As an avid gun lover, one thing that none of us want is accidents involving our firearms. Keeping your weapon away from others is critical to your safety and the safety of those around you. However, keeping your guns locked up tightly is not always the right answer.
If you cannot access your gun at your moment of need, there is no point in getting it. With the best nightstand gun safes, you will not have to compromise the safety of others while keeping your weapon ready to use whenever you need to. It is one of the most practical tools if you want to keep your guns at your home.
In this article, we will give you a complete rundown of everything that you need to know about this nifty tool along with our personal review of the best units that you can find on the market.
Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Rugged Smart Handgun Safe Vaultek Series | 5 out of 5 | |
| Awesafe Gun Safe with Fingerprint Identification and Biometric Lock | 5 out of 5 | |
| Fort Knox FTK-PB Safe | 4.5 out of 5 | |
| V-Line 2597-S Keyless Security Box | 4 out of 5 | |
| GunVault SV500 SpeedVault Safe | 4.5 out of 5 |
Why Do You Need A Nightstand Gun Safe?
Let us start off with the question that must be in your mind; do I really need the best bedside gun safe? Well, you are not the only one to think like that. In fact, most gun owners do not understand the necessity and benefit of this type of unit before they try it out for themselves.
Imagine you are asleep at your bed without a worry in the world when a burglar breaks into your house. You wake up, and to defend yourself; you want to get to your gun. If you are using one of those large gun vaults, you can understand how difficult it would be to get your gun without letting the burglar know your intentions.
For one thing, a large gun safe would make a lot of noise. Additionally, opening it would require wasting a lot of time trying to bypass the locking mechanism. With a nightstand gun safe, you do not need to worry about either of these problems.
If you are thinking of keeping your gun lying around on the table, then there is another problem you need to think about. For some reason, if you do not wake up, the burglar can easily snatch your gun away from you while you are sound asleep. Even if that is not an issue, a gun on a table is generally not a bright idea.
All these issues can be solved instantly if you just invest in a nightstand gun safe. That way, you can keep a fully loaded gun right at your bedside that you can access whenever you feel a threat. You can protect your home from intruders while keeping your family safe from your firearm.
In addition, since nightstand gun safes are typically affordable units, you will not be shelling out a lot of money by getting one for yourself. Although you cannot put a price on safety, not everyone can afford a gun safe after investing in a weapon. With nightstand gun safes, the investment is quite reasonable and will not burn a hole in your wallet.
Top 7 Best Nightstand Gun Safe Reviews
Finding the best nightstand gun safe in the market is not as easy as one might think. There are many different factors you have to consider, and the large volume of units floating around will not make things easier for you. Until you are caught up in the current marketplace, you will have a tough time even if you have a decent idea about the product.
To make things as smooth as possible, we will give you a quick review of some of our favorite models that you can buy today.
1. Vaultek Slider Series Rugged Smart Handgun Safe
We will be kicking things off with an excellent little unit by the brand Vaultek. The compact size of the unit, along with the nifty Bluetooth feature that allows you to pair it with your phone, makes it a convenient option to store your gun away from children or intruders.
The first thing that stands out about the unit is its strong and sturdy construction. Featuring heavy-duty 16 gauge carbon steel construction, this gun safe is made to take a beating. For greater impact resistance, it features anti-impact latches on the door, and the three-point precision rail system opens it smoothly when you want it.
In addition to sturdy build quality, this unit boasts a top-notch security system. It comes with four different modes of access. Firstly, you get a fast responding biometric security scanner to access it simply with your fingerprints. Furthermore, the electronic keypad, manual keys, and smartphone app gives you backup ways to open the safe.
The slim and vertical design of the safe makes it a perfect candidate for a nightstand gun safe. You can mount it on the side of the bed, or bookshelf too, for additional utility. With your purchase, you get a rechargeable battery along with a charging kit. On a full charge, the battery can give you four months’ worth of performance.Pros:
- Sleek and stylish design
- Four different mode of access
- Bluetooth connectivity with smartphone
- Excellent build quality
Cons:
2. Awesafe Gun Safe with Fingerprint Identification and Biometric Lock
When you are shopping for a nightstand gun safe, you want it to be discreet and low-profile. This fantastic unit by the brand awesafe is one of the finest options when you want a unit that does not draw any attention. Despite its small size, it has enough capacity to hold your weapon along with a few rounds of magazine.
