Best Gun Safe Under $300 in 2026: 8 Picks for Pistols and Rifles

If you want one safe under $300 that covers most bedside needs, start with the Vaultek 20 Series Biometric: it pairs a fingerprint reader with a backlit keypad and backup keys, uses 16-gauge carbon steel, and can be bolted down or cabled. If you would rather never think about batteries, the Fort Knox PB1 Pistol Box is the heavy-steel mechanical choice. And if you need to store long guns, the KAER Electronic Long Gun Safe is the most straightforward rifle cabinet we found in this price tier.

The rest of the list fills specific gaps: RFID and travel (Hornady RAPiD Safe RFID), a biometric rifle cabinet (KAER 4-5 Gun), the most rifle space for the money (KAER 13-16 Gun), a slim under-desk mount (Vaultek Slider Series) and a light polymer case that holds two handguns per pack (StopBox USA). All eight sat in the $100 to $300 bands when we wrote this, but prices move often, so check the current price before you decide.

Quick picks

• Best overall under $300: Vaultek 20 Series Biometric
• Best no-battery steel pistol box: Fort Knox PB1 Pistol Box
• Best rifle cabinet under $300: KAER Electronic Long Gun Safe
• Best RFID and travel pick: Hornady RAPiD Safe RFID
• Best biometric rifle safe: KAER 4-5 Gun Biometric Rifle Safe
• Best high-capacity cabinet: KAER 13-16 Gun Biometric Safe
• Best under-desk mount: Vaultek Slider Series
• Best budget portable case: StopBox USA

Gun safes under $300 compared

How we chose

We did not put these safes on a bench. We built this list from research: Amazon listings, seller specifications, product manuals where available, and the owner feedback themes Amazon surfaces when there are enough reviews. Several of these listings had no summarized owner feedback at the time of writing, so for those we stuck strictly to what the listing and specs say and flagged what you should confirm yourself.

Every product had to fit our under $300 price tier at the time of writing, list a real backup access method (key, mechanical code or emergency power), and offer some way to anchor it. We checked each brand against the biometric recall list, favored listings that publish steel gauge and interior dimensions, and covered different needs instead of stacking eight similar handgun boxes. We also noted wherever a listing title and spec sheet disagree, because that is a common source of returns.

1. Vaultek 20 Series Biometric: Best Overall Under $300

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The Vaultek 20 Series earns the top spot because it gives you three ways in without leaning on any single one. The listing describes an oversized fingerprint scanner that stores up to 20 prints, an auto-illuminating Smart Sense keypad with a proximity sensor, and two backup manual keys. The lid opens automatically once you authenticate, and interior LEDs light the contents, which matters at night when you are half awake.

Construction is 16-gauge carbon steel with a powder-coat finish, anti-pry bars, reinforced interior hinges and a dual anti-impact latch. Vaultek says it holds one or two compact handguns, a spare magazine, a passport and cash, with handguns up to about 10.70 inches overall length. That makes it a good fit for a nightstand or a desk, but measure a full-size pistol with a light or optic before ordering.

Power comes from three AAA batteries (not included) rated for a year or more, or you can keep it plugged in. Anchoring options are flexible: pre-drilled holes with included hardware, or a 4-foot steel cable for a car seat frame or bed rail. This is a newer listing with few reviews so far, so there is not yet much owner feedback to lean on. The listing title marks this as the Essential (Biometric) version; confirm that variant before you buy. See our full Vaultek 20 Series review for the details.

Pros

• Fingerprint, keypad and key access
• Auto-open lid and interior lighting
• Bolt-down holes plus a steel cable

Cons

• Compact interior, not for large pistols with lights
• Few reviews so far
• Battery or plug power required for electronic entry

2. Fort Knox PB1 Pistol Box: Best No-Battery Steel Pistol Box

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The Fort Knox PB1 is the heaviest handgun box on this page and the only one built around 10-gauge steel, noticeably thicker than the 14- and 16-gauge steel elsewhere in this guide. The listing adds a 3/16-inch tamper-resistant wraparound door, a reinforced lock backplate and a gas strut that helps lift the heavy lid. At roughly 22 pounds, it is a box you bolt down and leave in place rather than carry around.

Access is a Simplex mechanical push-button lock. There are no batteries to die and no scanner to misread a damp finger, which is exactly why many buyers choose mechanical locks for a bedside safe. The trade-off is that you need to memorize and practice the code, and there is no fingerprint shortcut. It is California DOJ certified according to the listing, and Fort Knox states it is made in the USA with a limited lifetime warranty; read the warranty terms on the brand’s documentation before relying on them.

