Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier in 2021 - Reviews & Buying Guide

Ensuring the safety and security of your firearms is an integral part of being a responsible gun owner. Keeping your weapons out of the hands of unauthorized individuals like little children or burglars is essential for both your safety and the safety of those living with you.

That is why you always need to keep your weapons locked behind a gun safe. However, with gun safe, there comes the issue of moisture control. Moisture, as you might already know, can cause a lot of wearing on the weapons stored inside a safe. But with the best gun safe dehumidifier, you have nothing to worry about.

Excessive moisture and humidity build-up inside the gun safe can not only cause cosmetic damage but can also cause several other problems such as jamming or misfiring. As a gun owner, it is your responsibility to ensure your weapons are at peak conditions at all times.

The main trouble here, however, is identifying which dehumidifier is right for your gun safe. There are many different models that you can find on the market, but not all of them might give you the expected results in your specific conditions. But with our help, you will be able to figure out the right option for you.

In this article, we will give you a thorough rundown of everything you need to know about investing in a gun safe dehumidifier to make sure you make the right selection.

Top 5 Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier Reviews

Before heading further, let us start off with a list of some of the best gun safe dehumidifiers that you can find on the market. Here are our recommended options that will give you a decent performance depending on the type and size of your gun safe.

1. Eva Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier

Spending extra money for gun protection after already investing in a gun safe can be quite annoying, to say the least. However, with this budget-friendly, simple unit by the brand Eva Dry, the price will not be an issue. Despite the inexpensive nature of the unit, the performance it offers is unparalleled in the market.

It is a silica gel bead unit that comes with a decent absorption capacity requiring less recharge and giving you excellent uptime. The total capacity of the unit is around 6 ounces, and it can cover a respectable 330 cubic feet of area. For most moderate gun safes, the unit is quite capable of controlling the moisture on its own.

Another great feature of the unit is the added top hook attached to it. As a result, you can simply hang it from a shelf inside the gun safe saving precious space that can be better used to store an extra handgun. However, the unit does lack a bit if you are using it to dehumidify larger weapons like rifles or shotguns.

Since it is a silica gel unit, running power cable through the gun safe is not going to be a concern. It gives you an uptime of around a month on a single charge, which is quite decent. You also do not need to worry about any mess or spillage with the unit giving you a truly hassle-free experience.

2. LOCKDOWN GoldenRod Dehumidifier Rod with Low Profile Design

For people who want to go with an electric dehumidifier, one of the best options in the market is the GoldenRod by the brand LOCKDOWN. Although the price of the unit might be a bit higher, the performance it offers, along with a slim-profile design, is excellent and worth every penny.

The unit comes with an area coverage of 500 cubic feet, which is excellent to ensure moisture control inside even larger gun vaults. Add that with the slim 36-inch size of the unit; it can fit inside even moderate units without too much hassle. But for small gun safes, it might not be the right choice.

However, you can also find smaller 12 inch, 18 inch, and 24-inch variants of the same unit if you want to use it with a smaller gun safe. The area of coverage varies across the models, but the efficiency and performance are the same across the board. You need to pick the one that suits your needs.

3. LOCKDOWN Dehumidifier Rod

If our previous featured product was any indication, LOCKDOWN is not a brand you want to underestimate when it comes to electric gun safe dehumidifiers. This particular model is perfect for budget-oriented people who do not want to compromise on the performance that comes with an electric gun safe dehumidifier.

The unit comes with an area coverage of around 100 cubic feet, which might not be enough for it to work with larger units. However, for smaller gun safes, this device is quite capable of keeping the interior fresh and regulated. It does run a bit hotter than other models on the market, but the heat is not high enough to catch fire.

Thanks to the removable legs in the unit, you can place it either on the gun safe floor or even attach it to the roof. And since the unit is only 12 inches long, it does not take up much space on the interior. Once you get it set up using the mounting accessories, the air inside the safe will be controlled and moisture-free.

Similar to the other unit by the brand, installing this unit requires no additional hassle. This unit comes with a quick plug attachment on the power cord that helps you manage the cable easily without the risk of breaking it. You can find installation guidelines included in the owner’s manual to follow easily.

