Top 5 best gun safes of 2024

We review pricing, security, and capacity of the best gun safes of 2024. Find options for multiple guns, travel, and home needs.
Best overall
Barska gun safe
Barska Biometric
  • pro
    Stores up to 30 fingerprints
  • pro
    Tamper-proof design
  • pro
    DOJ-approved design
Best handgun safe
LANGGER V Slider
  • pro
    Fingerprint and digital keypad
  • pro
    Vertical slider design
  • pro
    Heavy duty carbon steel
Best for rifles
Barska biometric rifle safe
Barska Quick Access
  • pro
    Stores up to 120 fingerprints
  • pro
    Hard to move
  • pro
    Has 3 deadbolts
Best wall safe
Paragon wall safe
Paragon 7750
  • pro
    Opened with electronic keypad
  • pro
    Resistant to prying and drilling
  • pro
    Made out of 11-gauge steel
Best for travel
RPNB gun safe product image
RPNB
  • pro
    Four locking methods
  • pro
    Pry-resistant build
  • pro
    RFID card and fob

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review

A firearm safe limits access, safeguards your family from tragic accidents, and prevents your weapons from falling into the wrong hands. We’ve done the research to ensure your antiques, valuables, and personal weapons are kept secure under lock, key, or biometric fingerprint. The Barska Biometric tops our list of the best gun safes thanks to its tamper resistance.



Compare the best gun safes

Product
Best for
Price*
Gun capacity
Locking mechanism
Safe weight
Learn more
Best overall 1Biometric lock 26.55 lbs.
Best handgun safe1 Biometric lock,
keypad,
manual key
12.5 lbs.
Best for rifles4 Biometric lock,
deadbolts
62.00 lbs.
Best wall safe2 Keypad, keys 37.00 lbs.
Best for travel 2 RFID card/fob,
keypad, keys
13.00 lbs.

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

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Best gun safes reviews 

1. Barska Biometric Safe: Best gun safe overall

Best overall
Barska gun safe

Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

This Barska safe is our top pick for best gun safes because its advanced security features keep unwanted visitors out without making authorized access tough. It can store up to 30 fingerprints, making it a good choice for storage in a commercial setting, and its batteries last a full year.

pro
Pros
pro Stores up to 30 unique fingerprints
pro Holds a battery charge for a year
pro Can be mounted to the wall
con
Cons
con Isn't fire-resistant
con Room for one handgun only

Its design is approved by the Department of Justice, so you can trust that it’s tamper-resistant. It's easy to mount to the wall, to your floor, or to leave on a shelf for storing your firearms safely.

The only downside to the Barska Biometric is that it's a handgun safe with limited capacity. It stores just one pistol or handgun.

2. LANGGER V Slider: Best handgun safe

Best biometric safe

Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

An ideal bedside gun safe, the LANGGER V Slider handgun safe has a biometric fingerprint lock that allows for single-handed entry so you can respond quickly to any situation. You can also use the keypad with a PIN code or a manual key as backup. It has a silent mode wrong access beep that locks out after three wrong tries to make sure the gun doesn't get in the wrong hands.

It has multiple mounting options and reviewers rave about the ease of set up and use, with quick and reliable access with the fingerprint lock. 

pro
Pros
pro Opens quickly and quietly
pro Fingerprint lock, can store up to 20 unique prints
pro Can be bolted down
con
Cons
con 1 gun capacity (plus 1 spare magazine)

This pistol safe can be mounted to a wall, to the side of a bed, or below a storage shelf with multiple mounting configurations, and the durable construction ensures years of use.

3. Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe: Best for rifles

Best for rifles
Barska biometric rifle safe

Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe is a sturdy 52-inch safe large enough to fit your collection of hunting rifles. Inside, you’ll find slots for four rifles and a shelf on top for ammo, cleaning accessories, and other gear.

At 62 pounds, it’s the heaviest safe in our lineup, so any potential thieves won’t be able to carry it off quietly. Its weight comes from the 14-gauge solid steel construction, and three deadbolts inside to protect the contents inside.

pro
Pros
pro Weighs 62 pounds
pro Reads fingerprints in 2.5 seconds
pro Composed of 14-gauge solid steel
con
Cons
con Limited room for rifles with scopes
con Expensive

This biometric safe can store up to 120 fingerprints, more than enough for the average family, but perfect for small police stations or businesses that need a gun safe handy.

The biometric scanner reads your fingerprint and opens in under 3 seconds (2.5 to be exact) and allows you to hold your finger at multiple angles for easy access.

The only bad reviews we saw of this safe were complaints from users who have rifles with scopes. You may not be able to fit the full four slots if you have the extra gear on your firearms, but you can still fit multiple guns in this heavy-duty safe.

4. Paragon 7750 Electronic Wall Safe: Best wall gun safe

Best wall safe
Paragon wall safe
Paragon 7750
$87.12

Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Wall safes aren’t just for spy movies—they’re durable and practical for hiding all types of valuables. The Paragon 7750 fits between studs in the wall, making it easy to install and hide once it’s up. It has built-in shelves so you can organize your guns, ammo, and cleaning supplies, and an electric lock makes old-school safe cracking impossible.

pro
Pros
pro Easy to hide
pro Resistant to prying and drilling
pro 37 pounds
con
Cons
con No biometric scanning

Its door is tamper resistant and made out of 11-gauge steel, so anyone who doesn’t belong inside will have a hard time getting in (if they can even find the safe in the first place).

