Best Gun Safes for Any Budget: Based on more than 11,500 customer reviews. - SafetyHUB (2024)

It doesn’t matter what type of safe you’re looking to buy or how much money you’re looking to invest in it – this guide has got you covered!

And since we both know why you’re here, I’ll skip the boring introduction and get straight to the point: I’ve put together a round-up of 15 highly recommended models – and today I’m going to help you find thebest gun safeson a budget for your needs!

Thinking of Buying a Best Gun Safe? Here’s Why You Definitely Need One

If you’re aresponsible gun owners, investing in a gun safe should be a no-brainer – but I’ll give you three reasons why buying a gun safe should be your top priority, anyway:

• It Makes a Difference Between Safety and Tragedy– The most apparent reason why anyone, including you, should consider getting a gun safe is the fact that these metal boxes often make a difference between keeping you and your loved ones safe and taking part in a horrible accident with a tragic outcome.
• Safe Storage Laws Exist for a Reason –The 2nd Amendment states that guns ownership is your right, no one’s trying to deny that. However, if you decide to practice that right, make sure you’re ready tofollow the laws that come with it, includingChild Access Prevention LawandFirearm Locking Device Law.
• Your Insurance rates Depends On It– If you want yourgun collectionsto be fully covered by your insurance policy, locking your firearms in a safe will probably be a non-negotiable requirement as far as your insurance company is concerned.

And the list goes on – the three reasons listed above barely scratched the surface!

Want to know more about the benefits of owning a gun safe?

You can check out my15 Reasons To Own A Gun Safes– you’ll find some compelling arguments there! Also, don’t forget to check out these top 10safe companies.

Comparison Chart of this year’s Best Gun Safe

Here’s atop of all the gun safes I’m going to talk about today:

Best Handgun Safe: SentrySafe Gun Safe with Digital Keypad | Check Price

Best Long-Gun Safes: Steelwater Heavy Duty 20 Long Guns Fire Protection | Check Price

Multi-Purpose Gun Safes: Viking Biometric Security Safe | Check Price

Best Car Gun Safe (Travel-Friendly): Jolitac Portable Box Security Case Lock | Check Price

Best Hidden/In-Wall Gun Safe: Viking Biometric Fingerprint Wall Safe | Check Price

Best Under-Bed/Bedside Gun Safe: GunVault Handgun Safe | Check Price

Best Gun Safes for the money: My Top 15 Recommendations (By Type & Price)

Let’s get straight to the point:

Here are thebest weapons safesthat will fit all your needs – and your budgets, as well!

Best Handgun Safe

1. SentrySafe QAP2E Gun Safe with Digital Keypad

SentrySafe QAP2BE Gun Safe with Digital Keypad,Biometric scanner

Check price on Amazon

Category : Handgun Safe with Fingerprint Lock
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Digital Keypad
Dimensions : 16.4 x 9.8 x 3.2 inches
Weight : 16 pounds
Warranty : 1-year warranty
Prices :Check Price Now

If you don’t plan on storing much else in your safe except a gun or two, this SentrySafe is worth checking out. Due to its two-guns capacity, it will be spacious enough to store your firearms, yet compact enough to fit inside a drawer.

The safe features a basic keypad, but if you’re interested in a nearly identical model with a fingerprint scanner, stick around –there’s one waiting for you at the end of the round-up!

The first thing you’re likely to notice about this safe is how sturdy and well-made it feels. The main advantage has to be the single-handed access, though – the safe door lifts automatically, and since your guns are stored “at the ready,” you can get to them in a matter of seconds.

However, be sure to “wake up” the keypad before you type in the security code, or it won’t be accepted.

PROS

• Fairly spacious with a two-guns capacity
• The door opens automatically for single-handed access
• It feels sturdy and well-made
• Can be wall-mounted or bolted down

CONS

• It eats through sets of batteries like crazy
• The keypad is somewhat unresponsive

2. Stack-On QAS-1304-12 Low Profile Quick Access Safe with Electronic Lock

Low Profile Quick But not Easy Access Safe with Electronic Lock – Gun Safes Best forMultiple Pistols

Check price on Amazon

Category : Handgun
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Electronic Lock
Dimensions : 13 x 9.9 x 4.2 inches
Weight : 12.5 pounds
Warranty : N/A
Price :Check Price Now

We both know that sometimes spending a lot on a safe is not an option – which is why I wanted to show you this budget-friendly model by Stack-On.

