Looking to buy the best PLA filament for your printer? This guide will help you select the right strands.
After buying a 3D printer, you will also have to think of ongoing costs in the form of filaments and other printing accessories. The cost of one filament reel can be anything, from $20 upwards. Depending on your printing needs, the filament can last a few weeks or even months.
If you buy the best filament, you can relax as your job quietly finishes in the background. You won’t have to be always checking the filament to ensure it’s working as expected.
On the other hand, if you choose a poor filament, you may experience a nightmare when printing objects. The finished 3D models or parts may be of poor quality.
The filament used plays an important role in the quality of a printed model. With that said, which is the best PLA filament on the market?
There are many PLA filament brands to choose from. Read on for the best PLA filaments you can buy.
Why Choose PLA Filament?
Why are Polylactic Acid filaments, otherwise known as PLA, the most popular filaments for 3D printing? Well, that’s because most 3D printers for home use are designed to use PLA filament rather than ABS and other high-temperature filaments.
PLA is preferred for various reasons, including:
- It is durable and strong. The filament is appropriate for most uses.
- When melted, it rarely gives off an odor. And when it gives off an odor, it smells similar to cotton candy.
- Can be melted at low temperatures i.e. 190-210°C.
- You will not necessarily need a heated printing bed when starting your print since the material does not shrink when it cools down.
- PLA consumes low warp
- Is environmentally-friendly and biodegradable. Moreover, it is made of corn starch. Other filaments are made from plastic-like petroleum materials.
- It is safe. For years, PLA has been used inside candy wrappings and as medical stitches.
Not all PLA filaments on the market are created equally. Cheap PLA filaments produce poor-quality printed objects. Don’t waste money buying a cheap filament.
How Do I Choose a PLA Filament?
Keep the following in mind when choosing PLA filament:
Most filament strands measure 1.75mm in diameter. This diameter is the most popular with manufacturers.
Ideally, you want your filament diameter to vary by less than 0.05mm along the length. In the worst case scenario, the diameter could be variable on one reel.
For instance, the diameter could be 1.85mm at the jump of the spool and 1.63mm at the ending part. There’s not much you can do about this. At best, you could adjust the feed setting to fit the thread before each build.
The printer settings will have to be adjusted each time you buy a new reel or you change it. This is why you have to keep your PLA filament spool as near to a circle as you can. Cheap filaments have a more oval section shape, which can lead to frequent jams.
Cheap PLA filaments may contain some impurities. The impurities could be as a result of poor standards during the manufacturing process. For example, a company may add a plaster to make the product economical to manufacture. As a result, the filament could end up with impurities.
The impurities in the filament can block your printer’s nozzle because they don’t liquify in the same way PLA does. Moreover, you will not get a good-quality print.
Sometimes, you may want all your prints to be of the same color. For example, when you are building chess pieces, all of them should have a consistent color.
Poor filaments can produce parts with varied tones when you switch reels. The filament will make the colors of the parts slightly mismatched.
Having consistent colors is important especially in the business world. When you create products you want to sell, customers will expect them to be consistent in quality and color.
The filament should be wound neatly onto the spool to prevent tangles and problems with feeding it into the printer. If the filament is too tight closer to the ending of the spool, there may be some breakage.
Keep your wound just right, i.e., not too tight.
When you pack and store PLA filament, keep it away from any form of dampness or air. The filament can be negatively affected by these environmental elements.
The filament might also kink. Therefore, try to prevent physical damage to avoid breakage.
Sometimes, the filament might bend and jam your printer. To avoid this, invest in some good packaging to protect the filament. Filament manufacturers typically use a plastic wrap that contains desiccant on the inside and a cardboard on the outside to prevent tears.
In the filament packaging and manufacturer’s website, you will find information on how to tune your 3D printer to work optimally with the strands. The information may also include support for various 3D printers on the market and technical specification, like the span tolerance and melting temperature of the filament.
