The Best Gun Safe for Your Money

A good gun safe is one of the best gun-related purchases that you can make. More than your favorite rifle, pistol or shotgun because it keeps your weapons secure and out of the way of children. Most folks don’t have huge amounts of cash to spend on a gun safe so we’ve put together a list of gun safes that provide great value for your money below.

*UPDATE* We just added 5 more gun safes to this list for a total of what we think are the 10 best gun safes for your money.

If you’re just looking for handgun safes, make sure to see our guide to the best small safes for handguns here.

If you need a biometric gun safe, we just wrote a post about the best biometric (fingerprint) gun safes here.

1. GunVault Speedvault Biometric Pistol Safe SVB500

A great small-scale safe especially made for storing handguns, this item is made of 12-gauge thick steel to ensure maximum durability. The small size of the safe makes it ideal for storing under the desk at the office or at home, and in larger containers.

The safe has a high-tech security system to deter any unauthorized use, and it achieves this through a fingerprint recognition system. The system can remember up to 120 fingerprints, so you can authorize other trustworthy persons to access it. The safe also features a light, so you can see inside it, an override key in case of malfunction and is lined with foam so that your firearm comes out scratch-free.

Pros:

• Thick steel construction makes this safe nearly indestructible.
• Fingerprint scanner will stop any unauthorized access.
• Foam-lined on the inside for extra protection of the firearm

Cons:

• Not suited for multiple or large weapon storage.

2. Sentry Safe Biometric Quick Access Pistol Safe

A great safe with great capabilities, this item is made from 12-gauge steel just like the GunVault. But, unlike the GunVault, this safe is more portable because it takes a shape of a small box, making it easy to store in cabinets and drawers.

However, the safe cannot be mounted like the GunVault. It is also protected by a fingerprint scanner, but it can only recognize one fingerprint. It also contains an override key, and its pneumatic hinges are silent and will keep the safe open, making it ideal for one-handed use during emergencies. It is also protected by a combination lock.

Pros:

• Box shape makes it more easily stored in drawers and such.
• Fingerprint recognition system.
• 12-gauge steel construction.
• Pneumatic hinges allow for one-handed use.
• Has a combination lock.

Cons:

• Cannot be mounted.
• Can only recognize one fingerprint.

3. BARSKA Biometric Safe

BARSKA biometric safe is a larger type of safe which will enable you to store a few more items within it. It is heavier than the first two, so it is less likely that the object will be taken away. It is also mountable, and its size is fit for home and office use.

The safe is protected via a fingerprint scanner and a combination lock. The scanner can store up to 30 prints. The safe has a timer that will let you know within five minutes if you’ve left it unlocked.

Pros:

• Sturdy and heavy, it is not easily penetrated or stolen.
• Fingerprint lock with 30 print storing capacity.
• Combination lock makes the safe more secure.
• A timer that lets you know if you’ve left the safe unlocked.

Cons:

• Larger than the previous two, so it is not portable.
• The lock mechanism is not silent, so you will not be able to get to your weapons silently.

4. Mesa Safe Company MBF6032E 14.4 Cubic Foot 30 Rifle Gun Safe with Digital Lock

This 650 pound, solid steel monster is the safe of safes on the market. It is made of solid, impossible-to-drill plate steel, so no one can get inside it when it’s closed. The sheer weight will render the safe immovable, so you don’t have to worry about it being stolen, and, if that’s not enough, it can be bolted to the floor.

The security of the safe consist of a digital keypad, but if that happens to fail, a manual re-locker will lock down the safe until further notice. The safe is also deemed fireproof, being able to withstand a full hour at 1750 degrees. The safe is very roomy, allowing for multiple rifles and handguns to be stored.

Pros:

• Impossible-to-drill, solid plate steel make this safe impossible to breach.
• Digital keypad will keep the item safe and secure.
• If the keypad fails, the manual locker will bolt down the safe.
• Can withstand 1750 degrees for a full hour.
• Offers a lot of space to store your small-arms
• Lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Very heavy. It is going to stay where you’ve put it.

