Finding the best gun safe for your particular needs and requirements is not an easy thing to do, per se. It requires thorough research, and not just into the mechanisms, but the specification measurements, storage capacity, and home placement as well, among others.
To save you time and effort, we’ve invested a great deal of our own to present you with a definitive list of the sturdiest and best-made products created by top gun safe brands on the market.
With great power comes great responsibility, and gun ownership is no exception. Owning firearms means you need to have proper training, maintain constant awareness of your surroundings, and have a great deal of composure when handling firearms.
Numerous gun safe reviews point out that guns are idle about 99% of the time. This means that improper storage may be a more serious danger than improper handling.
We must also be responsible about where we keep our weapons when we’re not bearing them. And this is where gun safes come in. It keeps your home and your family safe, but most importantly, it makes sure your guns are out of children’s reach.
Okay, enough dilly-dallying, let’s take a look at the best-selling, top gun safe brands choices for your needs:
Our Top 3 Recommendations
1. Amsec RF6528
Features
- Gun Safes Made in USA
- Lots of customizable options
- Lifetime warranty
Price: From $1,077.61
2. Steelwater Gun Safe
Features
- Plenty of versions and specifications
- EMP-proof lock
- Holes for mounting on the ground
Price: From $2,095.00
3. SecureIt Agile Ultralight: Model 52
Features
- Lightweight and easily movable
- Excellent internal organization
- Easy to assemble
Price: From $799.00
Top Rated Gun Safes (Experts’ Choice)
Steelwater Heavy Duty Gun Safe
Price from $999.00
Pros
- Extensive weapon capacity and storage space
- A wide range of optional features to customize
- Extremely durable and well built
Cons
- Steep price tag
Steelwater is the granddaddy of safes. If you’re serious about keeping your guns secure and you’re willing to pay the best price on gun safes for top-quality equipment, the Steelwater is the product for you.
The materials, manufacturing quality, and storage space it provides makes it the go-to pick for gun collectors and enthusiasts.
You can choose among three models: the standard Steelwater, the Steelwater Extreme Duty, and the Steelwater Heavy Duty.
It holds 64 firearms, with two collectors’ racks holding 32 guns each. The Heavy Duty is one of the top gun safes for large guns, with three racks holding 20 pieces each. And the Jr can store 48 weapons – a nice option since it costs about half as much. All models have ample storage space for accessories and valuables. All models come with a lifetime guarantee.
With an 11-gauge steel body, 12¼” locking bars, and 75 minutes of certified fire protection, the Fatboy is an immovable object that’s ready for an unstoppable force.
One of the biggest upsides is the level of customization this gun safe offers. You can add a Suretight three-spoke handle or a rugged and durable electronic lock. You can specify the color of the interior. And you can choose among many more optional features.
The downside is simple – the price. Starting at $999, it is for those who are deadly serious about keeping their gun collections safe. On a budget? Consider the basic series, which holds plenty of weapons but starts at a much more reasonable $769.
Steelwater Best Budget Gun Safe Specifications:
- Capacity: 64 pieces
- Body steel thickness: 11 gauge
- Lock: mechanical (key with locking dial) – electronic lock optional
- Bar/Bolt: 4-inch military-style locking bars, 12¼” thick
- Fire protection: 75 minutes at 1200°F
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 60.5″ x 42″ x 32″
- Weight: 896 lbs.
Zanotti Armor Modular Gun Safe
Price from $2,050.00
Pros
- Super-thick gauge panels
- 20-minute assembly
- Right or left door opening
Cons
- External hinges
- Low fire-resistance rating
Moving is always a hassle. Packing, boxes, vans, calling in favors from friends – nobody likes it except movers, and they wouldn’t like it either if they didn’t get paid. Moving with a safe – that’s a whole other world of hurt.
That’s why a modular type may be the way to go. This type of gun safe comes unassembled from the store, and you put it together yourself. If you have a DIY mentality, a modular safe may be the best option for you.
This may sound unsafe for a safe if you’ll pardon the pun. You may have the impulse to think that a thing that is designed to keep your valuables from falling into the wrong hands should be put together by professionals.
