Purchasing the best gun safe under $500 is not by any means an easy endeavor due to a very competitive market. Moreover, the market is also flooded with off-brand products that will not serve you well and will not be worth the money spent. We are here to help you find the appropriate one, so we did some research.
We managed to find some great safes with positive reviews that will serve different types of budgets. Diversity is good, especially if you are unsure about which product to opt for, so we found something for everyone. We hope you will enjoy our list and guide, so without further delay, let us get into it.
Our Top Picks Under $500
1. Awesafe Gun Safe with Fingerprint Identification and Biometric Lock – Editor’s Pick
When it comes to reliability and quality at a relatively low cost, you cannot go wrong with this gun safe. It comes from the Awesafe store, and it is entirely made of alloy steel and boasts fingerprint identification alongside a biometric lock for extra safety.
The quality of this gun safe seems just right for the price point. The programming is simple and easy to set up, and you can set the safe for several different fingertips if you want to share the safe with some friends or family members. Moreover, the build quality is very solid, and it feels really sturdy and durable.
Password protection also works pretty well, and it is a nice alternative for locking up the safe if you do not want to use a finger detection tool. For added convenience, the safe is very compact and lightweight, so you will be able to move it from place to place without any issues.
2. ONNAIS Gun Safe – Best Biometric Gun Safe for Pistols
This product is undoubtedly one of the best gun safes you can find in today’s market. It is packed with lots of safety features that make it a great product for storing your pistol. You can also connect this unit with your mobile phone and app and access all the features you want.
With this app on your phone, you will be able to manage all protective fingerprints, increase or decrease LED light, check battery status, view history log, and toggle sound on and off. The built-in biometric scanner allows you to store up to twenty different fingerprints in case you want to share this safe.
As far as the construction goes, this gun safe is made of stainless steel and 2 points dual anti-impact latches that will ensure that the weapon you stored inside remains safe and protected. There are also numerous anti-theft features, including anti-pry reinforcement bars, interior mounted hinges, etc.
3. ETE ETMATE Rifle Safe – Best Lockbox Gun Safe
This metal rifle security safe is bigger and better than most you will find in this price range. It is sturdy and strong with a nice amount of room inside and a separate lockbox in which you can keep some other valuables. There is also a digital keypad that lets you program the safe with your own passcode.
For extra security, this rifle safe also features the alert alarm for the wrong passcode, alongside the induction alarm. There is enough room inside for a few rifles, handguns, and even some ammo. It is a very strong safe that can take quite a lot of beating and can serve you for a very long time.
If you want to have solid security and be able to open the safe fast in emergencies, use the fingerprint system since it is much faster. The safe is solid, sturdy, and comes with a fairly low price tag, so if you want to store several guns for a reasonable cost, this is the product you go for.
4. RPNB California DOJ Certified Gun Safe
This fast and dependable gun safe is a product from the RPNB store, and it offers you three methods of entry. The manufacturer’s box in which the product arrives is excellent, matte black, with the company logo. Although the product comes at a fairly low price, it feels and looks like something far more expensive.
The quality and sturdiness did not disappoint. The construction quality is on a very high level, and it feels sturdy and can take quite a lot of beating. The inside of the safe has the perfect fit foam cushion pads both on top and bottom, so you know that your weapon will stay well-protected.
The safe is also small enough to fit into a small space so that it will stay well-hidden at all times. It is very easy to program it, and if you closely follow the manufacturer’s instructions right out of the box, you will do it fairly quickly. In addition, the safety lock mechanism is very powerful and works well. Considering the price and quality, this is a real bargain.
5. BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe
Coming from the Billconch store, this gun safe will effectively guard and protect your items while also offering you quick access and four ways to unlock it. Moreover, this safe has a perfect size, so you can easily store it in your master closet or on the shelf.
The four ways of unlocking include connection to the smartphone, fingerprint biometric lock, password, and keys. Voice navigation also gives you a unique and convenient quick access without the need to use the key. If you are not a fan of the voice mode, you can set it to silent mode.
The fingerprint technology seems to be the most convenient way to lock the safe as it grants you 0.1-second recognition speed, and you can record up to twenty sets of fingerprints. The safe is spacious, and you can store two pistols and some extra items in it.
6. Amazon Basics Steel Home Security Safe with Programmable Keypad
This 1.52 cubic feet safe is reliable, strong, and a great option to store your valuables. It is made of heavy-duty carbon steel with an 8-gauge steel door and a 14-gauge steel body, granting you exceptional protection and safety. This safe delivers everything that it is promised and then some.
The safe comes with a keypad that is very easy to use and program and two big keys. It is very solid and comes with predrilled holes allowing you to secure the safe on the sides and back. There is a removable shelf inside the safe, allowing you to store bigger items.
This is a fairly large safe, but in case you are in need of something smaller, there is a total of ten sizes from which you can pick according to your needs. Moreover, it comes with a fairly low price tag, and when you consider the quality of protection and safety it provides, it is a true bargain.
7. BBRKIN Biometric Rifle Gun Safe
This biometric gun safe allows you to store rifles with some extra accessories like gears, jewelry, documents, handguns, etc. You can store up to five rifles in this safe, so there is plenty of space that is well protected and secured behind these alloy steel doors.
You can operate this safe via a biometric scanner, electric keypad, and by using manual keys. The biometric scanner is top-notch in quality and can store up to 100 unique fingerprints and unlock the safe in only 2.5 seconds in case you need to access it fast.
