Photo: Lockdown
A gun safe is one of the most effective ways of securing your firearms. However, this enclosure affects airflow around the guns, which leads to a build-up of moisture that can damage the rifles. But, with the best dehumidifier for gun safe, this should never be an issue.
A dehumidifier will help prevent problems that come with excess moisture like damage to the ammo, growth of mold, rust building up on firearms, and a foul odor emanating from the safe.
Because there are different types and models of gun safes dehumidifiers from different companies, here we look at some top-rated models and explain the factors to watch out for when choosing.
In this post:
- 10 Best Dehumidifiers for Gun Safe – Review
- 1. Lockdown 725721 – Best Overall Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
- 2. Lockdown 222178 – Best Budget Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
- 3. Lockdown 222000-Parent – Best Dehumidifier for Gun Safe Brand
- 4. Eva-Dry E-333 – Best Rechargeable Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
- 5. Browning 164128 – Best Dehumidifier for 30-Inch Gun Safes
- 6. Liberty Safe 9913 – High Heat Gun Safe Dehumidifier
- 7. Dry-Packs DP750CAN – Easy to Reactivate Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
- 8. Peet M10 – Subtle but Effective Dehumidifier
- 9. Pro Breeze PB-04-US – Cordless Mini Dehumidifier
- 10. Stack-On SPAD-1500 – High Capacity Gun Safe Dehumidifier
- How to Buy the Best Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
- Conclusion
10 Best Dehumidifiers for Gun Safe – Review
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
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1. Lockdown 725721 (Best Overall) |
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2. Lockdown 222178 (Best Budget) |
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3. Lockdown 222000-Parent (Best Brand) |
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4. Eva-Dry E-333 (Best Rechargeable) |
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5. Browning 164128 (Best for 30-Inch Gun Safes) |
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6. Liberty Safe 9913 (For High Heat Gun Safe) |
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7. Dry-Packs DP750CAN (Easy to Reactivate) |
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8. Peet M10 (Subtle but Effective) |
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9. Pro Breeze PB-04-US (Cordless Mini Design) |
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10. Stack-On SPAD-1500 (High Capacity) |
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PRODUCT |
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1. Lockdown 725721 (Best Overall)
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2. Lockdown 222178 (Best Budget)
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3. Lockdown 222000-Parent (Best Brand)
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4. Eva-Dry E-333 (Best Rechargeable)
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5. Browning 164128 (Best for 30-Inch Gun Safes)
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6. Liberty Safe 9913 (For High Heat Gun Safe)
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7. Dry-Packs DP750CAN (Easy to Reactivate)
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8. Peet M10 (Subtle but Effective
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9. Pro Breeze PB-04-US (Cordless Mini Design)
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10. Stack-On SPAD-1500 (High Capacity)
|
1. Lockdown 725721 – Best Overall Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
Photo: Lockdown
- Dehumidifier Type: Electric
- Coverage: 100 – 500 cubic feet
- Size: 12 – 36 inches
With different size options from 12 to 36 inches and a coverage area up to 500 cubic feet, the Lockdown 725721 can work for any gun safe out there. And this is what makes it our best overall model.
Another element that makes this one of the best electric dehumidifiers for gun safe is that it is super easy to install, and it comes with the mounting brackets. Also, it comes in a low profile design to ensure it will take up less space on your gun safe.
The cord on this dehumidifier is customizable, which will ensure it will work well for various situations. With the limited lifetime warranty, you can be confident that this dehumidifier has been built to last.
While this dehumidifier can get quite hot, it will still not get hot enough to damage anything in the safe unless you place a plastic component directly over it.
Pros:
- Variety of size options
- Takes up less safe space
- Easy to install
- Customizable cord length
- Guaranteed to last a lifetime
Cons:
- Gets quite hot
2. Lockdown 222178 – Best Budget Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
Photo: Lockdown
- Dehumidifier Type: Desiccant
- Coverage: 33 – 57 cubic feet
- Size: 40 – 750 grams
For those looking for an effective solution for dehumidifying their gun safe and do not have a lot of money to spend, the Lockdown 222178 will be a perfect choice. Despite being a more affordable choice, its high effectiveness also makes it one of the best gun safe desiccants.
