Filament Dryer Showdown: Creality Space Pi Plus vs Sovol SH02

Key Highlights

Temperature Performance: Space Pi Plus reaches slightly higher temperatures (up to 75°C) compared to the SH02 (up to 70°C), but the SH02 heats up faster with its 150W PTC heater
User Interface: Both feature touch screens with preset filament options, with Space Pi Plus offering presets for 12 filament types versus SH02's 9 filament types
Design and Build: Both support dual-spool capacity, but the SH02 features a triple-seal system for superior moisture protection

Design and Build Comparison

The Creality Space Pi Plus and Sovol SH02 are both designed to solve a common 3D printing problem: moisture absorption in filaments. Their design philosophies, however, show subtle but important differences that might affect your decision.

Creality Space Pi Plus Design

The Space Pi Plus features a sleek, modern design with dimensions of approximately 343 x 226 x 300 mm, providing a good balance between capacity and desktop footprint. It's engineered to hold two filament spools simultaneously, making it ideal for users who frequently switch between materials or need continuous printing with different filaments. The device includes compartments specifically designed for silica gel packets to enhance moisture absorption during the drying process.

Sovol SH02 Design

The Sovol SH02 similarly supports dual 1kg spools but places greater emphasis on its sealing system. It features a triple-seal design that effectively prevents environmental moisture from entering the drying chamber. The unit is built around a 150W PTC heating element that provides 360° surround heating for even temperature distribution. This design ensures consistent drying results regardless of where the filament is positioned within the chamber.

Build Quality Comparison

Both devices demonstrate solid construction, but user reviews suggest the Sovol SH02 particularly excels in its heating stability and consistent performance. The Space Pi Plus, while robustly built, focuses more on versatility with its comprehensive filament preset options.

Technical Specifications Face-Off

Understanding the technical differences between these two filament dryers helps identify which one might better suit your specific 3D printing needs.

Feature	Creality Space Pi Plus	Sovol SH02
Maximum Temperature	~75°C (based on standard Space Pi)	70°C
Heating Time	Not specifically documented	50°C in 7 minutes, 70°C in 25 minutes
Heating Technology	PTC heating with uniform distribution	150W PTC with 360° surround heating
Display	4-inch touchscreen	3.9-inch LCD touchscreen
Filament Presets	12 types (PLA, TPU, ABS, ASA, PETG, PC, PA, PET, PLA-CF, PETG-CF, PA-CF, and more)	9 types (PLA, TPU, PETG, ABS, ASA, PVA, PC, PA, PP)
Spool Capacity	Two spools	Two 1kg spools
Filament Diameter Support	1.75mm and 2.85mm	1.75mm and 2.85mm
Moisture Protection	Standard sealing with silica gel compartments	Triple-seal system
Approximate Price	$69.50-$75	$69-$99 (often on sale from $99.99)

Performance Analysis

While both dryers effectively remove moisture from filaments, their performance characteristics differ slightly. The Space Pi Plus has been reported to reduce moisture content significantly—one user noted a decrease from 58% to 15% moisture in six hours for a new spool of PETG. Meanwhile, the Sovol SH02's faster heating time means you can start printing with properly dried filament sooner, which is beneficial for urgent projects.

Energy Efficiency

Both units employ PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) heating technology, which provides self-regulating temperature control and is generally energy-efficient. The Sovol SH02's 150W heater might consume slightly more power during the initial heating phase but efficiently maintains temperature once reached.

User Interface and Ease of Use

The interface design significantly impacts the user experience, especially for those new to filament drying.

Creality Space Pi Plus Interface

The Space Pi Plus features a responsive 4-inch touchscreen that provides access to all drying settings. Its interface includes one-key temperature presets for 12 different filament types, making it exceptionally user-friendly for beginners and experienced users alike. The screen also displays current temperature and drying status.

Sovol SH02 Interface

With its 3.9-inch LCD touchscreen, the SH02 offers real-time monitoring of both temperature and humidity levels inside the chamber. This additional humidity reading provides valuable insight into the drying process that the Space Pi Plus doesn't offer. The interface includes presets for nine common filament types, slightly fewer than the Space Pi Plus but covering all the most commonly used materials.

Noise Levels

User experiences regarding noise levels vary for both devices. Some users report that the Sovol SH02 produces noticeable fan noise during operation, while others find it acceptably quiet. The Space Pi Plus is generally described as not being particularly loud, making it potentially better suited for home offices or spaces where noise might be a concern.

Performance Comparison Visualization

To help visualize the strengths and weaknesses of each filament dryer across multiple dimensions, the following radar chart compares their key performance attributes based on compiled user reviews and specifications. This should help you identify which device better aligns with your specific needs.

