When shopping for a car gun safe, consider whether you're more worried about a tamper-proof design or easy accessibility, as well as whether you want a permanent car fixture or a more portable gun safe.
We like the Fort Knox PB1 for a more permanent, heavy-duty car gun safe, but the SentrySafe QAP1BE biometric safe gives you quick one-handed access for self-defense.
If you're looking for a mix of features, check out our full round-up.
In light of recent headlines, we released a report on how concerned Americans are about gun violence.
Product | Best for | Price | Type of lock | Material | Weight | Car attachment | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for Reliability | $299.00 | Mechanical push button | 10-gauge steel | 22 lbs | None | View on Amazon | |
| Best biometric safe | $299.99 | Biometric, code keypad, backup keyed lock | 16-gauge carbon steel | 5.2 lbs | Steel security cable, mounting hardware | View on Amazon | |
| Best for budget | $39.99 | Keyed lock | 18-gauge steel | 3 lbs | 1,500-lb. test security cable | View on Amazon | |
| Best lightweight safe | $33.99 | Keyed lock | Impact-resistant polycarbonate | 1.6 lbs | Steel security cable | View on Amazon | |
| Best single-handed access | $185.74 | Biometric/fingerprint scanner, code keypad, backup tubular keyed lock | steel | 12 lbs | None | View on Amazon | |
| Best key-coded safe | $99.95 | Code keypad, backup tubular keyed lock | 20-gauge steel | 4 lbs | Steel cable | View on Amazon |
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
With durable construction and reliable simplicity, the Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe lives up to its namesake and earns the top spot on our list—even though it's pricey.
Its mechanical lock and tamper-resistant design make it a great choice for security, but it tips the scales at a whopping 22 pounds. The already durable design was given an upgrade in 2017 to make it even more tamper-resistant, and we're impressed by the hefty ten-gauge steel construction.
Push-button mechanical lock
Sturdy construction
Gas-strut assisted door
Lifetime warranty
Made in the USA 
High price tag
No mounting hardware Heavy doesn't mean awkward when it comes to this safe; gas struts help the safe's door raise and lower safely, making it easier to open and close. While it does have holes for mounting, it doesn't come with the hardware needed to secure it to your car.
The smooth steel underside of the Fort Knox safe makes it prone to sliding across carpeting. If you're going to keep it in your car, we recommend purchasing bolts or screws and using the mounting holes in the bottom to secure it to the floor of your vehicle.
Fort Knox attaches a lifetime warranty to its safes and internal locking mechanisms to warrant them "free from defects in material or workmanship" for as long as you own them.
Because Fort Knox manufactures all of its safes right here in the US, the company maintains a high standard of quality control and is highly responsive to concerns about design flaws in its products.
The Vaultek VT20i is one of the most expensive car gun safes on our list, but its fancy features and anti-tampering qualities may make the price tag worth it.
For example, the Vaultek's anti-pry bars close any gaps between the lid and the main compartment so it can't be pried open, and special anti-impact latches prevent the safe from popping open when hit or dropped. The hinges are mounted on the interior of the safe so they can't be tampered with.
Tamper protection
Fast access
Key and code backups
Smartphone technology
Interior lighting
Access for multiple users
Stealth mode
Expensive
Unreliable
Battery-operated Biometric technology allows you to program in your fingerprint so you can access your safe by swiping your finger across the scanner. You can program up to twenty different fingerprints in the Vaultek, giving multiple users access to the gun safe.
Don't worry about the biometric scanner being unreliable if your finger is wet, dirty, or even has a paper cut. The Vaultek comes with both a coded keypad and backup keys for manual unlocking.
With the free Vaultek app, you can view your safe's history to see when it was locked and unlocked, check the battery status, remotely unlock it, and turn the keypad sound on and off.
The Vaultek has an interior LED light that automatically turns on when the lid opens, making it easy to see your valuables in the dark.
If you're in a dangerous situation, you might not want to announce that you're accessing your gun safe with loud beeping from the scanner or keypad. The Vaultek allows you to toggle off the sound so you can silently access your firearm.
Note that the Vaultek requires a lithium-ion battery that needs to be recharged every four months. The charging kit is included with the safe, but it might be more hassle than you want for a gun safe.
No matter what kind of vehicle gun safe you get, take the time to practice opening it under a variety of conditions, and practice using all available methods to open it. Depending on the style of safe, this may include using a biometric scanner, keypad code, or actual key. If you're right handed, try opening it with your left hand, and vice versa. Being comfortable with your safe could save you valuable seconds when it really counts.
