Filament guide
3D printer filament types
What each common filament is good at, how to print it, and what it costs right now, so you can pick the right one for the job.
Short answer: The five filament types most people use are PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA and TPU. PLA is the easiest to print (a typical 1 kg spool is $19.99). PETG is tougher and handles water and more heat. ABS takes heat well but needs an enclosure. ASA is the outdoor choice because it resists sun and weather. TPU is flexible, like rubber.
The 5 main filament types at a glance
Typical and cheapest price per kilogram for a single 1 kg spool, from the stores FilaNexus tracks, alongside what each type is like to use.
| Type | Typical / kg | Cheapest / kg | Heat resistance | Outdoors | Difficulty | Enclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | $19.99/kg | $9.79/kg | Low | Poor | Easy | Not needed |
| PETG | $18.99/kg | $9.49/kg | Medium | Fair | Easy | Not needed |
| ABS | $18.99/kg | $9.69/kg | High | Fair | Medium | Recommended |
| ASA | $24.99/kg | $16.99/kg | High | Excellent | Medium | Recommended |
| TPU | $25.99/kg | $16.89/kg | Medium | Fair | Medium | Not needed |
Which filament type should I buy?
| If you're printing… | Buy |
|---|---|
| Your first prints, figures, props, prototypes | PLA |
| Functional parts, things that get wet or warm | PETG |
| Parts near heat, cases and enclosures (with an enclosed printer) | ABS |
| Anything that lives outside | ASA |
| Phone cases, grips, gaskets, anything that bends | TPU |
Each filament type explained
PLA
Good at: easiest to print, stiff, with good strength, accurate dimensions, keeps well on the shelf. Watch out for: low heat resistance, so it softens in hot places, can turn brittle, not suited to outdoor use.
Best for: prototypes and calibration prints, decorative pieces and figures, cosplay props, parts that need to fit together accurately. Print settings: nozzle 190–220 °C, bed 45–60 °C, no enclosure needed, moisture sensitivity low.
Typical 1 kg spool: $19.99/kg. Cheapest we've confirmed:
- Geeetech PLA 1 kg (Black) · Geeetech — $9.79/kg
- Inland PLA 1 kg (Black) · Micro Center — $12.99/kg
- ELEGOO PLA 1 kg · ELEGOO — $13.99/kg
Every PLA price → · Properties from Simplify3D's PLA guide
PETG
Good at: tougher and less brittle than PLA, glossy finish, sticks well to the bed with little warping, almost no smell while printing. Watch out for: strings more than PLA, bridges poorly, absorbs moisture, so it needs drying.
Best for: functional and snap-fit parts, parts that get wet, planters and outdoor-adjacent pieces. Print settings: nozzle 230–260 °C, bed 60–85 °C, no enclosure needed, moisture sensitivity high.
Typical 1 kg spool: $18.99/kg. Cheapest we've confirmed:
- Geeetech PETG 1 kg (Black) · Geeetech — $9.49/kg
- ELEGOO PETG Pro 1 kg · ELEGOO — $13.99/kg
- Anycubic PETG Translucent Mix & Match 1 kg (Clear) · Anycubic — $14.99/kg
Every PETG price → · Properties from Simplify3D's PETG guide
ABS
Good at: good heat resistance, tough and wear-resistant, smooth finish with little stringing. Watch out for: warps badly without an enclosure, strong smell while printing, so ventilate, shrinks as it cools, which costs accuracy.
Best for: cases and enclosures, parts near heat, such as in a car, toys and hard-wearing parts. Print settings: nozzle 230–260 °C, bed 90–110 °C, enclosure recommended, moisture sensitivity low.
