Non-AC storage services are the cheapest way to keep your things safe in Dubai, as long as you put the right things in them. Tools, tiles, sealed bins and business stock do fine. Wood furniture, leather and electronics don’t. This page shows you which is which, what it costs, and how to avoid paying for the wrong kind of space.
Our non-AC storage services start at AED 12 per square foot per month. Here’s everything you need to decide.
What Non-AC Storage Services Actually Include
Non-AC storage means warehouse space without air conditioning. Your items stay indoors, off the street, in a facility with CCTV and controlled access. The temperature just follows the weather outside.
That is why non-AC storage services cost less than climate-controlled space, and why they suit some things better than others. You can drop your items off yourself, or we can collect them from your home or office.
Non-AC Storage Services Pricing
The rate is AED 12 per square foot per month, starting. Here is what that looks like by size, next to our AC rate of AED 15 so you can compare.
| Space | Non-AC per month | AC per month | You save with non-AC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 sq ft | AED 300 | AED 375 | AED 75 |
| 50 sq ft | AED 600 | AED 750 | AED 150 |
| 100 sq ft | AED 1,200 | AED 1,500 | AED 300 |
| 150 sq ft | AED 1,800 | AED 2,250 | AED 450 |
| 200 sq ft | AED 2,400 | AED 3,000 | AED 600 |
These are starting prices. VAT is added where it applies, and your final price depends on the size, how long you need the space and whether you want collection. For comparison, many small private units in Dubai sit between about AED 9 and 19 per square foot, so non-AC storage services at AED 12 are well inside the normal range.
As a rough guide, 25 sq ft holds boxes, tools and a few bins. 50 sq ft suits small business stock or a garage clear-out. 100 sq ft fits shelving, equipment or a lot of bins. 200 sq ft is for bigger stock.
What Is Safe to Keep in Non-AC Storage Services
Anything sturdy, dry and unbothered by heat works well. That includes:
- Tools and hardware
- Lidded plastic bins with clean, dry contents
- Tiles and building materials
- Metal shelving
- Plastic or metal outdoor furniture
- Camping, sports and gym gear
- Bikes and suitcases
- Business stock that isn’t heat-sensitive, like fittings, packaging and clothing
- Exhibition stands and event props
If it would sit happily in a garage, non-AC storage services are usually enough.
What Should Stay Out of Non-AC Storage
Some things don’t like Dubai’s heat and humidity, and a few months can be enough to damage them:
- Wooden furniture and anything with glued joints
- Leather and upholstered sofas
- Mattresses
- Electronics and batteries
- Artwork, photos and musical instruments, pianos included
- Books and important paper for the long term
- Candles, cosmetics, medicines and anything that melts
For these, our AC storage is only AED 3 more per square foot. Our storage services page covers both options side by side.
Some things can’t be stored at all, in any facility: perishable food, live plants, flammable materials, gas canisters, explosive, corrosive or toxic items, and cash or valuables that belong in a bank. Our guide to things movers won’t move in Dubai explains why.
The Summer Question
Here is the honest answer. In July and August, a warehouse without cooling gets hot, in line with the weather outside. From about November to March it is much milder. Sturdy items cope fine, but anything heat-sensitive does not, which is why we don’t suggest non-AC storage services for sofas or wardrobes over a summer. Our post on summer moving in Dubai explains what heat does to wood and leather.
If you do store through summer, use lidded plastic bins, keep liquids and aerosols out, make sure everything is completely dry, and add a few silica gel packs to bins of tools or paperwork. The National Center of Meteorology publishes the seasonal temperatures if you want to check.
7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid With Non-AC Storage Services
1. Storing wood, leather or electronics to save money
You might save AED 300 a month on 100 sq ft, then pay far more to repair or replace the item. Use the lists above before you choose.
2. Packing everything in cardboard
Humid months soften cardboard and stacked boxes sag. Plastic bins with lids stack better and protect what’s inside. Use cardboard only for light items.
3. Storing anything damp
Wet camping gear, towels or a damp cushion will grow mould in a closed space. Dry every item completely before it goes in.
4. Leaving liquids, aerosols or batteries in your boxes
They are restricted, and heat makes them riskier. Go through each box before you seal it.
5. Stacking boxes straight on the floor
Keep them on pallets or shelves, off the ground, so dust and spills don’t reach them. Ask what racking is available when you book.
6. Not keeping an inventory
Take a photo of each bin and label it. When you want something back in four months, you’ll know which bin it’s in.
7. Booking the wrong size
Estimate your space before you pay for it. At AED 12 a square foot, every extra 20 sq ft costs AED 240 a month. Send us a list or photos and we’ll suggest a size.
Non-AC or AC? A Simple Way to Decide
Ask one question: would this item be unhappy in a hot, humid room? If yes, choose AC. If it would sit happily in a garage, non-AC storage services are enough.
You can also split the load. Put the sturdy things in non-AC at AED 12 and the sensitive ones in a small AC unit at AED 15. That is often cheaper than putting everything in AC. If you’re clearing a home before leaving Dubai, our guide to what to do with furniture when leaving Dubai helps you choose what to keep.
How It Works
- Send us a list or a few photos of what you need to store.
- We tell you whether non-AC or AC suits your items, and what size you need.
- We collect your things or you bring them to the warehouse.
- Your items are logged and stored in your space.
- Contact us when you need something back, and ask about access hours when you book.
Questions People Ask About Non-AC Storage Services
How much do non-AC storage services cost in Dubai?
Our non-AC storage services start at AED 12 per square foot per month. That makes 100 sq ft from AED 1,200 a month, before VAT where it applies.
Is non-AC storage safe in a Dubai summer?
For sturdy, dry items like tools, tiles and sealed plastic bins, yes. For wood, leather, electronics and anything that melts, no. Choose AC for those.
Can I store furniture in non-AC storage?
Plastic and metal furniture is fine. Wooden and leather furniture is better in AC storage, especially through summer.
Can you collect my items from my home?
Yes, we can collect from your home or office. Tell us your building or community name when you ask for a quote.