3D printing filament guide
SUNLU PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA+ 2.0: Which Filament Should You Buy?
SUNLU sells three PLA tiers at almost the same price. Here is what separates SUNLU PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA+ 2.0, based on the maker's own listings.
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What is the difference between SUNLU PLA, PLA+ and PLA+ 2.0?
All three are 1.75 mm PLA filaments for standard FDM printers, sold on SUNLU's own store on 1 kg spools. The difference is the formulation. Standard PLA is the easy, glossy all-rounder. PLA+ adds modifiers aimed at toughness and layer adhesion. PLA+ 2.0 is the newer version of PLA+, which SUNLU positions as its most popular PLA and its toughest and fastest-printing one.
The practical gap is not ease of printing. It is how the part behaves after it comes off the bed.
Standard PLA can be brittle, so a thin clip or hook may snap under load. SUNLU's product listing says PLA+ reaches an impact strength of up to 8 kJ/m², while its article on PLA+ 2.0 cites 19.8 kJ/m². Those numbers come from different documents and test conditions, so treat them as marketing claims rather than a lab comparison. A retailer listing for PLA+ 2.0 quotes a lower figure of up to 10 kJ/m², which shows how much the numbers vary by source.
The three SUNLU PLA tiers at a glance
SUNLU PLA
From $10.29 / kg
- Nozzle 200–210 °C at 50–100 mm/s
- Up to 210–240 °C at 100–200 mm/s
- Glossy finish, beginner-friendly
Image: SUNLU
SUNLU PLA+
From $10.69 / kg
- Nozzle 195–205 °C at 50–100 mm/s
- 205–220 °C at up to 300 mm/s listed
- Impact strength up to 8 kJ/m² claimed
Image: SUNLU
SUNLU PLA+ 2.0
From $10.99 / kg
- Nozzle 195–205 °C at 50–100 mm/s
- 205–220 °C at 100–300 mm/s
- Toughest in the series per SUNLU
Image: SUNLU
Prices are the lowest listed US variant prices on SUNLU's store; colour and shipping options change the price (listings run up to about $14.50). Settings are from the product pages; always start from your printer's profile.
SUNLU PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA+ 2.0: comparison table
| Feature | PLA | PLA+ | PLA+ 2.0 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (1 kg) | $10.29 | $10.69 | $10.99 |
| Positioning | Decorative, prototypes | Light functional parts | Functional and decorative |
| Claimed toughness | Baseline, can be brittle | Impact up to 8 kJ/m² | 19.8 kJ/m² (SUNLU article) |
| Max speed in settings | 100–200 mm/s | Up to 300 mm/s | Up to 300 mm/s |
| Diameter / accuracy | 1.75 mm ±0.02 mm | 1.75 mm ±0.02 mm | 1.75 mm ±0.02 mm |
| Spool | "Neatly wound" spool on all three, per SUNLU | ||
SUNLU's own articles list slightly different accuracy and speed figures for some tiers, so check the specific product page for the colour you want.
Compare prices on SUNLU's storeIs SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 worth the extra money?
At roughly 60–70 cents per kilogram more than basic PLA, the upgrade is cheap insurance for anything that has to survive handling: tool holders, brackets, phone stands, snap-fit enclosures. Over a 10 kg order that is under $7 extra. If you only print figurines or desk ornaments that sit on a shelf, plain PLA is perfectly fine and its glossy finish suits display models.
One caution: toughness claims in SUNLU's marketing are not independent test results. A forum comment found in our research says people notice a difference between PLA+ and PLA+ 2.0, but that is a single opinion. If your part is safety-relevant or load-bearing, do not rely on filament marketing alone, and consider a material designed for higher temperatures such as PETG; PLA of any kind softens at modest heat.
Who should pick which?
Pick PLA if
- You print display pieces and toys.
- You want the lowest price per spool.
- You like a glossy surface.
Pick PLA+ if
- You need slightly tougher parts.
- You want a matte-leaning, smoother finish.
- You find a PLA+ colour on sale.
Pick PLA+ 2.0 if
- Parts get dropped, flexed or handled.
- You print fast on a modern printer.
- You want one filament for most jobs.
Strengths on paper
- All three share the 1.75 mm size and a ±0.02 mm listed tolerance, so they run on almost any FDM printer.
- Prices sit within about $0.70 of each other, which makes upgrading a low-risk choice.
- SUNLU publishes temperature and speed ranges on each product page.
Watch-outs
- Toughness numbers are manufacturer claims with inconsistent figures across sources.
- Prices vary by colour, bundle and shipping region, and the cheapest variants may not be the colour you want.
- Keep filament dry; a drier is a better investment than a pricier spool if prints turn stringy.
FAQ
What is the difference between PLA and PLA+?
PLA+ is a modified PLA with additives that SUNLU says improve toughness and layer bonding. It prints much like standard PLA but is less brittle, according to the maker.
Is SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 better than PLA+?
SUNLU presents 2.0 as the upgraded version with higher claimed impact strength and support for speeds up to 300 mm/s. The price difference is small, but the claims are not independently verified here.
What temperature should I print SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 at?
SUNLU recommends 195–205 °C at 50–100 mm/s and 205–220 °C for 100–300 mm/s. Fine-tune with a temperature tower on your own printer.
Does SUNLU PLA work on a Bambu Lab printer?
SUNLU says its filament works with Bambu Lab, Prusa, Creality and most 1.75 mm FDM printers, and mentions dedicated PLA+ 2.0 profiles in Bambu Studio.
Do I need an enclosure for SUNLU PLA?
No. SUNLU states PLA+ 2.0 needs no enclosure and prints on a 50–60 °C heated bed.
Related on PickNexo
- SUNLU store review: filament and dryers
- QIDI Q2 vs Plus 4: which enclosed 3D printer fits your workshop
- Best QIDI 3D printers: which one to buy
- PureMind3D review
- More PickNexo buying guides
Sources
- SUNLU: PLA+ vs PLA comparison
- SUNLU: why PLA+ 2.0 is the most popular PLA
- SUNLU PLA 1 kg product page
- SUNLU PLA+ 1 kg product page
- SUNLU PLA+ 2.0 1 kg product page
- 3DJake PLA+ 2.0 listing (retailer, for context)
PickNexo has not tested these products hands-on; this article summarises official information and reputable reports. Some links are affiliate links, which may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.