PLA vs PETG — Which Filament Should You Use?

PLA (polylactic acid) is a plant-based thermoplastic that prints at low temperatures, adheres easily to most bed surfaces, and produces minimal odor. It is the default choice for beginners and remains the most-used material even among experienced printers for anything that does not require high heat resistance or impact toughness.

PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified) is a semi-crystalline thermoplastic related to the PET used in beverage bottles. The glycol modification makes it easier to 3D print than raw PET. PETG prints at higher temperatures than PLA, has better impact resistance, and tolerates higher operating temperatures. It bridges the gap between the ease of PLA and the toughness of ABS, without the warping and fume issues of ABS.

PLA is the right choice when:

• You are a beginner. PLA is the most forgiving filament to print. It sticks to almost any bed surface, does not warp easily, and has a wide range of working temperatures.
• The part stays indoors. PLA has a glass transition temperature of about 55-60 C. It softens in direct sunlight or hot environments, so it is not suitable for car dashboards, outdoor signage, or anything near heat sources.
• Surface finish matters most. PLA produces sharper details and smoother surfaces than PETG, making it ideal for miniatures, display models, cosplay props, and aesthetic prints.
• You want the lowest cost. PLA is the cheapest widely-available filament material, starting around $10/kg for budget brands.
• You need dimensional accuracy. PLA shrinks very little during cooling, making it the best choice for parts that need to fit together precisely.

PETG is the better choice when:

• Parts need to handle impact. PETG is significantly more impact-resistant than PLA. Where PLA shatters, PETG flexes and deforms. Mechanical clips, enclosures, tool holders, and anything that might get dropped should be printed in PETG.
• Heat resistance matters. PETG has a glass transition temperature of about 80-85 C, roughly 25 C higher than PLA. This makes it suitable for parts near electronics, under-hood automotive clips, or anything in a warm environment.
• The part will be outdoors. PETG has better UV resistance than PLA and does not degrade as quickly in sunlight. For outdoor use (planters, cable management, camera mounts), PETG is a much better choice.
• Chemical resistance is needed. PETG resists many common chemicals better than PLA, including most cleaning products, oils, and dilute acids.
• You want a food-safer option. While no FDM print is truly food safe due to layer lines harboring bacteria, PETG as a material is FDA-approved for food contact, making it the better starting point for food-adjacent applications.

PLA is consistently cheaper than PETG across all price tiers. Budget PLA from brands like Overture and SUNLU runs $10-14/kg, while comparable PETG from the same brands is $15-20/kg. At the mid-range, Polymaker and Hatchbox PLA costs $16-22/kg versus $22-30/kg for their PETG. Premium options like Prusament PLA ($25-32/kg) and Prusament PETG ($28-35/kg) show a similar spread.

The roughly 30-50% price premium for PETG reflects higher manufacturing temperatures and slower production speeds. For projects where PLA meets the mechanical requirements, there is no reason to spend more on PETG.

There is no universally better filament between the two. The right choice depends on what you are printing.

Choose PLA if you are printing decorative items, prototypes, models, cosplay pieces, or anything that stays indoors and does not need to withstand impacts. PLA gives better surface quality, is easier to dial in, and costs less.

Choose PETG if you are printing functional parts, outdoor items, mechanical components, or anything that will experience heat, impacts, or chemical exposure. The higher print temperature and stringing are manageable trade-offs for genuinely better material properties.

Many experienced users keep both on hand. PLA for quick prototypes and visual models, PETG for functional final parts. They complement each other well rather than being direct competitors.