Best Overall
Vaultek VR10 Smart Handgun Safe
The Vaultek VR10 deserves a top spot because of its impressive features, such as portability and slim design. The safe is made of thick 18-gauge steel and includes anti-pry reinforcement bars to ensure your weapon is protected from unauthorized access. However, the safe can only store a single pistol because of its small size.
Arguably, the most compelling reason to purchase a gun is to arm yourself against an intruder and defend your family. However, having secure storage for your weapon is just as important. You should have a convenient and safe location to access your gun during an emergency quickly; otherwise, your weapon is useless.
Nightstand gun safes are one of the convenient places you can store your weapon. They are safe, compact, easy to mount, and can fit easily beside your bed or nightstand drawer. Unlike the other types of gun safes, they also provide quick and convenient access in case of emergencies.
In this post, we’ll explain the must-have features of a nightstand gun safe along with our top picks!
Compare the Best Nightstand Gun Safe
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Types of Nightstand Gun Safe
Nightstand safes come in different designs. At first, you might think that these are only for cosmetic appeal until you start using one. So before you purchase a nightstand gun safe, it is extremely important to consider the design since this can affect the way you are going to access your pistols. Before investing your money, carefully consider the design that gives you more comfort and convenience.
Some of the common designs are:
Pistol Safe with Door or Lid
If you are looking for gun safes that can be accessed the traditional way, then the door or lid types might be the best one for you. As the name suggests, the safe comes with a door or lid on top which you can open easily to access your pistol. Some high-end pistol safes also come with hydraulic arms for a faster and smoother opening of the door.
Drawer Type Pistol Safe
One advantage of having a drawer-type pistol safe is that it provides easier access compared to a traditional door-type safe. No need to dig through the inside of your safe to find your pistol as it is right in front of you the moment you open the safe. Moreover, the slide-out compartments also offer a larger space that can fit at least two handguns. So if you are a big fan of slide open safes, then this might be the right match for you.
Holster Style Gun Safe
As the name suggests, this type of nightstand gun safe comes in a holster shaped container. Your pistol is safely stored in a vertical mounting enclosure that gives natural access during emergencies. Most holster-type gun safes are secured with an electronic keypad or biometric scanner to ensure authorized access. However, this type of bedside gun safe can only accommodate one pistol due to its small size and design.
How We Choose and Must-Have Features
Choosing the right nightstand gun safe for the first time can be overwhelming due to so many available brands. Apart from the security, accessibility, and durability, you also need to consider the price point that fits within your budget.
For this guide, we have summarized below the most important factors every gun owner must consider when choosing a nightstand gun safe.
Mountable Design
A nightstand gun safe must be securely mounted so that it won’t be easily stolen or accessed by anyone, especially curious children. Depending on the design of your chosen safe, you can choose the ones with mounting plates, pre-drilled holes, and additional accessories so that the safe can be mounted to any surface. Nightstand safes can be mounted vertically or horizontally in any place you prefer, such as under a desk, on your bedside area, or a wall. You can also add a wire leash to prevent theft.
Security and Adequate Protection
Nightstand gun safes should provide enough protection against unauthorized access. Keep in mind, however, that these types of gun safes mostly do not protect expensive firearms from calamities like fire. The goal of having bedside gun safes is to provide you with easy access and protection from nosy guests and thieves. If you are looking for something more heavy-duty, fire-proof, and with large space to accommodate multiple firearms, then a nightstand gun safe won’t be enough - you’ll need larger, heavy-duty gun storage.
Quick Access
During an emergency, accessing your gun within 1 to 2 seconds is crucial. Quick accessibility has a lot to do with the safe’s locking mechanism, design, location, and how it opens up. You need to consider a gun safe that balances security, reliability, as well as accessibility.
Storage Space
We highly recommend choosing a nightstand gun safe that can store one or two standard-sized handguns like the Glock 17 or Glock 19. Safes with this size can usually fit other valuables like watches, pieces of jewelry, passport, cash, and ammunition. However, most drawer-type safes won’t be able to fit these items. So if you are purchasing a slider-type safe, make sure to check its storage capacity first.
Locking Mechanism
As mentioned earlier, the locking mechanism can affect how quickly you can access your gun safe. There are four common types of locking systems in safes: biometric, electronic, combination lock, and keyed lock. Some high-end gun safes might have a combination of these locking systems.
Remote Access
If you want to access your safe remotely, then this feature might be helpful. However, some enthusiasts might find this feature more harmful than beneficial since a third party can breach your security system, increasing the risk of unauthorized access and misuse of your weapons. Hence, make sure to consider this feature carefully when choosing a nightstand gun safe.