5. RPNB Gun Safe: Best for travel

Best for travel
RPNB gun safe product image
RPNB Gun Safe
$69.99

Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The RPNB Gun Safe portable gun safe weighs only 7 pounds but has enough room to carry up to two handguns inside. It’s one of the best apartment gun safes or travel gun safes we’ve come across. And while it’s small enough to slide under your vehicle seat, it’s no lightweight.

The steel case on the outside is pry-resistant and has four methods of entry. Its backlit keys can be programmed in over 200,000 combinations, and you can use manual keys to lock and unlock it.

pro
Pros
pro Four locking methods
pro RFID card and fob
pro Space for two handguns
pro Floor bolts
con
Cons
con Easy to steal if not bolted down

But its most unique feature is the optional RFID card and fob that come with the safe. If you prefer this method of locking your gun safe, all you need to do is tap the card or fob to the case to unlock it.

As long as you have the card, you can get to your firearms quickly without recalling any codes or fumbling for easy-to-lose keys.

And though the RPNB Gun Safe is portable, it comes with pre-drilled holes and mounting gear, making it easy to bolt to the floor. So it may be easy to carry, but it won’t be easy to steal.

Things to consider in a gun safe

Factors like the size of the safe, type of lock, and type of steel gauge can impact a safe's security level. You’ll also want to consider what kind of firearms you're storing and how quickly you’ll need access to them. As you weigh which security safe is best suited for you, consider your current gun collection and what you may purchase in the future.

Type of safe

There are different types of safes for different kinds of guns—long gun safes, pistol safes, and gun safes for long guns and handguns—so take stock of what guns you currently own and then assess for size.

Size

If you’re at all considering getting more guns in the future, you should buy a gun safe that’s larger than your current collection. If you’re looking for a safe to travel with, you’ll want something that’s relatively small and nondescript.

You can purchase stack-on safes, but security experts recommend having a single large safe with a dependable locking mechanism.

Steel gauge

The thicker the steel, the better protected your firearms will be. Per expert opinion, 10-gauge steel is best suited for home security safes, but anywhere between 9 and 14 gauges will be dependably durable too. Oftentimes, the vault door of a safe will have a thicker steel gauge than the sides or back.

Lock, access, and power source

There are three different kinds of locking mechanisms: biometric, electronic, and dial. A biometric fingerprint scanner will provide quick access to a firearm—whereas electronic and dial locks offer slower access.

Both biometric and electronic locks will require batteries or an electronic power source, but a dial lock does not.

Fire protection rating

Most gun safes are made from steel, which has a melting point of 2,500°F. And while most house fires have an average temperature of 1,200°F, that doesn’t mean you should skimp on fire protection. If you’re looking into buying a safe for your home, make sure it has a fire rating that lasts between 30 and 120 minutes.

Storage options

If you purchase a large safe, check to see what storage capabilities it has. Most multi-gun safes are equipped with door storage and shelving to keep your small and large weapons organized.

Dos and don’ts of owning a gun safe

Gun ownership can be complicated—but gun safe ownership doesn’t have to be. We asked experienced gun owners and safety experts about the dos and don’ts of owning a gun safe.

  • Get homeowners insurance for your gun safe
    Get protection for your protection measures—whether you own a small gun safe or a large one, a safe is an investment in and of itself, so make sure you notify your insurance providers that you’ve purchased a gun safe.
  • Consider a dehumidifier for your gun safe
    Humidity can wreck a firearm, so look into purchasing a dehumidifier to ensure your guns stay in mint condition.
  • Keep your gun safe organized
    Disorganized firearm safes are ultimately unsafe and can be a security hazard. Use the storage space provided—keep your safe well organized to prevent any confusion or accidents.
  • Don’t leave your safe in plain sight
    Rather than storing a firearm safe in the living or dining room, install it in an office, spare bedroom, or basement. This ensures that your safe isn’t on display and limits other people’s access to it.
  • Don’t leave the safe’s door open
    Leaving the safe unattended and the door open can cause a serious accident. For the sake of security, be sure to close and lock the door.
  • Don’t leave tools near the safe
    Leaving tools nearby can give someone the means to gain access to your guns. Take the extra safety precaution and keep tools far away.
  • Don’t store powder or ammunition in the same safe as your guns
    Never store powder in a safe—doing so can create a ticking time bomb. Other gun owners and rifle experts recommend buying a smaller safe specifically for storing ammunition.

How we reviewed the best gun safes

We looked for gun safes with solid steel construction, biometric locks to keep kids out, fast-acting lock mechanisms for quick access during an emergency, and tamper-proof designs. Because guns come in many sizes, we selected some long gun safes and handgun safes for our final list. We considered not only technical specifications during our research, but also customer complaints and praise. 

Learn more about SafeWise's methodology.

Related articles on SafeWise


Disclaimer

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Katie McEntire
Written by
Katie McEntire
As a renter, pet-owner, and woman living alone, Katie McEntire takes safety seriously. She’s tested devices like pet cameras, home security systems, and GPS trackers in her own home and devices in the name of safety. In addition to testing, writing, and reviewing for SafeWise, she also makes videos for the site’s YouTube channel. She’s been featured on publications like TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Healthy Moms, and Digital Care. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She’s held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Top Ten Reviews.

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