I Tested And Ranked The Best Biometric Gun Safes For The Money
If you're on the hunt for a smart gun safe with fingerprint identification, I'm here to help you make the best choice on your next purchase.
FYI, prices and ratings are accurate as of time of writing.
1. VAULTEK VT20i - Biometric Safe with a Rechargeable Battery
Top-rated: 1,733 ratings | 256 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Upgraded biometric reader.
Helpful review: "I found this safe after seeing it on Hickok45's YouTube channel. I was looking for a quick access safe, as we have an 8-month old daughter now who's starting to crawl and attempting to stand on her own. So we can't just leave our firearms out any longer.
Originally I was considering the SpeedVault Biometric, but then I saw this one which isn't bulky and heavy, and (unlike the SpeedVault) doesn't have to be fastened to something.
One feature immediately different is that this Vaultek, in addition to its fingerprint reader, has also a keypad, Bluetooth and keyed entry, where the SpeedVault (and many others) remove one of those options when they go biometric. It was important to have another option other than just the fingerprint reader, in case it were to fail in an emergency. That's why this one fit the bill.
It also allows you to store 2 administrators and 20 unique fingerprints in the safe biometric memory. I like that it's practically silent when opening, where others make a loud clank. I also love the inside LED light feature, whose brightness can be adjusted via the Vaultek Apple/Android app.
You can also use the app for other features, such as opening the safe, tamper alerts, fingerprint management, complete history log, and battery usage indicator, all via Bluetooth from the unit. The unit itself still has ways to show most of these, but it's nice having the app on the phone.
I bought the black unit because it blends in well almost anywhere, but they also offer white and camouflage, as well as some other colors. The safe comes with everything you need including the lithium ion battery, charger, cable that plugs into the side of the unit, mounting screws, security cable, screwdriver, etc...
Since my intention in purchasing a quick access vault/safe is not only to have it quickly accessed, but also to prevent our daughter or visitors to our home (including children), this is by far the best option on the market. I have nothing negative to say about it at this time. Even the packaging and presentation were super nice.
So, if you want a quick access nightstand safe, which can also perform as a travel safe, to keep guns or other valuables locked up but accessible, I'd highly recommend this one. Really guys, if you're leaving your guns sitting around the house or in/on your nightstand, this is what you need." — Aaron & Breane Dooley
Get it from Amazon now: $299.99 & FREE Returns
2. Awesafe - Fingerprint Identification and Biometric Lock
Top-rated: 12,856 ratings | 14 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Easy to conceal under car seats, in spare tire wells, between mattresses, and other out-of-the-way locations.
Helpful review: "The safe is made of a high quality, sturdy metal and looks a lot better than other lock boxes in this size and price range. The touch keypad is responsive and the fingerprint scanner works well. The fingerprint scanner can actually retain 30 different fingerprints, so you could use multiple fingers from both hands to open the safe, and have a spouse (or anyone else) program their fingerprints to have access. Setup was very easy and only took about 5 minutes. We quickly set up a keypad code, then programed fingerprints for me and my wife. The Blue interior lighting is a great touch (and the main reason I picked this safe over comparable models). It's not super bright, but it's just enough to be able to grab your gun (or valuables) in the middle of the night without diminishing your night vision. The interior of the safe has a thick foam padding that feels very high quality. The safe opens quickly (within about a second) after placing your finger on the fingerprint scanner. The light and keypad run off of 4 AA batteries. There is also a low battery indicator light so you know when to replace the batteries. All in all, a great product." — Kelsey Benke
Trending review: "The fingerprint reader works great. It came with very easy to read instructions on how to set up the safe. It took me roughly 10 minutes to read, understand, and save some fingerprints. Note: After setup, only your fingerprints will cause it to open. Prior to set up, any fingerprint will open it. So follow the instructions. Tech Tip 1. The first time I screwed it down, it caused the bottom of the safe to flex as I tightened. This caused the lid not to open well. So, I put some washers under the mounting holes (on the outside bottom of the safe), and then tightened the screws. This prevented the bottom of the safe from flexing. Now it opens perfectly. Tech Tip 2, save multiple samples of the fingers you plan to open it with. Use different angles each time you save a fingerprint. This will open the safe on the first try each time, no matter how you place your finger. All in All, this safe works great. Oh, and I like the light." — Nicole Thomas
Get it from Amazon now: $129.00 & FREE Returns (or $169.00 for two handgun capacity)
3. RPNB - Biometric Mounted Gun Safe
Top-rated: 5,278 ratings | 278 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Mountable from right, left, or top side, depending on desired preference.