The overall design of the safe is all about keeping a low profile – it’s slim and compact so that it won’t draw any unwanted attention. However, I highly recommend mounting the safe for an added element of security.

Even though it has a handy time-out period if someone tries to “guess” your security code, I feel like the keypad is too basic – you get to set your security code, but you only use four digits.

The door doesn’t open automatically – you have to slide a knob first – which can be viewed as an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on how you look at it. You never know when that “extra step” might come in handy.

PROS

• Comes with a removable mountingsteel plate
• Programmable On/Off feature for sound
• Time-out period after three incorrect entries

CONS

• The keypad is limiting in terms of choosing a security code
• The door doesn’t open automatically

Note: Biometric handgun safes are a good option for those who have children or others living in the house that shouldn’t have access to the weapons. They can also be handy for quick access in an emergency situation.Biometric handgun safesare a great option for anyone who needs instant access to a firearm, but doesn’t want to deal with keys orcombination locks.

3. Vaultek VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe – Bluetooth Smart Pistol Safe

VT20i Biometric Handgun Bluetooth Smart Safe – Best Gun SafeFor Pistols

Check price on Amazon

Category : Handgun
Material : Carbon Steel
Locking Mechanism : Biometric
Dimensions : 11.5 x 9.0 x 2.75 inches
Weight : 7.05 pounds
Warranty : 3-year warranty
Price :Check Price Now

Next one up is a “smart safe”– and if you’re all about getting the latest tech, I know you’re going to love this one!

Thesafe comes with a biometric lockcombined with a backlit keypad, but more importantly, it’s equipped with impressive anti-theft protection features, including anti-pry bars, anti-impact latches, interior mounted hinges, as well as interior security brackets.

It keeps your gun safes and looks cool doing it!

I gave the app a chance because it seemed like a fantastic concept, but in reality, it’s more annoying than it is convenient. For instance, you have to be within Bluetooth range, or it won’t work – and you have to pair your phone with the safe all over again every single time you open the app.

That said, it does allow remote access, and that’s always a plus!

PROS

• Impressive anti-theft protection features
• The door automatically opens when unlocked
• Uses arechargeable battery
• The keypad and the safe’s interior have LED lighting
• Smart App allows remote access

CONS

• You have to be within Bluetooth range for the app to work

If you’d like to read a more detailed review of theVaultek VT20imodel – as well as other budget-friendly gun safe options that fall in the similar price range – check out my round-up of the5 Best Guns Safes Under $300. You don’t always need all the bells and whistles that come with high-end models – safety on a budget can be more than enough!

Best Long-Gun Safes – Rifle Safe

4. New and Improved Steelwater Heavy Duty 20 Long Guns Fire Protection

New and Improved Steelwater Heavy Duty 20Long Gun Fire SafesFire Protection For Weapons

Check price on Amazon

Category :gun safes best for long guns
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Electronic Lock
Dimensions : 59 x 28 x 18 inches
Weight : 453 pounds
Warranty : Lifetime warranty/ One year against manufacturer defects
Price :Check Price Now

If you want top-notch gun safefor home protection, let me introduce you to the Steelwater long-gun safe:

Not only is the safe fire resistant but it’s jam-packed with security measures, as well.

I won’t go into too much detail right now, but know that the safe is more than capable of handling both drilling and prying attacks. Even if the lock gets damaged, the interior spring-loaded bolt will kick in and re-lock the safe automatically!

It’s not just the best long-gun safe – it’s a fortress!

All these security features might seem like “overkill” compared to some other models, but keep in mind that this is a safe that will hold up to 20 long guns, so there’s quite an investment to protect there.

You can bolt it down if you wish, but considering that it weighs over 400 pounds, I don’t think there’s a chance of someone picking it up, anyway.

PROS

• The average capacity of up to 16 long guns
• Fire-resistant
• Gear-driven locking system protects against prying
• Internal spring-loaded bolt re-locks the safe when the lock is damaged
• EMP-proof digital keypad

CONS

• Extremely heavy
• Very expensive

You can find a more detailed review – and other high-end long-gun safes (Example:Magnum ELock40-Guns Safe by Liberty – in my round-up of the 5Best Firearms Safes Under $1000. If you’re ready to pay some serious cash to get the best protection available on the market, these safes are worth the money!

