Table of Contents
Introduction
There is no doubt that PLA is the most popular and technologically advanced material for 3D printing. It faces much competition from other kinds of filaments, for instance, the ABS. However, it has built a position for itself in the 3D market that makes PLA everyone’s first choice. There are so many reasons why PLA has a high demand and is widespread.
- The first great thing about PLA is that it is relatively easy to handle and use. Unlike other filaments, PLA has the lowest printing temperature. PLA doesn’t need a heating bed because it doesn’t wrap at all.
- PLA doesn’t produce a foul smell during the printing process. It is an odorless material.
- The renewable resources compose it, and it is a biodegradable filament. Which means it is environment friendly.
- PLA is heat-resistant and is everyone’s first choice when printing individual parts or printing that would contact high temperatures.
- You can use it in various outdoor conditions because it is resistant to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Considering the popularity and demand of PLA, this material is available in different colors and sizes. Several companies are manufacturing PLA now, but every PLA comes with a different price tag and quality. To help you figure out the best PLA filament to buy, we have a list below. It has the names and features of the most famous PLA filaments. This list will prove to be a great start to the hunt for the best filaments from around the world.
The Picks: 10 Best PLA Filament for 3D Printing
This article reviews the 10 best PLA filaments that you can buy for your 3D printing ventures. Read on and find your favorite!
Overture PLA Filaments
Overture is a well-known manufacturing company that has eight years of experience in producing premium quality filaments. It has produced tons of PLA filaments every day on a large scale through constant research and development. The PLA filaments Overture produces are cost-effective and reliable. They are perfect for standard 3D printers such as Monoprice and MK3.
The Overture PLA filament is 1.75mm long and comes with a PLA spool. The PLA spool is almost 1Kg in weight. When you buy this PLA filament, you also get a build surface. The structure of this build surface supports the Overture filaments.
These Overture PLA filaments also have a layout in a grid form that makes them simple to resize. If these qualities weren’t enough, the Overture PLA filament is completely clog-free. These two outstanding qualities make this PLA filament perfect for a smooth and easy printing experience. The Overture PLA filaments take only a day to dry up. These filaments go through an examination before packaging. It is to ensure that the lines are intangible and tidy throughout the 3D printing process. This mechanical winding is essential to avoid any line from breaking and ensures a smooth printing experience.
Features
- It comes with a bubble-free patent.
- It is clog-free.
- It is intangible and has tidy lines.
- Its inner diameter design is sizeable for smooth feeding.
- It uses a self-adaptive control technique.
- It has dimensional accuracy.
Pros
- PLA filaments by Overture are highly cost-effective.
- These filaments are compatible with all standard 3D printers.
- They have a grid layout, which makes them easy to resize.
- These are 100 percent clog and bubble-free to ensure a stable 3D printing experience.
- When you buy this PLA filament, you also get a build surface to support it.
Cons
- The Overture filament in black color gives an opaque finish. It doesn’t go well with thin prints.
Verdict
Kudos to Overture for producing such high-quality PLA filaments for all 3D printing lovers! The manufacturers at Overture have a purpose with PLA filament. It is to provide a stable and smooth printing experience. This PLA filament’s ability to be clog-free and bubble-free speaks for its incredible quality and excellent user experience. The best thing about Overture PLA Filament is its broad compatibility with a large number of 3D printers. Here is a huge thumbs up for this great filament that is readily available from anywhere!
HATCHBOX PLA Printer Filament
There are several reasons why HATCHBOX PLA filaments have earned a spot on this list. Firstly, the Hatchbox PLA filament’s design helps you explore different aspects of 3D printing and achieve your creativity targets in the most efficient way. Secondly, through this PLA filament, you will be able to witness your creativity in the form of a gratifying reality. These PLA filaments are perfect for creating 3-dimensional figures and structures.
Moreover, they are compatible with almost all kinds of 3D printers except for a few. With Hatchbox PLA filaments, you will notice that your finished 3D structures will have a glossy finish and non-existent wrappings. Hatchbox PLA filaments are eco-friendly and easy to use.