One of its best features is its smaller form-factor. This makes it both portable and allows you to mount it discreetly on a nightstand. However, when it comes to build quality, you have nothing to worry about. It features a premium-grade steel framing with sturdy anti-pry door hinges ensuring zero chance of a break-in.
For its security system, the unit features a biometric scanner. Although the fingerprint sensor could be improved, the other factors sure do make up for it. It even features an electronic keypad for backup access and manual keys if the battery runs out.
The interior compartment of the unit is quite spacious for its size. Sure, you cannot store two or more handguns in it. However, for people who want a safe way to access a single handgun with a couple of bullets, this is the right tool. It even features blue LED lighting on the interior to make it easy for you to access your gun at night.Pros:
- Portable and small form-factor
- Strong pry-resistant design
- Features gas strut compressors for noise-free opening
- Comes with Blue lighting on the interior
Cons:
- The fingerprint sensor is not that great.
3. Fort Knox FTK-PB Pistol Box Handgun Safe
Fort Knox is a trusted brand that is often revered as one of the best in the industry. What this brand might lack in terms of sophisticated features like biometric scanning or electronic locks, it makes up for it in sheer strength and superior build quality. This pistol box handgun safe by the brand is an excellent example of their quality.
The unit features a thick and sturdy housing made of solid steel. In case of a break-in, even if the burglar gets access to the safe by any chance, he will never be able to get to your weapon through force. This gun safe exceeds all the firearm regulation requirements of California, which should give you some idea of its strength.
In terms of security, it features a simple locking mechanism. The Simplex combination locking system used in it depends on five buttons and a large dial on the face of the unit. With this mechanism, you can set up potentially 1081 different combinations that you can use to access the safe.
One of the best features of the device is its interior design. Storing a couple of rounds of magazine along with your favorite handgun is easy, and you will not be struggling for space. In addition, the interior is lined with thick carpeting to ensure the cosmetic quality of your handgun remains intact.
Pros:
Cons:
4. V-Line 2597-S Desk Mate Keyless Security Box
The thing about nightstand gun safes is you want them to be out of sight. If the unit you buy offers you multiple ways to mount it, you can get more use out of it. With this option by the brand V-line, you can set up your gun safe in any position or orientation you can imagine with no additional hassle.
The strong steel housing of the unit instantly lets you put your mind at ease. Since it has a keyless design, you do not have to worry about any pry points. When you open it, the interior compartment slides out, which is extremely convenient as you can easily pick up your weapon and magazines without any fiddling around.
The security system in the unit is similar to the one we showcased in the previous model by Fort Knox. You still get the same amount of user combination options and the simple way to input your code using the five buttons. For this unit, however, the buttons are convenient located at the front of the drawers, so it does not get in the way if you mount it under the bed.
Another great thing about the unit is that it gives you the mounting bracket with your investment. So the moment you get it, you can set it up without having to buy a separate bracket for your gun safe. As you might expect, the unit meets all the regulations set by the California Department of Justice.Pros:
Cons:
- A bit heavy
5. GunVault SV500 - SpeedVault Handgun Safe
Similar to Vaultek or Fort Knox, the brand GunVault has a massive following in the industry of gun safes. The sheer volume of people that vouch for the strength and durability of its gun safes should be enough to convince you of its quality. If not, the SV500 will surely make a fan out of you.
It features a tough and heavy-duty 18-gauge steel housing that can take a lot of beating. Despite such heavy steel usage, the unit manages to be pretty lightweight and small. The interesting design allows you to store a single handgun and ensures one-handed usage for smooth and fast access.
The security system in the unit is a simple four-digit electronic keypad where you can set up to 12 million unique combinations. Thick padding on the interior ensures the cosmetic quality of your handgun. If you need to access the unit at night, the interior LED light will make it easier for you to see.
The vertical mounted design of the unit does take away from some of the mounting possibilities. However, if you want to attach it to the side of your nightstand or bed, you should have no trouble with it. Additionally, all the mounting accessories you need to set it up comes included with your purchase.Pros:
Cons:
6. SentrySafe QAP1BE Gun Safe with Biometric Lock
Up next, we will be looking at another excellent brand in the industry, SentrySafe. The QAP1BE is a perfect unit for people who want a quick and easy way to access their weapon in the middle of the night in case of a break-in. Its combination of price and performance sits at the sweet spot, making it a worthy investment for any gun owner.
