PLA vs PETG vs ABS (and ASA, TPU, PC)
Which filament should you use? Compare the common FDM materials side by side, filter by what you need, or pick a use case and we highlight the best match. Temperatures, enclosure and heat resistance come from one manufacturer source (the Bambu Lab Filament Guide); every density names its data sheet.
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Nozzle °C | Bed °C | Enclosure | HDT (0.45 MPa) | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 1.24 Prusament PLA TDS [1] | 190–230 | 55–65 Smooth/Textured PEI; Cool Plate 35–55 | Optional | 57 °C | Easiest to print, low warping. Lowest heat resistance here (HDT 57 °C) — avoid parts that get hot, like a car dashboard in summer. beginner | [1] [2] [3] |
| PETG Bambu: PETG HF | 1.25 Polymaker PolyLite PETG [4] | 230–260 | 60–80 Smooth/Textured PEI | Optional | 69 °C | Tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA, no enclosure needed. Prusa rates it for indoor and outdoor mechanical parts. Keep it dry (Bambu: drying required for PETG HF). outdoor / UV, beginner | [4] [2] [5] |
| ABS | 1.04 Polymaker PolyLite ABS TDS [6] | 240–280 | 90–100 Smooth/Textured PEI | Required | 87 °C | Tough and heat-resistant (HDT 87 °C), but warps and cracks without an enclosure. Noticeable smell while printing — ventilate the room. | [6] [2] [3] |
| ASA | 1.13 Polymaker ASA (brands vary — Bambu ASA TDS lists 1.05) [4] | 240–280 | 90–100 Smooth/Textured PEI | Required | 100 °C | ABS-like but UV-resistant — Prusa calls it suitable for outdoor use. Best pick for parts that live in the sun. Needs an enclosure. outdoor / UV | [4] [2] [7] |
| TPU 95A Bambu: TPU 95A HF | 1.22 Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 [4] | 220–240 | 30–45 Smooth/Textured PEI | Optional | — (N/A for flexibles) | Flexible, rubber-like (phone cases, gaskets, bumpers). Print slower (Bambu: < 200 mm/s for TPU 95A HF); keep dry. HDT not applicable to flexibles. flexible | [4] [2] [8] |
| PC (polycarbonate) | 1.19 Polymaker PolyLite PC [4] | 260–280 | 90–110 Smooth/Textured PEI + glue stick | Required | 117 °C | Highest heat resistance in this table (HDT 117 °C) and very strong. Enclosure required; Bambu lists drying as required. | [4] [2] [3] |
| PLA-CF | 1.29 Polymaker PLA-CF [4] | 210–240 | 45–65 Smooth PEI 45–65; Textured PEI 55–65 | Optional | 55 °C | Carbon-fibre filled: stiffer, matte finish. Hardened steel nozzle required. No heat gain over plain PLA (HDT 55 °C). CF-filled, hardened nozzle | [4] [2] |
| PETG-CF | 1.25 Bambu PETG-CF TDS [9] | 240–270 | 60–80 Smooth/Textured PEI | Optional | 74 °C | Carbon-fibre PETG: stiffer than PETG, low warping, no enclosure needed. Hardened steel nozzle required (HDT 74 °C). CF-filled, hardened nozzle | [9] [2] |
| No material matches all selected filters — remove one. | |||||||
Nozzle, bed, enclosure and HDT: Bambu Lab Filament Guide (Bambu filaments; PETG and TPU rows are Bambu's PETG HF and TPU 95A HF). Other brands and slicer profiles differ — always check the range printed on your spool. "—" means no cited value. Filters combine (AND).
How to choose: PLA vs PETG vs ABS (and the rest)
- PLA — start here. Easiest to print, no enclosure, crisp detail. Weak spot is heat: Bambu lists an HDT of 57 °C, so it can soften in a hot car.
- PETG — the step up for functional parts: tougher, HDT 69 °C, still no enclosure. Prusa uses it for printer parts and rates it for indoor and outdoor mechanical parts. Strings more than PLA; keep it dry.
- ABS — heat-resistant (HDT 87 °C) and tough, but warps without an enclosure and smells while printing.
- ASA — ABS with UV resistance. Prusa describes it as suitable for outdoor use; HDT 100 °C. Needs an enclosure.
