Buying guide for Best handgun safes
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Many children in the United States live in a home with loaded, unlocked handguns. To protect your family from accidental harm, a handgun safe is an effective solution to a potentially unsafe situation, and they can be surprisingly inexpensive.
A handgun safe can prevent unauthorized use of your weapon and dramatically reduce the chances of an accidental shooting. It deters the opportunistic thief, yet it can offer rapid access if you discover an intruder. A portable safe is also useful for anyone who travels with a firearm.
We researched handgun safes to help you find the best options available. Our top choice is the RPNB Mounted Gun Safe, which gives you quick access when you need it while keeping unauthorized users out.
Key considerations
Types of security
All handgun safes (except lockboxes) have at least two methods of access. Usually the second is a backup key if the primary system fails for some reason. Some offer keypad/RFID or keypad/biometric combinations, thus offering you plenty of choice.
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Lockbox: The most basic handgun safe is a lockbox with a key. These are low cost and convenient, particularly for people who are often on the move. They’re also easy to conceal in a closet, drawer, or under a car seat.
On the downside, access is comparatively slow, and their portability can be a drawback. They may not be easy to break into quickly, but they could be taken away for a more deliberate assault. For this reason, many manufacturers add a locking steel cable for securing the safe to a stationary object.
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Keypad: More advanced handgun safes offer keypad access. Even a basic four-digit keypad has 10,000 possible combinations, so it’s almost impossible for anyone to guess the code or hit it at random. Although most only require a four-digit code, some provide eight keys, upping the possible combinations to 100,000,000. Keypads may be backlit to aid use in low-light conditions.
On the downside, access is comparatively slow. A surprising number of people choose 1111 or 1234 as their code, which is much too easy to guess. People also write down the code and leave it in a purse, wallet, or even a drawer near the safe.
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RFID: Some handgun safes offer radio-frequency identification (RFID) in the form of a keyring, pad, or even a small adhesive sticker that you can attach to just about anything. There’s no need to remember a code. Access is fast: the RFID chip is a proximity sensor, so it doesn’t have to be in contact the safe to open it. Only someone with a tag can open the safe.
The weakness lies not with the safe but with the security of the RFID device itself: it can easily get lost or stolen.
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Biometric: The most advanced handgun safes are biometric models: they scan fingerprints into a memory chip. These offer one-touch access and absolute security — nobody else has your fingerprint. The memory capacity allows a few or dozens of people to have access. You decide.
Many of these safes have smartphone apps, so you have user logs, alerts if tampering occurs, or the ability to open them via WiFi, for example.
On the downside, cheap biometric handgun safes have been criticized for inconsistent recognition. It might take more than one attempt, thus negating the fast access they’re intended to offer.
Handgun safe features
Hinges: The hinges are almost invariably hidden to prevent tampering.
Door: Seams and doors are precisely fitted so there’s no way to get a pry bar or other effective lever into the casing. Many handgun safe doors auto-lock on closure so you don’t have to remember to do it.
Thickness: Steel thickness varies from 16 gauge (the thinnest) to 12 gauge, which is really the thickest practical on casings of this size.
Size: This varies considerably from holding a single handgun to storing as many as eight. With the variety of handgun sizes available, it’s vital to check the safe’s internal dimensions to make sure yours will fit. Some are specifically designed to take a spare clip, with others you’ll need to check if there’s space for additional ammunition. Some safes also have removable internal shelves.
Firearm presentation: This is worth thinking about. Cheaper handgun safes are simply a secure box that can be used for other valuables. To allow for faster access, some of these have lids that are spring-loaded, others have gas struts. Multi-gun safes often allow you to slot your firearms in, one alongside the other. There are also rapid-access models (usually for a single firearm) that flip open or slide out, presenting your gun to you in the ready position.
Mount: Many handgun safes offer a variety of mounting options so you can fit them to a desk, inside a closet, bolt them to the floor, etc.
Batteries: All but the most basic handgun safes need batteries of some kind. Often these are non-rechargeable alkaline. Better models use long-life lithium-ion versions that can be recharged in-situ via USB cable.
Padding: This is usually provided to prevent damage to the firearm and/or hold it in the correct position. The thickness can be substantial, so it’s often removable if you want extra space.
Lights: Some safes have internal lights to aid in low-light conditions. The brightness is adjustable on premium models.
Handgun safe prices
Inexpensive: You can buy cheap steel lockboxes for around $20 to $30. These provide basic security, but in our opinion it’s vital you secure yours with a security cable, or a thief has the opportunity to walk off with the box and open it at their leisure.
Mid-range: In the $50 to $170 range, you have tremendous choice. You’ll find keypad, RFID, and biometric security, different mounting options, and single- and multi-gun safes. We think the majority of gun owners can find what they’re looking for in this bracket.
Expensive: High-end handgun safes can run anywhere from $200 to $600. Some offer rapid presentation of your firearm. Many take more than one gun. You’ll get things like auto-opening and rechargeable batteries, and several have smartphone apps with online monitoring. These are feature-rich models for the enthusiastic gun collector.
FAQ
Q. Should I choose a mounted handgun safe or a portable lockbox?
A. Choose a mounted model if the safe will stay in one place and you can attach it securely to a suitable surface. The RPNB Mounted Gun Safe is designed for that kind of installation. A portable box is easier to move, but it also needs a way to resist being carried away.
Look beyond the lock type: the mounting hardware, enclosure, hinge protection, and location all affect security. Keep override keys and access codes away from anyone who shouldn't have access.
Q. Are fingerprint handgun safes more secure than keypad models?
A. A fingerprint reader is an access method, not a guarantee of security. The ONNAIS Iron Series offers biometric access, but you should still evaluate the enclosure, backup lock, and how reliably it recognizes authorized users. Follow the setup instructions carefully and test that unregistered fingerprints don't open it.
A keypad avoids fingerprint-recognition problems but requires a code you can keep private. With either design, check the exact model against current recall information and don't assume every product from a brand has the same protection.
Q. What should I check before installing a sliding handgun safe?
A. Measure the space the safe needs both closed and fully open. The LANGGER Biometric Slider Handgun Safe uses a sliding design, so a location that fits the enclosure may still block the opening or make it awkward to reach the controls. Check the mounting orientation allowed by the manufacturer, the strength of the mounting surface, and access for battery changes.
Use the firearm's full dimensions when checking fit, including any attached accessories, and test the setup with the firearm unloaded.
Q. How large should a handgun safe be?
A. Use the usable interior dimensions, not just the advertised number of pistols. The TOPMEDA Large Biometric Gun Safe is intended to hold more than a single compact handgun, but the actual fit depends on firearm size, accessories, and the space taken up by padding. Leave enough room to place and remove items without catching the lock or preventing full closure.
If you need separate locked ammunition storage, plan for that too; unused space inside one compartment doesn't create a separate secured compartment.
Q. Does an interior light make a handgun safe easier to use?
A. It can help you identify the contents without turning on a room light. The BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe includes interior illumination, which is a useful convenience in a dark cabinet or bedroom. It doesn't improve the enclosure's strength or the lock's reliability, so treat lighting as a secondary feature.
Before choosing, compare the power source, low-battery indication, and authorized backup access. Store the backup key separately from the safe and securely out of children's reach.
