🏆 Quick Answer
Best Overall PETG: Hatchbox PETG — The same reliability Hatchbox brings to PLA carries over to their PETG line. For maximum strength, Polymaker PolyLite PETG offers superior layer adhesion and impact resistance.
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is the natural next step after PLA for many 3D printing enthusiasts. It combines much of PLA's ease of printing with significantly improved strength, flexibility, and temperature resistance. PETG is also food-safe (when printed with a stainless steel nozzle), UV resistant, and virtually odorless.
However, PETG is pickier than PLA — it's more prone to stringing, requires higher temperatures, and benefits from slower print speeds. Choosing a quality PETG filament makes a big difference in your success rate. Here are the best options we've found.
| Product | Diameter Tolerance | Print Temp | Bed Temp | Price Range | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchbox PETG | ±0.03mm | 230-250°C | 75-85°C | $24-28 | ⭐ 4.7/5 | Check Price |
| Overture PETG | ±0.03mm | 230-250°C | 80-90°C | $19-23 | ⭐ 4.6/5 | Check Price |
| Polymaker PolyLite PETG | ±0.02mm | 230-250°C | 70-80°C | $24-30 | ⭐ 4.7/5 | Check Price |
| Prusament PETG | ±0.02mm | 230-250°C | 85-90°C | $30-35 | ⭐ 4.8/5 | Check Price |
| eSUN PETG | ±0.03mm | 230-250°C | 75-85°C | $19-24 | ⭐ 4.5/5 | Check Price |
| Amazon Basics PETG | ±0.05mm | 235-255°C | 80-90°C | $17-21 | ⭐ 4.3/5 | Check Price |
1. Hatchbox PETG — Best Overall
Hatchbox brings the same consistency and reliability to PETG that made their PLA a community favorite. The filament extrudes smoothly, adheres well to heated build plates, and produces strong parts with good layer adhesion.
At ±0.03mm tolerance, Hatchbox PETG feeds reliably through both Bowden and direct-drive extruders. The recommended print temperature of 230-250°C and bed temperature of 75-85°C are standard for PETG. We found best results at 240°C with an 80°C bed.
The spool ships vacuum-sealed with desiccant — particularly important for PETG, which is more hygroscopic than PLA. Stringing is manageable with retraction settings around 5-6mm (Bowden) or 1-2mm (direct drive) at 40mm/s speed.
✅ Pros
- Consistent quality batch to batch
- Good layer adhesion and strength
- Manageable stringing with proper settings
- Wide color selection
- Well-sealed packaging
❌ Cons
- More stringing than PLA (normal for PETG)
- Some colors are translucent by default
- Pricier than budget alternatives
Best for: Anyone stepping up from PLA who wants dependable PETG results. Excellent for functional parts, outdoor items, and mechanical components.
2. Overture PETG — Best Budget Option
Overture continues their tradition of excellent value with their PETG filament. At $19-23 per kilogram, it's one of the most affordable PETG options that still delivers reliable results. Like their PLA, each spool includes a build surface sheet.
The filament is well-manufactured with ±0.03mm tolerance. We noticed slightly more stringing compared to Hatchbox PETG, but nothing deal-breaking. Layer adhesion is strong — parts printed with Overture PETG have good impact resistance and durability.
One standout feature is Overture's packaging: each spool comes with detailed printing guidelines for popular printers, plus a resealable vacuum bag. For PETG specifically, good packaging is essential since even slight moisture absorption noticeably impacts print quality.
✅ Pros
- Excellent price-to-quality ratio
- Includes build surface with every spool
- Resealable vacuum bag
- Detailed printing guidelines included
- Strong functional parts
❌ Cons
- Slightly more stringing than premium brands
- Limited specialty colors
- Occasional diameter variations near spool end
Best for: Budget-minded makers who need functional PETG parts without premium pricing.
3. Polymaker PolyLite PETG — Best Print Quality
Polymaker's PolyLite PETG delivers outstanding results thanks to its tight ±0.02mm tolerance and carefully optimized formulation. The surface finish is noticeably smoother than most PETG filaments, with a slight gloss that looks professional.
The "Jam-Free" technology Polymaker employs in their filaments works especially well for PETG, where nozzle clogs can be more common due to the higher print temperatures. We experienced zero clogs or jams during extensive testing.
Layer adhesion is the best we've tested in this price range. Parts printed with PolyLite PETG flex before breaking — a sign of excellent interlayer bonding. The filament also handles overhangs better than most PETG options, requiring fewer supports.
✅ Pros
- Excellent dimensional accuracy
- Superior layer adhesion
- Smooth surface finish
- Jam-Free technology works great
- Better overhang performance
❌ Cons
- Premium pricing
- Color selection smaller than competitors
- Still strings more than PLA (inherent to PETG)
Best for: Users who need the strongest, best-looking PETG prints for functional applications or display pieces.
4. Prusament PETG — Best Premium Choice
Prusament PETG is manufactured to the same exacting standards as their PLA — ±0.02mm tolerance with per-spool QC data available online. The quality shows in every print: layers are uniform, surfaces are smooth, and dimensional accuracy is outstanding.
Prusa specifically formulated their PETG to work optimally with Prusa printers, but it performs excellently on any well-calibrated machine. The bed adhesion is strong (sometimes too strong — use a textured PEI sheet or glue stick as a release agent).
