Choosing the right gun safe is essential not only for protecting your firearm but also for preventing it from being accessed by those for whom it is forbidden by law to handle guns. Looking for safe, highly secure locking technologies is of paramount importance to restrict your gun from being in the wrong hands.
We’ve reviewed 37 options to choose the 12 best gun safes, with the Vaultek VT20i Pistol Safe as our top pick. One of the most important considerations is the type of lock. You should always opt for a lock that has been certified by the UL; in most cases, this will be a mechanical lock. 90% of safes on the market today with electronic locks tend to cause more problems than they solve. Additionally, it’s vital to consider quick-access gun safes because you don’t want to waste time fumbling with a safe during an emergency.
The Vaultek VT20i Pistol Safe is guaranteed to protect your gun from any unwanted handlers due to the addition of a new and upgraded anti-theft protection system that is impossible to break. The new anti-theft system contains security brackets located in the interior of the product, and the best thing is that this new system is available on all the Vaultek product range.
The VT20i Pistol Safe is designed to keep a maximum of one handgun safely stored. The heavy-duty casing, which is constructed from carbon steel, is very robust and will guarantee long-lasting protection of your pistol. The safe measures at 2.75ʹʹ × 9 ʹʹ × 11.5ʹʹ and weighs at 7.2 pounds making it easy to transport and store in small compact locations.
One of the best features of the VT20i Pistol Safe is the extremely quick access gun handlers have to their gun when stored. In a moment of emergency where the weapon may be required, often gun safes have proved ineffectiveness by being too difficult to open. With quick access features such as the rapid-fire keypad or the fingerprint scanner, the safe can be opened at a moment’s notice, leaving many with that extra peace of mind.
The inclusion of smart, safe technology into the product design makes storing your gun an interactive experience as the VT20i Pistol Safe can be connected to your smartphone. This allows users to control the hotkeys from a remote location. The safe is also battery-powered, which lasts four months and can be easily recharged via a USB port, taking up to 3 hours.
The Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved is a new, improved version of Steelwater’s older gun safes and is known for being one of the best long gun safes currently available to purchase. Storing a maximum of 16 longs at one time, the Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved is a really reliable purchase for those owning larger guns.
The upgraded design of the product includes a door organizer to make the storing process more practice as well as improved exterior construction, which makes the safe fireproof for up to one hour. The Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved comes with larger locking bolts for the extra strength in storage and bypass key that is double bitted which guarantees that you will never be locked out of the safe. For those wanting easy, quick access, the Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved does not deliver as fingerprint access and Smart Safe technology is not available.
The Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved measures at 59″ x 22″ x 16″ and will stand securely in a garage. Unlike other gun safes, this product is not designed to be transported because of the size and weight of the thick black door and solid steel bolts. In total, the Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved weighs 305 pounds and will securely keep your long guns stored away.
The warranty for the Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved is a full one year with digital components of the product subject to a shorter 90-day guarantee. While not wholly generous, this should give you sufficient purchasing protection.
The SentrySafe QAP1BE Gun Safe is a portable gun safe that is widely regarded as one of the best handgun safes available to purchase. With gun capacity sufficient to store one handgun, the QAP1BE Gun Safe is well-equipped to store your gun securely, while also providing easy access when required.
With dimensions of 3.2ʹʹ × 9.9ʹʹ × 12.1ʹʹ, the QAP1BE Gun Safe is small enough to transport with you in a variety of locations. Whether it be stored in your car glove compartment or a desk drawer, the QAP1BE Gun Safe has an assuming appearance, and its slim, compact design enables it to be very easily stored.
Although heavier than other rival handgun safes, the solid steel construction is purpose-built to last make it near on impossible to break. The door to the safe has been made with a pry-resistant material which adds to the strength of the safe. The main access to the safe is through a manual keyboard which enables fingerprint technology. Back-up security is also assured with the inclusion of an override key in case any technology malfunctions.
The product does not come fitted with batteries. The company recommends the use of four good-quality alkaline AA batteries that expire within ten years of purchase to ensure sufficient lifespan of the safe. Ordinary short-life batteries are likely to easily run-down and should not be used with the product. The QAP1BE Gun Safe gives you a fantastic gun storage solution that is easy to access and is very transportable.
The Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe is a medium-sized gun safe that has the capacity for up to 5 handguns to be stored at any one time. Widely known as one of the best home gun safes, this product is more than capable of storing all of your small weaponry in a safe and secure manner. Storage of the handguns can be achieved through hanging three handguns on the hangers provided and lying the other flat on the surface.
