Best PLA Filament For Ender 3 2023

You came across 3D printing when a friend recommended you to watch a video. In that video, you saw people using 3D printers to replicate objects like boats, robots, cars, and many more. You thought it was interesting, and you felt like trying it out to see how it goes.

So, you did some research and eventually bought a Creality Ender 3 3D printer. Since everyone agrees that it's affordable and also the perfect choice for beginners, you didn't look up for others.

You set up your printer on your workbench and tried printing with the included filaments. After a few tests, you thought that the PLA filament works great. But since it came in limited quantity, you wanted to purchase it separately.

You looked up the internet for PLA filaments, but you became baffled due to the wide range of options.

This is why we are here to help you with choosing the best PLA filament for Ender 3.

Editor's Recommendation: Top PLA Filament For Ender 3 2023

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• Bestseller No. 1
  
  HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.03 mm, 1 kg Spool, 1.75 mm,...
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• Bestseller No. 2
  
  PLA Filament - 1.75 mm 3D Printer Filament White, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02 mm Low...
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• Bestseller No. 3
  
  eSUN PLA PRO (PLA+) 3D Printer Filament, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.03mm, 1kg Spool,...
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• Bestseller No. 4
  
  eSUN 3D Printer Cleaning Filament 1.75mm Natural 0.1kg for All 1.75mm FDM 3D Printers,...
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• Bestseller No. 5
  
  MakerBot PLA Filament, 1.75 mm Diameter, Large Spool, White, MP05780
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• Bestseller No. 6
  
  3D Solutech Real Black 3D Printer PLA Filament 1.75MM Filament, Dimensional Accuracy +/-...
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• Bestseller No. 7
  
  1.75mm Light Blue PLA 3D Printer Filament - 1kg Spool (2.2 lbs) - Dimensional Accuracy...
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List Of Top PLA Filament For Ender 3

1. HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament

2. SUNLU PLA Filament

3. Mika3D 32 Colors 3D Pen PLA Filament Refills

4. Mika3D 1.75mm PLA Filament Bundle

5. TECBEARS PLA 3D Printer Filament

6. HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament

7. TECBEARS PLA 3D Printer Filament

8. 3D Solutech Real White 3D Printer PLA Filament

9. HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament

10. PRILINE 2019 PLA 1.75 3D Printer Filament

Comparison Chart For Top 10 PLA Filament For Ender 3

Best PLA Filaments For Ender 3 Reviews

1. HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament

Hatchbox offers a wide range of affordable 3D printing filaments that are streamlined to meet your preferences. Although being budget-friendly, the Hatchbox PLA Filament provides exceptional quality to your printing projects.

The filament comes in 1.75mm diameter, which is compatible with your Ender 3 printer. Its smooth and shiny texture will ensure you get your prints with a consistent and flawless finish. You can create useful objects for everyday life with this filament, like wallets, candle holders, salt shakers, and many more!

You will find comfort in using this filament as it is odorless and minimizes warping while printing. Like any other PLA filament, it doesn't require a heated bed, but you can always use it if you doubt warping.

Apart from that, the filament is sturdy. So, when you hold the filament and bend it, you will notice that it's much harder to break than standard filaments. Not only that, but also it bonds well with super glue if you need to attach 3D printed parts.

If you want to paint your 3D model or sand it to perfection, then there won't be a problem!

Because PLA filaments are susceptible to moisture, it comes sealed with desiccants.

Highlighted Features

• It has a diameter of 1.75mm
• It is odorless and eco-friendly
• Works with minimal warping
• Does not require a heated bed
• Provides better layer adhesion

2. SUNLU PLA Filament

You will never regret buying this filament if your goal is to achieve an incredible printing quality.

The Sunlu PLA Filament promotes optimized printing quality for both small and large-sized models. Its toughness and superb layer bonding make it ideal for printing mechanical parts, like gears. Plus, you can use it to build bridge construction parts, such as cantilevers.

Not only the filament is tough, but also, it is elastic, and you will require a lot of strength to bend the filament to its breaking point.

Because the filament is made of premium material, it is environmentally-friendly and does not emit an unpleasant odor during the printing process. It also has a low shrinkage rate, which is also a natural property of PLA.

