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 Smart Station - Biometric Smart Safe with Built-in Wireless Phone Charger
Top-rated: 2,441 ratings | 103 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: LED backlit HD fingerprint scanner.
Helpful review: "For years I’ve followed Vaultek, as well as the products they’ve brought to market. This smart safe was a bit pricey for me, so I was skeptical about it. But then I finally bit the bullet and purchased it, and can report back that it’s really fantastic and worth the money.
- The safe came well-packaged. Trust me, you’re going to love the packaging.
- The setup is straightforward and clear. Following the instructions for fingerprinting was a breeze. I had no issues setting the combination or fingerprints.
- The quality is excellent. This is a very solid product. It’s really sturdy, very well-built and easy to use.
- The Bluetooth and biometric features are top tier.
- The phone charger works flawlessly. Just place it on top.
- With the extra USB, my watch charger is now also part of the system.
- It will hold most handguns. For instance, it can comfortably hold 2 Glocks. It can also hold my Sig 365 XL with Holosun optics and two 17 R clips with some extra room.
- Clock will set the correct time when the phone is placed on the charger.
- Opens swift for immediate entry.
- Incredibly quiet.
- Interior lighting is beautiful.
- The app has amazing features.
The advertisement does not do justice here. It's much better and advanced than argued. There are so many options featured with the safe: sound or no sound, lights or no lights… I know it sounds funny, but I feel that having such a neat product on my nightstand really upgraded my lifestyle. I love this safe so much, I want to buy another one.
BOTTOM LINE:
Don’t buy a lesser safe to save a bit of money. This Vaultek really does worth every penny. They offer great customer service and excellent follow-up, so I'll be buying the Vaultek MXi as well based on this experience. Good Job, Vaultek!" — David P. McGillivray
Get it from Amazon now: $479.99 & FREE Returns
2. VAULTEK VS10i - Best Fingerprint Scanner
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: $269.99 & FREE Returns
3. ONNAIS - Large and Clear Buttons
Top-rated: 4,550 ratings | 76 answered questions
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: The fingerprint lock can store up to 30 user fingerprints for access by multiple users.
Helpful review: "This safe is made for a bedside or nightstand application. It does come with a security tether, made out of cabling and covered in rubber or flexible plastic. The tether wraps around the bed frame or something and then feeds into itself, like a lariat or a noose. The other end has a steel pawl (the only word I can think to call it) that slips into a groove on the body of the safe when the lid is opened.
LID AND LOCK:
The lid is secure with a strong hook and latch mechanism and shuts and secures easily. The locking mechanism is pretty cool, and the combo/biometric lock system is very handy. With the key lock, if you are like me, and an old, worn-out boot, the electronics to get into the safe make me a little suspicious, but hide or secure the key, and you are easier than a padlock.
CODE VS. FINGERPRINT:
Setting the electronic code is very simple; opening the battery door takes longer than entering the code. The safe comes with a quick setup guide, is easy to read and understand, and even has pictures. Set the code, hit the OK button, then repeat and it is done. The biometric is just about as easy. Place your fingers; the safe does not care how many or which ones are on the reader six times, and the safe will give the signal, and your super handy biomechanical lock is set. Multiple people can enter fingerprints, so all the adults and none of the kids can use it. If the code access worries you, you can turn off the electronics and use the key, then no one can guess the code; that is up to you.
INTERIOR:
The interior of the safe is padded, thinly padded, with open-cell foam, so if you live in a humid area like Florida, you will want to save the desiccant packet from your next Amazon shipment and throw it in there to keep the pistol nice and shiny. If this safe is shaken or the gun inside gets some damage, it will have to be seriously shaken or dropped to damage the gun.
WEIGHT:
The weight of this little safe is excellent; it weighs about two pounds or less and is easy to move around. The weight reduction does come at a price of steel thickness for protection. If a bad guy has time to yank on this safe, they can eventually pull the pawl out of the back, use a small crowbar, and bend the lid out of place to get inside. Dedicated crooks will stop at nothing, except honest work, to get to your valuables; this is more about keeping your hands off a dangerous item when it is not in use.
SIZE:
The little safe has a lot of room, especially with the top-opening lid. It will easily fit the entire EDC package to keep it safe and tidy. The safe is big enough to fit full-sized pistols; my 1911 fits without issues. The 1911 and two spare mags, my wallet, watch, cell phone, and a checkbook- if we still use them- would all tuck away safely. If you want to keep all of this by the door and not by the bedside, this safe will surface mount with two holes in the bottom for screws to the shelf, or the wall may work; the stuff may fall out when opened as a wall-mounted unit.
