Looking for the best PLA filament for Ender 3? This article has you covered.
Creality Ender 3 is one of the best 3D printers for beginners. The printer is affordable, compact, and easy to use. But which is the best filament for the Ender 3D?
The Ender 3 is a versatile printer that can use different types of filaments, including PLA, ABS, TPU, PETG, and others.
Read on for the best PLA filament for Ender 3 that will provide you value for your money.
You are guaranteed a hassle-free printing experience when you use any of the PLA filaments recommended below. The filaments print quality models.
Best PLA Filament for Ender 3
| Filament for Ender 3 | Summary | Sizes | Colors | Price |
| Hatchbox PLA | Best Overall PLA | 1.75mm | 22 | Amazon |
| Worksteel | Best White PLA | 1.75mm | 1 | Amazon |
| eSun PLA Pro (PLA+) | Best Colored PLA | 1.75mm | 22 | Amazon |
| Makerbot PLA | Best Quality | 1.75mm | 1 | Amazon |
| 3D Solutech PLA | Best Black PLA | 1.75mm | 1 | Amazon |
| AMZ3D | Best Blue PLA | 1.75mm | 1 | Amazon |
| Inland PLA | Best Budget PLA | 1.75mm, 2.85mm | 30+ | Amazon |
1. Hatchbox PLA
Features
Hatchbox is well-known for its reliable filaments. Hatchbox PLA filaments come in various colors, including metallic and neon, and are among the best in the market. If you choose the red filament, that is exactly what you will get; not something that appears partially orange. The colors are vibrant, even on the thinner sections of your object or the edges.
Hatchbox provides the Pantone number of the filament you choose. This way, you will know the exact hue of the strand.
Quality
Hatchbox filament has some superior touch to it. The strands are neatly wounded on the spool and feel smooth.
The filament’s diameter tolerance is +/- 0.05mm, which fits most spools. According to consumers, the tolerance is way better than what is quoted, at +/- 0.025mm.
Users report to have fewer jams in their 3D printer with the Hatchbox filament. This could be because the filament’s cross-section has near to flawless cylindrical tolerance.
Value
Value is another reason why Hatchbox is the best PLA filament for Ender 3. Its price-to-quality ratio is the best on the market.
Verdict
This filament is highly rated on Amazon and provides unbeatable value for money. There are no distinct settings you have to tune the Creality 3D printer when you want to print with this filament. If you are a beginner or even an expert, you will get the best printing results.
Available on AMAZON
2. Worksteel
Features
The +/- 0.02mm accuracy of the Worksteel filament makes it stand out from the crowd. The safet filament comes with a 90-day money back guarantee from the manufacturer and a warranty for 2 years.
Unfortunately, you can only choose between black or white filaments.
Quality
You will have little ovality with this +/- 0.02mm filament. The 3D printing supply also provides very little oscillation on its spool.
The filament produces smooth prints, like the Hatchbox. However, sometimes you may get some light threading here and there.
The filament produces a small amount of odor.
Value
Even though the Worksteel is a cheap PLA filament, you will be surprised by its high quality prints.
Verdict
Worksteel doesn’t have a big user base. Therefore, it is not as popular as other filaments on this list. However, if you buy it, you will have peace of mind with the 90 days money back and 2-year warranty.
If you want to print black and white with PLA without having to spend a lot, I highly recommend Worksteel filament.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
3. eSun PLA Pro (PLA+)
Features
This eSun filament is the most flexible PLA filament for Ender 3. The filament does not break a lot, which is important when you want to print parts that have load and would be better bent than snap.
eSun PLA filaments are available in 22 colors. Their glow-in-the-dark filament is grayer but its brightness is still noticeable.
This company also has a cleaning filament that you can use to clean the nozzles of your printer. You only need about 0.1Kg of the strand for this purpose.
Quality
The quality of your parts printed is above average. However, the colors are slightly duller than those of Hatchbox PLA.
Customers love this filament because of its reliability and consistency.
Value
Coming at about $5 less than the Hatchbox filament, the eSun PLA Pro offers a great value for money.
Verdict
eSun caters more for mid-budget consumers that want something that works well. The filament is somewhere between PLA and an ABS filament brand.
If lively colors are not a priority for you when printing, you should purchase the eSun PLA Pro.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
4. MakerBot PLA
Features
PLA filaments from MakerBot are of premium quality. The filaments are non-toxic (i.e., don’t contain contaminants like metals or BPA). Therefore, they are also recommended for use with 3D printers for kids. The filament also comes in different lengths and an array of colors.
MakerBot PLA stands out from other filaments for the comprehensive tests that are done at different layer resolutions to improve the quality of prints.