4. Dry-Packs 750 Gram Silica Gel Canister Dehumidifier - Moisture Indicating

The next product we will be looking at is a silica gel dehumidifier by the brand Dry-Packs. This particular model comes with an excellent absorption capacity that requires less frequent recharging and can take care of moisture problems efficiently, even inside a larger gun safe.

The orange indicating gel beads in the unit are excellent and can fight against humidity efficiently without compromise. It comes packed in an aluminum canister, which, according to some, might not be the most durable thing. However, the aluminum does seem decent and should serve you well unless you drop it.

Featuring an absorption capacity of up to 150 grams, this unit can tackle moisture and humidity for around a month or two without question on a single recharge. It does not contain any harmful chemicals like cobalt chloride, so it is safe to use in a house with little children or pets.

5. Hornady 95902 Dehumidifier Canister

For any gun lovers, the brand Hornady is quite a well-known and respected name. The brand specializes in manufacturing high-quality gun safes, and the 95902 dehumidifier is their answer to moisture problems. It is a simple and hassle-free unit that offers an excellent price to performance ratio.

Instead of using gel beads, the unit comes with desiccant crystals that provide greater performance and efficiency in dealing with humidity inside a gun safe. However, the area of coverage of the unit is quite low at only about 50 cubic feet. So unless you are using it for a small or moderate unit, you will not get the best results.

Similar to the previous unit on our list, the crystals in this model also changes colors when the absorption capacity is reached. It takes around four hours to recharge the dehumidifier by placing inside an oven and heating it at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. But after it is charged, you will not have to worry about recharging for at least a month.

The housing of the unit is quite lightweight yet durable enough to last you quite a while. Despite its efficiency in performance, the price of the unit is surprisingly low, making it an excellent investment for people looking to get rid of humidity and moisture trouble inside their gun safe without spending big bucks.

Things to Consider when Buying the Best Dehumidifier for Gun Safe

Now that you understand which units are worth watching, let us take the next step towards finding the right dehumidifier for you. You might have already noticed how each of the products we reviewed are different from the other one while each offer something special.

Since all dehumidifiers are different, there are a couple of elements that you should consider before you commit to a product. Identifying these elements is crucial to ensure you end up with the best gun safe dehumidifier according to your requirements.

So without further ado, here are a few aspects that you want to consider while you are buying a dehumidifier for your gun safe.

Types of Dehumidifiers

You might have already noticed in our list that there are two main types of dehumidifiers that you can buy for a gun safe. You can either go with an electric dehumidifier or something simpler like a silica gel bead dehumidifier.

These are the two major variants that you need to understand. In terms of functionality and performance, they are drastically different. And without understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the two variants, you will not be able to safely determine which one is better for your situation.

➥ Silica Gel Dehumidifiers

For people who are content with a simple little gun safe and need to store only a couple of handguns or rifles, a silica gel dehumidifier is a lifesaver. It is a small tool that is quite capable of reducing and regulating moisture levels in a moderate to a small gun safe.

However, they are not that adept at dealing with larger areas. Because of their easy to use design, they are an excellent choice for people who do not want to bother with drilling their gun safe just to install a dehumidifier. The absorption capacity of these units is not that great; however, they are much cheaper in comparison to electrical dehumidifiers.

➥ Electric Gun Safe Dehumidifiers

Electric gun safe dehumidifiers, on the other hand, feature a much higher absorption capacity compared to silica gel bead units. These devices are excellent if you have a larger gun safe with a lot of different firearms stored inside it. If you want efficient moisture control without compromise, this is the best choice.

However, the main issue with this type of unit is they can get quite hot. Furthermore, installing these dehumidifiers can be difficult, especially if your gun safe does not come with any mounting holes. But unlike silica gel bead dehumidifiers, you do not need to worry about recharging an electric gun safe dehumidifier.

Absorption Capacity

The next aspect you want to consider when choosing a dehumidifier is the absorption capacity of the particular unit. It is undoubtedly the most important factor that you need to look at. In simple terms, the absorption capacity of the gun safe dictates how much moisture it can absorb on a single charge from a specific area.