This is an important factor to consider when purchasing filament. If you ship from China, it might take a few weeks for your reel to arrive. Therefore, if you have an urgent project, shipping PLA from China would not make sense.
PLA filaments also have to be warehoused correctly because they are affected by moisture. Therefore, if your product will take a few weeks to get to you, chances are that it would have been exposed to the elements of nature around it.
What is the Best PLA Filament?
Below is an overview of the best PLA filaments on the market:
#1. Eryone PLA Filament
Eryone PLA Filament stands out as a top-tier choice in the realm of 3D printing materials. Renowned for its exceptional quality, this filament consistently delivers prints with a stunning gloss finish while ensuring minimal warping. Crafted with an eco-friendly approach, Eryone PLA is not only a responsible choice but also a user-friendly option.
Key Features of Eryone PLA Filament
- Print Quality: Eryone PLA filament excels in producing prints with a smooth and glossy surface, showcasing the intricate details of your 3D models.
- Reliable Performance: The filament’s strength, coupled with precise tolerance, ensures reliable and consistent printing results. Say goodbye to printing hassles like tangles – Eryone PLA streamlines your 3D printing experience.
- Odor Control: Eryone PLA emits only a mild and pleasant odor during printing, creating a comfortable working environment for users.
| Brand/Product Name: | Eryone PLA Filament |
| Bed Temperature | Optimal printing temperature ranging from 180°C to 230°C. |
| Colors available: | An extensive range including vibrant hues and specialty options like glow-in-the-dark. |
| Size available: | 1.75mm diameter, 1kg (2.2lbs) spool – catering to various 3D printing needs. |
| Print temperature: | (Not essential) Recommended range of 50°C to 55°C. |
| Price Check: | Check on Eryone |
#2. ColorFabb PLA Filament
ColorFabb PLA filament is a premium Dutch brand that is super strong. The filament is made from a unique ingredient, known as Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which is simply polysetser.
While the filament is strong, it is easy to print with. Moreover, it won’t jam or clog your printer head since it is biodegradable.
The quality of ColorFabb PLA filament is backed by its slightly higher price.
| Brand/Product Name: | ColorFabb PLA |
| Star Rating: | 4.9 |
| Colors available: | Standard black, shining silver, Dutch orange, sky blue, and glow-in-the-dark |
| Size available: | 1.75mm Diameter, 0.75kg spool |
| Print temperature: | 190°C – 230°C | Bed Temperature (not essential): 60°C – 80°C |
| Price Check: | Check on MatterHackers |
#3. Ultimaker PLA Filament
Ultimaker also makes it on our list of the best PLA filament brands. The PLA, which is made by the company that manufactures the Ultimaker 2 3D printer, has a consistent diameter, which helps in reducing jams. The filament is strong and has amazing tolerance.
The Ultimaker PLA filament produces prints that are highly detailed, smooth, and consistent. The material is easy to use and reliable.
| Brand/Product Name: | Ultimaker 2 PLA |
| Star Rating: | 4.1 |
| Colors available: | Silver metallic, black, blue, transparent, peal white, magenta, red, and others |
| Size available: | 2.85mm, 750g spool |
| Print temperature: | 190°C – 230°C | Bed Temperature (not essential): 60°C – 80°C |
| Price Check: | Check on MatterHackers |
#4. MakerBot PLA Filament
MakerBot PLA filament is specially designed for the MakerBot 3D printer. The filament is made in the USA and boasts of unmatched quality. The filament produces prints with no warping.
While the filament is designed for MakerBot 3D printer, it also works with any modern Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer.
| Brand/Product Name: | MakerBot PLA |
| Star Rating: | 4.1 |
| Colors available: | 30+ including red, white, grey, translucent, neon, and glowing finishes |
| Size available: | 1.75mm, 1kg (2.2lbs) spool |
| Print temperature: | 190°C – 230°C | Bed Temperature (not essential): 60°C – 80°C |
| Price Check: | Check on MatterHackers |
#5. Proto-pasta PLA Filament
Proto-pasta came into the limelight after its successful Kickstarter campaign. The PLA filament, which is manufactured by ProtoPlant, is stiffer than regular filaments. This filament also has better dimensional stability, which helps in ensuring that the prints come out warp-free.
