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The temperature measurement of the 3D printer might not precise, additionally the temperature measured is the temperature of the temperature sensor and not the bed or the nozzle. Temperature offsets to the recommended values from the filament manufacturers are therefore normal. Tests will give the optimal values for the printer.
PLA (Polylactic acid) has a glass-liquid transition temperature of 45-65°C where it changes into a reversible rubber state. At 150-160°C it starts to melt. At around 60° it gets soft and above it becomes almost liquid and flows therefore well out of the extruder. It is therefore the beginner material for 3D printing.
Since it is compost-able it is not very weather, heat and humidity resistant. It is not flexible (similar to glass) and therefore brakes easily and shows material fatigue.
Not all PLA is the same. Some is more flexible than others and some PLA is even suited for dishwashers. So when not happy with PLA try to choose PLA from an other manufacturer.
ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) has a glass-liquid transition temperature of 106-142°C. Lego blocks are made out of ABS. Datasheets don't specify a melting point since it does not get really liquid it gets more pulpy. It shrinks and therefore a heated bed of around 110°C is required otherwise the object falls off the bed during printing or gets bad wrapping. It is a little bit elastic and therefore does not break easily. It is much more robust against environmental impacts (sun light, dishwasher) than PLA.
PETG should behave as PLA for printing and then as ABS when printed. When printing it is sticky, so make sure the first layer sticks well on the bed otherwise everything will stick well around the nozzle.
Filament material is available that contains carbon fibers. For such material steel nozzles is recommended since brass nozzles would wear out.
Also elastic filament material is available that challenges the extruder feed (usually hobbled wheel. It is usually not suitable for a bowden extruder.
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