However, modular safes are just as secure as the pre-assembled models. Besides that, they are not at all difficult to put together, especially the best gun safes Zanotti models we are reviewing here.
The six easy-to-handle steel panels can be assembled by two people in about 20 minutes using only a hammer. The sides are 11-gauge steel plates, while the door and the top, bottom, and floor panels are made of durable seven-gauge steel. The panels are connected by 3⁄8” solid steel pins.
Zanotti is one of the best gun safe brands as these modular safes let you hang the doors with the hinges on either side, which means that you can fit your safe anywhere in the room.
They come with a dial lock. They come in three sizes, so no matter how big your gun collection is, you will find a safe that works for you.
Zanotti Armor Z3 5-foot best long gun safe specifications:
- Capacity: different models hold from 20 to 52 rifles
- Body steel thickness: 11-gauge sides, seven-gauge top, bottom, and door
- Lock: combination lock
- Fire protection: 20 minutes at 1,200°F
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 60” x 41” x 31”
- Weight: 750 pounds
Biometric Rifle Safe from Barska – Best Large Gun Safe
Price from $609.99
Pros
- Biometric technology
- Certified by the Department of Justice
- Holes for mounting
Cons
- Lightweight: needs to be bolted to boost security
- No fireproof rating
Fingerprint technology is no longer used solely by police, especially when it comes to high-end security. Barska is in that business – it creates some of the best safes on the market.
A biometric lock is a perfect balance between safety and accessibility. The safe can store 120 verified fingerprints in its database. New fingerprints can be added to the database only in the presence of a verified user, which ensures that unauthorized personnel cannot reach the valuables stored inside.
The Barska Biometric Rifle Safe comes with two keys in case the batteries run out, plus an external battery pack for the same reason.
What makes Barska one of the best biometric gun safe manufacturers is that the company lets you mute the beep that usually sounds when the safe is unlocked with a fingerprint. That’s a thoughtful, handy feature if you’re opening the safe in the middle of a home invasion. This attention to detail really makes or breaks a company.
The biometric module takes about 2.5 seconds to unlock.
With a clean bill of health from the California Department of Justice, this solid-steel safe has a five-point deadbolt locking system. The back panel has six holes for wall-mounting purposes.
This gun cabinet holds 12 rifles and has three adjustable shelves that you can set up in a variety of ways to maximize holding capacity. Spare storage can be used to keep jewelry and other valuables safe.
Barska Large Biometric Rifle Safe specifications:
- Capacity: 12 rifles
- Body steel thickness: 16 gauge
- Lock: biometric (fingerprint); Keys in case of battery outage;
- Bar/Bolt – 5-point deadbolt lock
- Fire protection: n/a
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 57’’ x 13.75’’ x 13.38’’
- Weight: 114 lbs.
Steelwater Gun Safe
Price from $2,195.00
Pros
- Plenty of versions and specifications to choose from
- EMP-proof lock defends against electronic-pulse attacks
- Holes for mounting on the ground
Cons
- On the pricey side
Steelwater gun safes come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re in the market for a long gun option, you will surely find something to like among Steelwater models that store 16, 20, 22, 39, and 45 rifles. Various degrees of fire resistance and other customizable features are available, with each size coming in heavy-duty and extreme-duty versions.
The simple, monolithic design of these long gun safes discourages burglars from even trying to penetrate it, making it one of the best gun safe options out there.
But the psychological impact of the design is just part of the story. The bodies and doors of the 22 long-gun Steelwater heavy duty gun safe are made from 12-gauge steel. They lock with 20 1½″ solid-steel bolts and have a huge drill-resistant hard plate on the locking mechanism. The extreme-duty safes are even thicker and more impenetrable, with nine-gauge steel and two hours of fire resistance at 1,875°F.
Whether you opt for the $1,195 basic 16-gun version or a titanic 45-gun safe for $2,095 or more, you are guaranteed to get the best value gun safe on the market with Steelwater. By doing directly straight with Steelwater, you can save up to 50% on the retailer, distributor, and installer fees.
