Best Gun Safe and Cabinets For Your Peace of Mind (2023)
Publushed by:
Mathew R ReedLast updated:
August 24, 2021
Barska AX13090 Digital Safe
- 17-gauge thickness
- Silent alarm
- Tamper-resistant
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Amazon Basics Home Security Safe
- Pry-resistant
- Heavy-duty carbon steel
- Easy mounting
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KZKR Biometric Gun Cabinet
- Biometric
- Up to 32 fingerprint memory
- Predetermined gun slots
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Winner: Barska AX13090 Digital Safe
Short summary
Barska has created our choice for the best small gun safe with their AX13090 model that has an overall size of 1.2 cubic feet. The safe measures 15/95 x 19.69 x 7.87 on the outside and 13.6 x 19.56 x 7.75 on the inside, giving you enough room to safely store your handguns.
Access to this safe is achieved with a digital keypad and PIN code, and you get two backup keys should anything go wrong.
As far as gun safes go, this is one of the toughest, and more durable than the best steel gun cabinet.
Customers loved how tough it was thanks to the 17-gauge thickness of the alloy steel used to craft it and its hefty weight of just over 30lbs.
The edges are tamper-resistant and it features two pry-resistant deadbolts to ensure everything that’s stored inside will stay there.
There are lots of extra features that earn this the title of our favorite gun safe, including the mounting hardware and pre-drilled holes that come with it so you can keep it secured to the ground and a floor mat for protection.
Barska has also programmed this safe to be turned onto silent mode so even if someone attempts to break into your safe, there’s no reason that they need to know you’re aware, giving you a stealthy advantage.
The main issue that gun owners will have with this safe is its size, and it’s a better fit for people with just one or two handguns.
The interior width is just under 20 inches as because it’s wider than it is long, you’ll need to lay the firearms on their side. Before jumping in, do some measurements to make sure it’s going to work for your weapons.
Another small problem is that there’s no fireproofing rating on this safe. If you want your gun’s storage facility to be protected against everything from water to fire, you’ll have to spend some more to get the best fireproof gun safe, as the Barska AX13090 doesn’t deliver in this area.
The Barska AX13090 digital safe is modern, efficient, and capable of keeping your firearms safe.
There’s no word from Barska on a warranty for this safe but if you purchase it through Amazon you’ll get it shipped for free and be covered by the marketplace’s return policy.
There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars for a good home for your firearms, so consider the Barska Digital Safe for absolute security.
Quick Facts
- Size: 1.2 cubic feet
- Material: Alloy steel
- Lock: Keypad
Pros
- 17-gauge thickness
- Silent alarm
- Tamper-resistant
Cons
- Small size
Runner Up: Amazon Basics Home Security Safe
Short summary
If you’re shopping on a budget but still want a reliable gun safe for your firearms, something like the Amazon Basics Home Security Safe might be appealing. This safe has a whopping 1.8 cubic feet of space inside and measures 16.93 x 16.54 x 22.83 inches, so for its price, its size is impressive.
Overall, the safe weighs 37lbs and is pretty hard for a would-be thief to simply pick up and run off with, and it comes with two live door bolts to prevent break-ins.
There are lots of backup measures built into this safe that will give you peace of mind when storing your guns inside.
As well as being made with steel, the edges of the door are pry-resistant and it features pre-drilled mounting holes and hardware. You can choose whether to mount it on the floor or wall, and it takes mere minutes to get it set up.
Customers love how budget-friendly this safe is and for those with just one small handgun and some accessories to store, there’s no need to spend anything extra.
Amazon Basics does a great job of creating simple alternatives to popular products so you can rest assured it’s made by a reputable brand.
When you stack this up against the competition, it might not be the toughest because it uses heavy-duty carbon steel.
The thickness of the door and the body are also different which means a thief might have an easier time getting in the front.
Although there are plenty of features that make this a good choice, it’s also an affordable one, so it’s not going to rival the top safes on the market.
There’s also no extra protection against water or fire which may be a dealbreaker for some. If you live somewhere that has excess moisture or want to be sure your weapons will be protected in case of a fire, there are safes that can offer this, but you need to pay at least $100 more to get one.
The Amazon Basics Home Security Safe is an affordable and efficient place to store your guns, even if it’s not as tough as some of the others on the market.
Amazon ships this for free and offers returns, replacement, and refunds through their site, so it doesn’t feel like a risky purchase. For those with simple tastes and intermediate security needs, this is an impressively priced option.