The PB1 sat in the $200 to $300 band when we checked, which puts it near the top of this tier, so watch the current price. The listing gives exterior dimensions (about 4.25 inches tall, 5.25 inches with the buttons and knob) but not interior space or mounting details, so check those on the listing. Our Fort Knox PB1 Pistol Box review goes deeper.

Pros

• 10-gauge steel body and 3/16-inch door
• Mechanical lock, no batteries
• California DOJ certified per the listing

Cons

• Heavy, not a travel safe
• Interior and mounting details not listed
• Can sit near the $300 ceiling

3. KAER Electronic Long Gun Safe: Best Rifle Cabinet Under $300

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A true rifle safe under $300 is rare, and most options in this range are light cabinets. The KAER Electronic Long Gun Safe stands out because it publishes its numbers clearly: 15-gauge steel, 0.8-inch active locking bolts, a 4.08-cubic-foot interior about 54 inches tall, and a weight of around 63 pounds. KAER says it holds three to five rifles up to 53 inches long plus four or five handguns on the removable shelf, with a door organizer for magazines and accessories.

Entry is through a digital keypad, two backup keys, or an external emergency power box if the internal batteries drain. The listing also describes a silent mode for quiet access, an automatic interior LED and an alarm that locks out the keypad after several wrong attempts. The cabinet ships pre-assembled, which is a real convenience compared with cabinets that arrive flat.

The four pre-drilled holes let you anchor it to the floor or a wall, and you should: a 63-pound cabinet is easy to carry off otherwise. Keep the backup keys outside the safe, as KAER itself warns. For how this compares with bigger units, see our best rifle safes guide or the KAER Electronic Long Gun Safe review.

Pros

• Clear published specs, 15-gauge steel
• Arrives pre-assembled
• Keypad, keys and external power backup

Cons

• Capacity drops fast with scoped rifles
• No fingerprint option
• Light cabinet, not a fire-rated safe

4. Hornady RAPiD Safe RFID: Best RFID and Travel Pick

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RFID entry is the fastest method on this list: tap the included wristband, key fob or sticker and the spring-assisted lid pops open. You can program up to five RFID tags, and there is a conventional barrel key as backup. It runs on AC and battery power, so a power cut does not leave you relying on the key alone.

The housing is described as 14-gauge steel with two internal hardened locking lugs, and Hornady states it meets ASTM child-resistance standards. The listing also says it is California DOJ approved and meets TSA requirements for a handgun in checked luggage, and it ships with a security cable for vehicles or hotel rooms. The interior is about 9 by 7.7 by 2.2 inches, which Hornady says fits most 1911-size pistols and 4-inch revolvers.

Two cautions. The spec sheet lists the lock type as key and the color field mentions a keypad model, so confirm you are buying the RFID version on the listing page. And keep the RFID tags as secure as you would a key: anyone holding the fob can open the safe. It sat in the $100 to $200 band when we wrote this. If RFID appeals to you, compare it in our RFID gun safe guide and read our Hornady RAPiD Safe RFID review.

Pros

• Very fast touch-free entry
• AC and battery power
• Travel-friendly with cable, CA DOJ approved per listing

Cons

• Spec sheet and title disagree on variant
• RFID tags must be guarded
• Shallow interior for larger handguns

5. KAER 4-5 Gun Biometric Rifle Safe: Best Biometric Rifle Safe

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If you want fingerprint access on a long gun cabinet, this KAER model is the simplest way to get it under $300. The listing describes one-touch biometric entry, a PIN code, two emergency keys and an emergency battery pack, so there are several fallbacks if the reader or the batteries fail.

Exterior dimensions are 11.8 by 11 by 54.3 inches, and KAER lists an interior around 11.61 inches wide and 8.66 inches deep. That is a narrow footprint that slips into a closet corner. It holds up to four or five rifles, with a removable shelf you can set according to rifle length. Four anchor bolts are included for mounting.

The spec sheet is thin: no steel gauge or bolt size is listed, and the seller copy leans on general claims such as “tamper-resistant.” Treat it as a cabinet for keeping firearms away from children and casual hands, and ask the seller about steel thickness if that matters to you. Store the emergency keys and power pack outside the safe. More detail is in our KAER 4-5 Gun Biometric Rifle Safe review.

