PLA vs ABS vs PETG: Which Filament Should You Choose?
Head-to-head comparison of the three most popular FDM filaments. Strength, heat resistance, printability, and cost compared with real test data.
The Big Three
PLA, ABS, and PETG account for the overwhelming majority of FDM parts printed worldwide, and choosing between them is the most common materials question we get. The short version: PLA for looks and easy accuracy, PETG for tough general-purpose duty, ABS for heat and post-processing. The longer version is worth reading, because the differences bite exactly when a part is asked to do real work.
Side-by-Side Numbers
Typical datasheet-class values for standard grades:
| Property | PLA | ABS | PETG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 37 MPa | 40 MPa | 50 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 6% | 10-20% | 20-25% |
| Heat deflection | ~55°C | ~95°C | ~75°C |
| Impact resistance | Low | High | High |
| UV / outdoor | Poor | Fair (fades) | Good |
| Dimensional accuracy in print | Best | Fair (shrinks) | Good |
| Post-processing | Sands poorly (gummy) | Excellent (sands, acetone-smooths) | Fair |
| Relative cost | $ | $ | $ |
PLA: The Precision Default
PLA prints with the least warp and the crispest detail of any FDM material, which makes it the right default for visual models, form-fit prototypes, and dimensionally fussy parts that live indoors. Its limits are thermal and toughness: parts soften in a hot car (55-60°C) and snap rather than bend. Our PLA+ and Tough PLA variants close much of the brittleness gap while keeping PLA's printability, which is why plenty of functional indoor parts never need to leave the PLA family.
ABS: Heat and Post-Processing
ABS earns its place when parts see heat — enclosures near electronics, automotive interiors, anything that must hold shape at 90°C+. It machines, sands, and glues better than the other two, and acetone vapor smoothing can produce a fully sealed, glossy surface no other standard filament matches. The catch is print shrinkage: large flat ABS parts want a heated chamber, which our enclosed machines provide — so specify ABS by application need, not by printability fear.
PETG: The Tough All-Rounder
PETG is what we recommend when someone says 'it just needs to be strong and not fussy.' It combines near-ABS toughness with near-PLA printability, shrugs off water and most chemicals, and survives outdoors far better than either sibling. Its personality quirks: a slightly glossy finish, a tendency to scratch more visibly than ABS, and it doesn't vapor-smooth. For brackets, clips, housings, fixtures, and anything handled daily, PETG is the pragmatic winner — and our high-flow grade prints it at modern high speeds without strength loss.
The Decision in Three Questions
Ask in order: (1) Will it see more than ~60°C? If yes, ABS (or beyond — see our Nylon and CF guides). (2) Will it take impacts, flex, or outdoor exposure? If yes, PETG. (3) Neither? PLA gives the best surface and accuracy for the money. Uploading the same part in two materials and comparing quotes takes seconds, and the price difference between all three is small enough that the application, not the budget, should decide.
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