Best Biometric Gun Safes [Fingerprint Safes Reviewed 2020]

The idea of a biometric gun safe is alluring.  You press your finger against it, and viola, you’ve gained access to your gun in an efficient manner.

However, the cold hard truth is that while biometric (fingerprint) gun safes are fast, they can be unreliable with dirty/sweaty/bloody hands. They also require battery power to operate and thus add to the chance of failure in a time of need.

Therefore, we strongly recommend a biometric gun safe only if there is a backup method of getting in.  Furthermore, if you decide that you want a biometric safe, there are some other features you should consider when trying to figure out the best biometric gun safe for your need.

It is for this reason that we created this list of best biometric gun safes.

4 of the Best Biometric Gun Safes

• Vaultek VT20i Smart Handgun Safe
• GunVault MicroVault XL MVB1000
• SentrySafe Biometric Gun Safe
• Barska Biometric Rifle Cabinet

Best Biometric Gun Safes

Name of Safe

Reviews of the Best Biometric Gun Safes

#1Vaultek VT20I Biometric Smart Hand Gun Safe: Editor’s Choice

Unfortunately, they can sometimes be finicky (especially with sweaty or bloody hands) and therefore we strongly recommend a backup method of getting into the safe if you’re relying on this firearm for your defense.

As the name implies, this is a smart device. It comes fully equipped with WIFI and its very own app. The app allows you to monitor critical safe parameters and receive alerts in real time such as temperature, humidity, keypad and fingerprint pad tampering, and even bumps and jostles!

But aside from all the high-tech monitoring, the fingerprint reader on this bad boy can store 20 unique fingerprints! That all fingers and toes for most folks–or trusted family members.

This is the priciest safe on our list, but you get what you pay for.

Vaultek VT20I Biometric Smart Handgun Safe Pros and Cons

#2GunVault Microvault XL MVB1000: Best Budget Vault

The combination buttons are our favorite design – GunVault puts the buttons into finger-grooves so that it is easy to align your hand/fingers in the dark and press the buttons.

I personally own two GunVault safes (as does another team-member) because we love the finger groove buttons so much. However, now that Vaulteks exists, they’re our new favorite overall.

Microvault XL MVB1000 Pros and Cons

#3SentrySafe Biometric Gun Safe

SentrySafe Biometric Gun Safe Pros and Cons

#4Barska Biometric Rifle Cabinet: Best for Long Guns

All jokes aside, this is more important than you think. Ever come across one of those fingerprint sensors that didn’t read your finger because you didn’t put it on the sensor just right? That could really be a liability if you needed to access your guns fast. But by storing your fingerprints at many different angles and positions, you can ensure your cabinet opens every time.

Barska Biometric Rifle Cabinet Pros and Cons

Best Biometric Gun Safe Buyers Guide

Still not sure about biometric gun safes and some of the features that exist?  No problem.  Below are some of the things you should think about when buying a fingerprint safe, and some of the features that exist on the market. 

What is a Biometric Gun Safe

Biometric gun safes are the next evolutionary step of gun safe technology. First there was the ole lock and key–followed by combination, then electronic keys.

Now, with the power of your fingerprint, you can now quickly access your secured firearm. These particular safes do have some distinct advantages too. First, the speed in which you can open your safe has exponentially increased. Instead of fumble-fingering around with a lock and key or spinning dials, just one tap from your finger and you’re ready to go.

Next, you can actually program multiple fingerprints. This may seem counterproductive to keeping people out, but if you have an entire security force or multiple individuals needing access…this is a good option.

But….that’s only if the biometric scanner actually works.

BIOMETRIC GUN SAFE BACKUP ENTRY METHODS ARE A MUST

When it comes to electronics vs mechanical systems, there’s one thing that always holds true.

Mechanical systems are more reliable.

Not saying that these biometric gun safes don’t work, but what do you do if they don’t? A failed-shut biometric safe not only prevents others from accessing your weapons but you as well.

That’s why it’s super important that your biometric gun safe has a manual backup for opening such as a push button code, electronic PIN, or manual key.

DO NOT PURCHASE A BIOMETRIC GUN SAFE THAT DOESN’T HAVE A MANUAL BACKUP!

HOW DOES THE FINGERPRINT SCANNER WORK?

If anything is really going to fail on these systems, it’s the fingerprint scanner itself. So how do they work?

Fingerprint scanners have a few responsibilities. When you first scan your finger, the scanner takes a visual input of the different peaks and valleys of your fingerprint. Every single fingerprint is completely unique. Your fingerprints will be different than everybody else’s and even your own other fingers.

Once the scanner has developed this topographical map of your fingers, it converts this image into a series of numbers. This series is then stored within the electronic memory of the scanner to allow operation of the lock. If that same string of number is inputted back in the system (i.e. it scans your finger again), the lock mechanism is actuated and unlocked.

Pretty simple, right? Well, it is in theory anyway. But there a huge number of things that can happen that will affect the operation.

First, let’s start with dirty hands. Dirty hands can keep you locked out of your safe. If some of your prints peaks and valleys are smudged with dirt, a different set of numbers could be produced–barring you out of your safe. A dirty scanner could do the same. Placing a finger down on a dirty surface could cause misreads and you stuck on the outside. Keep your fingerprint scanner clean with some appropriate cleaning solutions and cotton swabs to minimize fingerprint fails.

Another reason your safe could fail is if you have in anyway changed your fingerprints. If you’ve burned, cut, or otherwise mangled your fingers and their prints… you may not have access into your vault. Even taking too long in the shower or pool could affect the operation of the scanner. Pruney fingers can provide different ridges, thus different numbers strings and denied access.

What Should a Buyer Think about When Purchasing?

When purchasing a biometric gun safe, there are a number of criteria you need to consider in order to make the right decision.

• The Intended Purpose
  Before you pickup the first biometric gun safe you see, figure out exactly what you need one for and why. If you’re looking for a bedside pistol safe, make sure you determine what’s important for that. You’ll probably want an interior light, silent operation, and a size that fits your home protection weapon.
• Size and Weight
  Do you plan on putting a gun safe in a single location? And never move it? For instance, take the Barska long gun cabinet above. It’s really freaking heavy. That’s why you’ll probably move it somewhere and have it mounted. But what if you want something that you’re going to move place to place? Maybe underneath your bed or a top shelf in a closet. Keep this in mind and don’t get something too big for what you’re going to use it for.
  
• Price
  The best biometric gun safes can get expensive. But here’s the thing… You don’t need to pay for things you can’t and won’t use. For example, our top pick (Vaultek Pro MXi) is amazing. I love the Wifi and app concept that I can access from my cell phone. But if your cellphone is still T9 Texting… you’ll have zero use for a smart safe. So instead, opt for a cheaper option better suited to your needs.
• Capacity
  How many guns do you plan on storing in a single safe? If you only have a single pistol, I recommend choosing a smaller single capacity gun safe. This way you can move the safe around as you need to while providing secure housing for your firearm.
  
• Power Considerations
  Biometric gun safes require electricity to operate properly. After all, what’s an electronic scanner with power? The answer is useless. Many of the gun safes you will find out there will run on some form of battery. This is actually a gripe of mine–particularly for gun safes that will be mounted in a stationary position. There are a few though that have AC Adapter accessories and capabilities.