What Are The Best Gun Safes Under $500?
There is a stigma that a premium gun safe costs a fortune. This is totally a misconception. There are many gun safes that are available for a cheap price. Guns are probably the weapon of choice for human beings. The constitution allows gun possession given you’ve passed certain tests taken by the government. In such an environment, gun safety has become an important issue. You need to have proper placement of guns and in that case, Gun Safes come into play. There are many kinds of gun safes ranging from a few hundred dollars to even thousands of dollars. But you can also find some of the best gun safes under $500 in 2019.
We have taken the liberty to write reviews on the safest gun storages under $500 and here are they.
Best Gun Safes Under $500
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SentrySafe Biometric Gun Safe
Sentry is a company known for its pistol safes and it presents the top product of our list of best gun safes under $500. The One Pistol Capacity, QAP1BE is a gun safe that is priced appropriately, is durable and very portable. It has many features too. It comes with a sturdy 12 gauge steel built and consists of specially designed hinges. Also, due to the awesome security system, it is impossible to open the safe by force. The safe provides biometric as well as digital options. It consists of a master key to unlock the safe in case of a system failure.
In addition, the keypad and the sensor don’t make any noise so it’s equally effective in that department too. There are quite a few flaws such as the thing with its overall gun storage. It can only store one gun and the safe isn’t manufactured to be mounted so that’s there. But there are extra security measures and that ideal price making the safe worth it.
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Pros & Cons
✔ Strong, Sturdy Build quality
✔ Biometrics
✔ Reasonably Priced
✔ Quick Access
✔ Ideal for handguns
✗ Can fit only one gun
✗ Hard to mount
The Sentry Quick Access Biometric Gun Safe is a budget-friendly gun safe option available on the market right now. The amount of security options that this thing has is insane. It is meant for anyone wanting to buy a gun safe for quick access.
It is probably the best biometric safe out there. You can scan your fingerprint and the fingerprint sensor is really good. It works flawlessly and the sensor doesn’t make any noise while it scans your fingerprint. That’s what we like about it. In addition to the fingerprint, you can also use numeric access code. Once you open it’ door, it will stay open until you close it. It can be opened with one hand and as the name suggests, you can put only one pistol in here. That might be a deal breaker for some people who own multiple guns. But for a normal person, it’s not half bad. The safe is perfect for people with a small handgun.
It fits in your everyday drawer. But, we noticed that it is a wee bit hard to mount. Actually, the gun safe isn’t meant to be mounted. The device allows only one fingerprint so, only you can have the access to your gun which is really why this is the best biometric gun we’ve tested.
Apart from some minor cons, all the pros are worth it. This is a budget-friendly gun safe that offers every security feature that you might need. The keypads, the sensors are all noiseless. If the electronic system fails somehow, you can always use a master key to unlock the safe. More security is provided with hidden hinges too. Sentry Safe Quick Access Gun Safe QAP1BE is for anyone who wants a budget biometric safe. We recommend this product.
Verifi Smart Biometric Safe
Verifi’s Smart Safe fast access biometric safe is a really good device with modern technology. The safe has the combined goodness of a great fingerprint scanner along with a really huge battery life. It’s ultra safe and the included fingerprint scanner is certified by FBI. It is technologically advanced and consists of 3D imaging to cover an even larger area of your finger. This makes it precise. It can scan your fingers in a matter of seconds and you don’t have to keep on scanning when you want to open the lock.
[amazon box=”B0112OZH2I”]Pros & Cons
✔ It can be mounted
✔ This safe has a very solid steel construction
✔ This safe comes with a setup wizard
✔ Supports 40 fingers, saved in a flash card
✔ Consumes Low Power
✔ Performance is the same even if the battery’s dead
✔ Has a Self-Check feature
✔ Has an LCD display
✗ Steel wall is a bit thinner and lighter
✗ The rubber mat is present only at the bottom
✗ Does not have the spring mechanism when you unlock it
✗ Internal light tends to stay on for a maximum of 5 seconds
With an FBI Certified fingerprint sensor, the safe is on a different level as far as security is concerned. The power consumption is low so, the safe does not eat up all the power. The battery is enough for everything that needs it like the fingerprint scanner and interior lights. The fingerprint scanner itself is a very reliable one. You don’t need to remember long access codes. You do have a backup key for backups.