PLA is famous for being odorless, and so are these PLA filaments by Hatchbox. These green-friendly filaments do not require a hotbed to support them. It uses all thermoplastic materials. In addition to this, these materials can also retain their colors because of low melting temperatures.
3D printing lovers highly appreciate Hatchbox PLA filaments. It is because these filaments have great composition and provide a tangle-free, clog-free, and bubble-free printing experience. They are available in many bold and bright colors. You have the choice of mixing textured, sparkle, and glossy filaments with wood and marble-like filaments. The variety at Hatchbox is enormous.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75mm.
- Its dimensional accuracy is +/-0.03mm.
- It is clog-free.
- It is angle-free.
- It is bubble-free.
- It has thermoplastic material in its composition.
- It is eco-friendly.
- It produces a glossy finishing.
Pros
- Hatchbox PLA filaments have high-quality composition.
- These filaments are compatible with many 3D printers.
- These filaments are available in many colors and textures.
- The printed 3D objects get a glossy finish with Hatchbox PLA filaments.
- These filaments are best for printing small objects.
- These filaments have great strength and huge tolerance.
- They are affordable.
Cons
- The Hatchbox spools have a diameter of 8″, which most printers do not accept.
Verdict
Hatchbox has built its reputation by manufacturing top-quality PLA filaments for the 3D printing community. These PLA filaments fit well with all the professional users. They are affordable and have a reliable tolerance. If you think this PLA filament has all the qualities you are looking for, make Hatchbox PLA your next big purchase!
ColorFabb is a Dutch brand that produces one of the best PLA filaments around the world. This company started manufacturing PLA filaments in the year 2012. It was when the PLA filament market was under the domination of cheap PLA manufacturers. Quality wasn’t a priority then.
ColorFabb manufactures superior quality filaments that are expensive but worth every penny you spend on them. ColorFabb PLA filaments are relatively more durable than any other filament in the market. They are easy-to-use. They are clog-free and won’t jam.
The best about ColorFabb PLA filaments is that they have PLA and PHA together. It is to provide extra strength to the filaments and make them more durable.
ColorFabb manufactures PLA filaments in various shades of all primary colors. It also manufactures special PLA filaments, for example, filaments with wood and metal filling. In addition to all the different colors and tones, ColorFabb provides the service of customization. It means you can choose the filaments’ color and texture as per your requirement. With ColorFabb PLA filaments, prints have a matte finish. Therefore, they are not as shiny as other filaments produce. But despite this, the prints are solid with a nice texture.
The consistency of filaments from one spool to another is another remarkable feature of these PLA filaments. Each spool’s diameter is the same, which prevents these PLA filaments from clogging and creating bumps in the printing process.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75 mm.
- It is available in different colors and textures.
- This filament uses a blend of PHA with PLA in it.
- It is clog-free.
- It is bubble-free.
- It is tangle-free.
- Durable and strong.
Pros
- PLA filaments by ColorFabb are strong and highly durable.
- These filaments are easy to use
- ColorFabb provides a service for PLA filaments customization. You have the choice of getting filaments of your choice and texture.
Cons
- At a high printing speed, these PLA filaments tend to clog.
- ColorFabb PLA filaments are expensive.
Verdict
are quite famous among beginners and experienced 3D printing lovers. With the wide variety of colors and textures it offers, ColorFabb is indeed a king in the PLA filament market. But these filaments are expensive, and there have been complaints about them clogging the printer. However, according to ColorFabb, the clogging is entirely a user error.
MIKA 3D PLA Filament 12-in-1
MIKA is one of the oldest manufacturers of PLA filaments. MIKA produces PLA filaments in different color bundles. MIKA 3D 12-in-1 comes with fully loaded bundles of 3D filaments in multicolor. The 12 colors in this PLA filament color bundle are silk red, silk black, silk peacock blue, silk white, silk lime green, silk orange, silk green, silk link, silk yellow, silk purple, and silk salmon-orange.
