PLA vs PETG: What Filament Should You Use?

Are you stuck choosing between PLA and PETG for your next 3D printing project? In this video, we put these two popular filaments head-to-head to help you decide which one is right for you!

We start by breaking down the key differences between PLA and PETG, including their ease of use, strength, and versatility. Then, we put them to the test with three exciting 3D print challenges:

- A 3D Benchy (Boaty) to assess print quality and detail.
- A Vase to test surface finish and layer adhesion.
- A Snap-Fit Case to evaluate flexibility and functional strength.

Watch to see how each filament performs and learn which one might be the perfect fit for your projects. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, this comparison will give you valuable insights!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment below sharing your favorite filament!

[Thecraftylally]

1000 subscribers in 4 weeks you are smashing it!! I’ve been following you since your first video and you’re honestly such an inspiration thank you so much for sharing! Fingers crossed I can grow my channel as fast as you have! 🎉🎉🎉

[williamparker]

I find it obnoxiously funny that a benchy is a boat and a boaty is a bench

[TheDroneGeek]

You remind me of me, formatically, as a YouTube presenter. I'm in the drone space, but I've been getting more and more into 3D printing (I've had a Creality Ender 3 S1 for 2 years now and just recently snagged a Bambu A1 at a nice discount). Your content is super easy for me to digest because of our similarities and I've subscribed because right now I'm deciding on what mix of filaments I want to purchase as I get more hands-on with my printing.

Thanks for the video!

[davidschneider]

An excellent presentation.

PLA and PETG glass temps are too low to use in an automotive setting, and UV will break both in strength to below 50% after a year of UV exposure. Have you worked with ASA? We do because we make one-off systems for industrial machines that will resist UV and heat.

May I suggest another metric for comparison - the time it takes to print the model. How much more time did it actually take for the PETG jobs to be completed? Turn time may have a value if you have a machine capacity constraint. Here is another example. My shop uses PLA for prototyping functional parts with high perimeter/wall settings and top/bottom counts for part strength. We design robotic grippers and other manipulators and a part may go through 20+ revisions in the design and integration process. We print about 60% of the parts used in a gripper, and the integrated designs go through 10 - 12 iterations through development. The difference in speed printing PLA vs. PETG or ASA is significant - an order of magnitude significant. Time is money, and getting test-fit parts to model the physical geometry of a system quickly is a competitive advantage. We use PLA until all parts in the assembly pass mechanical integration before production printing in ASA. There are always differences between plastics; warp is our biggest issue with ASA. About 80% of the prints are ready to install off the printer, and the other 20% of the time we have to adjust the slicer profiles and customize the settings to get bed and layer adhesion for that specific part.

Again, an excellent presentation.

[rperrella]

I use PETG the majority of the times, more resistance and a beautiful glossy finish, easy printing without fumes problems exacltly like PLA. I recommend using a filament dryer when printing PETG stuff.

[Kev]

What is that you're using to clean the print bed before you started the prints at 2:55? Looks like some sort of handle with a cloth?

[vlinon]

Great video. Straight to the point. When you said cooling on the PETG benchy, what clued you in and why didn't the profile account for that?

[mattlombardi]

Great video! Where did you get you get that handheld cleaner tool you used to clean your build plates?? That thing is cool!

[alexanderpopov]

Good comparions. PLA is easier to print, it's better for overall projects, including minuatures, terrain, etc. It is stronger than PETG, so it's good for functional prints as well. PETG is a little more flexible, it's definitely more heat resistant and it's allegedly food safe (but I wouldn't use 3D prined model for liquids). I use PETG for containers and enclosures of electronic devices (IoT sensors for example) and PLA for everything else.

[RaymondChowz]

I need to know which adhesive spray are you using! seems very good

[hadenoughok]

great you have a file for the bed cleaner you use in video?

[MisterkeTube]

I get way better layer adhesion using PETG than with PLA and together with it being tougher, the PETG just gives me functional parts that last much longer.

[marksayers]

Do you have a link for that box print you did? I have been looking for a print in place box like that. Thank you, great video!

[malonecustomdesigns]

Loving your videos...but could I offer a suggestion? Consider flipping your talking head footage in your editing. That mirrored text drives me nuts! lol

[ChinaAl]

at around 3:00, what is that you're using to clean the beds. What liquid are you using. I have the A1i I got to take my bed to the kitchen sink about once a week. Normally I wipe it with 91% alcohol

[LilApe]

PLA becasue it's stronger. It's more stiff and rigid, doesn't flex as much. I only use PETG if it's going outside.

[handydadtv]

Such natural talent! Congrats on your success! 🙌🏻

[jdeack]

Great information, but I have a question. I want to make two 45 degree bevel meshing gears for a drum sander. The gears are used to raise and lower the bed so there is some stress to it. What would be the best Filament to use tocreate those gears (solid fill). Thanks!

[FSJD]

What was the cleaning apparatus you used to clean your print bed? That looked handy!

[joseguerra]

Hi! What adhesive spray do you use for your beds and what’s that tool that you’re using with the micro cloth to clean the beds with after the spray?