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Gun safety is essential for each and every gun owner, and one of the best ways to secure your firearms while providing easy access is a biometric gun safe. Designed to open only for your fingerprint(s) or those of other designated users, biometric safes allows you to quickly and effortlessly access your guns literally with the touch of a finger, all while keeping any unauthorized people at bay. They're more than just a cool gimmick. For anyone interested in defense, they are the fastest way possible to access your firearms in an emergency—no fumbling around with keys or a combination.
The ability to access your firearms rapidly is the biggest advantage of a biometric safe as compared to a standard gun safe. But traditional methods of entry are still an option with many of these high-tech models. Any biometric safe that’s worth anything also has one or more backup entry methods, from keypad combinations to traditional key locks. We've narrowed down the best biometric gun safes for handguns, rifles, and shotguns.
Best Overall: Vaultek DS2i Smart Station
Best Bedside: Hornady Biometric Keypad Vault
Best for Shotguns and Rifles: Barska Biometric Long Gun Safe
Best Budget: SentrySafe Quick Access Pistol Safe
Best for Cars: Onnais Biometric Gun Safe
Best Overall: Vaultek DS2i Smart Station
Specs
Wireless phone charger
Bluetooth safety management
Multi-purpose
Pros
Four different entry methods
Can fit two handguns (1 full-size, 1 compact)
Overall design makes it blend into the room
Mounting plates can be used on top of or underneath furniture
Cons
Expensive
Heavy (weighs almost ten pounds)
The Vaultek DS2i Smart Station is, without a doubt, the most advanced biometric gun safe on the market. In addition to being able to store 20 different fingerprints for access, it also allows for manual entry and safety management from your phone with an app. Speaking of your phone, it’s got a built-in wireless charger on the top. Internal storage space is ample, allowing for up to two handguns and other assorted essentials. The real alarm clock face plate also tells you the internal temperature and humidity for extra safety and security of the items within. Plus, since it looks like an overbuilt alarm clock, it doesn’t immediately scream “gun safe.” This is a great option for anyone who wants to keep a handgun at bedside for defense, but also wants their firearm to be secure.
Best Bedside: Hornady Biometric Keypad Vault
Specs
Access through fingerprint, keypad code, or back-up key
Made from 16-gauge stainless steel
Weighs 9 pounds
Pros
Multiple entry methods
Very heavy-duty
Compact and lightweight design
Soft close
Cons
Complicated setup/resetting
We're big fans of Hornady safes (read our full review of the popular Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard). The brand also makes a solid biometric bedside gun safe. The Keypad Vault has a lot of thoughtful features, including a convenient interior light, a dampening hinge that allows the lid to close quietly, and a USB-C port so you can keep it powered sans battery if necessary. While it's made of heavy-duty, 16-gauge stainless steel, it's surprisingly lightweight, and only measures 12 inches at its longest edge—perfect for your nightstand. Plus, the soft foam lining the inside prevents any damage on your handgun.
The Hornady Biometric Keypad Vault has three modes of entry so you can give access to others (like family members) if need be. It also comes with mounting screws and a 1,500-pound-rated cable to secure it in place. The only potential downside is that it can be a little tricky to set and reset the fingerprint access and keypad code. But once you get past that, it's smooth sailing—and safe gun-keeping.
Best for Shotguns and Rifles: Barska Biometric Long Gun Safe
Specs
Oversized biometric scanner
WiFi-enabled
Made from 14-gauge carbon steel
Includes back-up key and emergency battery pack
Pros
Can program up to 120 different unique fingerprints
Less expensive than other long gun safes
Optional silent mode
Removable accessory shelf
Cons
Doesn't come with adequate hardware for securing
A biometric safe for long guns is somewhat rare. Of the limited options, this one from Barska is a popular budget-friendly pick. With a roomy interior, this safe will hold up to four rifles, plus handguns, ammunition, and accessories, depending on your particular setup. The accessory shelf is removable for added customizability. There’s even room for a dehumidifier if you so choose. (Check out our roundup of best gun safe dehumidifiers and read some good advice to keep your guns from getting rusty.)
When authorized access is granted, the door opens automatically on springs to provide immediate access to the automatically lighted interior of the safe. It also has a silent mode you can turn on should you need to be discreet. This thing is built for maximum security, too. Made from 100% solid steel, it boasts built-in steel deadbolts, tamper-resistant interior edges, and an anti-pry locking system. No one is getting into this bad boy (except you, of course!).
Best Budget: SentrySafe Quick Access Pistol Safe
Specs
Pre-installed interior lighting
Made of steel and able to be bolted down
Uses commonly available AA batteries
Pros
California DOJ Certified for firearm storage and protection
Override key access in case of biometric failure
Can be purchased at big box stores
Cons
Small, only large enough for one pistol and a spare mag
Lacks features of more expensive offerings
Provides only basic security
SentrySafe has been making safes for almost 100 years, so they know what they’re doing. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to protect a handgun yet still have immediate access, then the SentrySafe Quick Access Gun Safe is a solid option. This smaller safe will fit just about anywhere, while offering rapid access and security for your handgun.