In addition to the scanner and everlasting battery life, the safe also comes with LCD lights and built-in user management. It also has self-checks. The fingerprint can be set up through an interactive setup wizard. You don’t need to read the manual and that’s a huge relief. Also, the user management provides you with the freedom to customize your settings anytime you like. You can adjust the interior lights, access codes and stuff.
If this wasn’t enough, this feature-rich safe also has an access log that saves the unauthorized login attempts and reset failures. These logs also have the time of them being registered and are saved in a flash memory. So, even if you remove the battery, the logs will still be there.
With an exception of minor flaws that can be overlooked easily, this safe is probably one of the best safes that you can buy for under 500 dollars. The number of features it has is just mind-boggling. The main thing is the security and every feature of this safe leads up to security. A truly great product indeed.
V-Line Keyless Firearms Safe
V-Line’s Hide Away keyless security system features a quite small interior. It is capable of storing one firearm and a few valuable items. It is not something that you’d buy to store a whole lot of things. The interior, however, is a really great place to store your item. It consists of really great materials like foam padding. It makes sure that your items aren’t damaged during the storage process. The interior also gives you an impact resistant mechanism for your belongings. Thus, In addition to firearms, all your valuable possessions can easily be stored in this safe.
[amazon box=”B000T26KDA”]Pros & Cons
✔ Small and compact
✔ Easy to conceal in multiple locations
✔ Unique and impenetrable design
✔ Pry-resistant hinges
✗ Might be a little expensive for an office or car safe
✗ The drawer cannot be pulled out completely
The V-Line Hide Away Keyless Security System has a push button mechanical lock which is keyless. It is not a fingerprint gun safe. Since it is keyless you won’t have to worry about losing your keys. But, you do have to remember your combinations. There are hinges inside the safe but it doesn’t serve any purpose. The safe is easy to conceal and the intruders trying to rob you wouldn’t even find it.
The one thing that we found really pleasing is the design. The front opening feature provides you with a really quick way to access your belongings. Apart from the design, the mechanical lock is very hard to crack as there are 1081 different combinations that you can try. Remembering your combination is important though. The safe can also be easily mounted. It comes ready to mound from the factory and because it is so lightweight, mounting it should be no problem for you. You should always mount the safe it a secure location. You wouldn’t want to mount it where everyone can see it now, would you?
Overall, the safe is pretty good for its price. It is in no way perfect. It does have its fair share of flaws. The main flaw that the device has is that the drawer cannot be pulled completely and the security is somewhat compromised. The gun safe doesn’t lock with key. Nor it has any biometric security. Jumping back to the pros, there are many advantages of this product as well. It is really a great safe for one firearm and some smaller items. The safe can also serve as a great option for travelers and anyone who wants to hide their stacks of unmentionables from the kids. If you know what I mean.
Other Top Gun Safes Under $500
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VAULTEK Lightweight Biometric Handgun Safe
VAULTEK’s VT10i is one of the best biometric safes out there. Whenever you purchase a VAULTEK product, you want to purchase them again. That’s how good they are. The VT10i is perfectly safe for your closet, kitchen, family room, and office. They are of the perfect size to store a handgun. The security is also impressive. Despite having such a tight security, the owner will still easily be able to quickly access his belongings when he needs to.
[amazon box=”B072YHR4HL”]Pros & Cons
✔ Quick Access
✔ Safe and Secured
✔ Can Manage 20 users
✔ Great Battery Life
✗ Unmountable
✗ Build Quality’s not good
Let’s start with the features. First of all, the safe is super light and slim. It is ultra portable so keeping your handgun inside it only makes sense. The safe is also secured with fingerprint sensors. Another security feature that is equally impressive is that the safe is protected against break-ins, i.e, it is anti-pry bars, anti-latches and has security brackets to stop anyone from tampering with the safe. Despite having all the security in the world, the user can still access the safe fairly easily with their fingerprints.