The solid steel construction of the unit is resistant to any impact damage, while the pry-resistant door ensures the complete safety of the gun safe from intruders. If you are worried about people breaking into your house, you can relax, knowing that they can never get to your gun without your knowledge.
It uses top-notch security features such as a smooth and responsive biometric scanner along with a backup electronic keypad as a backup mode of access. If the battery in the unit runs out, you also get a manual override key to access the interior of the safe without any trouble.
For the best battery life, you should use four alkaline batteries of the highest quality instead of rechargeable ones. The overall construction and durability of the unit are exceptional and pretty handy to keep your firearms safe. It even features gas strut compressors on the door to ensure the safe opens quietly.Pros:
Cons:
7. AmazonBasics Deluxe Quick-Access Firearm Safety Device
If you are low on budget but still want a decent nightstand safe that does its job, you cannot go wrong with the Deluxe Quick-Access Firearm Safe by AmazonBasics. Despite its low price and simplistic design, when it comes to safety for your firearm, this unit provides it in a handful.
The unit features a dual-layer of steel in its housing to ensure the topmost protection for your weapon. Thanks to the pry-resistant door design, you do not need to worry about any tampering attempts against the safe. If anyone thinks they can break into the safe, they are in for quite a surprise.
This gun safe also takes the matter of easy access quite seriously, providing you with a biometric sensor to open it instantly. As backup access methods, you also get a four-digit electronic keypad and manual keys in case the battery runs out. Both the sensor and the keypad work flawlessly and gives you the performance you expect from it.
Additionally, the interior of the unit comes with thick padding to ensure no harm comes to your firearm. You have enough space to store other small items such as ammunition or your passport without any struggle. You also have the option to mount it on the floor using the pre-drilled mounting holes.Pros:
Cons:
Things to Consider when Buying the Best Bedside Gun Safe
With the list of products covered, you can already get some idea about which units are worth looking into for your next investment. Remember, the sole purpose of a nightstand safe is not only to provide a safe place to store your gun; you also need to be able to reach it in case of an emergency.
Burglaries can happen without warning, and if something like that does occur, you need to be able to get your gun to defend your home at a moment’s notice. However, you cannot overlook the build quality of the safe when you are going for quicker access.
As you can see, balancing your requirements when buying the best nightstand gun safe can get pretty hectic. To make things a tad bit easier, here are a few things that you can consider before investing your money.
Designs of Nightstand Safes
When it comes to nightstand safes, you will see a couple of different designs on the market. At first glance, you might think they are just design choices focused on the cosmetic appeal. However, once you start using one, you would realize how much they affect your experience with a particular design.
So before you go and get a gun safe, it is critical to check the design, how it opens, how you have to mount it, etc. All these small factors play a part in how quickly you can access your firearm once you store it inside the safe. We will briefly highlight some of the common designs you can find along with their pros and cons.
➥ Door Style
Nightstand gun safe with doors is what we understand to be the traditional design. Just as the name suggests, it is a basic gun safe that has a door or a lid on top that pops open when you access it. Highend door systems feature a gas strut compressor on the hinge to ensure smoother opening of the door.
➥ Drawer Style
If you are a fan of slide-out compartments, drawer style nightstand gun safe might be right for you. The advantage with this unit is they tend to feature a larger compartment. So in most cases, you can fit at least two or sometimes even more handguns in a single safe.
➥ Holster Style
As you might assume from the name, this type of gun shape feature a holster that is locked behind a biometric scanner or electronic keypad. The main advantage of this shape is the natural access that it provides to your handgun. However, it only has a vertical mounting option, and you cannot usually store more than one handgun.
With so many different choices, it is crucial that you choose one that suits your requirements. Before investing your money, think carefully about which designs suits you better.
Locking Mechanism
What good is a gun safe if it does not feature an excellent locking mechanism? These days, there are many different types of locking systems that you will see, even in the most basic gun safes. The most popular options are biometric safe , electronic keypad, combination lock, and of course, keyed locks.