- TPU 95A — flexible and rubber-like. Print slower and keep it dry. No enclosure needed.
- PC — the heat champion of this list (HDT 117 °C) and very strong, but needs an enclosure, high temperatures and dry filament.
- PLA-CF / PETG-CF — carbon-fibre filled for stiffness and a matte look. Both need a hardened steel nozzle (fibre wears brass). CF doesn't add heat resistance: PLA-CF is 55 °C, PETG-CF 74 °C.
Enclosure at a glance
Bambu marks an enclosure as required for ABS, ASA and PC and optional for PLA, PETG, TPU, PLA-CF and PETG-CF. Planning to buy a printer for ABS/ASA? Use the budget 3D printer picker with the "heat-resistant parts" goal: it only suggests enclosed printers.
Prusa's published ranges (cross-check)
Prusa's Knowledge Base lists wider or slightly different ranges because they cover many brands and Prusament profiles. Neither source is "wrong" — use the range on your spool.
| Material | Prusa nozzle °C | Prusa bed °C | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 185–235 | 50–60 | material guide |
| PETG | 215–270 (Prusament: 230 first layer / 240) | 70–90 (Prusament: 85 / 90) | guide · PETG article |
| ABS | 230–255 | 95–110 | material guide |
| ASA | 220–275 (Prusament: 260) | 90–110 (Prusament: 105 / 110) | guide · ASA article |
| TPU / Flex | 220–260 (Prusament TPU 95A: 220–240) | 40–85 (TPU 95A: 55–75) | guide · TPU 95A article |
| PC | 270–275 | 100–115 | material guide |
| Composites (CF etc.) | 225–290 | 40–120 | material guide |
Use these numbers in other tools
Density decides how many metres you get per kilogram: put it in the filament length ↔ weight calculator or the filament remaining / empty spool calculator. Then cost a print with the 3D print cost calculator.
Sources
- [1] Prusament PLA TDS (PDF)
- [2] Bambu Lab Filament Guide (PDF)
- [3] Prusa filament material guide
- [4] Polymaker technical data at a glance
- [5] Prusa KB – PETG
- [6] Polymaker PolyLite ABS TDS (PDF)
- [7] Prusa KB – ASA
- [8] Prusa KB – Prusament TPU 95A
- [9] Bambu PETG-CF TDS (PDF)
All sources fetched and checked 15 Oct 2026. Densities are typical values from the named data sheets; batches and colours vary slightly.
Related: filament length ↔ weight · print cost · filament remaining · budget printer picker
FAQ
Is PETG better than PLA?
For functional parts, usually yes: PETG is tougher and more heat-resistant (Bambu lists HDT 69 °C vs 57 °C for PLA) and still prints without an enclosure. PLA is easier, more forgiving and gives crisper detail, so it remains the best first filament.
Do ABS and ASA need an enclosure?
Yes. The Bambu Lab Filament Guide marks an enclosure as required for ABS, ASA and PC. PLA, PETG, TPU, PLA-CF and PETG-CF are listed as optional.
What is the best filament for outdoor use?
ASA. It is UV-resistant and Prusa describes it as suitable for outdoor use, with an HDT of 100 °C. PETG is a no-enclosure alternative that Prusa rates for indoor and outdoor mechanical parts. Avoid PLA for parts that sit in the sun.
What does HDT (heat deflection temperature) mean?
It is the temperature at which a standard test bar bends a set amount under load — 0.45 MPa in this table. Use it to compare materials, not as a guaranteed maximum service temperature for your part.
Why do densities differ between brands?
Additives, pigments and fillers change density. Each value in the table names its data sheet. ASA, for example, ranges from 1.05 g/cm³ (Bambu) to 1.13 g/cm³ (Polymaker). For exact length or weight, use your brand's data sheet in the length ↔ weight calculator.
Do carbon-fibre (CF) filaments need a hardened nozzle?
Yes. The Bambu guide lists hardened steel nozzles for PLA-CF and PETG-CF because the fibres wear standard brass nozzles quickly.
Why are Prusa's temperatures different from Bambu's?
Each manufacturer tunes ranges for its own filaments and printers, and Prusa's general guide covers many brands. Both are reasonable starting points — the range printed on your spool wins.