Helpful review: "This isn’t a safe to keep a million dollars in. It’s mostly designed to keep children out or friends that are over out. If a thief wants to get in they can and will just like most safes. Now, I have an alarm system that would be sending the police over and creating such LOUD noises, that if the thief even knew to look for this next to my bed (where it's mounted) I suppose they could try to yank it off. But remember, most thieves are amateurs and just want to smash and grab such things as TVs or anything else that they can get easily and fast. Now, to the safe's biometric features, the fingerprints work flawless. The secret is to program the same finger Maybe 6 different times at different angles. That way it always recognizes it. I programmed it as if I was lying in bed, such as a real world scenario if someone broke in at night. I saw a video of some guy opening it with a coat hanger and tooth pick. Well, if you can do that in a minute with sirens going off and knowing the cops are on the way, then you can have my $400 pistol. Locks only keep honest people out. This pistol safe does its purpose and works great." — Ahron DeMarco
Trending review: "It's a gun safe for easy and rapid access. Period. Fingerprint reader works about 95% of the time. When it fails, I figure it's simply because it's not "smart" enough to read the finger if it is placed a little bit off or rotated. But I cannot complain since you can program plenty of fingers. I programed all my 10 fingers. It also has a code you enter manually (either finger or code will open it) and it also has regular keys as backup (make sure to store them in a secure place). WARNING: I would not recommend you to leave your weapon in it while you're out. If you must leave your weapon locked, I suggest you put it in a better safe. This safe is mostly to have your weapon in a safe place while being handy and ready to be used. As for my application, I use it to keep one of my weapons next to my bed and secured, as I have small kids. It works perfect for that purpose. If I have to leave my house without it, I lock it in my big gun safe with my other weapons. Very happy with the product. And please remember: ALWAYS treat your weapons as it is loaded and ready to fire, never point it to anybody, and keep it secured at all times. Make sure you know how to operate your weapon and if you buy this safe (or any other) make sure to do some practice with an unloaded weapon to understand how long it will take to pull the weapon out and use it for self defense." — DannyTechSavy
Most popular review: "This is my second purchase of this wall safe. I currently have one next to me in my home office for quick access while I’m working at home. I realized that this would also be great for quick access in our bedroom. Currently we have a safe in our closet, which I don’t think is the most logical place if you need to get to your firearm quickly and efficiently. I loved the first one so much that I bought the same to be mounted on the wall right next to my side of the bed. I really like that you have the option of a number code as well as a key. Really great quality and also a great price. Sometimes it’s hard to find a good safe for a reasonable price." — Nicky Caddick
Get it from Amazon now: $109.99 & FREE Returns
4. VAULTEK MXi - Heavy-Duty Biometric Safe for Multiple Handguns
Top-rated: 430 ratings
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: 14-gauge carbon steel body and 12-gauge steel door.
Helpful review: "Expensive, but you get what you pay for. It's very spacious and high tech safe, so I recommend it despite the high price.
There is quite a bit of room. I inserted three of their foam racks. The racks hold full size guns well. My 1911s fit well. The only gun that I would put in upright is my FN 45 Tactical.
Depth for the FN is fine ,but the sights are tall and would only fit I removed the shelf drawer. But the shelf drawer is so great that I did not want to remove it. I have magazines and two pocket carry weapons on the drawer shelf.
PROS:
- Battery lasts several months between charges, even with daily use.
- Overall Capacity is great. I actually bought 2 more inserts and it can now easily hold 6 full sized pistols and 8 mags.
- The number pad is easy to find in the dark and it works every time.
- It has a huge amount of features that can be enabled or disabled. This safe is super easy to customize (motion alarm, tamper warning, etc...).
- Fingerprint scanner is extremely accurate. Absolutely no false opens. It allows up to 20 fingerprints.
- You get 2 master codes, and you then can set up even more codes.
- The phone app allows you to monitor battery life and access. You have a log of every open or attempt to open. It even shows you what time and what code or fingerprint was used.
CONS:
- Unless bolted down, someone could still pick it up and walk off with it. This would trigger the motion alarm though.
- The fingerprint scanner is so accurate, that if I work in the kitchen with a lot of oil and get my fingers oily, the safe won't open half the time. So the code is my go-to in such cases.
Overall, I am very happy with the safe. It is on the pricey side, but, seeing the other stuff out there, you really get what you pay for!