Tamper Alerts
Tamper alerts provide an additional layer of security to your gun and valuables. Any unauthorized access causes your safe to produce a loud beep or send you a text message. The unit automatically resets itself once you can enter the correct PIN or code. This feature is especially helpful if you want to protect your weapons from small children or nosy visitors.
Certification
Certification is another important factor you must consider when buying a nightstand gun safe. Firearm organizations such as the CA DOJ and TSA only certify gun safes that have met their safety standards.
Price
Price points of certain gun safes may vary depending on the quality and available features. Safes that are made of low-quality materials might appear cheaper but will likely compromise the safety of your pistols and valuables. So make sure to choose the ones with sturdy and secure construction that fits within your budget.
Best Overall: Vaultek VR10 Smart Handgun Safe
Compact and lightweight personal safe to conceal your firearms in the bedroom or while you travel. Also comes with added features like Bluetooth, LED lights, anti-tampering, anti-pry bars, and anti-impact latches to keep your guns and other valuables safe from unauthorized access.
Pros
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Customer Reviews
“Everything has worked very well so far. Responsive, clicky buttons that light up (can be disabled/changed) and the lid pops right up when the correct code or key is used. The internal light is a very nice feature and can also be turned off I believe. The Bluetooth feature is great for the safe to be controlled through the app. Although in reality you rarely use the Bluetooth/app but it is a nice feature nonetheless and worth the few dollar upgrade. Overall, I knew what I was getting when I got a Vaultek and it does not dissapoint.”
The Vaultek VR10 is the overall winner when it comes to nightstand gun safes due to its versatility and impressive features that you might not find in other types of pistol safes. First, the Vaultek VR10 is designed with 18-gauge steel to ensure strength and durability. Aside from the sturdy construction, the safe also comes with a long-lasting powder coating to prevent rusting or corrosion. The nightstand safe is also equipped with security features such as dual anti-impact latches, interior mounted hinges, and anti-pry reinforcement bars to protect your safe from forced entries.
If you might also find the Vaultek VR10 an attractive option if you opt for a portable feature. The safe comes with a small, compact, and slim design that makes it easier to conceal your gun in your car, luggage, or backpack. Since it is TSA certified and only weighs about 5.2 lbs, it is easier to carry it with you while traveling.
Lastly, the interior of the Vaultek VR10 comes with LEDs to provide visibility when accessing your gun in the dark. The pistol safe is also powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that last for about 4 months when fully charged.
Best on a Budget: Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard
Looking for a perfect safe to conceal your firearms at your bedside without hurting your budget? Then Hornady Rapid Safe Night Guard is your excellent choice. It is loaded with features like a discrete panel display, advanced RFID reader, tamper-proof construction, and USB charging points.
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Customer Reviews
“Sturdy with an attractive clock. Works like the manufacturer said it would. Holds my 40 Cal. Springfield XD 40 Semiautomatic with a 5-inch barrel and an extra 14 round magazine with room to spare.”
The Hornady Rapid Safe is your best option if you are looking for a safe with great quality at a more affordable price. What we love about this safe is its tempered glass panel that displays the clock, code keypad, and RFID reader. The Hornady Rapid Safe is also designed and manufactured by a trusted company with years of experience in the market, hence you are assured of a high-quality, tamper-proof handgun safe despite its low price.
Other available features that you will love include USB ports for charging, a spring-assist drawer for smoother access, patented RFID technology for faster access, and a battery and AC power source for 24-7unit operation.
Best for Portability: Vaultek Lifepod Waterproof Case
Looking for a portable, lightweight, and budget-friendly bedside companion to conceal your firearms? The Vaultek Lifepod Waterproof Case is an amazing option for those who are looking for impact-resistant and waterproof features. It also allows convenient access through its touch-activated LED-backlit keypad!
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Customer Reviews
“lightweight, durable, portable. fyi does not fit full size handguns. will fit compacts like a Glock 19/ 19x. will fit sub compacts like a Sig p365 with plenty of room for extra mags etc.”
We think that Vaultek Lifepod Waterproof Case deserves a spot on our list because of its sleek and waterproof design - yes, you’ve heard it right! This safe is designed with an internal rubber gasket to protect the inside from water (in case of flood or you’re traveling by boat). Thanks to its airtight enclosure, it can even float safely on the water.
The Vaultek Lifepod Waterproof Case is also TSA-compliant. The safe is made with impact-resistant and sturdy material to protect your gun and valuables from forceful attacks. It even comes with a touch-activated backlit LED keypad for easy access in the dark. Other accessories included in the safe are the following: steel security cable, nylon tether lanyard, crate foam, and backup manual key.
Best for Bedside: Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe
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The Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe gives the best bang for your buck due to its reliability, durability, and sturdy construction. It purely operates on a mechanical locking system - no electronic locks or batteries are needed and lesser chance of failure.
