A gun safe doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Here’s a guide on finding the best gun safe within a $500 budget.
Part of your job as a gun owner is keeping your gun safe where others can’t get to it. You don’t want your children, curious guests, and nefarious robbers finding the gun and causing trouble with it.
You can keep it right by your bed, or maybe by your office table in your home.
There are lots of cheap gun safes, but the bad news is that these $100 gun safes aren’t really all that effective as a rule. On the other hand, you don’t have to go overboard either and spend $3,000 or more on a gun safe.
A $500 budget will do nicely, and you can find lots of good options below this price level.
In fact, we’ve done the work and found the suitable options for you to pick from. The final decision is, of course, up to you, but you can do yourself a favor by starting your search for a gun safe with these cost-effective models.
Best Gun Safe Under $500 Comparison Table
| Product | Image | Notable Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| V-Line Hide Away Keyless Security System |  | CA DOJ approval Button combination | Check Today’s Price |
| V-Line Compact Keyless Gun Storage Security Locker |  | CA DOJ approval Button combination | Check Today’s Price |
| Vaultek VE10 |  | Work with an app Opened with a keypad and manual keys | Check Today’s Price |
| Superday Mini Case |  | Sleep mode after 3 failed tries Opened with Keypad & manual keys | Check Today’s Price |
| Steel Patriot Smart Gun Safe |  | Works with an app Bio-metric Authentication & Facial Recognition | Check Today’s Price |
| Console Vault Floor Console Gun Safe for 12-13 Ford F-150 w/ Barrel Lock Key |  | Designed for F-150 pickup | Check Today’s Price |
| BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe |  | Works with an app Fingerprint, keypad, app, and keys | Check Today’s Price |
Top 7 Gun Safe Under $500 Reviews
1. V-Line Hide Away Keyless Security System for Valuables and Firearms
Let’s start with something basic. This is a mechanical safe, which means you won’t have to be frustrated by finicky electronics that require battery power. You just have to put in the right combination and you’re good to go. Others can’t just be lucky and put in a random combination, since there are more than a thousand possibilities.
This V-Line Hide Away model is similar to the bestselling Desk Mate model, except it’s a bit larger. It measures 12.75″ x 11.75″ x 4.75″, which still makes it nice and compact. As the name says, it ought to be hidden away. But it does look nice with its textured powder coat, which is also meant to last for a long while. Its looks are further improved by the great silk-screened detail.
Installing this is easy enough, as it took us maybe half an hour to complete the job. About half an inch of clearance at the back is required so you can slide the safe on the mounting plate. You should use flathead screws so that they sit flush with the pre-drilled holes.
One can install this under the bed or under the desk, or inside the cabinet of your RV. It has holes already drilled in so you can just screw it flush. You can also install this on top of surfaces with the universal mounting bracket, though that’s a separate purchase.
Still, this is a tough gun safe made from steel. It also resists prying due to the recessed door along with the interior pry brackets. The steel lock block is ⅜ of an inch thick. You have 5 buttons to use to open it, and you really should practice on doing this so you won’t have trouble when you need to open it in a hurry.
When you do open it, a tray slides out with enough space for 2 pistols. You also have foam here to protect your items. This shelf is on tracks, so it will slide out easily.
So how good is this? It’s excellent. In fact, it comes with CA DOJ approval. It offers reliable protection without the need for batteries. You don’t waste precious time opening it either. It’s built like a small tank, and a criminal won’t have the time to open this. It’s even too difficult for them to pry it out from its location. This gun safe is under $500.
2. V-Line Compact Keyless Gun Storage Security Locker
If the V-Line Hide Away is too large (or too expensive) for your needs, then you may want to consider this smaller model. This measures just 9.5 by 7.25 by 2 inches. The control knob and 5 buttons are on top, and it swings open on top. Despite its size, this is also CA DOJ-approved and another gun safe under $500.
It looks nice enough, with its simple box design and textured semi-gloss black powder coating. It is also tough though, as it’s made of 18-gauge steel. This is easy enough to secure and open, with the controls on top. Others will have a much harder time, since they have to be lucky enough to get the right combo with more than a thousand possibilities. The hinge is welded at one end and the top cover also has large overlapping sides that makes it a lot more difficult to pry open.
Inside, you have just enough space for a standard pistol. Even a Taurus Judge with a 3-inch barrel will fit right in. If you have a more compact pistol, you can put in an extra mag, and maybe even a box of ammo.
