Gun safes should protect your firearms, but they can’t usually protect them from high humidity levels by themselves. The gun safe dehumidifiers in garages, basements, and washrooms will keep your firearms from getting damaged by rust and being rendered unusable for future use.
After spending hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars on a collection of firearms, you don’t need to spend more to adequately protect your investment. The following 10 dehumidifiers have been vetted based on performance, price, ease of use, and aesthetic appeal.
By going through this guide and matching your situation to the various products, you’ll come out ahead with a dehumidifying setup that will let you store your guns safely.
Best Gun Safe Dehumidifiers:
1. Liberty Safe 18″ Electric Dehumidifier Rod for Gun Safes
Electric dehumidifiers are excellent for serious attempts at lowering the humidity in a gun safe. While there are other means of keeping moisture off of stored weapons, keeping the air from getting cold enough to form into water is the best way to prevent gun rust.
This dehumidifier from Liberty Safe is 18 inches and sits on the floor of a safe. It operates continuously and can drastically lower humidity to preserve weapons as long as it is plugged in.
Customers loved that this product worked as advertised. Humidity can render guns unusable, and this Liberty Safe model was seen as the dehumidifier for gun safe. Being able to effectively reduce humidity continuously is important, and reviewers found that this unit was able to keep the rust off of their armory all of the time.
The unit uses around the same amount of electricity as a small light bulb, but customers did not mention that they were upset over overhead costs.
One review had their gun safe in a damp basement where mold, mildew, and condensation can erode weapons quickly. For the price of continuously leaving a small light on, several thousands of dollars worth of equipment was able to be preserved from harm. Reviewers were in agreement that they picked up a good deal with this model.
This is a great first-time buy for new gun safe owners.
Pros
- Easy-to-follow instructions included
- Affordable electric dehumidifier
Cons
- Not possible to mount multiple units together
2. Eva-dry E-333 Renewable dehumidifier
This is a contender for being the cordless gun safe dehumidifier. The model features a hook to be latched almost anywhere in a safe and is battery-free.
Plugging An electrical socket system dries out silica beads in a few hours to render the device ready to reduce humidity afterward. It is affordable, and it is a good alternative to traditional oven-drying solutions.
Customers found that this product suited their needs. They were able to have a device that they could manually refill and help protect their weapons despite being in a very humid area.
Coastlines generally have high humidity levels, and customers found that this product helped their safes from being invaded by too much moisture through durable silica beads. Another buyer decided to replace their beads, and they were able to do so to keep the device running as smoothly as possible.
A see-through area of the product is available to determine the color of the beads and monitoring when performing the drying cycle is ideal.
This product is affordable and offers great value for fighting humidity.
Pros
- Silica beads can be replaced easily when they wear out
- See-through design allows for simple monitoring of moisture levels
Cons
- Forgetting to unplug the device could damage your electrical outlet
3. Lockdown GoldenRod 18′ Dehumidifier Rod with Low Profile Design
This inexpensive dehumidifier operates in much of the same way as the previous model. Yet it is gold colored and is half the width, so it is the perfect choice for something that looks nice and saves space.
It costs more money than comparable models, but the extra inch of saved space can be worth the price.
Buyers loved that their device worked well when paired with non-electric means of keeping moisture away from their safe. This unit was effective in keeping safe a few degrees higher than the outside temperature, but it wasn’t reducing humidity to acceptable levels when left in cold and wet environments.
By placing inexpensive and almost maintenance-free silica bags to further keep moisture out of the air in their safe, customers were able to leave their weapons stored in weather below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another useful feature that reviewers liked was the unit’s customizable cord length. Some safes are equipped with internal electrical sockets, so some customers cut the unit’s power cable for an ideal fit. Used with other inexpensive means of controlling humidity, this dehumidifier was able to keep weapons preserved in the most extreme of climates.
High-humid areas require a more complex setup for gun storage, and this product can assist in keeping moisture off of firearms.
Pros
- Can be put in smaller safes without problems
- The electrical cord is adjustable for maximum accessibility
Cons
- Humid climates will require pairing with other dehumidifying devices
4. Lockdown Silica Gel
This is a great product for the price that it sells. It is low maintenance and user-friendly, and it looks well-designed to give good aesthetic appeal. If individuals can’t access ovens, then this product might not be the best purchase to make. It has to be dried out for several hours in some type of oven-like machine.
Customers found that this product worked well for their needs when operating an electrical dehumidifier wasn’t feasible. One reviewer noted that their safe did not have an electrical outlet, yet they were able to lower the humidity levels for their firearms by placing two of these units with their guns.
The regular process of drying out the interior beads seemed to be easy to do according to customer reviews. Some buyers opted to dry their beads after they reached their maximum level of water retention through a microwave to save time, but most buyers used their ovens.