It has serious weight to it and I definitely consider it 'heavy-duty', so I believe it's VERY durable. It secures my weapons and personal documents well, and if you bolt it down, no unauthorized person will ever get their hands on your valuables." — Zach Holland
Get it from Amazon now: $629.99 & FREE Returns
5. SentrySafe - Upgraded Biometric Scanner and Interior Lights
Top-rated: 4,064 ratings
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Ideal as a bedside gun safe.
Helpful review: "I bought into the whole idea that this unit had to be horizontal - on a night stand, for example. The problem is that space on my nightstand is at a premium, and inevitably, things get placed on top of the safe. That makes for a potentially dangerous scenario. Should I need quick access, the safe may not open, or it may cause items to fall, which would make noise, letting the intruder know where I am, and that I'm awake.
After receiving a number of questions from prospective customers about whether this unit can be wall mounted, I started to research others' answers. OF COURSE it can be wall mounted. And, to prevent the contents from falling out when opened, you install a couple of gun magnets for 7 bucks.
I just finished installing the safe on the wall directly above my head. I can easily, silently, and in complete darkness, open the safe, put my dominant hand on the grip, and tug it free from the magnet in <2 seconds. Very nice. And now, no chance anything will be blocking the safe door - and I get to use 100% of my nightstand!
Ever since seeing "The GunBox" videos, I thought RFID was the way to go. It makes sense, especially if the RFID chip is permanently in the possession of the gun owner (i.e. wristband or ring).
The cost (>$300) was a bit extreme, but I contemplated it based on the novel idea, and the seemingly ultimate level of childproofing. By chance I came across this safe, and for the price difference, I couldn't help but be intrigued. Biometric scanners seemed gimmicky. Every phone, laptop, or other device with scanners (i.e. lockers at theme parks) all seemed too inaccurate, or took too long to verify and unlock.
After watching the Sentry video, I thought it can't be THAT good. I ordered it, and have had a couple days to play with it. I cannot believe how accurate and FAST the scanner is. I've TRIED to stump it by putting my registered finger at various angles, wet, cold, and it mattered not. This thing has been 100% accurate, every time! Unregistered fingers, no way. And it opens in under second. It is every bit as good as the video would lead you to believe it is.
Now look what happened. The manual explicitly says not to lock the two keys in the safe, since they are the only way to open it should the electronics fail. Well, I didn't heed the warning. I locked them in the safe as I prove to my wife how well the scanner works.
As I swiped, the green light blinked (indicating authorized access), then blinked red, and NO POWER. The thing just went dark. Nothing I did would wake it up. I called Sentry, and their agent explained that with sub-standard batteries (I was using Rayovac) of questionable age, they may deplete so quickly, the low battery warning may not activate.
Further, without the key, the only option was to get a notarized form (found on their website) emailed to them, and pay $15 to have new keys sent out. Forget that. I asked about specific weaknesses the safe might have to be able to defeat the lock without causing permanent damage.
Of course, they would neither confirm nor deny that such a weakness exists. That ended the call, and I started poking around. While I don't want to reveal what I determined, I can say that it is not only possible, but actually quite simple to access the latch mechanism and manually cause it to release - without ANY damage to the safe.
For the record, I am departing for a month-long trip in an RV in two days. Having a 3yo and a 15mo child with us, this safe was an absolute necessity if we were going to travel armed. Thus, waiting for a replacement key (which takes 3-5 days after submitting the notarized forms) simply wasn't an option.
As for the batteries dying so quickly, I don't know if I buy that. After getting into the safe, I was able to resume using it (albeit with the keys in my hand) on the same set of batteries. In fact, I've unlocked it at least a couple dozen more times getting my wife's fingers scanned and testing.
I will end up using a 6V wall wart, and running that to the 9V battery clip to power this thing with AC. That will eliminate the possibility of dead batteries and hopefully increase reliability. I've got two more of these on order. One for each night stand, and one for the RV." — Matt Kelly
Get it from Amazon now: $203.00 & FREE Returns
6. RPNB Smart - Biometric Safe for Two Handguns with Ammo
Top-rated: 8,514 ratings | 228 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Sturdy steel construction.
