The Ultimate Guide to the Best PLA Filaments

When you are first getting started with 3D printing, it might seem as though most brands offer virtually identical PLA filaments that perhaps only vary in color and price. 

However, there are actually many factors that separate the best PLA filaments from the bottom-of-the-barrel options. While a low-price PLA can be tempting, especially on a budget, you are much better off finding the highest-quality PLA filament you can afford.

Here are a few factors to consider as you begin researching the various PLA brands on the market.

PLA Filament Material Composition

3D printing filament composition is simply the list of ingredients that goes into making the PLA. Most 3D printing filaments are named for their most prominent single component, such as PLA being named for polylactic acid.

However, you will almost never find a “pure” single-ingredient PLA filament. Instead, manufacturers use additives and other components which they mix with the primary ingredient.

A long list of ingredients in a PLA filament might seem like a red flag that a brand is of low quality, and sometimes that is true, but the extra ingredients often play an important role.

Additives

PLA makers use additives for a variety of reasons. Some additives help dilute the primary material, reducing the cost of the finished product.

Some brands utilize additives to create PLA filaments that are composites with properties they can’t achieve with plastics alone. For instance, some brands use woods, carbon, iron, steel, and other additives to add unique visual or performance properties to PLA filament.

Other additives, such as plastic, can be used by manufacturers to increase the strength or adhesion quality of the PLA. Companies often designate these types of filaments as PLA+ or something similar.

If you are interested in what additives are in your favorite PLAs, many manufacturers provide safety data sheets (SDS) with a list of material components on their websites.

Compatibility

Perhaps the most critical aspect for successfully printing with PLA is choosing a top filament compatible with your 3D printer.

For PLA, the most important is the diameter of the filament. If your printer uses a 1.75mm diameter, then that is what you have to buy. If you want to print with another size, such as 2.85mm or 3.00mm, you will need to purchase the appropriate hardware to upgrade your system.

Also, be aware that spool sizes differ. If you buy a spool that doesn’t fit in your printer’s spool holder, you won’t be able to use it.

Tolerance

Width tolerance is a significant factor in the final quality of your printed items, and it can be a great specification to use to judge whether or not a brand is worth your time.

Many manufacturers provide this number, so you know what to expect. When you see a measurement such as ±0.03mm, that means the width of the filament varies by plus or minus 0.03mm in width for the entire spool.

Any filament of around ±0.05mm or less is a good choice that won’t cause too many issues.

Wider tolerances mean the PLA filament is of low quality. These filaments often cause clogging, bad layer lines, and other inconsistencies.

PLA Filament Special Features

As mentioned in the Additives section, manufacturers often use unique ingredients to give PLA filaments different aesthetic or performance values.

Some special PLAs that you can find on the market include:

• Extra-strength PLA
• Iridescent or shiny PLAs
• Glow-in-the-Dark PLAs
• PLAs for electrical conductivity
• Tri-color and Gradient PLAs

These are just a few of the special PLAs that different brands offer. Manufacturers are developing new PLAs all the time, so take a little time and look at what is available that might work for you.

Packaging

Because PLA is made from naturally derived ingredients and is biodegradable, it is crucial to vacuum seal it for storage and transportation.

Without vacuum sealing, moisture can get into the filament, causing it to break down. Vacuum packaging is also essential for PLA filament because if too much water escapes from the filament, the PLA will grow brittle and weak.

Using this same logic, you should consider storing your PLA in an airtight container after you use it. This container doesn’t need to be anything special. A Ziploc bag, Tupperware, or similar container will keep your PLAs from drying out.

Price

The cost of 3D printer filament is always a factor for hobbyists. The best practice is to look for the most high-value option rather than finding the cheapest PLA filaments.

When shopping for PLAs, start by comparing prices based on the thickness and spool sizes. Then you can zero in on tolerances, material composition, and any special features you are concerned with.

Many manufacturers also offer multi-packs which can cost more upfront but are ultimately less expensive than re-buying individual spools multiple times.

Customer Reviews

The 3D printing industry is relatively new, and the number of PLA manufacturers seems to grow daily. It is great to see the industry expanding, but the lack of brand name recognition can make it challenging to know which brands are the best.

One of the most reliable ways to sort between brands is with customer reviews. Many brands have user reviews on their websites. You can also visit marketplaces such as Amazon to find a plethora of reviews that will give you a comprehensive picture of the quality of each brand’s PLA filaments.