Filament comparison

PLA vs PETG filament

Live prices from the stores FilaNexus tracks, side by side with what each material is good at, so you can pick the right one and pay the least for it.

Short answer: PLA and PETG cost about the same: a typical 1 kg spool is $19.49 for PLA and $18.99 for PETG, and the cheapest spools we track are $12.99 and $13.99. Choose PLA for prototypes and calibration prints, or decorative pieces and figures. Choose PETG for functional and snap-fit parts, or parts that get wet.

PLA vs PETG price per kg

Single spools of about 1 kg, plus the cheapest way to buy 10 kg with bulk tiers and coupons applied.

	PLA	PETG
Cheapest 1 kg spool	$12.99/kg	$13.99/kg
Typical 1 kg spool	$19.49/kg	$18.99/kg
Cheapest 10 kg, per kg	$9.20/kg	$8.99/kg
Single spools tracked	8	8

PLA vs PETG: properties and print settings

	PLA	PETG
Strengths	cheapest and easiest to print stiff, with good strength accurate dimensions keeps well on the shelf	tougher and less brittle than PLA glossy finish sticks well to the bed with little warping almost no smell while printing
Weaknesses	low heat resistance, so it softens in hot places can turn brittle not suited to outdoor use	strings more than PLA bridges poorly absorbs moisture, so it needs drying
Best for	prototypes and calibration prints decorative pieces and figures cosplay props parts that need to fit together accurately	functional and snap-fit parts parts that get wet planters and outdoor-adjacent pieces
Heat resistance	low	medium
Outdoors	poor — softens in heat and degrades in sunlight	fair
Nozzle temperature	190–220 °C	230–260 °C
Bed temperature	45–60 °C	60–85 °C
Enclosure	Not needed	Not needed
Moisture sensitivity	low	high
Difficulty	easy	easy

Material properties summarised from Simplify3D's PLA guide and PETG guide.

Cheapest PLA and PETG right now

PLA

Inland PLA 1 kg (Black) · Micro Center — $12.99/kg
ELEGOO PLA 1 kg · ELEGOO — $13.99/kg
Anycubic PLA Basic Mix & Match 1 kg (White) · Anycubic — $15.99/kg

Every PLA price →

PETG

ELEGOO PETG Pro 1 kg · ELEGOO — $13.99/kg
Anycubic PETG Translucent Mix & Match 1 kg (Clear) · Anycubic — $14.99/kg
Bambu PETG HF 1 kg · Bambu Lab — $18.99/kg

Every PETG price →

PLA vs PETG questions

Is PETG more expensive than PLA?

PLA and PETG cost about the same: a typical 1 kg spool is $19.49 for PLA and $18.99 for PETG, and the cheapest spools we track are $12.99 and $13.99. In bulk, PLA drops to $9.20/kg and PETG to $8.99/kg when you buy 10 kg.

Which is easier to print, PLA or PETG?

Both are rated easy to print. Neither needs an enclosure. Moisture sensitivity is low for PLA and high for PETG, so keep that spool dry.

Which handles heat better, PLA or PETG?

PLA has low heat resistance and PETG has medium. For outdoor use: PLA is poor — softens in heat and degrades in sunlight; PETG is fair.

Other filament comparisons

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Prices last checked Oct 1, 2026 · US prices in USD · shipping and sales tax not included. Always confirm the final price at the store before you buy.