Written by Jackson B.
Quick answer: Choose PETG Basic for the lowest price and the highest listed heat deflection temperature (74°C per our data sheets). Choose PETG+ for higher bending strength and a satin finish at lower print temperatures, PETG+ Transparent for see-through colours, and Metallic PETG-HS or High Speed PETG when your printer runs fast.
PETG is the usual next step after PLA when parts need more heat tolerance, with good moisture and chemical resistance and printing that is still manageable on most machines. We sell several PETG lines, and they are not just the same plastic in different colours. This guide uses the same format as our PLA comparison: a side-by-side table from our data sheets, a "pick this if" table, then starting settings. You can browse every line in the PETG collection.
The PETG lines side by side
All technical values are per our data sheets, which you can download from each product page. Prices are per 1 kg roll at the time of writing. PETG+ Transparent shares the PETG+ data sheet figures.
| Property | PETG Basic | PETG+ | PETG+ Transparent | Metallic PETG-HS | High Speed PETG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $17.99 | $22.95 | $24.95 | $24.95 | $24.99 |
| Colours | 15 | 16 | 5 | 8 | 3 |
| Finish | Glossy | Satin | Transparent colours | High-gloss metallic | White, Black, Transparent |
| Nozzle temperature | 220–240°C | 210–230°C | 210–230°C | 210–230°C | Not yet published |
| Bed temperature | 70–80°C | 50–70°C | 50–70°C | 50–70°C | Not yet published |
| Listed print speed | 40–250 mm/s | 40–60 mm/s | 40–60 mm/s | 40–380 mm/s | Not yet published |
| Tensile strength (ISO 527) | 40–45 MPa | 41–45 MPa | 41–45 MPa | 41–45 MPa | Not yet published |
| Flexural strength (ISO 178) | 50–55 MPa | 64–66 MPa | 64–66 MPa | 64–66 MPa | Not yet published |
| Elongation at break | 6–8% | 10–12% | 10–12% | 10–12% | Not yet published |
| Impact strength (ISO 180) | 4.5–5 kJ/m² | 5–6 kJ/m² | 5–6 kJ/m² | 5–6 kJ/m² | Not yet published |
| HDT at 0.455 MPa | 74°C | 68°C | 68°C | 68°C | Not yet published |
High Speed PETG is a newer line. Its technical data sheet was not on the product page when we wrote this, so we have not quoted figures for it. Check the product page before you set temperatures.
Pick this if
| Filament | Pick this if | Skip it if |
|---|---|---|
| PETG Basic | You want the cheapest PETG, the most heat headroom or a glossy finish | You want to load straight into an AMS without respooling |
| PETG+ | You print brackets, jigs and housings that need bending strength, and want a satin finish | Your printer runs well above 60 mm/s and you do not want to slow it down |
| PETG+ Transparent | You print light diffusers, display parts or decorative pieces in see-through colour | You need an opaque colour |
| Metallic PETG-HS | You want PETG+ strength figures with a metallic look at high speed | You need plain solid colours |
| High Speed PETG | You want plain white, black or transparent PETG for a fast printer | You need published data sheet figures before you buy |
Heat and strength: what the numbers mean
The biggest surprise on the data sheets is heat. PETG Basic lists a 74°C heat deflection temperature and a 70°C continuous use temperature, against 68°C and 65°C for PETG+ and Metallic PETG-HS. If a part will sit somewhere warm, PETG Basic has the most margin of the lines we have figures for. For hotter jobs, ASA lists 88°C (see the ASA collection).
PETG+ wins on bending. Its flexural strength is 64–66 MPa against 50–55 MPa for PETG Basic, its tensile modulus is higher (1,400–1,500 MPa against 1,000–1,100 MPa), and it stretches further before breaking (10–12% against 6–8%). In practice a PETG+ bracket is stiffer and takes more bending load before it fails. Tensile and impact strength are close across the range.
PETG+ is also easier on the printer. Its product description calls out lower print and bed temperatures than standard PETG, and the data sheet backs that up with a 210–230°C nozzle and a 50–70°C bed.
Finish and colour
- PETG Basic prints with a glossy shine, according to its product page, in 15 colours.