Typical 1 kg spool: $18.99/kg. Cheapest we've confirmed:
- Geeetech ABS+ 1 kg (Black) · Geeetech — $9.69/kg
- OVERTURE ABS 1 kg · Overture — $17.99/kg
- Bambu ABS 1 kg · Bambu Lab — $18.99/kg
Every ABS price → · Properties from Simplify3D's ABS guide
ASA (UV-stable)
Good at: strong UV and weather resistance, high heat resistance, tough and wear-resistant. Watch out for: costs more than ABS, needs higher print temperatures, fumes mean it needs ventilation.
Best for: anything that lives outdoors, car exterior parts, outdoor electronics housings and signs. Print settings: nozzle 240–260 °C, bed 90–110 °C, enclosure recommended, moisture sensitivity low.
Typical 1 kg spool: $24.99/kg. Cheapest we've confirmed:
- ELEGOO ASA 1 kg · ELEGOO — $16.99/kg
- SUNLU ASA 1 kg · SUNLU — $17.99/kg
- OVERTURE ASA 1 kg · Overture — $19.99/kg
Every ASA price → · Properties from Simplify3D's ASA guide
TPU (flexible)
Good at: flexible and rubbery, absorbs vibration and impact, keeps well on the shelf. Watch out for: harder to print, and slow, strings and blobs easily, may not feed well through Bowden extruders.
Best for: phone cases and grips, vibration dampers and feet, RC tires and other flexible parts. Print settings: nozzle 210–240 °C, bed 30–60 °C, no enclosure needed, moisture sensitivity high.
Typical 1 kg spool: $25.99/kg. Cheapest we've confirmed:
- Geeetech TPU 1 kg (Black) · Geeetech — $16.89/kg
- ELEGOO TPU 95A 1 kg · ELEGOO — $17.99/kg
- OVERTURE TPU 95A 1 kg (Matte Black) · Overture — $22.99/kg
Every TPU price → · Properties from Simplify3D's TPU guide
Popular PLA variants
Most of the colors and finishes you'll see are still PLA underneath, with tweaks for toughness, speed or looks.
| Variant | What it is | Cheapest / kg |
|---|---|---|
| PLA+ / PLA Pro | A modified PLA blended to be tougher and less brittle than standard PLA, printed at similar settings. | $14.99/kg |
| Matte PLA | PLA with a non-glossy, matte finish that hides layer lines well. | $10.49/kg |
| Carbon-Fiber PLA | PLA filled with short carbon fibers: stiffer, with a matte finish. It is abrasive, so print it with a hardened steel nozzle. | $21.99/kg |
Looking for a specific color or finish (silk, glow in the dark, wood, marble)? Find Exact Filament searches every spool by material, finish and shade.
Filament type questions
What is PLA filament?
PLA is the most common 3D printer filament and the easiest to print: stiff, with good strength, accurate dimensions. Its main weakness is low heat resistance, so it softens in hot places. A typical 1 kg spool costs $19.99, and the cheapest we've confirmed is $9.79/kg.
Which filament type is best for beginners?
PLA. It is rated easy to print, needs no enclosure, and is one of the cheapest types; PETG is the usual next step (also rated easy, but more sensitive to moisture).
Which filament is best for outdoor use?
ASA: its outdoor resistance is excellent — made to resist UV and weather. PLA is poor — softens in heat and degrades in sunlight.
What is the cheapest type of 3D printer filament?
PETG (typically $18.99/kg), ABS (typically $18.99/kg), PLA (typically $19.99/kg), ASA (typically $24.99/kg), TPU (typically $25.99/kg), cheapest first, for a single 1 kg spool. Buying 10 kg brings the price per kg down further.
Which filament is flexible?
TPU. It is the flexible one, used for phone cases and grips and vibration dampers and feet.
Compare two types side by side
PLA vs PETGPLA vs ABSPETG vs ABSABS vs ASAPETG vs TPUHow much filament costsEvery filament price
Prices re-read every 4 hours, and every link is checked daily against the price the store page shows. How we check
Prices last checked Oct 2, 2026 · US prices in USD · shipping and sales tax not included. Always confirm the final price at the store before you buy.
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