7 Best Bedside Handgun Safes for Quick Access [Tested]

Want the quickest access gun safe to protect yourself and your family?

Find out my recommendations for all budgets...then see the safes in action with my actual home defense and CCW pistols.

And finally, learn the top criteria I used in selecting my personal bedside gun safe so you can apply it to your home situation.  

And now we have a full YouTube video on our favorite safes that we cover in the article:

If that helped, please subscribe to our YouTube channel since we’re adding new videos every week!

Without further ado, here are our favorite picks.

Quick Access Handgun Safe Comparison Chart

How We Tested Handgun Safes for Quick Access

Selecting a gun safe might be actually harder than what you went through selecting your handgun.

There's so much stuff out there across so many price ranges.

We tested each safe by putting in our go-to handguns, placing it near our bedside, and opening/closing 50+ times on a regular basis over at least a 6-month period.

Then, we rated them on the following important criteria:

• Quick Access: My home defense pistol will be going in this safe, and in a defensive situation, I want to be able to access it in around 1-2 seconds.
• Reliable: I'll likely be groggy and fumbling around in the dark. Is the safe 100% reliable and easy to use in that state?
• Adequate Protection: Expensive and less used guns go into my larger and more secure safe. This bedside version is just to deter smash & grab burglars or to stop a nosy guest. I'm not looking for extreme child or fire protection here.
• Space: Enough of it to hold a full-sized handgun like my Glock 17.
• Mountable: I make sure that the safe is small enough to be mounted high in the closet or nightstand drawer so it's harder to access for small children and won't just walk away with someone.

Best Bedside Quick Access Handgun Safes

1. Fort Knox FTK-PB - Best Overall Handgun Safe

Best Overall Handgun Safe

Fort Knox FTK-PB

$295

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$295 at Amazon

GunSafes (see price)

Specs

• Lock Type: Simplex Mechanical Lock
• Internal Dimensions: 9.75”D x 11.75”W x 3.5”H
• Material: 10-gauge steel body, 3/16" plate door
• Weight: 22 lbs

Through all my research and asking around, I ended up with the Fort Knox FTK-PB Simplex Handgun Safe after a less-than-optimal buy or two.

It met and exceeded all the criteria I had set out for myself. I do not regret my decision, and I tell all my new gun-owner friends to get their own.

And each and every person loves it after installation.

Quick Access

"Simplex" means that instead of electronic keys, a rotary dial, or biometrics, it uses mechanical buttons that provide good feedback and allow me to open the safe in around 1.5 seconds.

*2024 Update*: 8 years total worth of usage and going strong for my simplex safe.

Also picked up a second upgraded one! More details are below in the Protection section.

All I do is put in my 2-stage code and turn the knob clockwise. An example of a 2-stage code would be pressing the 1st and 3rd buttons simultaneously, followed by pressing the 5th button.

I also like that I can previously input the code and turn the knob clockwise but not actually open the top.  This means you can have super fast access to it at night if you open it before you go to bed.

Reliable

I wanted something that, like my self-defense gun, would "always go bang." The Simplex lock is American-made (as is the entire safe) and does not need batteries, like so many of the popular safes out there, for electronic keys or biometrics. Also, no beeps and reading errors that could get you killed. There's a lifetime warranty, too.

After years of use...it's still going strong with no mess-ups. Plus, the foam is still good, even after some oil dripped out from my gun.

Adequate Protection

The safe is really heavy (~20 lbs) since it has 3/16" steel doors and 10 gauge steel bodies. I feel confident if it ever fell off a truck, or got attacked by a crowbar, it would put up a good fight. I also like that the corners and sides are folded in to make prying much harder.

I got a second one recently that is upgraded with a plate behind the Simplex lock that guards against smash attacks.

Space

Plenty of space for my full-size Glock 17 and extra mag.

There are also two layers of foam underneath my gun, and I feel confident that you could put at least one more full-sized pistol in there if you wanted.

Mountable

4 pre-drilled holes on the bottom for easy mounting.

Cons

It's not perfect, but it's pretty close. The first few things I don't like are nit-picky, but the last one can be a deal breaker for you.

First is that it's susceptible to water damage. My wife left a cold cup of something in the top left which formed condensation and left a pattern. It does slowly go away in a few months, though.

