFLehmann VossPP6060yes8260260Recommended50
PET CFBASF Innofil3DOriginal8075260260
Innovatefil PET-CFSmart MaterialsOriginal8075260260
Novamid 1030CFDSMPA7065270270
PAHT CF15BASF Innofil3DPA8075260260
LUVOCOM 3F PAHT CF 9742 BKLehmann VossPA8075260260
Nylon XMatterhackersPA9080yes8265265
PolyMide PA6-CFPolymakerPA7570280280
Nylforce CFFibreforcePA9590yes7265265
CF15FillamentumPA110100yes20250250Recommended
Nylforce CFFibreforcePA110100yes15265265
Novamid 1030CFDSMPA9085270270Recommended
CF-Nylon3DPrimaPA110100yes15275275Recommended
Nylon XMatterhackersPA9090yes10270270Recommended
PA12CFFiberologyPA110110265265Recommended
CPEUltimakerOriginal7575yes7240240
XT-ClearColorfabbOriginal7575240240
PCTG+EssentiumHT9090245245
CPE HG100FillamentumOriginal8080235235
PET-G PROAtomic FilamentsOriginal7575yes8235235
CPE HTFiberologyPC110110yes10270270
X-Strand GF30-PA6Owens CorningPA7570260260
PA6/66-GF20 Flame retardantClariantPA7070yes10240240
Nylon GMatterhackersPA9080yes8265265
LUVOCOM 3F PAHT GK 9874 NTLehmann VossPA7570260260
PolyMide PA6-GFPolymakerPA7570280280
Nylforce GFFibreforcePA9590yes7265265
PA GF20 Flame RetardantClariantPA8060yes10270270Recommended
X-Strand GF30-PA6Owens CorningPA8580260260
Nylforce GFFibreforcePA10095yes15265265
GF-Nylon3DPrimaPA110100yes15275275Recommended
PA12GFFiberologyPA110110yes10265265Recommended
X-Strand GF30-PPOwens CorningPPGF10020yes20270270Recommended
Ultrafuse PP GF30BASF Innofil3DPPGF10020yes20240240Recommended
X-Strand GF30-PPOwens CorningPPGF11060yes20270270Recommended
Ultrafuse PP GF30BASF Innofil3DPPGF11060yes50240240Recommended
X-Strand GF30-PPOwens CorningPPGF5050yes15270270Heated Chamber50
Ultrafuse PP GF30BASF Innofil3DPPGF5050yes15270270Heated Chamber50
X-Strand GF30-PPOwen’s CorningPPGF9050yes15270270
Aquasys180Infinite Material SolutionsHT280280Recommended
Ultrafuse 316LBASF Forward AMMetal100100245245Recommended
Ultrafuse 316LBASF Forward AMMetal100100240240Recommended
NylonUltimakerPA9080245245
Zytel 3D1000FLDuPontPA10090yes8280275
PA6/66 Flame RetardantClariantPA9080yes10240240
Novamid 1030DSMPA8080yes7270260
Novamid 1070DSMPA9585yes20280270
Nylon ProMatterhackersPA7070yes7255245
LUVOCOM PAHT 9825 NTLehmann VossPA7070265265
PolyMide CoPAPolymakerPA7070260260
BridgeTaulman3DPA7060yes20245245
NylonFilkempPA7070245245
645Taulman3DPA7060yes20245245
680Taulman3DPA7060245245
PA6 Flame RetardantClariantPA9080yes10250250
PolyMide PA12PolymakerPA8080260260
F3 PA Pure LiteFiberthreePA7575280280
F3 PA Pure ProFiberthreePA7070265265
HTNEssentiumPA8585275275
910Taulman 3DPA9080yes8260260Recommended
PolyMide CoPAPolymakerPA8080260260Recommended
Nylon XMatterhackersPA7575yes8260260Recommended
PAJETFilament PMPA110110yes20240240Recommended
Novamid 1030DSMPA100100yes15270260Recommended
Novamid 1070DSMPA110100yes15280270Recommended
Nylon PA12FiberologyPA110110yes10265265Recommended
PCUltimakerPC105105270270
PolyMax PCPolymakerPC110110270260Recommended
PolyLite PCPolymakerPC110110270260Recommended
