Perler vs Hama vs Artkal: Which Fuse Beads Should You Buy?
A practical comparison of Perler, Hama, and Artkal fuse beads — size options, price, fusing feel, and which fits your project — plus how pattern color codes map across brands.
The first question every newcomer hits: which bead brand? Short answer — match the size to your target piece and the price to how fast you’ll burn through beads. There is no universally “best” brand, only the right fit. Here’s how they actually differ.
Quick comparison
| Perler | Hama | Artkal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | USA | Denmark | China |
| Main sizes | 5mm midi | 5mm midi + 2.5mm mini | 5mm midi + 2.6mm mini, broadest size range |
| Price | Higher | Higher | Best value in volume |
| Fusing feel | Soft, rounded melt | Classic, even | Full color system, tight batch consistency |
| Best for | US availability, kids | EU availability, mini detail work | Bulk building, advanced pieces |
Size is the first decision
Bead diameter decides how large the same grid builds:
- 5mm midi: a 50×50 grid is roughly 10 in square — charms, coasters, small wall art
- ~2.6mm mini: same grid, half the size, double the detail density — pins, earrings, intricate work
- One pattern builds at both sizes: the grid data is identical, only the physical scale changes
So before picking a brand, answer one question: how big and how detailed do you want to go?
Fusing and durability
All three fuse the same way — household iron plus parchment paper. The difference is post-melt feel: Perler stays soft and rounded, Hama is classic and even, Artkal offers a complete color system with tight batch-to-batch consistency. What actually determines durability isn’t the brand, it’s heat control — under-fused falls apart, over-fused closes the bead holes.
Color codes: the cross-brand trap, solved by tooling
Every brand numbers its colors differently; the same “orange” is a different code in each. Manual cross-referencing is the biggest hidden time sink in this hobby. The editor ships a 290+ shade real bead palette with cross-brand mapping: design with the palette, switch brands with one whole-pattern remap, and export color codes as your shopping list.
Don't let the brand decision block you
Design the pattern first, choose beads later — the editor maps codes across brands
Recommendations by scenario
- Kids and classroom crafts: Perler or any 5mm starter set — safe and forgiving
- Jewelry and fine detail: Hama mini or Artkal’s 2.6mm line
- High-volume builders: Artkal wins on price and color coverage
- Undecided: find a finished piece you love in the gallery, confirm its size, then work backwards to a brand
