Want the quickest access gun safe to protect yourself and your family?
Find out my recommendations for all budgets…then see the safes in action with my actual home defense and CCW pistols.
And finally, learn the top criteria I used in selecting my personal bedside gun safe so you can apply it to your home situation.
And now we have a full YouTube video on our favorite safes that we cover in the article:
If that helped, please subscribe to our YouTube channel since we’re adding new videos every week!
Without further ado, here’s our favorite picks.
Summary of Our Top Picks
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Editor's Pick: Discreet BiometricDiscreet safe with fast/accurate biometrics and lots of tech.
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Affordable Biometric SafeAffordable option that gives you fingerprint and button capability.
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Best Ready PositionQuick access electronic lock that drops the gun into a ready position.
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Table of Contents
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Best Bedside Quick Access Handgun Safes
1. Fort Knox FTK-PB
Through all my research and asking around, I ended up with the Fort Knox FTK-PB Simplex Handgun Safe after a less than optimal buy or two.
It met and exceeded all the criteria I had set out for myself. I do not regret my decision and I tell all my new gun owner friends to get their own.
And each and every one loves it after install.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Quick Access
“Simplex” means that instead of electronic keys, a rotary dial, or biometrics, it uses mechanical buttons that provide good feedback and allow me to open the safe in around 1.5 seconds.
*2023 Update*: 7 years worth of usage and going strong for my simplex safe.
Also picked up a second upgraded one! More details below in the Protectionsection.
All I do is put in my 2-stage code and turn the knob clockwise. An example of a 2-stage code would be pressing the 1st and 3rd button simultaneously, followed by pressing the 5th button.
I also like that I can previously input the code and turn the knob clockwise but not actually open the top. This means you can have super fast access to it at night if you open it before you go to bed.
Reliable
I wanted something that, like my self-defense gun, would “always go bang.” The Simplex lock is American made (as is the entire safe) and does not need batteries, like so many of the popular safes out there, need for electronic keys or biometrics. Also, no beeps and reading errors that could get you killed. There’s a lifetime warranty too.
2 years in of nearly weekly use…it’s still going strong with no messups. Plus the foam is still good even after some oil dripped out from my gun.
Adequate Protection
The safe is really heavy (~20 lbs) since it has 3/16″ steel doors and 10 gauge steel bodies. I feel confident if it ever fell off a truck, or got attacked by a crowbar, it would put up a good fight. I also like that the corners and sides are folded in to make prying much harder.
I got a second one recently that is upgraded with a plate behind the Simplex lock that guards against smash attacks.
Space
Plenty of space for my full-size Glock 17 and extra mag.
There’s also two layers of foam underneath my gun and I feel confident that you could put at least one more full sized pistol in there if you wanted.
Mountable
4 pre-drilled holes on the bottom for easy mounting.
Cons
It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty close. The first few things I don’t like are nit-picky but the last one can be a deal breaker for you.
First is that it’s susceptible to water damage. My wife left a cold cup of something in the top left which formed condensation and left a pattern. It does slowly go away in a few months though.
The foam around the hinge gets in the way of closing but is easily addressed by just cutting it off. Here’s the finished product.
However the newer version fixes this as well with a better lifter too.
And the potential deal breaker is that it only has 1081 combinations that any smart child could try in a relatively short amount of time. However, if you don’t have kids yet, or plan on concealing the safe, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
What’s your take on the Fort Knox?
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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2. Vaultek DS2i Smart Station
The Vaultek Smart Station sits on my work desk as a discreet tabletop alarm clock which just happens to hold a H&K VP9 with an extra mag.
Besides the clock and safe aspect, it also gives you temperature and humidity data…plus a wireless charging option at the top.
Reliable: Access is via biometric finger scan, capacitive buttons, Bluetooth app access, or even a single press “Nano key.” The biometrics are top notch with scan and drawer open in under two seconds. See it in action here:
Adequate Protection: Coming in at around 10 lbs, the unit feels sturdy and the rubber feet prevent any unwanted side movement. You could probably pry into it with the right tools and time but this safe depends more on being hidden in plain sight.