An advantage of using this filament is that you will be able to create 3D prints consistently without any strings and oozing. It doesn't even produce bubbles during printing or clogs the nozzle of your Ender 3.

What's more is that the filament gives a glossy finish to your prints, thus enhancing the appearance than most PLA brands would.

You will find that the filament comes in a vacuum-sealed nylon bag with desiccants to avoid moisture.

Highlighted Features

• It has a low shrinkage rate
• It is odorless and environmentally friendly
• Does not need a heated bed
• Printed products have flat and smooth surfaces
• Provides greater impact resistance and strength

3. Mika3D 32 Colors 3D Pen PLA Filament Refills

If you are looking for a filament bundle consisting of multiple colors, then this is the one.

This filament set by Mika3D comes in 32 different hues- four metallic colors, ten transparent colors, and eighteen solid colors. The wide selection of colors will help you create high-quality 3D prints, like butterflies and pencil holders. You can use these filaments not only for your Ender 3 but also for various 3D pens.

Apart from that, this set comes with four finger caps as an extra gift. These caps will be useful when you are making prints with a 3D pen as they provide support. So, if you have both a 3D printer and a 3D pen, then you are in luck!

If you are someone who wouldn't mind using filaments for printing smaller objects before taking the next step to larger ones, then this set caters to your requirement. As each color filament is ten feet in length, you can try using them for practice.

This is actually a great set for starters. You can even purchase this as a gift for your child without worrying about its safety.

Highlighted Features

• Includes 32 unique color filaments
• It has a diameter of 1.75mm
• Can be used in 3D printer and 3D pen
• Comes with four silicone finger caps
• It is safe for children

4. Mika3D 1.75mm PLA Filament Bundle

This is another amazing set by Mika3D if you are interested in purchasing filaments of basic colors.

This three spools pack consists of three colors- black, white, and blue. Each spool contains 500g filament, which is enough to help you create your desired 3D model, whether it is big or small. The end result is guaranteed to be tough and possess a smooth finish without any odor or bubbles in the process.

As the filaments are designed to work with most FDM printers in the market, there is no doubt it will work with your Ender 3. With the correct printer setting, you can easily build anything in a short time. You can go for this filament bundle when you have projects to complete within the deadline.

Since PLA filaments are susceptible to moisture, all the filaments come in a vacuumed sealed zipper bag, which you can reseal after you are done printing.

Other than the spools, Mika3D provides you with an extra gift when you purchase this set. You will receive either a bottle of premium quality glue stick or a 3D print removing tool. Sounds great, isn't it?

Highlighted Features

• Comes in three colors
• It is odorless and eco-friendly
• Can be used for a smooth finish
• Does not form bubbles
• Comes with an extra gift

5. TECBEARS PLA 3D Printer Filament

If you are in need of a single-colored large filament spool, then you can try this!

Tecbears PLA 3D Printer Filament is designed to meet your demands for various printing projects. It has high strength, and it provides excellent layer bonding during printing. You can use it to create smooth and consistent 3D prints that you will always be satisfied with.

The filament is also flexible, and it requires a lot of strength to reach its breaking point. So, when you are printing for your project, you don't have to worry about its quality.

Your materials will go to waste if your 3D print doesn't come out in its finest condition. However, this filament is designed to work wonders because it doesn't produce oily residue, air bubbles, or kinks during the printing process. Plus, it is eco-friendly and non-toxic because the raw materials used to manufacture it are pure.

This filament is highly compatible with different FDM printers, including Ender 3, MK3, Makerbot, UP plus, Mendel, Prusa, and so on. It also ensures you work without any hassle because the filament is designed to offer less tangle.

Highlighted Features

• It has a high strength and flexibility
• Works on Ender 3 and other FDM printers
• Provides excellent layer bonding
• It is non-toxic and eco-friendly
• Does not produce oily residue, air bubbles, or kinks

PLA Filament For Ender 3 Buying Guide

PLA

PLA (polylactic acid) is commonly known as the default filament for 3D printing. It allows you to print at lower temperatures without the need for a heated bed. While you can find it in different shades, you will also find that it comes with features like glow-in-the-dark, color-changing, fluorescent, and a lot more.

Besides, PLA is environmentally friendly as it is made from renewable sources, such as cornstarch and sugarcane. When you are printing with PLA filament, you will not complain about the smell because it is a pleasant one. It is biodegradable too, under industrial composting conditions.