The Nanovault's small size and light weight make it a good, basic, and inexpensive option for traveling, but its insubstantial construction and easy-to-cut cable will probably only deter the casual burglar.
We like its simple design that's straightforward enough for anyone to use. At around $40, the Nanovault is one of the most budget-friendly gun safes for those needing an inexpensive way to secure their firearm.
Compact design
Cable included
Five-year warranty
Affordable price
Simple access
Flimsy keys
Vulnerable cable and lock At only 9.5 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches, the Nanovault is about the size of a hardback book, making it just big enough to fit a gun, but small enough to fit neatly in your luggage.
A 1,500-lb. test cable is included with the Nanovault, making it easy to secure to a fixed object in your home or car.
The Nanovault's five-year warranty covers loss against fire and burglary for five years, and it also protects against vault defects for one year.
No need to memorize a code or worry about programming a fingerprint—the Nanovault's keyed lock is straightforward, so it's easy to access your gun in a hurry.
Unfortunately, the keys for the Nanovault have a flimsy plastic casing, and they might not hold up well if they're attached to the keychain you use every day.
If you're looking for something truly lightweight and easy to carry, the SnapSafe Treklite is ideal.
Portable
Impact-resistant
Affordable
Vulnerable cable and lock
Battery-operated At only 1.6 lbs., it's one of the lightest car gun safes on the market, but it's not flimsy: it's made of an impact-resistant polycarbonate, with the same strength as its heavier steel counterparts. It retails for less than $20, and it comes with a security cable to attach to your car.
Like the Nanovault, it may be compromised by someone who's prepared with tools, but it's a decent deterrent for the smash-and-grab criminal.
The SentrySafe QAP1BE is another biometric safe that is made to fit one standard handgun. It's designed with a gas strut to help you open the safe quickly and quietly with one hand. It requires AA batteries.
Fast access
Steel construction
Includes backup override key
Battery-operated
No interior light If you want to use a car safe for your everyday carry firearm, be sure to get a safe or console vault that will fit both your gun and your holster. It's much easier—and safer—to remove your entire holster with your gun inside rather than having to draw your weapon when you're sitting in the cramped quarters of a car.
The “no eyes” keypad on the GunVault is the next best thing to biometrics if you want quick access to your weapon. With over twelve million code combinations and a built-in tamper-detecting lockout feature that kicks in after several failed attempts to enter the code, it’s unlikely that a burglar would be able to thwart this safe.
Fast access
Tamper detection
Includes backup override key
Twenty-gauge steel construction
Battery-operated keypad (nine-volt battery not included) The safe also includes a backup override key and a security cable, but it doesn’t include the nine-volt battery required for the keypad operation, and its twenty-gauge steel construction is the weakest of the safes on our list.
As a general rule, the higher the gauge, the thinner the steel. A ten-gauge sheet of steel is approximately 0.14 inches thick, while a twenty-gauge piece of steel is 0.38 inches thick. The lower the gauge, the thicker and heavier the steel will be.
TSA gun safe standards are fairly simple: the firearm must be in a hard-sided, locked case. The California Department of Justice (CDOJ) standards for gun safes are more stringent and include specifications like the number of possible combinations for a combination lock, thickness and number of locking bolts, and a minimum thickness of twelve-gauge steel for the shell. Many gun owners consider the CDOJ standards to be the minimum quality standards for gun safes. Visit TSA.gov to find out more about the guidelines for legally transporting firearms and ammunition by commercial airliner.
A console vault is designed based on the specifications of your vehicle’s make and model in order to fit inside the center console. Most have keyed locks and are a semi-permanent car attachment. A car gun safe is usually a notebook-shaped box that can fit underneath the seat of your car, and it’s often attached by a cable. Some car safes are stored in the trunk and bolted down.
Most car gun safes and travel safes will be large enough to fit an average 9 mm handgun like a Glock 17 (total length: 7.3 inches) or a .38 like a Ruger LCR (6.5 inches), which are the most common calibers for everyday carry. If, however, you need to store something larger, like a Desert Eagle (10.6 inches) or a larger revolver, pay close attention to the dimensions of the safe you choose, as you may need something larger than average.
To research the best gun safes, we compared the various makes and models available, talked to gun owners about the features that are most important to them, and studied a wide variety of reviews from firearms experts and locksmiths. Visit our methodology to learn more.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
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