Trying to choose between PETG and PLA for your next 3D print? You’re not alone — this is the most searched filament comparison every single month.
In this updated 2025 guide, we’ll compare PLA and PETG side-by-side on every factor that actually matters: printability, strength, cost, outdoor use, food safety, and more. We’ll also give you beginner-friendly settings, common troubleshooting fixes, and a simple decision flowchart so you pick the right filament every time.
Quick spoiler:
- New printers / beginners → Start with PLA
- Need strong, heat-resistant, or outdoor parts → Choose PETG
Let’s dive in.
1. Quick Comparison Table (2025 Data)
| Feature | PLA | PETG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | ★★★★★ (Beginner heaven) | ★★★☆☆ (Needs tuning) | PLA |
| Strength & impact resistance | ★★☆☆☆ (Brittle) | ★★★★★ (Very tough) | PETG |
| Flexibility | Rigid | Slightly flexible | PETG |
| Heat resistance | ~60 °C (softens in hot car) | 75–85 °C | PETG |
| UV / outdoor durability | Degrades in months | Good for years | PETG |
| Food-safe (FDA-approved versions) | Yes (with certified brands) | Yes | Tie |
| Price per kg (Sunlu 2025) | £15–18 | £19–23 | PLA |
| Bed adhesion | Excellent | Good (needs glue/brim sometimes) | PLA |
| Stringing & oozing | Very low | Moderate to high | PLA |
| Eco-friendliness | Biodegradable (industrial compost) | Recyclable, not biodegradable |
Depends |
2. What Is PLA? (The Beginner’s Best Choice)
PLA (Polylactic Acid) is made from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane. It’s stiff, prints at low temperatures, smells slightly sweet, and is the default filament that comes with 99 % of new 3D printers.
Pros for beginners:
- Almost zero warping
- No heated enclosure needed
- Sharp details and glossy finish
- Huge colour selection, including matte, silk, glow-in-dark
Cons:
- Becomes soft above ~60 °C (not for car dashboards in summer)
- Brittle — snaps instead of bending
Best for: Figurines, cosplay props, prototypes, classroom projects, cookie cutters (with food-safe PLA).
3. What Is PETG? (The Tough All-Rounder)
PETG = PET (the plastic used in water bottles) + glycol for better printability and flexibility. It combines the ease of PLA with near-ABS strength, which is why it exploded in popularity in 2024–2025.
Pros:
- Excellent layer adhesion → very strong parts
- Chemical and water resistant
- Slightly flexible — survives drops
- Transparent options look like glass
Cons:
- Prone to stringing and blobs if settings aren’t dialled in
- Absorbs moisture quickly (dry it before use)
- Slightly higher price
Best for: Drone parts, phone cases, outdoor signs, enclosures, mechanical components, anything that needs to last.
4. Head-to-Head Breakdown
Print Settings (Tested on Bambu, Prusa, Creality, Anycubic 2025 models)
| Parameter | PLA Recommended | PETG Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temp | 190–220 °C | 230–250 °C |
| Bed temp | 50–60 °C (or none) | 70–85 °C |
| Print speed | 50–100 mm/s | 30–60 mm/s |
| Cooling fan | 100 % | 20–50 % (too much = weak layers) |
| Retraction distance | 0.8–1.5 mm | 4–7 mm |
| Retraction speed | 30–50 mm/s | 35–45 mm/s |
| Flow | 95–100 % | 100–105 % |
Strength Tests (Real Data from Our Lab – November 2025)
| Test | PLA Result | PETG Result | % Stronger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 50 MPa | 52 MPa | PETG +4 % |
| Impact resistance (drop) | Shatters | Bounces | PETG wins |
| Layer adhesion | Good | Outstanding | PETG wins |
| Flex before break | 4–6 % elongation | 120–150 % | PETG wins |
5. Beginner Troubleshooting Cheat Sheet
Most Common PLA Problems & Fixes
- Elephant’s foot → Lower bed temp by 5 °C or add 3 mm brim
- Poor bed adhesion → Clean bed with IPA + dish soap, use glue stick only if needed
- Cracks in tall prints → Slight over-extrusion or draft in room
Most Common PETG Problems & Fixes
- Stringing / hairy prints → Increase retraction to 5–7 mm, lower nozzle temp by 5–10 °C, enable “combing”
- Blobs and zits → Enable “wipe while retract” and “coast at end”
- Weak layer bonding → Raise nozzle temp 5–10 °C and reduce cooling fan to 30 %
- Bed adhesion issues → Use magigoo, hairspray, or PEI sheet; 80–85 °C bed helps
- Wet filament (clicking, popping) → Dry at 65 °C for 4–6 hours (Sunlu S4 dryer recommended)
6. When to Choose Which Filament – Decision Flowchart
Start → Is this a decorative/cosplay/print-in-place model?
└── Yes → Use PLA
└── No → Will it be outside or in a hot environment (>60 °C)?
Yes → Use PETG
└── No → Do you need maximum toughness?
Yes → Use PETG
No → PLA is fine (cheaper & easier)
7. 2025 Trends You Should Know
- Recycled PLA & rPETG lines are now cheaper than virgin in many brands
- PLA+ and “Easy PETG” blends print almost as easily as PLA with better strength
- Carbon-fibre PETG-CF is taking over functional parts (but needs hardened nozzle)
8. Frequently Asked Questions (Featured Snippet Targets)
Q: Is PETG stronger than PLA? A: Yes. PETG has higher impact resistance, better layer bonding, and flexes instead of snapping.
Q: Can I print PETG without an enclosure? A: Yes on modern printers (Bambu X1/P1, Prusa MK4, etc.). Older printers may need one for large parts.
Q: Which is more food safe? A: Both can be food-safe if you buy certified brands (e.g., Sunlu FDA-approved PLA or PETG). Always use 100 % infill and stainless nozzle.
Q: Does PETG shrink more than PLA? A: No. PETG has very low shrinkage, similar to PLA.
Q: Why does my PETG look cloudy? A: Usually over-cooling or wet filament. Reduce fan and dry the spool.
Final Verdict 2025
- New to 3D printing or want hassle-free results → Start with PLA
- Need parts that survive real life → Switch to PETG (it’s worth the extra 10 minutes of tuning)
Most makers end up owning both — PLA for quick pretty prints, PETG for everything that actually gets used.
Ready to try? → Shop Sunlu PLA (30+ colours) → Shop Sunlu PETG (transparent & matte options)
Have a specific project in mind? Drop a comment below and we’ll tell you which filament we’d pick!
Happy printing! 🖨️