ABS vs PET
How ABS and PET compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- ABS is tougher, more heat resistant and more flexible; PET is easier to print, stiffer and better outdoors.
- ABS typically prints about 10 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- ABS typically prints about 20 °C hotter on the bed.
- ABS is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 90 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 151 ABS filaments in 1,021 colours, and 17 PET filaments in 79 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| ABS | PET | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | Stiffer | |
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Needs ventilation | No enclosure or special setup needed |
| ABS | PET | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Polyethylene terephthalate |
| Filaments listed | 151 | 17 |
| Brands | 72 | 13 |
| Colours | 1,021 | 79 |
| Nozzle temperature | 230–260 °C | 220–250 °C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | 70–90 °C |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ | 1.34 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 400 m | about 310 m |
| Max drying temperature | 80 °C | – |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
11 brands make both ABS and PET.