High Speed Pla vs Regular Pla: Which One Should You Buy?

LaserEngraveHQ earns a commission from purchases made through these links, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

What high speed PLA changes

High speed PLA is sold on a rated printing speed range, though not every high speed listing states one: the OVERTURE spool lists no rated speed, while the ELEGOO regular spool also lists none. The SUNLU Marble spool lists 50-600mm/s, with a nozzle temperature of 210-260C and a bed temperature of 50-65C. The SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 spool lists printing speeds of up to 300mm/s, with a recommended print speed of 100-300mm/s, a nozzle temperature of 205-220°C and a bed temperature of 50-60°C. The ELEGOO PLA spool lists no rated printing speed, and its bullets stress a lower melting temperature, low warp and shrinkage, and odorless printing instead of speed.

Speed alone does not decide a print. Dimensional accuracy, winding and drying also appear on these listings: the SUNLU PLA+ 2.0, ELEGOO and OVERTURE spools each list a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm, and the SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 and ELEGOO spools list neatly wound filament. The OVERTURE spool lists drying for 24 hours before packaging and vacuum sealing, while the ELEGOO spool lists vacuum sealing after drying. Check those details alongside speed, since a fast spool that feeds poorly still wastes a print.

High speed pla vs regular pla: how to decide

Start with the printer. All spools here list 1.75mm filament, with the SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 listing stating compatibility with nearly all 1.75mm FDM printers and the ELEGOO listing stating fit with most common 1.75mm FDM printers. If the printer lists a rated speed, compare it with the spool range: a spool rated to 600mm/s brings no speed gain on a printer that runs slower, and a regular spool brings no speed claim to compare at all. For a wider filament shortlist, see best PLA filament for 3D printers.

Next, compare temperatures and use. The Marble spool recommends a nozzle temperature of 210-260C, higher at the top end than the PLA+ 2.0 range of 205-220°C, so the two ranges are not identical, and each spool needs its own range checked. The Marble spool lists a natural marble texture for home decoration, art sculptures and architectural printing, while the PLA+ 2.0 spool lists high-precision models, functional parts and decorative items. Match the texture and the use to the project, not just the speed number. For bulk buying, see best bulk PLA filament.

The spools in this guide

SUNLU PLA+ 2.0, Black, 1KG. This spool lists printing speeds of up to 300mm/s, a recommended print speed of 100-300mm/s, a nozzle temperature of 205-220°C and a bed temperature of 50-60°C. It lists a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm, neatly wound filament and vacuum packaging, with a spool diameter of 195mm, a spool width of 57mm and a spool hub hole diameter of 63mm. The spec table lists a 30-Day warranty description. It suits a maker who wants a faster spool with stated accuracy and a stated warranty term.

OVERTURE High Speed PLA, Black, 1kg. This spool lists a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm, drying for 24 hours before packaging and vacuum sealing, with a larger inside diameter for smoother feeding. It lists no rated printing speed in its bullets, so its high speed name carries no speed figure to compare. The spec table lists a 1-year Warranty. It suits a maker who wants stated accuracy and a stated warranty term and does not need a speed figure on the listing.

SUNLU High Speed Marble PLA, Shadow Storm, 1KG. This spool lists 50-600mm/s, the highest stated speed range here, with a nozzle temperature of 210-260C and a bed temperature of 50-65C. It lists a natural marble texture for home decoration, art sculptures and architectural printing, with a spool diameter of 8.00″, a spool width of 2.50″ and a spool hub hole diameter of 2.20″. No warranty term is stated in the listing. It suits a maker who wants the highest stated speed and a marble look, and who accepts that no warranty term is stated.

ELEGOO PLA, Black, 1KG. This spool lists a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.02mm, a lower melting temperature, low warp and shrinkage, and odorless printing, with vacuum sealing after drying. It lists no rated printing speed and no warranty term. It suits a maker who wants a regular PLA spool for simple prints and does not need a speed figure or a stated warranty term.

FAQ: lasers and CNC

Is high speed PLA the same material as regular PLA?

Both are PLA at 1.75mm in these listings, but the SUNLU high speed spools list rated speeds and recommended settings, while the ELEGOO regular spool and the OVERTURE spool list no rated speed. The material name alone does not tell the speed, so read the rated speed and the recommended settings on each listing.

What speed can I print high speed PLA at?

The SUNLU Marble spool lists 50-600mm/s, and the SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 spool lists up to 300mm/s, with a recommended print speed of 100-300mm/s. The OVERTURE spool lists no rated speed, so check the printer rated speed and the spool listing before choosing a speed.

Do I need different temperatures for high speed PLA?

Yes, the listings differ: the Marble spool recommends a nozzle temperature of 210-260C and a bed temperature of 50-65C, while the PLA+ 2.0 spool recommends a nozzle temperature of 205-220°C and a bed temperature of 50-60°C. Use the temperatures on the spool listing, not a single setting for all PLA.

Does high speed PLA work on any FDM printer?

Not on any printer by listing alone: the SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 listing states compatibility with nearly all 1.75mm FDM printers, and the ELEGOO listing states fit with most common 1.75mm FDM printers. Check the filament diameter and the printer rated speed, since a printer that runs slower gains no speed benefit from a faster spool.

Which spool should a beginner start with?

The SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 listing states it is user-friendly for both beginners and experts, and the ELEGOO listing states it is ideal for beginners. A beginner who wants speed can start with the PLA+ 2.0 spool, while a beginner who wants simple prints can start with the ELEGOO spool.

Related: the FDM 3D printer hub, best PLA filament for 3D printers, PLA vs PETG filament and FDM vs resin 3D printer.