Pla vs Tpu Filament: Which One Should You Buy?
A plain comparison of rigid PLA and flexible TPU for FDM printing, covering the stated PLA listings, their settings and limits, and what remains Not stated for TPU.
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pla vs tpu filament comes down to rigidity against flexibility. PLA suits rigid parts that hold a shape, such as models, prototypes and decorative items. TPU suits parts that need to flex rather than stay stiff. The gear section below covers PLA listings only, so the PLA side of this guide rests on stated settings and spool details, while every TPU setting is marked Not stated rather than guessed.
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No TPU listing appears in the gear set for this guide. TPU is described here only as the flexible side of the choice, and any TPU figure a reader needs, from nozzle settings to spool size, is Not stated in the listings covered.
pla vs tpu filament: what changes between the materials
PLA is the rigid side of the choice. The PLA listings describe it as easy to print. Strong layer adhesion is claimed by SUNLU PLA and ELEGOO, low warp and shrinkage by ELEGOO, and low shrinkage by OVERTURE, all as maker claims. Every PLA listing covered here states a diameter of 1.75mm with an accuracy of +/-0.02mm, and compatibility with most 1.75mm FDM 3D printers.
TPU is the flexible side of the choice, suited to parts that must bend in use. No TPU listing is included in the gear set, so this guide states no TPU diameter, no TPU nozzle or bed setting, no TPU speed and no TPU spool size. Readers choosing TPU should look for a TPU listing that states those figures, rather than carrying PLA figures across to a different material.
The part types named in the PLA listings show where PLA fits: high-precision models, functional parts, decorative items, prototypes and miniatures. A part that must flex points toward TPU, with its own settings confirmed from a TPU listing before printing.
The PLA gear in this guide, ranked
The gear below is ranked from the broadest stated spec set to the narrowest, by stated speed range, pack size, finish and warranty term.
SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 4-Pack. The maker describes this filament as tougher and stronger than standard PLA+, with resistance to brittleness and cracking as the claim. It states the widest speed range in the set, with printing speeds of up to 300mm/s, a recommended nozzle temperature of 205-220°C, a bed temperature of 50-60°C and a print speed of 100-300mm/s. The pack holds 4KG across a 4-Pack of spools, each spool measuring 195mm in diameter, 57mm in width, with a hub hole diameter of 63mm. The spools are sealed in airtight vacuum packaging, and the listing states a warranty term of 1 year.
ELEGOO PLA Bundle. This bundle covers color variety: Black/White/Dark Blue/True Red across 4pcs 1kg spools, listed as a Bundle 4KG. The maker claims low warp and shrinkage, an odorless print, strong layer adhesion and a glossy surface. Each spool is neatly wound, dried before packaging and vacuum sealed against moisture. The listing states a warranty term of 30 days guarantee for any quality problems. No nozzle, bed or speed setting is stated for this bundle, so those figures are Not stated.
SUNLU PLA. This is the plain PLA spool in the set: 1KG of Black PLA filament at 1.75mm with an accuracy of +/-0.02mm. The maker claims no clogs, bubbles or tangles, with neat winding and excellent layer adhesion. Recommended settings are a nozzle temperature of 200-230°C, a bed temperature of 50-65°C and a printing speed of 50-100mm/s. No warranty term is stated for this spool, so the warranty figure is Not stated.
OVERTURE Matte PLA. This listing stands apart on finish rather than speed or pack size. It offers a frosted matte finish with a smooth surface, designed to conceal layer lines, with excellent bed adhesion, improved overhang performance and easy removal of rafts, brims and tree supports as maker claims. The spool is 1kg (2.2lbs) of Matte Light Brown filament at 1.75mm with an accuracy of +/-0.02mm. The listing states a 1-year Warranty and a 1-year shelf life for unopened spools with proper storage. No nozzle, bed or speed setting is stated, so those figures are Not stated.