Biometric Locking Mechanism
If you are wondering which one is the most sophisticated locking system, the answer might be the biometric mechanism. With this type of locks, you basically get a sensor on the gun safe that reads your fingerprint. If the fingerprint matches the one stored in its database, it pops open, providing instant access.
The main issue with this unit is if you end up with a low-quality sensor, you will have to place your finger multiple times for it to respond properly. This can be extremely annoying as you will need to waste a lot of time
➥ Electronic Keypad
Electronic keypads are also a very popular locking mechanism that is widely used in gun safes. As the name suggests, you get an electronic keypad on the gun safe with a number of digits. You have to set a pin code that you can later use to access the interior of the gun safe.
Electronic keypads are a great all-round option to have on your gun safe. However, if anyone other than you gets the code, they will have no trouble getting access to the safe.
➥ Combination Lock
Combination locks are simple yet effective at deterring any intruders from gaining access simply by guessing the pin code. Some models may feature a three-digit combination, while others may feature four or more digits to work with. The best part about this system is that it requires no batteries, unlike electronic keypad or biometric sensors.
➥ Keyed Lock
Keyed locks are the most basic locking system that you find on the market. Typically, we try not to go with units that rely solely on keyed locks as it is quite susceptible to breaking. Basically, you get a pair of keys and a lock that you place on the gun safe to prevent access. It is also not as quick as other locking systems.
One great thing about nightstand safe is typically they come with at least two ways to access the safe. In some cases, you can even find units that have all four ways of accessing the inside.
Ease of Access
With a nightstand gun safe, one of the primary concerns is how quickly you can get to your gun. It is not a standard gun vault that is meant to store your weapons and keep it safe indefinitely. Rather the purpose of this unit is to keep it away from others while providing you with instant access to your weapon when you need it.
If your unit comes with a biometric scanner, you need to check the response time of the unit. It needs to react to your fingerprints fast so that you can get into it the moment you need to without having to place your finger multiple times on the sensor.
Build Quality
Another thing that you should not overlook when it comes to any type of gun safe is its build quality. Granted, with nightstand safes, it might not be the biggest of concerns; however, you should always go for a bulkier and sturdier unit if you have the option.
With nightstand safes, you want to stay within 14 to 16 gauges of steel as that hits the sweet spot between quick access and safety. Some models can feature thicker steel, but if it gets too heavy or inaccessible, you might not be able to get the most use out of it.
When looking at the build quality, always consider if it inversely affects the ease of access and portability. Finding the sweet spot is critical if you want to end up with a unit that fully meets your expectations. Otherwise, you will want to replace your unit a few months down the line.
Storage
Storage is, as usual, an important element in a gun safe. Thankfully though, by purpose, nightstand gun safes are not meant to hold more than a single handgun. However, if you want to store a few extra items such as jewelry or cash inside the safe, then you want better storage options.
With more storage, the gun safe obviously gets bigger. Make sure you find the right balance as if the nightstand safe is too big, it might attract unnecessary attention. However, make sure you can at least store a couple of rounds of ammunition inside it so that you do not have to search around for ammo in case of a break-in.
Mounting Options
Mounting options might be more important for a nightstand gun safe than any other type of safes. Since this type of unit is typically lightweight, unless you mount it securely, people can just snatch it away, essentially disarming you. So mounting your gun safe is essential for security.
Thankfully, these days most units come with pre-drilled mounting holes and required accessories to mount it securely to a surface. Make sure you read the instruction manual thoroughly before going ahead with the mounting process. Otherwise, you might miss a crucial element that can compromise its safety.
Additionally, check for different mounting possibilities with your gun safe. Some units allow you to mount it vertically while others have a horizontal design. Whether you go with a vertical unit or horizontal, it ultimately comes down to your preference.
Battery Life
If you are buying a fully analog nightstand gun safe, battery life is not an issue. However, if your unit features biometric security or electronic keypads, you need to consider how well it can utilize the battery. The last thing you want is for the battery to run out, leaving you with no way to open the safe.
Thankfully, most electronic gun safes feature backup means of access with override keys, but that takes time to open. The best thing to do if you are going for a digital unit is to find one that gives you decent battery life. At the very least, the unit should give you four-six months' performance on a single set of batteries.
