Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier in 2020 – Reviews & Buying Guide

Just buying a high-quality gun safe is not always enough to keep your firearms secure. Although it does take care of the primary security concern with your weapons, you also have to worry about the number one enemy of any metal items, moisture. To fight this pesky monster, you need the best gun safe dehumidifier.

Since the air inside the gun safe is not regulated, the trapped moisture in the area can be quite high. It can inevitably lead to rust, which can be a nuisance to deal with if left unchecked. Using a dehumidifier is a quick and easy way to fix this issue and ensure that excessive moisture in the air gets absorbed right away.

However, the odds of finding the best unit is slim at best, especially if you do not know much about it. If you are reading this article, you are probably unsure of which product to buy. And considering how many knock-off products are available in the market, it is not surprising to get confused.

Top 5 Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier Reviews

It is not always easy finding the right dehumidifier in the market. But with our help, you can hope to have a less hectic time. We already did all the research and legwork to bring you only the best products form the market.

1. Eva Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier

2. LOCKDOWN GoldenRod Dehumidifier Rod with Low Profile Design

For our next review, we have an impressive unit by the brand Lockdown. It comes in a sleek, low-profile design that is suitable for some of the larger full-sized gun safes. Thanks to its large area limit of 500 cubic feet, it is also perfect for plenty of other places such as your room or even a big closet.

The total length of the unit is 36 inches, and its slim design makes it fit almost anywhere. It will not take up much space inside the safe. To make installation easier, it comes with attachable legs and a quick plug power cord attachment to easily run the cables through the back of your safe.

Furthermore, the device itself is virtually indestructible. Built using high-quality materials can prevent rust and mildew from accumulating inside the safe efficiently. It is an extremely versatile unit that can reliably protect the metal components inside the safe and regulate the humidity.

3. LOCKDOWN Dehumidifier Rod

Coming up next is another product by Lockdown. If you feel the previous unit was a bit too much or too expensive, this option might better suit your needs. It is a much more affordable option for someone on a budget, but it still offers excellent moisture fighting capacity and durability.

The major difference between this unit and the last one is its maximum area coverage. This model can handle an area of up to 100 cubic feet, which is enough for moderate to smaller gun safes. However, if you are going for large vaults, it might not give you the best results.

Its slim tube-like design lets you place it in unusable spaces inside the safe without taking up any extra room. Once you plug it in and turn it on, it will actively prevent any rust from building up in your firearm. It regulates the air inside the gun safe by absorbing the moisture to keep your weapons and other valuables intact.

The unit also comes with all the mounting accessories included with your purchase. You can easily install the safe by yourself following the extensive user’s manual. Its quick plug attachment allows you to easily set it up and get it running without having to go for hired help.

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

Nearing the end of our list, we have an excellent product with an excellent brand, Dry-Packs. This dehumidifier comes in a small and compact can and contains 750 grams of silica gels. All you have to do is to put it in the corner of your gun safe, and you can say goodbye to all your moisture troubles.

The unit is completely portable and does not require any power source. It uses top-notch high-quality orange silica gel in an aluminum canister that can tackle the humidity build-up in tight spaces. You also do not need to worry about any toxicity as it does not contain any cobalt chloride.

The orange gel on top serves as a visual indicator as to when you need to activate the device. To start it up, all you have to do is heat it in the oven for a couple of hours. A major issue with the electric dehumidifiers is the hum it produces when it is turned on. However, this portable compact model has practically zero noise.

Although aluminum can do raise some durability concerns, if you do not drop the unit too much, it will last you for years. It is easy enough to use, and installing it is simply a matter of finding the right location to place it. You also get an instruction manual with your purchase that clearly explains its working procedure if you ever need help.

5. Hornady 95902 Dehumidifier Canister

The last product on our list of reviews is by Hornady. This brand is quite popular in the world of gun safes as they offer a complete solution regarding your firearm security. They also have a lot of different high-quality accessories such as mounting brackets and security cables, and this dehumidifier is one of their finest.

For its moisture absorption capabilities, the unit makes use of desiccant crystals. It works perfectly when you put it in a small enclosed area. The active area of this unit is 50 cubic feet, which makes it perfectly capable of keeping the moisture regulated inside your gun safe. You do not need to worry about your firearms safety.

Since it is a portable model, it does not require any cables or batteries. All you have to do is place it in an oven and heat it at 300 degrees until the crystal in the middle turns blue. Anytime you notice the desiccant crystal changing color, you would know that it is time to recharge your unit.

Things to Consider When Buying the Best Safe Dehumidifier 

When choosing our products, we considered a number of factors ranging from its absorption capacity all the way to its price and other features. Knowing about these elements can help you understand your specific requirements and make sure you end up with the best possible unit for your purpose.

In the following section of the article, we will give you an overview of the things you should look for when buying the best gun safe dehumidifier.

• Types of Dehumidifiers

Before you can commit to a dehumidifier, you need to understand the different types that you can find. Generally, there are two main types of units that you can buy, electric dehumidifiers or silica gel dehumidifiers.

