PETG vs ABS: Easy Toughness or Higher Heat
Pick PETG for most functional parts: it is tough, handles moderate heat and prints on an open printer. Pick ABS when a part has to cope with more heat, around 90 to 100°C, or when you want to smooth it with acetone, and you have an enclosure to print it in.
PETG vs ABS Prices Right Now
PETG
ABS
PETG currently averages 8% less per kg than ABS.
PETG and ABS Side by Side
| Property | PETG | ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 230-250°C | 230-260°C |
| Bed temperature | 70-90°C | 100-110°C |
| Enclosure | Optional | Required |
| Drying | 60-65°C, 4-8h | 65-80°C, 4-8h |
| Heat resistance | ~70°C | ~90-100°C |
| Difficulty | Easy | Intermediate |
| Best for | functional parts that need toughness and the light outdoor or higher-heat use PLA can't handle | durable, heat-resistant parts like enclosures and automotive components printed in a controlled chamber |
Settings are starting points. The full settings cheat sheet covers every material.
When to Choose PETG
PETG is the easier way to get a tough part. It flexes before it breaks, resists water and many chemicals, and prints well without an enclosure.
It handles heat to around 70°C, which covers most brackets, mounts and household parts.
When to Choose ABS
ABS keeps its shape at higher temperatures, around 90 to 100°C, which matters for parts near motors, inside cars in summer, or close to heat sources.
It sands and machines cleanly and can be vapor smoothed with acetone, which PETG cannot.
Printing Differences
ABS needs an enclosure and a hot bed to avoid warping and layer splitting, and it gives off fumes, so ventilation matters. PETG prints on an open machine but strings more and can bond too strongly to smooth PEI, so a glue stick release layer helps.
Both absorb some moisture from the air, and wet PETG strings badly, so dry it before long prints.
Cost Differences
Per kilogram the two are usually close, and sales swing it either way. The live prices on this page show where the two stand right now.
Cheapest PETG and ABS Spools
PETG vs ABS FAQ
Is PETG better than ABS?
For most people, yes: it is easier to print and tough enough for most functional parts. ABS wins when a part needs to handle more heat or be acetone smoothed.
Which is more heat resistant, PETG or ABS?
ABS. It holds its shape to around 90 to 100°C, compared with around 70°C for PETG.
Does PETG need an enclosure?
No. An enclosure can help with large parts in a cold room, but PETG prints well on open printers, unlike ABS.