Pros

• Fingerprint plus PIN, keys and emergency power
• Narrow closet-friendly footprint
• Anchor bolts included

Cons

• Steel gauge not listed
• Sparse spec sheet
• Realistic capacity is lower with scopes

6. KAER 13-16 Gun Biometric Safe: Best High-Capacity Cabinet

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This is the most storage this tier offers. At 20 inches wide, 15 inches deep and just over 55 inches tall, with an 11-cubic-foot interior, KAER lists room for 13 to 16 rifles, including scoped AR-15 style rifles, plus four to eight handguns. As with any cabinet, the advertised count assumes tight packing; plan for fewer if your rifles wear optics or slings.

The interior is modular, with detachable shelves, adjustable gun racks, three movable mesh panels and an adjustable triangular partition. Access options include fingerprint (up to 30 prints), a 3 to 12 digit PIN, emergency keys and a battery box. The listing calls out a 14-gauge door and 22mm solid locking bolts, plus silent mode and an alarm with a lockout after repeated wrong entries.

Unlike the other KAER cabinet, this one needs assembly, and the mounting type is listed as wall mount, so plan your location before you start. The 14-gauge figure refers to the door, so check the listing for body thickness. It sat in the $200 to $300 band at writing. If you need even more space or heavier steel, our gun safes under $500 guide is the next step up. Read the KAER 13-16 Gun Biometric Safe review for the full breakdown.

Pros

• Largest interior on this list
• Modular racks and panels
• Four access methods

Cons

• Requires assembly
• Body steel gauge unclear
• Gun count is optimistic

7. Vaultek Slider Series: Best Under-Desk Mount

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The Slider is built for a specific job: mounting under a desk, beside a nightstand or on a bookshelf, then sliding open to present a pistol in a ready position. Vaultek describes a three-point rail system with ball-bearing guides and a proprietary mounting plate that supports multiple orientations, including standard VESA 75mm and 100mm hole patterns.

The interior holds one pistol up to 8.875 inches overall length with an optic, plus one spare magazine, in a high-density foam holster. Construction is 16-gauge carbon steel with a single anti-impact latch. Power is four AAA batteries rated up to a year or more, or continuous power through the included cable.

An important note on naming: this guide links it as the Slider Series Biometric, but the listing title says Non-Biometric Essential Model, and the bullets describe only a 5-digit keypad and two backup keys. If you want a fingerprint reader, check which variant the listing is selling before you order. It has few reviews so far. See our Vaultek Slider Series review and the wider handgun safe roundup.

Pros

• Slim vertical design with flexible mounting plate
• Optics-ready foam holster
• Battery or plug-in power

Cons

• Single pistol only
• Listing variant may be non-biometric
• Single latch, not dual

8. StopBox USA: Best Budget Portable Case

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StopBox calls this a gun safe alternative, and that is an honest description. The body is glass-reinforced polycarbonate-ABS rather than steel, and each box weighs under 2 pounds. What you get instead is a fully mechanical lock with no batteries, keys or scanner, and 81 user-set combinations. This listing is a two-pack of the full-size version, which is useful if you want one box at home and one in a car.

The full-size interior measures 9.25 by 7.15 by 1.75 inches with a small built-in compartment. The listing says it is TSA compliant and compatible with padlocks or security cables, but those accessories are not included, and it is not designed for wall mounting. In practice, plan to cable it to a seat frame or heavy furniture.

This is the most widely reviewed product on the page and sat in the $100 to $200 band when we wrote this. It is best for keeping a handgun away from curious kids and out of plain sight in transit. It is not meant to resist a determined thief with tools. Compare portable options in our portable gun safe guide or read our StopBox USA review.

Pros

• No batteries or electronics
• Two boxes in this listing
• Light and easy to cable in a vehicle

Cons

• Polymer, not steel
• Cannot be wall-mounted
• Cable or padlock sold separately

How to choose a gun safe under $300

Lock types: pick the one you will practice

Every lock type in this guide has a trade-off. Fingerprint readers (Vaultek 20 Series, both KAER biometric cabinets) are fast once enrolled but can misread wet, cold or injured fingers, so a keypad or key backup matters. Keypads are dependable if you practice the code by feel. RFID (Hornady) is the quickest but is only as secure as the tag. Mechanical locks (Fort Knox PB1, StopBox) never need batteries but demand a memorized sequence. Our biometric vs keypad comparison covers this in more depth.

