Best Overall
EVA-DRY WIRELESS MINI DEHUMIDIFIER
The Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier wins the game due to its portability, cordless feature, and small size. It fits not just in a gun safe but in any tight place where you need to insure dry air. Additionally, it is also pocket-friendly and safe for small children and pets!
Budget Pick
BARSKA SAFE MOISTURE ABSORBER
Barska is an excellent add-on to protect your valuables such as guns and jewelry from moisture, mildew, and corrosion. It's budget-friendly, renewable, and 100% safe.
Guns ought to protect us in times of emergencies. But do you know that your valuable possession also needs your protection? Due to the tight space and limited airflow inside a gun safe, moisture and humidity can be higher, causing your guns to become susceptible to rust and corrosion. We don’t want our precious tools to degrade just like that!
To protect your guns and other valuable items, you need a gun safe dehumidifier. Curious what’s the best product? Read on to know more!
Gun Safe Dehumidifier Comparison Table
Types of Gun Safe Dehumidifiers
Gun safe dehumidifiers come in two different forms: electric and desiccant. So what’s the difference between the two?
Electric dehumidifiers work by heating up and circulating the airflow inside the confined space to draw the moisture out. This method is excellent at preventing a condensation buildup on the inside of the safe, keeping all your valuables and guns dry. Most experienced users recommend placing the humidifier at the bottom due to its tendency to heat up the interior of the safe. As the hotter air reaches the top, the dehumidifier should already start to cool down. Then the cooler air goes back again at the bottom. The cycle continues in order to maintain the temperature inside the safe, hence keeping your guns safe from rust and mold.
Unlike dessicants, the electric versions are more convenient to use. These options are more reliable and can absorb more moisture compared to the desiccant models. The only downside of this product is that you will need to drill holes in the safe for the power cords IF they don’t have them already. Many safes already will.
How Gun Safe Dehumidifiers Work
Too much humidity in the air can destroy any objects made of metal, including your precious guns. Rust, corrosion, and mildew can all be harmful to your valuables without proper protection and maintenance. That is why gun safe dehumidifiers become important tools to handle these situations effectively.
1. Dehumidifiers can help reduce rust
Seeing rust and corrosion taking over your expensive weapons is a nightmare. Your gun safe, since it is made of metal, may also fall victim to this natural chemical reaction.
To prevent costly repairs and irreversible damage, gun safe dehumidifiers can help you control moisture, a necessary ingredient for the reaction and protect your valuables for a longer time.
2. Dehumidifiers can prevent molds and mildew
With a gun safe dehumidifier, it is easier to prevent molds and mildew from forming inside your safe. Keep in mind that these spores thrive well in a damp or moist environment. So, it’s essential to keep the inside of your gun safe clean and dry.
How We Choose and Must-Have Features
Looking for the best gun safe dehumidifier can be overwhelming if you have no idea what product suits your needs. Here are some factors you can think about when you shop:
Size
Gun safe dehumidifiers can come in different shapes and sizes. If you have a larger room for your gun collections, then you might need a product that is designed for larger cabinets. If you have a smaller gun safe, then it is best to choose the one that fits well in tight spaces.
Capacity
Another feature you need to consider is the amount of space the dehumidifier can cover. So how do you know if it is the right one for you? Simply check the product details - look for the internal width, depth, and height and multiply these to get the covered area in cubic feet. This will help you approximate if the device can cover the entire volume of your gun safe.
Maintenance
Dehumidifiers can come in different types, requiring different maintenance. Some products need to be heated in the oven to remove the accumulated moisture while other devices might need to be plugged into an outlet to reactivate them. Choose the one that is more convenient for you.
Performance
A reliable and high-quality dehumidifier should be able to serve you for a long time. If that’s you, get the electronic rod version since they are known to last for many years. However, if this is not practical for you, then you can go for the more affordable version which is the desiccant type. This option does not need a power connection to work. However, you do need to ensure that they are always recharged to continue functioning.
