If you thought buying a gun safe is enough to ensure the security of your firearms, think again. Although a gun safe can keep your weapons safe from outside threats such as thievery and fire, it does very little to protect it against the common enemy of all guns, moisture, and humidity.
If you are a beginner, this information might surprise you. However, experienced users who keep their guns inside a secured lockbox frequently know how important it is to keep the air inside their safe regulated. Otherwise, excessive moisture buildup can wreak havoc on any weapon.
And it is not only the cosmetic quality that gets damaged. In extreme cases, the performance of the gun can deteriorate along with issues such as jamming or misfiring. So if you are someone who uses a gun safe for weapon security, you also need to seriously consider buying the best gun safe dehumidifier.
Unfortunately, the concept can be quite convoluting since you cannot exactly see moisture and humidity. As a result, it is pretty difficult to identify which dehumidifier is going to give you a better performance. However, with our help, you can buy the right unit with the least hassle. So without further ado, let us jump inTop 5 Best Gun Safe Dehumidifier Reviews
The task of buying the best safe dehumidifier can be quite daunting. You cannot expect just any unit to give you a level of performance that you need. For that, you need to go through daunting days of research and compare different products by trying them out yourself. Needless to say, not everyone has that luxury.
To make things easier for you, we have compiled a list of the five best gun safe dehumidifiers on the market along with an in-depth review to give you an idea of which unit will serve you well in your particular conditions.1. Eva Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier
We will be starting off our list by looking at a lightweight and compact unit by an excellent brand in the industry, Eva-Dry. Thanks to its budget-friendly nature, compact design, and excellent performance, you will not have to worry about spending big bucks on moisture control, after you have already spent a fortune getting a gun safe.
The main selling product of the unit is its portability. It comes with a hook on top to help you hang it inside the gun safe from a shelf. However, the compact nature can also come back to bite you, since you will not be able to use it with anything other than a small-sized pistol safe for it to work effectively.
Because of its 6 ounces of absorption capacity, you really should not go for it if you want to cover a large gun safe. The area of coverage with this unit is around 330 cubic feet, which is plenty for the work that it is supposed to do. Besides, the unit is non-toxic and will not harm your pets or little kids in the house.
Another excellent plus with the unit is that you do not need to run any power cables for it. The silica gel beads, once recharged, can easily give you a month of use without requiring further maintenance. It is a spill and a mess-free unit that offers you a convenient way to keep your small gun safe moisture-free.
Pros:
Cons:
2. LOCKDOWN GoldenRod Dehumidifier Rod with Low Profile Design
If a rechargeable silica gel bead dehumidifier is not what you want, then you might get a better experience from the GoldenRod dehumidifier by the brand LOCKDOWN. Despite its massive absorption capacity and coverage, the size of the unit is surprisingly slim, making it an excellent choice for just about anyone.
The length of the unit is around 36 inches, which is small enough to fit inside any medium sized gun safes. In fact, you can even use it as a dehumidifier for your room or closet without much hassle. The unit also features removable legs and a power cord that you can run through any small openings in the gun safe easily.
It has an area coverage of around 500 cubic feet, which is quite significant when you consider its slim and low-profile nature. This device features high-quality materials in its construction that can fight against humidity in an enclosed space preventing any rust or mildew growth.
The GoldenRod dehumidifier also comes in three other sizes, 12 inches, 18 inches, and 24 inches. As a result, if the 36-inch model is a bit too large for your gun safe, you could easily go with a smaller one. You can expect the same level of performance across all the sizes, depending on the area you need to cover.
Pros:
Cons:
3. LOCKDOWN Dehumidifier Rod
The previous entry by LOCKDOWN should already give you an idea of the quality of products you can expect from this brand. However, if you want something a bit more budget-friendly without sacrificing too much on the performance, this particular dehumidifier rod by the same company might be worth a view.
Apart from the cosmetic difference, the area of coverage between the two units is also quite different. This unit can cover an area of 100 cubic feet, which tells us that it is aimed towards people who use mostly moderate gun safes. For larger units, this dehumidifier might not be the one you want.
Similar to the GoldenRod, this unit, too, comes with removable legs. You can set it up on the floor of your gun safe or can even attach it to the roof on the inside without taking up any extra space. After turning it on, it will keep the air inside the safe, clean, and fight against moisture and humidity.
Installation of the unit is also quite hassle-free, considering it is an electric dehumidifier. It includes all the required mounting tools that you need with your purchase, and the instruction manual contains clear information on how you can set it up. The quick plug attachment also helps you run the cable with minimal hassle.
Pros:
Cons:
Runs a bit hotter than other dehumidifiers4. Dry-Packs 750 Gram Silica Gel Canister Dehumidifier - Moisture Indicating
The thing that people most complain about when it comes to silica gel bead dehumidifiers is the relatively lower absorption capacity. However, this excellent dehumidifying canister by the brand Dry-Packs addresses this issue and gives you a portable power-free unit with excellent capacity and performance.