The radar chart illustrates that while both dryers perform admirably across all metrics, they each have distinct advantages. The Space Pi Plus excels in maximum temperature capabilities and filament preset options, while the SH02 stands out for its heating speed and moisture protection system.

Filament Compatibility and Material Handling

One of the most critical aspects of any filament dryer is how well it handles different materials, as various filaments require specific drying temperatures and times.

Creality Space Pi Plus Filament Compatibility

The Space Pi Plus is engineered to accommodate a wide range of filaments with its 12 preset options. Its slightly higher maximum temperature (around 75°C) makes it particularly suitable for engineering filaments like nylon that benefit from higher drying temperatures. The preset options include specialized settings for carbon fiber-reinforced materials (PLA-CF, PETG-CF, PA-CF), which are increasingly popular for functional prints.

Sovol SH02 Filament Compatibility

While offering fewer presets (9 types), the Sovol SH02 covers all commonly used filament types including hygroscopic materials like TPU, PETG, and nylon. Its maximum temperature of 70°C is sufficient for most filaments, though it falls slightly short of the Space Pi Plus for certain high-temperature materials. However, its triple-seal system provides excellent protection against ambient moisture, which is particularly beneficial for highly hygroscopic filaments like nylon and TPU.

Ideal Usage Scenarios

The Space Pi Plus might be the better choice for users who frequently work with specialty engineering filaments and require precise temperature control across a wider range of materials. The Sovol SH02, with its superior sealing and faster heating, would excel for users in humid environments who need quick preparation of standard filaments and prioritize long-term storage protection.

Visual Comparison

Let's take a look at both filament dryers to better understand their physical design and user interface differences.

Creality Space Pi Plus with its dual-spool capacity and touchscreen interface

Sovol SH02 showing its LCD touchscreen and dual-spool configuration

Sovol SH02's touchscreen interface displaying temperature controls and filament presets

Filament Dryer Decision Framework

To help visualize the decision-making process when choosing between these two filament dryers, here's a comprehensive mindmap outlining the key considerations and how each model addresses them:

mindmap root["Filament Dryer Selection"] Temperature Capabilities Space Pi Plus["Space Pi Plus: Up to 75°C
Better for engineering filaments"] SH02["SH02: Up to 70°C
Sufficient for most common materials"] Heating Performance Heating Speed["SH02: Faster heating
50°C in 7 min, 70°C in 25 min"] Heat Distribution["Both offer PTC heating
SH02 features 360° surround heating"] User Interface Space Pi Display["Space Pi Plus: 4-inch touchscreen"] SH02 Display["SH02: 3.9-inch LCD with humidity display"] Filament Compatibility Space Pi Presets["Space Pi Plus: 12 filament presets
Including CF-reinforced materials"] SH02 Presets["SH02: 9 filament presets
Covering most common materials"] Moisture Protection Standard Protection["Space Pi Plus: Standard sealing
Silica gel compartments"] Advanced Protection["SH02: Triple-seal system
Superior moisture barrier"] Price and Value Space Pi Price["Space Pi Plus: $69.50-$75"] SH02 Price["SH02: $69-$99
Often on sale from $99.99"] Use Cases Engineering["Space Pi Plus: Better for specialized materials"] Standard["SH02: Excellent for common filaments"] Humid Environments["SH02: Superior with triple-seal system"]

Expert Video Review

For a more detailed visual walkthrough of the Sovol SH02 filament dryer's capabilities, check out this comprehensive review that tests its actual performance and demonstrates its features:

This video provides an in-depth analysis of the Sovol SH02, including real-world testing of its moisture removal capabilities. The reviewer demonstrates how the dryer affects print quality and examines its build quality, making it a valuable resource for understanding this device's actual performance beyond specifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which filament dryer is better for highly hygroscopic filaments like nylon and TPU?

How do these dryers compare in terms of energy consumption?

Can these dryers be used during printing, and how do they connect to 3D printers?

What maintenance is required for these filament dryers?

How long does it typically take to properly dry different types of filament?

References

Creality Space Pi Filament Dryer Plus - Creality Official Store
Creality Space Pi Plus Filament Dryer Review - Gaming Trend
Sovol SH02 3D Printing Filament Dryer Box - Sovol Official
Sovol SH02 Dryer Review - Bambu Lab Community Forum
Creality Space Pi Plus Filament Dryer Discussion - Creality Forum
Sovol Filament Dryer Storage Box Dehydrator - Amazon UK
Creality Ender 3 V3 Speedy Bundle with Space PI Plus - Amazon