One of the best features of the Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe is the quick access capability achieved through the spring access drop-down door. When required, this door can be easily activated to give you access to your guns. The interior red light and the silent mode that is optional also give you great added storage features.
The Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe is constructed with solid steel in addition to anti-pry materials and locking latch that is built with superior strength. The lock of the safe is pick-proof and comes fitted with a new welded housing for the lock.
The durability of the Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe is guaranteed because of the high-density foam interior which prevents any onset rust both inside the safe and on the surface of your gun. The interior is also fitted with scratch-resistant rods to protect your handgun exterior. Weighing 14.65 pounds, the Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe is not easy to transport, which makes it best suited to being located in your home.
The GunVault SV500 – SpeedVault Handgun Safe is an affordably-priced gun safe that provides owners with quick digital access to their firearm whenever required. The product contains a drop-down door system which, when activated, quickly releases the weapon.
Constructed from 18-gauge steel, the GunVault SV500 is indestructible despite the seemingly lower price. The interior of the safe is lined with a protective foam material. There are four layers of this material to give extra protection to your gun if knocked about when transported. To operate the safe, it requires a 1-9V battery which is normally accessible in most stores.
One of the best aspects of the GunVault SV500 is the variety of mounting options available for you. Extra hardware is included to make the mounting of the product as smooth as possible. Whether it be fitted to the bottom of room cabinets or stored in compact locations in your vehicle, the design of the GunVault SV500 gives fantastic mounting flexibility. The dimensions of the GunVault SV500 are small and thin at 6.5 x 3.5 x 13 inches. Weighing only 7.8 pounds, the product is supremely lightweight and very easy to maneuver.
Another great attribute to the product is a very generous warranty agreement. At five years, the warranty of the GunVault SV500 is significantly more generous than many of the more expensive gun safes currently available to purchase.
The Steelwater Heavy Duty SW592818 Long Gun Safe is the slightly older and larger sibling to the EGS5922. The new and improved steel construction ensures that the product is known for being one of the best fireproof gun safes available to purchase. The exterior construction is designed to cope with temperatures of 1875 ˚F for up to 60 minutes, giving you that extra peace of mind in case of a fire.
The capacity of the SW592818 Long Gun Safe is slightly larger than its sibling by having the capacity to fit 20 long guns. Featuring familiar technology improvements such as the electronic proof locking system and double-sided bypass key lock ensures that users of the SW592818 Long Gun Safe will feel supremely well protected. Even against drilling, the product has an answer with a hard plated fitted into the core of the design that can 8x drill attacks. This makes it stand out from competitors as the truly indestructible gun safe.
With dimensions of 59” x 28” x 18”, the SW592818 Long Gun Safe is designed to be stored in a well-protected location for a significant period of time as it is awkward to move on a regular basis, particularly considering its weight of 453 lbs.
For modernists who prefer Smart Safe technology to give quick gun access, the SW592818 Long Gun Safe does not deliver. It is really designed for those with large amounts of long firearms needed to be stored in a secure location.
The Verifi Smart Safe Gun Safe is renowned for being one of the most secure gun safes currently available to purchase. Available at a premium price, the safe offers fantastically reliable security because of the largest FBI certified fingerprint sensor on any gun safe. If you are a fan of fingerprint technology being integrated into your safe, the Verifi Smart Safe Gun Safe is undoubtedly the best choice.
The advantages of having such a large and robust fingerprint sensor are that it can capture high-resolution images of fingerprints, which enhances the recognizability of the prints. This is important for quick access, ensuring the Verifi Smart Safe Gun Safe gives users rapid and easy access to their firearm.
The high-quality electronics also perform self-diagnostics to ensure that they are functioning well and can perform when they are most in need. Such diagnostics include timestamps which allow you to monitor any unauthorized and authorized entry attempts. If you need group access to the firearm, the Verifi Smart Safe Gun Safe is also able to store up to 40 different fingerprints.
For storing only one handgun, the weight of the Verifi Smart Safe Gun Safe is significantly heavier than other safes of a similar size and capacity. This brings issues when looking to transport the safe. Most will store this safe in one location, in a house or office, to prevent it from needing to be transported. The Verifi Smart Safe Gun Safe provides brilliant secure safe technology to protect your firearm.
The First Alert RA31524 Portable Handgun Safe is an affordable, lightweight gun safe that can be easily transported and stored in a variety of locations. With a capacity of one handgun, this small safe is ideal for those wanting to store a firearm in convenient places.
