One of the common complaints that we often hear is that a gun safe takes up too much space in the room. And in most cases, you would be right. If you are a firearm enthusiast and want to store a couple of long guns in a gun safe, you would have to invest in a significantly larger unit that can take up a big chunk of your floor space.
However, with the best in wall gun safe, this issue becomes almost a non-factor. This nifty little tool goes inside the wall in your corridor or office and repurposes the unused space as a full-on gun safe. As a result, you will not have to give up a corner of your apartment just to keep your guns.
But the problem with this route is not many people understand the device and can differentiate between a good and a bad product. Although the idea of the unit is quite simple, not all in wall gun safes provide the same level of performance, storage space, and security.
To make sure that you buy a device that gives you a solid bang for your buck, we will give you a quick rundown of some of the best products that you can find on the market, along with an extensive guide on what you need to do when buying it.
Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protex PWS-1814E Electronic Wall Safe | 5 out of 5 | |
| 7700 Flat Electronic Wall Safe | 5 out of 5 | |
| Barska Biometric Fingerprint Security Safe | 4.5 out of 5 | |
 | Stack-On IWC-55 In-Wall Cabinet | 4 out of 5 | |
| Barska Large Biometric Safe | 4.5 out of 5 |
Why Do You Need the Best Hidden Wall Gun Safe?
Before heading into the girth of the article, let us start off with something simple. If you have never used this sort of gun safes before, naturally, you would be a bit skeptical about it.
For those who are having trouble deciding whether to bite the bullet and just get one for themselves, here are a couple of advantages to owning a hidden wall gun safe.Perhaps it will help you reach your decision easier.
Keep your guns secure
What is the number one reason for buying any gun safe? Security. With an in wall gun safe, you will be able to keep your guns secure and out of reach from burglars or intruding guests. Since this type of gun safe also feature a decent locking mechanism, no one other than you can open it even if they stumble on it.
Discretion is the key
One of the important steps to ensuring your weapon’s safety is to keep your gun safe out of sight. An in wall gun safe offers the perfect way to do just that. Since it is inside the wall, you can put a painting in front of the door to fully hide its presence. It does not attract any unnecessary attention from prying eyes.
Keeping your weapons out of reach
If you have little kids running around your weapon, a gun safe is a critical investment. And an in wall gun safe is quite capable of keeping your weapons away from them. Since it is such a discreet gun safe, your kids, even the curious ones, will have a hard time finding it by mistake. Even if they do, they will not be able to get into it thanks to the locks.
To Store Other Valuables
Most in wall gun safes give you ample storage space to store not only your guns but also your other important items like jewelry, documents, cash, etc. If you have items that you want to protect, the best way to go is to put them in a safe and lock it up.
Does not take any floor space
An in wall gun safe, as you know, go inside the wall. Even if you have a cramped apartment where you cannot spare any space, an in wall gun safe will make a great addition. Since it only takes up the space that you do not use anyways, it is an excellent choice for people who have space issues in the room.
Top 5 Best In Wall Gun Safe Reviews
Now that you understand the major benefits of buying an in-wall gun safe, we can head into the list of products. If you have taken your first step at trying to find the best in wall gun safes yourself, then you should already have an idea of how hectic it can get trying to find the right product.
To make the process a tad bit easier, here is our list of the five top products that are worth strong consideration.
1. Protex PWS-1814E Electronic Keypad Wall Safe
For people on a budget and looking for the best value out of their investment, the brand Protex brings you the PWS-1814E electronic wall safe. It is an excellent tool with plenty of organizing opportunities and gives you two excellent color options, beige and black. For our reviews, we went with the beige model.
The unit comes with a full-sized electric keypad panel with twelve digits. You can set up an access code that will give you entry to the gun safe after you input it in the keypad. It has a burglary resistant design and is nearly impenetrable unless you know the right code. If you run out of batteries, you can also use the backup keys to override the safe.
To further enhance the security, the unit comes with two ¾ inches thick motorized bolts that ensure no one can break into it by force. The motorized locking bolt smoothly opens the door when you give the proper access code. It features solid heavy-duty steel construction and can withstand any sort of abuse you throw at it.
With this gun safe, you get around 0.44 cubic feet of storage space, which is plenty for most users. There are two removable shelves inside the unit that you can also adjust to keep the interior organized. By removing the shelves, you can even store longer firearms inside it without any issue.
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2. 7700 Flat Electronic Wall Safe .83 CF for Large Jewelry Security
The brand Paragon Lock & Safe is a trusted name when you are planning to buy a hidden wall safe. Even if you have a low budget, the Quarter Master 7700 by them will not let you down with its impressive security system, solid build quality, and beautiful interior spacing.
The electronic keypad in the unit is nothing to shrug-off despite the cheaper cost of the unit. It allows you to quickly set up an access code between three to eight digits that you can use to access the gun safe. Apart from the keypad, it also comes with three LED indicators on top, including a low-battery warning.
