Biometric Handgun Safe Ranking Factors: Security, Accessibility, Reliability, Storage Capacity
#1 Best Biometric Handgun Safe – Verifi Smart Safe S5000 & S6000
Review
I’ll start by saying most biometric fingerprint scanners are complete crap.. Really just complete crap. Personally, I would never, ever, ever buy a biometric safe, but their popularity keeps growing with companies like Apple installing fingerprint sensors on everything. So if I have to choose one, I would choose the Verifi Smart Safe as they use the most advanced biometric system out there. It’s an FBI silicon based sensor which employs a 3-D imaging system to generate a detailed fingerprint image. It works for everyone, even those who have had bad experiences with other fingerprint systems. The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Dept. Of Defense, and Dept. of State are just a few who have adopted the Verifi fingerprint devices.
In terms of security, the Verifi safes are CA DOJ Approved featureing an 8 gauge steel door and 14 gauge steel body, both are very impressive for a handgun safe and will hold up very well in a pry attack. This Smart Safe will also record all who have opened and closed the safe with the ability to add and delete users as well as place timestamps. This extends the application of the safe beyond handgun storage and allows for several different office applications. There is a key override in the event of the batteries dying before you have a chance to replace them.
While the safe doesn’t have an auto-open or drop down door, it is still relatively quick to access, you just pull the door open after placing your fingerprint on the sensor. This is what I would consider to be the biggest weakness of this safe however considering it’s numerous other applications, I don’t think they designed this safe to be quick access.
The Verifi Smart Safes come in two different sizes where you can fit about 3 handguns in the smaller size and 4 handguns in the larger size. It does not come with an interior shelf or foam-lined interior, so you would have to provide some kind of gun rack to prevent damage to your weapons.
While the Verifi Smart Safe is expensive, it is definitely the most reliable and highest rated biometric handgun safe on the market. When you have to have a biometric, this is my recommendation to buy.
#2 Best Biometric Handgun Safe – Liberty HDX-250 SmartVault
Review
I’m still confused as to why Liberty calls this the SmartVault. Other than the biometric scanner, there is really nothing smart about it, no audit trail, no Bluetooth app, just a biometric scanner.
Liberty claims the HDX-250 is the most reliable biometric scanner ever made and while I had success with my fingerprint working with the sensor, a quick look at the reviews will show you that maybe it’s not all they claim it to be. What I’ve learned about cheap Biometric scanners is that they just flat out don’t work for some people, particularly seniors and construction workers who have had their fingerprints worn down over the years. This is however, the fastest biometric system with opening speeds of 1 second with the AC adapter plugged in.
The Liberty HDX-250 uses the drop-down door style of safe which combined with its 1 second opening speed makes this a lighting fast handgun safe. It’s actually the fastest opening I’ve ever seen across any “working” handgun safe and if this article were about the fastest opening biometric handgun safe, Liberty takes the cake.
Liberty never really mentions the body thickness but does mention it has a 14 gauge steel door and anti-pry tabs. Normally, when companies don’t brag about their steel thickness, it’s because they are too ashamed by the thinness and this is definitely one of those cases. At least they didn’t pull a Vaultek and describe an 18 gauge body as tough and rugged. They do show some pry tests by their factory workers where it takes over 10 minutes to open the safe, however I’m sure I can get it open in under 5. I’ve also seen Youtube videos where it is opened with a coat hanger in under 30 seconds. I will say you have to know what you are doing, but it is pretty easy to find out on the internet with a simple google search.
The HDX-250 has a rather small storage capacity of two handguns considering it’s larger size and with the door shape, it’s not convenient to remove them .
If speed and a biometric scanner are your two most important features, the Liberty HDX-250 is the right choice for you.
#3 Best Biometric Handgun Safe – SentrySafe QAP1BE
Review
With three different methods of entry in a biometric scanner, electronic keypad and emergency key override, you should never have a problem getting locked out of your QAP1BE.
Sentry makes no mention of the type of scanner they use, it’s reliability or false read rate which means It’s likely a cheap scanner but out of all of the safes I’ve reviewed it works well if your finger works well with biometric scanners. The Verifi safe works with all fingers, this one will work with those ideal fingerprints for swipe scanners.
Sentry claims the door and body are 12 gauge steel which is great if it’s true but just looking at the size and weight, I find it hard to imagine it’s actually 12 gauge. The sides are reinforced with plastic and anyone with simple tools is going to be able to get into this safe pretty quick. There are already several Youtube videos out there showing just how easy it is to access this safe. I find it sad that is the third best option out there for biometric handgun safes, but compared to how shitty the other options are this one will have to do.
The only good thing about this safe is that it has an auto open lid that presents the handgun in an easily accessible position. You can store up to two compact handguns in this safe and not much else leaving it with limited storage capacity.
All in all, I wouldn’t really recommend this safe but compared the rest of the crap out on the market, I give it third best.
Read Individual Review of the SentrySafe QAP1BE
Comparison Chart
| Security | Accessibility | Reliability | Storage Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verifi Smart Safes | #1 | #3 | #1 | #1 |
| Liberty HDX-250 | #2 | #2 | #2 | #2 |
| Sentry QAP1BE | #3 | #1 | #3 | #3 |