This gun safe dehumidifier comes in a more compact size that will allow you to place it anywhere in your safe as it will take up less room to ensure it does not affect the gun organization.
Using this dehumidifier is quite easy because you can easily tell when the beads are full as the color changes. Overall, this desiccant is effective enough at preventing condensation, mildew, and rust for areas up to 57 cubic feet.
Recharging in the oven seems quite slow and will take a lot of time, but the good news is that it is a simple process. You can still recharge the beads in the microwave if you want to speed up the process. Also, the easy recharging makes up for the relatively faster fill up.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Can be placed anywhere in the safe
- Multiple options available
- Crystals change size when full
- Easy recharging
Cons:
- Slow oven recharging
- Fill up fast
3. Lockdown 222000-Parent – Best Dehumidifier for Gun Safe Brand
Photo: Lockdown
- Dehumidifier Type: Electric
- Coverage: 100 – 200 cubic feet
- Size: 12 – 18 inches
Lockdown has some of the most effective moisture control products in the market, and they have been one of the industry leaders for a long time. Their Lockdown 222000-Parent will be an excellent choice for you if you prefer something from a reliable brand.
This dehumidifier comes in a more low profile design like most of their other models to ensure that you can have it in areas of the safe that you will not need to utilize. You can easily secure it on the safe as it comes with mounting brackets for easy and secure installation.
With the conveniently detachable cord on this unit, you can thread it fast through the safe’s back to ensure you have an even easier time.
The plug on this dehumidifier looks and feels cheap, but the good news is that you can easily replace it with something better that you can get for a few bucks.
Pros:
- Reliable dehumidifier from a top brand
- Takes up little safe space
- Legs included to keep it stable
- Easy to install
- Convenient detachable cord
Cons:
- Cheap plug
4. Eva-Dry E-333 – Best Rechargeable Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
Photo: Eva-Dry
- Dehumidifier Type: Desiccant
- Coverage: 333 cubic feet
- Size: 4 – 6 oz
With a larger coverage area of up to 333 cubic feet, the Eva-Dry E-333 is one of the best rechargeable dehumidifiers for gun safe. To make things even better, it can absorb up to 6 ounces of moisture.
Many users love that this dehumidifier will not spill or leave a mess in your gun safe. Also, it has an easy-to-use design as you will only need to hang it in the safe.
The small and portable design makes it easy to handle, easy to carry and use on the go. Because it does not contain any toxic material or substance, this will be a safe product for use around kids and pets.
The long recharge time seems to be the biggest demerit of this dehumidifier because it will take several hours to dry. But, given the overall efficiency, this is something you can overlook.
Pros:
- Relatively wider coverage
- Does not spill or leave messes behind
- Easy to use
- Small and portable
- Non-toxic and child/pet friendly
Cons:
- Long recharge time
5. Browning 164128 – Best Dehumidifier for 30-Inch Gun Safes
Photo: Browning
- Dehumidifier Type: Electric
- Coverage: Over 30 inches
- Size: 18 inches
Browning 164128 is an 18-inch long dehumidifier that has been built for gun safes that are 30 inches wide and larger. Hence, if you have a large safe with several firearms, this will be a fantastic pick.
Despite covering a wide area, this is still a small and compact dehumidifier that will not take up a lot of space in your safe. Better yet, it is quite straightforward to install thanks to the removable cord, it should only take a few minutes to set up.
Overall, this gun safe is made from some high-quality materials that will ensure maximum durability, and it includes some nice feet that will help keep it stable on different safe surfaces.
While this dehumidifier is relatively expensive when compared to other models, you can be confident that the service you get will give you excellent value for money.
Pros:
- Great for larger gun safes
- Small and compact
- Easy to install
- Highly durable materials
- Nice and stable feet
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
6. Liberty Safe 9913 – High Heat Gun Safe Dehumidifier
Photo: Liberty Safe
- Dehumidifier Type: Electric
- Size: 12 inches
With the capability to get up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the Liberty Safe 9913 produces enough heat to absorb moisture effectively to keep your gun and everything else in the safe free of rust.
This dehumidifier offers versatile mounting options as you can have it both on the wall and floor. However, horizontal mounting is the most effective position. Also, the low profile will ensure that this dehumidifier will take up relatively less space.
When compared to other options on our dehumidifier for gun safe review, this will also be a more affordable option.