5. FCH Electronic Gun Safe for Rifles Large Firearms Shotgun Storage Cabinet

FCH Electronic Rifle Gun Safe Large Firearms Shotgun Storage CabinetFor Weapons

Check price on Amazon

Category :gun safes best for rifles
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Electronic Lock
Dimensions : 13.78 x 11.8 x 57.1 inches
Weight : N/A
Warranty : 30-day warranty
Price :Check Price Now

Okay, now that we have themost expensive long-gun safeout of the way, it’s time for me to show you what you can get with a somewhat limited budget.

And the FCH is a good example of that. Granted, we’re talking about a storage cabinet, rather than an actual heavy-duty safe, but if your main goal is to keep yourgun collectionsaway from children, this gets the job done.

It comes with an additional lock box with an independentkeyed locks, located inside the actual “safe,” which brings an added layer of protection for things like handguns, riflegun and ammo.

It seems that it holds most of its weight in the door, though, so I highly recommend bolting it down to prevent the entire thing from tipping over by accident.

PROS

• Programmable security code
• Comes with an additionallock box inside the safe
• Reasonably-priced storage solution

CONS

• It’s not as sturdy or durable as an actual gun safe
• Minimal protection against theft
• You have to bolt it down to prevent it from tipping

6. Barska Biometric Safe – Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe

Barska BiometricGun Safes best for Rifle

Check price on Amazon

Category : Long-Gun
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Biometric Lock
Dimensions : 9.75 x 8.63 x 52.13 inches
Weight : 62 pounds
Warranty : One-year limited warranty
Price :Check Price Now

Now, I’d like to show you another example of a long-gun safe in a similar price range as the one discussed previously, only this time it’s a model by Barska.

Thesafe features a smart biometric lock, and by “smart” I mean that it memorizes up to 120 fingerprints, which is a lot by any standard – and the more scans you provide, the more accurate it is.

More importantly, the biometric scan only takes 2.5 seconds to unlock the safe, allowing for almost instant access to your guns.

The battery holds up surprisingly well – for up to 10,000 scans – and notifies you when it’s low in power, as well.

However, the same compact design is its biggest downside, as well. The safe is relatively small, so, if you plan on storing more than two rifles in it, look elsewhere – this one doesn’t have thegun capacitiesfor it.

PROS

• Saves up to 120 fingerprints
• Fast biometric lock scans fingerprints in 2.5 seconds
• Programmable to Silent Mode
• Fits up to four rifles and handguns
• Long battery life with back-up battery pack

CONS

• The interior is fairly small

Multi-Purpose Gun Safes

7. Viking Security Safe VS-25BL Biometric Safe

Viking Security Safe VS-25BL Biometric Safe For Weapons

Check price on Amazon

Category : Multi-Purpose
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Biometric
Dimensions : 10 x 14 x 10 inches
Weight : 27 pounds
Warranty : N/A
Price :Check Price Now

If you’re searching for asafe that will protect more than your guns, one of the first models I’d like to recommend is this Viking Security Safe.

It has a biometric lock that saves up to 32 fingerprints, as well as a keypad with a single PIN code, which gives access to multiple people and makes it an ideal choice for largerfamilies that share one safe.

The safe comes with a few handy features, as well, including an audio warning if it’s left unlocked, a built-in LED interior light and a time-out period after several incorrect entries. Anchor bolts and pre-drilled holes are included, too, in case you’d like some added security.

One thing that kept bugging me about this one is that the keypad isn’t backlit – I’m not sure how they remembered to include an interior light but skipped something as basic as a backlit keypad.

PROS

• Built-in LED lighting
• One removable shelf
• Audio warning if the door is left unlocked
• Saves up to 32 fingerprints or one PIN code
• Time out period after multiple incorrect entries
• Programmable sound On/Off feature

CONS

• The keypad isn’t backlit

8. Digital Safe-Electronic Steel Safe by Stalwart

Digital Safe-Electronic Steel Safe by Stalwart

Check price on Amazon

Category : Multi-Purpose
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Electronic Lock
Dimensions : 12.2 x 7.9 x 7.9 inches
Weight : 11.68 pounds
Warranty : 5-year limited warranty
Price :Check Price Now

The previously discussed model may not fit everyone’s budgets, which is why I wanted to introduce you to a much cheaper option – theDigital Safeby Stalwart. It’s somewhat small, but it gets the job done.

