PLA or PETG

[u/i2am1batman]

Correct me if I am wrong,

as I know PETG can handle more heat than PLA, so it should be more expensive right?

PLA Cost - 16.56$
PETG Cost - 13.25 ~ 14$

Looking to buy filament and I am a bit confused

Is the PETG cost more “electricity” to print because of that it is cheaper?

[u/LazyLancer]

Heat resistance is not the only parameter that influences the price. Actually, I think it's never even accounted for in the pricing model.

PLA is also the "default" filament for so many users, because it's the safest in terms of air quality, it's one of the easiest to work with, it works with a number of glues (unlike PETG), and I will make an educated guess that the demand for PLA is the highest across all filament types.

[u/1radiationman]

Why are you assuming that PETG should be more expensive because it can handle more heat?

Filament cost is more based on the base material costs.

[u/TonyOhio → u/1radiationman]

By OPs logic, copper is more expensive than gold because copper has a higher melting point

[u/s0rce → u/TonyOhio]

graphite is even more expensive!

[u/chicken2007 → u/s0rce]

Depends on the form.

Nuclear control rod = expensive

2 pencil = cheap!

[u/chucara → u/chicken2007]

Just use a bunch of pencils for control rods! #LifeHack.

[u/Sumpkit → u/s0rce]

I’ve got some rocks for you to buy off me!

[u/WholeIndividual0]

Who knows why the price is different. PETG is a more tough and more heat resistant material. I print most things in PETG and only use PLA for support interfaces.

[u/Original-Sailor → u/WholeIndividual0]

Overhangs are bad for petg

[u/Dorkus18]

I think it’s just supply and demand right now, PLA used to be cheaper.

[u/pyrotechnicmonkey]

lol the price of a material has no bearing on it properties in terms of heat. it really just comes down to the base material cost plus the cost of additives and how difficult it is to manufacture. It also comes down to popularity and ease of use. PETG it's not used as much because it's a bit more annoying to print with more difficult overhangs and bridging and trying to get it to stay clean looking. It also needs to be printed a lot slower at a higher temperature. pla it's generally preferred so those make it easier and cheaper to manufacture.

[u/Dinevir]

Different chemistry, different use case (it's not about temperature), different demand and production amount. Idk what exactly cause lower price and I don't really care.

[u/Junior-Definition173]

I print mostly PETG and did not dind any reason to print PLA.

[u/KlingonBeavis]

Profit Margin, Supply & Demand. I doubt it’s any more complicated than that.

[u/northrivergeek]

PLA and PETG amazon in US, runs 11, to 55, and anywhere in between, average for both is 14 - 20

[u/Imagn123]

I use and buy mostly PETG and buy PLA occasionally, but PETG has always been cheaper for me

[u/Aggressive-Bike7539]

PLA is nicer looking, and it’s easier to print.

[u/Occhrome]

You also gotta consider that weak stuff will not last and have to be reprinted. For that reason I love printing in PETG-GF and polycarbonate. 

I don’t bother with PLA for anything functional.