5. Stack-On FS-14-MG-C 14-Gun Fire Resistant Safe with Combination Lock

A simple and cheap safe, it is half the price of Mesa safe, but does the trick if not just as good, then in close approximation. The safe is made of solid steel and protected by a simple combination lock and a crank wheel that moves three bolts.

The safe is spacious – you can store up to 14 rifles and pistols. It features a smart shelving system, so you can better arrange your things inside. It is also fireproof, rated to thirty minutes.

Pros:

• Sturdy and safe, at half the price of the Mesa safe.
• Simple and elegant combination lock coupled with a crank wheel with 3 bolts.
• Spacey, allowing for up to 14 guns to be stored.
• Carpeted interior will keep your armament scratch-free.

Cons:

• The safe isn’t waterproof

BONUS: Here are 5 more of the best gun safes for your money below.

SnapSafe Lockbox with Key Lock

When discussing a budget safe for your gun, it’s important to look at versatility. With so many people suddenly getting their concealed handgun licenses, there is a whole demographic out there looking for a one-gun solution. If you are in that crowd, then this is for you. This safe has a portable, modular, design that will fill several requirements at once.

First and foremost, it’s constructed from 16 gauge stainless steel, and has a foam filled interior. It will both hide and lock a full-size pistol without issue, but maintains a small footprint. It’s also simple, using a key to unlock, which means you don’t have to hook it to a power supply. Store your weapon in a desk drawer, by the bedside, or in your car by simply moving the tether to a new hardpoint. It’s made to hold one weapon, which is limiting, and it doesn’t come with any fancy features. But it doesn’t cost much, either.

First Alert 5200DF Portable Handgun or Pistol Safe

If you are looking for a few more features without getting too carried away with the price, the First Alert gun safe might be for you. It’s constructed of slightly lighter 18 gauge steel, but it’s enough to keep the kids away from your bedside pistol. It comes with a steel cable, like the SnapSafe, and it looks like a biometric solution, but it’s actually a “secret” keypad entry.

The case is shut with a spring-loaded hinge, so when you are prepared, you enter your 3 to 8 digit password by touch, and it springs open, allowing quick retrieval of your weapon. It’s large enough to hold two smaller pistols or a full-size 1911 with extra magazines. For the price, it’s a very nice safe, especially for the home.

GunVault SV500 SpeedVault Handgun Safe

Made of 18 gauge steel with a foam interior, this gun safe will keep you pistol not only safe from prying little fingers, but mounted anywhere you find convenient. This isn’t meant to be a transportable design, but rather to be bolted in place permanently. The design limits you to one weapon, but when you need it, the door flips open allowing holster-style access to your gun.

This is a little more pricey for a one-gun safe than some of the other options, but if the design fits your style and your emergency plan, then the extra cash is worth the cost for what you are getting. The four button design is a bit odd, so you will want to practice retrieving your weapon. It comes with an override key in case the batteries go dead on you or you forget the key code, so there’s no worry about locking yourself out.

Stack-On GCB-908 8-Gun Steel Security Cabinet

Some of us need more room for our weapons. If you have a small collection of rifles and want a budget solution for storing them in the house while keeping small children out, a cabinet style safe is the go-to option, and Stack-On produces the most cost effective solutions.

The safe is 54 inches tall, wall or floor mountable, and weighs about 64 pounds. The three point locking system means that the door is not as easily pried open as a typical 2 point cabinet can be. The walls are a bit less than a quarter of an inch thick, but they aren’t sheet metal. This is a hefty cabinet, especially for the price.

Stack-On TC-16-GB-K-DS Tactical Security Cabinet

If you need something even larger, the 16 rifles this safe claims to hold includes two tactical style weapons loaded with accessories. It’s a whole lot of safe for the money, and weighs close to 100 pounds unloaded. The interior is divided into two sections, one of which can be set up with shelves or left clear for more rifles. It’s easily adaptable to most gun collections.

It comes with many of the same features as the other Stack-On: 3 point hinged door, key coded cylinder lock. It’s smart and efficient. You won’t get any biometrics or special power comforts, but overall, it’s a solid storage cabinet for a great price.