Steelwater 22 Long Gun Safe specifications (HD – Heavy Duty, ED – Extreme Duty):
- Capacity: 22 rifles
- Body steel thickness: 12 gauge (heavy duty), 9 gauge (extreme duty
- Lock: EMP-proof high-security digital keypad with bypass key
- Bar/Bolt: 20 1½ ” locking bolts
- Fire protection: 60 minutes (heavy duty) and 120 minutes (extreme duty) at 1,875°F
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 59” x 30” x 24” + 3” for handle
- Weight: 581 lbs. (heavy duty), 765 lbs. (extreme duty)
Amsec RF6528
Price from $1,795.00
Pros
- Gun Safes Made in USA
- Lots of customizable options
- Lifetime warranty
- Huge gun capacity
Cons
- Might be too big for some homes
- Steep price
If you’re looking for the best gun safe under 2000, then Amsec is your choice. It allows a lot of customization for all gun safes they produce. No matter what size collection, wallet, or room you have, Amsec will surely have the model for you.
The color palette on the Amsec website ranges from Pearl Essence to Satin Black Textured, with Rosso Corsa Red and Sapphire Blue in between.
Disclaimer – be sure to consult your wife before choosing the color of your gun safe.
If you happen to bungle the color choice, Amsec offers a “safe cloak” – a plain wood cover for your safe that will make it look like a regular cabinet.
American Security gun safes are made in the United States. They come with a lifetime fire and burglary guarantee. The RF6528 is a massive, six-foot home gun safe behemoth that looks invincible. And it just may be: with a 12 and 10-gauge body and doors, plus ceramic nuggets embedded in the steel for extra integrity, it weighs a massive 3,455 pounds.
It can hold 50 guns in total, and it has movable shelves inside. You can add a handgun rack, a four-drawer storage cabinet, and a large jewelry drawer for an extra fee. There are multiple options for the locking system – combination locks, digital locks, or a Redundant Rotobolt lock.
If you’re looking for a cheap gun safe, you’re at the right place. The Amsec RF6528 will set you back a cool $1,077.61 to $1,389.87. Given the size, materials, and specs, that’s a fair price. But it’s a lot of green.
Amsec RF6528 specifications:
- Capacity: 50 rifles
- Body steel thickness: 12- and 10-gauge body panels, 11-gauge door
- Lock: combination mechanical, digital, Rotobolt Redundant locks
- Fire protection: 120 minutes
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 72″ x 35″ x 29.5”
- Weight: 3,455 lbs.
Mesa Safe
Price from $1,973.39
Pros
- Excellent price to quality ratio
- Lifetime warranty
- American made Gun Safes
Cons
- No bolt on options
- Substandard fire protection
The GR Series is the best affordable gun safe that this company produces. This Utah-based safe manufacturing company founded in 1999 is renowned for making top-of-the-line security products in a wide range of prices and safety levels.
Each safe that Mesa manufactures is handmade from American steel and features a four-way active bolt-work system, a design lauded as one of the most secure in the industry.
You would be hard-pressed to find a better-quality product than the GR Series in the lowest price range. The 3/4” composite wall has a 12-gauge outer shell and three layers of fire insulation, features that are commonly found in the upper echelon of the best rated gun safes. The door is made out of 12-gauge steel and has two layers of fire insulation, with a three-hinged handle for the vintage safe look.
The locking mechanism is also the top-of-the-line for this price range. The basic safe has a Sargent & Greenleaf dial lock which can be upgraded to an electronic lock, a diamond-embedded steel plate to protect it, and an auto-relock system. Fixed on the inside of safes, relock systems detect tampering such as drilling or heat exposure and lock the bars remotely.
The GR Series includes models that hold 13, 25, or 29 firearms in plush velour-covered interiors that can be reorganized to meet your own needs and preferences. All of the models feature a lifetime warranty and a certificate issued by Underwriters Laboratories.
Mesa Safe specification – the best gun safe for the money:
- Capacity: 25 rifles
- Body steel thickness: 12-gauge
- Lock: combination mechanical, digital
- Bar/Bolt: up to 12 1-inch active door bolts
- Fire protection: 60 minutes at 1,200°F
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34″ x 60″ x 24.5″
- Weight: 575 lbs.
