Skip to main content
PrintCalc
3D Printing Filaments
Filament showdown

ABS vs PLA: which filament should you use?

Per-kg price, temperatures, food contact and a worked cost example for the same part printed in ABS and PLA. Plus a verdict on the five dimensions that matter when picking between them.

Specs side by side

ABS

Typical price
~$22.00/kg
Print temperature
230–260 °C
Bed temperature
100–110 °C
Enclosed chamber
Recommended
Food-safe
No
Difficulty
★★★★☆

PLA

Typical price
~$22.00/kg
Print temperature
190–220 °C
Bed temperature
50–60 °C
Enclosed chamber
Optional
Food-safe
With certified hotend
Difficulty
★☆☆☆☆

Same part, different filament

50 g part, 6 h print time on a Bambu Lab A1 (the reference printer at 130 W) with 8% failure rate. Only the filament price changes between columns.

ABS

  • Filament$1.10
  • Energy$0.14
  • Unit Cost$1.50
  • Final Consumer Price$6.53

PLA

  • Filament$1.10
  • Energy$0.14
  • Unit Cost$1.50
  • Final Consumer Price$6.53

Verdict by dimension

  • Cheaper per kg

    Tie

    Both filaments land within the noise threshold for this dimension.

  • Easier to print

    PLA

    PLA is rated 1/5 difficulty vs 4/5 for ABS — fewer failed prints while you tune.

  • Lower print temperature

    PLA

    PLA prints at 190–220 °C vs 230–260 °C for ABS — less wear on the hotend and easier on basic printers.

  • Open-frame friendly

    PLA

    PLA prints reliably without an enclosed chamber; ABS warps or cracks without one.

  • Food contact

    PLA

    PLA is rated With certified hotend for food contact, while ABS is rated No.

Related comparisons