This filament’s diameter is 1.75mm, which is a universal diameter size. These PLA filaments use eco-friendly materials compatible with all kinds of FDM printers widely available in the market.
The design of the MIKA PLA filaments is such that it’s easy for them to feed and melt smoothly. This design gives your final product a skinny surface with a silky, pearly texture. This filament is tangle-free. After printing, you should insert the free end of the filament into the holes of the spool. It will save your filaments from any tangling.
When you buy these PLA filaments, you will get a bottle of the solid stick, as a gift, for your printer’s head bed.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75mm.
- It comes with 12 spools in it.
- MIKA 12-in-1 comes with 12 colored PLA filaments.
- Compatible with FDM 3D printers.
- It is tangle-free.
- It is clog-free.
- It is bubble-free.
- The package includes a free bottle of solid stick for your printer’s head bed.
Pros
- MIKA PLA filaments come in twelve stunning colors that allow you to create various 3D figures.
- These PLA filaments produce prints with a shiny finishing.
- MIKA PLA filaments are compatible with almost all kinds of FDM 3D printers.
- These filaments melt exceptionally well and produce prints with a silk-like surface.
- You will get a high-quality bottle of the solid stick when you buy this PLA filament bundle.
Cons
- You can’t buy a specific color of MIKA PLA filament. MIKA filaments are always available in a bundle.
Verdict
MIKA PLA filaments are a class apart when it comes to filaments with quality colors and textures. These PLA filaments always come in a bundle of unique colors. The best thing about these filaments is that they produce fantastic print results with a smooth and shiny finish. Therefore, if you are a 3D printer enthusiast looking for remarkable PLA filaments, consider buying MIKA PLA filaments.
TIANSE White PLA – 3D Printer Filament
TIANSE White PLA Filament is one of the most colorful and efficient filaments available in the market today. With its +/- 0.03mm dimensional accuracy, it provides a complete detailing to 3D objects.
This filament uses materials which the company imports from the USA. All these materials promise good quality and performance and are eco-friendly. There is no way you won’t enjoy working with this filament on any kind of 3D projects.
The TIANSE PLA filament is compatible with all kinds of 3D printers and pens available in the market. This filament is perfect for those who want a smooth printing experience. This filament wraps orderly, melts quickly, and feeds smoothly. The feeding process is consistent, thanks to this PLA filament being bubble-free and clog-free.
This PLA filament has a low rate of shrinking, which gives it the ability to print accurately. TIANSE PLA filaments are great for printing big models and structures. This filament is also very lightweight and quite economical for printing large models.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75mm.
- Its dimensional accuracy is +/-0.03mm.
- It has eco-friendly raw material for its composition.
- It is suitable for 3D printers and 3D pens.
- Its spool Diameter is 7.87″.
- Its nozzle temperature is from 180 degrees to 220 degrees.
- It is bubble-free and clog-free
Pros
- TIANSE PLA filament is a high-quality and high-performing filament.
- This filament uses eco-friendly raw materials, which the company imports from the USA.
- TIANSE PLA filament is excellent for printing large models because of its low density, lightweight, and low shrinking power.
- This filament is non-toxic.
- It is compatible with a majority of 3D FDM printers and 3D pens.
- It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Cons
- The spool diameter might be too big for some printers.
- The TIANSE white PLA filament is not as bright as Hatchbox white filament.
Verdict
Suppose you are someone who is looking for an economical yet top-quality PLA filament. In that case, TIANSE PLA filament has all the qualities to become your favorite. This PLA filament can be a perfect choice if you are into printing big models and structures. It is compatible with almost all 3D printers and pens and promises a quality that you never experienced before.
SUNLU PLA Plus Filament
SUNLU PLA Plus filament is a superior quality filament that is available in many colors. Some common colors available in SUNLU PLA filament are red, yellow, grey-black, green, and many more.
It is a tangle-free filament that exhibits the properties of a top-quality PLA filament. SUNLU PLA neither shrinks nor wraps easily. It can stay tangle-free for as long as possible. Just because SUNLU filaments are tangle-free, you get to enjoy a tension-free printing experience for as long as you want to. This feature also enables the compatibility between your filament and 3D pen or printer.