Visual Indicators
The best dehumidifiers are designed with visual indicators to help you know when it needs to be reactivated or recharged. Some models might come with different light indicators for different warnings. Keep in mind that the frequency of recharging your dehumidifier is influenced by the surface area it covers and the dryness levels of the gel beads.
Wired or Wireless
Depending on your preferences, you can choose a corded or cordless dehumidifier. Most gun enthusiasts prefer using the cordless version due to its convenience. However, the corded models may need some installation such as drilling the safe where the electrical wires can pass in. The good news is that most modern gun safes are already designed with outlets or a place to route a cord so that you don’t need to drill anymore.
Best Overall: Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier
100% safe, renewable, and super easy to use. A single dehumidifier can cover an area of 333 cubic feet. Eva-dry can operate for up to three or four weeks, offering longer protection than most dehumidifiers.
Customer Reviews
“I use this little dehumidifier in my tiny bathroom. Even though I have a fan in the bathroom it still would get mildew spots from the steam. I've had this in the bathroom for a couple months now and I haven't noticed any new mildew spots. I have to plug it in every week or two since there is so much moisture in the bathroom, but that is a very easy process. I love the size and ease of use! ”
Product Description
We think that Eva-Dry Wireless Mini Dehumidifier is overall the best because it is 100% safe, renewable, and super easy to use. A single device is enough to cover an area of 333 cubic feet. Once fully charged, it can operate for up to three or four weeks which is longer than most dehumidifiers. The manufacturer of Eva-Dry also claims that the product can last for up to 10 years before needing any replacement. To ensure that they live up to their promises, the Eva-Dry unit comes with a 5-year warranty.
So how does the Eva-Dry dehumidifier works? The Eva-Dry is a type of desiccant that uses silica gel to absorb moisture and humidity inside your gun safe. The crystals turn orange when it is full and then changes to a green color when it is absorbing moisture. Hence, when it completely turns green, you can take it out and recharge for up to 10 hours. When the crystals change to orange again, then it is ready for use once again. Since the product does not need batteries or electricity to operate, you can save some money as long as you use the dehumidifier for up to a decade.
Best Budget Option: Barska Safe Moisture Absorber
A budget-friendly dessicant to protect your valuables such as guns and jewelry from moisture, mildew, and corrosion. Barska is designed with a color-changing indicator that turns blue when it’s ready for use and then changes to pink when it is absorbing moisture.
Customer Reviews
“I haven’t seen the indicator go pink so I don’t know about microwaving it. But I got this for my car because in the fall and winter, it gets damp inside my car. As on the steering wheel feels damp. Since throwing one of these on the dash, I don’t have that problem anymore. ”
Product Description
Another type of reliable desiccant dehumidifier is the Barska Dessicant Pack. It’s an excellent add-on to protect your valuables such as guns and jewelry from moisture, mildew, and corrosion. It is also designed with a color-changing indicator so that you can be aware of its operation. Its color turns blue when it’s ready for use then changes to pink when it is absorbing moisture.
Barska uses Silicon Dioxide to effectively remove the excess moisture from air inside your safe. It is also renewable, safe, and surprisingly cheaper than most desiccant dehumidifiers. If you are looking for a budget-friendly dehumidifier that is as effective as the other competitor brands, then Barska might be your best option. It is not only useful for gun safes but also to any enclosures you want to keep dry such as RVs, closets, cabinets, cars, and other storage containers.
Lastly, make sure that the microwave is clean from oil and grease when recharging your unit to prevent damage.
Best for Portability: Hornady Reusable Canister Dehumidifier
Hornady comes with a compact packaging design for portability. It is super easy to use and maintain as it efficiently protects your firearms from rust and corrosion.