If you are considering any biometric safe, check the recall history first. Fingerprint safes from Awesafe, Bulldog (biometric models), Machir and MouTec were recalled because the reader could let unauthorized users, including children, open them. None of those brands appear here. Our biometric gun safe recall guide explains what to look for.

Fit and capacity: measure before you buy

Interior dimensions matter more than gun counts. Measure your handgun’s overall length with any light or optic attached and compare it with the published interior or maximum length, such as the Slider’s 8.875 inches or the Vaultek 20 Series’ 10.70 inches. For cabinets, manufacturer rifle counts assume bare rifles packed tightly; scoped rifles take two slots or more. Our safe sizing guide walks through the math.

Mounting: the cheapest security upgrade

A light safe that is not anchored can be carried away and opened later. Use the pre-drilled holes and bolt cabinets to studs or a concrete floor, and cable portable boxes to a seat frame or bed frame. Follow our steps for bolting down a gun safe if you have not done it before.

Power and backups

Electronic safes need batteries or a plug. The Vaultek 20 Series uses three AAA batteries and the Slider uses four, both with plug-in options; the KAER cabinets use an external emergency power box or battery pack. Change batteries on a schedule and store backup keys outside the safe, never inside it.

What under $300 buys, and what it does not

This price tier is where handgun boxes reach their best value and where rifle cabinets begin. Handgun safes here can offer thick steel (the PB1’s 10 gauge) or premium features (Vaultek’s auto-open lid and lighting). Rifle options are light cabinets in the 14- to 15-gauge range or with no published gauge. None of these listings claim a fire rating, so if fire protection matters, look at our fireproof gun safes instead. If your budget is tighter, our gun safes under $200 list covers cheaper options, and the best gun safe guide shows the full range.

Finally, child-access prevention and storage laws vary by state; check yours before choosing where and how to store firearms.

Best Gun Safe under 300 FAQ

What is the best gun safe under $300?

For most people the Vaultek 20 Series Biometric is the best all-round choice in this tier, because it combines a fingerprint reader, a backlit keypad and backup keys with 16-gauge steel and flexible mounting. If you prefer no electronics, the Fort Knox PB1 offers 10-gauge steel and a mechanical push-button lock. Check current prices, since both can sit near the top of the band.

What is the best rifle safe under $300?

The KAER Electronic Long Gun Safe is the clearest pick, with 15-gauge steel, 0.8-inch bolts, room for three to five rifles up to 53 inches and pre-assembled delivery. If you want fingerprint access, the KAER 4-5 Gun Biometric Rifle Safe adds a reader, and the KAER 13-16 Gun model offers far more interior space but requires assembly.

Is a gun cabinet under $300 secure?

A gun cabinet in this price range is good at keeping firearms away from children and casual hands, and at slowing a quick smash-and-grab. It is not built to resist a determined thief with power tools for long. Bolting it to the floor or wall studs, keeping it out of sight and storing backup keys elsewhere make a meaningful difference.

Are any gun safes under $300 fireproof?

None of the safes in this guide list a fire rating, and you should not assume fire protection unless a listing clearly states a tested rating. Light cabinets and handgun boxes are designed for access control and theft deterrence. If fire protection is a priority, look at dedicated fireproof safes, which usually cost more and weigh much more.

Do I need to bolt down a cheap gun safe?

Yes, whenever the design allows it. A small or light safe that is not anchored can simply be carried away and opened somewhere else. Use the pre-drilled holes to bolt cabinets into studs or concrete, and use a steel cable for portable boxes in vehicles. The StopBox is not wall-mountable, so pair it with a cable or padlock.

Are biometric gun safes under $300 reliable?

They can be, as long as there is a solid backup. Fingerprint readers may misread wet, cold or injured fingers, so choose a model with a keypad or key as a second way in and enroll several fingers. Avoid brands that were recalled for faulty readers, such as Awesafe, Bulldog biometric models, Machir and MouTec, and check our recall guide.

Which gun safes under $300 are California DOJ certified?

Among the picks here, the Fort Knox PB1 Pistol Box and the Hornady RAPiD Safe RFID list California DOJ certification or approval. The other products in this guide do not list it. If you live in California, confirm the exact model on the current listing, and remember that storage and child-access laws vary by state, so check yours.

Concealed Handgun Carry is reader-supported: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We research listings, manuals and owner feedback; we do not accept payment for placement. Prices, coupons and availability change, so check Amazon for the current details. Store firearms safely and follow your state’s storage laws.