ALL IN ALL:
Now, the fun part. Would I recommend this safe? Yes! Without hesitation, I am ordering more of these and giving them to family members to keep things safe from little hands. I am also fitting one in the drawer at the office to make sure no one sees or needs to know that business, even if it hides a hip flask for PST conference room recovery. Would I buy another one or twenty-two? Yes! I alluded to this already, but the money spent on this safe is worth every penny. Unless you need this to protect things in a fire, then this will not be the answer. Place this safe in the firebox or fireproof filing cabinet, and now your stuff is kept secret and safe from the rest of the crew and the fire if it ever comes." — Gary Anderson
Get it from Amazon now: $89.99 & FREE Returns
4. RPNB Drop Down - Carbon Knight Series
Top-rated: 373 ratings
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Expertly crafted using sturdy steel construction.
Helpful review: "IThe seller is on point. Super fast shipping. Superb packing. Quality and beautiful presentation from RPNB. The RPNB safe is of a very high quality. Crafted product and works superbly. The only flaw was the rubber feet had come loose from the bottom. I figure that was because of the very high temperatures we have been having. I put them back on and they stuck. The drawer opens smoothly and every time. The fingerprints must be registered at different angles if you're not going to use the exact same angle every time. The RPNB company should be commended for this product. This is an initial preview after receiving and testing the unit for 45 minutes after receiving. If something comes up negative I will review again. If you see nothing further all is well.
MY NEIGHBOR’S REVIEW:
I have been shopping around for a while to seek a gun safe that could easily hide next to my bed. I want it to be safe but at the same time easy to reach. It has a locker with passcode/fingerprint option, which could automatically open in a second with a ready to pull and shot position. There is an option to manually open it with a key, the key lock seems tough, so others won't reach my gun easily. Plus it's a heavy metal case, which could also prevent others from opening it by force. It also has enough space for one pistol with an extra bullet or magazine. The G-17 fits it well. Maybe the only two cons: It could be over the budget to some people, get it when it's on sale, AND it does not open very quietly, but I guess this is the tradeoff if you wanna it open quickly.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
have been looking for a nightstand drop down or slider safe for some time. Most on the market could not accommodate my pistol with a mounted red dot. This one fits the bill. I was also worried about the fingerprint reader not always recognizing my print, but I have been surprised how accurate it read. I did take the advice to have it read my prints at different angles while setting it up. Looks pretty well made. It is heavy, which is good. So my only con is that when it opens, it is a bit loud. So only time will tell how it performs in the long run." — Trent Bailey
Get it from Amazon now: $199.00 & FREE Returns
5. VAULTEK - Drop-Down Safe with Rechargeable Battery
Top-rated: 419 ratings
Credit: Amazon.com
Highlight: Can hold max firearm length of 8.875” + a spare magazine.
Helpful review: "It's a tight squeeze, but it does manage to fit an full sized HK USP 45 Tactical with a flat plate magazine, despite it being 5.9" at it's tallest. Since there are few handguns larger than the USP Tactical, this safe is more than adequate for the vast majority of handguns.
I also have the smaller VT10i with the biometric sensor and find that the Slider biometrics is much more accurate/responsive, likely due to the larger sensor. It can detect the fingerprint no matter the angle you apply your finger. I've also added the same fingers multiple times to increase readability.
The app and web dashboards are incredibly slick, allows you to delete fingerprints or disable/activate different fingerprints on the fly. It immediately notifies you if the safe has been opened, tampered with, failed authentication, really anything that can happen to the safe.
The only thing the app cannot do over WiFi is open the safe remotely, which I imagine is a security issue and honestly probably for the best. However while the WiFi features are neat, it's pretty extraneous to the actual function of the safe. None the less, you can tell from just about every aspect of the safe design that a lot of thought and care went into it. If cost is no object, this is hands down the best smart gun safe on the market.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
After shopping for a while on handgun safes, I decided on the VAULTEK. This safe is absolutely amazing. Packaged with care, protective plastics and all that. It’s super easy to set up, and the steel construction is very rugged.
The keypad lights up when your hand comes near it, so it can be easily read in the dark. A huge plus for me is that it uses a standard 18650 Lithium Ion battery, so if it ends up croaking in future years, you know you’ll be able to find a replacement easily.
The drawer slides completely open when the correct code is input, and there’s a nice LED light so you don’t have to fumble in the middle of the night. Great product!" — Nick Anderson
Get it from Amazon now: $369.99 & FREE Returns
6. 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: "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 was 100% accurate and FAST.
Overall, this is a solid built safe with minimum gaps for resisting quick prying. 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.
A FEW WORDS FROM A NEIGHBOR:
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 fingerprints 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." — David Hauton
Get it from Amazon now: $129.99 & FREE Returns
7. 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
8. 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 granddaughters 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 fingerprint, 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.
A FEW WORDS FROM A FRIEND:
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." — Trent Levine
Get it from Amazon now: $119.99 & FREE Returns
9. 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