The safe is rather simple, without any bells and whistles, but it does have one thing that the previous model didn’t – a backlit keypad.

All jokes aside, though, it allows you to set both master and guest lock combinations, and after three or more incorrect entries, it sets off an alarm to notify you about a possibleburglaryattempt.

If you want maximum protection, you can always bolt the safe down ormount it on the wall. However, if you choose to do so, keep in mind that this model isn’t fire-resistant – and anchoring it will prevent you from moving the safe in case of a house fire.

PROS

• Programmable master and guest lock combinations
• After three or more incorrect entries it alerts you about potential theft
• Can be mounted or bolted down for added security

CONS

• The safe is not fire-resistant
• It’s a bit loud

Reading more:

• Tactical Wall Decor: aModern Supplyfor Tactical

9. First Alert 2087F Waterproof and Fire-Resistant Bolt-Down Combination Safe

First Alert 2087F Waterproof and Fire-Resistant Bolt-Down Combination Safe

Check price on Amazon

Category : Multi-Purpose
Material : Resin
Locking Mechanism : Combination Lock
Dimensions : 17.8 x 15 x 19.8 inches
Weight : 82 pounds
Warranty : 5-year limited warranty
Price :Check Price Now

Okay, it’s time to get serious about protecting your guns, and other valuables, including passports, cash, and jewelry – both from getting into the wrong hands and being destroyed in a disaster such as a flood or a house fire.

Enter First Alert – one of the best waterproof and fire-resistantgun safes on the market.

The Ready-Seal works to protect your valuables in even the worst-case scenarios and doesn’t get compromised even if you decide tobolt down the safe for extra security. Considering its massive weight, it probably won’t be necessary, though.

And no, it doesn’t cost a small fortune – it’s ratheraffordable options, considering the level of security it provides.

Unfortunately, though, there’s no way to change the factory-set locks combination – not that I know of, anyway. It’s quite disappointing, especially since it renders the entire thing useless if an “outsider” learns your combination.

PROS

• Fire-resistant design and waterproof seals
• Pry-proof hinges will resist crowbar entry
• Bolting it down doesn’t affect its performance

CONS

• There’s no way to change the locks combination
• The inside of the safe traps a lot of moisture
• Not portable

Best Car Gun Safe (Travel-Friendly)

10. Jolitac Portable Box Security Case Lock, Combo Lock Quick Access Gun Safe

Steel Lockbox with for Handgun Storage

Check price on Amazon

Category : Gun Safe for Cars
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Manual Lock
Dimensions : 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.8 inch
Weight : 3 pounds
Warranty : N/A
Price :Check Price Now

Simple in its design the Jolitac Portable Box is a budget-friendlyhandgun storagesolution for any guns owner who spends a lot of their time on the road.

Granted, it’s not anactual gun safe, and it won’t protect your firearms in “extreme” situations, but it comes with a 1500-pound-rated security cable that prevents grab-and-go theft scenarios, and, more importantly, feels quite sturdy for what it is.

My general impression of this lockbox is that it will do a more than decent job at keeping your guns locked away safely, especially if you’re a frequent traveler and need a gun safe for the money thatmeets TSA requirements. If someone tries to pry it open, though, they will most likely succeed on their first try.

It’s one of the best travel-friendly gun safes out there – but it shouldn’t be your primary means of securing your firearms.

PROS

• It feels sturdy and heavier than expected
• Comes with a 1500-pound-rated security cable
• Meets air travel guidelines as checked baggage
• Budget-friendly price

CONS

• The interior lacks padding on the sides
• The locking mechanism feels a bit flimsy

11. Vaultek Essential Series Quick Access Handguns Safe

Essential Series Quick Access Handguns Safe (rs500i)

Check price on Amazon

Category : Car/Travel
Material : Carbon Steel
Locking Mechanism : Digital Keypad
Dimensions : 10.5 x 8.5 x 2.125 inches
Weight : 5.29 pounds
Warranty : N/A
Price :Check Price Now

Next one up is a rather priceyseries gun safe– compared to the previously discussed travel-friendly option, that is – but as far as portable safes go, it has to be one of my personal favorites.

