PLA vs HIPS
How PLA and HIPS compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PLA is easier to print and stiffer; HIPS is tougher and more heat resistant.
- HIPS typically prints about 25 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- HIPS typically prints about 40 °C hotter on the bed.
- HIPS is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 65 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 880 PLA filaments in 8,714 colours, and 15 HIPS filaments in 46 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| PLA | HIPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | Stiffer | |
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | ||
| Flexibility | ||
| Setup | No enclosure or special setup needed | Needs an enclosure, Needs ventilation |
| PLA | HIPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polylactic acid | High-impact polystyrene |
| Filaments listed | 880 | 15 |
| Brands | 145 | 12 |
| Colours | 8,714 | 46 |
| Nozzle temperature | 190–230 °C | 220–250 °C |
| Bed temperature | 50–70 °C | 90–110 °C |
| Density | 1.24 g/cm³ | 1.04 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 335 m | about 400 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
12 brands make both PLA and HIPS.
- Spectrum 36 PLA · 1 HIPS
- FormFutura 17 PLA · 1 HIPS
- Fiberlogy 13 PLA · 2 HIPS
- FilamentPM 12 PLA · 2 HIPS
- SMART MATERIALS 3D 12 PLA · 1 HIPS
- Nebula 9 PLA · 1 HIPS
- Gizmo Dorks 7 PLA · 2 HIPS
- Sakata 3D 8 PLA · 1 HIPS
- 3DXTech 5 PLA · 1 HIPS
- CC3D 4 PLA · 1 HIPS
- Devil Design 3 PLA · 1 HIPS
- Push Plastic 1 PLA · 1 HIPS