Articles
Buying guides, methodology explainers, and deal breakdowns. Updated as our pricing data and editor notes evolve.
- Beginner's Guide to Buying Filament
New to 3D printing filament? Learn how to choose the right material, compare price per kg, and find the best deals across PLA, PETG, ABS, and more.
- Best Value PLA Under $15/kg
A data-driven look at the best PLA filament deals under $15 per kilogram, updated from live cross-store pricing on SpoolIndex.
- Best Budget 3D Printing Filament: What the Price Data Shows
We track filament prices daily across dozens of brands. Here's what the data says about which budget filaments deliver real value -- and which "deals" aren't worth it.
- PLA vs PETG: Which 3D Printing Filament Should You Buy?
A practical, data-backed breakdown of the two most popular 3D printing filaments -- when to use each, what they cost, and how to get the best deal.
- How to Store and Dry 3D Printing Filament
Wet filament ruins prints. Here's how to tell if your filament has absorbed moisture, how to dry it by material type, and how to store it so it stays printable.
- Best PLA Deals, Explained
How SpoolIndex ranks PLA deals and what buyers should actually compare.
- How to Spot a Real Filament Deal (and Avoid Fake Sale Prices)
Inflated MSRPs, stale stock, and “door-buster” single-color drops trick filament buyers every week. A 60-second checklist for telling real deals from theater.
- ABS vs ASA Filament: Cost, UV Resistance, and When Each One Wins (2026)
ASA typically costs 30 to 50 percent more per kg than ABS, but it is the right call for anything that lives outside or in direct sun. For enclosed indoor parts, ABS is still the better value.
- PLA vs PETG vs ABS: Cost and Use-Case Guide (2026)
PLA is almost always the cheapest of the three, PETG sits in the middle, and ABS swings the widest. But the right pick is the one that matches your part, not just the lowest sticker price per kg.