SUNLU S1 Plus vs Sovol SH02: which filament dryer is the smarter buy?

Display

Winner: Sovol SH02

This is a straight win for the Sovol on usability. It has a touch screen and one-key set controls, which makes it feel more modern and easier to interact with day to day. The SUNLU S1 Plus is designed to be simple and portable, but that usually means a more basic interface and less of the polished “set it and forget it” feel. If you want a dryer that looks and behaves like a more premium appliance, the Sovol takes the point.

Performance

Winner: Tie, with a slight edge to Sovol for control

Both products are built to do the same core job: reduce moisture in filament so prints come out cleaner, with fewer pops, less stringing, and more consistent extrusion. The SUNLU S1 Plus has a fan-assisted drying approach, which is a proven, practical design for everyday PLA, PETG, ABS, Nylon, and TPU. The Sovol SH02 uses a PTC heater, which is generally associated with more controlled heating and a more appliance-like drying experience. In real maker terms, both should handle common spools well, but the Sovol’s heater system and touchscreen controls suggest a bit more refinement. That said, neither product has a clear, evidence-backed advantage in raw drying power from the data provided, so this is close.

Build quality and design

Winner: Sovol SH02

The Sovol SH02 is explicitly marketed as a sealed storage box and spool holder as well as a dryer, which is a big practical advantage for anyone who wants to keep filament dry between prints rather than drying it in a separate box and then moving it around. The sealed design should help protect the spool from ambient UK humidity, which is a very real problem in garages, sheds, and spare rooms. The SUNLU S1 Plus is portable and easy to use, which is great, but it sounds more like a straightforward dryer than a more complete storage solution. For makers who want one box to dry and then keep filament protected, Sovol feels better thought through.

Battery life

Winner: Not applicable / tie

Neither of these products is battery-powered, so battery life is not a meaningful comparison. In practical workshop use, what matters more is whether the unit can run reliably for long enough to dry a spool properly and whether it stays easy to use while doing so. On that basis, both are in the same category: mains-powered filament care tools, not cordless gadgets.

Price and value for money

Winner: SUNLU S1 Plus

This is where the SUNLU makes its strongest argument. At £42.99, it is £17 cheaper than the Sovol at £59.99, and both have the same 4.3/5 rating. The SUNLU also has the stronger review count, with 1,062 reviews versus 687 for the Sovol, which gives it a bit more confidence from the market. If you want the best value per pound and don’t need the extra polish of the Sovol’s interface and sealed-box design, the SUNLU is the more sensible buy. For many hobbyists, that £17 saved can go toward another spool of filament, which is often the more useful upgrade.

Game library/features

Winner: Sovol SH02

Obviously these are not game devices, but if we translate this category into features and flexibility, the Sovol wins. It supports 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm filament, has a touch screen, one-key setup, PTC heating, and a sealed storage-box style design. The SUNLU S1 Plus is more basic and focused on doing the drying job simply, which is fine, but it lacks the same feature depth. If you like having more control and a more complete “dry and store” solution, the Sovol has the richer feature set.

Overall user experience

Winner: SUNLU S1 Plus for simplicity, Sovol SH02 for premium feel

This is the closest thing to a split decision, but for most buyers the SUNLU is easier to recommend. It is cheaper, well-reviewed, and likely to do the job without overcomplicating things. The Sovol is the more premium-feeling product, with better controls and a more versatile sealed-box design, but you are paying extra for that experience. If you’re the sort of maker who values straightforward practicality, the SUNLU will feel like the better everyday tool. If you want a more polished, feature-rich unit and don’t mind paying more, the Sovol is the nicer piece of kit.

Overall summary: both are solid choices with identical star ratings, but they suit different priorities. The SUNLU S1 Plus is the better value and the safer default recommendation for most 3D printer owners. The Sovol SH02 is the better pick if you want touch-screen convenience, sealed storage, and a more premium feature set. In short: buy SUNLU for value, buy Sovol for features.