The RA31524 Portable Handgun Safe ensures quick and easy entry for users to access the handgun with a three to eight-digit number keypad. Although this may be slightly less straightforward than more advanced fingerprint technologies, the number of access system on the safe is still easy to use. The locking mechanism is spring-loaded, which adds to the ease in which it is to operate. This mechanism is also known for being very durable and will last you a long time.
The construction of the RA31524 Portable Handgun Safe is made with 18-gauge heavy steel to provide extremely tough and durable handgun protection. The interior of the safe is designed with a foam padding to give that soft, rust-resistant protection to the body of your firearm.
One of the best aspects of the RA31524 Portable Handgun Safe is its ability to mounted and stored in a variety of places. The product comes with a steel cable which allows it to be easily stored in the trunk of a vehicle. There also many mounting holes for the safe to be attached to a shelf or floor. For an affordable and versatile solution to storing your handgun in a safe and secure way, the RA31524 Portable Handgun Safe is a highly recommended option.
The Vaultek Slider Series Gun Safe is known for being one of the most conspicuous gun safes currently available purchase and has a reputation as the best car gun safe. Due to the slim vertical design, the gun safe can be conveniently stored in a vehicle without looking out of place.
The Vaultek Slider Series Gun Safe has a capacity for one handgun of a maximum length of 8″ and is designed with a 16-gauge carbon steel construction to ensure long-lasting protection of your firearm. The addition of carbon into the material design is also crucial in preventing any corrosion from taking place.
The access point of the safe contains a three-point precision rail system which deploys ball bearing guides to ensure a safe opening and presentation of the firearm. One of the best aspects of the Vaultek Slider Series Gun Safe is that the gun, when released, is in a ready position for immediate use, which is perfect, when in an emergency situation.
The addition of Smart Safe technology ensures that the Vaultek Slider Series Gun Safe keeps up with modern developments in the gun safe manufacturing industry. Via the Bluetooth app, you will be able to view various diagnostics of the safe to check that it is full working order. Aspects you can monitor remotely include the battery level, log history, tampering checks as well as a remote unlock when in range of the safe. The Vaultek Slider Series Gun Safe is perfectly suited for those wanting to store their firearm in a vehicle.
The heavy-duty design of V-Line Brute Heavy Duty Safe that features 10-gauge all steel ensures the product is indestructible and gives fantastic protection to your handguns. The design also includes anti-pry clamshell materials for extra protection in the instance of an attempted break-in.
One of the reasons why the V-Line Brute Heavy Duty Safe is so popular with handgun owners is due to the extra gun capacity, with the safe able to easily store two handguns. For products of similar price and specification, the ability of this safe to secure more than one handgun makes it a very cost-effective purchase.
Although the V-Line Brute Heavy Duty Safe does not have fingerprint technology, the safe is designed with a keyless lock for quick access. This prevents you from worrying about looking after a key as the accessing the safe is done solely through the mechanism attached to the surface of the safe.
Weighing ten pounds and dimensions of 9.1ʹʹ × 10.5ʹʹ × 2.6ʹʹ, the safe is light compared to other safes that have the capacity for only one handgun. This allows the product to be easy to transport and stored in a variety of locations.
There are four drilled ¼ inch holes on the product to assist with mounting. The V-Line Brute Heavy Duty Safe is ideal for anyone with more than one handgun in need of a secure and cost-effective gun storage solution.
The Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe is a heavy-duty gun safe that has the capacity for up to two handguns. It is known of having one of the best quick access mechanisms to ensure that you have smooth access to your firearm when needed.
Constructed with slick sliver gauge steel, the body of the Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe is very visually appealing with the well-known Fort Knox logo in front and center. One of the best aspects in terms of security for your firearm is the inclusion of 3/16″ wraparound door, which is resistant to any tampering. The inclusion of this heavy door access makes the safe impossible to break into; it does though make the safe much heavier than rival products.
The Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe is known for the quick and easy access it provides. This is enabled through a fast-opening pushbutton and which is included as part of a Simplex mechanical locking mechanism. The Simplex design follows the name as it is very easy to operate, which is important when wanting a straightforward gun storage facility.
Another great aspect of the Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe is the lifetime warranty agreement that comes with the purchase of the product. This far exceeds the majority of other gun safes currently available to buy. Having this warranty agreement gives you fantastic purchasing protection should any of the components break down. The Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe is an ideal gun storage solution for those wanting quick and easy access for two handguns.