The foam around the hinge gets in the way of closing but is easily addressed by just cutting it off.  Here's the finished product.

However, the newer version fixes this as well with a better lifter, too.

And the potential deal breaker is that it only has 1081 combinations that any smart child could try in a relatively short amount of time. However, if you don't have kids yet or plan on concealing the safe, it shouldn't be that big of a deal.

What's your take on the Fort Knox?

2. Onnais Biometric - Best Affordable Safe

Best Affordable Safe

ONNAIS Biometric Pistol Safe

$62

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$62 at Amazon

ONNAIS Direct (see price)

Specs

• Lock Type: Fingerprint, electric keypad, manual key
• Internal Dimensions: 9.2”D x 11.5”W x 3.1”H
• Material: Alloy steel
• Weight: 4.4 lbs

Looking for an affordable electronic safe that reads fingerprints AND has big well-lit buttons?

Reliable: I'm still a fervent supporter of pure mechanical...but this nice biometric lock is still decent depending on your own personal preferences. Otherwise, there's still the backup of buttons.

See both scanner and buttons in action:

Adequate Protection: It's definitely a less robust feeling than Fort Knox, but it's still acceptable. The lid is pry-resistant, but given enough time and some tools, someone can get in.

Only knock is that it does feel very light at under 5 lb. Great for travel but for home use I'd lock it down.

Space: Good amount of space to fit whatever you'll likely need next to your bed or closet. I managed to get in a quite large Staccato P 2011 with light.

No problem fitting a P365 and extra mag in there...

But there's also a larger version available.

Mountable: Comes with holes in the back to mount or add a safety cable.

Overall, it's a great budget option that's electronic but has decent fingerprint capabilities and also buttons.

Easy to purchase on Amazon for ~$60 or use code PEW PEW at the manufacturer's site to make it $56 and free shipping.

3. Steelhead Fast Access Pistol Box - Best Simplex Lock Safe

Best Simplex Lock Safe

Steelhead Fast Access Pistol Box

$300

at Steelhead

Prices accurate at time of writing

$300 at Steelhead

Specs

• Lock Type: Simplex Mechanical Lock
• Internal Dimensions: 12.25”D x 8.5”W x 3”H
• Material: 12-gauge steel
• Weight: 15 lbs

Finally...a worthy competitor to the Fort Knox!

The Steelhead Fast Access Pistol Box brings a more modern aesthetic to pistol safes while keeping the mechanical Simplex lock that I love.

Use code PEWPEW25 to knock $25 off and make it less than the Fort Knox.

Quick Access

Like the Fort Knox above, the Steelhead has the same Simplex lock, which lets me get to my guns in under 2 seconds.

Check the video of me opening and closing:

Reliable

I've been using the Steelhead for over 6 months for my pocket carry revolver that is in my concealed carry rotation.

The American-made Simplex lock has never failed to open when I needed it to.

Adequate Protection

The Steelhead is slightly lighter at 15 pounds compared to the Fort Knox at 22 pounds, which brings it into the category of portable Simplex safe. And it exudes a well-made piece of kit whenever you pick it up.

Both the Simplex lock and the case are made in the US, with only some lock components coming from abroad.

The Simplex lock is guarded against prying and picking attacks with a metal piece behind the lock. Plus, when the top and bottom halves are closed, it's super hard to get any tool near there.

Space

There is plenty of space in this bad boy for a huge full-sized handgun with extended mags, light, and red dot...like my Staccato P!

It's shallower than the Fort Knox, so it's easier to lift the gun out of the safe.

There are also two pieces of removable foam. I removed one of them for my Staccato to make it easier to close up since it is a thicker gun than most.

How about compact guns? You can fit two kitted out compacts in there, too, with room for extra mags.

There's also a smaller version that's about $20 cheaper if you only need to hold one compact handgun.

Mountable

There are four pre-drilled holes at the bottom to be easily mounted to a surface.

Plus, there's the optional security cable for $25 that is 3 ft long, 6,000 lb rated, and 1/4 inch galvanized steel that goes into the slots on the side.

I pulled as hard as I could when it was locked down, and it is not budging!

Cons

It comes in at the same price as the Fort Knox at $299, which is a hefty price tag for a pistol safe.

But it still has all the options that I'm looking for in a quick-access safe.

With the smaller profile and safety cable method of securing...it can double as a travel safe, too.