The color range includes some gorgeous options like "Prusa Orange" and "Carmine Red" that are difficult to find elsewhere. Prusament PETG also handles bridging remarkably well for a PETG filament.
✅ Pros
- Best-in-class quality control
- Outstanding dimensional accuracy
- Per-spool QC data available
- Excellent bridging for PETG
- Unique, beautiful colors
❌ Cons
- Most expensive PETG on this list
- Very strong bed adhesion can damage surfaces
- Limited availability
Best for: Quality-obsessed makers and Prusa printer owners who want guaranteed premium results.
5. eSUN PETG — Best All-Rounder
eSUN's PETG offers a balanced combination of price, performance, and availability. At $19-24 per kilogram, it's competitively priced while delivering solid print quality. The filament is widely available on Amazon and ships quickly.
Print quality is good — not exceptional, but reliably consistent. We found eSUN PETG to be slightly easier to tune than some competitors, with a comfortable temperature window that produces good results. The filament flows well and bed adhesion is predictable.
eSUN offers PETG in a wide range of colors, including transparent options that look great for vases and light diffusers. The transparent blue and green are particularly stunning when printed in vase mode.
✅ Pros
- Good balance of price and performance
- Wide color range including transparents
- Easy to tune and dial in
- Widely available
- Consistent across colors
❌ Cons
- Not the strongest layer adhesion
- Packaging could be better sealed
- Average surface finish
Best for: Users who want a reliable, no-fuss PETG at a reasonable price. Excellent for transparent/translucent prints.
6. Amazon Basics PETG — Budget Starter Option
Amazon Basics entered the filament market with surprisingly decent products. Their PETG won't win any quality awards, but at $17-21 per kilogram, it's the cheapest way to experiment with PETG printing.
The ±0.05mm tolerance is wider than competitors, which can lead to occasional inconsistencies in extrusion. However, for learning PETG settings and printing non-critical parts, it gets the job done. The filament benefits from slightly higher temperatures (240-250°C) for best results.
Amazon Basics PETG ships quickly with Prime and the return policy is generous — if you get a bad spool (which happens occasionally), replacements are hassle-free.
✅ Pros
- Lowest price PETG available
- Amazon Prime shipping
- Easy returns if defective
- Adequate for learning and prototyping
❌ Cons
- Wider tolerance (±0.05mm)
- Inconsistent between batches
- More stringing than name brands
- Limited color options
Best for: Complete beginners who want to try PETG at the lowest possible cost and don't mind some trial and error.
Buying Guide: How to Choose PETG Filament
Why Choose PETG Over PLA?
PETG offers several advantages: higher temperature resistance (up to ~80°C vs PLA's ~60°C), better impact resistance, slight flexibility instead of brittle snapping, UV resistance for outdoor use, and chemical resistance. Choose PETG for functional parts, outdoor items, food containers (with stainless steel nozzle), and anything that needs to withstand stress.
Key Settings for PETG
- Nozzle temperature: 230-250°C (start at 240°C)
- Bed temperature: 75-90°C
- Print speed: 40-60mm/s (slower than PLA)
- Retraction: Higher than PLA — 5-7mm for Bowden, 2-3mm for direct drive
- Cooling: Reduce to 50% or less (PETG needs heat for layer adhesion)
- Z-offset: Raise slightly — PETG doesn't like being squished into the bed
Moisture Management
PETG absorbs moisture more aggressively than PLA. Signs of wet filament include popping/crackling sounds during printing, visible bubbles in the filament, rough surface finish, and poor layer adhesion. Always store PETG in sealed containers with desiccant, and consider a filament dryer for best results.
Bed Adhesion Tips
PETG sticks extremely well to PEI sheets — sometimes too well. Apply a thin layer of glue stick or hairspray as a release agent to prevent damaging your build surface. Glass beds with glue stick also work well. Avoid printing PETG directly on bare PEI without a release agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, PETG is significantly stronger than PLA in terms of impact resistance and flexibility. While PLA is stiffer (higher tensile strength), PETG flexes before breaking, making it much tougher in real-world applications. PETG also has better heat resistance (80°C vs 60°C) and UV resistance.
PETG is moderately harder to print than PLA but much easier than ABS. The main challenges are stringing (PETG is stringy by nature) and dialing in the right temperature/retraction settings. Once tuned, it prints reliably. Most beginners can handle PETG after a few successful PLA prints.
PETG is FDA-approved for food contact in its raw form (it's what water bottles are made from). However, 3D printed PETG has layer lines that can harbor bacteria. For food safety, print with a stainless steel nozzle (not brass), apply a food-safe epoxy coating, and only use natural/uncolored PETG.
Yes, PETG prints fine without an enclosure in most environments. Unlike ABS, PETG doesn't warp significantly from drafts. However, an enclosure can help with very large prints or if your printing area has significant temperature fluctuations.
PETG is inherently stringy. To reduce stringing: increase retraction distance (6-7mm Bowden, 2-3mm direct drive), increase retraction speed to 40-50mm/s, lower nozzle temperature by 5°C, enable "combing" in your slicer, and ensure your filament is dry. Some stringing is normal for PETG.
Looking for easier filaments? Check our Best PLA Filaments for Beginners guide. Need something flexible? See Best TPU Filaments for Flexible Prints. Keep your PETG dry with the Best Filament Dryers and Storage Solutions.