this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2023
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Typically I would just buy whatever brand had the cheapest white color PLA (I like to paint my print) and quality wasn’t always top of mind. Now I have several prints that I want to do in all kids of different colors and quality matters. Given the new color and quality requirements, it no longer makes sense to get the cheapest.

What brand is of good to excellent quality that also offers a decent range of colors?

I mostly run my prints through Ender 3 Pros

Edit: Thank you for everyone’s suggestions! Certain brands are being recommended often so I’m going to start experimenting with those! Keep being awesome!

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Inland, which I believe is eSun. Because I live very close to a Micro center

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Jealous!

I live 4 hours from the nearest microcenter. I still make the drive periodically.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

They ship their filament for free. That's how I get mine because I'm 5+ hours from the nearest store

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah I know, and maybe it’s my imagination, but it seems like the stuff I get in store is better than the stuff I get online.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Definitely your imagination. Microcenter isn't doing anything but rebranding eSun or Polymaker made filament.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I also use Inland, haven't had any issues with the filament. All the problems are my printer settings.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've really like the Overture PLA Plus that I've used so far. Makes nice prints with fine details. Threads on a support stand screw came out much better I expected. Using an Ender 3 S1 Pro with the 0.4mm tip. Just got a roll of Polymaker PLA Pro in the mail today actually, hoping I have time to try it this weekend. Expecting good things from it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I'm a huge fan of Overture 3D matte PLA. It's inexpensive, and just prints really well with few problems.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

ESun pla plus. Consistent, reasonably priced in quantity, rarely out of stock.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I would say the same but I have five rolls of theirs that no matter how long they dry they basically crumble apart, did it right from the bag too. So I dunno what’s up with their QC but that’s pretty bad.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ouch. I wonder what causes that? I’ve had good luck, I guess.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Honestly don’t know either. Never had this happen before but surprisingly if I’m careful it prints fine if I don’t use the ams. 🤷

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Jesse PLA from Printed Solid is my go to. Great range of colors for $21/kg and it prints like it's $30/kg filament.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

And it's named after their dog.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I'll also throw my vote on Jesse, with mention of Prusament. Both have been fantastic quality.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Jesse FTW. It’s so consistently good. I’m through about 15kg so far without a single hiccup.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Yeah, I've had no complaints. I subscribed to their filament of the month club for a while, but it was 2kg every month and I soon ran out of storage space.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Anything locally sourceable. For me it's a local company called Eureka Technologies that sells filament for a good price, but also in between batch filaments called Random for $8 that's perfect for prototyping.

Other than that there is a local Canada Computer that sells ANet, Sunlu, and flash forge filament that works well enough.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Which is Natureworks PLA. I suspect a number of the types listed in this thread is as well. Eureka is nice in that they list exactly which source material it is right on the spool. Plus they use cardboard spools with the empty spool weight listed. Brilliant.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

For PLA, Overture is what I use for my painterly prints and primary colors. Hatchbox for some of their more interesting designy options. Polymaker when neither of the first two is what I want.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Upvote for Overture, my favorite.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Sunlu pla plus from Amazon. Has been very reliable through different colors and spools on my ender clone.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Polymaker (specifically Polyterra for PLA). I occasionally use Prusament when I get freebies from Printables but it’s far too expensive for general printing.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Our defuault PLA at work is all recycled stuff from Reflow, especially the candy collection.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Recycled PLA for prototyping all the way! ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Polymaker polylite PLA pro. The Polymax PLA is more expensive and less rigid. The PLA pro is only $2 more a kilo than regular polylite PLA and significantly stronger. Many colors are more matte than esun PLA + which is similar in cost and performance.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah I love ploymax too. The pro prints thick though so you have to go hotter and slower. Their polylite PLA is still really great and has more colors so I like using it for for fast prototypes and things that don't need the strength.

Honestly their petg is a go to as well. I found prints to be much more consistent and better quality than similar cheaper petg I've been tempted to try by Amazon deals.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Not just for PLA either, they are my default brand for all filament unless they don't make the filament I need/want for a project. Reasonably priced, consistently available, and high quality.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Love polymaker for the natural filament.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Inland is good.

Ive not actually had a truely bad roll of PLA but I also don't bargin hunt on Amazon.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Esun pla+ has never failed me although Sunlu/JAYO's meta pla isn't bad either

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I use hatchbox, they have plenty of colors and I haven't had any quality issues with them. Probably only like 2 bucks a roll more than the cheap stuff anyway

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Hatchbox seconded. They’re pretty consistent as far as quality goes. Unfortunately they don’t always have their full selection available.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I have settled on eSun because that's what my local supplier have.. I find polymaker seems to be of better quality, but not all colors are available here..

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I've had a lot of success with atomic filament. It is a little more expensive, but it's US made. Push plastic is another US based brand I've had a lot of success with.

Both are $30 for their 1 kg spools, but they both offer 3 kg spools at a better price point per kg. I personally like larger spools. It helps me avoid the fear of hitting the bottom of the spool as often and I usually only need one color at a time.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

For various colors, I honestly like IID Max PLA+. I've never had trouble printing with them. With their bulk ordering you're looking at about $12/kg

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I like Overture PLA. I bought a bunch when they went on sale. I've started ordering from Filaments.ca to support a canadian business. Their Econofil line works well too.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I've been pretty happy with the consistency of both Inland and Overture.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Everything has printed good for me except iboss brand

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Wooahh this is next level!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Polymaker Matte Cotton White 3kg

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Primaselect PLA.
It is said to be 12 times stronger than regular PLA. I can confirm that it is strong. Maybe not "12 times".
It's fluid and easy to print, it tends to warp a little. More than regular PLA, much less than ABS. I print it on a non heatable bed, so it's not that bad.
Why I love it : the colors are vivid ! The magenta is really magenta.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Proto Pasta is a really good brand! If you happen to live near their warehouse, you can pick up your order same day