SUNLU PLA Plus Filament 1.75mm Grey 1KG, Neatly Wound 3D Printer Filament 1.75mm, PLA+ 1000g, Dimensional Accuracy +/- 0.02 mm, Fit Most FDM 3D Printers, 1kg Spool (2.2lbs), Grey

Polylactic Acid (PLA) filament is one of the most popular materials for 3D printing, particularly among hobbyists, educators, and even professionals. Known for its ease of use and eco-friendly properties, PLA offers a wide range of benefits while presenting some limitations. Here’s an in-depth review based on my experience.Advantages of PLA Filament1. Ease of UsePLA is often the go-to material for beginners because of its forgiving nature. It melts at relatively low temperatures (typically 190-220°C), which reduces the risk of clogging the extruder. It also adheres well to a variety of build surfaces, often without the need for a heated bed or adhesives, making it beginner-friendly.2. Eco-FriendlyPLA is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, making it biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. For those mindful of environmental impact, it’s a more sustainable choice compared to petroleum-based filaments like ABS.3. Minimal OdorUnlike some filaments that release harsh fumes, PLA emits a mild, often sweet smell during printing. This makes it ideal for use in home or classroom environments where ventilation might be limited.4. High Detail and AestheticsPLA excels in producing fine details and smooth surfaces, making it an excellent choice for decorative items, prototypes, or models where visual appeal is the priority. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, including transparent and specialty blends like silk, marble, and metallic.5. CompatibilityPLA works well with most desktop FDM/FFF 3D printers without requiring any special modifications. This wide compatibility contributes to its popularity.Drawbacks of PLA Filament1. Brittleness and Limited StrengthWhile PLA has decent tensile strength, it’s more brittle than alternatives like ABS or PETG. It’s not well-suited for parts subject to mechanical stress, high impact, or flexing.2. Heat SensitivityPLA has a relatively low glass transition temperature (around 60°C), meaning it can warp or soften in hot environments. This makes it unsuitable for outdoor applications or parts exposed to direct sunlight.3. Limited DurabilityOver time, PLA can degrade, especially in humid environments. While this might be a benefit for eco-conscious users, it limits the lifespan of parts used in functional applications.4. Post-Processing ChallengesWhile PLA is easy to print, post-processing can be tricky. It doesn’t sand as smoothly as ABS, and its heat sensitivity can make tasks like drilling or machining challenging.Applications of PLAEducational Projects: Ideal for classroom use due to its safety and ease of printing.Prototypes and Models: Great for visually appealing prototypes or concept models.Artistic Creations: Excellent for decorative items, sculptures, and toys.Rapid Prototyping: Good for low-stress applications where time and cost are priorities.Tips for Optimal Printing with PLACooling: Use active cooling (e.g., a part cooling fan) for better overhangs and sharp details.Storage: Keep PLA in a dry, sealed container with desiccants to prevent moisture absorption.Temperature Settings: Start at the manufacturer’s recommended temperature and adjust based on results.Layer Adhesion: If printing larger parts, use a heated bed (40-60°C) or adhesives for better layer bonding.Final VerdictPLA filament remains a cornerstone of 3D printing due to its user-friendliness, aesthetic appeal, and eco-conscious benefits. While it has limitations in strength, heat resistance, and durability, these shortcomings are often outweighed by its affordability and versatility, particularly for non-functional applications.Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, PLA is a reliable choice for many projects, and its wide variety of blends and finishes ensures there’s a PLA filament for nearly every creative vision.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:I tried Sunlu brand iny 3D printers after reading other reviews. I am quite happy with the product and have never had any issues with the brand. It prints well out of the box and calibration is very easy and reliable close to the recommended settings by Sunlu. I have almost every color of their PLA filament and the basics of PETG. Will definitely be keeping Sunlu as my main source of filament!Consistency:Settings between every roll of the same type are extremely similar no matter what color I choose. The silk PLA like to run real close to the recommended settings on both my Flashforge and Prusa printers.

The transparent PLA was a little challenging to get tuned right. The most important thing is it requires a lot of cooling otherwise the overhangs will look terrible. For my Bambu P1S I had to make extra sure to open the door and crack the lid and set the aux fan on max. Once everything was dialed in, though, it was really nice. The layer adhesion was excellent and the results were very strong. I printed quite a lot of this for Toys for Tots last year and plan to buy more this year.

I've tried various different filaments in my Bambu A1 since I got it just over a year ago. Now, over 4000 printing hours later, the one filament that I keep coming back to for consistently excellent results is Sunlu PLA+. I've had less stringing and more consistent print quality with easier setup using Sunlu filament than I have with anything else. I've also had less color variation between rolls, even if they were ordered at different times. I'll keep coming back to Sunlu because of the consistency and positive results.

This is the first spool of Sunlu filament I purchased, for the most part it printed well. I had 2 failures, one being an adhesion issue with a print that caused it to warp, though that might have been my plate needing cleaned.The reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 was that towards the end of my spool I had a failure where there was an inconsistency / lump in the filament that jammed my feeder and I had to take it apart to get it out.Other than that it was been working well, using it with a Bambu Lab P1SI will definitely be trying some more of this filament and will update / make more reviews on it in the future as I see fit.

I've had minimal issues with using this filament, less projects messing up which by extension means less waste. Depending on how/where you're printer is setup i would recommend putting a bar of some sort to hang the filament spool above the printer since its about 6 inches wide and might not fit on the filament holder attached to the printer itself

Sunlu filaments are well reviewed online and are known for being good quality and good pricing. I tried the light wood and it matches really well with my office organization project. The giid quality, easy to print filament worked out great for my project. I didn't experience any failed prints with this filament, not did I get any stringing. Adhesion to the bed plate was excellent.Why did you pick this product vs others?:Z

This filament works just fine in our Bambu A1 Mini printer and is a very nice shade of purple. The only issue I'm having is I printed some tiny drawer knobs to glue onto some little plastic drawers, and no matter what kind of super glue I try, they won't stick. My guess is because this is not a matte filament so it's just not at all porous to grab the glue. But other than this super minor issue, this filament has been working great and works perfectly in our printer.