Quick Facts
- Size: 1.8 cubic feet
- Material: Carbon steel
- Lock: Keypad
Pros
- Pry-resistant
- Heavy-duty carbon steel
- Easy mounting
Cons
- No extra protection against water or fire
Alternative: SentrySafe Fireproof Safe
Short summary
When you’re serious about gun storage and don’t mind paying for a premium product, the SentrySafe SFW123GDC is the way to go. This safe is composed of durable alloy steel, measures 1.2 cubic feet inside, and with a range of mechanisms in place like a digital combination keypad, locking drawer, and four live-locking bolts.
The alarm on this is loud enough to scare away any intruder and it means even when you’re sleeping, you can be prepared for action.
Customers loved this extra level of protection and although it costs more than the others we’ve reviewed when it comes to storing firearms some people want as much protection as possible.
Another great thing about the SentrySafe model is that it’s fireproof and waterproof. The fireproof rating is UL classified so that it can endure 1700 degrees Fahrenheit temperatures for up to one hour.
The waterproofing is just as impressive with the safe being able to protect the inside contents from water that reaches up to eight inches outside of it.
Although it’s impressive in these areas, there were some letdowns, including the fact that the light only stays on for around 30 seconds.
If you’re trying to grab your gun in the middle of the night and want to load some rounds into it, having this turn off at the most inopportune moment could cause huge problems.
To counteract this, you may want to install a small sensor light inside of the gun safe before you start using it.
Customers also noted that the SentrySafe SFW123GDC didn’t have the best handles, so you won’t be able to carry it far without feeling as though they’re going to come off completely.
Once this arrives, it’s best to set it down somewhere and leave it there, otherwise, you’ll have to deal with the flimsy handles and potentially dropping it on the floor.
The safe is rated to be dropped from 15 feet without a problem but it’s still not an incident you want to deal with.
The SentrySafe SFW123GDC has loads of protection against fire, water, and theft, so consider it if you want a solid fortress to keep your firearms in.
SentrySafe offers a one-year limited warranty on this safe, which is nice for the price, and if you shop on Amazon they’ll cover replacements, refunds, and returns as well.
A little bit of extra money goes a long way with gun storage, and this safe proves it.
Quick Facts
- Size: 1.2 cubic feet
- Material: Alloy steel
- Lock: Keypad
Pros
- Loud alarm
- Fireproof and waterproof
- Durable
Cons
- Light stays on for 30 seconds only
Best Cabinet: KZKR Biometric Gun Cabinet
Short summary
A biometric gun safe is the modern way to store your weapons and if you want to save some money getting one, the KZKR Gun Cabinet is the way to go. This cabinet is made specifically for guns, featuring dimensions of 52 x 9.85 x 8.66 inches and 1.73 cubic feet inside.
Everything you need to set it up comes with it, including a mounting hardware set, owner’s manual, two backup keys, and emergency power supply.
What customers loved most about this gun cabinet was that it uses biometrics to let you in where many traditional gun cabinets are more about looks than they are safety, this one changes the game and offers a modern way to keep everything stored.
There are 32 fingerprint memories possible so you can give access to whoever you want, or keep it all to yourself for peace of mind.
Another great feature of this gun cabinet is its security measures, and particularly the bolts used to keep unwanted visitors out.
There are three 7/8 inch thick steel locking bolts on the door of this cabinet so there’s little chance anyone else will get in, and you have the protection of the fingerprint scanner as
The KZKR Gun Cabinet can be a little fiddly and because it relies so heavily on electronics, it’s no surprise that people had some technical difficulties when scanning their fingerprints.
If you like to do things the old-fashioned way or prefer a digital keypad for your gun cabinet, the buggy nature of the KZKR will throw you right off.
Inside of this gun safe, there are predetermined slots for your guns including spaces for rifles and handguns.
Some customers preferred to make their own setup inside of a cabinet and because there’s little room to customize it yourself, you might feel limited to what you can keep inside.
If you have a variety of firearms and a specific way you like to store them, the KZKR might not be it.
KZKR offers no warranty on this gun cabinet which isn’t that reassuring given there’s a lot of working parts in it, but if the reviews are anything to go by, it’s a reliable piece of machinery.
This is the ultimate handgun and rifle holding cabinet that combines the best of both worlds with the accessibility of a cabinet and the security of a safe.
KZKR makes it affordable to have modern security and you’ll feel absolute peace of mind knowing your guns are stored inside.
