ABS is generally very durable and strong, slightly flexible and quite resistant to heat.When it comes to cost, ABS is the cheapest plastic of the three filament types analysed and until recently was the favourite material of the 3D printing community. The material is suitable for a very large variety of purposes, especially as it can easily be sanded and painted.

PLA is a biodegradable thermoplastic which is derived from renewable resources. This makes of PLA the most environmentally friendly solution. PLA is tough, but a little brittle, once it has cooled down. Its temperature threshold is lower than the one of ABS, as PLA is normally extruded around 160°C-220°C. But PLA is generally considered to be the easiest material to work with, when you first start printing.

PVA is a special plastic that is water-soluble.  PVA is used in printers with dual or multiple-extruders, in order to provide a support structure to an object with overhang issues. Disadvantages of PVA include its high price and quite difficult sourcing.