If the above properties weren’t enough, SUNLU PLA Plus filament is an eco-friendly filament. This filament uses all-natural and renewable resources. All the material that makes this filament is biodegradable and non-toxic. It implies that SUNLU is a safe filament for you and the environment.
SUNLU has a range of print temperatures falling between 210 degrees Celsius to 240 degrees Celsius. With the quality and performance that SUNLA PLA plus Filament offers, there is no doubt that this is a popular PLA filament among professionals and beginners.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75mm.
- Its spool diameter is 8″.
- It has a robust coils design.
- Its dimensional accuracy is +/-0.02mm.
- It is odorless.
- It is eco-friendly.
- It doesn’t tangle.
- It is clog-free.
- It is bubble-free.
- It is compatible with FDM 3D printers.
- Its nozzle temperature range is 215-230 degrees.
Pros
- It is a highly affordable PLA filament that promises a compelling performance.
- This PLA filament is available in many colors.
- Its material is eco-friendly, which makes it harmless for the user and environment.
- SUNLU PLA filament is compatible with almost all kinds of 3D pens and printers.
Cons
- SUNLU PLA filaments go bad within days if put under the exposure of moisture.
Verdict
SUNLU PLA filament is a fantastic yet cost-effective filament available in the market. It has all the useful properties of a PLA filament and comes in a variety of colors. However, when you use this filament, make sure to keep the nozzle temperature steady. Its compatibility with all major 3D printer and pen brands has also helped this filament gain popularity fast. We recommend this filament to our 3D printing fans.
3D Solutech PLA Filament
If you are a 3D printer enthusiast and looking for a strong and technologically advanced PLA filament, read no further as 3D Solutech PLA filament is an answer to your search. This PLA filament uses ultra-smooth technology to print and build smooth and strong 3D projects of any size and shape. The manufacturers at Solutech use pure polylactic acid to create these PLA filaments. These PLA filaments have superior quality for beautiful 3D prints. Each filament goes through a triple barrel color technology to gain a top-class color saturation. It is rare, but Solutech uses it to produce a deep and rich color filament every time.
Each filament has a diameter of 1.75mm and a dimensional accuracy of +/-0.03mm. With such a perfect diameter, this filament is compatible with almost all 3D printers and pens. The appropriate nozzle temperature for this filament is between 190 and 210 degrees and without any heating bed. The heated bed isn’t a necessity here.
This filament’s composition consists of Polylactic acid and a high-composite compound to prevent this PLA filament from stringing and wrapping. The high-composite compound develops high resistance in the filament towards moisture.
When you order this PLA filament, it comes in vacuum-sealed packaging. It is to block any moisture from reaching the inside of the packaging and ruining the filament.
Another favorable property of this PLA filament is that it is bubble-free and is entirely odorless. This filament is also round with zero oily residues. This is exactly like a perfect PLA filament!
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75mm.
- Its dimensional accuracy is +/-0.03mm.
- It is round.
- It doesn’t have oily residues.
- Its nozzle temperature is between 190 and 210 degrees.
- It is available in many colors.
- It is clog-free.
- It is bubble-free.
- It is tangle-free.
- It does not require a head bed.
- It is odorless.
Pros
- This PLA filament uses an ultra-smooth technology for a great printing experience.
- It has high-quality components to give this filament a substantial texture to print all kinds of 3D projects.
- This PLA filament comes in a vacuum-sealed packaging to block all kinds of moisture from ruining the texture of filament.
- The diameter of this filament is perfect to go with all kinds of 3D printers and pens.
Cons
- Since this PLA filament is transparent, the lines on 3D objects are visible.
- This filament is expensive.
Verdict
Solutech PLA filaments are the latest, most favorite filaments among 3D printing enthusiasts. This filament uses ultra-smooth technology to ensure a successful 3D printing experience. Although expensive than the rest, Solutech isn’t an option you should not consider.