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Customer Reviews
“If you are looking for a secure way to store handguns or valuables in your truck this is the safe for you. I currently teach at a university that is considered a gun free zone so I did not want to worry about someone breaking into my truck and potentially stealing my handgun. I took the safe to a local truck accessories dealer and had them bolt it to the floorboard. This safe is a beast and would definitely stop someone from getting to my handguns if I have to store them in the truck. I have a 2013 Tundra and it fits perfectly in the center of the front floorboard and is big enough to hold my Colt Government and Colt Commander with two extra magazines. The foam is thick enough that it does not allow items to move around once the safe is locked when driving.”
When it comes to reliability and strength, the Fort Knox PB1 is your best bet. This sturdy nightstand gun safe is almost impossible to break open because of its high-quality 10-gauge steel construction and 3/16-inch wrap-around door.
However, it does not come with fancy electronic features like electronic locks, batteries, or a biometric fingerprint scanner. The Fort Knox PB1 is your traditional gun safe that will not fail since it does not rely on electronics to operate 24-7. Its push-button mechanical lock system is straightforward, easy-to-use, reliable, sturdy, and works every time. You can even create 1081 unique combinations for your access codes.
Other features you will appreciate include tamper-resistant and heavy-duty hinges that can withstand almost any form of attack. The interior is also lined with protective foams to prevent scratches and other damage to your valuables.
Best Biometric Safe: Vaultek 10 Biometric Handgun Smart Safe
Want a robust nightstand gun safe that allows fingerprint scanning? Vaultek 10 is not only a biometric safe - it’s also accessible through a Bluetooth app, numeric combination, and backup key. It even comes with its own charging kit!
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Customer Reviews
“I purchased my Vaultek biometric safe about a year ago and knew, right away, that it was a product in a class of its own. I had tried another biometric safe that was only "good enough" and was a little nervous about laying down the big bucks to purchase a Vaultek product. I'm glad I did! My Vaultek safe exceeded my expectations by a wide margin. The design, features, and performance were all top-notch. The biometric feature, in particular, was about as reliable as my iPhone, which is saying a lot.”
If you are a fan of biometric fingerprint scanners, then the Vaultek 10 Biometric Handgun Smart Safe is your best option. But it’s more than that - Vaultek 10 also comes with other sophisticated security features like a Bluetooth app, number code combination, and key. These four different entries make this safe highly reliable as a nightstand gun safe. Keep in mind that if you are placing this safe beside your bed, it is best to use the numeric buttons which come with a proximity sensor for convenience and faster access.
The Vaultek 10 unit also boasts a durable and sturdy construction since it is made with heavy-duty 18-gauge steel. The safe is pry-resistant and comes with a robust design, making it difficult to break open through brute-force attacks.
You might also appreciate its included accessories such as a lithium-ion battery, charging kit, mounting hardware, and steel security cable. Overall, this compact, feature-rich, nightstand gun safe gives the best value for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I keep a loaded gun in my nightstand?
It’s never recommended to store your guns loaded outside of a safe. Make sure that your firearms are secured in a safe away from children’s reach or nosy guests to prevent accidents. Quick access safes are nearly as quick as a gun in a drawer and much safer!
Can I put a gun safe in my bedroom?
Although bedrooms are common targets for thieves, you can install a gun safe in your bedroom for quick access. In case an intruder breaks into your home, you will have enough time to access your firearm to defend your family. For other guns, you may want to find a better hiding place.
Where do you hang a gun safe in a bedroom?
Depending on your preference, some of the best places to store your firearms are inside a bedroom closet, in a drawer, or at your bedside.
Where should I hide a gun safe in my house?
The best places to store your gun safe are any areas in the house away from fire sources and the kitchen. You can conceal your safe in your bedside drawer, bathroom cabinet, closet, behind a blanket on your wall, behind a mirror, or in your basement (in case you have a large safe).
Our Key Takeaways
Investing in a reliable gun safe should be on your priority list if you are a gun owner. One of the best options for quick-access storage for firearms is nightstand gun safes. They allow faster access should the need ever arise. There are many types of gun safes you can choose from - make sure to get the model that provides the most protection and ease of access!
Hopefully, this post has helped you in choosing the right nightstand safe to secure your expensive firearms and valuables.
Hi, I’m Christy, and I’m an electronics engineer by profession. I have taught in a university for 2 years while pursuing my master’s degree in cognitive radio and worked for a company to develop wireless medical devices. Currently, I’m doing research for a doctorate degree in engineering using a wireless sensor network for smart agriculture. I’ve been active in our local IoT community, IoT Cebu, where I participate in conducting talks about Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and DIY home automation using Wi-Fi and ZigBee devices.
Last update on 2024-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API