Best PETG filament
Quick answer
The SUNLU PETG 1 kg spool ($15.39, $15.39 per kilogram) is the safest starting point for a first PETG spool. A print farm running through filament faster is better served by the SUNLU PETG 4 kg case (four 1 kg black spools, $40.99, $10.25 per kilogram), the lowest per-kilogram price of the three spools compared here.
SUNLU PETG Filament 1.75mm,1kg,Black
A single 1 kg spool avoids the moisture-absorption risk of opening a large multipack before it can be used, which matters more for PETG than for PLA.
The three tiers
Beginner: Best single spool
someone printing PETG for the first time, or replacing a nearly empty spool without committing to morePETG needs a hotter nozzle and a slightly different retraction setting than PLA, so a first spool is really a settings-tuning exercise. A single 1 kg spool at $15.39 keeps that trial-and-error phase cheap, and because it is sealed as one unit rather than part of a larger pack, there is no risk of the rest of the batch absorbing moisture while it sits unopened.
Not for: anyone already running PETG regularly, who will pay more per kilogram buying single spools one at a time than buying a multipack up front
Intermediate: Best value multipack
a hobbyist who prints PETG often enough to use two colors before either goes stale- Intermediate pick
SUNLU PETG Filament 1.75mm,2kg,Black+White
$23.99 Check price$23.99 for 2 kg, $12.00/kg Prices change often
This pack contains two 1 kg spools, one black and one white, for $23.99 total, working out to $12.00 per kilogram, about 22 percent cheaper per kilogram than the single spool above. Because each color ships as its own sealed 1 kg spool rather than one shared 2 kg spool, an unused color can stay sealed and dry until it is actually needed.
Not for: someone who only prints in one color, or who prints PETG rarely enough that a second spool will sit open and absorb moisture before it gets used
Expert: Performance ceiling for volume printing
a small print farm or a maker running through PETG fast enough to justify buying four spools at once- Expert pick
SUNLU PETG Filament 1.75mm,4kg,2 Black+2 Black
$40.99 Check price$40.99 for 4 kg, $10.25/kg Prices change often
This case ships four separate 1 kg black spools for $40.99 total, the lowest price per kilogram of the three options at $10.25. Because it is four individually sealed 1 kg spools rather than one large 4 kg reel, spools can be opened one at a time and the rest kept sealed, which limits how much filament is exposed to humidity at once.
Not for: a hobbyist who prints PETG only occasionally. Do not buy a 4 kg case if a single spool would last several months on your printer; PETG left open on a spool holder for that long will absorb enough moisture to cause stringing and popping before it is used up.
| Spool | Total weight | Price | Price per kg | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUNLU PETG 1 kg | 1 kg | $15.39 | $15.39 | Black (single color) |
| SUNLU PETG 2-pack | 2 kg (2 x 1 kg spools) | $23.99 | $12.00 | Black and white |
| SUNLU PETG 4-pack | 4 kg (4 x 1 kg spools) | $40.99 | $10.25 | Black (four spools) |
What is PETG actually good for compared to PLA and ABS?
PETG sits between PLA and ABS on both toughness and print difficulty. It tolerates more heat than PLA before softening, which makes it a common choice for outdoor brackets, phone stands left in a car, and parts near warm electronics. It also does not warp on an open-frame printer the way ABS does, so it does not require an enclosure the way ABS typically does.
The tradeoff is stringing: PETG is naturally tackier when molten than PLA, which shows up as thin strings between separate parts of a print if retraction settings are not tuned. That tuning step is the main learning curve when switching from PLA to PETG.
Is a multipack of PETG actually a better deal, or just a bigger number?
Judged purely on price per kilogram, yes: the 4 kg case in this roundup is about 27 percent cheaper per kilogram than the single 1 kg spool. That saving only shows up in practice if all four spools get printed through in a reasonable window, since PETG left open and exposed to household humidity for months will print worse than it did fresh.
A useful rule of thumb: buy the pack size you can reasonably print through within a few months, not the pack size with the lowest number on the price tag.