The RPNB Portable Gun Safe offers a unique storage facility for one handgun that also has the capability for storing other items. This multipurpose unit is ideal for those looking for a safe that is not simply restricted to handguns but can also store items such as credit cards, jewelry, and ammunition.
The RPNB Portable Gun Safe is particularly ideal for anyone traveling. The lightweight design of 16-gauge steel weighs only 6.4 pounds and also comes fitted with a 1500-pound security cable for added security protection. The construction materials are also pry-resistant to which adds to strength and durability of the safe. The interior of the product is lined with memory foam of a high density which comes in four layers to prevent any scratching or damage of your firearm.
A great aspect of the RPNB Portable Gun Safe is the ease of use as the safe can be opened through a straightforward 3-digit combination. This keyless access mechanism is very easy to operate and has the capacity to store hundreds of different personalized number combinations. Despite not having modern Smart Safe technology, for the affordable price, the RPNB Portable Gun Safe offers quick and secure access to your firearm.
The RPNB Portable Gun Safe comes with a one-year warranty agreement to give you purchasing protection. While this may not be as generous as other products, the agreement is itself pretty lenient, which is a bonus. The RPNB Portable Gun Safe is ideal for those looking for a lightweight and versatile gun safe solution that is also easy to operate.
If guns land in the hands of children and burglars, it is very lethal. Therefore, it is important that you have a safe to store your gun. This buying guide will help you in finding a safe that is suitable for your gun and the best place you can put it. Take time to read and absorb the content to help guide you in the purchasing process.
Gun safes are made in a different way. Finding one that is suitable for your gun is essential and also knowing the environment that you will put it. The way you are going to use and a number of times you will open the safe is crucial as well. If you are buying your first safe, consider the following features in order to choose the best safe for your gun;
If you own multiple firearms and rifles, you should not get a smaller safe. At first, you may be able to squeeze the firearms in it, but when your collection grows, you may have to leave some outside. It is advisable to buy the best safe for gun capacity which is bigger than the size you actually need. This will enable you to store other valuables in it to keep them away from children and burglars while giving enough space for your guns to breath.
A safe which is at least 6 inches bigger than your longest firearm is ideal. When deciding this, you should bear in mind the amount of space you are willing to give up in your home. As a gun owner, it is not practical to buy a 30-inch safe because it is bulky and can catch the curiosity of other people who may see it.
If you only have one gun, it is ideal to buy a safe that can store up to three guns, so that you don’t have to purchase another one in the future and you can store your pistol in it as well.
Nowadays, safes have been digitalized and can be opened using fingerprint detection, password, and voice activation. This makes it easier for older children and experienced burglars to figure it out. That is why the mechanical locks never really get old. They last for years without needing much maintenance and are more detailed making them have fewer electronic problems
It is recommended to choose a lock certified by the UL and most times it is the mechanical locks. 90% of safes today with electronic locks have more problems than they are supposed to solve. It does not mean that digital locks do not work; you just need to choose one of the Type 1 models by the UL. If well maintained, these types of locks can last you a really long time. They can be expensive but will save you a lot from the dangers of the cheap locks. With digital locks, the finger imprints will show after a few weeks, therefore, make sure to change the passkey.
An important feature to consider is whether the gun safe is easily accessible during emergencies. The best quick access gun safes can save you crucial time because you do not want to waste time opening the safe during emergencies. It is possible to get quick access gun safes at an affordable price.
Most of these gun safes have private access function where only the owner can open it using biometric scanners. Gun safes such as the Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe, is an example of a safe that has prioritized speedy access in the product design.
Gun safes made from steel material and if your location has minimum cases of burglary, a B-rate safe can do the job. This type of safe uses half an inch plate steel door and a quarter an inch steel plate wall. However, a B-rate safe can easily be broken into using basic tools.
Apart from steel, gun safes are also made of concrete to support the wall of the cabinet. It can be hard to measure each safe’s in terms of steel durability and thickness, but the general rule is that a heavier safe is hard to break and cut into.
Most gun owners make the mistake of buying gun safes that are shiny and glossy in the outside without actually thinking of the material the safe is made from.
Gun safes with the same amount of same can way really different from each other. When it comes to gun safe weight, a heavy one is preferred because it is much secure since it will be hard for the burglars to carry and crack it at a different place. Also, a heavier safe means that it is made with more steel making it difficult to break into.
If you know that you need to transport your safe to various places, lighter gun safes such as the RPNB Portable Gun Safe or Vaultek VT20i Pistol Safe could be great options.