Additional Features
Up until now, we have been looking at different safety elements that you want in your nightstand gun safe. However, with some added features, you can get more utility out of your investment. For instance, Bluetooth connectivity features can allow you to remotely monitor the status of your safe.
Other quality of life improvement features in a gun safe includes interior LED or silent mode operation. The silent operation mode, in particular, is extremely useful as it essentially mutes your safe completely.
So you will get no audio feedback from the keypad or when the door opens, which can help you keep your activity discreet. This feature is very handy when you are trying to get to your gun discreetly without letting anyone know of your presence.
Although these might not be the most critical features, they can benefit you in certain situations. It can add much more value to your investment, and some more options to play around with is never a bad thing.
Price Range
As with any investment, your budget is something that you have to think about. Although a bedside gun safe is not extremely expensive, it is not that cheap either. Unless you manage your budget and your expectation, even if you buy a heavy-duty unit, you might not be fully satisfied with it.
The best way to go is to set yourself on a spending limit and stay under it. That way, you will eliminate most of the units that are out of your price range and make it easier for you to filter units that you can afford. It offers a much hassle-free shopping experience, and you will be able to make the most out of your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
With all of the information you gathered about the nightstand gun safe; you should already feel like an expert. But a bit of extra knowledge never hurts anyone. To that end, here are some of the most frequent queries people have about this type of unit.
What is the primary purpose of a nightstand gun safe?
The main reason for getting a nightstand gun safe is, of course, security. Leaving a loaded gun at your bedside is not a good practice. Even if there are no little kids at home, it leaves you vulnerable to outside attacks. If a burglar breaks into your house and gets access to your firearm, things can go really bad.
For people living in a rough neighborhood, a nightstand gun safe is almost an essential investment. It allows you to keep your gun ready to go and away from people at the same time. Accidents with firearms are quite a common occurrence, and with this investment, you can do your part to keep everyone around you safe.
Is biometric security essential in a nightstand gun safe?
No, biometric security, however convenient it may be, is not essential to have in your gun safe. However, before you dismiss this form of locking mechanism entirely, it is best to try out different sensors. There is a reason why this type of locking system is so popular in the market.
A biometric security lock allows you to conveniently get to your weapon without fiddling around with a lot of buttons. If you want your gun in the dark, biometric sensors make it extremely easy. Just one touch of your finger is enough for you to be able to open the safe quickly in case of an emergency.
Which position is better for mounting my gun safe?
As we already said previously, it comes down to your preference. However, not all gun safes allow you to mount it in both positions. In some cases, you might end up with a unit that only lets you position it vertically for secure mounting. If you have a specific preference, then make sure your gun safe allows for it.
Additionally, if you have never used a nightstand safe previously, it is best to try it out a few times before committing to a certain position. Carefully consider which position allows you to access your gun quicker. If a certain position allows you to get to your gun a few seconds faster, that is the one you want to go with.
Is it safe to keep a loaded gun inside my nightstand gun safe?
If you were to keep a loaded gun anywhere else apart from a nightstand gun safe, the answer would be no. However, the main reason for using this type of unit is to have your gun ready to go the moment there is any hint of trouble.
So when using a nightstand gun safe, you want to keep a loaded gun inside it along with a couple of spare ammunition. That way, if there is a burglary, you can easily take out your gun, cock it, and stop the intruders before things get a bit too out of control.
But make sure that the gun is not cocked when it is inside the gun safe. Also, make sure to check if it is locked properly every time you close it so that no one can gain access to your loaded weapon.
If I already have a bigger gun safe, do I need a bedside unit?
A bedside gun safe is not the same as the bigger safes that hold multiple weapons. It typically offers enough space to hold a single handgun, but in many ways, offers much more utility than its bigger brother.
You cannot access a large gun safe instantly if you want your weapon in a high-stress situation. Besides, the door hinges in a large gun safe tend to be noisy, which can give away your position. For that, you want to invest in a bedside gun safe. It is the most practical option if you want your gun at the ready.
Final Thoughts
If you are a gun owner, investing in a gun safe is for your own protection as much as it is for others’ safety. With a best nightstand gun safe, you can keep your guns close to protect yourself and your family should the need ever arise. After all, a gun that you cannot get to when you need is practically useless.
We hope our article on the best bedside gun safe could help you understand the importance of this little unit. Now you should have no trouble finding the right product to keep at your bedside.
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