Top 10 Best PLA Filaments for Superior 3D Prints

PLA is the quintessential material for getting started in 3D printing. When shopping for the best PLA filament, you’ll want one that’s consistent, reliable and produces fantastic prints. In this guide, we’ll review the top PLA brands on key factors like print quality, colors, specialty filaments and value.

Polylactic acid (PLA) filament offers a near-perfect balance of ease of printing, safety, dimensional accuracy and appearance. Compared to tricky materials like ABS or Nylon, PLA’s simplicity makes it ideal for beginners while still versatile enough for pros.

Here are the key factors we evaluated when selecting the top PLAs:

• Print Quality – Consistent extrusion and interlayer adhesion for clean, detailed prints.
• Jam Resistance – Low friction filament that feeds smoothly without jams or breaks.
• Color Quality – Vibrant, rich colors that match well across batches.
• Specialty Options – Availability of versions like silk, glitter, wood, etc.
• Price/Value – Competitive cost per spool for quality.

With these criteria in mind, here are the top 10 PLA filaments to choose from:

1. Hatchbox PLA

With superb consistency between spools and one of the widest color selections, Hatchbox PLA is a top choice for flawless prints every time.

Pros

• Extremely consistent diameter
• Excellent layer adhesion
• Wide range of brilliant colors
• Great value per spool

Cons

• Limited specialty options
• Can be brittle if thin

2. OVERTURE PLA

A fantastic balance of quality and value with high impact resistance. One of the best all-around PLAs.

Pros

• Very consistent between batches
• Strong impact resistance
• Smooth texture and matte finish
• Cheaper than many brands

Cons

• Color selection not as broad
• Occasional thin strands

3. eSUN PLA+

A toughened PLA+ filament with added durability. Prints easily while retaining PLA’s safety.

Pros

• Increased strength over plain PLA
• Excellent interlayer adhesion
• Wide range of colors
• Lower chance of cracking

Cons

• Requires slightly higher temps

4. MatterHackers PRO PLA

Premium PLA engineered for predictable, reliable printing and sharp details.

Pros

• Very precise diameter
• Minimal stringing or “hairs”
• Wide temperature range
• Clean prints even at high speeds

Cons

• Slightly more expensive
• Limited specialty types

5. Prusament PLA

PLA manufactured to exacting standards by Prusa Research for their printers. Great prints guaranteed.

Pros

• Extreme dimensional accuracy
• Optimized for Prusa machines
• Range of vivid colors
• Recycled and glitter options

Cons

• Only available from Prusa
• Smaller color selection

6. Duramic 3D PLA

Top-notch PLA hailed for its consistency and jam-resistance. Terrific value.

Pros

• Extremely reliable diameter
• Outstanding layer bonding
• Easy loading with no jams
• Very affordable price

Cons

• Color options are limited
• Can get brittle over time

7. PolyMaker PolyLite PLA

PolyLite adds stiffness and heat resistance to standard PLA for structural uses.

Pros

• Enhanced strength and rigidity
• Excellent temperature stability
• Low warping and shrinkage
• Range of translucent shades

Cons

• Premium price per spool
• Few opaque color choices

8. TIANSE Wood PLA

PLA blended with wood fibers for realistic woodgrain prints. Best wood PLA around.

Pros

• Beautiful wood look and feel
• Consistent diameter and adhesion
• Polishes beautifully
• Low odor when printing

Cons

• Limited to wood tones only
• Can clog more than standard PLA

9. SILK PLA

PLA infused with tiny nanoparticles to achieve a smooth, glistening sheen.

Pros

• Stunning high-gloss silk finish
• Easy printing at PLA temps
• Vibrant, luxurious colors
• Flexible and durable

Cons

• Premium priced
• Limited suppliers

10. Solutech PLA

No-frills PLA that simply works. Tough to beat the value.

Pros

• Rock solid reliability
• Adheres very well between layers
• Range of colors
• Very affordable spools

Cons

• Limited specialty selections
• Occasional thin strands

Key Takeaways

The top PLAs deliver reliable, consistent performance crucial for 3D printing. Hatchbox, OVERTURE and eSUN stand out for offering superb quality across a wide range of colors.

For specialty filaments, Polymaker excels with advanced engineering plastics while TIANSE wood PLA offers unbeatable aesthetics. Prusament guarantees optimized printing on Prusa machines.

With so many great options, there’s a perfect PLA out there for every project. Discover your new go-to filament and enjoy phenomenal print results.

Uncover a wealth of 3D printing wisdom by exploring our comprehensive list of posts in our content hub – your source for expert insights and trends