The 1/8 inch steel housing of the unit will give you confidence about the sturdiness and durability of the gun safe. Thanks to the powder-coated finish both internally and externally, it is fully protected against rust and corrosion. The tamper-resistant hinges also contribute to the impenetrable nature of the unit.
Although the space inside the unit is a bit smaller compared to other options on this list, it comes with a fully carpeted interior along with two adjustable shelves. You also get pre-drilled mounting holes, and once installed, the safe remains fully flush against the wall eliminating any openings. You also get a pair of backup keys to open the gun safe if you want to bypass the electronic keypad.Pros:
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3. Barska Biometric Fingerprint Security Wall Safe
If you have the budget, the Barska Biometric Fingerprint Security Wall Safe is one of the best options in the market. First off, the brand itself is quite trusted, which is always a good thing. Secondly, when it comes to quality and security, this unit takes things pretty seriously.
It features a top of the line biometric scanner that is responsive, acts fast, and has an extremely low error margin. If you want quick access to your wall safe, this unit will not disappoint you. You also get a set of backup keys that allows you to bypass the biometrics if you prefer.
When it comes to construction quality, you have fully covered thanks to the 1/16-inch thick steel construction. The concealed door hinges also ensure full protection against any sort of prying attempts. If you are still unsure about its build, the approval by the CA Department of Justice vouches for its capabilities.
The interior of the unit is perfect for people who want to store a couple of handguns along with their important and sensitive items. It features two shelves with carpeting to ensure none of your items get scratched. You need four AA-sized alkaline batteries to power the biometric features of the unit.Pros:
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4. Stack-On IWC-55 Full-Length In-Wall Cabinet
For all you long gun enthusiasts out there, Stack-On is the perfect brand to go with. They specialize in full-sized gun safes that can hold all of your valuables and weapons inside it. The IWC-55 is their shot at the wall safe market, and it does a surprisingly good job at a super affordable price.
In terms of locking mechanism, you do not get modern electronic features. What you do get is a decent quality lock along with a pair of keys to the safe. The lock itself features a three-point locking system, which is quite efficient in preventing any lock picking attempts.
The build quality, for the price, is also quite good. Sure, it will not give in indefinite protection against burglars. However, if someone does try to break into the safe, you will have enough time to react and apprehend them. It comes with a seamless design and lies completely flat against the wall eliminating any prying leverages.
Inside the unit, you get four shelves that you can remove and adjust at different positions. The barrel rests are also adjustable, and thanks to the extra depth of the safe, you can easily store tactical weapons inside the gun safe. Apart from only weapons, you can also store other items; however, it does not have any carpeting on the inside.
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5. Barska Large Biometric Wall Safe
Wrapping up our list of reviews, we will be looking at another wall safe by the brand Barska. After looking at the last product by the brand, you should already have a decent idea about the quality you can expect from them. This particular unit comes at a slightly larger size offering better storage and organizing options.
The biometric scanner in the unit comes with a large database that can store up to 120 fingerprints. Because of the excellent quality of the scanner, it rarely, if ever, makes a mistake while scanning for fingerprints. As an added bonus, it reacts quite fast and gives you instant access to the interior.
The solid build quality of the unit is not limited to simply the steel construction of the device. It features two pry-resistant deadbolts that deter any break-in attempts. Even the door handle comes with heavy-duty steel, ensuring no one can break it open with impact damage.
As we have said before, this unit comes with larger storage compared to the previous unit by the brand. It features an adjustable and removable shelf along with a separate removable locked cupboard. You also get keys to access the safe manually and open the lockbox inside the gun safe.
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Things to Look for When Buying the Best In Wall Gun Safe
With the list of products out of the way, we would like to bring your attention to some of the essential features that you should think about when you are buying an in wall gun safes. These factors will help you fine-tune your requirements and ensure that you get the best possible value out of your investment.
So without further ado, here are some of the elements that we think everyone should consider when buying the best in wall gun safe.
1. Locking Mechanism
The locking mechanism, in most cases, is the first thing that you need to think about when buying a gun safe. Whether you are going with an in wall unit or a portable car gun safe, the locking mechanism is your first line of defense against theft and unwanted access to your gun safe.
➥ Comfort
You might have already noticed that an in wall safe can feature many different locks from our list of reviews. It can come with an electronic keypad, an analog combination lock, or even a high-end biometric recognition technology. But your comfort with the particular technology is the most important thing to consider.
Unless you are comfortable using a specific locking mechanism, you will not get the full benefit out of the gun safe. This type of unit is supposed to make your life easier and relaxed. If you need to fumble around whenever you are taking things in and out of the safe, there really is no point in getting it.
➥ Security
A locking mechanism also contributes to the overall security of the gun safe. The most common types of locking units found in this type of gun safes are biometric, electronic, or manual keys. Each has its own benefit and weakness when it comes to security.
For instance, a biometric security locking system will give you a fast response and better protection against intruders. However, not everyone has the budget for a high-quality biometric gun safe. With low-grade units, you might find issues such as false recognition or slow response.
