10 Best & Highly-Rated Filament Dryers and Dry Boxes for 2024
3D printing relies on quality filament to produce flawless prints. This guide will cover the benefits of filament dryers and how they maintain optimal material conditions.
I. Why Proper Filament Storage is Crucial
Many users don’t realize how drastically moisture impacts 3D printing results until switching to a dryer. Absorbed water causes:
- Weakened Layer Adhesion – Water prevents layers from bonding correctly, which leads to splits and fractures.
- Stringing and Blobbing – Popping moisture creates strings, and globs in the extrusion path.
- Clogged Nozzles – Hygroscopic swelling blocks the tiny nozzle opening, which halts extrusion.
- Shrinkage and Warping – Improper adhesion makes prints shrink and detach during printing as plastic contracts.
By preventing moisture absorption at the very start, dryers eliminate these hydration issues.
II. Filament Dryers’ Benefits and Features
A dedicated filament dryer offers complete drying and optimized storage:
- Faster Active Drying – Heat and circulating air actively drive out moisture faster than passive air drying.
- Wet Filament Restore – Rejuvenates old filament that has absorbed humidity during storage and use.
- Storage With Controlled Humidity – Maintains filament with ideal low moisture levels between prints.
- Moisture Levels Monitoring – Sensors track humidity and stop drying once target levels are achieved.
For ultimate print quality, a dryer’s active drying capabilities are a must-have.
III. Top-Rated Filament Dryers
Based on customer experiences and reviews, here are excellent filament dryer options:
1. SUNLU S1 Plus Filament Dryer
The SUNLU S1 Plus is designed for busy makers wanting reliability.
Product features:
- Print Issues Preventing: Reduces stringing, clogging, and poor adhesion caused by wet filament. Improves print quality.
- Customizable Temperature: Adjustable from 35°C – 55°C based on filament type for optimal drying.
- Adjustable Timer: Set drying time from 0 – 24 hours as needed. The default is 6 hours.
- Wide Compatibility: Works with 1.75/2.85/3mm PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, and other materials.
- Printing While Drying: Built-in spool holders allow simultaneous drying and printing.
- Quiet Operation: Ultra-quiet design of less than 10 dB for smooth drying.
- Large LCD Display: Shows temperature, and time settings.
2. SUNLU S2 3D Printing Filament Dryer
Avoid issues like blobs, excess oozing, and poor layer bonding with this SUNLU S2 filament dryer.
Product features:
- Rapid 360° Drying: Powerful 70°C heat plates for fast moisture removal.
- Large 4.6-inch Touchscreen: Display temperature, time, humidity, consumable type, and countdown time. Easily switch °C/°F.
- Wide Compatibility: Works with 1.75/2.85/3mm PLA, PLA+, PETG, TPU, ABS, PA, PC.
- Drying While Printing: Integrated spool feed allows simultaneous drying and printing.
- Dual Sensors: Accurately regulate temperature for precision drying.
- Filament Strength Maintaining: Removes moisture before printing for higher-quality prints. Saves time, and money and prevents frustration.
- Quiet Operation: Noise lower than 10dB for smooth drying.
3. EIBOS Filament Dryer Box
Product features:
- Displayed temperature readings being accurate according to users
- Simple to use – includes rollers and bearings for easy filament feeding during printing
- Abundant PTFE tube holes allow flexible placement
- Excellent Performance in drying nylon filament in a humid climate, unlike other dryers
- Dust-proof sealed design to hold 1-4 spools depending on size
- Built-in fan for hot-air circulation for thorough moisture removal
4. Matterhackers PrintDry PRO 3
Product features:
- Holding up to 4 spools of filament at once – great for PLA and ABS users
- Functioning as both dryer and storage to prevent re-exposure after drying
- Feeding filament directly from the dryer chamber to the printer
- Built-in settings for optimal drying temps for any filament type
- Customizable temperature controls for maximum flexibility
- Effective fast drying and moisture control on tough filaments like Nylon
- Perfect for drying overnight and printing immediately after drying
5. eSUN eBOX Lite
Product features:
- Desiccant packs added for additional drying capability
- Unique built-in scale showing how much filament is left by weight
- Some disadvantages – lacking a moisture sensor and being expensive
- Not performing as well with very moist, hygroscopic filaments
6. Sovol SH01 Filament Dryer
Product features:
- Dual spool dryer good for limited space
- Transparent container with built-in heater for continuous 40-50°C drying
- Similar to Sunlu dryer but slightly larger – fitting 2-3 spools
- The temperature shown on the display screen is adjustable through the front buttons
- Both 1.75mm and 2.85mm filament are available for feeding holes