The slim design and a lightweight carbonsteel thickness constructioncombined with a steel security cable, as well as pre-drilled mounting holes make this an excellent choice for handgun storage on the go. Plus, it has Security Sleep Mode feature, which kicks in when someone tries to “guess” your security code.

One of the most remarkable things has to be the battery, though. It’s rechargeable and holds up for up to four months at a time – even more, depending on your usage.

The auto-open lid is a handy feature forquick access, but the actual mechanism is so forceful, that it makes the entire safe “jump” as it opens.

PROS

• Comes with pre-drilled mounting holes and a steel security cable
• Features responsive LED lighting for low-light conditions
• Rechargeable battery
• Security Sleep Mode kicks in if the wrong code is entered
• Handy feature for quick access

CONS

• The force of the lid opening shifts the entire safe

12. Viking Security Safe Biometric Fingerprint Hidden Wall Safe

Viking Security Safe Biometric Fingerprint Hidden Wall Safe

Check price on Amazon

Category : Hidden/In-Wall Safe for Guns and Valuables
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Biometric
Dimensions : 14 x 19 x 4 inches
Weight : 37.5 pounds
Warranty : 1-year warranty
Price :Check Price Now

Maybe you’d prefer to keep your safe hidden inside a wall, and this Viking Security Safe with a biometric lock is an excellent option for that.

The safe saves up to 32 individual fingerprints with non-volatile memory, allows you to set a PIN code, depending on your preferred method of input, and comes with four override keys, as well.

I liked that it notifies you if you leave it unlocked, too – you’ll find it handy if you’re the forgetful type.

It comes with three adjustable shelves, and even though they’re not of the highest quality, they allow you to customize the safe’s interior.

I appreciate that they included a built-in LED light, too, but the position is somewhat off, so it doesn’t illuminate the entire safe. That said, a dim light is still better than no light at all.

PROS

• Saves up to 32 fingerprints
• Audio warning if you leave it unlocked
• Built-in LED light and carpeted interior
• Three adjustable shelves included
• Pre-drilled holes for easy installation
• Quick access biometric lock

CONS

• The shelves feel flimsy and poorly made
• The LED lamp doesn’t illuminate the entire safe

13. Protex Electronic Keypad Wall Safe

Protex PWS-1814E Electronic Keypad Wall Safe For Your weapons

Check price on Amazon

Category : Hidden/In-Wall for Guns and Valuables
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Electronic Lock
Dimensions : 3.9 x 14 x 18.1 inches
Weight : 28 pounds
Warranty : N/A
Price :Check Price Now

There’s not much wiggle room price-wise when it comes to in-wall firearms safes, so the fact that these two are so similarly priced shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The Protex model features a simple keypad lock that lays flush with the safe’s door, allowing you to hide it behind a painting or any other wall decoration quite easily.

Once you punch in your security code, the motorized locking bolt system opens the door automatically, allowing for quick access to your firearms and other valuables.

The safe comes with an external power source, too, as a backup in case the batteries die without you noticing. Convenience-wise, that’s a massive advantage most users will appreciate.

Unfortunately, though, there’s no way to turn off the sound. The safe’s beeping could be an issue in a home-intrusion scenario – but let’s hope it doesn’t get to that.

PROS

• Motorized locking bolt system opens the door automatically
• Interior LED lighting turns on automatically
• Two removable shelves included
• The external backup power source incase of dead batteries

CONS

• No way to disable the beeping sound
• The locking mechanism takes up interior space

Best Under-Bed/Bedside Gun Safe

14. GunVault SV500 – SpeedVault Handgun Safe

GunVault SV500 – SpeedVault Handgun Safe

Check price on Amazon

Category : Bedside Handgun Safe
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Digital Lock
Dimensions : 6.5 x 3.5 x 13 inches
Weight : 6.61 pounds
Warranty : 5-year warranty
Price :Check Price Now

When your main reason for owning a gun is protecting your house from intruders, keeping it at arm’s length can be a deciding factor – having guns wouldn’t be of much use if you didn’t reach it in time, now, would it?

Enter GunVault SV500 – possibly the best single-gun capacity safe you’ll come across today.