You need to buy the electric outlet kit to use this gun safe dehumidifier, which means extra cost for you. But given the smaller price tag of this dehumidifier and the fact that the kit is inexpensive, this should not be a deal-breaker.
Pros:
- Produces more heat for increased efficiency
- Versatile mounting options
- Takes up less space
- Relatively affordable
Cons:
- Separate electrical outlet kit required
7. Dry-Packs DP750CAN – Easy to Reactivate Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
Photo: Dry-Packs
- Dehumidifier Type: Desiccant
- Coverage: 57 cubic feet
- Size: 750 grams
The Dry-Packs DP750CAN desiccant dehumidifier is designed to be super easy to reactivate, which ensures there will be minimum downtimes so that your gun safe is always protected from moisture.
With the 750-gram capacity, these beads will be able to absorb more moisture before you need to reactivate them. When it comes to the reactivation, there is a handy indicator on the lid that changes color to alert you when the beads are full.
Overall, this dehumidifier has a sturdy overall construction for long service life. Many users love that besides gun safes, this dehumidifier will also work for other things such as toolboxes, closets, storage bins, and even boats.
Although there seems to be relatively fewer indicating beads in this desiccant dehumidifier, they are still more than enough to alert you when you need to recharge.
Pros:
- Super easy to reactive
- Relatively higher capacity
- Handy indicator lid
- Sturdy overall construction
- Works for a wide variety of situations
Cons:
- Few indicating beads
8. Peet M10 – Subtle but Effective Dehumidifier
Photo: Peet
- Dehumidifier Type: Electric
- Coverage: 80 cubic feet
The subtle but highly effective Peet M10 will take up little space in your gun safe, but it will still dehumidify up to 80 cubic feet of space.
Installing and using this dehumidifier will be straightforward even for inexperienced users as it will come with some easy to follow instructions. Many users love that it runs relatively more quietly than most others.
This Peet dehumidifier uses up less energy than a light bulb, so you can operate for extended periods without having to worry about skyrocketing energy bills.
The quality of the prongs on the plug are wanting and do not seem to connect very well on the power outlet. However, you can easily replace the plug with a better quality aftermarket one.
Pros:
- Takes up less space in the safe
- Easy to install and use
- Runs more quietly
- Uses less energy than a bulb
Cons:
- Poor quality plug prongs
9. Pro Breeze PB-04-US – Cordless Mini Dehumidifier
Photo: Pro Breeze
- Dehumidifier Type: Desiccant
- Coverage: 333 cubic feet
- Size: 5 oz
There will be no annoying cords to deal with when using the Pro Breeze PB-04-US as it has a completely cordless design that also ensures you will never have to drill holes on your gun safe.
Because this dehumidifier is rechargeable and renewable, you can be confident that it will give you a long service life. Also, it has longer intervals between recharges as you can go up to 30 days.
While the 333 cubic feet coverage is not the largest on our dehumidifier for gun safe review, it is still more than enough for standard gun safes. And because the materials used to make this dehumidifier are non-toxic, it will be safe to use around kids and pets.
This dehumidifier does not shut off automatically when recharged like others will do. While this can lead to damages to the beads when they get too hot, it does not take anything away from the fact that this is still a fantastic dehumidifier.
Pros:
- Completely cordless design
- Can be recharged and renewed for long service life
- Longer intervals between recharges
- Wide enough coverage
- Safe for use around kids and pets
Cons:
- No automatic charging shut off
10. Stack-On SPAD-1500 – High Capacity Gun Safe Dehumidifier
Photo: Stack-On
- Dehumidifier Type: Desiccant
- Coverage: 100 cubic feet
- Size: 1,500 grams
With the 1,500 grams of silica gel beads, the Stack-On SPAD-1500 is the best gun safe dehumidifier if you are looking for something with a high capacity. This unit will allow you to go up to 6 weeks without the need to recharge.
When it comes to the recharge, you can be confident that you know as it has a handy recharge indicator on the lid that will change color to alert you.
Although this unit is mostly plastic, the material used is heavy-gauge enough to ensure maximum durability, and it is non-toxic to ensure safety for kids and pets.
