Gun safety is important, right?
Even if there aren’t kids in the house, it’s still a good idea to have a safe.
We realize there are a lot of options on the market to choose from, so how do you know if you’re getting a decent model?
Well, we’re here to help! We’ve gathered a handful of our favorite biometric safes that blend quick access with safety.
So, let’s take a look at some recommendations and get you squared away with a safe.
THE QUICK LIST
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Editor’s Pick Biometric Safe
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Also Great Biometric Safe
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Most Affordable Biometric Safe
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Multiple Sizes
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Inner Shelf Option
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Hi-Tech Option
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Larger Hi-Tech Option
Table of Contents
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What is a Biometric Safe?
Before we get to our fave models, let’s quickly touch on what a biometric safe is.
Standard safes usually offer a key or combo entry system to open.
But a biometric operates using your fingerprint.
Basically, you set the safe up to recognize your fingerprint. Every subsequent time you need to open it, the safe will scan your fingerprint.
This means that only you can gain access to what’s inside.
The pros to this — they are pretty simple to use and much easier to operate at night or in low light.
However, the flip side to that is that dirt, grime, or sweat can impact the scanner’s ability to recognize the fingerprint.
Also, with certain models, your significant other can’t access what’s inside if they need to (unless they use a key which is often included as a backup entry option).
Best Biometric Gun Safes
1. Vaultek DS2i Smart Station
My current favorite biometric gun safe currently is the DS2i Smart Station from Vaultek which is currently leading the way for tech-heavy safes.
The DS2i Smart Station fits a several of my needs besides having a fast biometric reader…it also disguises itself quite well as only a functional tabletop clock.
Plus it includes other helpful info such as temperature and humidity.
There’s additional entry methods such as buttons near the reader, a smart key, and even the app. Plus it lets you know the history log and also break-in attempts.
The capacity is enough for a full-size handgun and extra magazine.
And the top Vaultek circular logo doubles as a wireless phone charger.
There’s plenty of other options in the app so you can customize it to your liking.
My only qualm? If you don’t want to use the app you’re going to have to forego getting the temperature and humidity data since you need the app to turn that on.
Otherwise it’s a fast and accurate biometric handgun safe with tons of customizability, additional entry methods, an intuitive and useful app, and holds what it needs to.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. SentrySafe QAP1BE
If you want something a little smaller than the others on this list, maybe to put it in a drawer, the QAP1BE model from SentrySafe is right up your alley. You can access it fast with the biometric scanner, numbered code, or key override.
Plus…the single gun size can hold a full-size Glock 17 and 2 mags easily.
The other thing I like is how, when you unlock it, the top opens on its own with the help of the gas strut.
The reader is pretty good and I’d rate it at around 90% success rate once you get the hang of it. You can also program up to 4 fingers.
One potential negative is that to use the keypad entry, you have to “turn on” the buttons with a press first. So you essentially add one extra button press.
Overall…my editor’s pick for an affordable biometric safe.
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What’s your take on this highly-rated safe?
3. Awesafe Gun Safe
Does the SentrySafe have a price contender? Enter the Awesafe.
It’s probably the best-reviewed biometric gun safe on Amazon with over 10K reviews. And we’ve been asked a lot to test it out.
Kind of a weird name…but we’ll go along with it.
It’s built with some heft and comes with some holes and lag screws to help you mount it. I like having these smaller safes attached to a closet shelf so it’s hidden and can’t easily walk off.
Capacity?
Pretty good with holding a full-size and micro-compact. With one gun in there you’ll be able to have extra mags or other goodies.
There’s a sliver of extra space between the door where you could get a screwdriver in. But keep in mind, with most safes in this category…if given enough time and tools anyone will get in.
How about the biometrics? Great as well.
Easy to program and higher than 90% accuracy based on my testing (as long as your finger isn’t too moist).
Check it out in action!
Buttons work great too. And the greatest thing? It comes in around $119.
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4. BARSKA Biometric Safe
The Barska Biometric Safe comes in different shapes and sizes so you can get the one that best fits where you want it to live.
Some are short and wide with the fingerprint scanner on the top and others are taller and have the scanner on the front. You can even get one in white if you want.
All of the models have a backup key you can use if the battery dies or you lose your fingerprints doing bodywork on your project car and the sensor doesn’t work.
Something that set my mind at ease is the fact that you can position your finger at almost any angle and the scanner will read it.
Barska says the scanner only needs to see 2/3 of your fingerprint to open the safe.
The interior space in the safe depends on the model but should be enough for your concealed carry gun and some ammo.
Unless you’re one of the guys who like to carry a full-size gun. You might not be able to get a box of .45 ammo in there too.
Most models are approved by the Department of Justice because of the thicker walls, pry protection, and dual deadbolts, but do not offer any protection against fire.
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5. Viking Security Safe
What I liked about the Viking model VS-20BLX was the shelf in it.
You might think “wow, a shelf” But in reality, it’s nice to have.
You can have your ammo, your EDC knife, wallet, passport, or whatever on the top and have quick access to your weapon when you need it.
If you don’t have a shelf, you might need to pull everything out to get your gun or ammo.
An LED light is built in to make it easier to see inside in low light.
The Viking VS-20BLX lets you load up to 32 different fingerprints into the scanner. You can also use a PIN or key to open the safe if needed.
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6. Vaultek Safes: VT10i & VT20i
You’ll want to read our Complete Vaultek Safes Review but the bottom line is: it’s awesome.
Combining a great safe and a SmartPhone app to create a biometric security option that stands out above the rest, Vaultek safes are good to go.
The nice thing about these is that they are simple, yet packed with features like an internal light, a backlit keypad, and it comes shipped with extra goodness like mounting screws.
