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3D printing is a household hobby with millions of Americans owning these creative machines. Even the best 3D printers need some kind of material, though, and the type you use is important. Filament is the material used for FDM 3D printing, and there are a ton of options available. A high-quality filament will exhibit fewer issues with heat and chemical resistance, resulting in better print quality. So which filament should you choose? CNET's experts have done the work so you can be sure you're using the best filament for the job.
What is the best 3D printing filament?
Almost everyone who uses a 3D printer uses PLA for most of their prints. You might use other materials for certain things, but day-to-day printing is likely done with PLA. The best PLA for most use cases is Overture PLA. It's easy to source, prints very well and has a massive variety of colors and uses.
I've put together this primer on different types of filament, including the best PLA filament, as well as choices of the best filaments from my favorite brands. This will be updated regularly and has some great choices to help you start. I use around 15 kilograms (33 pounds) of filament each week -- and have for the last four years -- so I know I'm offering you the best options around.
James Bricknell/CNET
It's important to choose both the right type of material and the right brand of that type, be it PLA, ABS or something more exotic. Here are the best of each of the five main filament types.
Read more: Best 3D Printers
Polylactic acid, or PLA
PLA Polylactic acid, or PLA, is the most common 3D printing filament, and it's the easiest to use. Unlike most plastics, it's made from corn starches so it's nontoxic and, in theory, compostable, though it takes an industrial composter to do it. PLA uses a fairly low heat -- between 190 and 215 degrees Celsius (374 and 419 degrees Fahrenheit) -- to melt the plastic for extrusion, so it is the safest of the filaments. Almost every FDM 3D printer in the world can print PLA.
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