10 Best Gun Safes Under $500 of 2023
Owning a firearm is a constitutionally guaranteed freedom in the United States, but with great freedom comes great responsibility, and nowhere is this truer than when it comes to safely storing your firearms. Gun safes provide a secure method of gun storage that keeps weapons out of the hands of restricted people, such as children, criminals, and the mentally ill.
Gun safes can be expensive, but keeping your firearms stored safely and securely doesn’t have to drain your bank account. If you don’t want to spend a fortune, you don’t have to. Just check out our guide to finding the best gun safe under $500.
Top 10 Gun Safes Under $500 Table
| Picture | Name | Type | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 1. Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe | Handgun | $$ | 4.8 |
  | 2. awesafe Gun Safe with Fingerprint ID & Biometric Lock | Handgun | $ | 4.7 |
  | 3. VAULTEK VT 20i Biometric Bluetooth Smart Safe | Handgun | $$$ | 4.7 |
  | 4. Moutec Large Rifle Safe, Quick Access | Rifle | $$ | 4.6 |
  | 5. Stealth Handgun Hanger Safe | Handgun | $$ | 4.6 |
  | 6. V-Line Quick Access Keyless Shotgun Safe | Shotgun | $$ | 4.5 |
  | SentrySafe QAP2E Gun Safe | Handgun | $ | 4.3 |
  | 8. BARSKA Biometric Safe | Handgun | $$ | 4.3 |
  | 9. Stack-On GCB-18C 18-Gun Convertible Security Cabinet | Rifle | $$ | 4.1 |
  | Best Choice Products Steel Electronic Storage Safe | Rifle | $$ | 4.1 |
How to Choose an Affordable Gun Safe
There are several things to consider before purchasing any gun safe. Here are just a few of them.
The Gauge of the Steel
When it comes to steel, the lower the number, the thicker the steel. For example, 10-gauge steel is thicker and more durable than 12-gauge. A higher gauge steel will make your gun safe lighter and easier to move. Keep in mind this is true whether you are attempting to move it to clean behind it, or if a criminal is trying to move it out of the house.
Fire Rating
Most gun safes are layered with fireboard to maintain a cooler interior temperature in the event of a house fire. If you intend to store important documents or cash inside of your gun safe, you want to look for a gun safe with the best fire rating that you can afford.
Size
The types and number of firearms you plan to store in your gun safe will influence the size you need. Will you be storing handguns, rifles, or both? Be sure you plan ahead and consider space for future firearms purchases. Upgrading to a larger gun safe in the future may not be an option. Often a gun safe is a once-in-a-lifetime purchase, so you want to be prepared.
You will also need to consider where the safe will be in your home. If you live in a fifth-floor apartment, it isn’t practical to purchase a massive gun safe, because you may never be able to get it up the stairs.
Locks
Today’s gun safes feature several distinct types of locking mechanisms.
- Mechanical Combination Locks. Like the lock on your old high school gym locker, these are the most common and reliable type of gun safe lock. They can only be opened by someone who knows the correct combination. However, opening them can take some time and it can be difficult to fumble through the combination when under stress or in a hurry.
- Electronic Combination Locks. With these locks, you just punch in your combination. They are extremely fast and you can usually set your own combination to make it easier to remember. Batteries may need to be replaced periodically, and it may be impossible to gain access to the safe when the electronic mechanism doesn’t have power. In this situation, a change of batteries is necessary before you can punch in your combination and get into the safe.
- Key Locks. This type of locking mechanism is most common on old-fashioned gun cabinets. They aren’t commonly used for today’s gun safes because they can more easily be broken into.
- Biometric Locks. These locks work by reading a fingerprint. In recent years, these types of locks have become popular for handgun safes because they allow quick access to secured weapons. However, they may not be as reliable as mechanical or electronic combination locks.
Top 3 Gun Safe Under $500 Reviews
Let’s get into detailed reviews of the top three best gun safes under $500 on the market today!
1. Fort Knox PB1
Moreover, the lock on the safe is very sturdy and ensures smooth and quick opening. It’s pretty lightweight and the lock is a Simplex lock that won’t be a hassle to open or close.
It’s even possible to attach the safe to the floor so it can’t be stolen. We found that the safe is made of 10-gauge steel which makes it very sturdy and very durable.
This safe will go a long way in protecting your guns and keeping them safe. Don’t miss out!
Specifications
- Color: Textured Grey
- Brand: Fort Knox
- Lock: Electronic
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Is Waterproof: Yes
Features
- Has 10-gauge steel for maximum protection
- Ideal simple locking and unlocking system
- Has the capacity to store two firearms
- Keypad for advanced protection
- Can be bolted to the floor
What we like
- Highly durable
- Very high quality
- User friendly
- Secure
- Lots of features
2. Awesafe Gun Safe – Best Bedside Safe
This is a biometric safe, which means that your firearms will be fingerprint-protected. But that’s not the only way you can open this safe. There are two other convenient ways: keys and digits.
We tried it and the fingerprint access can store 30 fingerprints at one time, which makes it easy to have shared access to the case with a small circle of people.
This safe is one of the best, safest, and most durable on the market. The codes and the buttons on the safe are very silent. It weighs around 10 pounds, so it’s generally easy to carry around if you feel like it.
Lastly, if you’re still not sold, it even has a blue light feature that helps you find the case at night. All in all, this is a very solid investment!
Specifications
- Date First Available : October 9, 2020
- Manufacturer : awesafe
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Type: Biometric
Features
- A biometric feature that accommodates several fingerprints at one
- A backup accessibility mechanism
- Blue light feature for nighttime
- Very silent buttons
- Three ways for unlocking: keys, codes, and fingerprints
What we like
- Highly durable
- Very high quality
- User friendly
- Biometric system
- Blue light feature
3. VAULTEK VT20i
Finally, this safe even comes with an amazing and responsive alarm system that alerts you as soon as someone tries to tamper with the safe.
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Brand: VAULTEK
- Lock Type: Key
- Material: 16-gauge high tensile steel
- Alarm: Tamper Alarm, Security Alarm
Features
- Has a rechargeable lithium ion battery
- Has a smart safe technology system
- Has a biometric scanner that allows for fingerprint access
- Allows quick access to your handguns
Things to look for
- Highly durable
- Very high quality
- Biometric system
- Smart safe technology system
- Very compact