Helpful review: "Nice and heavy, & smooth open-close operation. The safe fingerprint function is only handy if you keep up with the batteries! The rechargeable batteries I first installed died and I was forced to use the key to open and replace the batteries, so keep those keys handy! If you set a calendar alarm to refresh batteries on a regular schedule, this should be a solid safe for you. Helpful tip: code your fingerprint from the angle you will likely be reaching from in an emergency, it's def not Apple dynamic. I keep it in my nightstand. and found that I had to reset my fingerprints as it did not recognize them from a downward side angle (I originally set them up while facing the safe head on). Also, safe door swings fast, be prepared! Yes, I totally recommend it. It serves me well." — Andrea Bailey
Trending review: "After trying several different gun vaults, I was prepared to be unimpressed with this one, but, boy, was I surprised! The inside is big enough to hold a lot of things. Mine has three pistols in it and plenty of extra room for other things. My mother has the same gun vault, and it has enough room for her pistol, case, holster, and several packages of bullets. The case looks roughly the size of a small VCR and is not an eyesore. This was a great investment! Occasionally, it doesn’t open the first time I lay my finger on the sensor, but that’s because I didn’t get the angle just right. The beeping sound that it arrives with can be turned off, and when it is, the whole process is very quiet except for a whirring noise as the top lifts. It sounds a little like a sneeze. By the time an intruder hears that noise, I’ll have my hands on my weapon. I love this because I’ve been searching for a long time for a vault that just works and now I’ve found it." — Donna Liz Baker
Get it from Amazon now: $159.99 & FREE Returns
7. MAXSafes - Auto-Open Gun Safety Device for 2 Pistols
Top-rated: 253 ratings
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Quick access using the rapid backlit keypad, spare key or biometric fingerprint scanner.
Helpful review: "In the United States, on average, a gun is stolen from a home every 2.25 minutes... It is a dangerous epidemic, that is more than a little terrifying. It is a problem I definitely don’t want to contribute to. To be clear I completely believe in the second amendment, and the use of firearms to protect my home, my property, and my family. I just don’t want my protection to be used against me, or against someone else. Just the idea of my home defense weapon being on the streets in a criminal's hands makes me angry. But that is only the half of it. I have two grand daughters in the house. Them getting curious and getting their hands on my weapons makes my blood run icy cold. In most of those cases where a child gets shot, there wasn’t a real attempt at securing the weapon. Hiding it in a drawer or a high shelf just doesn't cut it. It won't stop a curious kid. When I was a kid, it wouldn’t have worked on me either. This safe is SAFE. It keeps a fair sized weapon, as well as a good bit of ammunition. It is made out of thick powder coated steel. It is going to strongly resist prying, and sledge attacks. It is extremely sturdy. It also has a security cable and mounting holes. You can bolt it down to the floor and know it is not going to go anywhere. To gain entry you can either use your finger print, or the code, or the keys. My wife and I keep a key on our rings. We both have our prints stored, and we both know the code. It is so easy to recode, we can give the code in the event we need to give someone access to the box. Truly, this secures our weapon, and gives us that security of knowing it's safe." — Rick Lane
Trending review: "My dad always had a pistol safe/vault with a fingerprint reader, but just like my old fingerprint log-in laptop, it’s finicky. Dirt, dust or scrapes affect the reader negatively, and the finger always has to be 100% aligned, otherwise you’ll keep swiping your finger over and over and getting locked out. When it comes to accessing a gun, reliability is important. I’ve wanted to get some kind of mini safe for a while, but have been waiting for a better keyless entry method. Vein recognition technology intrigued me, and since it has PIN and key access as well, I figured I’d try it out. Let me report that it was easy enough to configure with the quick start guide. It opens quickly and reliably, with a hydraulic shock lift. Since the marketing materials claim it's working with damaged skin, and even with debris and wet fingers, I made sure to try it out. My guns aren’t safe queens. They’re handled rough and put through the paces. Any piece of hardware I get relating to my guns needs to be as durable. Dunked my finger in water, dragged it in dirt, and tried it multiple times each way. It worked every time. As long as you put your finger in straight and hold it down against the surface, it seems like it will definitely function in adverse conditions. Function is what it’s all about, but I must admit that also the form is fantastic. Love the rugged yet professional look. Even the box it comes in gives off a high-end feel." — Ari Levine
Get it from Amazon now: $119.99 & FREE Returns
8. BILLCONCH - Biometric Gun Safe for 2 Pistols
Top-rated: 1,706 ratings | 137 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Top of the line biometric chips and Bluetooth capability. Ideal for pistols, cash and other valuable items.
Helpful review: "Having a toddler and a firearm in the house, we're always looking for ways to keep our family safe and have access to what we need when we need it. This is an effective solution, the fingerprint scanner allows for immediate access in a high adrenaline moment, when fiddling with keys and other things could be detrimental.
