Material comparison
PLA vs ABS
How PLA and ABS compare on strength, heat, ease of printing and price, and the cheapest reels of each in stock on Amazon UK and Eryone UK.
- typical PLA
- £13.99/kg
- typical ABS
- £15.99/kg
- cheaper right now
- PLA
PLA vs ABS at a glance
| Property | PLA | ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 190-230°C | 240-270°C |
| Bed | 35-60°C | 90-110°C |
| Enclosure | Not needed | Required |
| Heat resistance | 57°C | 87°C |
| Strength | 3 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Flexibility | 1 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| UV resistance | 2 out of 5 | 1 out of 5 |
| Ease of printing | 5 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| Absorbs moisture | Low | Low |
| Drying | 50°C, 6h | 80°C, 6h |
| Typical price | £13.99/kg | £15.99/kg |
| Cheapest in stock | £7.12/kg | £9.99/kg |
Ratings are out of 5. Temperatures and ratings are typical values from manufacturers' data sheets; prices are live from Amazon UK and Eryone UK.
Cheapest PLA per kg
Prices checked 6 Oct, 03:00–09:20 (UK time) and may change.We earn a small commission if you buy. Your price stays the same.
Cheapest ABS per kg
Prices checked 5 Oct, 03:00 – 6 Oct, 06:00 (UK time) and may change.We earn a small commission if you buy. Your price stays the same.
PLA vs ABS: which should you buy?
Choose PLA if you want the easiest printing, with the fewest failed prints; it will live outdoors or in sunlight; or your printer is open-frame: PLA doesn't need an enclosure.
Choose ABS if the part has to survive heat: ABS holds its shape to about 87°C, against 57°C for PLA; or the part needs to bend or flex without snapping.
On price, a typical PLA reel costs £13.99 per kilogram on Amazon UK and Eryone UK right now, against £15.99 for ABS.
The figures are typical values from manufacturers' data sheets (Polymaker, Prusament, Bambu Lab); individual brands vary, so the range on the reel always wins.
Common questions
Is PLA stronger than ABS?
They're about as strong as each other; the bigger difference is heat resistance (PLA 57°C, ABS 87°C).
Which is easier to print, PLA or ABS?
PLA. It prints at 190-230°C with a 35-60°C bed and needs no enclosure; ABS needs 240-270°C and an enclosure.
Is PLA or ABS cheaper in the UK?
PLA: a typical reel costs £13.99 per kg on Amazon UK and Eryone UK right now, against £15.99 for ABS. The cheapest of each are listed on this page.
Can I print ABS without an enclosure?
Small parts, sometimes; anything bigger tends to warp and split in a draught, so ABS really needs an enclosed printer. Check which printers can print it in our printer guides.
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