It comes with an orange indicating silica gel bead, which is of high quality. That, combined with the aluminum canister that it features, can tackle the rising humidity inside any gun safe. Since you do not require any power, you can simply put it at a corner of your safe, and it will fully take care of your moisture troubles.
Efficiency-wise, the unit comes with can absorb around 100 to 150 grams of water once you recharge it. On proper charging, the unit can give you at least a month’s worth of performance. Since it does not come with any cobalt chloride, you do not need to worry about any toxicity.
And recharging the unit is quite simple and hassle-free. The silica gel beads near the top will give you a clear indication of when you need to recharge it. Overall, the price to performance ratio that you get with the unit is unparalleled in the industry for a silica gel bid dehumidifier.
Pros:
Cons:
The aluminum construction raises some durability concerns.5. Hornady 95902 Dehumidifier Canister
Wrapping up our list, we will be looking at a renowned brand when it comes to anything related to your firearm’s security. Hornady has been making its presence known in the industry for quite a while. The 95902 dehumidifier is their shot at the world of silica gel bead dehumidifier, and the unit does a surprisingly great job at it.
This product uses desiccant crystals instead of typical silica beads, which increases its performance by quite a bit. IT has an area coverage of 50 cubic feet, which might be a bit too small for larger gun safes. However, if you are working with a moderately-sized unit, this device can serve you perfectly well.
The desiccant crystals also change colors that let you know when it is time to recharge. And thankfully, the recharging process is extremely easy. It simply requires you to put it inside an oven at a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit for around four hours. Once charged, it can function for up to a month without issues.
Besides, the cost of the unit for the performance it offers is fantastic. It reliably regulates the temperature inside the gun safe by actively preventing any rust buildup inside the gun safe. The affordable nature of the unit, along with the excellent performance it offers, makes it worth strong consideration for anyone on the market for a rechargeable dehumidifier.
Pros:
Cons:
Not suitable for larger safesThings to Consider when Buying the Best Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
By going through our list of products, you have already taken your first steps to understand which unit will give you a good performance. However, not everyone uses the same type of gun safe, and neither does everyone have the same humidity in their environment.
For this reason, one product might give your friend an excellent performance while the same unit might not be right for you. To understand which one you want for your specific conditions, you need to understand some of the key elements of this nifty tool.
By looking at these elements, you can prevent yourself from getting a unit that does not give you adequate performance. So here are a couple of features and elements that you might want to consider before investing in the best gun safe dehumidifier.
- Types of Dehumidifiers
The first element that you need to understand about a dehumidifier is that there are a few different variants in the market. Although you might find many shapes and sizes, in terms of functionality, there are generally only two variants, electric and silica gel.
Both of these variants are quite capable of regulating the environment inside a gun safe and keeping the air fresh. However, none of them are perfect, and each has its own fair share of advantages and setbacks. We will give you a brief overview of both variants to help you understand both of them a bit better.
If you want the most efficiency and control out of your dehumidifier, an electrical unit might be the best choice. They are extremely powerful and can generally cover a wider area. But the main setback of this unit is they run on electricity and tend to get quite hot.
Even if the rising power bill is a non-factor for you, the heat might be something to worry about. With this type of unit, it is not really advisable to keep your ammunition or other flammable objects close to it. Furthermore, electrical dehumidifiers are also pricier compared to the silica gel variants but require little to no maintenance.
Silica Gel Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, are cheaper and simpler tools compared to their electrical counterpart. What they lack in absorption capacity, they make up for it in terms of safety and simple mechanisms. In addition, you do not need to jump through hoops to get it set up inside your gun safe.
Installing a silica gel dehumidifier is as simple as just placing the unit inside your gun safe. But it does require a little bit of prep time, and you need to recharge them frequently. For people on a tighter budget who want a simple and hassle-free way to regulate the air inside their gun safe, a silica gel dehumidifier might be the best choice.
- Absorption Capacity
Absorption capacity is one of the most critical factors of any dehumidifier. This is the element that directly contributes to how much moisture it can absorb from a particular environment without needing a recharge. Units with low absorption capacity require frequent recharging, which can get quite annoying.
With electrical models, the capacity is generally much higher. As a result, you do not need to typically recharge an electrical dehumidifier as often as you would have to recharge a unit that uses silica gel beads or crystals. Electrical dehumidifiers usually use electric rods as a way to absorb the moisture in the air.
Thankfully, most units will list this feature in the product specifications, so take a moment of your time to go through the spec sheet before committing to a specific model. If you are going with a silica gel unit, larger beads typically mean a higher absorption capacity.
- Size and Area of Coverage
With gun safes, size is always a critical factor. It turns out, the size of the gun safe not only contributes to how many guns or other items you can keep inside it, but also the quality of dehumidifier you need to use to keep the air inside it fresh and moisture-free.
Electric dehumidifiers, as we said before, use steel rods of different sizes to absorb moisture. So if your gun safe is too small, you might not be able to fit a large electrical mode inside it. You need to go with a smaller unit, which might give you fewer absorption capabilities.