ERYONE PLA 3D Printer Filament
ERYONE-White PLA 3D Filament has all the fantastic features and excellent quality you require for a memorable 3D printing experience. With this PLA, we would advise you to start printing at a low temperature and then slowly and steadily take the temperature as high as 220 degrees.
The filament has a diameter of 7.75mm and dimensional accuracy and tolerance of +/-0.05mm. It is a tangle-free filament, which means you don’t have to worry about its quality. The tangle-free property helps reduce tangling, which then results in a successful printing process. This filament is also clog-free. It means that it has a great structure to stop jamming and ensure a smooth printing process.
There are a few things that you should know when you buy the ERYONE PLA filament. The first thing is if you do not plan to use your 3D printer for a long time, retract this PLA filament to protect the nozzle of your printer.
Also, to increase the life of PLA filaments, place them in a sealed box or bag. It will stop any moisture or air from entering inside the filament. Lastly, for a smooth feeding process in your next printing attempt, store your filaments in a way that they do not wind up.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75mm.
- Its dimensional accuracy is +/-0.05mm.
- It is tangle-free.
- It is clog-free.
- Its printing temperature is between 190 and 220 degrees.
- Its printing speed is 50 to 100 mm/s.
Pros
- This PLA filament is famous for producing fantastic print results.
- ERYONE-White filament can take up high temperatures to produce excellent-quality 3D objects.
- This PLA filament is compatible with many 3D printers.
- You will witness a “very” white and pure print without any shades of grays or blacks.
Cons
- The diameter consistency of this filament is below average.
- As per some experiences, this filament jams a lot.
Verdict
ERYONE-White PLA filaments are affordable filaments and are widely available. They are a good alternative to otherwise expensive filaments. If you are just beginning to enter the 3D printing works, try these filaments to give your printing adventure a kick start!
ESUN PLA Pro 3D Printer Filament
ESUN PLA Pro 3D printer filament is another well-known and well-developed PLA filament. This filament weighs around 1 kg. The filament spool is clean and transparent so that you can see its inner contents. The filament packet also comes with a vacuum-sealed packaging so that your PLA filaments are safe from any external exposure.
A desiccant form a layer bonding on this filament. This layer prevents the filament from any kind of external exposure.
This PLA filament has a low shrinkage rate. This low rate helps the filament to stick with the bed easily. The components that go into making ESUN PLA Pro 3D filaments are all odorless, eco-friendly, and harmless to human beings.
Its consistent diameter and accuracy contribute towards a more significant efficiency throughout the 3D printing procedure.
According to experts, the best nozzle temperature for this filament is between 205 degrees Celsius and 225 degrees Celsius. Although this filament is a little hard to work and requires a different slice setting, the 3D results it produces are worth all the wait and effort.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75 mm.
- Its dimensional accuracy is +/-0.05 mm.
- Its spool width is 2.50 inches.
- It has a desiccant seal.
- Its nozzle temperature is between 205 and 225 degrees.
- A desiccant seal its vacuum.
- It is clog-free and bubble-free.
Pros
- The desiccant provides a great vacuum seal and a high rigidity to the filament.
- The prints it produces are hard to break. It is because of the desiccant layering and materials which PLA has.
- The finished products get a glossy surface and feel.
- The printouts have a smooth finishing.
- This filament is affordable.
Cons
- It comes with limited color options.
- If you do not use it soon, it gets faster than most other filaments.
- It requires a different slicer setting than other PLA filaments.
Verdict
A good-quality PLA filament, ESUN PLA Pro is famous for being affordable and very useful for 3D printing. The filaments are vacuum-sealed by a strong desiccant layer, making them way more vital than any other filament available in the market. You are free to create big models using this filament because it is hard to break.
Proto-pasta PLA Printer Filament
Proto-pasta PLA filaments got existence by a group of scientists in the year 2013. These scientists had an aim to produce the world’s most amazing PLA filaments. But did they succeed? Yes, according to us, they did. Proto-pasta PLA filaments are stiffer and more robust than most other filaments. These filaments are more stable and are appropriate for a wrap-free printing process.