You can bring this with you on your travels, as its compact size is also matched by its weight of just 5 pounds. While you can hide this easily, you may want to secure this to a spot that locks it down in place. It has an elongated hole at the back of the case where you can put in a cable lock.
Again, this is a mechanical gun safe. You don’t need batteries, but you better remember your combination.
3. Vaultek VE10
This is part of the Vaultek Essential Series, and it’s meant for your small handgun. Inside, it measures 9⅞ by 5⅜ by 1½ inches. It comes with padded foam, and there’s an LED light inside as well.
You can slide this in anywhere since it measures just 10½ by 8½ by 2⅛ inches. It has the mounting hardware included, along with the convenient pre-drilled holes. If you’re bringing this in your travels, you can also use a cable to mount this.
This won’t just open from anyone, with its 18-gauge carbon steel construction. It has anti-pry bars to thieves can just pry it open. It won’t open when you drop it either, due to the 2 anti-impact latches. The hinges are on the inside, which means no one can mess with it from the outside.
This has a backlit numbered keypad, so you can just remember your combination to open it. The back lighting helps you in the dark, and it only lights up when the proximity detector senses your hand near it. Also get audio feedback when you push the button, so you won’t have to wonder if you’ve pushed the buttons hard enough.
With more than 40,000 possible combinations, thieves can’t just try out each possible combination to open it. In fact, it also has a sleep mode that activates in 4 minutes.
This is a modern gun safe, and you even get an app for this. The app lets you set up the audio (on or off) and tells you when it’s time to recharge the battery. There’s also an old-fashioned key to open this, just for backup.
This is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery, which can last for 4 months on a full charge. Your purchase comes with a micro-USB cable, so you can recharge it through a standard USB port or even a USB power adapter. It won’t take long to recharge it fully, as you’ll only need 2 and a half hours.
4. Superday Mini Case
This looks like a standard safe, and it doesn’t look all that “mini” either. It actually looks tough and hefty, measuring 9 by 6.7 by 6.7 inches. Still, it’s not that heavy at 10 pounds so it’s still quite portable.
There’s no denying its toughness, as it’s made of solid steel plate. The case structure is also designed to resist prying. In front, you have your numbered keypads from 1-9, so you just enter your number combination to open it. For backup, you have 2 keys as well.
Thieves won’t be able to just guess your number combination, and they only get 3 tries. After 3 wrong tries, an alarm will sound that will scare off your would-be thief.
You have lots of space inside for several handguns, along with your other valuables. Just slide in a shelf for more convenient and safe firearm storage. Mount this properly, and the thief won’t be able to just pick it up and go. Your purchase also comes with screws.
This doesn’t need batteries at all, which is a relief for many of us. Just set it up right and hide away the emergency backup keys. It’s simple enough to use, but still hard for other people to open.
5. Steel Patriot Smart Gun Safe
This looks great, and Steel Patriot took time to give it a nice look because it’s not really meant to be hidden away. You can put it right on your night stand, or you can take it anywhere with you.
It’s not really all that big either, as it measures 13 by 8.7 by 2.7 inches. Inside, you have enough space for a 1911 along with a spare mag and a box of ammo. You have foam padding on the inside as well.
One of its most notable features is that it doesn’t have the usual keypad or dial. There’s nothing here, besides a backup cam lock at the back. This cam lock will even resist pulling and drilling. You get 2 backup keys, and these keys are designed to be very difficult to replicate.
This is designed to be opened with your smartphone, actually. This will connect with your phone through Bluetooth. It can work through biometric authentication and facial recognition, though for this you need an iPhone X. It can even open with proximity mode, for emergencies when you really need that gun, pronto.
The app is where you set it up, and it will tell you when you need to recharge the batteries. It also has a log noting down all attempts to open it, so you’ll know if someone else besides you has tried to open it.
This is one tough case, and all its components are rated to withstand at least a thousand pounds of force. It’s made of 16-gauge steel, with welded corners, anti-pry bends, a massive rear seam, and a lock that resists impact. It’s made in the US, and it’s designed to last a lifetime.
This comes with a rechargeable battery inside, which should last about 4 to 8 months before you need to recharge it.
6. Console Vault Floor Console Gun Safe for 12-13 Ford F-150 w/ Barrel Lock Key
As the name says, this is for the Ford F-150. It’s not surprising that there’s a gun safe meant for this pickup model, since there have been more than 40 million F-150s sold over the years. Instead of just putting your gun in your glove compartment where thieves can easily get at it, you can mount this gun safe securely in your truck instead.