Although you will find PLA being the cheapest filament in the market, you should not forget its versatility. And, because Ender 3 is also versatile, they make an excellent combo!

PLA Printing Settings

1. Printing Temperature

PLA is 3D-printed at a temperature between 180 and 230 degrees Celsius. This makes it ideal for use with Ender 3 because the printer's hot-end reaches 240 degrees Celsius.

Generally, the exact printing temperature of the filament depends on the brand you are using.

2. Build Plate Temperature

Ender 3 comes with a build plate that can be heated to 110 degrees, and PLA doesn't really need that. Still, to reduce even the slightest chance of warping, you can set the temperature around 20-60 degrees.

One thing to keep in mind is that if the temperature goes beyond the recommended range, it will wreak havoc on the bottom layer of your PLA print.

So, when using the best PLA filament for Ender 3, you should double-check the temperature.

3. Bed Adhesion

While the build surface of Ender 3 can provide excellent adhesion for PLA, attaching a glass bed can also be helpful for a smoother bottom surface.

When using a glass bed, you need to apply stick glue or hairspray because they work great and provide a strong grip to your 3D prints.

4. Print Speed

When it comes to printing speed, PLA has no issue. If you print at a speed of 60mm/s, which is recommended, the printer will balance quality with printing time.

5. Retraction

PLA is a firmer material, which is why it can be easily modified. When it comes to retraction settings of Ender 3, they are higher because the printer uses a Bowden system.

The recommended retraction range is 5mm, and the retraction speed is 45mm/s.

6. Part-Cooling Fan

Cooling plays a crucial role when printing with PLA. When you create a 3D print, you need to cool it down as quickly as possible to avoid stringing. So, it is recommended that you turn the fan on.

How does 3D printing work?

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, lets you produce a physical object from a computer-aided design (CAD) file. There are many materials for 3D printers to choose from, and the printer can print in either plastic or metal. The 3D printer requires much less time and money than traditional prototyping methods.

Step 1: Design

All 3D printing begins with a design. The design can be anything from a prototype for a new product to an anatomical model of a human heart. The designer starts with the CAD program and designs the 3D object. This process requires knowledge about the printer being used, since each printer has different requirements for file size, format and other specifications.

The designer can begin by using existing designs as templates or by using free online tools like TinkerCAD to make simple shapes. More advanced designers use software like Autodesk to make objects from scratch, matching colors and textures on the computer screen before printing.

After the design is complete, it is sent to the printer. The printer receives the file and creates a 3D model of the object that can be printed on any type of plastic or metal.

Step 2: Printing

3D printing doesn't require any special materials. It can use many different types of thermoplastics and polymers, which are all made by polymerizing liquid resins containing long chains of small molecules that form solid objects when heated and cooled quickly within a heated chamber called an extruder.

Step 3: Finishing

The printer then prints the object by squirting on the material through a nozzle. This is accomplished by heating the extruded material so it softens and then rapidly moving it into place. The mold is closed, cooled and opened to remove the finished object.

3D printing has many advantages compared with prototyping methods such as CNC machining, injection molding and SLA (stereolithography). 3D printing has a lower capital investment, faster production times, less post-processing time and greater flexibility in design. 3D printing can also prove to be more cost-effective than traditional injection molding or die casting in some circumstances because of its lower manufacturing cost.

PETG filament VS PLA filament

As the newest filament on the market, PETG filament is a great material to print with if you're looking for some of the best quality prints. It's also an excellent choice for more challenging prints, due to its amazing strength and heat resistance. However, PLA remains a favorite among 3D printing enthusiasts due to its low price and ease of use. Read on for all the details!

PETG filament

PETG was first released in 2012 as a way to make 3D printing more accessible and affordable than ever before. One of the most popular types of filament, it is very similar to ABS, which was one of the first 3D printing materials ever used. However,PETG filament differs in a few important ways. First and foremost, it is extremely heat resistant. This material can hold up to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit), which is a full 60 degrees higher than ABS. This makes PETG ideal for objects that need to be heated above normal temperatures, like 3D printed food trays.