The electronic keypad, on the other hand, offers excellent comfort and relatively quick access to your gun safe. It is also quite easy to use and affordable, making it one of the most popular choices out there. But they tend to chew through batteries quickly, which can drastically add to your cost.
Manual keyed locks can be good as long as you invest in a high-quality unit. But as you might expect, they are not as fast and efficient as electronic locks. However, analog combination mechanisms might be a better choice if you want a unit that requires no additional power.
Regardless of your choice of mechanism, make sure you are comfortable using it and that it does not show weird issues like giving access to unauthorized individuals. With low-end gun safes, this is a frequent issue, and you should never take this problem lightly with your gun safe.
➥ Battery Utilization
If you are going with a unit that requires some sort of power such as biometric or electronic gun safes, you need to think about its battery utilization. However, for people opting to go with mechanical units, this is a non-factor as those gun safes typically do not require any power source.
The battery utilization efficiency of the gun safe will dictate how long it can run on a single set of batteries. Units that require battery replacement every month do not offer great value as you need to constantly spend money buying a new set. Ideally, you want your gun safe to work on a single battery set for at least half a year.
Additionally, you should only use high-quality alkaline batteries with your gun safes as it would give you the best lifetime. You cannot use low capacity batteries with your unit and expect it to give you lasting performance. Rechargeable batteries are also an option, but they do not last as long as alkaline ones.
2. Storage Space and Size
Another important feature to consider in a wall safe is the size. You might be thinking bigger safe equates to better storage. But that might not always be the case. If the gun safe does not give you enough organizing options, you will have a lot of unused space inside the unit, which is never a good thing.
Remember, although you would mostly store your firearms in a gun safe, an in wall safe offers a lot more. Because of the discreet nature of this tool, you can hide your valuables and sensitive items inside the gun safe. For that, you want proper shelf arrangements and customization options.
The best way to proceed is to first take a step back and think about what you are planning to store inside the safe. Ask yourself how many shelves you need in a practical scenario. Do you need any door pockets? Door pockets give you an excellent way to store your ammunition without taking up any extra space inside.
Make sure the shelves in the gun safe are adjustable. With this option, you can customize the interior space to your liking so that you can maximize your storage efficiency. Some wall safes also allow you to remove the shelves, which can be handy when you are storing long guns.
Speaking of long guns, you should also think about barrel rests as it can make storing your firearms easier. It keeps your rifles and shotguns in a vertical position and lets you take it out easily. Furthermore, keeping your guns stored vertically also gives you more space to work with.
3. Build Quality
Build quality is a critical element to any gun safe. An in wall gun safe is no different and requires solid construction to give you the performance it deserves. With low-quality options, build quality is the one thing that takes the biggest hit, and for this reason, fishy, off-brand units are not worth the purchase.
The thickness of the steel, along with anti-prying features, are two elements that you need to consider to understand the quality of construction. You want to go with thicker steel that is not susceptible to forced entry. In addition, make sure the gun safe comes with a seamless design; otherwise, it might be vulnerable to prying.
Furthermore, the gun safe should come with high-quality locking bolts with thick steel. Once you activate the locking mechanism, the deadbolts are responsible for keeping your unit sealed. The hinges of the gun safe are another section you need to check to ensure it is fully protected.
4. Additional Features
With the essentials covered, you can try to get some extra utility out of your gun safe by looking at a few additional features. Although these might not be the most important things, they can really come in handy in certain situations. And most of the time, they do not cost anything extra.
For instance, some wall safes come with a built-in interior LED that lets you see the inside of the safe in complete darkness. It is a highly practical feature and can help you retrieve your guns and ammo in the dark if you ever fall victim to a burglary.
Another excellent feature that sometimes comes in electronic safes is a low-battery warning. It usually comes in the form of an LED indicator, and when it starts blipping or lights up, you know that it is time to replace the batteries. One other feature worth checking is automatic door locking, which is quite self-explanatory.
5. Budget Constraints
Budget is a subjective matter, and not everyone will go into the market with the same amount of money. However, the price of the unit you are buying and the value it offers are two different things. For the best bang for your buck investment, you want a product that offers the best value rather than the most expensive unit on the market.
That is why, even if you can afford to go with the most expensive product, you should never go in without a set budget. Sometimes we buy a gun safe that has many eye-candy features that we rarely use. Ultimately, we are paying premium money for elements that we do not need practically.
By keeping yourself limited on your budget, you can remove a lot of these unnecessary features and focus on the essential elements. Having a strict budget is critical to your shopping experience, regardless of what you are buying.
Final Thoughts
For people who understand the importance of discretion and security, a wall gun safe is a must-have tool. Whether you have a small apartment or a large office space, an in wall gun safe will make sure your guns and valuables will remain safe and undisturbed.
Our extensive article on the best in wall gun safe should give you plenty of options when you are opting to buy one of these excellent devices for yourself.
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