The interior of the safe is padded with soft foam that will protect your weapons from any scratches and physical damage. Although there is no built-in light inside, you have plenty of space to install LED lights and accessories such as a dehumidifier. It is a great budget-friendly safe that is well worth checking out.
8. Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe with 13.5 Inch Dean Safe Pistol Sock
This gun safe is a perfect choice for anyone that looks for a safe that does not require batteries or manual keys to operate. It is a product coming from the Fort Knox store, and it boasts ten gauge steel construction with a seven gauge tamper-resistant steel door to protect your valuables from thievery.
You can access this unit by a mechanical simplex lock that can be opened in a mere two seconds in case you need to open it really fast. Just pick any key combination you prefer and turn the knob on the other side. The safe also features predrilled holes which you can use to mount the safe wherever you like.
The safe is spacious enough to store two handguns, and the interior boasts two-layer foam that will protect your firearms from any type of physical damage. Although it is not one of the cheapest safes on our list, it certainly provides excellent protection and safety that is worth every single penny.
9. Stack-On GCB-910 Steel 10-Gun Compact Steel Security Cabinet
Coming from the Stack-On store, this gun security cabinet is a suitable product for anyone that does not have enough space for a big gun safe but needs to store several firearms inside it. This cabinet is 52 inches tall and has a broad storage space that can fit nine or ten rifles or shotguns easily.
The safe comes with removable top shelves that can provide you with some additional space where you can store extra accessories such as handguns, ammo, documents, etc. It has a three-point locking system with a steel cabinet frame located behind the door.
There is also a steel locking plate located near the door that grants some extra layers of security and adds further to the value of this exceptional safe. The interior features soft padded foam, protecting your firearms from dents and scratches. It is an impact-resistant safe that will keep your valuables protected at all times and is well worth checking out due to its amazing features.
10. Paragon Lock & Safe Electronic 5 Gun Rifle Safe
This amazing gun storage unit is a product that comes from the Paragon Lock & Safe store, and it is one of the best gun safes that are available for below 500 dollars. This gun safe can store up to five long guns and a number of handguns, so it is pretty spacious and a worthy investment if you need a place to hold multiple firearms.
You can store in this gun safe weapons that are up to 43 inches in length, and the interior depth of the safe is 9.5 inches and the width 13.5 inches. The construction of the safe is very sturdy, and the hinges are concealed. It also has an impressive weight that stands at 120 pounds.
The one downside of this gun safe is the fact that there is no interior shelf, making the storage of ammunition and extra accessories completely confined to the upper lockbox. Despite this, it is a great safe that comes at a more than reasonable price when you think about the quality features.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Budget Gun Safe
Now that you have picked the product that you like, it is time to check all the important details and features that make a great gun safe. A lot of tiny details play big roles in a quality purchase that is worthy of your money, so let us check what the most important things to consider for a budget gun safe are.
Size
When it comes to storing your firearms, the size of the unit you are about to purchase truly matters. Take some time to consider how many guns you plan to store and their length and width, as this is something that will ultimately determine the size of the safe you require.
Lock
All the products that we have listed have multiple types of lock options, and choosing the appropriate one is a very important decision to make. It comes to your personal preferences. You can pick a traditional lock with a key, a lock with a password combination, or the one with a biometric fingerprint lock.
Construction and Steel Thickness
The materials used in the construction of the safe are a very important aspect to consider. You need to think about the thickness as well as sturdiness of the walls of the safe. The better the steel gauge is, the more protection and safety you will get with the product.
Mounting Options
In case you want to hide your safe on the spot where it is difficult to find and access it, it is important to check the mounting options you are getting with it. Ease of installation is also important, so look for the safes that come with predrilled holes, so you can easily mount or hang the safe in the desired location.
Accessibility
If the need arises, or if for whatever reason you need to access your safe fast, it is important that it can be unlocked fast and with ease. For the easiest entry, look for safes that have keypads or biometric entries such as fingerprints. These units open up within just a couple of seconds, and it is a great option to have in case of an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the interior of the gun safe away from moisture?
Since accumulated moisture in the gun safe can ruin your firearm’s components in the long run, you should install the dehumidifier in it. There are many ways to keep the moisture out of the gun safe. You can use a silicon sachet to keep the interior dry, but you can also find the safes that come with a protective mat that will keep moisture at bay.
Does a fireproof gun safe completely protects my valuables from the fire?
No, since your valuables can still burn inside the fireproof safe. Fireproof really means that the safe is fire resistant, and the fire resistance ratings you see in the manufacturer’s manuals rate how long and at what temperature a safe can handle fire.
What type of lock mechanism should I choose?
When it comes to gun safe’s locks, it is important to pick the one that possesses the lock that can be opened in a matter of seconds. Look for the safes that have fingerprint or password locks, as they can be accessed in two or three seconds at most.
Where should I mount my gun safe?
This entirely depends on the room you want to store the safe in. You should look for a location where it can be safely hidden in a way that your family members or intruders cannot access it easily. It would be wise to bolt the safe to the wall and floors.
What is the ideal size of a gun safe?
For starters, the size of your safe should be larger than your firearm. Also, if you want to store three guns, look for a safe that can store five or six since your gun collection may grow over the course of time.
Final Words
The bottom line is that safety and fast accessibility are the key things to look for when purchasing this product. You can find some exceptional gun safes for under 500 dollars, and they will have all the necessary features to serve you for a long time.
We hope you liked our top picks and that you will find your favorite among them. Make sure to look for second opinions, check the customer ratings and reviews, and you will, without any doubt, find the product that will get you excellent value for your money’s worth.