The 5 Best Gun Safes For Your Garage: A Buyer’s Guide
If you own any sort of firearm and keep it at home, gun safety should always be the priority. This does not simply mean using firearms properly, but also maintaining all necessary precautions to keep the gun secure from intruders or avoid accidental access by your children. Most gun owners opt to keep their guns in a safety box that is sure to keep the gun secure and away from other people. However, choosing the best gun safe for your garage or home office might be troublesome if you simply don’t know what to consider and what to look for.
There are a variety of gun safes that you can choose from. Some are small and compact that you can easily keep in your car’s glove box or in your bedroom closet, while safes meant for long guns and are larger and taller and are often kept in wider areas such as basements or garages. Although there is a wide range of choices available in the market, gun safes are generally expensive. So, if ever you plan to invest in one, make sure that you’ve spent ample time researching and learning about purchasing and handling a gun safe.
Comparison Chart
Vaultek VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe
When it comes to premium gun safes, the Vaultek VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe ranks as one of the best in the market.
AmazonBasics Security Safe Box
If you’re looking for an amazing entry-level and budget-friendly model that would effectively safeguard your stuff without taking too much out of your wallet, then the AmazonBasics Security Safe Box is the best option for you.
Steelwater Standard Duty 16 Long Gun Safe
Safeguarding larger and heavy-duty firearms require a different type of gun safe that can accommodate the size of the gun and ideally feature more intricate safety and lock procedure. When we say that gun safes are an expensive investment, the luxury Steelwater Standard Duty Gun Safe comes to mind. This luxury model not only features advance technology but is also aesthetically pleasing.
Moutec Electronic Rifle Security Cabinet
The Moutec Electronic Rifle Security Cabinet is one of the top-rated models in the market and is primarily known for its massive storage capacity, strong and durable build, and reliable wall-to-wall protection.
Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe
The Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe is a simple yet technologically-packed model that can store up to 4 rifles and uses a high-grade biometric fingerprint sensor.
Detailed Reviews of the Best Gun Safe for Garage
Vaultek VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe
Product Highlights
When it comes to premium gun safes, the Vaultek VT20i Biometric Handgun Safe ranks as one of the best in the market. Although it comes from a fairly young company, gun safes from Vaultek take pride in giving the best possible features and technologies according to what the customers want and need. The Vaultek VT20i has an innovative design and uses advanced technology such as a high-definition biometric identification that can register up to 20 different fingerprints, a fairly strong metal build, as well as a unique VAULTEK TM Smart App.
The Good
Widely considered as one of the best handgun safes to date, the Vaultek VT20i uses both an accurate fingerprint sensor, as well as a dial pad for its unlocking options. The Vaultek VT20i features a slim and compact 16 gauge steel body that uses anti-pry bars to prevent any kind of tampering and forced access. Plus, its high-resolution fingerprint sensor can easily be accessed and controlled using the connected Smart App for the safe.
The Bad
Considering that the Vaultek VT20i is a premium unit, it comes at quite a high price that may not be affordable for many people. Aside from that, some users complain of having a hard time using the Smart App for the device, as well as an inconsistent performance from the fingerprint scanner.
PROs
CONs
AmazonBasics Security Safe Box
Product Highlights
If you’re looking for an amazing entry-level and budget-friendly model that would effectively safeguard your stuff without taking too much out of your wallet, then the AmazonBasics Security Safe Box is the best option for you. This low-cost model is built using pry-resistant steel and has a scratch-proof carpeted flooring to keep your items safe from any kind of damage. It also has ample storage space to store more than one handgun inside.
The Good
In terms of security, the AmazonBasics Security Safe Box comes with an electronic lock and includes two override keys in case of emergencies. It is also a versatile model with the option of being bolted to the floor or installed into your walls.
The Bad
One of the biggest and most noticeable downsides of the AmazonBasics Security Safe Box is that it runs on batteries and is not entirely power and cost-efficient. Due to this, the AmazonBasics has the tendency of running out of power and leaving the electronic dial pad non-functional. Such circumstances would require the user to use the backup override key to access the safe.
