PLA vs PETG vs ABS: which filament should you choose?

Choosing the right filament is the biggest decision in any 3D print. It decides how strong your part is, whether it survives a hot Queensland car, and how it looks on the shelf. Here's how we choose for our customers in Logan and across Australia.

The short answer

• PLA for decor, gifts, figures and prototypes that live indoors.
• PETG for functional parts and anything that goes outside.
• ABS for car parts, enclosures and anything near heat.

PLA: the all-rounder

PLA prints with crisp detail and comes in the widest range of colours and finishes: gloss, matte, metallic silk, translucent and glow-in-the-dark. It's stiff and strong enough for most everyday objects. Its weakness is heat: PLA starts to soften at around 55–60 °C, so it can warp on a car dashboard or in direct summer sun.

Choose PLA for: name signs, figures, vases, desk organisers, cosplay pieces and gifts.

PETG: tough and weather-resistant

PETG is slightly flexible, so it bends before it breaks, which makes it tougher than PLA for clips, brackets and mounts. It handles UV and moisture well, so it's our go-to for garden, pool and outdoor parts. It has a satin finish and a smaller colour range.

Choose PETG for: replacement parts, outdoor fittings, planters, tool holders and anything that gets handled a lot.

ABS: built for heat

ABS handles the most heat of the three, roughly 95–100 °C, so it's the right pick for car interiors, parts near motors and electronics enclosures. It has a matte finish and is very tough.

Choose ABS for: car clips and trims, enclosures, and parts that sit near heat.

Side-by-side

Still not sure?

Tell us what the part is for and where it will live, and we'll recommend the right material in your quote, free. Or upload your file to compare prices instantly.