Even though people spend a lot of time choosing their firearms, they often disregard the importance of finding the best handgun safe. Failing to properly secure your weapon can compromise your and your family’s safety.
Here’s a list of the top seven handgun safes our experts have reviewed, each with its own features and specs:
- GunVault MiniVault GV1000C-STD – Best For Bedside Mount
- Sentry Handgun Safe QAP1BE – Best For Quick Access Needs
- Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe – Best For Silent Usage
- Barska AX13092 Quick Access – Best Biometric Option
- Vaultek Gun Safe VT Series – Bluetooth – Best Technical Specs
- Liberty HD-90 Safe – Best Under $100
- RPNB RP160 – Best Under $100
Modern gun safes are designed to provide two things — security and quick access. While some models offer only one or the other, we have prepared a list of the safest and most convenient options with different features and price ranges.
Stick around to find the optimal model for your needs.
Best Pistol Safe — Our Top 3 Recommendations
1. Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe
Features
- Innovative layout
- Space for up to five handguns
- Power port and security cable
Price: From $149.99
2. Vaultek VT Series
Features
- Mobile app and alarm
- 14-gauge steel
- Biometric and RFID lock
Price: From $419.99
3. Barska AX13092 Handgun Safe
Features
- Quick access
- Silent and inconspicuous
- Biometric and digital lock
Price: From $209.99
Best Handgun Safe — The Top List
GunVault MiniVault GV1000C-STD
Price from $133.39
Pros
- Patented “No-Eyes” keypad
- Sturdy construction
- Tamper indicator
Cons
- Interior lining foam comes off with use
GunVault has almost three decades of experience in the gun safe industry and several patented solutions. Among the innovations that make it stand out is the No-Eyes keypad, which allows quick and easy access to the interior.
The lid pops open on the side of the box, and the tray slides out a bit, enabling easy reach and fast action. This bedside gun safe is sturdy, well-built, and California DOJ-approved.
Key Features
- No-Eyes Keypad
The control panel is grooved to fit each finger, and every grove has Braille-like markings. That allows you to type in the code without looking, which is particularly useful in the dark. The discreet red interior light doesn’t attract attention but helps you see the inside of the safe.
- 16-gauge steel
It might not sound like much, especially compared to large safes, but it’s quite thick for a small gun safe.
- Tamper indicator
If the computer records too many failed code attempts, it’ll go into lockout mode.
Specifications
- Exterior size (H x W x D): 5.5″ x 8.5″ x 13″
- Capacity: one gun
- Material: steel
- Weight: 9 lbs
- Lock: digital, backup override key
What We Didn’t Like
The buttons aren’t very sensitive and require you to press them all the way through — instead of tapping them.
Sentry Handgun Safe QAP1BE
Price from $198.76
Pros
- Quick-access biometric lock
- Sturdy, steel construction
- Ample room for a gun and other valuables
Cons
- Pricey
- Gas struts often fail
Home invasions happen even in the safest cities in America. If you ever experience such an emergency, you’ll need to act fast. This Sentrysafe is easy to conceal and use and can be opened very quickly, as the top lid opens with the help of a gas strut, enabling easy access.
Overall, the safe is well-built and solid, thanks to the all-steel construction. SentrySafe QAP1BE comes with pre-drilled holes for anchoring and is California DOJ certified.
Key Features
- Biometric and electronic combination lock
You can open the biometric handgun safe by scanning your finger, punching in the code, or using the backup keys.
The initial scan setup requires some time — you have to do around 20 scans in different positions and angles. This rather lengthy process is needed so the sensor will later recognize the scan even when it’s a partial fingerprint from an unusual angle.
- Silence
The keypad and the gas strut are silent, so it won’t alert anyone that it’s being opened.
Specifications
- Exterior size (H x W x D): 3.2″ x 12.1″ x 9.9″
- Capacity: one gun
- Weight: 11.9 lbs
- Material: steel
- Lock: biometric, keypad, key
What We Didn’t Like
Failing gas struts are the weakest point of this fingerprint gun safe. The door can still open when the gas struts fail, but you’ll have to lift the door by hand. Luckily, they’re easy to replace.
Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe
Price from $149.99
Pros
- Stores up to five handguns
- Spring-loaded door hinge
- Power port and security cable
Cons
- The maximum capacity applies only to smaller handguns
Stealth Safes is an established safe manufacturer and one of the most innovative companies on the market. If you need to store multiple handguns but don’t want a big gun safe, this model is the best choice.
Thanks to the unique gun hanger setup, it isn’t much larger than a single-pistol safe, but you can store up to five firearms. The safety isn’t compromised to get small dimensions – it’s made from 16-gauge steel.
In combination with a 3/8″ steel door and anti-pry tabs, it’s a strong protection against any burglar. The safe is made in the US and approved by the California DOJ.
Key Features
- Interior gun rack
The innovative storage solution lets you place three guns in a “ready-to-use” position on a special rack and two on the safe floor. You get the capacity of a large handgun safe in a small package.
The bars holding the guns and the bottom of the safe are coated with soft isolation foam to prevent damage. The maximum capacity is possible only with smaller weapons, and even then, the guns will be cramped. Realistically, it holds up to three guns.
- Materials and safety
A 16-gauge steel body, 3/8″ steel door, anti-pry tabs, and state-of-the-art locks make it one of the best safes in the category. The basic package also includes a steel safety cable you can anchor anywhere, even in your car. It’s among the best portable handgun safe models.
- Silence
The spring-open door is quiet and opens very quickly and then slows down as it reaches the final position, so it wouldn’t slam into the floor and make a loud noise. You can also turn on the silent mode for buttons, which we strongly recommend, as the audio feedback isn’t stealthy at all.
Specifications
- Exterior size (H x W x D): 9″ x 9″ x 12″
- Capacity: five handguns — three hanging and two on the bottom
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Lock: six-digit digital lock
What We Didn’t Like
That would probably be the best multi-handgun safe on the market if not for one minor shortcoming — the gun rack can’t accommodate larger handguns with lights or red-dot sights. If you want to keep them in this safe, you’ll have to remove the rack.
Barska AX13092 Quick Access Handgun Safe
Price from $209.99
Pros
- Quick-access safe
- Silent and inconspicuous
- Biometric and digital lock
Cons
- Holds one handgun without room for other valuables
Barska is a famous manufacturer and seller of high-quality sporting and hunting accessories, optics, night-vision goggles, and other related products. The company also has a wide array of safes, and the AX13092 is probably the best quick-access handgun safe in its portfolio.
There are several types of locks you can choose from, but we recommend the biometric one. It’s the company’s specialty, as its main field of business are optics and sensors.
Barska AX13092 is an excellent model for people who focus on self-defense. With a drop-down drawer and a quick and reliable fingerprint mechanism, you can have the gun in your hand in no time. Another benefit is that this quick-access handgun safe can also be mounted in a car.
Key Features
- Biometric lock
As we’ve mentioned, optical devices and sensors are Barska’s specialty. Its fingerprint sensors are reliable and can read the print in imperfect conditions — partial marks, weird angles and finger positions, etc., which can be crucial in times of emergency.
- Quick-draw position
In case of a crisis, reaction speed is crucial. Barska’s safe also has great ergonomics that reduce reaction time considerably. Namely, the gun is held upright by contoured soft foam.
When the drawer drops down, it stops in a perfect place for a quick draw. This combination makes it the best small handgun safe.
- Materials and safety
The safe is made from 16-gauge steel and is pry-resistant, looking and feeling sturdy.
- Silence
The drop-down drawer opens silently, and you can turn on the silent mode for the fingerprint reader and PIN.
Specifications
- Exterior size (H x W x D): 7.6″ x 13.5″ x 3.8″
- Capacity: a single pistol
- Weight: 8.6 lbs
- Lock: biometric, digital, key
What We Didn’t Like
Even though it’s pretty large for a one-gun safe, there is no room for storing additional ammo magazines or valuables.
Vaultek Gun Safe VT Series – Bluetooth
Price from $419.99
Pros
- Mobile app
- 14-gauge steel
- Biometric and RFID lock
Cons
- High price
If you are into high-tech solutions, this is the best model for you. By using a modern and innovative approach to traditional weapon safekeeping, Vaultek creates excellent products, confirmed by its stellar success.