Things to note:
1. The description says quick access to your safe which may contain a gun, valuables, documents, or firearms. This is accurate description because the safe has an automatic opening door which truly does allow the owner to open it quickly when it matters most, either using the rapid backlit keypad, biometric fingerprint scanner, or in a worst-case scenario the spare key.
2. The safe is true as described. It is certainly tough and rugged, made of 16-gauge carbon steel construction with a durable powder coat finish, which prevents corrosion and ensures long lasting protection. The powder coat finish is also a very appealing coating if the safe needs to be in the open. It won’t ruin the aesthetic appeal of a room.
3. For the application to be used to control the safe you MUST connect to the Bluetooth app. The bonus of this are the following:
- Safe can be unlocked from the application.
- Safe can manage the fingerprints used to unlock the case.
- The app allows owner to change the password.
- MY PERSONAL FAVORITE- the application allows the owner to view unlocking record on APP, so you can actually view who has opened the safe and how.
- As stated, the application is actually very simple and practical, it is easy to use and took me a total of about thirty seconds to set everything up.
4. The LED lighting is helpful when you need to access the safe quickly and in the dark. Not only is there a backlit keypad, but there is an LED light located within the safe that allows the contents to be viewed.
5. Silent mode is a helpful function, and I would suggest setting your safe to silent mode as soon as you obtain it. It turns off the sound that is emitted when the keys are pressed on the keypad. Follow the following instructions:
- Press "OK" button on the keypad.
- Wait for the keypad to light up.
- Press "1" on the keypad.
- Press "OK" on the keypad.
- The safe will turn off the sound, and you can repeat the steps to turn on the sound.
6. To get the most out of the safe make sure that it is fully charged. It comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. I timed the charge and it took less than the 2.5 hours as indicated, and it arrived with the charger.
The safe is a fantastic purchase, and I already intend on getting my husband one as a gift. It is simple and it is really easy to use, all the while protecting little ones from touching things they shouldn't!" — J. Ruthann
Get it from Amazon now: $189.99 & FREE Returns
9. AINIRO - Biometric Gun Safe for Handguns
Top-rated: 806 ratings | 92 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Comes with a fireproof documents bag.
Helpful review: "If you need a handgun safe that will keep children out, or in my case a very curious brother in law with Down syndrome, then this safe is perfect. The first one I got was great except for the fingerprint reader. It would not remember any finger prints after about 30 minutes. I didn’t want to return it though, because I loved everything else about it. The inside is fully padded, which is a must! It has the ability to have the sound silenced. Also important! It comes with 3 keys, and a really awesome fireproof envelope. Great for documents or passports, too. So I left a review that outlined my experience. The company reached out to me immediately, and apologized for the defective fingerprint reader. Super professional, and empathetic to my situation with my brother in law. They sent me a new one without asking for the old one back, and the new one is just perfect! I guess it really was defective. Because now, I’ve set my index and my thumb, and both work every time. Super happy about that. Don’t hesitate to buy this safe. It's honestly the best I’ve seen on Amazon at an affordable price. And it’s from a company that will take care of you." — Jarome Lane
Trending review: "Really impressed with what has been included, and with the built for this price point. This safe has the ability to hold TWO full size pistols with some room for extra smaller stuff. I was not expecting that, so it was a very nice surprise. Interior is padded well to keep your valuables safe. Fit and finish is what you would expect for a product of this build. Works perfectly for what I need it to do. Packaging was solid and secure. Very detailed instructions were included. This might have been the easiest safe to program. Entire process only took a few minutes and the fingerprint response time has been 100% accurate and FAST. Overall, this is a solid built safe with minimum gaps for resisting quick prying. Decent thickness of meta. Even comes with 2 backup keys. Internal spring for opening the lid is snappy and feels solid when opening and closing. Inside has ample room for my Comped P10c and Sp01, leaving some room on the sides and about 1" of room on top for any mags or other items. Using and setting the pin was a breeze. The biometric fingerprint works great. You can put this safe in a nightstand, but it's also a great portable option if you're looking for something to keep in your RV." — David Hauton
Get it from Amazon now: $129.99 & FREE Returns
![I Tested And Ranked The Best EV Chargers In 2023 [Level 2]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ca2c56_a3d5100d310d4b338da5bab3a65a8ad2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_293,h_165,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/ca2c56_a3d5100d310d4b338da5bab3a65a8ad2~mv2.jpg)