Made of pry-resistant steel and featuring an automatic opening with a compression strut for quiet access, this biometric safe provides access with a fingerprint or keypad, plus backup key access. Inside, the safe’s high compression foam will help keep your gun secure from sliding around if the safe gets jostled around, and the built-in lights will ensure that you can see what you’re doing even in the dead of night.
Best for Cars: Onnais Biometric Gun Safe
Specs
Stores up to 30 finger prints
Includes key and numeric backups
Steel cable to secure in a vehicle
Pros
Simple, compact design
Portable for use outside a vehicle
Affordable
Cons
Only enough room for two handguns
For anyone who spends a lot of time on the road, or simply for that cross-country camping trip, it’s equally important to keep your firearms secure. This simple safe will do it while simultaneously offering quick and easy access in the unfortunate event you need to use it. It stores up to 30 fingerprints, so everyone who can use a gun is covered to use it. Use the included heavy steel cable to securely lock this one down to your car seat or some other part of an RV. Most smash-and-grab thieves aren’t going to take the time to try and cut it loose. This safe also includes two backup entry methods in the form of keys and a five-digit numeric keypad to ensure you are never locked out of access.
How We Picked The Best Biometric Gun Safes
I own multiple gun safes myself and know dozens upon dozens of people who have different models that were chosen because of needs that differ from my own. As a result, I’ve seen, used, and had the reasoning behind a purchase explained to me for countless different biometric gun safes on the market. Aside from the companies mentioned specifically in this list, it’s worth mentioning that Awesafe, BARSKA, and Viking also make solid options for biometric gun safe needs. When it comes down to picking which one is right for me, I evaluate products using the following criteria:
Reliability: How good are the biometrics and the backup access should I need to get into it another way?
Capacity: Am I looking to store just one gun by the bed, or multiple guns and other items that also need to be kept secure?
Security: Does this safe provide the adequate level of security that I need in order to feel confident in trusting it to do the job?
Cost: Are the features and benefits of this biometric gun safe in line with the price?
What To Consider When Choosing a Biometric Gun Safe
Just like trying to choose one of the more traditional gun safes, the process of buying a biometric gun safe can also be daunting because of the myriad options on the market. Obviously, the final decision is up to you, but here are some of the things you should think about before buying a biometric gun safe:
Storage Needs
How many guns and accessories do you plan on keeping in this safe? Is it just for a nightstand gun and therefore only needs to hold one gun and a spare magazine? Or are you looking to store multiple guns—even including rifles and shotguns—and use it as your primary safe?
Size and Weight
Is this biometric gun safe going to be mobile? That is, will it be going with you from place to place? If so, you want to make sure that you’re balancing the storage needs with the size and weight of the unit when it comes to portability concerns.
Backup Entry
Technology is great, but it’s also fallible. You absolutely need a backup way to get into your safe should the biometric option be unavailable. It could be because the power source has failed, or perhaps your hands are dirty and the sensor is unable to read your prints. Regardless of the reason for the failure, you have to be able to get into the safe via a secondary option.
Price
Money is always on everyone’s mind, especially when it comes to gun safes. Typically, a gun safe of any kind and size is viewed as an investment, and you want to get the best return from your initial investment. It’s important to remember, though, that a higher price doesn’t always equal higher quality. Obviously, the size of the safe plays a big role in its cost, so be sure you know what your storage needs are before committing to a purchase. (Go back and read the first bullet point again!)
If you decide that a more traditional safe is right for you, take a look at our roundup of best gun safes. And remember, gun safety is everyone’s responsibility. It's never a bad idea to review the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s 10 rules of safe gun handling.
FAQs
Q: Are fingerprint safes reliable?
Yes, fingerprint safes are reliable. Thousands of people use them each and every day, trusting their lives to the fingerprint safe’s reliability. The technology is very good and it works exactly as it should—most of the time. Technology can and will fail, just like anything. That’s why fingerprint safes have reliable backup entry methods to ensure that you’re never completely locked out of your safe. Of course, that’s a worst-case scenario and it is something that only happens very rarely. For the vast majority of gun owners, they will never have an issue with their fingerprint safe for the entire time they use it.
Q: How much does a biometric gun safe cost?
The cost of a biometric gun safe varies widely depending on the exact make and model and what kind of features it offers. They can be had for as little as a couple of hundred bucks or as much as a few thousand dollars. Your budget is the only limit to what kind of biometric gun safe you can get.
Q: Are biometric gun safes worth it?
This is a very subjective question, but in general, yes, biometric gun safes are worth it. They provide the best of both worlds when it comes to gun safety: peace of mind knowing that unauthorized persons can’t get to your guns, balanced with the fact that you as the gun owner can get to your guns in an instant due to the biometric technology. Plus, with the different varieties of backup entry, you don’t have to worry about being locked out from your guns should the technology fail at a crucial moment.
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