Space: As shown above it can hold a full-sized handgun and an extra mag with ease.
Mountable: You’ll probably want this in the standard position which works great for bedside or work desk applications. It does come with a cable tether to prevent someone walking away with it easily.
The app is also great with customization of the front data, lights, sounds, etc. And lets you know the history and tamper attempts.
The only con I can give is that you need to have installed the app to enable temperature and humidity on the front panel.
Overall…my favorite for a discreet and tech-heavy handgun safe.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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3. Awesafe Biometric
Looking for an affordable electronic safe that reads fingerprints AND has buttons?
Reliable: I’m still a fervent supporter of pure mechanical…but this nice biometric lock is still great depending on your own personal preferences. Otherwise there’s still the backup of buttons.
Adequate Protection: Definitely less robust feeling than the Fort Knox but it’s still acceptable. The lid is pry-resistant but given enough time and some tools someone can get in.
Space: Good amount of space to fit whatever you’ll likely need next to your bed or closet.
Mountable: Comes with holes in the back to mount or add a safety cable.
Overall a great budget option that’s electronic but has decent fingerprint capabilities and also buttons.
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4. GunVault SpeedVault & 1000S
What I recommend to people who want pretty good quality but at a lower price point. The GunVault SpeedVault and the GunVault 1000S are top sellers with great reviews for electronic locking safes.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Quick Access: Quick access in the 2-second range. Video later shows slight speed reduction in taking out a handgun for the side opening models such as the 1000S.
Reliable: Not as reliable in my opinion as mechanical Simplex locks, but tons of people swear by them. I’d be comfortable using them if I were to unlock them before going to sleep. Can turn off the key entry sounds for “stealth” mode.
Adequate Protection: Tight fittings and thick steel meet my requirements for protection against burglars and nosy guests. 12 million combinations so the possibility of someone brute force trying all of them are much less likely. However, it still has a key override so keep it hidden.
Space: If it can fit a full-size 1911 style handgun, it will fit my Glock 17. Other GunVault models are available for smaller or bigger storage needs.
Mountable: Easy to mount and the SpeedVault defines what it means to be a bedside or desk side safe with its ingenious opening mechanism.
5. Vaultek V20i & V10i
Want a reliable fingerprint and Bluetooth accessible safe that looks sweet? Check out the Vaultek VT20i and VT10i.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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We conducted a full review, but here’s the gist:
Quick Access: 4 easy ways to access your firearm: key, number code, fingerprint, or Bluetooth app.
Reliable: Fingerprint scanner was a little iffy when our fingers were wet. But the other options were 100%. If using this for your bedside gun safe…I’d stick with the number code.
Adequate Protection: Very robust feeling that resists drops and hits. Plus pry-resistant.
Space: The smaller VT10i will hold most handguns with a mag or two to spare while the larger VT20i will accommodate 4″ revolvers and full-sized handguns with 3+ mags.
Mountable: Comes with two pre-drilled holes and screws. Plus cable attachment.
We’ve also reviewed their newest and biggest version…the MXi Handgun Safe.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Want more fingerprint-activated gun safes? We have our roundup of the Best Biometric Gun Safes.
6. Vaultek LifePod & LifePod 2.0
A relatively newcomer from Vaultek…the LifePod.
It’s what I use when I travel by car since it’s portable, discreet with its slingbag, and still able to be tethered down when you’re staying put at a hotel or Airbnb.
I leave it unlocked if it’s just me where I’m staying, but otherwise I unlock the latches and leave it still requiring a code to open.
Here it is in action!
It’s pretty compact but holds enough for my needs…a compact pistol with light and a mag on the side.
Quick Access: Have a little more protection with the latches, or leave it with just the key option.