The best thing about this type of dehumidifier is its efficient moisture control. However, it tends to get extremely hot. There is a potential for severe disaster if you place them too close to your ammunition. Furthermore, you need to keep it separated from flammable objects inside the safe.

This type of unit is simple and straightforward but requires some maintenance. It typically has a lower absorption capacity and requires you to recharge frequently. But a silica gel dehumidifier is easy to install and extremely affordable, making it perfect as your first purchase.

As you can see, both variants come with their own distinct set of advantages and setbacks. If you want higher absorption capacity and lower maintenance, and electrical dehumidifier might be what you want. However, if you are on a budget, there is nothing wrong with a good silica gel dehumidifier.

• Absorption Capacity

One of the most important factors in a dehumidifier is its absorption capacity. It refers to how much moisture it can absorb before you need to recharge it. Some models use silica gel beads while a few use crystals. You also have units that use steel rods to absorb the moisture.

Take a look at the total amount of moisture it can absorb before committing to buy it. If the capacity is too low, you will need to recharge it more frequently. Typically, if the unit uses silica gel beads, the larger the size, the higher the absorption. With other moisture absorption mechanisms, that may not be the case.

• Size and Coverage

Size is also an important factor when buying the dehumidifier. It needs to fit inside your safe without taking up too much space. You can find the dimensions of the unit listed under product specifications to give you an idea of how much space it will consume.

However, size is not the only thing you need to worry about. Each unit has a maximum area of coverage. If the coverage area is too small, it will not be able to fully absorb the moisture from the safe. In that case, you need to use two units for a single safe, which is not really worth it.

• Installation difficulty

The installation process and difficulty can vary from one dehumidifier to another. For instance, installing a silica gel bead dehumidifier is extremely simple. Since it does not require any batteries or power connection, you can simply place it inside your safe after activating it, and it will do its job.

However, with electrical dehumidifiers, you need to drill a hole for the power cable. If your gun safe already has the mounting holes pre-drilled into it, the process becomes much easier. You can use the holes to run the cable inside the safe to connect the dehumidifier.

In case your unit does not come with mounting holes, you need to drill it yourself. You should consult the instruction manual before starting the installation as some safes might not handle the drilling process too well. The last thing you want is to compromise the security of your gun safe just to install a dehumidifier.

• Ease of Use

When it comes to using dehumidifiers, it is pretty simple and straightforward. Make sure you read the operation manual thoroughly when you get your hands on the device. It should get rid of most of your confusion and questions regarding how to use it.

Whether you buy an electric dehumidifier or a silica gel unit, make sure that it is easy to use. Look at all the safety instructions and operating procedures to get an idea of how it works before setting it up. If it seems too complicated for you, you could have a better experience with a different unit.

• Price

Although there are many high-end expensive dehumidifiers available on the market, most units are quite affordable. Unless you are facing massive moisture-related issues, there is no reason to exceed your budget. In fact, almost all the products you saw on our list of reviews are in the affordable range.

So, it is important to have a clear and concise idea about how much you are willing to spend before you start browsing the market. If you do not have a budget in mind, you might end up going for a highly expensive unit that might feel like a waste after a few days.

• Evaluate Your Guns

Most people, when buying a dehumidifier, make the mistake of not checking their arsenal before committing to a product. However, that is a big mistake as some weapons react to moisture at a more dramatic level. If you are using any antique firearms, an affordable dehumidifier might not be able to do the job.

In that case, you need to shell out a bit extra and invest in a higher-end model. Before buying a dehumidifier, it is worth checking how your weapons react to moisture in the air. If the effect is minimal, you would be fine with a normal dehumidifier in the affordable range.

• Maintenance Requirements

If you want to buy a unit that gives you a hassle-free experience, you need a unit that requires minimal maintenance. However, those units do cost extra, but if you consider the upkeep cost, it might be worth it for you.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I need a dehumidifier for my gun safe?

If you live in a humid environment, having a dehumidifier can be highly beneficial. It would ensure the quality and finish of your weapons remain intact when it is left in the gun safe for an extended period. For people who care about the durability of their firearms, a dehumidifier is a must-buy accessory.

As you know, rust and mildew can grow inside your gun safe if the conditions inside it are poor. With enough humidity, even the gunpowder in your ammunition can get affected. A dehumidifier takes care of all of these issues without any hassle on your part.

How do you recharge a silica gel bead dehumidifier?

Typically, silica gel beads do not require any batteries or other forms of power. But in some cases, this unit requires an electrical outlet to recharge. There is also a different form of units that can be recharged in the oven.

The idea is to heat up the gel beads so that the water inside can evaporate freeing up space to capture extra moisture. Some units require charging the whole night for the water to evaporate fully. But once charged, it usually lasts at least a month without any problems.

Are there any disadvantages to using an electrical dehumidifier?

Both electrical and silica gel dehumidifier comes with some minor disadvantages over the other. None of them are perfect, and there is always a small compromise that you need to make. For instance, an electrical dehumidifier will generally result in an increased power bill at the end of the month.

Furthermore, installing an electrical dehumidifier is quite difficult and might require some drilling. It might not be suitable for safes that do not hold up against power drills.