Another standout feature is that it offers a smart app. The embedded system allows you to manage 20 users. So, 20 people can access it with their fingerprints. The interior light can also be controlled and it enables you to track safety usage. Finally, the battery in this safe is literally the best. It has a rechargeable battery that saves you money. It takes 2.5 hours to charge the battery and it runs for 3-4 months. That is a huge battery life. On the flipside, the build quality isn’t something we liked and it cannot be mounted so, that’s a bummer.
The number of features included in the safe literally overshadows its limited flaws. In conclusion, the safe is a huge plus. It’s got all the latest technology, a massive battery, security that’s top notch and can be used to store your gun. And all this at a price less than 500 dollars so, that’s telling something!
V-Line Quick Access Long Gun Safe
The V-Line 31242-SA is sturdy rifle safe made up of steel. The design and the build quality of the device are also very good. It is highly concealable so it guarantees safety. The design is pretty nice, it has a great locking system which is fairly easy and quick to open. There are also key locks if you want to use it. The mounting mechanism is comfortable too.
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Pros & Cons
✔ Great design
✔ Strong build quality
✔ Two kinds of Security option
✔ Perfect for Rifles
✔ Easy Installation
✔ Mountable
✗ It is not fireproof
✗ Not strong enough for Skilled thieves
The safe’s design makes it a great place to store the AR-15 types of rifles. The safe is kind of portable and it can be hidden safely in a closet or behind a door. It is completely mountable. You can mount it horizontally or vertically. The safe is large enough to accommodate most of the AR rifles with their accessories. It has a main lock system with 5 simple push button mechanical lock. Hence, the stored guns can be accessed easily.
To unlock the primary quick access lock, there is no need for batteries. Meaning, the lock can be opened anytime. In addition to keys, there is also the option for a combination. You don’t always need to use the keys. You can just use a very simple combination that is easy to set and alter as many times as you want it to. This makes it more secure. The external texture of the device is good. It makes the design aesthetic better and the build quality is top notch.
This case is perfect if you want a safe where you can put your rifle. A rifle is a heavy artillery so, it is crucial to take extra care of it. This is where this case comes in. It has a combined safety mechanism with a combination and a key. Also, it has other features such as a good build quality and it is mountable. All of these factors make this safe an ideal safe for AR 15 rifles.
Vaultek MX Series High Capacity Safe
The Vaultek MX Series High Capacity Handgun Safe is feature enriched handgun case that is more technical than any other case in the market.
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Pros & Cons
✔ Anti Theft Protection
✔ Great Build Quality
✔ LED lighting
✔ Bluetooth and Mobile Applications
✔ Can Store 8 handguns
✗ Might be uneasy for Non-Tech People
✗ On the pricier side
The Vaultek MX Series High Capacity Handgun Safe is a modern type of safe with all the goodness of the technology world. It comes with anti-theft protection that consists of the following things; anti-pry bars, two-point anti-impact latches, interior mounted hinges and a new interior security bracket. These things help to prevent break-ins. The build quality is insane. It is sturdy and tough. It is made up of heavy-duty carbon steel with a durable coating that prevents corrosion. The material used in the design make sure that the safe has the long-lasting protection of your items.
The safe also provides quick access to whatever you’ve kept inside it. It is biometric so, you can access it via your fingers or you can use the backlit keypad that it has to type in the passcode. The safe boasts a smart technology i.e, It also has an application for both iOS and Android. These applications offer an interactive interface from where you can customize various settings. The safe has Bluetooth to connect to your phone. The settings are changed via Bluetooth. The safe also comes with a Lithium-Ion battery that provides a back up of 4 months with a 2.5-hour charge. It can be charged with micro-USB which comes included in the purchase. It also has responsive LED lights that help you to locate the safe in dark.
The MX Series High Capacity Handgun safe is for anyone who wants a modern safe. It can be perfect for tech-savvy people who’re always looking for something technological. However, for ordinary folks, the safe can be a little bit too much. There are features that won’t be used by non-tech people. Also, the pricing is rather increased because of all these features.
The BARSKA Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe is a relative large safe that enables users to store a multitude of items in it. The biometric rifle suits professional shooters and hunters. It has a lot of features and an administration system to store a whopping 120 fingerprints which makes it one of the best long gun safes under $500.