Fortress – Best Long Gun Safe For The Money
Price from $766.04
Pros
- Affordable for the level of security it provides
- Alarm system
- Patented notch bolts for extra security
Cons
- Relatively small construction steel gauge
- Insufficient fire protection
Being able to afford valuable things is one thing, but being able to keep them safe and out of harm’s way is another. Your home needs to be a fortress. That is what a Webster, NY-based safe maker had in mind when it chose the Fortress brand name. Fortress has one simple mission – to make the best gun safe.
The Fortress safe company manufactures high-quality gun and handgun safes of all sizes and capacities. One of the key features of Fortress products is the Alarm-U theft alert and deterrent alarm system, which notifies you when your safe is being tampered with.
The company’s products really stand out if you’re in the market for the best small gun safe for rifles. While their 8EBF safes don’t have storage for much more than your guns, the internal layout of shelves and compartments is ideally optimized to hold eight long barrel rifles. It’s the knowledge of marketing and customer needs that makes Fortress stand out as one of the premier gun safe brands.
The 8EBF features external hinges that allow the door to be opened 180 degrees for complete visibility and access. It locks with three 1” locking bolts and features specialized notch bolts that increase the security of the safe. The safe is constructed out of 14 gauge steel and comes in an elegant and stylish black finish.
The most eye-catching feature of this safe is the approachable price tag. Starting at $766.04, the Fortress 8EBF is the best gun safe under 1000.
Fortress 8EBF specification:
- Capacity: 8 rifles
- Body steel thickness: 14 gauge
- Lock: combination mechanical, digital
- Bar/Bolt: three 1” active door bolts, two deadbolts
- Fire protection: 30 minutes at 1,200°F
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 55″ x 18.5″ x 15.25″
- Weight: 231 lbs.
Paragon 7550 Supreme Rifle Safe
Price from $341.03
Pros
- Internal lockbox
- Anchor holes pre-drilled
- Elegant design
Cons
- Thin steel gauge
- No fire-protection test
The benchmark price in the gun safe industry seems to be the $500 mark.
We here at SafeAtLast.co hardly believe that some of the best gun safes can be under 500. However, looking at the 7550 Supreme Rifle Safe, with a price tag starting at $329.99, we’re surely changing our minds and recommending it!
The build quality and features that this Mancelona, Michigan-based company puts into its products at the most minimal of prices make us wonder about how its business model works.
The eight-rifle 7550 Supreme Safe is the best rifle safe constructed out of powdered 18-gauge steel and weighs 95.5 pounds. These are great specifications for a safe of this capacity.
Hinges on the inside of the door make for a tougher safe to crack.
When you’re shopping for the best home gun safe, be sure to consider where you’ll put it. In some locations, you’ll want a door that opens to the right, while in others, you’ll need a safe that opens to the left. Overlook this detail, and your purchase could be a complete misfire. Incidentally: The door on the Paragon 7550 Supreme Rifle Safe opens to the right.
This product has ample storage for eight rifles and includes a lockbox for other valuables with a separate set of keys.
If you’re forgetful and don’t like memorizing combinations, and if you don’t trust electronic locks, the simple key locking mechanism of the Paragon 7550 Supreme Rifle Safe is perfect for you.
The safe comes with pre-drilled holes for anchor bolts that tie the safe to the wall, making it hard to lift and steal.
Paragon 7550 Supreme Rifle Safe specifications – best gun safe under 500:
- Capacity: 8 rifles
- Body steel thickness: powder-coated 18 gauge
- Lock: key lock
- Fire protection: n/a
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 55″ x 19 ¾” x 12 ½ “
- Weight: 95.5 lbs.
Steelwater Basic Gun Safe
Price from $769.00
Pros
- Lifetime replacement policy
- Triple hard plate anti-drilling lock protection
- Digital lock
Cons
- No choice between left or right door orientation
Capitol makes probably the best fireproof gun safe on the market. The company’s safes are reliable, sturdy, and well-built – you can be certain that your rifle collection will be secure from harm.