Proto-pasta PLA filament adheres well to the printbed and is easy to remove. The high-quality PLA also has reliable tolerance and lets off a pleasant odor.
Proto-pasta PLA filament is excellent for printing any kinds of electronics. The filament produces the black carbon fiber finish you will find with electronics.
Proto-plasts produces various filaments for different uses. For example, there is the gray, rustable magnetic iron filament that is suitable for printing 3D models that need to behave like iron, i.e., able to respond to magnets.
| Brand/Product Name: | Pro-pasta PLA |
| Star Rating: | 4.1 |
| Colors available: | Black (carbon fiber), gray (stainless steel and rustable magnetic Iron) |
| Size available: | 1.75 mm, 500g Spool |
| Print temperature: | 195°C – 220°C | Bed Temperature (not essential): 50°C |
| Price Check: | Check on MatterHackers |
#6. eSUN PLA Filament
eSUN PLA Filament is a standout choice in the world of 3D printing materials, offering a premium experience with each print. Renowned for its superior quality, this filament ensures a glossy finish and minimal warping, making it a top pick for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
BUY ON ESUN
Key Features of eSUN PLA Filament
- Exceptional Print Finish: eSUN PLA filament consistently produces prints with a smooth and glossy surface, showcasing intricate details and enhancing the overall visual appeal.
- Reliable Performance: With commendable strength and precise tolerance, eSUN PLA filament delivers consistent printing results, free from common hassles like tangles, ensuring a seamless printing experience.
- User-Friendly: eSUN PLA is designed for easy handling, making it suitable for users of all levels. Its user-friendly nature contributes to a hassle-free 3D printing process.
| Brand/Product Name: | eSUN PLA Filament |
| Print Temperature: | Optimal printing temperature ranges from 190°C to 220°C. |
| Colors available: | A diverse array of colors to unleash your creativity |
| Size available: | 1.75mm diameter, 1kg (2.2lbs) spool – catering to various 3D printing requirements. |
| Bed temperature: | (Not essential) Recommended range of 0°C to 60°C. |
| Price Check: | Check on Esun |
eSUN PLA Filament stands as a reliable and high-quality choice for 3D printing enthusiasts. With its impressive features and a wide range of colors, eSUN PLA filament is poised to elevate your 3D printing projects, providing consistent and impressive results.
#7. Polymaker PLA Filament
The Polymaker PLA filament stands out for its high impact resistance that is more than 9 times that of regular PLA filaments. This feature may explain why the filament is a little bit costly.
| Brand/Product Name: | Polymaker PLA |
| Star Rating: | 4.9 |
| Colors available: | Orange, yellow, blue, black, red, white, teal, green, gray, and purple |
| Size available: | 1.75mm, 2.85mm, 750g spools |
| Print temperature: | 200°C – 230°C | Bed Temperature (not essential): 60°C – 70°C |
| Price Check: | Check on MatterHackers |
Conclusion on the Best PLA Filaments
There are many PLA filaments on the market. We chose the 7 filaments above based on real user feedback and overall ratings. These PLA filaments stand out for their amazing tolerance and great strength.
GUIDES: Best PLA Filaments for Lithophanes | Types of PLA Filaments | Best PLA Filament for Ender 3 | Best PLA Filaments | What is PLA Filament Made Of?
Thanks Chuck your insight is valuable to those of us without your experience.
The information was useful but hard to absorb due to distractions from typos and grammatical errors… found myself re-reading parts just to make sure I don’t get it wrong.
ie: Proto-pasta, Proto-plasta or Proto-plasts? (It’s the first one.)
Also, your use of the word “slice” toward the beginning of the article could easily be misinterpreted and/or confused with the more common use of the term when referring to things of a 3D printing nature.
Hi Nathan, good catch on the “slicer” word. We’ve replaced it and edited the content for typos.