The product is produced in the United States. Therefore, you can be sure you are getting the best PLA filament for Ender 3 on the market
Quality
MakerBot PLA colors are consistent, the diameter spot on, and the product of excellent quality.
The filament has a longer shelf life and is less susceptible to absorbing moisture, compared to the other filament brands on the market. You can leave the filament on the printer for some time and you’ll still be able to use it later, rather than having to store it in a sealed container, like is required for most other filaments
MakerBot PLA filament produces solid and consistent colors. However, some colors might appear darker than what they are on the reel.
Value
The price of this premium brand matches its quality. If you are looking for good and reliable filament and can pay a bit more, purchase this filament.
However, when you consider the value for money get, there are certainly other better choices on the market like eSun and Hatchbox.
Verdict
MakerBot is a trusted name in the 3D printing world. The filament by the brand is considered premium, and the price confirms that.
However, don’t have too high expectations in terms of quality compared to other filaments that cost significantly less.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
5. 3D Solutech PLA
Features
The Solutech is a budget PLA filament. However, the company has built a good reputation for itself over the years.
The product is produced in China but distributed all over the US by appointed dealers. Therefore, you can purchase your filament at a cheap price and get it shipped fast to your door step.
Quality
The filament has an excellent cross-sectional form with a diameter tolerance off +/- 0.02mm. The product is smooth and produces 3D objects with a glossy shiny finish.
Some impurities are probably present in this filament as it is recommended that you use it at a higher temperature compared to other PLA filaments. Some users have indicated that they have had to turn up the heat to 240°C to successfully obtain the print they want.
The colors on the spool are also slightly different than what you might expect. For example, the white appears more like a creamy color than the pure white you get with Hatchbox. After you start printing, the color also becomes a bit different, making it hard to tell exactly what color your object will end up being.
Value
There isn’t a big difference with this filament and other similar priced ones on the market.
This is the best PLA filament for Ender 3 if you are not too keen to getting models of the exact colors you send to the printer.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6. AMZ3D
Features
The PLA filament manufactured by AMZ3D is very similar to the Hatchbox. The filament is available in a wide variety of rich colors, including metallic.
Quality
The AMZ3D PLA filament has a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.03mm. Its spools are well wounded to prevent tangles and come under the right weight.
According to some customers,this filament is a bit brittle. To avoid your parts breaking, especially if you have delicate or thin parts, get the eSun filament or Hatchbox filament.
Value
The AMZ3D is one of the best PLA filaments on the market. The filament looks identical to the Hatchbox but is cheaper.
Verdict
Even though AMZ3D still has a lot to do to establish a good user base, it is one of the best PLA filaments for Ender 3. If you prefer buying from a well-known brand, I recommend you go with the Hatchbox PLA filament.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
7. Inland PLA
Features
The Inland is one of the cheap PLA filament brands on the market. If quality is not a high priority, get this PLA filament for your next small project.
Most users indicate that Inland PLA filament produces acceptable results. However, some customers have reported that they simply couldn’t get workable results. This means that the quality of the PLA filament is not consistent.
Quality
While Inland PLA is a cheap filament, its specifications are quite high. The filament has a good ovality range and its diameter tolerance is +/-0.05mm. The filament is a bit brittle but not to an extent that it creates problems in the feeding tube of your 3D printer.
With this filament, white appears pure and other colors in the range are vivid. Additional color stains in the filament might make colors brighter.
When you print the filament at slower speeds, you will get great results. To get a stable print, use speeds of between 50% – 75% for the initial layer.
The filament has some negligible amount of impurities. Therefore, use higher temperatures when printing your models. Raising the temperature above 210°C leads to excellent printing results.
Value
This brand is relatively cheap compared to the others we have looked at. However, its results are acceptable. We recommend the filament for printing prototypes, testing parts with your 3D printer, and for experimental purposes.
Verdict
Buying low-priced filaments comes with some compromises. If you are just looking to make some prototype models that will be discarded later or are simply experimenting, get the Inland PLA . However, if you want quality and reliable prints, go for other filaments on the list.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Buy the Best PLA Filament for Ender 3 Online
The PLA filaments mentioned in this article is available on Amazon:
Final Verdict
There are many good filament options for Creality Ender 3 to choose from. If price is not a problem for you, choose premium filament options like MakerBot PLA. On the other hand, if you are working under a tight budget but still would like to get some quality prints, the Hatchbox provides unbeatable quality and comes in a dynamic range of colors.
If you are looking for the best PLA filament for Ender 3, you cannot go wrong with the above options.
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