VT Series – Bluetooth is the company’s top-of-the-line product for handgun owners. Its best biometric pistol safe is equipped with motion sensors, Bluetooth connection, four ways of opening, and above all – thick steel.
Not only is it heavy and sturdy, but the overall high-tech appearance will make thieves think twice about trying to open it. Frankly, we were also amazed by the number of safety features. It’s, without doubt, a strong contender for the title of the best handgun safe for 2022.
Key Features
- Biometric and digital lock
You can open the safe with a fingerprint, code, or keys. The package also contains a Smart Key Nano that functions as a panic button, opening the safe with a single click. Another cool feature is the proximity sensor that will turn the keypad lighting on when you approach the safe.
- Materials and safety
The VT Series is made from 14-gauge steel, making it one of our list’s best pistol gun safe models. In addition, it has two anti-impact latches, anti-pry bars, and a no-welds design. It comes with an additional security cable so that you can anchor it in your car.
- Bluetooth connection and smart app
With the dedicated app, you can adjust light, sensitivity modes, view different notifications, and get real-time alerts if someone tries to tamper with the gun lockbox. The safe comes with a rechargeable battery and a charger, so you won’t have to replace batteries.
Specifications
- Exterior size (H x W x D): 3.3″ x 10.6″ x 14.5″
- Capacity: two full-size handguns and additional magazines
- Weight: 15.9 lbs
- Lock: biometric, RFID chip, digital, mechanical key
What We Didn’t Like
It must be placed perfectly flat for the motion detector to work properly. Another thing we didn’t like was the hefty price.
Top Pistol Safes Under $100
Many firearm owners don’t even look into gun safes because they expect them to be expensive. However, for under $100, you can get decent protection and peace of mind. Here are two of the best affordable models.
Liberty HD-90 Safe
Price from $64.99
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Simple to use
- Suitable for car use
- Affordable
Cons
- The steel could be thicker
Liberty is one of the most famous safe manufacturers in the US. While it’s mostly known for its big, heavy, and pricey models, it also has several lines of small gun safes, such as the HD series. The HD-90 is a mid-range option that fits a full-size pistol or a revolver.
It’s a classic gun safe, without any fancy features, making it easy to use and dependable. Besides firearms, you can also store your valuables there.
Key Features
- Versatile
The safe is pretty small and lightweight, very easy to conceal or carry. It can be anchored with bolts or a security cable. The latter allows you to change its place easily and even use it as a car safe if needed.
- Materials and safety
This small gun safe is made from 18-gauge steel, has a tamper-proof design and anti-pry protection. It comes with a simple but reliable key lock.
Specifications
- Exterior size (H x W x D): 2.5″ x 10.3″ x 8.3″
- Capacity: one full-size handgun and extra clip
- Weight: 5.1 lbs
- Lock: mechanical key
What We Didn’t Like
The flat foam interior prevents gun damage only if the safe is placed flat horizontally. If you want to move it or carry it with you, the contents will bump into each other.
RPNB RP160
Price from $69.99
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- RFID, PIN code, and key lock
- Affordable price
Cons
- The drop-down door is loud
RPNB offers some of the best handgun safes at affordable prices, which makes it a very popular brand. The RP160 is one of the cheapest models in its portfolio but still top quality.
For less than $100, you’ll get a safe that offers solid protection, quick access, and enough room for a full-sized gun. There is room to store additional ammo or valuables, but that would prolong the time needed to grab and take out the gun.
Key Features
- Materials and safety
Solid steel construction, a reliable high-strength locking mechanism, and a pry-resistant door are enough to deter any thief.
- Easy to conceal
It’s easy to conceal because it’s small and light. The best handgun safes for home use are the ones that allow you to move and install them easily.
- Three different locks
You can punch in the PIN code, use the key, or the super-fast RFID chip. Besides the key fob, you also get an RFID label.
Specifications
- Exterior size (H x W x D): 11.86″x 9.06″ x 5.31″
- Capacity: one full-size handgun and extra clip
- Weight: 7.05 lbs
- Lock: RFID, digital code, and key
What We Didn’t Like
The door spring is strong, and it slams the door down, making a loud noise. You have to hold it with your hand to keep it quiet.
