Is High-Speed PLA Worth It for Expedited 3D Printing?

When you run a 3D printing service focused on both quality and speed, like we do, every hour counts. Naturally, we’re always looking for ways to print faster without sacrificing print quality.

Upside Parts - Is High Speed PLA Worth It?

One of the questions we recently set out to answer is whether high-speed PLA filaments actually make a difference in real-world print times. There are now many filaments on the market labeled as “Rapid PLA,” “High-Speed PLA,” or “Hyper PLA,” and we wanted to test whether these names are more than just branding.

We conducted an experiment using different types of PLA: standard PLA, PLA Plus, and several high-speed variants. Our goal was simple — to determine if the high-speed options really deliver faster results.

Cost Comparison

First, let’s talk cost. At the time of this test (March 20, 2025), we found that high-speed PLA was only about one dollar more expensive per 1 kg spool compared to regular PLA.

Interestingly, it was still cheaper than most PLA Plus spools, based on standard retail pricing without discounts. So, if the speed claims were valid, the small price difference might be worth it.

Initial Testing Setup

To keep the test consistent, we used a widely recognized benchmark model — the 3DBenchy. This small, complex boat model is popular in the 3D printing community for evaluating printer performance. We sliced it using a standard slicer with default settings for each filament type.

Here’s where things got interesting. Most slicers adjust printing speed based on several factors, but one key variable stood out — maximum volumetric speed. This parameter controls how much material can be melted and extruded per second. In theory, high-speed PLA can handle higher volumetric speeds because it cools faster, meaning more material can be pushed through the nozzle in less time.

Real-World Performance on Small Prints

Despite the promise of faster throughput, in practice, the difference on smaller models like 3DBenchy was negligible. That’s because small, intricate prints tend to be limited by slower speeds on the first layers, outer walls, bridges, and overhangs — areas where precision is far more important than raw speed.

We printed two identical 3DBenchy models using standard PLA and a high-speed PLA, and the results were practically the same in both print time and quality.

Scaling Up the Test

We didn’t stop there. To truly see if high-speed PLA offers value, we moved to a much larger print that required around 1.3 kg of filament. This model took about 1 day and 12 hours with regular PLA, while the same print using high-speed PLA finished in 1 day and 8 hours — a time savings of approximately 4 hours.

While this doesn’t sound massive in isolation, it adds up if you’re printing multiple large models or running prints back to back. And when the cost difference is only about a dollar per spool, gaining 4 hours of printer time seems like a fair trade-off.

Our Conclusion on High Speed PLA

For small to medium prints, we found no significant speed advantage when using high-speed PLA. The slicer settings and print design simply don’t allow the higher volumetric speed to make a noticeable difference. In those cases, it’s better to choose your PLA based on print quality and price.

However, if you regularly print large, multi-hour models, the story changes. High-speed PLA can reduce total print time by several hours, making it a smart choice when efficiency is critical. The minimal price increase becomes a worthwhile investment when scaled across multiple long jobs.

We think that understanding how different materials affect your workflow is key. If you're looking for professional help, we offer FDM 3D printing service optimized for both speed and quality, and we’re always testing the latest materials to deliver the best results. You can also learn more about our full service offering for 3D printing in Boston MA on our main 3D printing service page.

Have you tested high-speed PLA yourself? We’d love to hear your results. And if you’re curious about what materials are best for your project, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to discuss 3D printing tasks.