Capitol safes come with a lifetime replacement promise. In case of a successful break-in, natural flood, or fire, the company will repair or replace your safe.
Constructed of 12-gauge steel panels, the 24-Rifle Gun Safe has half-inch holes in the back meant for anchoring your safe to the wall. This considerably raises the security of the product. Be careful, however – if you alter the holes in any way, the warranty will become void.
All of the best rifle safes by Capitol come with electronic locks. The batteries last six to 12 months and will cause a lock-out if they run out of power. The safe also enters lock-out mode if incorrect codes are entered five times in a row. Security mishaps that occur because of a dead battery are not covered by the warranty.
One of the premium features you can order for your Capitol Series 24-Rifle Gun Safe is an EMP lock, a combination digital key lock. The lock is protected by a triple hard plate to prevent burglars from drilling through it.
The most affordable version of this safe starts at $1,062.49.
Capitol Series 24-Rifle Gun Safe specifications – the best gun safe for the money:
- Capacity: 24
- Body steel thickness: 12-gauge
- Lock: electronic or EMP
- Bar/Bolt: six bars, 4” thick
- Fire protection: 30 minutes at 1,200°F
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 57.4″ x 24″ x 12.7″
- Weight: 338 lbs.
SecureIt Agile Ultralight: Model 52
Price from $869.00
Pros
- Lightweight and easily movable
- Excellent internal organization
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Not a real safe
- Batteries for electronic lock not included
The best gun safe for child safety doesn’t have to be very heavy or have two-inch steel panels. A lock and handle at a sufficient height can keep firearms out of the reach of toddlers. That’s what SecureIt’s Ultralight is for.
A lightweight gun safe is easy to move, especially if it disassembles as easily as this model does. Its light weight doesn’t mean it’s flimsy, however. Although it isn’t the most secure safe on the market, it’s one of the best inexpensive gun safe choices.
Its 16-gauge steel panels, combined with craftsmanship and intelligent design, ensure that it does a solid job.
The louvered back panel makes each gun accessible, so there is no need to rearrange or take out anything when you are looking for one specific rifle.
The Agile Ultralight comes with an electronic lock. Batteries are not included in the package, something to be aware of when ordering this product.
The interior stores six guns with ease – the cradle grid system on the back panel can support any type of rifle without any adjustment. We recommend you check out the accessories SecureIt offers, such as gun bins, shelf kits, and similar items that can improve storage capacity.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, but still durable and tough rifle cabinet, look no further than the SecureIt Agile Ultralight Model 52, which starts at a more than reasonable $799.
SecureIt Agile Ultralight Model 52 specifications:
- Capacity: 6 pieces
- Body steel thickness: 16-gauge
- Lock: electronic
- Fire protection: n/a
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 52″ x 20″ x 15″
- Weight: 105 lbs.
Best Gun Safes – What to Look For
Gauge of the steel
The thicker the steel, the sturdier the safe. That’s simple enough. A good gun safe should have at least 12-gauge steel plates on the sides and 10-gauge on the doors.
It’s worth noting that steel gauges get thicker with smaller numbers – 10-gauge is thicker than 12-gauge. You can find gauge-to-inch conversions here.
Type of locks
The best gun safes for the money generally come with two kinds of locks – mechanical or electronic. Keys and combinations are resistant to technical breaks but take more time to open. Electronic locks are quicker to open, and they require batteries.
Safety-wise, they are similar. The more important part here is the steel plate that prevents drilling. Consider your needs and preferences before deciding which safe is right for you.
If you’re into technological innovations, check out our Barska fingerprint gun safe review. You can always lose a key, you can always forget a lock combination – but you can never misplace the tip of your finger. If you do, though, not being able to unlock your rifle safe will be the least of your worries.
Gun safe weight
Again, it’s simple arithmetic – the heavier, the safer. However, if you plan on moving often, the best, lighter nightstand gun safe like the SecureIt Agile Ultralight models may be the right choice for you. The weight is what makes a gun safe different from a gun cabinet.