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Pros & Cons
✔ Can store Multiple Rifles
✔ Hunter-friendly
✔ 4 Adjustable position rifle rack
✔ Great Build Quality
✗ Very Heavy
✗ Not much portable
✗ The maximum rifle limit is four
The Barska Case has a huge room inside. It has the capacity to store 4 rifles quite easily. The barrels of the rifles can also be kept along with the rifles and you can even put scopes inside the case. It can handle it all. If you need more storage space then you can remove the barrel holders and keep your other belongings as you please. The extension will allow you some extended storage but square items are the exceptions. They might not fit with ease.
The externals of the case are also very sturdy. It has great build quality. The external shells of the case are also designed in an innovative way. It has a nice shiny outer metal coating which looks stylish and modern. The manufacturing of the case is done with material which is of quality. The case is also biometric and can take 120 different fingerprints with One being the administrative fingerprint who reigns supreme over the machine. The safe has batteries for power and all of the batteries are included in the package.
This case is a really great one. We recommend the BARSKA Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe for people with a limited amount of rifles. The case will be very useful for Professional shooters and Hunters. It has all the necessary features to make sure that the firearms are protected. It might be expensive for some and considering the use of it, the portability and heavyweight is no longer an issue. In a blunt way, the case is worth it to people who want to store multiple rifles and some other belongings.
Are Gun Safes Necessary?
For a gun owner, a quality safe is very necessary. It is an important investment for anyone wanting to buy a quality gun. The cost can be excessive but only if you are trying to buy an over the edge kind of gun safe. Cheaper gun safes are readily available. If you think 500 $ is still a large sum of money then you can opt for even cheaper options but you’d be compromising the security.
One thing about guns is the crime factor related to it. There are countless crimes on the news from misplaced firearms. Hence, it is important that you buy a good safe. You have many options ranging from quick access ones that you can buy cheaper to heavy duty ones. Gun safety can stop many crimes and help you prevent a crime with your gun. Also, it protects children who might misuse the firearm unknowingly.
Buyer’s Guide for Gun Safes
There are many things that need to be considered while you’re purchasing a gun safe. Some of them are quite obvious while others aren’t. To help you with your purchase, we’ll list some of the things that you’d probably want to keep in mind.
Weight and Build Quality
There are many types of safes; Portable safes are lightweight but have storage for only a single gun. On the other hand, there are heavier safes supporting more number of guns. Another thing that matters equally is the material that is used to manufacture the safe. The safes which are built with sturdy steel or carbon steel are generally better than some other material like Aluminium. It largely depends on the type of safe too. Aluminum is better for portable safes as it’s lightweight.
Locking Mechanism And Features
A safe having layered protection is always better. If your safe has two protection layers; a numeric key and a fingerprint sensor. In such case, even if someone knows your password, they won’t be able to break in because of the added security. Some safes have other features like smart technology with mobile apps, multiple security options etc. You should see if you actually need these features.
Security Options
There are many types of security options. First, you have the biometric security. Then, you have the combination and physical key. You also have digital security. Each of these has their own flaws and advantages. You need to make a decision based on your preference. Also, you should look for safes which can’t be physically destroyed.
Price
Price is probably the most important factor that you’d consider. There are countless products in different price groups. You should weigh in the features, the pros and the cons and decide for yourself. You should seek the best overall product that fits your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Gun Safes
> Are all gun safes the same?
No, All gun safes aren’t the same. They all come with their own set of features.
> Is a fireproof safe enough for protection?
If you want to protect something from fire then yes, it is enough. But, if you want to protect your belongings from thieves and fire both, then you need a fireproof safe with greater protection features.
> What are the things that one must look for before buying a safe?
The things that you must look before buying a safe are; Weight, Build Quality, Features, Security Options and Price.
> What kind of door is required for a safe?
The door should have a good locking mechanism. Preferably, it should have multi-layered protection. It should also be able to withstand physical torture.
> What money should you spend on a safe?
If you want a premium safe and have enough money to spare then, go for a safe above 1000$. But if you’re a working-class person then you can get a fairly good gun safe under $500.