These PLA filaments have a reliable tolerance that helps them perform well. However, they produce smell, but it is not toxic.
Proto-pasta carbon fiber PLA aims to produce high-quality results. This filament has all dry ingredients as part of its composition to achieve a high level of rigidity.
If you love creating 3D models that involve electronics, Proto-pasta PLA filaments can be your best choice. The Proto-pasta carbon black PLA filament gives a beautiful black carbon fiber finish perfect for models with electronics.
Suppose you are thinking of making iron models with a magnetic property. In that case, Proto-pasta PLA filaments have a solution to that too. You can use Proto-pasta grey magnetic iron filament to do this job perfectly well.
Features
- Its diameter is 1.75mm.
- Its nozzle temperature for printing is between 190 and 230 degrees Celsius.
- It gives a matte finishing.
- It has a recyclable spool.
- It is clog-free.
- It is bubble-free.
- Tangle-free
Pros
- For people looking for challenging and strong PLA filaments, Proto-pasta PLA filaments is an excellent choice.
- They are durable and easy to use.
- They give all 3D objects a beautiful matte finish.
Cons
- These filaments are expensive.
- These filaments are brittle hence require more care while handling.
Verdict
Expensive but worth every penny, Proto-pasta PLA filaments are a dream come true for professional 3D printing users. These filaments have all the remarkable properties of an excellent filament and are strong enough to produce excellent printing results.
What to Look for When Choosing a PLA Filament?
There are many factors that you must consider before buying a PLA filament. Here are a few:
Affordability
A PLA filament should be affordable. A PLA isn’t something that you need only once. It is a regular purchase for 3D printing enthusiasts. Remember, only affordable filament sells more.
Easy to Print
Before buying any PLA filament, you must consider its printing settings. You can read customer reviews or manuals to ensure that printing settings are low and manageable.
Odorless
In theory, all PLA filaments are odorless, but there are some exceptions. Before you buy a PLA filament, make sure that it is odorless and non-toxic.
Durability and Strength
This factor is essential to consider, especially when you want to buy PLA filaments for big projects. PLA filaments that are highly durable and strong are best for producing big-sized models.
Matte or Shiny Finish
There are two kinds of PLA filaments. One kind gives a matte finish to your printed model, while the other gives a shiny finish. Buy the filament that meets your preference.
Final Verdict
Best Overall
The best overall filament for us is the MIKA 3D PLA Filaments. Despite being one of the oldest PLA producer, MIKA filaments are perfect for new-age 3D printers. Mika filaments come in a bundle form with 12 different colors. The variety of colors is enormous, with exceptionally unique textures. You can find the most beautiful silk red with a green peacock, all in a single bundle. MIKA filaments also produce shiny and top-quality prints. This filament is compatible with all FDM 3D printers, which is a great thing. Also, this filament bundle is both clog and bubble-free.
Runner Up
The runner up award for the best overall filament goes to Proto-pasta PLA Filaments. These filaments are the strongest and durable filaments you will ever come across. If you think you haven’t come across an excellent wrap-free filament yet, try Proto-pasta PLA filaments on our insistence. You will never regret it! Not only that, these filaments produce high-quality prints. They, however, are a bit brittle and need special care while handling or they break. All prints have a praiseworthy black matte finish.
Best Value for Money
When it comes to this category, nothing, in our mind, comes close to Hatchbox PLA Filaments. These are the most affordable yet the most high-performing PLA filaments. The design and the making of these filaments assist you in achieving mouth-dropping 3D results. These filaments are available in a variety of colors and are competent with all kinds of 3D printers. That’s way more than you can expect from a top-notch filament!
Final Words
PLA filaments are a great invention when it comes to sustainability and performance. They are eco-friendly and produce beautiful 3D prints. If you think of buying PLA filaments, go through our list again to make the right decision. Everything above speaks of our research and experience. Trust us, and make your purchase confidently!
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