PLA vs PETG: which filament to choose
2026-08-22
The short answer
PLA is the easiest 3D printing plastic to work with: low temperature, almost no shrinkage, the finest detail of the common materials. PETG is the workhorse for functional parts: it holds up to heat, moisture and impact, but asks for a little more attention while printing. If the part will sit on a shelf - pick PLA. If it has to work - pick PETG.
Side by side
| Parameter | PLA | PETG |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 190-220 °C | 220-250 °C |
| Bed | 20-60 °C, heating optional | 70-90 °C |
| Cooling | full, always on | moderate, 30-50 % |
| Speed | 60-100 mm/s | 40-60 mm/s |
| Enclosure | not needed, and actively unhelpful | optional, helps large parts |
| Heat resistance | deforms at 50-60 °C | up to roughly 75-80 °C |
| On impact | snaps rather than bends | bends before it breaks |
| Outdoors | UV and moisture make it progressively brittle | ignores moisture, suits outdoor items |
| Filament drying | 4-6 hours at 45-50 °C | 6-8 hours at 60-65 °C |
Full print settings and quirks live in the material guides: PLA and PETG. To weigh these and other plastics by mechanical properties, use the comparison page.
How hard each is to print
PLA forgives almost everything. It prints on any machine, bed heating is optional and an enclosure is not needed. Lay the first layer slowly, at 20-25 mm/s; after that it is comfortable at 60-100 mm/s.
PETG takes some getting used to. It does not like being rushed, sticks to bare glass too well (print on PEI or over a thin layer of glue stick) and leaves fine strings between parts of a model. Damp filament strings far worse, so drying matters more than it does for PLA. None of this is difficult, but plan to spend your first spool dialling in retraction.
When PLA is the right pick
- Models, miniatures, figurines, decor - anything where fine relief matters. PLA holds the best detail of the common plastics.
- Prototypes: fast, predictable, no fight for adhesion.
- Your first steps in 3D printing: fewer variables means you learn the printer faster.
When PETG is the right pick
- Brackets, mounts, enclosures, clamps - anything that works under load. PETG bends before it breaks.
- Parts for the car, the kitchen or the outdoors: PETG holds up to roughly 75-80 °C, while a PLA part left in a car in the sun deforms at 50-60 °C.
- Containers and anything that touches water: PETG ignores moisture and weak acids.
Still unsure
Answer one question: will the part get hot or carry load? No - PLA. Yes - PETG. The middle ground is PLA+: it prints like PLA but takes impact markedly better. To choose a 3D printing plastic for a specific task, run the short material helper, or browse both filaments in the catalog.
Frequently asked
- What is the difference between PLA and PETG?
- PLA is easier to print and holds finer detail, but it deforms at 50-60 °C and snaps on impact. PETG holds up to roughly 75-80 °C, bends before it breaks and ignores moisture, but it prints slower and needs retraction tuned.
- Which should a beginner choose, PLA or PETG?
- PLA: it prints at a lower temperature, bed heating is optional and there are fewer settings to get right. Pick up PETG as your second spool, once you know the printer.
- Which plastic survives heat in a car?
- PETG - it holds up to roughly 75-80 °C. A PLA part left in a car in the sun deforms at 50-60 °C.
- Can I print tableware from PETG?
- PETG pellets are usually certified for food contact, but a printed part is not: microscopic voids between layers harbour bacteria. For reusable tableware a printed part is the wrong answer.