Reliable: No problems with very wet fingers since the keys are capacitive and there’s no fingerprint option. Note you’ll have to
Adequate Protection: Heavy but not too heavy. Slingbag also offers some cushioning. Has survived quite a few falls. Older generations had a physical exploit but Vaultek quickly remedied it and sent owners retrofit kits. Fastest company response I’ve seen!
I highly recommend the Vaultek Lifepod for a traveling quick access case.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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There’s also the larger LifePod 2.0 now that can hold two handguns.
Or some other goodies if you use their tray instead of foam.
I use mine to hold my holstered CCW gun when not in use. The main purpose is to keep it away from the little ones or wandering eyes.
I had to go with the special edition camo version plus a regular black version…
Check em out here:
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Safe Selection Criteria
Selecting a gun safe might be actually harder than what you went through selecting your handgun.
There’s so much stuff out there across so many price ranges. I’ll try to make it easier by going through my top criteria when selecting my actual bedside gun safe.
- Quick Access: My home defense pistol will be going in this safe and in a defensive situation, I want to be able to access it in around 1-2 seconds.
- Reliable: I’ll likely be groggy and fumbling around in the dark. Is the safe 100% reliable and easy to use in that state?
- Adequate Protection: Expensive and less used guns go into my larger and more secure safe. This bedside version is just to deter smash & grab burglars or to stop a nosy guest. I’m not looking for extreme child or fire protection here.
- Space: Enough of it to hold a full sized handgun like my Glock 17.
- Mountable: I make sure that the safe is small enough to be mounted high the closet or nightstand drawer so it’s harder to access for small children and won’t just walk away with someone.
Conclusion
Hopefully, I helped you out a little in choosing the right bedside gun safe for your purpose.
Looking for long guns or bigger safes? Check out our huge Best Gun Safes article!
89 Leave a Reply
I like my Bladetech Tek-Mount receiver...easy access
Does any of vaulteks stuff actually fit pistols with optics and wml?
Printable targets aren't showing up on site.
I believe MaxSafes has all these beat with their vein recognition technology. Certainly the only safe I will consider as it’s truly the only one that can’t be opened by anyone else!
I asked vaultek if leaving the life pod 2.0 with the latches undone would be okay to lock and unlock. They suggested not doing it as it can bind locking mechanism. I wanted to do this for quick access but vaultek CS said it wouldn't be covered under warranty if it binds up.
NONE of these safes are worth a darn! Spend some time with the Lock Picking Lawyer on YouTube and you'll find out what I'm talking about. If you have kids in the house. Teach them about gun safety, Teach them about proper gun handling. Anything gun safe sold by Amazon is GARBAGE and can be opened in seconds with basic tools using a low skill attack.
Stop the preaching based on only your views and circumstances. If these have no value to you, why are you here?
Re: wife and ring on gun safe.
My wife is roughly 120 lbs she can bend rebar in one hand while picking the lock with a knitting needle. None of them say, wife proof.
You haven't seen it all, until you checkout Titan-Pistol-Vault
Budget safe shown is 169 on Amazon. Seems like quite a price jump in one month of 40 dollars. You should update with a real budget safe
Hey Jon, we try to update articles regularly, but sometimes prices jump before we can make it to the update.
Any concerns about how easy the vaulters can be opened with a paper clip and small flat blade screwdriver, or is that not part of the criteria?
Get Titan-Pistol-Vault, it covers all your concerns.
A word of caution on two concepts: biometrics and silencers. Buyer beware. As a human factors and ergonomics expert, I've tested a number of products and found sales promotionals often exceed the items' capabilities or characteristics. For example, the biometric safes tested are not 100% reliable; far from it. Failures we found in different products ranged from 60% to 90%. Our most recent test was conducted earlier this year on a promising product. It performed better than earlier products, yet it, too, failed at a high rate.
The technology is still a bit raw and if you seek reliable access, biometrics require more refinement before they become viable. If you depend upon a biometric as you would a parachute--and you should--then the reliability cannot be less than 100%.