One downside you should know though is that it does require charging. The good news is that a 2.5-hour charge with a USB cable is enough power to keep it running for four months.
However, in the end, the Vaultek is my pick for biometric+other goodies like a Bluetooth and phone access. Again…my full review.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
7. Viking Security Safe VS-52BLX
This Viking safe is meant to go into the wall. That’s right, you’ll need to do a little cutting. It’s not bad, though.
The Viking VS-52BLX goes between the studs in your wall and sits almost flush with the wall. There are two models, one is a flush mount door, the other is not.
If you want to be cliche and have a safe behind a picture, you can totally do that with this biometric gun safe.
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It’s not super deep (4-inches), but is taller and enough room for a couple weapons.
There are shelves that come with the unit so you can organize whatever you are going to keep in the safe.
Included are LED lights in it too so you can better see inside in low light, like if you mounted it in the back of your closet.
8. GunVault SpeedVault
As you can see, this safe is set up with speed in mind. Once you unlock it the pistol shelf drops open allowing you to grasp the weapon with almost a full grip right from the start.
It is also designed to be mounted in places that are easy to reach such as on a bedside table, under a desk, etc.
Really, the only issue with this vault is that it does one thing – but it does that one thing outstandingly well.
If you want a safe that you can store extra mags in or double up to hold other valuables, the GunVault SpeedVault doesn’t have the extra room.
But if you feel a need for speed, this is for you.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Closing Thoughts
Keeping your gun locked up is mandatory if you have kids running around the house. It’s also a good idea to lock it up when you aren’t carrying.
A biometric gun safe is a happy medium between keeping your gun securely locked up and having fast access to it if you need it.
What safe is best for you depends on your situation, but now you know what your options are.
But for me…my Editor’s Pick is the Vaultek D2Si Home Station.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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And the Awesafe if you’re looking for a budget no-frills option.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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So, what safe did you get/do you have? Biometric, key, or pin number? Looking for non-biometric…or a larger safe for long guns? Check out our Definitive Best Gun Safes article.
19 Leave a Reply
I have the SentrySafe Pistol Biometric Gun Safe (2 actually) and both of them have issues with the piston not activating on the first try. I either have to pry the door open with my fingers or snap the door closed again & have the fingerprint reader re-read again. Then on the second attempt, the door will spring open. Not great if you're in a hurry.
Check out the Wyze gun safe. I bought and 2 they are awesome
Don't buy Awesafe. I had one that was fine but the second one I bought will open with ANY skin. My wife noticed when she accidentally used a finger that hadn't been programmed. I tried and even a knuckle will open it.
Really nice review. Thank you!
Bought a Sentry biometric last year for bedside use and within 4 months the shocks no longer open the door. Have to pry it open with something. NOT ideal. Waste of money.
The GunVault Speedvault Biometric is my favorite. I have one below my room desk, I always loaded with a full mag since it always on the safe. The cons of these features are it does not have any space for an extra mag but I added extra safe for the mags (I know it sound stupid but I intentionally get two just in case I buy another gun). It helps me avoiding negligence of misplacing guns at home and it's for the safety of my family. Thanks for this article for I added some information about the gun safe.
I have a biometric AmazonBasics safe- looks like the Sentrysafe and has the options of the Vaultecs. Very happy.
I don’t Hornady gun safes on any of your lists. How would they compare to the ones you do have on your lists? Also what are your thoughts on RFID access safes for quick access, as compared to a biometric or mechanical access nite stand safe?
"but there are situations where you have to leave the house without your gun"
Hasn't happened yet. If I Can't carry into an establishment, I don't go there. If I can't protect my family in your place of business, you don't get mine.
You can't carry at a hospital, most medical offices, schools, blood donation centers, and municipal buildings. You can always use a vault to lock up you sidearm in your vehicle.
Valid argrument. He won't take his family to the hospital because he can't carry there?! That's a stupid statement.
Spot-on with your comment. Very difficult to carry 24-7 throughout the year. Sooner or later we all to visit a facility or an area that's off-limits for concealed carry and there are many of them, depending on your state.
Hi Trevor, Thanks for the great article! I am looking into safe storage options for my everyday carry. In my research I found that both the SpeedVault and the SentrySafe are very vulnerable. There is a gun safe reviewer who has videos of each of these being opened scary easy. Look for the review of each by Handgun Safe Research.
My youngest son picked the lock on my biometric safe. He used the rounded end of a paper clip. He was bored and he YouTubed how to do it. I’m traveling right now so I can’t give the make and model.
What was the make and model on the safe?
And he would have never know if not for that Youtuber doing a "service" by experimenting in a way no one would ever do, until he found a way. And it is not a "paperclip," a paper clip won't work since it bends in all directions. It is a stainless steel zip tie, which is something almost no one normally has at home and is not in most hardware stores either. What is funny that youtuber then goes on to plug and promote a fort Knox, when the fort knox can be opened easier with a mid to large size screwdriver, and can be opened with no tools and no evidence of tampering with 12 minutes of entering combos, going through half the possible combinations, and 25 minutes going though all possible combinations. Since the ft knox is not electronic it can't stop or stop you after you enter a certain number of wrong combos, you can just go through them all in quick sequence.
"And it is not a "paperclip," a paper clip won't work since it bends in all directions. It is a stainless steel zip tie, "
I think John would know what HIS son used, which he said was a paperclip.
Gun Vault speed vault. Defeated with a chewing gum wrapper. Google it.
I'm looking at Hornady RAPiD Vehicle Gun Safe, which seems to do EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Can be placed near the center stick, can be opened without entering keys or codes, and you can remove the gun with one hand. It's a bit expensive in my opinion, but it meets all those requirements. I'm looking for other car safes that meet the reuirements, but so far only found this one.