The safe offers several mounting options, so you can keep it under the bed or at your bedside table – whatever seems more convenient to you.

Speaking of convenience, the fast and responsive lock and the drop-down mechanism on the drawer allow you to access your guns quickly – albeit with a clicking noise – while the LED light turns on automatically to help you find everything you need in low-light situations.

The batteries drain pretty fast, though, so keep a close eye on them – or keep the overridebackup keynearby at all times.

PROS

• Offers multiple mounting options
• The lock and the drop-down drawer are fast and responsive
• Features an interior LED light that turns on when you open the safe

CONS

• The mechanism is noisy
• The batteries get drained pretty fast

You’ll find a more detailed review of theGunVault SV500, along with a variety of other firearms safe models – for storing both handguns and rifles – in my round-up of theBest Gun Safe Under $500. There are quite a few firearm storage options there, so be sure to check it out before you go!

15. SentrySafe Gun Safes

SentrySafe Firearms Safe

Check price on Amazon

Category : Bedside
Material : Steel
Locking Mechanism : Biometric Lock
Dimensions : 16.4 x 9.8 x 3.2 inches
Weight : 16 pounds
Warranty : 1-year limited warranty
Price :Check Price Now

If you’d rather keep your safe in yourbedside cabinetor drawer, this SentrySafe might be the perfect choice for you – mounting it on the wall or bolting it down is still an option with this model, but it’s not a must, as it is with the one I showed you previously.

The main thing I like about this safe is how focused it is on allowing you quick, single-handed access to your guns:

Thanks to the gas strut, the safe door opens instantly, and your weapons are stored “at the ready” – which not only looks cool but saves time, as well.

It has the same keypad-related problem as other SentrySafe models – you have to “wake it up” by pressing a button before it accepts your input. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s a bit confusing when you’re in a hurry.

PROS

• Features a fingerprint scanner and a keypad
• The gas strut allows for single-handed access
• Interior light helps in low-light situations
• It can be wall-mounted or bolted down

CONS

• It’s not silent
• It won’t accept your entry if you don’t “wake up” the keypad

Note:Safe manufacturersare in the business of making safe storage for your valuables, money, and firearms. They manufacture safes in different shapes and sizes to suit your needs. There are a few best gun safe brands we are looking for (Fort Knox safe, Hornady rapid safe, Rhino ironworks safe, Fat Boy, American Security Systems), we will introduce to you as soon as possible.

Need Help Choosing the Best Gun Safe for Your Needs?

Large Dimensions Fireproof Gun Safe

There are four vital things you have to consider before you pick the best guns safe for the money – steel gauge thickness, capacity, lock mechanism, and overall safety and ratings.

These are the make-or-break factors that draw the line between poorly-made safes that barely offer any protection and those high-quality ones that feel like they could withstand anything you throw at them.

Steel Gauge Thickness

Not all safes are created equal – but I’m sure you realize that by now.

That’s why the first thing you need to pay attention to is the overall construction of the safe (is itsteel constructed) and, more importantly, the thickness of the walls themselves – the so-calledsteel gauge thickness.

Don’t fall into the “higher number” trap, though, because steel gauge works oppositely – the lower the number, the thicker the steel.

So, for instance, 20gauge steelis way thinner than 10 gauge steel.

Here’s why it matters:

When the thickness of thesolid steelis doubled, it doesn’t become two times stronger – it becomeseight times stronger. I don’t have to tell you how big of a difference that makes in safe’s overall durability!

Locking Mechanism: Electronic vs. Mechanical

The next factor you must consider when choosing the best guns safe for the money is the type of lock you prefer. The primary choice you’ll have to make is between anelectronic and a mechanical lock, but if we’re going to be nit-picky, you havefour optionshere:

• Lock and Key– It’s an old-school, inexpensive solution for securing your firearms – as long as you don’t lose the key, that is.
• Combination Locks– If you want a tried and true, low-maintenance, battery-free locking mechanism, this is it.
• Electronic Lock with a Keypad– These are the modern-day equivalent ofdial locks, using a numbered keypad to enter your security code.
• Biometric Lock– The main idea here is that you’re using personal identity – your fingerprints – as a key for unlocking your safe, so there’s no risk of someone stealing your “key.”