Hollywood scenes depicting silencers are utter garbage. Anyone who has used a silencer has likely experienced the loud report they still emit, even on air rifles. 'Silencer' is inappropriate term. Are there significant noise suppression systems out there? Perhaps. If you find one advertised as such, it would be well to request the dealer allow test firing at their range to see if it meets your needs.
Best safe for me is my sock drawer right beneath my head. When grandkids are around then I lock them in my safe.
We live in a world where no one is responsible for their actions. It's up to other people to manage our behavior. No thank you. My weapon is at hand 24/7/365. All of the items in this article are utterly worthless. Be responsible for yourselves. It's not the governments job to protect you. It's YOUR JOB!
A trigger lock is also a simple approach to provide this protection. Unless they have the combination, these locks will prevent individuals from firing or using the firearm.
Just make sure you have a good one. The Lock Picking Lawyer on Youtube shows that many of these can be disassembled, picked or just plain broken apart by hand quickly.
Sure, that’s a good solution to preventing misuse of the firearm by others. But not something I want to have to figure out at 2 AM when a bad guy just busted in my front door.
I always wonder, whats a good "road safe." What I mean is if you carrying and visiting family, I would like to lock it away in my luggage somehow. Something good enough for an EDC and two mags.
Anyone have any thoughts?
I bought a Lifepod 1.0 for my S&W Shield and it holds the pistol + 2 mags, but just barely. The buttons beep when pressed and the 1.0 version doesn't have easy-to-cut foam as the newer version does, so your pistol will slide around or the safe will have to be "smushed" hard to close. Costco has the 1.0 version for $99 right now so the price is right and I'm confident that it would take quite some effort to get this thing open. It has a cable that you can use to secure it, as well. If I were to do it again, I'd buy the Lifepod 2.0 because it's bigger, has the pre-sliced foam and would fit a few other things, like a wallet, watch or knife. With the Shield and two mags in the 1.0, there's hardly room for a matchbook.
Handgun Safe Research did a youtube review on the Fort Knox PB1, showing it being easily broken into by knocking the lock through with a hammer and screwdriver. I was all for it till I saw how easy that was to break. However, I can't see any other handgun safes on the market with a physical combo entry (not electronic) that wouldn't have the same issue. I would go for a regular safe, but then you have humidity and rusting issues (in long term). For nearly $300, I just don't know if that Fort Knox is worth it if so easily gotten into.
checkout out "handgun safe research's" most recent video on the fort knox. They fixed that security flaw.
I chose a StopBox. VERY few combinations. Difficult to open though because the spread of the buttons and the force required. Small children would be unlikely to have the strength to access it. INCREIDBLY fast access. I’d ask for Eric to take a peek at it, but I am not 100% that it will keep a full size. Fits my 19 well. Not sure about the 17.
At only $90, it’s worth a look. Not perfect and made of polymer, not steel.
Please review the Hornady Rapid safes that have touch free technology & I’m pretty sure they have a spring or hydraulic arm so it opens quickly as well. I also think it’s got security measures to make it more difficult for a thief to pry it open.
Note on the Gun Vault GV1000C - I owned one of these and used it for about 6 years, then one day the spring opening mechanism stopped working. You could hear the click, but it wouldn't open. Gun Vault customer service stated it was beyond the ONE YEAR warranty and offered no help. I guess maybe to be expected at the price point but I am glad it did not fail in an emergency situation. I had tossed the key out (IMO what is the point of having a gun safe to prevent child access if you are going to have a key the child can find), so I had to pry it open with a prybar to retrieve my gun. Took about 2 minutes to get it open. I really loved the spring opening concept, when it worked for the first 6 years. Thank you for your reviews! Very helpful when trying to select my new safe.
Same issue with mine.
SecureIT FastBox
Please review the Hornady Rapid Safe Noght Guard.
I am searching for a gun safe now. I REALLY want to love the Fort Knox safe, but just saw a video on youtube of a guy popping one open with a screwdriver and hammer in about 20 seconds. It is very disheartening.