This actually has several options for you to choose from. Some of the particular variants opens with a key. Others have the more popular Keyless 3 Combo Lock, which gives you quick access to your gun when you enter a 3-digit combination. However, there’s now a 4-Digit Mechanical Lock for an extra $35.
You can also pick the model that fits where you want the gun safe to go. Some variants are for under the floor. There are models for under the driver’s seat, or for the armrest in between the 2 front seats. Installation for any of these models shouldn’t be difficult, as it should take you only 20 minutes or so.
All of these safes share several notable features that make them all super tough. They’re made of 12-gauge cold-rolled plate steel. Each one features welded tabs, notch seams, and locks that resist prying and drilling.
Get this if you have an F-150 and you tend to travel a lot with your gun. Now you won’t have to worry with valet service!
7. BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe
There are several ways for you to open this lock. You can use your fingerprint, which will open it in less than a tenth of a second. It also holds up to 20 sets of fingerprints in memory, in case you’ve got other people authorized to open this.
The safe itself is opened with the numbered keypad, once you enter your number password. This is your backup in case something goes wrong with the fingerprint option. You can also use an app for this, and the app lets you adjust your settings as well. Finally, you can also open this with keys.
The interior space measures 11.4 by 7.5 by 2.4 inches. Inside, you have enough space for 2 pistols, and they will rest on the sponge mats. You also have an LED light inside so you can see what you’re getting out.
This is powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery that comes with the gun safe, and a full charge can let you unlock this up to 6,000 times. The case is made from hard carbon steel, and it comes with an anti-cut wire rope for easy mounting anywhere. It offers great value for money as the gun safe is under $500.
Buyer’s Guide: Factors to Consider
These are the features you need to look for before you decide on your final choice:
◘ Size
It should be large enough on the inside for your pistol. On the outside, it should fit right in where you want to place the gun safe. Check for the right mounting hardware as well.
◘ Opening the Lock
Your options include using a key, entering a number combination on a keypad, using your fingerprints, and using an app on your smartphone. Pick one that meets your preferences.
◘ Toughness
It should be made with hard steel, and it shouldn’t open just by dropping it to the floor. Look for other anti-theft features that will deter prying, drilling, or putting in number combos at random.
◘ Convenient Features
It helps a lot if there’s a light inside, and the keypad should be lit as well. Some keypads also beep when you press the buttons, though there should be an option to turn off this feature.
FAQs
♣ What about fireproof gun safes?
These are great for your home, as the fire won’t get to your guns and ammo. The main issue here is that these gun safes tend to be a lot more expensive.
However, you can try the SentrySafe SFW123DSB Fireproof Safe and Stack-On PFS-1608 Personal Steel Fireproof Safe, which won’t cost you more than $500 either. These are meant for pistols.
For your rifles, try the Barska New Fireproof Fire Vault Rifle Gun Keypad Lock Safe Cabinet. This is big enough for 45 rifles and it is also CA DOJ-approved.
♣ What about Cannon gun safes?
It’s true that these Cannon gun safes are terrific. Some of their features, such as USB slots, won’t be found on other gun safes.
However, you’ll also find it hard to find a low-cost Cannon gun safe either. Those high-tech features come with high prices.
♣ Do I need a dehumidifier for my gun safe?
It’s something to think about, since guns and moisture don’t make for a happy combo. Some people just go with desiccants.
However, you may also consider electric dehumidifiers. The most popular options include the Lockdown Dehumidifier Rod and the Stack-On SPAD 100 Wireless Rechargeable dehumidifier.
♣ What if I have a larger budget for my gun safe above $500?
If you have a budget of up to $1,500 then you may want to go with the YUEMA Biometric Gun Safe. Its advanced fingerprint technology is extremely reliable,
The Second Amendment Fire Protection for 1 Hour B-Rated Safe for Weapon Firearms Like Shotgun is another option for the home, especially if you’re a gun collector. This can accommodate 51 rifles.
Conclusion
All of the best gun safe under $500 we mentioned are terrific options. These will offer adequate security while they also allow you to get your guns quickly enough when you need them. Don’t ever say that you can’t afford a gun safe, as we offer you perfectly affordable options. What you can’t afford is to have your gun accessed by a child or by a bad guy!
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