Cheapest PCTG Filament Right Now
Live per-kg prices for PCTG across the retailers we track, the tougher, clearer cousin of PETG. Updated daily.
Last updated: June 2026
PCTG is the tougher, clearer upgrade to PETG. It’s a glycol-modified copolyester that prints at PETG-like temperatures and difficulty, but with higher impact strength, better layer adhesion and (often) less stringing. If you like PETG but wish it were a bit stronger and cleaner, PCTG is the natural step up, with no enclosure and no exotic hardware.
PCTG at a glance
PCTG sits between PETG and the engineering materials: easy to print like PETG, but tougher and clearer. It’s a strong all-rounder for functional parts that don’t need high heat resistance.
Same ballpark as PETG. A standard hotend is fine.
Sticks well; watch for over-adhesion on smooth PEI (use a release agent).
Warps very little, like PETG. Open-frame printers are fine.
Similar to PETG. Not a high-heat material; for that, see ASA/PC.
Higher impact strength + better layer adhesion than PETG. The main reason to buy it.
Clearer than PETG when printed transparent, good for light-transmitting parts.
Tends to string less than PETG once tuned, a common pleasant surprise.
If you can print PETG, you can print PCTG. Often a touch easier.
PCTG vs PETG: the actual decision
PETG and PCTG are close relatives, and for many prints either works. The differences that matter: PCTG is tougher (higher impact strength, better Z-axis layer adhesion), clearer when printed transparent, and usually strings less. PETG is cheaper and far more widely stocked in every colour.
Pick PCTG for functional parts that take impact or flex, or where you want maximum clarity. Pick PETG when cost and colour choice matter most and standard toughness is fine. Neither handles heat past ~70°C; for that, step up to ASA or PC. Browse both side by side on the deals page.
The everyday choice: a standard 1kg spool of PCTG for functional prints that need more toughness than PETG. These are the live best-value 1kg options across the retailers we track.
If you print PCTG regularly, larger spools usually drop the per-kg price. These are the live 3kg and 5kg options. Check your spool holder clears the larger diameter before buying.
The single best-value PCTG across every retailer and region we track, sorted by real cost per kg. Region-aware, so switch regions in the nav to see your local pricing.
Picking PCTG by what you’re printing
PCTG’s headline strength is toughness. Brackets, clips, enclosures and mechanical parts that get knocked or flexed survive better than in PETG, thanks to higher impact strength and stronger layer bonding.
PCTG prints clearer than PETG, making it a good pick for light pipes, covers and translucent housings. Clarity improves with dry filament, slower speeds and thicker walls.
If PETG is already your default, PCTG is a low-risk upgrade: same workflow, a little more strength and less stringing. The trade-off is price and narrower colour availability.
Common PCTG pitfalls
Like PETG, PCTG can bond too well to smooth PEI and chip the plate when removing parts. Use a glue-stick release layer, a textured plate, or let the bed cool fully before lifting.
PCTG strings less than PETG when dry, but moisture brings it back along with surface bubbling. Dry at ~65°C for 4-6h if a spool has been open a while.
PCTG softens around 70°C, same as PETG. Don’t use it for car interiors in summer or parts near heat; that’s ASA/PC territory.
When PCTG isn’t the right answer
SpoolHound aggregates PCTG filament prices from multiple retailers daily and normalises every listing to cost per kg. We don’t test filament; we track what things cost and surface the live cheapest in-stock option. Prices update every 24 hours; click through to the retailer to confirm the live checkout price.