How to Choose the Best Handgun Safe: Buyer’s Guide
While all people buy gun safes for security, they might have different things in mind. For instance, some need their weapon to be within reach for personal protection, while others want to keep the firearm away from kids or thieves.
Consider your priorities and what you’ll keep in the safe — will it be just one handgun or some valuables and important papers, too? Here are the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a gun safe.
Price
Burglary statistics show that there is no such thing as overspending when it comes to safety. So, you should always get the best home handgun safe you can afford but consider some widely accepted rules.
The safe’s value should be up to 20% of the cost of all things you’ll keep in there. So if you have $1,000 in the safe, you should spend around $200. Furthermore, your choice also depends on where you’ll place it. You can either:
- Buy an expensive safe and keep it within reach.
- Buy a moderately priced safe and keep it in an inaccessible place.
The first option will give you easy access to your drawer gun safe, but it needs better security features. Alternatively, the second model type will compensate for safety shortcomings with its stealth.
Lock Types
Mechanical
Mechanical models are reliable and don’t require any electricity or batteries. They come with a key, combinational dial, or Simplex Lock. Also, fire safety statistics show that they’re more fire-resistant.
The drawbacks are that you have to keep the key near you all the time or practice entering the code quickly in case of an emergency. Even the best handgun vault is of no use if you can’t open it in time.
Electronic
You can choose a lock with either a PIN code input or an RFID chip. The benefit is that they’re usually faster to operate than mechanical combination locks. On the other hand, they require batteries or electricity to work.
Also, additional security features, such as alarms, sensors, and others, drain the battery more quickly.
Biometric
The advantages of finding the best biometric handgun safe include better security without the need to carry keys or remember PIN codes. A major drawback is that you must buy a high-end model to get all the benefits.
Scanners on inexpensive safes are often inadequate and require perfect operating conditions. Alternatively, high-end safes can recognize partial fingerprints in different positions and angles or smudged prints, which can be invaluable in times of emergency.
Specifications
Gun Capacity
Most safes are built to hold one gun, but some have space for additional ammo or valuables. That directly affects their size, but some manufacturers squeeze more guns into small safes by adding special racks.
The best pistol safe for you depends on the number of weapons you need to store.
Steel Thickness
Steel thickness is directly related to anti-burglary protection, but you shouldn’t expect the security a large rifle safe offers. In general, smaller safes range from 14 to 18-gauge.
Alarms
Manufacturers add different movement sensors and alarms to compensate for lower mechanical protection. Higher-class safes are more likely to offer quality alarm systems. Alarms that come with cheaper models are mostly gimmicks that can go off at any time for no reason.
Summary
Choosing the best handgun safe for your home can be a challenging task. You need to find a balance between high-quality features and affordability. The market offers diverse models — you can find various options for size, lock type, capacity, concealment, or mobility.
Once you’ve made your purchase, make sure you dedicate enough time to learn its functionalities, practice a quick code entry, and find a good place to keep it. That way, you’ll efficiently protect yourself, your family, and your property.
People Also Ask
Many people believe that mechanical locks are more reliable than electronic ones. That might have been true fifty years ago, but today’s electronic locks are as safe as their mechanical counterparts.
When it comes to brands, the most reliable gun safes are Liberty, Fort Knox, Vaultek, Barska, GunVault, SentrySafe, etc. They all provide excellent quality, functionality, and security.
Before installing a safe, think about your priorities — whether you want to protect your handgun and valuables from theft or unauthorized handling or if you need your weapon within reach for personal protection purposes.
Burglars most commonly break into living rooms, master bedrooms, offices, and garages, so avoid placing a safe in these areas. On the other hand, pick the room you spend most of your time in if you want your gun to be within reach. In any case, it’s best to keep the safe well-concealed.
You can find plenty of excellent manufacturers on the market — Liberty, Fort Knox, Vaultek, SecureIt, SentrySafe, Stealth Safes, Barska. While all offer good protection, their approach differs.
Companies like Liberty and Fort Knox enhance traditional safes with advanced features. Alternatively, companies like Vaultek and SecureIt design their models around modern security features. It’s important to remember that there’s no best handgun safe in general, only the one that fits your needs the most.