Another con versus the Fort Knox is that it doesn't come with piston-assisted opening, so you'll have to work the lid. But it's not hard if you have any semblance of arm strength.

So why choose the Steelhead over the reigning Fort Knox?

You want a more modern-looking and portable Simplex safe instead.

4. Vaultek DS2i Smart Station - Best Discreet Safe

Best Discreet Safe

Vaultek Smart Station DS2i

$419

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$419 at Amazon

Vaultek Store (see price)

Specs

• Lock Type: Fingerprint, electric keypad, manual key
• Internal Dimensions: 9”D x 7.5”W x 1.5”H
• Material: 18-gauge steel
• Weight: 9.6 lbs

The Vaultek Smart Station sits on my work desk as a discreet tabletop clock, which just happens to hold an H&K VP9 with an extra mag.

Besides the clock and safe aspect, it also gives you temperature and humidity data...plus a wireless charging option at the top.

Reliable: Access is via biometric finger scan, capacitive buttons, Bluetooth app access, or even a single press "Nano key." The biometrics are top-notch notch, with scan and drawer open in under two seconds. See it in action here:

Adequate Protection: Coming in at around 10 lbs, the unit feels sturdy and the rubber feet prevent any unwanted side movement. You could probably pry into it with the right tools and time but this safe depends more on being hidden in plain sight.

Space: As shown above it can hold a full-sized handgun and an extra mag with ease.

Mountable: You'll probably want this in the standard position which works great for bedside or work desk applications. It does come with a cable tether to prevent someone from walking away with it easily.

The app is also great with customization of the front data, lights, sounds, etc. And lets you know the history and tamper attempts.

The only con I can give is that you need to have installed the app to enable temperature and humidity on the front panel.

Overall, it's my favorite for a discreet and tech-heavy handgun safe.

And now there's a larger version...the Smart Station DS5i that holds two full-sized handguns.

And comes with 8 digits for more complex codes. As well as an optional backplate that gives you a more permanent mounting solution.

Vaultek Smart Station DS5i

$559

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$559 at Amazon

Vaultek (see price)

5. Vaultek VS20i & VS10i - Best High-Tech Safe

Best High-Tech Safe

Vaultek Bluetooth 20 Series

$259

at Vaultek Store

Prices accurate at time of writing

$259 at Vaultek Store

Amazon (see price)

Specs (VS20i)

• Lock Type: Fingerprint, electric keypad, manual key
• Internal Dimensions: 11”D x 5.75”W x 2”H
• Material: 16-gauge steel
• Weight: 7.2 lbs

Want a reliable fingerprint and Bluetooth-accessible safe that looks sweet? Check out the Vaultek VS20i and VS10i.

These are the updated versions of their VT series which we've been using since 2017. Full review of those.

Quick Access: 5 easy ways to access your firearm: key, number code, fingerprint, Bluetooth app, or Nano Key.

I love the Nano Key since you can place it in a more inconspicuous location, like the side of your dresser, and have it open up your safe.

Reliable: The fingerprint scanner is upgraded from the previous version, which was pretty good already. I'm comfortable using biometric as my bedside choice. The Bluetooth app is also solid in this latest update.

Adequate Protection: Very robust feeling that resists drops and hits. Plus pry-resistant.

Space: The smaller VS10i will hold most handguns with a mag or two to spare.

Vaultek VS10i

$229

at Vaultek Store

Prices accurate at time of writing

$229 at Vaultek Store

Amazon (see price)

While the larger VS20i will accommodate 4" revolvers and full-sized handguns with two+ mags. And also say yes to weapon mounted lights for both models.

Mountable: Comes with two pre-drilled holes and screws. Plus cable attachment.

Looking for bigger? We've also reviewed their bigger version...the MXi Handgun Safe.

Vaultek MX Series

$649

at Vaultek Store

Prices accurate at time of writing

$649 at Vaultek Store

Amazon (see price)

Want more fingerprint-activated gun safes? We have our roundup of the Best Biometric Gun Safes.

6. GunVault SpeedVault SV500 & 1000S - Best Ready Position Safe

Best Ready Position Safe

GunVault SpeedVault SV500

$59

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$59 at Amazon

Specs

• Lock Type: Electric keypad, manual key
• Internal Dimensions: 5.75”D x 2.6”W x 8.5”H
• Material: 18-gauge steel
• Weight: 7 lbs

What I recommend to people who want pretty good quality but at a lower price point. The GunVault SpeedVault and the GunVault 1000S are top sellers with great reviews for electronic locking safes.