We already said how an electric dehumidifier comes with a better capacity for moisture absorption. So if you need the most capacity and want to enjoy a hands-free experience at controlling the humidity inside a gun safe, this type of unit is the best choice for you.

However, not everyone requires such a high absorption capacity. With a silica gel dehumidifier, you can easily control the moisture inside any smaller gun safes without any issue. So it is extremely important to understand your situation and the level of absorption you might need from your dehumidifier.

Size and Area of Coverage

Finding the right balance of the size and area of coverage of a specific dehumidifier is important to get the most out of your investment. If you have a large full-sized gun vault, you need to consider getting a larger electrical unit that can cover the entirety of the gun safe.

Using a small area of coverage dehumidifier with a larger gun safe will yield zero results in moisture control since the unit will not be able to cover the area. Typically, it is best not to go with a silica gel bead dehumidifier for a larger gun safe as they can often fall short.

Each dehumidifier has a manufacturer recommended area of coverage. You can usually find it in the product specification chart. If, for some reason, it is not there, you need to do some research on the particular model before you can safely determine its performance for your gun safe.

Installation difficulty

One of the main benefits of getting a silica gel bead dehumidifier is how easy it is to install it inside the gun safe. All you need to do is recharge the unit, which means evaporate the trapped moisture by putting it in the oven, and place it inside the gun safe.

However, if you choose to go with an electrical model, the process is not as simple. An electrical gun safe dehumidifier requires permanent installation, which might involve some drilling. For people who are not comfortable using a power drill, the steps might be a bit challenging.

Since an electrical dehumidifier requires you to run the power cable to a wall socket outside the safe, you need to be careful where you are drilling a hole inside the safe. If your gun safe comes with pre-drilled mounting holes, the steps can be easier since you can run the cables through the holes.

Ease of Use

If you are a casual gun owner who requires a simple dehumidifier to ensure protection for your firearms, you should not bother with a complicated unit. You need to go for an option that is simple and easy to use, which requires little oversight on your part.

Thankfully, gun dehumidifiers are not considered challenging. Most people can use this device without too much hassle. Even when using an electrical unit, once you get past the installation, using it is not very difficult.

However, some models do come with a few extra features that you might or might not need. It is best to go through the manual thoroughly at least once and figure out if there is anything extra that you need to do for the best performance.

Number of Guns

One of the factors that many people overlook when buying this type of device is the number of guns they have at their disposal. Your stored amount of weapons inside the gun safe can affect the performance and efficiency of a particular dehumidifier.

For casual gun owners, this might not be a huge factor. But collectors who own a few vintage guns need to put some serious thoughts behind this. Since antique guns can react to moisture differently compared to modern firearms, you need to consider the number and type of weapons you are storing in the gun safe before committing to a specific dehumidifier.

Frequency of Maintenance

The issue of maintenance largely depends on your preference. For instance, some might prefer a completely hands-free experience while others might find the occasional maintenance duties therapeutic.

With electrical models, you do not require any maintenance once you plug the power cable in the wall socket. As long there is electricity running to the dehumidifier, the unit will keep on absorbing moisture and keeping the interior of the gun safe, regulated, and humidity-free.

However, with silica gel units, once the absorption capacity is reached, you need to take it out and recharge it. The recharging duration might vary from one model to another. Thankfully though, on a single charge, most silica gel dehumidifiers can absorb moisture for at least a month or two without further maintenance.

Price

Since most gun safes dehumidifiers are quite inexpensive, getting the most high-end model in the market is not that challenging for most people. However, we are strictly against spending more than you will ever need and always try to ensure you get a bang for your buck unit that gives you optimal results.

If you are not dealing with intense moisture and humidity problems, you can usually get by with a simple dehumidifier. Silica gel bead options are great if you are limited by your budget. But if you need to cater to a larger safe, it might not give you the best performance.

So before you commit to a specific product, consider all the factors that we mentioned above. For electric models, you might need to spend a few extra dollars, but they are often worth it if you want efficient moisture control.

Frequently Asked Questions