Pre-drilled bolt-on holes
Sometimes when burglars can’t crack a safe, they try to carry it away. That’s why it’s crucial that you bolt a safe onto the floor or a wall. That’s doubly important with lightweight safes. Look for safes that have holes in the back or bottom panels so you can secure them to the wall or floor.
Gun safe fire resistance
Despite how manufacturers advertise, there’s no such thing as a fireproof gun safe – only a more or less fire-resistant gun safe. These are the gun safe brands to avoid since safes can offer only so much fire protection.
Some companies don’t test their products to prove their model is “the best fireproof safe.”
The average fire resistance for safes is 30 minutes at 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Door hinges and orientation
External door hinges allow for the door to be opened 180 degrees but are more vulnerable to tampering. Internal hinges are the opposite – limited accessibility but better protection. Consider what’s more important to you.
Take note of which way the door opens, left or right, especially if it’s a shotgun safe. Always ask the manufacturer if they produce models with reverse orientations if the default doesn’t fit your needs.
Internal organization
Innovative design can make a difference between a jumbled and efficient storage space. You don’t want to take out three rifles to get to the one you want. If the safe is advertised to hold 16 guns, it probably holds 10 guns comfortably. Keep that in mind when choosing your safe.
In many models, the shelves can be rearranged to your liking. A large gun safe will not only store rifles but ammo and other valuables like jewelry and documents. Some even have internal lockboxes with separate keys.
Then there’s protection against robbers and intruders, protection of firearms against heat and humidity, and protection against misplacing your weapon and not knowing where it is in crucial moments.
So how your safe is organized also plays a vital role in the protection of your items, as well as easy and fast accessibility.
People Also Ask
If money is not an issue, we recommend the Amsec RF6528. Weighing in at a massive 3,455 pounds and made out of 10-gauge steel, this top of the line gun safe stores 50 rifles and will last you a lifetime. And it should, with a price tag of $7,500.
If you’re on a budget, though, we recommend the Large Biometric Rifle Safe from Barska, which has fingerprint recognition, for just under $600.
Depending on a person’s preferences, there can be numerous top 10 safes made in the USA and abroad.
Our experts delved deeper into this topic and took close to a dozen criteria into consideration. This is our list of the top 10 safes for gun and rifle storage (in no particular order):
1. Fatboy Gun Safe
2. Zanotti Gun Safe
3. Barska’s Large Biometric Rifle Safe
4. Steelwater Gun Safe
5. Amsec RF6528
6. Champion Safe GR Series
7. Fortress Long Gun Safe
8. Paragon 7550 Supreme Rifle Safe
9. Capitol Series 24-Rifle Gun Safe
10. SecureIt Agile Ultralight: Model 52
If you own a weapon in your home, then it’s safe to say that a gun safe is a mandatory item you need to own.
We’re not just talking about how you store your guns or have easy access to them, but also your loved ones overall protection. Nobody likes it when their child plays with toys it shouldn’t have.
There isn’t a definitive answer to this question. However, anywhere between $100 and $3000 is sufficient for a good gun safe. The money you would spend on a gun safe can never measure up to the value of your home and family being protected at all times.
The Fatboy gun safe is, for many, one of the best large safes for storing various guns and rifles. It can hold up to 64 pieces, and it has an 11-gauge steel thickness with a 4-inch military-style lock bar.
This gun safe’s locks are mechanical, although there’s an option to install an electronic lock as well. For the size, weight, and customization levels, the Fatboy is pretty affordable as well.
You can find all the available data at the top of our article and where to buy it, among other info.
The simple answer is, yes, a gun safe is definitely worth the money. Not only because it can store and maintain your weapons, but it also protects your possessions from rust, mishandling, or, worst-case scenario, burglary.
We live in dangerous times where crime rates don’t seem to slow down. For these reasons, it’s often a good idea to protect your guns while also having quick and easy access in case of god-forbid scenarios.
If you’re looking for the best gun safe to store your weapons, ammo, and personal items, scroll back to the top of this page, and you’ll find a list of our experts’ top 10 choices.
Stay safe, stay secure!
