ELEGOO Rapid PLA Plus Filament Review: High-Speed 3D Printing

ELEGOO's Rapid PLA Plus Filament arrives on a cardboard spool, a design choice aiming for sustainability. While most owners find the winding neat and tangle-free, a recurring observation notes that some cardboard spools can arrive warped or become problematic during use. This may affect compatibility with certain automatic material systems (AMS) without additional plastic reinforcement rings, as some users of Bambu Labs AMS2 Pro systems have noted. The filament itself maintains a consistent 1.75mm diameter, with manufacturers claiming a tight +/- 0.02mm accuracy, which owners confirm contributes to smooth feeding and consistent extrusion.

Owners consistently report the ELEGOO Rapid PLA Plus as an easy-to-use filament. Many describe it as "plug-and-play," indicating minimal calibration is required to achieve successful prints. It performs well straight from the package, often without needing prior drying, which simplifies the setup process. For those using ELEGOO's own slicer software, default settings are noted to be well-configured, yielding good results without extensive parameter adjustments. This ease of integration makes it accessible for both experienced users and those newer to 3D printing.

This filament consistently delivers strong performance, particularly when paired with high-speed printers like the Neptune 4, K1, and Bambu Labs X1C. Owners report successful printing at speeds up to 550mm/s, with some even pushing towards 600mm/s without quality degradation. Key performance attributes include excellent layer adhesion, minimal stringing or warping, and enhanced strength compared to standard PLA, making it suitable for functional parts. Prints exhibit good dimensional accuracy and a smooth finish, though some specific color variations, such as white, are described as less shiny than other PLAs. A few isolated reports mention cosmetic issues, such as black spots within white filament, which Elegoo's customer service has addressed.

While ELEGOO produces its own slicer software, user feedback indicates the Rapid PLA Plus is compatible with a wide range of 3D printers and software ecosystems. Users successfully employ it with Bambu Labs printers, Voron 2.4, and Ender 3 series machines at various speeds. The filament's characteristics, such as good adhesion and consistent extrusion, contribute to its versatility across different printer profiles and settings. Its performance with support materials, such as Bambu Labs PLA support material, also receives positive mentions, indicating broad compatibility within existing printing workflows.

The ELEGOO Rapid PLA Plus is frequently cited as offering excellent value for its price, often falling in the sub-$20 range. Owners repeatedly emphasize its reliability, noting consistent prints across numerous spools with minimal failures. In instances where manufacturing defects, such as tangled spools or cosmetic flaws, did occur, ELEGOO's customer service receives consistent praise for its swift and effective resolution, including replacing faulty products. This strong customer support enhances the overall value proposition and builds user confidence, turning initial frustrations into positive experiences.