If you’re a gun owner, you’re probably keen to find the best gun safe dehumidifier to keep your firearms and ammo rust-free. Humidity and moisture can cause your firearms and ammunition to corrode over time.
As soon as your weapon is rusted, you can’t use it, and that can be a big waste of money. It’s also dangerous to store ammunition and firearms incorrectly – if moisture causes them to rust, then you’ll be taking a big safety risk.
Below, we look at some of the top dehumidifiers for gun safes. We also look at the reasons to buy a dehumidifier and how to choose which one performs the best.
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What Can Humidity Do to My Guns and Firearms?
If you store your guns and ammo in a gun safe, high moisture levels and humidity inside the safe can actually be corrosive. That means that the metal on your guns and ammo, plus any accessories, may start to rust.
Humidity and moisture can also cause mold to form and can affect the wooden components of your gun collection. Over time, the wood can warp and crack.
Best Gun Safe Dehumidifiers
- Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier (E-333) Our #1 Pick
- Hornady Reusable Canister Dehumidifier
- BARSKA Safe Moisture Absorber Dehumidifier
- Afloia Gun Safe Mini Dehumidifier
- SD SILENT DRY Pioneer Gun Safe Dehumidifier
Reasons to Buy a Gun Safe Dehumidifier
If you have a gun safe, then you know that it’s not easy to leave it open to get aired regularly – because the whole reason for a safe is to keep guns locked away and secure. That means that moisture and humidity can enter the safe and affect the contents.
Because humidity, water vapor, and moisture can damage your firearms, a dehumidifier for a gun safe can help to keep your guns both mold-free and rust-free.
Firearms and ammunition can be costly, and many are also collectors items. Using a dehumidifier can help ensure that they’re not ruined by corrosion or warping due to high levels of humidity.
Many dehumidifiers are affordable, portable, and easy to use. This makes them a great solution to address the risk of your firearms rusting or your ammunition becoming unsafe.
Types of Dehumidifiers for Firearm Safes
Most dehumidifiers fall into two categories: electric and desiccant. Desiccant dehumidifiers are typically used if you have a gun safe but you don’t want to make holes in it so that you can plug in the electric dehumidifier. Instead, these portable desiccants just get placed inside the safe and work by absorbing moisture in the air inside the safe.
Electric dehumidifiers are usually more powerful and are used where there are high levels of humidity. The drawback is that they need a constant power supply and can be more expensive to buy and to operate.
Of course, it’s still important to regularly clean guns and ammunition to prevent the buildup of mold and dirt. But you won’t need to do this as often if you’re using a dehumidifier.
Top 5 Gun Safe Dehumidifiers: A Buying Guide
To protect your weapons, guns, and ammo from humidity damage, you may want to consider buying a dehumidifier.
Our buying guide below lists 5 of the best gun safe dehumidifiers and what’s good — and not so good — about them.
1. Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier (E-333)
The Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier is a compact, lightweight, and versatile dehumidifier. This E-333 dehumidifier model is capable of absorbing excess moisture in a safe that’s up to 333 cubic feet.
The E-333 dehumidifier model is safe for children and pets, as it’s made without toxic chemicals. It’s compact and portable, being small enough to fit in a gun safe, and made from crystallized silica beads that efficiently absorb moisture from the air.
It’s also convenient and easy to use because it has a moisture indicator which will show the silica beads changing color from orange to green as it absorbs moisture from the air. When all the silica beads have turned green, you know it’s time to recharge the device.
The E-333 dehumidifier is so effective that it’s 100% spill-free, which means it’s easy to place in small spaces.
One of the main benefits of this product is that it doesn’t require batteries, nor does it need to be constantly connected to a power source, so no messy power cords to deal with. The E-333 dehumidifier can also last up to a month without needing to be recharged via an electrical outlet, which adds to its convenience. And it can also last for up to 10 years and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- Portable design
- Compact dehumidifier
- Lightweight
- No batteries required
- Silent operation
- 5-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Cordless dehumidifier
- Easy to use
- Affordable
- Good reviews online
Cons
- Small (may not be large enough if your safe is bigger than 333 cubic feet)
- Takes a while to recharge
2. Hornady Reusable Canister Dehumidifier
This canister-type dehumidifier comes in different sizes and is both portable and compact, making it a popular choice for gun safes. Its absorbent silica gel pulls excess humidity and moisture from the air, maintaining optimal climatic conditions inside your gun safe.
One of the most attractive features about this dehumidifier is that it doesn’t require any batteries, nor do you need any AC power connector or electrical power supply to recharging this device. In fact, to charge it, all you need to do is place it in a warm oven for several hours.
The Hornby Reusable Canister Dehumidifier comes in a 1500g container. It has a handy humidity indicator that shows you when it needs recharging. The silica gel changes color from blue to pink to indicate that it’s time to recharge.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Works anywhere
- Easy to recharge
- No batteries or power supply required
- Can be used in small spaces (like a gun safe)
- Suitable for larger safes
- Humidity indicator
Cons
- Requires a warm oven for recharging
- The canister has an expiry date
- Plastic window can break easily
- Takes long to recharge
- May need more than one canister for a large gun safe
3. BARSKA Safe Moisture Absorber Dehumidifier
It has a user-friendly indicator that turns from pink to blue when it needs to be recharged. Conveniently, it can be recharged in the microwave in just 4 minutes, which makes it very easy to use.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Compact
- Fast recharging (4 minutes)
- Affordable
- Humidity indicator
- Lightweight
Cons
- 1-year limited warranty
- Not mountable
4. Afloia Gun Safe Mini Dehumidifier
This desiccant dehumidifier works using silica gel beads (which are non-toxic and odourless) that absorb excess moisture. Its compact design and portability means that it can easily be used in a gun safe to ensure that the humidity levels remain low enough to avoid corrosion and mold.