- PETG+ has a satin finish that our product page says diffuses light and softens layer lines. Its 16 colours mirror much of the PLA+ palette, which helps if you move a design from PLA+ to PETG+. The range includes a Transparent option.
- PETG+ Transparent comes in Green, Orange, Blue, Purple and Red, with the product description highlighting its light transmittance.
- Metallic PETG-HS has a high-gloss metallic finish with a subtle sparkle, in eight shades.
Speed: the two high-speed options
PETG+ and PETG+ Transparent list 40–60 mm/s. PETG Basic lists up to 250 mm/s, and Metallic PETG-HS lists up to 380 mm/s while sharing the PETG+ mechanical figures. High Speed PETG is described as a modified PETG formulated to print reliably at the higher speeds of modern printers, with reduced stringing.
If your printer runs fast, note that PETG Basic already lists up to 250 mm/s at the lowest price. Metallic PETG-HS makes sense when you want the PETG+ strength figures without dropping to 60 mm/s.
Starting settings from our data sheets
Start in the middle of each range, then adjust in 5°C steps. PETG tends to string when it is wet or printed too hot, so dry it first and tune retraction before you change temperature.
| Setting | PETG Basic | PETG+ and PETG+ Transparent | Metallic PETG-HS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle start (range) | 230°C (220–240°C) | 220°C (210–230°C) | 220°C (210–230°C) |
| Bed start (range) | 75°C (70–80°C) | 60°C (50–70°C) | 60°C (50–70°C) |
| Listed speed | 40–250 mm/s | 40–60 mm/s | 40–380 mm/s |
| Drying | 70°C for 5 h | 70°C for 5 h | 70°C for at least 5 h |
| Support interface | PVA or PLA | PVA or PLA | PVA or PLA |
PETG prints on open-frame printers, but Bambu Lab's filament guide recommends an enclosed printer for PETG where low room temperatures could weaken layer bonding. For more on stringing, see Dealing with Stringing in PETG.
Spools and the Bambu Lab AMS
- PETG Basic spools are slightly slimmer than our premium ranges, and our product page notes some AMS units may not recognise them during automatic loading. Respooling onto an AMS-compatible spool avoids that.
- PETG+ feeds smoothly through the AMS when kept dry, according to its product page.
- Metallic PETG-HS is listed as compatible with the AMS and AMS lite.
- The 2.5 kg PETG spool does not fit the standard AMS or the AMS 2 Pro, both of which Bambu specifies at 197–202 mm in diameter and 50–68 mm wide. Our product page recommends an external spool holder.
Buying PETG in bulk
For long jobs in black, the 2.5 kg PETG spool costs $49.95, which is $19.98 per kilogram. Its full data sheet was still to come when we wrote this.
Filament volume pricing applies automatically at checkout on any mix of rolls: 3 or more get 5% off, 6 or more get 10% off and 12 or more get 15% off. A full carton of 12 rolls of the same colour gets 20% off, which brings PETG Basic to about $14.39 a roll and PETG+ to about $18.36 a roll.
Shop the materials in this guide
- 1.75 mm PETG Basic Filament - 1 KG: lowest-cost PETG with the highest listed heat deflection temperature of the range.
- 1.75 mm PETG+ Filament - 1 KG: higher bending strength, satin finish and lower print temperatures.
- 1.75 mm PETG+ Transparent Filament - 1 KG: see-through colours with PETG+ data sheet figures.
- 1.75 mm Metallic PETG-HS Filament - 1 KG: metallic finish, listed up to 380 mm/s.
- 1.75 mm High Speed PETG Filament - 1 KG: white, black or transparent PETG for fast printers.
Frequently asked questions
Is PETG+ better than PETG Basic?
It depends on the job. Per our data sheets PETG+ has higher flexural strength and prints cooler, while PETG Basic has a higher heat deflection temperature, a wider listed speed range and a lower price.
Which PETG handles the most heat?
PETG Basic, at 74°C HDT per our data sheets, against 68°C for PETG+ and Metallic PETG-HS. For more heat, look at ASA.
Do I need to dry PETG?
Dry it if the roll has been open for a while or prints start stringing or popping. Our data sheets recommend 70°C for 5 hours.
Can I put PETG Basic in an AMS?
You can, but its slimmer spool may not load automatically on some AMS units. Respool it, or choose PETG+ or Metallic PETG-HS.