Quick Facts
- Size: 1.73 cubic feet
- Material: Steel
- Lock: Fingerprint scanner
Pros
- Biometric
- Up to 32 fingerprint memory
- Predetermined gun slots
Cons
- Relies too heavily on electronics
Recommended product
Barska AX13090 Digital Safe
Runner Up: Stack On GCB-908-DS
Short summary
Specialty guns require specialty storage and if you’re someone who has a lot of lengthy pieces, you’ll love the Stack on GCB-908-DS. This unique gun cabinet can hold up to eight rifles or shotguns standing upwards, is made with a three-point locking system and padded foam bottom to keep your most prized possessions safe.
It weighs a hefty 64lbs and is 54 inches in height with more versatility on what you can keep inside.
With measurements of 21 x 10 x 55 inches, it’s tall but compact and can fit in just about any corner of the house.
However, getting an idea of how many cubic feet were inside was hard to do.
Customers were thrilled to find that the size and shape of this cabinet gave them more freedom on where to store it, and you can also customize the storage inside by being able to remove the top shelf.
Although this is one of the cheaper options for gun cabinets we’ve found, there are still lots of features.
Customers were thrilled to find out that in addition to the cabinet, they also received from Stack-On the fastening and finishing hardware, foam pad, removable shelf, and mounting kit.
There was no need to purchase another thing and it can be installed on your wall or on the floor in less than half an hour.
As a key entry safe, some customers also found this to be more reliable than something that uses electronics or biometrics, so it’s another plus worth considering.
In terms of safety, it’s not the most secure of all of the models we’ve reviewed and is more about giving you somewhere to fit your guns.
Some customers claim they could easily pry this cabinet open with enough force and that the staked steel wasn’t sufficient if someone really wanted to get in.
Although the cabinet utilizes a three-point locking system, it didn’t seem like this was enough, so although they’ve made an effort, the Stack On is not going to lock everything down like Fort Knox.
Another letdown of this cabinet was the shelving unit and the nesting nooks that are in place to hold your guns.
The placement of them is somewhat awkward and they can’t be modified unless you remove them completely. Before jumping into this gun cabinet, make sure you do your research and ensure that your chosen weapons will be able to store neatly inside.
The Stack On GCB-908-DS comes with a one-year limited warranty which is great for something in this price range, and you can feel straight away that it’s been built with care.
The best price for this safe is found on Walmart and you may qualify for free shipping also, so it’s an even better bargain.
This cabinet is the perfect solution for someone with rifles and shotguns who want them stored upright and in a safe place, so consider the Stack On if you’re looking for versatility.
Quick Facts
- Size: 21 x 10 x 55 inches
- Material: Steel
- Lock: Key
Pros
- Can hold up to eight rifles
- Three-point locking system
- Customizable
Cons
- Awkward placement of shelves
Gun Safe And Cabinets FAQs
A quality gun safe is worth its weight in gold and the peace of mind you’ll have knowing that your weapons are stored away where only you can get them is priceless.
To find out more about what differentiates a gun safe and cabinet, or how to use them correctly, we’ve answered some FAQs to help.
Should I Get A Gun Safe Or Cabinet?
The main difference between a gun safe and a gun cabinet is their locking mechanism, with the safe generally being the more secure of the two.
A gun cabinet still features a lock but is more concerned with displaying the firearms or keeping them in an upright position, whereas a safe is concealed.
Safes usually have extra features like bolts to secure it to the ground and fire and water proofing, making them the more secure and costlier option.
Do You Really Need A Gun Safe?
A gun safe is a smart storage option for firearms and accessories as it ensures that no unwanted users gain access to your guns.
In addition to storing them somewhere securely, they can also keep the firearms in good condition by preventing moisture, water, and fire from reaching them.
There are varying degrees of quality with a gun safe though, so choosing a well made one is key.
Is A Fireproof Gun Safe Worth It?
A fireproof gun safe has been rated for some protection against fire but it’s not an absolute guarantee that your weapons will be protected in an emergency.
There are different factors to consider when looking at fire resistance that could impact its effectiveness, including where the safe is, how long a fire burns for, and what temperature it is when it reaches the safe.
Is It Bad To Keep Gun Safe In Garage?
A gun safe should be kept as close to you as possible, with most people opting to store theirs in a closet or specially designed space in their bedroom.
If your house allows for a safe to be stored in the garage and it appears safe, there’s no reason not to keep your guns there.
Spend Less on Safety and Security
There’s no need to spend thousands for quality firearm storage when we’ve shown you it’s possible to get the best gun safe under $500.
With our top finds and a fair evaluation of each model’s pros and cons, you’ll know the right gun safe or cabinet to suit your setup and will save a lot in the process as well.
Barska AX13090 Digital Safe
17-gauge thickness
Silent alarm
Tamper-resistant