Customer Reviews
“Gworkes great for even large safes. Save money bc this requires no batteries. ”
Product Description
We think the Hornady Canister is the best portable dehumidifier because of its compact packaging design. It is super easy to use and maintain while keeping your firearms safe from rust and corrosion. The unit is made of highly absorbent silica gel that changes from color blue to pink when it needs to be recharged.
When recharging the Hornady Canister, make sure to set your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait until the silica gel turns back to blue before taking them out. Each unit generally requires about 4 hours to fully recharge before it is ready for use again. You can easily insert this portable canister into any enclosure with tight spaces, such as gun lockers, cabinets, closets, gun safes, bags, and many others!
Best for Easy Installation: Lockdown Dehumidifier Rod
Looking for an electric alternative to desiccant dehumidifiers? Then the Lockdown Dehumidifier Rod is definitely one of the best choices out there. The unit is very easy to install and use - just plug the unit into an electric outlet and it’s ready for use.
Customer Reviews
“I bought a 18” for the bottom of my safe and a 12” for the middle and put them both inside. With a Digital temp/humidity meter my interior safe temps went up from 74 to 90 degrees and the humidity went from 77% down to 48%. It took several days to get that warm and dryer inside. Nonetheless I should not have any more issues with rusted guns and mold growing on my wooden stocks. I’ll go many months without opening the safe and there’s always mold on my firearms. Here in Texas these safes just get cool and lock in the moisture from humidity. ”
Product Description
The Lockdown rod works its magic by heating the inside of the safe to maintain the circulation of warm air. Eventually, this process prevents humidity from increasing inside and keeps things dry.
Lockdown also comes with two different sizes to cater to different safe sizes. Another feature is that it is cleverly designed with a disassembled male plug so that you can easily pass it through from the safe to an electric port.
Best for Versatility: Goldenrod Original Dehumidifier
Goldenrod offers durability and versatility. It does not get too hot to prevent yourself from getting burnt. Effectively manages the humidity levels while it keeps the temperature slightly higher inside the safe to prevent mildew and corrosion.
Customer Reviews
“Not sure where there's so much drama in some of the reviews. The one I got says, "Made in America" and does the job. Essentially what you're buying is a very small space heater to warm the air in your safe and thus dry the air. I also purchased a digital hygrometer to measure air temp and humidity.
Ensure you get the length right. You probably want the biggest one your safe can hold. Also, it's AC powered so your safe must have a hole for an AC line. ”
Product Description
One of the most powerful dehumidifiers in the market is the Goldenrod Original Dehumidifier. To cater different needs, the unit is available in different sizes and wattages to effectively manage the humidity levels while keeping the temperature slightly higher inside the safe.
You can install the unit in any storage containers that you want to keep dry. If you have your closets or gun safes in areas without climate control such as a basement, then you truly can trust this dehumidifier to do its job well since it covers a large volume.
We think that the Goldenrod is one of the best availabe due to its durability and versatility. Unlike other electric dehumidifiers, this rod does not get too hot, hence preventing yourself from getting burns in case you accidentally touch it.
Our Key Takeaways
Looking for a good-quality gun safe dehumidifier is important to keep your weapons and other valuables safe from rust, corrosion and mildew. However, it can be overwhelming to search for the best one since the market has too many to offer. That is why we have summarized here our top choices and hopefully helps you decide on your next purchase.
Whichever gun safe dehumidifier you choose, make sure to consider the features mentioned in this post. Additionally, there are two main types of dehumidifiers - desiccant and electric versions, so you need to consider this as well. Pick the right one that meets your requirements and budget!
Hi, I’m Christy, and I’m an electronics engineer by profession. I have taught in a university for 2 years while pursuing my master’s degree in cognitive radio and worked for a company to develop wireless medical devices. Currently, I’m doing research for a doctorate degree in engineering using a wireless sensor network for smart agriculture. I’ve been active in our local IoT community, IoT Cebu, where I participate in conducting talks about Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and DIY home automation using Wi-Fi and ZigBee devices.
Last update on 2023-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API