Having gone through a similar search for an effective motorcyle lock about a year go, "consumer-level" security products are one area where technology has not provided us any benefits in line with progress.
Most of the safes in the review can be defeated with things like magnets and paperclips if you look around on the web. I am sure that thiefs do.
Guess it's just a compromise between convenience and security.
I have an awesafe biometric 2gun safe. It has 30 fingerprint storage, 4 digit code and barrel lock key. It holds 2compact pistols (G43x + TP9 SC) with room for an extra for each. It weighs 14.3 lbs and has 2 holes for bolt down. So far, it is working well.
I have a Hornady Rapid Safe, I wear a RFID bracelet that will give me access to my firearm in a moments notice, works great for me and I feel it deserves a special mention!
Fort Knox is as close to perfect for me as it gets - I have several. To the comment about things being placed on top of top-opening - - I have mine bolted to heavy-duty drawers of just the right depth such that there is not possiblity to cover them. - RodG
Another great choice along these lines is the Titan Pistol Vault from Titan Security Products. Their design has a mechanical lock, numerous mounting options, an optional magazine holder accessory, and it's built like a tank. Been very happy with this product.
I have had the Fort Knox for several years and it is well built and simple to use. Can't recommend though. Knob to the lock came off although product never mistreated and just sits in a drawer under my bed. No replacement parts available. Should be for this price or covered under warranty, which it was not after contacting manufacturer.
I totally agree + highly recommend the Fort Knox is the best bedside safe, I have had 1 for about 4 years and have practiced opening it in total darkness and it has never failed. They also make 2 different models, 1 is top opening + the other is front opening. Great suggestion to open it at night so your not fumbling around when seconds matter!
THE TROUBLE WITH BEDSIDE TOP OPENING SAFES IS THAT THINGS CAN GET PUT ON TOP - GLASS OF WATER, BOOKS, KLEENEX, PILLS ETC WHEN SPACE IS AT A MINIMUM - HENCE FRONT OPENING, SILENT OPS SEEMS BETTER - I ONCE SAW A FRONT OPENING SAFE WHERE A SHELF CARRYING THE GUN SLID OUT BY ITSELF FOR INSTANT PRESENTATION - I BELIEVE IT WAS BIOMETRIC AND HAD GOOD REPORTS - BUT I CAN NO LONGER FIND IT - RING ANY BELLS?
I just received my Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard, from Midway. Special rebate now available. It resembles an alarm clock. Front opening, spring assisted. I'm very happy with my safe, price and design. Comes with keys, digital keypad, 4 RFID openers-2 adhesive discs, 1 key chain fob(flat-nice!), and a bracelet style fob.
Pro's- Sturdy, opens quickly and easily, roomy, good security features. LED functions NOT visible like some pics. show.
Con's- HORNADY label is too visible on battery compartment, pretty large footprint for a clock. RFID on bracelet is on the CLASP side not the "fob" side? Doesn't make sense and awkward .
Bottom Line: Fully recommend it! Love it.
Eric,
You may want to review a YouTube channel named "The Lock Picking Lawyer". He reviewed a couple of the safes you list here and you might change your mind when you see how easy safes such as Stack-On have their locks bypassed.
Almost every manufacturer has known about this for some time and either 1) fixed all more recent models of said safes, or 2)can send a special object to someone who purchased older models so that the ‘fork trick’ cannot work any longer. Most of those videos are pretty old actually.
What are your thoughts on the GunBox 2.0 or GunBox Echo?
Great article, how about one on car safes.
Hornady rapidsafes are the best options I've ever seen. Rfid, battery backup, physical key, and a key code give it all the options. The 2600kp can hold an m&p 2.0 3.6, and the 4800kp can hold much larger guns or even two of them. I have their vehicle safe as well but haven't installed it. The rfid options are plenty and you can put the same tags to all your safes that they make in that line.
What do you think of the Verifi S5000 safes? Expensive but you can find them half off on eBay. That’s probably why there aren’t many reviews yet