A unique feature of the Afloia Gun Safe Mini Dehumidifier is its cylindrical design which maximises the absorptive area, making absorption of moisture more efficient. It can dehumidify up to 54 sq. ft. in area.
The silica beads change colour from orange to dark green to indicate when it’s time to recharge the device. This can be done easily by placing it on the heating base for about 2 hours. Its independent base for charging has a quick plug attachment, making it easy to use.
Pros
- Rechargeable
- Cordless
- Independent heating base for charging
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Compact design
- 24-month warranty
- 30-day money back guarantee
Cons
- More expensive than similar products
- Shorter warranty than some other brands
- Not suitable for larger areas
- Fabric covering can collect dust
5. SD SILENT DRY Pioneer Gun Safe Dehumidifier
The SD SILENT DRY Pioneer Gun Safe Dehumidifier has a distinctive military style design, well-suited to guns and a gun safe. This dehumidifier is small, compact, and portable, as well as lightweight.
This silica gel-style dehumidifier can last up to 4 weeks before needing to be recharged in an oven or microwave. It has one of the fastest charge times of all dehumidifiers at just 9 minutes in the microwave, making it a very convenient product to use.
This small dehumidifier can easily fit inside a small handgun safe, although for larger gun safes, you may need an additional bar. That’s because one device is suitable for a space that is up to 20 litres in size.
It’s simple to use and doesn’t need any electrical supply or cables.
Pros
- Wireless
- Reusable
- Portable dehumidifier
- Compact
- Recharge in microwave/oven
- Fast recharge time (9 minutes)
- Humidity indicator
- Tactical design
- Lightweight
- Fits in a gun case
Cons
- May need more than one bar if the gun safe is large
Where to Put a Dehumidifier in Your Gun Safe
It can be quite challenging to decide where in your house to place your gun safe. If you have a small safe for a single handgun, then you may want to put it somewhere very accessible, like your bedroom. But if it’s a large safe, you probably want to place it somewhere that has enough space – and many people choose the garage or basement.
Certain areas of your home will have higher humidity than other areas, making them less suitable for a gun safe. These areas include bathrooms, the basement, and the kitchen.
However, dehumidifiers work to reduce humidity levels, which means you can put the safe anywhere in your house. Space and accessibility will then be the main considerations for where to place your gun safe, assuming you have a dehumidifier.
Depending on whether your dehumidifier needs a constant power supply will also affect your decision about where to put it.
How to Decide Which Dehumidifier to Buy for Your Gun Safe
When deciding which type of gun safe dehumidifier to invest in, consider the following:
- Size of the Dehumidifier
The dehumidifier needs to be able to fit comfortably inside your safe. It also needs to be small enough so that you can position all your weapons and ammo in the safe, as well as the dehumidifier.
- Size of your Gun Safe
All dehumidifiers have a specific number of cubic feet that they can work in. Some are larger or work more efficiently and able to function in larger spaces, while others will only work in small spaces. You need to consider what size safe you have and look at the cubic feet that the dehumidifier can work on optimally.
- Type of Dehumidifier
As mentioned, there are two types of dehumidifiers. Desiccant dehumidifiers are commonly used in gun safes because they don’t require an independent power source, which also means you don’t need to modify the safe to place them inside. Electric dehumidifiers, by comparison, usually need a constant power source.
- Power Source and Recharge Times
Electric dehumidifiers usually need to be constantly connected to a power source, whereas desiccant dehumidifiers don’t. They just need recharging regularly.
It’s important that the dehumidifier you choose can operate for long periods before needing to be recharged.
- The Cost of the Dehumidifier
Price is always an important consideration when buying any product. Desiccant dehumidifiers are usually more affordable compared with other types in terms of price and operating costs.
- Warranty
Some models have a lifetime warranty, while others may offer a 5-year warranty or none at all.
- Portability
Certain types of dehumidifiers are very portable and incorporate compact designs. Others are fixed and large, which makes it difficult to move them around.
- Customer Reviews
Take a look at online customer reviews about the dehumidifier you plan to buy and take into account both the positive reviews and negative reviews. Sites like Amazon.com offer many customer reviews and feedback about dehumidifiers.
Final Thoughts About Keeping Your Firearms Rust-free and Safe
If you’re looking for a dehumidifier for gun safes and cabinets, then this buying guide should give you ideas about product options and how to decide which gun safe dehumidifier to opt for.
There are many different dehumidifiers on the market. Desiccant dehumidifiers and electric dehumidifiers both offer many benefits for anyone with a gun safe looking to protect against rust, mold, and mildew. Ultimately, your decision about which dehumidifier to buy will be based on the size of your gun safe, the level of humidity in your area, price, and customer reviews.