PC-PBTPolymakerPC110100280280Recommended
PC-FRPolymakerPC110100270270Recommended
PC-ABSPolymakerPC100100280280Recommended
PolyLite PCPolymakerPC110110yes15210210Recommended
PolyMax PCPolymakerPC110110yes15210210Recommended
PC-SKimyaHT140140yes15300300Use Air Manager50
PC-SKimyaHT140140yes15310310Heated Chamber60
PC-ABSFilament PMPC110110yes10260260Recommended
PC-ABSFilament PMPC100100260260Recommended
PEEK3D4MakersHT150150yes10400400Recommended
PEEKSolvayHT150150yes10420420Recommended
LUVOCOM 3F PEEKLehmann VossHT160160yes10390390Heated Chamber90
PEKK3DXtechHT150150yes10360360Recommended
PEKKArkemaHT150150yes10360360Recommended
Amphora HT5300EastmanHT110110270270Recommended
Amphora AM3300EastmanOriginal8585yes7235235
Arnite ID 3040EastmanOriginal9090yes7270270
PET-GFilament PMOriginal8080230230
PET-GPerlonOriginal7575225225
PET-GFilament PMOriginal9090230230
PolyLite PET-GPolymakerOriginal7575245245
Easy PETGFiberologyOriginal9090240240
PCTGFiberologyOriginal100100260260
PolyLite PLAPolymakerOriginal6060210210
PolyMax PLAPolymakerOriginal6060210210
PolyLite PLAPolymakerOriginal6060210210
PolyMax PLAPolymakerOriginal6060210210
PLAFilament PMOriginal6565210210
PLAFilament PMOriginal6565210210
FiberSilkFiberologyOriginal5050220220
Impact PLAFiberologyOriginal6060235235
Easy PLAFiberologyOriginal6060220220
HD PLAFiberologyOriginal6060220220
Impact PLAFiberologyOriginal6060235235
Easy PLAFiberologyOriginal6060220220
HD PLAFiberologyOriginal6060220220
3DiakonMitsubishi ChemicalsPC100100yes7260260Recommended
PPVerbatimPP8070yes20220208
PPUltimakerPP8070yes20220208
PP NaturalBASF Innofil3DPP8070yes20208220
EVOLV3D Olefin Block CopolymerDOWPP11070yes20220220
Centaur PPFormFuturaPP8070yes20220208
PP2320FillamentumPP7070yes20240235
PPSmart MaterialsPP10090yes20220220
PPVerbatimPP10090yes20220220
PP NeatLehmann VossPP10020240235
Centaur PPFormFuturaPP10090yes8220220Recommended
PPInnofilPP110100yes8230230Recommended
SOFTJet PPFilament PMFlex110110yes29240240Recommended
FL105PPBraskemFlex10090yes20230230
FL100PPBraskemFlex110100yes20230230
PPUltimakerPP8070yes20220208
PPVerbatimPP8070yes20220208
PPFiberologyPP100100yes10245245Recommended
FL900PP-CFBraskemPP9085yes15240240
FL900PP-CFBraskemPP9085yes15240240
PP-CFBraskemPP9085yes15240240
PPS-CFTreedHT100100yes8310310Recommended
Aquasys 180Infinite Material SolutionsHT160160280280
FIREWIRE PVDF3DXTECHHT7070yes8260260
PVDF-H3DoggHT100100yes20260260
FIREWIRE PVDFArkemaHT7070yes8260260
Hytrel 3D4100FLDuPontFlex10595yes15222220
Arnitel 2060 HTDSMFlex9080yes20242240
Arnitel 2045DSMFlex8070yes8.75245230
TPEFillamentumPP6020yes20235235Recommended
RUBBERJet TPE 32Filament PMFlex110110230230Recommended
TPS 97APerlonPP100100yes10270270
TPU95AUltimakerOriginal00yes8.75240225
FiberFlex 40DFiberologyFlex6060yes10215215
FiberFlex 40DFiberologyFlex6060yes10215215
I180IGUSCustom110110yes20260260
Source: airtable.com

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