PLA settings the listings state
| Filament | Nozzle | Bed | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUNLU PLA | 200-230°C | 50-65°C | 50-100mm/s |
| SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 | 205-220°C | 50-60°C | 100-300mm/s |
| ELEGOO PLA Bundle | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| OVERTURE Matte PLA | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
Some listings state full settings while others state none, which is itself useful information: a buyer who wants stated settings can narrow the set to the SUNLU listings at once. All PLA listings in the set state the same diameter and accuracy, 1.75mm and +/-0.02mm, so diameter does not separate them. Speed range, pack size, finish, color choice and warranty term do.
Where TPU fits, and what is Not stated
TPU fits parts that must flex in use, where a rigid PLA part would resist the movement the part needs. That is the whole of what this guide can say about TPU from the material covered: the flexible side of the rigid versus flexible filament choice, with no listing behind it. Diameter, nozzle temperature, bed temperature, printing speed, spool size, color range and warranty term for TPU are all Not stated here. PLA settings from the table above must not be carried across to TPU, and a TPU purchase needs its own listing with its own stated settings, checked before printing.
How to choose between PLA and TPU
- Rigid parts that hold a shape: choose PLA, and pick from the listings above by settings, pack size or finish.
- Parts that must bend: choose TPU, and confirm its settings from a TPU listing, since no TPU figure is stated in this guide.
- Color variety in a bundle: the ELEGOO PLA Bundle covers Black/White/Dark Blue/True Red in the same bundle.
- Matte finish: the OVERTURE Matte PLA listing is the listing that states a frosted matte finish.
- Widest stated speed range: the SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 listing states printing speeds of up to 300mm/s.
- Stated warranty term: the SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 listing states 1 year, the ELEGOO bundle states 30 days, and the OVERTURE listing states a 1-year Warranty; the SUNLU PLA spool states no term.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming TPU shares PLA settings. No TPU setting is stated in this guide, so PLA nozzle, bed and speed figures do not transfer.
- Buying on spool size alone. The listings differ more on settings, finish and warranty term than on diameter, which is 1.75mm across the set.
- Assuming a warranty term where none is stated. The SUNLU PLA spool states no warranty term, while the other listings state a term.
- Skipping the stated settings. The SUNLU listings give nozzle, bed and speed ranges; using those ranges beats guessing from another listing.
- Expecting a matte finish from a standard PLA listing. Only the OVERTURE listing states a frosted matte finish.
The short version
- PLA holds a shape; TPU flexes.
- All PLA listings here state 1.75mm diameter and +/-0.02mm accuracy.
- The SUNLU listings state full settings; the ELEGOO and OVERTURE listings state none.
- Color variety points to the ELEGOO bundle; matte finish points to OVERTURE.
- Widest stated speed points to SUNLU PLA+ 2.0, at up to 300mm/s.
- TPU settings are Not stated here and must come from a TPU listing.
FAQ: lasers and CNC
Can PLA and TPU run on the same FDM printer?
The PLA listings state compatibility with most 1.75mm FDM 3D printers. Whether a given printer handles TPU is Not stated in the listings covered here, so printer fit for TPU must be confirmed from a TPU listing or the printer listing.
Which PLA listing states the highest printing speed?
The SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 listing states printing speeds of up to 300mm/s, with a recommended print speed of 100-300mm/s. The SUNLU PLA listing states a printing speed of 50-100mm/s. The ELEGOO and OVERTURE listings state no speed figure.
Does PLA need a heated bed?
The SUNLU listings state bed temperatures: 50-65°C for SUNLU PLA and 50-60°C for SUNLU PLA+ 2.0. The ELEGOO and OVERTURE listings state no bed temperature, so that figure is Not stated for those listings.
What does the matte PLA listing offer that the others do not state?
The OVERTURE Matte PLA listing states a frosted matte finish with a smooth surface, designed to conceal layer lines, plus a 1-year shelf life for unopened spools with proper storage. No other listing in the set states a matte finish.
Which listings state a warranty term?
The SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 listing states a warranty term of 1 year. The ELEGOO bundle states 30 days guarantee for any quality problems. The OVERTURE listing states a 1-year Warranty. The SUNLU PLA spool states no warranty term.
Is TPU covered by the gear section?
No. The gear section covers PLA listings only. TPU appears in this guide only as the flexible side of the choice, and every TPU setting is Not stated rather than drawn from a PLA listing.
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