Does PETG need to be dried before printing?
PETG absorbs moisture faster than PLA. A spool that has been open and exposed to a humid room for an extended period often prints with visible surface popping, small pinholes, or a duller finish, all signs of trapped moisture turning to steam at the nozzle. Reseal spools with their desiccant packs between prints, and consider a filament dryer if a region is consistently humid.
How we chose
This roundup is researched from catalog listings and manufacturer-published specifications, not from in-person testing. Every product named is checked against PrintFarmCalc's own catalog of verified Amazon listings, and every price-per-kilogram figure below is calculated directly from the listed pack weight and price rather than taken from marketing copy.
For PETG specifically, the deciding factor across tiers was how pack size interacts with moisture exposure, not just price. A cheaper price per kilogram on a large pack is only a genuine saving if the filament gets used before it absorbs enough humidity to affect print quality.
Buying tips
Why compare price per kilogram instead of the price on the label?
A $40.99 case that totals 4 kg works out to $10.25 per kilogram, noticeably cheaper than a $15.39 spool that only contains 1 kg. Always divide total price by total weight in kilograms before deciding a multipack is the better deal; a bigger number on the price tag does not mean a worse price per kilogram.
How much filament comes on a 1 kg PETG spool?
PETG has a published density of about 1.27 grams per cubic centimeter. At a standard 1.75 mm diameter, that works out to roughly 327 meters of usable filament per kilogram, slightly less length than the same weight of PLA because PETG is denser.
Does buying a bigger multipack actually save money?
Only if the filament gets used before it absorbs moisture. PETG is more hygroscopic than PLA, so a large open reel left on a spool holder for weeks can start stringing or producing a rougher surface finish. A multipack of individually sealed 1 kg spools, like the 2 kg and 4 kg packs compared here, avoids that problem because unopened spools stay sealed.
What print settings change when switching from PLA to PETG?
PETG generally needs a hotter nozzle, around 230 to 250 degrees Celsius depending on the brand, a heated bed, and less retraction distance to avoid stringing, since PETG is stringier than PLA at the same settings. Check the specific manufacturer's printed or listed temperature range rather than assuming PLA settings will work.
Other options worth knowing about
- ELEGOO
ELEGOO ABS 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm Black 1KG Strong Layer Adhesion
$16.99 Check pricePrices change often - Polymaker
Polymaker ABS Filament Black 1KG 1.75mm, Heat Resistant, Strength
$17.10 Check pricePrices change often
Common questions
Is PETG stronger than PLA?
PETG is generally tougher and more impact resistant than PLA, meaning it bends slightly before breaking rather than snapping, and it tolerates higher temperatures before softening. PLA is stiffer and holds fine detail marginally better. For parts that see heat, impact or outdoor exposure, PETG is usually the better choice of the two.
Why does my PETG print have thin strings between parts?
PETG is naturally tackier when molten than PLA, so uncalibrated retraction settings show up as fine strings, called stringing, between separate features of a print. Increasing retraction distance slightly and lowering print temperature a few degrees usually reduces it. Drying the filament also helps, since moisture makes stringing worse.
Is a 4 kg case of PETG cheaper per kilogram than buying four single spools?
Yes. A 4 kg case priced at $40.99 works out to $10.25 per kilogram, compared to $15.39 per kilogram buying four separate 1 kg spools of the same filament. The saving is real, but only worth taking if the filament will be printed through before it absorbs enough moisture to affect quality.
Does PETG need a heated enclosure like ABS does?
No. PETG bonds well to a heated bed and does not warp from ordinary room drafts the way ABS does, so it prints reliably on an open-frame printer with no enclosure needed. An enclosure can still help with very tall prints by reducing draft-related layer inconsistencies, but it is not a requirement for PETG.
How much filament is on a 1 kg spool of PETG?
Using PETG's published density of about 1.27 grams per cubic centimeter and a standard 1.75 mm diameter, a 1 kg spool yields roughly 327 meters of usable filament. That is slightly less length per kilogram than PLA, since PETG is a denser material at the same spool weight.