PLA vs PEI
How PLA and PEI compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PLA is easier to print; PEI is tougher, stiffer, more heat resistant and better outdoors.
- PEI typically prints about 150 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PEI typically prints about 80 °C hotter on the bed.
- PLA is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 8 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 880 PLA filaments in 8,714 colours, and 17 PEI filaments in 24 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| PLA | PEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | Stiffer | |
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | ||
| Setup | No enclosure or special setup needed | Needs an enclosure, Dry before printing, Needs ventilation |
| PLA | PEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polylactic acid | Polyetherimide |
| Filaments listed | 880 | 17 |
| Brands | 145 | 10 |
| Colours | 8,714 | 24 |
| Nozzle temperature | 190–230 °C | 340–380 °C |
| Bed temperature | 50–70 °C | 120–160 °C |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ | 1.27 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 335 m | about 327 m |
| Max drying temperature | 55 °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
10 brands make both PLA and PEI.