Their beads required more attention for the first few weeks of being in a new safe, but drying cycles became less frequent as time went on.
This product can be paired easily with electric dehumidifiers for an ideal setup.
Pros
- No danger of electrical mishaps
- Silica gel can be dried out without having to be removed from the unit
Cons
- Lightweight design can be damaged by accidental collisions
5. Lockdown Dehumidifier Rod 18′
Safes in high humidity will need extra firepower, and that’s where this product comes in. Although it requires connection to a power source to function, countering damp areas by artificially raising the temperature is effective in fighting moisture buildup.
Mounting brackets are included to keep installation a breeze, and this unit is priced competitively. Vertical installation is not recommended, but the device is small enough to be set on the floor of a safe where it will not take up too much space.
When other means of keeping humidity down failed, buyers turned to this unit to solve their problems. Mixing anti-humidity devices can help keep moisture away in a safe, and some climates are too cold for silica bags to prevent condensation or rust from occurring in a safe.
This electric model was paired with silica bags, and customers were able to achieve adequate levels of humidity for their firearms. They reported that the power cord was customizable to achieve a perfect length between their safety and a local socket. They were also pleased with the quality of the parts.
One buyer did see an opportunity to improve the device. They went to their local hardware store and purchased inexpensive plug blades to keep their dehumidifier running more efficiently in the long term.
This unit is a good consideration for smaller safes due to being available in a 12-inch size.
Pros
- The electrical plug is fully replaceable to always keep the unit working
- The unit never gets too hot to handle
Cons
- Some customers might feel uncomfortable leaving an electrical device always running
6. Lockdown 18′ GunSaver Dehumidifier Rod
This is the lightweight version of the previous 12W model. Consuming less power, owning this unit will save you money. It has the same features as the most desirable models: continuous heat, easy assembly, and a minimalist design.
Because it consumes less power than a standard light bulb, owning this device would be excellent for someone who needs an electrical dehumidifier but needs to keep overhead costs to a minimum.
Reviewers noted that this product was easy to install and worked great in the springtime when humidity levels became elevated. One customer expressed concern over the fact that the unit’s power cord came unassembled, for assembling plugs on their own could lead to problems.
This was found to be an illegitimate worry, however. The cord comes without plugs installed to run through tiny supply holes in some safes, and some buyers drilled their own holes to run the cable to an electrical socket.
Buyers found that even after setting up this unit in their safe, their silica bags still drew water from the air. So although the unit functioned and kept the temperature several degrees hotter inside, it wasn’t effective by itself in eliminating the humidity problem. Yet customers found a way to drastically keep their guns dry in wet climates with this product.
This is an affordable option to not spend a lot of money on operating an electric dehumidifier.
Pros
- Hassle-free installation
- Silica bags can be used without harming the electric dehumidifier
Cons
- Limited to installing the unit horizontally across the floor of the safe
7. Pro Breeze Wireless Mini Dehumidifier for Small Spaces
A battery-operated dehumidifier for gun safe will cost you money in the long run, even with an initial investment of high-quality rechargeable batteries. The alternative to batteries is this product, for it plugs into an outlet and dries out wet silica beads over time.
It is one of the electric gun safe dehumidifiers because you save money by not needing to replace silica beads or batteries. As long as you remember to unplug the device after its drying cycle, owning this model can help you fight humidity without breaking the bank.
Electrical dehumidifiers might not work for everyone, for there are a lot of factors that could make their use untenable. This product was received by customers who relied on non-electrical means to keep moisture off their guns, and they found that this unit met their expectations.
Having to keep an oven on for an extended time can be difficult, and this is the main drawback of silica-based dehumidifiers. Customers loved that they could dry their silica packets by plugging their devices into an electrical socket. It saved them energy from moving things around in their kitchen and money to keep the oven on.
The product does not come with a timer, so buyers had to be vigilant to not leave the device plugged in and forget about it.
This unit is packed with value and costs almost nothing to operate: It would help almost any gun safe owner.
Pros
- Compact to fit in gun safes with lots of content
- Minimal costs to operate and keeps the humidity down
Cons
- Should be paired with other devices for larger safes or in very humid climates
8. PEET, SafeKeeping Dryer and Dehumidifier for Gun Safes and Cabinets
Traditional horizontally-laying electric dehumidifiers might not fit in some individual’s safes, so a vertically-standing one is presented here. Priced competitively and offering all of the benefits of horizontally-lying dehumidifiers, this product is a great choice for someone who has very little floor area in their armory.
Buyers went into a praising frenzy after installing this electric dehumidifier into their safe. After trying various popular dehumidifiers, some buyers were still unsatisfied with the performance that they were receiving.