Whatever you choose, make sure you have abackup option, as well, to avoid gettinglocked out of your safeif the central locking mechanism fails.

If you want to have a more detailed look into the biometric gun safe category, be sure to read my guide toFinding the Best Biometric Gun Safe on the Market! It contains a ton of valuable info that could help you make your choice – including in-depth reviews of five highly-recommended models!

Size & Capacity

What good is a guns safe if it doesn’t have the capacity needed to fit all your valuables?

So, when it’s time to pick the best guns safe on a budget for your needs, ask yourself the following question:

Is it spacious – or compact – enough to suit my needs, and do I have a suitable place for it in my house?

There’s no right or wrong answer here – it’s all about finding something that works for you.

How Safe Is Your Safe?

You’d be surprised how often a safe turns out to be not as safe as you hoped for – and, unfortunately, when something like that happens, it’s often too late to do anything about it.

That’s why it’s vital to consider the following:

Fire Rating

One way to protect your valuables in case of fire is to get a safe that offers an adequate level of protection in such scenarios, which means a certified gun safes with a minimum one-hour fire rating – of course, the longer the fire protection, the better.

RSC (Residential Security Container Certification)

If a safe receives aResidential Security Container (RSC) Certification(ULlisted), it means that it passed the Underwriters Laboratories testing methods, and withstood drilling, prying, chiseling, punching and other forms of tampering with the safe for a total of five minutes.

It’s not that impressive, but it still offers some level of protection in a burglary attempt that involves basic manual, as well as electrical hand tools.

Floor Bolting Ability

Being able to bolt down the safe brings an extra layer of security to the table.

I always recommend picking a model that can be eitherwall-mountedorbolted down, to prevent burglars from simply picking up your safe and walking away with it if they realize that they can’t pry it open on the spot.

DOJ Certification

Every state has specific standards and regulations regarding firearm safe, and one of the most talked about has to be theCalifornia Department of Justice (DOJ) regulation.

ADOJ certificationisn’t a must-have, but some of the best weapons safes on the market will most certainly have it, promising you a unit that features high-qualitysteel construction, locking system, hinges, as well as bolt work that will be able to withstand burglar attacks.

Are gun safe worth the money?

The gun safes is a long-term investment, but it’s worth the money. For the most part, your insurance will only cover you if you keep your weapon locked away in a gun safe. However, it’s always agood ideato keep them in an alarm-equipped safe rather than in a locker.

4 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy the Best Gun Safes

a sturdy safes

Buying the best weapons safes is simple if all you’re going to store in it is, in fact, guns – but what if there are some other high-value items you’d like to keep safe, as well?

1. Paperwork, Money and Other Delicate Items Need Extra Protection

Of course, protecting items such as cash and paperwork, as well as data and media, from theft and fire is of utmost importance – but you should be extra picky about the safe you’re using here.

Fire-resistant safes seem like the obvious choice, but because theycreate steam as a method of regulating internal temperature, they may end up doing more damage than good.

2. Pick the Right Security Rating for Your Valuables

The most common mistake I see people make is not considering themaximum value of the safe contents, and as a result, picking a completely wrong safe for their needs.

Here are a fewsafe rating vs. content value guidelinesyou should keep in mind:

3. Don’t Put Too Much Trust into Fire-Resistant Safes

If you plan on storing high-value items in there, a fire-resistant safe, although great for protecting your belongings from heat and smoke, won’t do much in case of burglary. The metal construction is often so thin – especially in low-cost fire-resistant models – that a few simple hand tools are all it takes to break inside the safe.

4. Sometimes It’s Better to Spend More

Buying a safe is an investment in both your safety and peace of mind andyou shouldn’t be afraid to spend moreif that’s what it takes to keep your valuables safe and sound.

And while the price doesn’t necessarily determine quality –always pay attention to the actual features– if getting the bestfirearms safes for your needsmeans spending a bit more, then it will be money well spent.

Final Thoughts & Recommendations

I won’t even try to announce the winner of the round-up, not because there are too many options to choose from, but because it would be like comparing apples and oranges. You can’t compare a long-rifle safe with a portable one – it makes no sense!

Instead, I encourage you to pick a category first and go from there. I’m sure there’s thebest gun safes on a budgetfor your needs – and your budget – hiding in one of them!