3D Printer Filament for Beginners: PLA, PETG, TPU and What to Buy First
Filament is the plastic your 3D printer melts to build an object. There are dozens of types, but a beginner needs to know only a few: PLA for almost everything, PETG for tougher parts, TPU for flexible ones. This guide explains the differences, what a spool costs and lasts, how to store it, and which spools to buy first.
* Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We have not tested these filaments ourselves: the information comes from the manufacturers and Amazon.com.
Key takeaways
- Start with PLA: it prints at low temperatures, barely warps, doesn’t smell much and works on every filament printer.
- Check the diameter: almost all current printers use 1.75 mm filament. A few older or professional machines use 2.85 mm.
- Cost: a 1 kg spool of PLA costs roughly $12 to $25 on Amazon.com. Bundles bring the price per kilogram down.
- Keep it dry: filament absorbs moisture from the air. Store open spools in a sealed bag or box with desiccant.
Filament basics
- Diameter: 1.75 mm is the standard for consumer printers, including all printers in our best list. Always check your printer’s manual before buying.
- Spool size: 1 kg is the usual size. Some brands sell 250 g or 500 g spools for special colors, and 2 to 3 kg spools or multi-packs for everyday colors.
- Tolerance: manufacturers state how much the diameter may vary, often ±0.02 or ±0.03 mm. A tighter tolerance means a steadier flow of plastic.
- Spool with or without RFID: some brands put a chip in the spool so their printers recognize the material and color automatically. Bambu Lab’s AMS units read Bambu Lab spools this way; any other filament can still be used by entering the type by hand.
Filament types compared
| Material | Nozzle | Bed | Difficulty | Good for | Enclosure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 190–220 °C (375–430 °F) | 50–60 °C (120–140 °F) | Easy | Decor, figurines, prototypes, gifts | No |
| PETG | 220–250 °C (430–480 °F) | 70–85 °C (160–185 °F) | Easy to medium | Functional parts, containers, outdoor use in the shade | No |
| TPU | 210–230 °C (410–445 °F) | 40–60 °C (105–140 °F) | Medium | Phone cases, seals, bumpers, flexible parts | No |
| ABS | 230–260 °C (445–500 °F) | 90–110 °C (195–230 °F) | Hard | Heat-resistant parts, car interiors | Yes |
| ASA | 240–260 °C (465–500 °F) | 90–110 °C (195–230 °F) | Hard | Outdoor parts that face the sun | Yes |
Typical ranges. The exact temperatures are printed on each spool: they take priority.
PLA, PLA+ and matte PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) is the default filament for beginners. It prints at low temperatures, sticks well to the bed, hardly warps and gives clean details. Its weak point is heat: PLA starts to soften at around 55 to 60 °C (130 to 140 °F), so a PLA part left in a hot car can deform.
- PLA+ (or PLA Pro): not a standard, but a marketing name for PLA with additives. Manufacturers advertise it as tougher and less brittle than plain PLA. It prints like PLA, sometimes a few degrees hotter.
- Matte PLA: PLA with a matte surface that hides layer lines better than glossy PLA. Popular for figurines and decor.
- High-speed PLA: formulated for fast printers such as CoreXY machines. Ordinary PLA also works on them, but may need lower speeds.
PETG
PETG is the same family of plastic as many drink bottles. It is tougher and more heat-resistant than PLA (it softens at about 70 to 80 °C, or 160 to 175 °F), slightly flexible and good for functional parts: brackets, clips, containers, parts for the garden. It prints without an enclosure but tends to string, leaving thin threads between parts. It sticks very strongly to smooth PEI plates, so many people use a textured plate or a release agent.
TPU
TPU is flexible, like rubber. It is used for phone cases, feet for furniture, seals and anything that should bend. Its hardness is given on the Shore scale: 95A is the common, fairly firm type that most beginners start with. TPU prints slowly and works best with a direct drive extruder, which most current printers have, such as the Ender-3 V3 SE or the Bambu Lab A1 Mini. Soft TPU usually cannot go through automatic multicolor units such as the AMS lite.
ABS and ASA
ABS (the plastic of LEGO bricks) and ASA withstand much more heat than PLA, and ASA also resists UV light, which makes it good for outdoor parts. Both shrink as they cool, so they warp and crack on open printers. You need an enclosed printer such as the Bambu Lab P1S or the Creality K1C, and a well-ventilated room, because both release fumes while printing. They are not the right first filament.
Specialty filaments such as carbon fiber blends (PLA-CF, PETG-CF), nylon or polycarbonate are for later. Carbon fiber blends are abrasive and need a hardened nozzle.
What to buy first
For your first weeks, two or three spools of PLA in neutral colors are enough: you will use them for test prints, calibration and your first projects. Add PETG once you print functional parts, and TPU when you need something flexible. These are the spools we have checked on Amazon.com so far:
| Filament | Material | Price | Why | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELEGOO Rapid PLA+, 2 × 1 kg (black + white) | PLA+ | $24.98 | Two spools for about $12.50 per kg. Advertised for high-speed printing up to 600 mm/s. Two neutral colors for everyday prints. | View* |
| Bambu Lab PLA Matte, 1 kg with spool | Matte PLA | from $20.99 | Matte finish that hides layer lines. RFID chip for automatic recognition in Bambu Lab’s AMS and AMS lite. The price depends on the color. | View* |
Prices checked on Amazon.com on Nov 8, 2026 and may have changed since. The Bambu Lab price is for the cheapest color at our check (Ash Grey); most colors cost a little more.
What a spool costs and how far it goes
On Amazon.com, a 1 kg spool of PLA typically costs between about $12 and $25, PETG is in a similar range, and TPU and specialty filaments cost more. What a spool lasts depends on what you print:
| Object | Typical weight | Per 1 kg spool |
|---|---|---|
| Key chain or bookmark | 5–10 g | 100 or more |
| Phone stand | 30–50 g | about 20 to 30 |
| Plant pot (medium) | 80–150 g | about 7 to 12 |
| Tabletop miniature (FDM) | 5–20 g | 50 or more |
Rough values. The slicer shows the exact weight of each print before you start.
Storing and drying filament
Most filaments absorb moisture from the air. Wet filament prints with bubbles, crackling noises, stringing and weaker parts. PLA is fairly tolerant, while PETG, TPU and nylon are more sensitive.
- Keep unused spools in their sealed bag.
- Store open spools in an airtight bag or box with silica gel desiccant.
- Dry filament that has absorbed moisture in a filament dryer, at the temperature the manufacturer recommends. A kitchen oven is not precise enough at low temperatures and can melt the spool.
When prints suddenly look worse, moisture is one of the first things to check. Our troubleshooting guide covers the other common causes.
FAQ
What is the best filament for beginners?
PLA. It prints at low temperatures, barely warps and works on every filament printer without an enclosure.
What is the difference between PLA and PLA+?
PLA+ is PLA with additives that manufacturers advertise as tougher and less brittle. There is no standard for the name, so properties vary by brand.
Can I use any brand of filament in my printer?
Yes, as long as the diameter matches (almost always 1.75 mm). Brand-specific features such as RFID recognition are a convenience, not a requirement.
How long does a spool of filament last?
It depends on the size of your prints. A 1 kg spool makes over 100 key chains or about 7 to 12 medium plant pots.
Does filament go bad?
Filament doesn’t expire, but it absorbs moisture. Stored dry, it keeps for years. Wet filament can usually be restored in a filament dryer.