PROs
CONs
Steelwater Standard Duty 16 Long Gun Safe
Product Highlights
Safeguarding larger and heavy-duty firearms require a different type of gun safe that can accommodate the size of the gun and ideally feature more intricate safety and lock procedure. When we say that gun safes are an expensive investment, the luxury Steelwater Standard Duty Gun Safe comes to mind. This luxury model not only features advance technology but is also aesthetically pleasing. The Steelwater Standard Duty 16-Long Gun Safe has a unique glossy black chrome finish and features a relatively large opening handle, a manual safe dial, and uses a number combination lock system.
The Good
The Steelwater Standard Duty Gun Safe provides tons of storage not just for guns but also for other smaller items such as ammo and other valuables. It is built using high-grade 14-gauge steel and has fire rating clearance at 60 minutes.
The Bad
As a long gun safe, the Steelwater Standard Duty 16 Long Gun Safe is notably larger and heavier. This makes the unit difficult to install and would actually require several people to transfer, handle, and mount properly. Despite being one of the top-rated long gun safes in the market, some users complain of actually not having enough clearance to fit 16-long guns and is ideal for shorter 8 to 6-long firearms. Also, some note that the front door is too heavy that it makes the whole safe lean forward unless it is bolted in.
PROs
CONs
Moutec Electronic Rifle Security Cabinet
Product Highlights
The Moutec Electronic Rifle Security Cabinet is one of the top-rated models in the market and is primarily known for its massive storage capacity, strong and durable build, and reliable wall-to-wall protection. This model can easily fit up to 5 rifles, ammo, and other valuables in different lockboxes. It is built with tamper-resistant, pry-proof, and specially crafted steel that makes its strong and solid structure.
The Good
The Moutec Electronic Rifle Security Cabinet is a reliable model that can effectively safeguard your firearms using Smart technology and an electronic lock mechanism. It can be locked using a personal passcode or manually open and shut using a spare key. It also has a wrong access alarm, as well as a quick firearm access option that instantly unlocks the using a different passcode.
The Bad
One of the biggest complaints from users is that, for its price, it is disappointing that the Moutec Electronic Rifle Security Cabinet is not fire-resistant. Some also complain that the unit is relatively lighter than other large gun safes that it needs to be bolted in to avoid theft
PROs
CONs
Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe
Product Highlights
The Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe is a simple yet technologically-packed model that can store up to 4 rifles and uses a high-grade biometric fingerprint sensor. It is built using solid steel walls with tamper-resistant edges, as well as built-in pry-resistant steep deadbolts. Its biometric security is DOJ approved and is considered as one of the most secure safes available in the market today.
The Good
Aside from its praised security and protection features, the Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe is also notable for its sleek black metal shell and polished steel handles that make it a notably good-looking unit.
The Bad
According to some users, the Barska Quick Access Biometric Rifle Safe has a storage capacity ideal for 2 to 3 rifles only. Most users refer to it as a simple and temporary solution for gun storage as it does not offer much in terms of advanced technology and innovation.
PROs
CONs
Things to Consider When Buying a Gun Safe
Material
When it comes to security boxes, it is important to opt for a model that uses high-quality steel that is strong and heavy. Not only is the material serves as a testament to the durability of the unit, but it also signals the model’s anti-theft feature simply because heavy units are nearly impossible to be moved by one person.
Storage Capacity
Firearms aren’t the smallest items to stock and store. So if you’re one that owns multiple rifles and handguns, it is important to opt for a model that can accommodate all of your items without damaging it. Gun vaults are designed specifically to accommodate the lengths of rifles and shotguns as well as properly store gun attachments and ammunition.
Type of Lock Mechanism
In terms of lock and security of the safe, the type of lock mechanism used on the gun safe would have a notable effect on your overall user experience. Typically, the locking mechanism used is often reflected in the product’s price as premium models offer innovative and technology advanced lock systems. Also, the type of lock used also reflects the ease of use and access for the safe.
Generally, biometric locks that use personal identification through fingerprint or retinal scanning are the easiest and most convenient to use. While they are typically the most expensive type, biometric safes are commonly considered as the most secure variant. On the other hand, some models feature both biometric sensors and digital keypads that gives the user the chance to choose which locking mechanism they prefer.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best gun safe for your garage, it is important to consider your space, budget, and purpose. Just like any major purchase, buying a good quality gun safe needs ample time and research so that you could look and see which model would best serve your needs.
Gun safes come in a variety of models, brands, sizes, and prices. So before you put out a couple of hundred bucks for a reliable security cabinet, make sure to do research and look into customer reviews and not solely depend on what the brand is trying to market.