If you have been using regular PLA and want stronger, tougher prints without the complexity of ABS or PETG, eSun PLA+ filament is the natural upgrade. eSun is one of the most trusted filament brands globally and particularly popular among Indian 3D printing enthusiasts for its consistent quality and good value. This review covers everything you need to know about PLA+ — what makes it different from standard PLA, how it performs in practice, print settings, the available colour range, and whether it is worth the premium over regular PLA.
Table of Contents
What Is eSun?
eSun (Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd.) was founded in 2002 and has grown to become one of the world’s largest filament manufacturers. The brand is known for rigorous quality control, consistent diameter tolerances (typically +-0.05mm across the spool), and a genuinely wide material range — from standard PLA and ABS to exotic composites like wood-fill, metal-fill, and high-temperature PEEK.
In India, eSun is available through select distributors and online stores including Zbotic.in. The brand’s reliability has earned it a loyal following among Indian FabLab operators, university makerspaces, drone builders, and hobbyists who print regularly and cannot afford the time wasted by inconsistent off-brand filament.
eSun’s most popular products in India are their PLA range (including standard, PLA+, and the distinctive translucent “glass” series), PETG, and flexible TPU. The PLA+ line is their premium everyday filament — a step up from standard PLA designed for users who need functional parts.
PLA vs PLA+: What Actually Changes?
Regular PLA is polylactic acid — a biopolymer with good stiffness and excellent print quality but notoriously brittle behaviour under impact. PLA+ modifies the base PLA polymer by adding impact modifiers and flexibilisers. The exact formula varies by manufacturer and is proprietary, but the results are consistently:
Improvements in PLA+ over standard PLA:
- Impact resistance: PLA+ absorbs significantly more energy before breaking. Where a standard PLA part might shatter if dropped, a PLA+ part of the same design will more often crack or dent without catastrophic failure.
- Flexibility (elongation at break): PLA+ can bend slightly before fracturing. This is crucial for snap-fit joints, tabs, and living hinges that standard PLA will crack immediately.
- Layer adhesion: The modified chemistry improves inter-layer bonding, making PLA+ parts noticeably stronger in the Z direction compared to standard PLA.
- Reduced brittleness in cold: Standard PLA becomes extremely brittle below 10-15C. PLA+ is more resilient at lower temperatures, relevant for parts shipped in winter or used in cold storage.
What PLA+ does NOT change:
- Heat resistance is similar to standard PLA (softens at 60-65C). PLA+ will still deform in a hot car in Indian summer.
- Print temperatures are essentially the same (slightly higher in some PLA+ variants).
- UV resistance is similar — prolonged outdoor sun exposure still causes yellowing.
- Biodegradability is retained in most formulations.
Think of PLA+ as “PLA for functional parts.” It is not a replacement for ABS or PETG in demanding applications, but it bridges a significant gap for everyday engineering prints.
Print Settings for eSun PLA+
eSun PLA+ prints very similarly to standard PLA, which is one of its biggest advantages. Here are the recommended settings as a starting point:
| Parameter | Setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Extruder temperature | 210-230C | 5-10C higher than standard PLA for better layer adhesion |
| Bed temperature | 55-65C | PEI or glass + adhesive work well |
| Print speed | 40-60mm/s | Can run at PLA speeds |
| Cooling fan | 80-100% | Good cooling improves overhang quality |
| Layer height | 0.15-0.25mm | 0.2mm is the standard for functional parts |
| Infill for strength | 40-60% | Gyroid or cubic infill pattern for isotropy |
| Retraction | 4-6mm (Bowden), 1-2mm (direct) | Similar to standard PLA |
One notable characteristic of eSun PLA+ is that it benefits from slightly higher extruder temperatures compared to standard PLA. Printing at 215-225C (vs 195-210C for standard PLA) significantly improves layer-to-layer adhesion and reduces the risk of layer separation in functional parts.
Strength and Durability
Published material property comparisons show eSun PLA+ outperforms standard PLA on most mechanical metrics:
- Tensile strength: Approximately 45-55 MPa — comparable to standard PLA
- Elongation at break: 15-25% — significantly better than standard PLA’s 3-6%
- Impact strength (Izod): 6-8 kJ/m2 — roughly 2x better than standard PLA
- Flexural strength: 80-90 MPa — slightly better than standard PLA
In practical use, the elongation and impact improvements are most noticeable. Parts that would snap instantly in standard PLA under a dropping or twisting load visibly deform and crack more gracefully in PLA+. For drone builders making battery straps, landing gear, camera mounts, and sensor brackets, this resilience makes a meaningful difference in field durability.
