The Comgrow SH02 and Sovol SH01 are genuine alternatives for the same buyer: someone who wants to dry two filament spools at once without dedicating half the bench to a four-spool station. Their capacity is similar, but their priorities are not.
The Comgrow SH02 is the stronger pick when temperature range, faster heating, presets, and a more informative control panel matter. The Sovol SH01 is the simpler budget option for ordinary PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, and ASA workflows where 40-50 C drying and two-spool capacity solve the problem.
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Quick answer
Choose the Comgrow SH02 if you regularly recover wetter PETG or TPU, want extra temperature headroom for occasional nylon or polycarbonate, or prefer presets and a larger touch display. Its listed 40-70 C range gives it a meaningfully wider material lane than the Sovol.
Choose the Sovol SH01 if price is the deciding factor and your real need is drying two everyday spools together. It remains the more economical route for common-material users who do not need 70 C capability or a newer interface.
Comgrow SH02 vs Sovol SH01 at a glance
| Decision | Comgrow SH02 | Sovol SH01 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Two spools | Two spools |
| Listed temperature range | 40-70 C | 40-50 C |
| Best fit | Broader materials and stronger moisture recovery | Low-cost drying for common filaments |
| Controls | 3.9-inch touch display and material presets | Simpler heat and timer controls |
| Main tradeoff | Costs more than the basic budget lane | Lower heat ceiling limits serious engineering-material recovery |
Those temperature figures come from the stored product listings. They describe the controls, not a guarantee that every point inside a loaded box stays at the displayed temperature. Spool size, room temperature, airflow, and how tightly filament is wound can all affect real drying performance.
Why the Comgrow SH02 is the stronger dryer
The SH02's clearest advantage is its 40-70 C range. Fifty degrees is useful for common materials, but badly saturated nylon and polycarbonate generally need more heat than an entry-level dryer can provide. The Comgrow at least reaches the temperature lane where occasional engineering-material recovery becomes plausible.
Its stored specifications also list 150 W PTC surround heating, a manufacturer-claimed warm-up time of seven minutes to 50 C and 25 minutes to 70 C, presets for nine filament families, and support for both 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm filament. The 3.9-inch touch panel is a practical advantage when you change materials often and do not want to remember a separate setting for every spool.
- better choice for a mixed-material bench
- more useful for wetter PETG and TPU that need an intentional recovery cycle
- extra heat headroom for occasional PA or PC work
- better control experience for makers who rotate through many filament families
The SH02 also uses print-from-box outlets and a triple-ring sealing design. That makes it useful as a feed-through box after drying, although it should not be treated as permanent sealed storage. Once the heater is off, long-term moisture control still depends on the seal, ambient humidity, and whether dry desiccant is present.
Why the Sovol SH01 still makes sense
The SH01 wins by keeping the purchase focused. If you print mostly PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, or ASA and want to recover two spools without buying two single-spool dryers, its two-spool format solves the capacity problem directly.
Its 40-50 C lane is best viewed as everyday moisture management. It is suitable for maintaining PLA, helping PETG and TPU, and warming common spools before or during printing. It is less convincing for a soaked engineering-material spool, but many users never print those materials in the first place.
- better fit when budget matters more than maximum temperature
- simple choice for two frequently used PLA or PETG spools
- useful for a small print farm that needs cheap dual-spool capacity
- easier to justify when hotter materials are not part of the plan
The important point is not to pay for a 70 C ceiling just because it sounds better. If your spools need only mild, recurring drying, the cheaper Sovol can do the more economically sensible job.
Which dryer is better for PETG and TPU?
The Comgrow SH02 is the stronger recovery tool; the Sovol SH01 is the stronger value tool. PETG and TPU can both absorb enough moisture to cause stringing, popping, rough surfaces, and inconsistent extrusion. A warmer, well-circulated cycle can help when the spool is genuinely wet, which favors the SH02.
For keeping already-dry spools usable during ordinary printing, the SH01 can be enough. TPU buyers should also check that the chosen filament outlet creates a gentle feed path. A dry box cannot compensate for tight bends, excess drag, or a long unsupported run into the extruder.
Which dryer is better for nylon and polycarbonate?
Comgrow SH02, with realistic expectations. Its 70 C maximum is much closer to the useful range for hygroscopic engineering filaments. The SH01's 50 C ceiling is better suited to holding or lightly maintaining a spool than recovering seriously wet nylon.
Some nylon and PC formulations need drying conditions beyond what either consumer box can reliably provide. Always follow the filament manufacturer's temperature and duration guidance, confirm that the spool itself tolerates the heat, and do not assume one preset fits every formulation.
Print-from-box use and spool fit
Both dryers make their strongest practical case when the spool stays protected while feeding the printer. Before ordering, measure the widest and tallest spools you actually own and compare them with the current listing. Two-spool capacity usually assumes ordinary 1 kg rolls; wide cardboard spools, oversized rolls, and unusually large hubs can change the fit.
Also inspect the whole path from the outlet to the extruder. Keep it short, supported, and free of sharp turns. For direct-drive TPU printing, feed resistance can matter as much as the dryer's temperature setting.
What neither dryer replaces
A dryer recovers or maintains filament; it does not automatically provide ideal long-term storage. After a drying cycle, move unused rolls into a genuinely sealed box or bag with refreshed desiccant. A small hygrometer can confirm whether the storage environment stays dry instead of making you guess.
Neither product fixes contamination, a worn nozzle, poor retraction settings, heat creep, or inconsistent extrusion hardware. If a properly dried spool still prints badly, troubleshoot the rest of the system rather than extending the drying cycle indefinitely.
Our verdict
The Comgrow SH02 is the better dual-spool dryer overall. Its 40-70 C range, PTC surround heating, material presets, touch display, and broader filament support justify choosing it when drying performance matters more than reaching the lowest purchase price.
The Sovol SH01 is the better budget buy. It is a credible alternative for makers who print common materials, need two-spool capacity, and would rather spend less than pay for high-temperature capability they may never use.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Comgrow SH02 worth paying more for?
It is worth it when you need temperatures above 50 C, rotate through several material types, or value presets and a larger display. For two ordinary PLA or PETG spools, the Sovol can be the better value.
Can both dryers hold two 1 kg spools?
Both are sold in the dual-spool lane. Spool dimensions vary, so verify the current listing against your widest real spools before buying.
Can I print directly from either dryer?
Both are intended for bench-side drying and feed-through use. Keep the outlet path smooth and verify that routing does not add excessive drag, especially with flexible filament.
Do I still need sealed storage?
Yes, for rolls that will sit unused. Dry first, then store the spool in a well-sealed container with refreshed desiccant and a hygrometer if repeatable humidity control matters.