Spending hundreds of dollars on a top-of-the-line model seemed to be the only option remaining until this unit was acquired. Customers noticed immediate and drastic reductions in their humidity levels after setting the product up.
High-humidity climates like laundry rooms and sea coasts were overcome by this device, so reviewers were thrilled at discovering this great find. Some buyers were able to swap out the included power cord for one of their choosing to achieve the setup that they were looking for as well.
This high-performance device should be sought for environments with extreme humidity.
Pros
- Operates quietly to not cause disturbances
- Highly effective at reducing humidity
Cons
- Lacking humidity-sensing technology to shut off when not needed
9. SnapSafe 75902 Safe Dehumidifier Lg Cylinder
This dehumidifier is oven-drying based and is a good value for someone who prefers not to use electrical sockets to dry their silica beads. Ovens have timers that can act as reminders to take out the unit to prevent the beads from getting overcooked.
New silica beads can be placed into this unit when old ones wear out, and the device is capable of being dried in an oven an unlimited number of times to give it great value.
Buyers noted that having this product meant that they would not have to deal with buying new silica packets regularly or have the trouble of reheating them without a place to hold them all.
The product was described as simple to use, for it is placed in a safe and dried out in an oven when the silica beads begin to turn pink. Customers noted two things, however.
Firstly, living in humid areas means that this product won’t keep firearms safe. Despite being filled with silica beads, the product can’t absorb water from the air fast enough to keep rust from occurring. So this product is best paired with another one.
Secondly, some customers noticed rust developing on the unit after some use. Whether this was a manufacturer’s error remains to be seen, but this product was praised for being inexpensive and easy to use.
If your gun safe has little room left, this product could be the best fit for you backed by the gun safe dehumidifier reviews.
Pros
- Simple oven-drying cycles can be completed in less than 12 hours
- Interior silica beads do not to be removed from the unit during drying cycles
Cons
- Some units reported technical issues
Tips on Choosing
The following four questions are commonly asked by new gun safe owners, and they can help you determine what kind of anti-humidity setup you need to install.
Do Gun Safes Need Dehumidifiers?
Almost every gun safe will need a dehumidifier. Warmer climates will not need them as much as colder climates will, but this is subject to the location of the safe within a home.
A safe in a damp washroom or garage will suffer from humidity issues despite being in an area with high average temperatures. The colder and damper the room is, the more expedient it becomes to have a dehumidifier to protect your weapons.
What Is the Best Humidity Level?
Humidity gauges can be acquired for very little, and they can tell you exactly how humid your safe is. Shooting for a number below 50% is ideal, for guns can rust above 50%. A safe without a dehumidifier can easily reach 70% humidity, and this level will rust weapons quickly to cause permanent damage.
Electric dehumidifiers are excellent for knocking out 20% humidity, so they should be bought for areas with high levels of moisture content.
Are Basements Good Places for Gun Safes?
Theoretically, any place is good for safe as long as it is secure. It is feasible to place a gun safe in a basement and protect its contents from the damp atmosphere with a strong dehumidifying system.
A well-constructed electric dehumidifier should be acquired, and it should be paired with silica-based dehumidifiers to combat high water levels.
Additionally, a humidity gauge should be bought to make sure that the interior of the safe can sit below 50% humidity. It will cost labor, time, and energy to keep the humidity levels down, but putting a gun safe in a basement is possible with the right system in place.
How Does a Gun Safe Dehumidifier Work?
Electric dehumidifiers work by keeping a safe temperature high enough to where water levels drop in the air. This results in less condensation and moisture gathering on firearms when placed in small, confined areas.
Silica-based dehumidifiers work by soaking up water in the air and storing it until it reaches its maximum carrying capacity. It is advisable to combine both methods to lower the humidity levels in a gun safe.
There can be too little humidity in a gun safe if too many dehumidifiers are used, but having too little humidity is easily remedied by removing pieces from your setup. The main problem is having too much humidity, so having a humidity gauge can let you know exactly where you stand in this spectrum.
Conclusion
Choosing a gun safe dehumidifier can be complicated, tricky, and stressful. Everything is broken down in this guide to make the process simple, however. With the gun safe dehumidifier, you can protect your guns in the environment that they are in.
If you live in a desert with low humidity, consider going for an electric-free device to protect your guns at night. Living near open bodies of water can require a much stronger system, such as electric models with multiple silica-based devices in place.
These 10 units from various manufacturers can be paired together to achieve ideal humidity levels. After a day of shooting and target practice, being able to store your weapons safely without them being exposed to developing rust is imperative. A good dehumidifier will do the job of keeping you safe ideal for firearm storage.