- Space-efficient for drying multiple filament types
7. Polymaker PolyBox II
Product features:
- Fitting 2 spools or 1-3kg spool
- Desiccants used in Passive drying to absorb moisture around the filament
- Desiccant being recharged after 4-5 uses
- Display showing internal humidity and temperature
- Bearings/rods ensuring smooth spool spinning
- Poly-maker is well-known for quality filament, also making accessories
- Passive drying limits the frequency of recharging desiccant
8. FIXDRY 3D Printer Filament Dryer DOUBLE-NT1
Product features:
- Extra large space fitting 2 x 1kg spools or 1 x 3kg spool
- 110W PTC heater providing excellent drying effect
- PTC heating is durable, energy efficient, and evenly dries filament
- Adjustable temperature up to 70°C for wider range
- Hot air heating and air duct design optimizing efficiency
- Real-time display showing internal temperature
- Built-in sensor monitoring humidity from 10% to 99%
- Achieving ultra-low 10% internal humidity for drying
9. Comgrow 3D Filament Dryer Box
Product features:
- Ample storage volume: Filament Dry Box Inner Size: 9.296.499.13 inch
- Compatible with various filaments: Working with PLA, PETG, ABS, and Silk filament of standard diameters (1.75mm/2.85mm)
- Easy temperature and duration settings: Setting desired parameters using the machine’s screen
- Reliable moisture removal: Designed to keep filaments dry and remove moisture during printing
- Real-time monitoring: LCD screen displaying temperature and humidity; adjustable temperature range (40°~50°C)
- User-friendly operation: Touch buttons for easy control, power button for activating, and function button for adjusting dry time and temperature
- Secure and sealed design: Silicone cable sheath, Teflon tube outlet and snap button structure for excellent sealing performance
10. FIXDRY 3D Printer Filament Knob Dryer Box NT1
Product features:
- Dual function: Drying wet/brittle filament and serving as a storage box
- Compatible with multiple spools: Working with 1.75mm/2.85mm/3.00mm filament types
- Non-pole temperature regulation: Adjustable temperature knob (45-70℃) for different filaments
- Efficient heating: 40W PTC heater providing even and energy-saving drying
- Hot-air circulation system: Ensuring thorough and uniform drying to revive old spools
IV. Choosing the Right System of Filament Dryer
With various options available, consider these factors when selecting a filament management system:
- Capacity Needs – More spools require larger systems with multiple chambers or the ability to expand.
- Reliability and Durability – Units designed for continuous operation are more resilient than occasional hobbyist use.
- Speed and Efficiency – Fastactive drying reduces wait times to print dried filament. Hour+ dry times create delays.
- Budget – Dry boxes provide the most affordable protection while commercial dryers are a pricier pro-grade solution.
Take into account your use frequency, filament amounts, and quality needs.
V. Using Your Filament Dryer Optimally
Follow best practices with your dryer or box:
- Use Proper Storage Habits – Seal filament immediately after printing to preserve dryness from drying.
- Follow Recommended Dry Times – Don’t underdry but avoid over-drying. Most filaments need 2-6 hours.
- Seal Dried Filament – Keep dried filament in vacuum bags or containers until printing.
- Check Moisture Levels – Monitor the internal humidity levels and operating status.
- Keep System On Continuously – Maintain optimal drying and storage conditions 24/7.
Conclusion
Wet filament causes endless headaches with poor print quality, extrusion issues, and nozzle clogs. Dedicated filament dryers and dry boxes provide active heating and controlled humidity storage to prevent moisture absorption. By selecting the right system and using proper operational habits, you can achieve consistently flawless print results. Give your filament the dry storage it deserves!
FAQs
Q: What is the best dry storage for filaments?
A: The best dry storage options for filaments include vacuum-sealed bags, moisture-controlled dry boxes, and filament storage cabinets.
Q: Which filament gives the best quality?
A: The filament that offers the best quality depends on specific project requirements. However, popular choices for high-quality prints include PLA, PETG, and ABS filaments.
Q: What is the best humidity for a filament dry box?
A: The recommended humidity level for a filament dry box is typically around 20-30%. This helps prevent moisture absorption by the filament, which can lead to print quality issues. However, it’s important to check the manufacturer’s guidelines as different filaments may have specific humidity requirements.
See Also
How to Dry PLA Filament: 5 Easy Fixes For Wet Plastic
Optimize Your PLA Prints: Settings and Tips for Better Quality
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