The best gun safe should have a rating of 350F for an hour of fire cladding, and this is what the UL recommends. It is important that you buy yourself a safe that has passed the UL tests because accidental fires can happen in any homes or vehicles.
Most gun safes available in the market use ceramic sheet-rock or wool blanketing that insulates the safe when it is exposed to excessive heat and fire. Remember that when burned, cartridges and shells fire. However, the UL does not rate the entire safe, but only if the material used is fireproof.
An example of a product that has solid fireproof material is the Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved, which is able to withstand an hour of sustained fire pressure.
Gun safe walls differ in thickness. Thin safe walls make your gun easily accessible within a few minutes of drilling. Since thieves know that the door is thicker, they get smarter each day, and they will drill on the walls, and if they get lucky, your gun can fall into the wrong hands.
A 10-gauge sheet for a gun safe is the best thickness, and if you are really into security, you can get yourself a 16-gauge one. Apart from steel, it is important to buy a safe with an extra layer of concrete or an armor shield to provide extra support. This is to make sure that the safe is strong enough for any impact if it falls or brutal forces from burglary or calamities.
Note that, as the thickness of the wall increases, the price increases as well. Apart from having a thick wall, ensure that the safe is made of steel and not some material that can easily be cracked by a crowbar.
Gun safe doors are where the burglars target. If your budget is lower than the expensive safes, buying a safe with a steel plate door that has an outdoor steel sheet is a good option. The plate door can be one-inch thick with bolt gussets and carriages. Do not buy one with patchwork steel instead go for the one with solid steel construction. Sometimes doors to gun safes can be drill resistant, such as the Steelwater Heavy Duty SW592818 Long Gun Safe.
You should also bear in mind the door gap. The safe may be thick enough, but a clever burglar can easily crack it open with the right tools if the door gap is substantial. When the safe is closed, try inserting a credit card, if it goes through then know that a burglar can easily open it. Even your children can crack it using the kitchen tools.
This is yet another feature to consider when buying a gun safe. In order to avoid accidental dropping and firing of the gun, it is necessary to have some source of light in the gun safe. You can use an LED lamp or rope lighting, which is accessible through a switch. It is not the best idea to feel a gun in the dark.
There are options in the market for lights designed specifically for gun safes and in a way that they do not start a fire. Some gun safes have lighting designed in them already.
This is important for every purchase where you have security for your money. Warranty terms differ from one manufacturer of guns to another. Some give as low as one year while others give you the option of extending the warranty period but for a certain fee.
You can even find some gun manufacturers offering lifetime warranties but read the print well and look for reviews before considering buying the guns. The lifetime warranty could be compensated by the constant fixing and servicing the gun needs. Always consider the type of warranty before investing your money.
To help you pick the best gun safe, here are the answers to some of your most FAQ:
After knowing the type of safe, you need to determine whether the safe has a key override that you can use in this case. If you don’t have the override key, you can use the change key which allows you to change the combination and gain access to your safe.
If you have tried all the above and the safe is still locked, find a locksmith and give them all the information about your safe including the brand, model and the type of the safe, just so that they have enough information to open your safe.
Regularly maintaining the safe means taking care and control of the entire mechanism, inside and out. Not only does this mean focusing on the operating mechanisms of the interior of the safe but also cleaning the exterior of it.
To help you make the most out of the life of your gun safe, keep in mind these maintenance tips:
Especially since most safes are hidden away from the light, this makes it an optimal area for mold and mildew to breed and show up.
You can either invest in a desiccant dehumidifier or an electric dehumidifier, get informed about the two before choosing which one is the right one for you and your situation.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with all the essential information that you need to know to guide you in your decision in purchasing the best gun safe to suit your needs.
Our verdict on the top three gun safes are:
The Vaultek VT20i Pistol Safe comes top in our ranking because of the inclusion of high-quality Smart Safe technology which allows users to have remote access to the safe through a smartphone. Remote access is increasingly important when seeking a secure storage facility for a firearm.
The Steelwater AMSW592216 New and Improved finishes second in our ranking because of large gun capacity to store up to 16 long guns. The exterior of the safe is indestructible and fireproof, ensuring it can be relied upon to store your firearms.
The SentrySafe QAP1BE Gun Safe comes third in our ranking of best gun safes because of its portability as well as having an access key in times of emergency. This gun safe is perfect to fit in compact locations and is very strong and durable.
It is worthwhile taking time to research some of the best gun safes currently available to see whether they suit your needs, and researching before buying is the best practice to ensure that you get great value for money.