PETG filament is also lighter than PLA, making it easier to work with. Similar to ABS and ABS-like materials, PETG filament is a bit more challenging for novice 3D printing enthusiasts. This is due to the fact that PETG has a rather viscous consistency, which requires a little more force behind each extrusion. Additionally, PETG products tend to be on the thicker side, which can be problematic for small objects like pens and other small items.

PLA filament

On the other hand, PLA filament is extremely simple to work with. It is available in multiple colors, with a wide variety of different thicknesses and densities. Additionally, PLA filament features a fairly consistent consistency from one bundle to the next. This makes PLA a great choice for many kinds of regular 3D printing applications.

Because PETG and PLA are both FDA approved materials, they can be combined for all types of homemade food trays, toys, or even 3D jewelry. Both filament strands are also extremely reliable for most 3D printing purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Filaments Can The Ender 3 Use?

Ender 3 is a versatile machine, which means it supports nearly all kinds of filaments. You can use this printer to print models with PLA, ABS, TPU, and PET.

• PLA Filaments

PLA or polylactic acid filaments are used as default in extrusion-based 3D printers. Although these filaments don't require a heated bed, using one at a moderate temperature will decrease the chances of warping. It prints at temperatures ranging between 180 and 230 degrees, which works for Ender 3.

• ABS Filaments

ABS filaments are excellent for printing models that need to be sturdy. It also resists impact and can withstand temperatures of up to 100 degrees. Like PLA, ABS filaments also don't require a heated bed, but still, you can use one to prevent warping.

• TPU Filaments

TPU filaments are flexible and require to be printed slowly for they get clogged in the extruder. When printing with Ender 3, it is best to keep the print speed within 30 mm/s to prevent clogging. Regardless of that, these filaments are durable and can withstand an ambient temperature of up to 80 degrees.

• PETG Filaments

PETG filaments are sturdy, have a smooth surface, and offer minimal warpage while printing. These filaments work best between 220 and 250 degrees, which Ender 3 is capable of handling. Also, they facilitate layer adhesion for the perfect build.

2. What Filament Does The Ender 3 V2 Use?

Like its predecessors, Ender 3 V2 uses PLA, TPU, ABS, and PETG filaments with a diameter of 1.75mm.

3. Can Ender 3 Print Flexible Filaments?

Ender 3 printers can't print flexible filaments with the presence of a Bowden tube. However, they can print 3D models perfectly when you use a direct drive extruder. If you are printing with TPU, a flexible material, you will need to print at a slow speed between 5mm/s and 30mm/s.

Final Words

3D printing is such an interesting thing to do whether you are doing it as a hobby or business. Through 3D printing, you can translate your artistic thoughts into form. And, the right kind of filament makes a huge contribution to the printing process.

We researched and tried to find out which PLA filaments would work for you. We have handpicked the above filaments.

Hopefully, you have found the best PLA filament for Ender 3. Now, you can create amazing 3D models as much as you want and share them with people around you.

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Buy on Walmart, eBay, Etsy (subject to availability)

HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.03 mm, 1 kg Spool, 1.75 mm, - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

PLA Filament - 1.75 mm 3D Printer Filament White, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02 mm Low - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

eSUN PLA PRO (PLA+) 3D Printer Filament, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.03mm, 1kg Spool, - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

eSUN 3D Printer Cleaning Filament 1.75mm Natural 0.1kg for All 1.75mm FDM 3D Printers, - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

MakerBot PLA Filament, 1.75 mm Diameter, Large Spool, White, MP05780 - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

3D Solutech Real Black 3D Printer PLA Filament 1.75MM Filament, Dimensional Accuracy +/- - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

1.75mm Light Blue PLA 3D Printer Filament - 1kg Spool (2.2 lbs) - Dimensional Accuracy - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

1. HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

2. SUNLU PLA Filament - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

3. Mika3D 32 Colors 3D Pen PLA Filament Refills - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

4. Mika3D 1.75mm PLA Filament Bundle - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

5. TECBEARS PLA 3D Printer Filament - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

6. HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

7. TECBEARS PLA 3D Printer Filament - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

8. 3D Solutech Real White 3D Printer PLA Filament - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay

9. HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament - Walmart, Etsy, eBay

10. PRILINE 2019 PLA 1.75 3D Printer Filament - Walmart, Etsy, Ebay