Besides, each dehumidifier comes with a specific recommended area of coverage. Using a small, low capacity silica gel dehumidifier with a large full-sized gun safe might not be the smartest thing to do. You need to find a balance between the dehumidifier that you are using and the size of the gun safe that you have in your hand.
- Installation difficulty
People who already have their mind made up for a silica gel dehumidifier can skip this factor. Since installing this type of dehumidifier requires no expertise, you can easily set it up in a matter of moments. However, for electrical models, the ease of installation can be a critical factor in your overall experience as a user.
Electrical units require a connection to the wall plug. Since you place it inside the gun safe, you need to figure out a way to run the cable through the safe without affecting the performance or integrity of the gun safe. If you are installing the dehumidifier by yourself, you need to be careful as to how you handle the drilling process.
Some gun safes, however, come with pre-drilled mounting holes to anchor the unit to the ground or other surfaces. This can make it a bit easier for you to install the dehumidifier as you can simply run the power cord through the mounting holes. But if you need to drill the holes yourself, it is best to consult the instruction manual of the gun safe before boring a hole in your safe.
- Ease of Use
Most dehumidifiers in the market are quite easy to use. And practically speaking, if you find a particular model too difficult to set up or recharge, you might have a better experience with a different option. The model that you buy should be easy to use and offer you a hassle-free performance.
Before you use the dehumidifier, make sure you give the instruction manual a thorough reading. The manual should contain clear and concise instructions regarding everything that you need to know about a specific model. If it is difficult to interpret, it can be quite annoying to use the unit.
- Price
Price is almost always a factor whenever you are committing to buy any new product. Thankfully though, for gun safe dehumidifiers, this is much less of an issue because of the relatively lower cost of these types of units. However, that does not mean there are no high-end, expensive units out there.
Unless you are catering to a lot of weapons in a large gun safe, you do not usually require such a massive unit. You should be fine with a decent model at an affordable price range. So when you are looking to buy a gun safe dehumidifier, it is generally a good idea to have a fixed budget and shop in that price range.
- Number of Guns
How many guns you have in your inventory and how many of them you will be keeping inside the safe also plays a part in dictating which unit you need to keep the air inside the gun safe fresh. Not only the number, but your gun type also has a say in the quality of the dehumidifier you need.
For instance, most modern firearms can survive high moisture levels, so all you need is a relatively low-cost and efficient dehumidifier. But if you are a gun collector and have some antique firearms in your safe, you need to invest a bit more towards getting a more robust unit to keep it protected.
- Frequency of Maintenance
As we mentioned previously, an electrical dehumidifier typically requires less maintenance when compared to a silica gel unit. You need to regularly recharge your silica gel dehumidifier because of its low absorption capacity. For the electrical unit, the capacity is significantly higher in most cases.
So for people who want a hands-free experience, electrical units are a no-brainer. However, if you are someone who frequently caters to your gun maintenance, you should have no trouble recharging a silica gel dehumidifier on maintenance days. In fact, you would be saving a lot of money by going with this inexpensive option.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a dehumidifier for my gun safe?
People who usually have to ask this question typically require a gun safe dehumidifier. Some areas in the world can get quite humid during the summer, which can wreak havoc on the weapons stored in a gun safe. By investing in a simple dehumidifier, you can ensure the full safety and security of your weapons.
Considering the relatively inexpensive nature of this type of unit, there really is no reason not to buy it if it means you can provide your guns an added lifespan. With enough humidity, rust can begin to develop inside the gun safe, which can harm not only your weapon but also the safe itself.
How do you recharge a silica gel bead dehumidifier?
By this point, we have talked a lot about how it is important to recharge the silica gel bead dehumidifier quite a lot. If you are wondering exactly how it works, well, it is not that complicated. For some models, you can even use an electric wall socket to recharge it.
But in most cases, the silica gel beads need to be heated typically in an oven so that the moisture or water that they absorbed evaporates. The time it takes to recharge, it can vary from one model to another. But once you charge it up and the water evaporates, you can typically use it for a month or two without any hassle, unless you live in a super humid location.
Are there any disadvantages to using an electrical dehumidifier?
There are disadvantages to both variants of dehumidifiers. With an electric dehumidifier, the primary issue in most cases is the price and the installation process. However, they do make up for it to some extent, thanks to their high absorption capacity and efficiency.
Installing an electric dehumidifier can be tricky if you are not very tool-savvy. Since you need to drill through the gun safe, you need to be extremely careful not to drill through the stress points. Otherwise, you can drastically compromise the safety of your gun safe.Final Thoughts
People who care about their guns should always consider getting a dehumidifier for their gun safe. This simple investment can extend the lifespan and cosmetic quality of your weapons by a long margin. Besides, you can get some pretty decent units at an affordable price these days.
Last Updated on by Larry K. Brown
Larry is a professional Shooter and his hobby is shooting and Hunting! He has been shooting for the last 6 years and he loves using many types of guns while outing as well. Based experiences with a different type of Guns and Hunting related products. He is sharing his opinion about various Guns so that a beginner can get started right way. Find him on Facebook.
Happy reading!