The up to 10 hours recharge time seems quite long, but this is typical of most desiccant dehumidifiers, and should hence not be a deal-breaker. What’s more, the process is simple because you only need to plug it in and leave it to recharge.
Pros:
- Relatively higher absorption capacity
- Lasts longer between recharges
- Easy to recharge by plugging it in
- Handy moisture indicator gauge
- Non-toxic and durable materials
Cons:
- Long recharge time
How to Buy the Best Dehumidifier for Gun Safe
Photo: Lockdown
1. Dehumidifier Type: Electric or Desiccant (Silica Gel)
As you pick up the best gun safe dehumidifier, you will first need to decide the types that you want. And here the two main choices are electric and desiccant. Each of these dehumidifiers has its pros and cons, and will hence work for different users and situations.
Electric
Electric dehumidifier for gun safe will use an exposed heating element that will produce heat to evaporate the moisture in the safe. These are more efficient dehumidifiers than the desiccant types, which explains the increase in their popularity over the years.
The high efficiency of these dehumidifiers makes them ideal for those that live in high humidity areas. However, these types will require you to have an outlet near the safe, and you may have to drill a hole on the safe for the cable.
Desiccant (Silica Gel)
The desiccant dehumidifiers for gun safe will utilize silica gel beads to absorb the excess moisture. Unlike the electric types, the silica gel can only absorb a specific amount of moisture before you have to recharge.
With these silica gel packs, you will not need to drill holes on your safe, and neither will you need to have a power outlet close to the safe. These are the easiest dehumidifier to install as you will only need to place them inside the safe.
2. Absorption Capacity
The absorption capacity should be one of your primary concerns when choosing a dehumidifier for your gun safe. And this is because it will determine how much moisture the unit can absorb and hence its effectiveness.
Electric and desiccant models will have different absorption capacities. For the electric models, it will depend on how powerful the unit will be, while the desiccant types, the absorption capacity is highly dependent on the quantity of the silica gel. The more the silica gel, the higher the absorption capacity.
The exact absorption capacity that you will need depends on factors like the humidity level in your area and safe size. However, large absorption capacity is always preferable.
3. Size and Coverage
Dehumidifiers for gun safe will differ in their size and coverage. And to make sure what you buy works well for you, it is vital to make sure it is large enough to cover your specific safe size.
The coverage area for these dehumidifiers is measured in cubic feet, and you can get something with as little as 30 cubic feet coverage to as large as 500 cubic feet and even larger.
For smaller safe sizes, something with a 33 to 57 cubic feet coverage like the Lockdown 222178 should be good enough.
Read More: What Size Dehumidifier do I Need?
4. Longevity
Longevity is also a key factor to consider when shopping for the best dehumidifier for gun safe as it will ensure you get value for your money.
For the electric models, you will hardly ever have to worry about longevity because, with proper maintenance, they can last almost infinitely.
However, if you are buying the desiccant types, you need to make sure the model you buy will provide a long service life before requiring recharging. A 20 to 30 days service life before recharging like what you get on the Eva-Dry E-333 should be good enough.
5. Safety
You need to make sure that the dehumidifier for gun safe you choose is safe to use, and this is more so when buying the electric types.
For the electric dehumidifier, you need to make sure that the unit is safe to handle and with no naked wires or cables that might pose safety risks. Also, auto shut off function that prevents overheating will be very useful for ensuring extra safety.
The material used to make the dehumidifier determine its level of safety. Here you need to make sure that the models you choose will not have any toxic materials.
6. Installation
Some gun safe dehumidifiers will be easier to install than others, and so you need to keep the ease of installation in mind when choosing one.
The silica gel or desiccant dehumidifiers are the easiest to install as all you will need to do is throw it into the safe.
Electric dehumidifiers need an electricity source and will sometimes require you to drill holes on your safe, which makes them more hectic to install. But, if the safe has pre-drilled anchorage holes, installing the electric dehumidifier should be easy for you as you will not need to drill more holes.
Conclusion
With the best dehumidifier for gun safe, you will have a reliable tool that will help protect your firearms from the damages that come with excess humidity.
There is a model for everyone on our list. But, the Lockdown 725721 is our best overall option thanks to the versatile size options and the low-profile design.
However, if you prefer the desiccant types and are also looking to spend less cash, the more-affordable Lockdown 222178 should serve you well.