Colour Range and Translucent Options
eSun’s PLA+ range covers a comprehensive set of colours including standard opaque colours, silk metallic finishes, and their popular translucent (“glass”) series. The translucent PLA line is particularly distinctive — the glass-clear base catches light beautifully for decorative objects, LED lamp shades, and architectural models.
Popular translucent eSun PLA colours available at Zbotic.in:
Print Quality Assessment
In hands-on printing tests, eSun PLA+ consistently delivers:
Diameter consistency: eSun maintains tight diameter tolerances across the spool. Occasional cheap filaments have large diameter variations that cause under-extrusion in narrow sections and over-extrusion in thick sections. eSun’s consistency means you calibrate once and trust the results.
Spool winding: Tangles are a frustrating cause of failed prints. eSun uses careful machine winding that rarely causes tangles even near the end of the spool.
Layer adhesion: PLA+ at 220C shows notably better layer bonding than standard PLA at the same temperature. Cross-section fracture analysis shows cleaner, more complete bonding between adjacent extrusions.
Bridging: Good bridging performance up to about 50-60mm spans without supports, comparable to or slightly better than standard PLA due to the modified material properties.
Overhangs: Performs well up to 45-50 degrees without supports, slightly better than standard PLA due to the improved flexibility reducing layer separation on steep overhangs.
Value for Money in India
eSun PLA+ is priced at approximately Rs. 1,100-1,400 per kilogram spool in India depending on the retailer and colour. This is 15-25% more expensive than generic or budget PLA but significantly less than premium brands like Polymaker or Bambu Lab.
For Indian buyers, the value proposition is strong because:
- Failed print rates are lower with consistent diameter filament — each failure wastes 50-200g of material
- The improved toughness reduces part replacements for functional applications
- eSun stocks reliable quantities and colours throughout the year — you can depend on the same filament for repeat production
The only scenario where budget PLA makes more sense is decorative printing where mechanical properties do not matter and you are willing to tune settings for each different roll.
eSun PLA+ vs Competitors
| Brand | Diameter Tolerance | India Price/kg | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSun PLA+ | +-0.05mm | Rs. 1,100-1,400 | Good (Zbotic.in) |
| Bambu Lab PLA | +-0.03mm | Rs. 1,800-2,200 | Limited |
| Polymaker PLA Pro | +-0.05mm | Rs. 1,400-1,800 | Limited |
| Numakers PLA | +-0.1mm | Rs. 800-1,100 | Good |
| Generic/unbranded | Varies widely | Rs. 500-800 | Widely available |
What Is eSun PLA+ Best For?
- Drone and RC accessories: Camera mounts, battery straps, antenna holders, prop guards — parts that take occasional knocks
- Educational models: Functional moving mechanisms for classroom or competition projects
- Consumer product prototypes: Cases, handles, knobs, and housings that need to survive handling and demonstrate product feel
- Light-duty brackets and clips: Cable management, pipe clips, wall mounts that see bending loads
- Artistic and decorative prints: The translucent series is stunning for display pieces, lamps, and architectural models
- Student projects: When the part needs to survive a demonstration or examination without breaking
eSun PLA+ is not the best choice for: outdoor UV-exposed parts (use ASA), high-temperature environments above 60C (use PETG or ABS), high-impact structural applications (use PETG or Nylon), or extremely flexible parts (use TPU).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use eSun PLA+ in any FDM printer?
Yes. eSun PLA+ works in any FDM printer with a heated bed — Ender 3, Bambu Lab, Prusa, CR-10, and any comparable printer. The settings are close to standard PLA so if your printer handles PLA well, it will handle PLA+ with minor adjustments.
Is PLA+ really stronger than PLA?
It is tougher rather than simply stronger. Tensile strength is similar, but impact resistance and elongation at break are significantly improved. For parts that see dynamic loads, drops, or bending, the difference is meaningful and noticeable.
Do I need to dry eSun PLA+ before printing?
If the spool has been stored sealed and opened recently, no. If it has been sitting open in a humid environment (particularly in coastal or monsoon India), dry at 45-50C for 4-6 hours. Signs of moisture: popping sounds, rough surface, bubbles in layers.
What is the difference between eSun PLA and eSun PLA+?
Standard eSun PLA prints at 195-210C and is ideal for decorative, detail-focused prints. eSun PLA+ prints at 210-230C, has better impact resistance, improved layer adhesion, and slightly more flexibility. For functional parts, always choose PLA+. For detailed display models where appearance is primary, standard PLA may give marginally sharper detail.
Shop eSun Filaments at Zbotic.in
Browse the full eSun range including PLA, PLA+, PETG, translucent, and specialty filaments — in stock and available for fast delivery across India.
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