Quick Access: Quick access in the 2-second range. The video later shows a slight speed reduction in taking out a handgun for the side-opening models such as the 1000S.

Reliable: Not as reliable, in my opinion, as mechanical Simplex locks, but tons of people swear by them.  I'd be comfortable using them if I were to unlock them before going to sleep.  Can turn off the key entry sounds for "stealth" mode.

Adequate Protection: Tight fittings and thick steel meet my requirements for protection against burglars and nosy guests. There are 12 million combinations, so the possibility of someone brute force trying all of them is much less likely. However, it still has a key override, so keep it hidden.

Space: If it can fit a full-size 1911-style handgun, it will fit my Glock 17. However, some lights won't fit. Other GunVault models are available for smaller or bigger storage needs.

Mountable: Easy to mount the SpeedVault defines what it means to be a bedside or desk side safe with its ingenious opening mechanism.

7. Vaultek LifePod & LifePod 2.0 - Best Travel/CCW Safe

Best Travel/CCW Safe

Vaultek LifePod

$119

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$119 at Amazon

Vaultek (see price)

Specs

• Lock Type: Electric keypad, manual key
• Internal Dimensions: 7.75”D x 6”W x 1.75”H
• Material: Impact-resistant proprietary material blend
• Weight: 2.2 lbs

Now one of their best-selling from Vaultek...the LifePod.

It's what I use when I travel by car since it's portable, discreet with its slingbag, and still able to be tethered down when you're staying put at a hotel or Airbnb.

I leave it unlocked if it's just me where I'm staying, but otherwise, I unlock the latches and leave it still requiring a code to open.

I recommend practicing a decent amount if you leave it locked since you need to remember to press the Lock button first to activate the code buttons.

Here it is in action!

It's pretty compact but holds enough for my needs...a compact pistol with light and a mag on the side.

Quick Access: Have a little more protection with the latches, or leave it with just the key option.

Reliable: No problems with very wet fingers since the keys are capacitive and there's no fingerprint option. Note you'll have to

Adequate Protection: It is heavy but not too heavy. The slingbag also offers some cushioning. It has also survived quite a few falls. Older generations had a physical exploit, but Vaultek quickly remedied it and sent owners retrofit kits. They also have the fastest company response I've seen!

I highly recommend the Vaultek Lifepod for a traveling quick access case.

There's also the larger LifePod 2.0 now that can hold two handguns.

Or some other goodies if you use their tray instead of foam.

I use mine to hold my holstered CCW gun when not in use. The main purpose is to keep it away from the little ones or wandering eyes.

Vaultek LifePod 2.0

$169

at Amazon

Prices accurate at time of writing

$169 at Amazon

Vaultek (see price)

OpticsPlanet (see price)

Why You Should Trust Pew Pew Tactical

This article was written by PPT Founder and CEO Eric Hung. Eric is an NRA-certified pistol instructor and a USPSA/3-Gun/NRL22 competitor. He has also researched and written over 250 articles on firearms and gear. Over the years, he has acquired quite a few guns, as well as a small mountain of safes to test and store said guns in. He used hands-on experience to create this list.

Editing and adding to this article is editor Wyatt Sloan. Wyatt is an NRA-certified instructor with previous experience as a USPSA competitor. Wyatt personally owns over 200 firearms and has 10 years of home-based FFL firearm sales. He has used his extensive experience with firearms to test guns and gear for Pew Pew Tactical. He has even shared unique firearm and gear storage methods of his own.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a National Rifle Association Basic Pistol Instructor as well as a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, I helped you out a little in choosing the right bedside gun safe for your purpose.  

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Looking for long guns or bigger safes? Check out our huge Best Gun Safes article!

Latest Updates

• May 2025: Removed AWESAFE and substituted ONNAIS as most affordable safe.
• February 2025: Updated videos.
• October 2024: Added Steelhead Fast Action Pistol Box.
• July 2024: Updated Vaultek VT20i and VT10i with their latest versions, the VS20i and VS10i.
• April 2024: Added additional experiences for several safes. Added Awesafe recall info.