Best Gun Safes Under $100

We would argue that a gun safe is an essential piece of kit for any gun owner. That’s how you best guarantee your safety.

But you don’t want to have to fork out more than you can afford. Like with any other online purchase, it’s best to start with a budget limit and look from there. And you’ve certainly come to the right place.

Ok, we’re going to level with you here. $100 will not buy a gun safe for your AR-15, or indeed any rifle or large gun. You can only get gun racks at that price.

But the good news is that you can buy a safe for a handgun or pistol for under $100. And pretty good ones too, you can even get biometric ones, and guarantee that no one ever opens it but you.

We’ve been checking them out, and we’ve managed to pick out our top 5 favorites.

Our reviews on those are coming up very shortly, and after that, we’ve got a handy buying guide for you that walks you through everything you might want to think about before you part with your hard-earned cash.

Then we’re going to top that off with another section where we answer some of your most frequently asked questions.

So, without further ado…

OUR TOP PICK

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EDITORS CHOICE

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BEST VALUE

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OUR TOP PICK

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Now, this gun safe really has a lot going for it.

First off, we love that it comes with a biometric fingerprint lock. Sometimes it can be hard to find a gun safe with a biometric lock for under $100.

And with the simple tap of your finger, the gun safe recognizes you and opens up in an instant. And you can open it one-handed.

But if you also want your partner to be able to open the gun safe, then don’t worry - it can also be opened with one of the two back-up keys in an emergency.

And if you’re looking for a portable gun safe that you can pop in the car, then this one is certainly portable enough. It’s compact and weighs between 3 and 5 pounds when empty.

That said, if you did want to keep it in one place, you can do just that, thanks to the inclusion of the mounting hardware (and screwdriver!) that comes in the box.

And you can secure it further still, by attaching the included high strength cable.

We love that it’s been approved as a firearm safety device by the California Department of Justice - very reassuring.

It’s crafted from 16 gauge carbon steel - very sturdy and durable. It’s seamlessly welded and has anti-impact latches, so not only will it never crack open, but it’s also completely pry-proof too.

Moreover, it also has a nice, sleek, anti-corrosion black finish.

And, as we’ve come to expect from RPNB, it comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and a 1-year warranty.

Pros

  • It’s very portable 
  • Biometric fingerprint lock
  • Approved by California DOJ
  • Can be secured in place
  • Comes with a 1-year warranty

Cons

  • Runs on 4 AAA batteries, which are not included

EDITORS CHOICE

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Here’s another great gun safe from top gun safe brand RPNB.

What we love the most about this gun safe is how it opens. When the safe opens, the handgun will be pointed downwards, with the handle within quick reach of the opening. 100% ready to grab and, if necessary, use.

And, it can be opened completely single-handed, which is perfect in an emergency situation.

It’s designed to be mounted, attached to a nightstand or table or desk, with all the mounting hardware you need included in the box when it arrives.

And your options are open as to how you mount it. You can mount it from the right, the left, or the top. If you wanted to obscure anyone’s view of the opening pin code, then top mounting may perhaps be best.

It opens by way of a quick 4 digit PIN that you tap in on the top of the device. And with it being so few digits, it’s really easy to remember. Simply pick a memorable date known only to you. 

And in the event that you forget your PIN, there’s no need to worry. You also get a set of back-up keys.

It’s made from good quality sturdy steel, and despite its quick opening, it’s virtually impossible to pry open - even with tools.

We love that it features a low battery warning - the last thing you want is to be caught out unable to enter the pin code in an emergency.

It has a nice, sleek look, and is very compact and quite discreet. It’s all-black look would suit most decor. And as well as looking very modern and sleek, the finish is also corrosion-resistant.

It’s run on AAA batteries, which you can pick up anywhere, which is very convenient.

As with all RPNB gun safes, it comes, reassuringly, with a full year’s warranty

Pros

  • 100% ready to grab
  • Several mounting options
  • Only 4 digits to remember
  • Low battery warning
  • 1-year warranty

Cons

  • Batteries not included
  • No biometric fingerprint lock

BEST VALUE

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Now, this gun safe comes highly recommended. There have been well over 3,500 sales on Amazon alone, and even after so many individual customer ratings, the average customer rating comes in at an impressive 4 and a half stars out of 5.

What we love about it is the quick access - just what you want in an emergency.

There are 4 different ways of opening it, you just choose which you prefer.

You can use a special RFID keycard or fob, or you can set up a PIN which you can type in using the backlit keypad, or the traditional way with a set of manual keys.

It’s a very sturdy and durable box, constructed with dual-layer steel housing. And with its seamlessly welded steel body, you can rest assured that it’s completely pry-proof.

It also has a nice, corrosion-resistant black finish. And it may not be obvious to some that it’s a safe at first glance, so it’s rather discrete. 

It comes complete with hardware, ready for mounting to the floor, where it will hard to spot to the untrained eye.

The interior of the gun safe isn’t molded to the shape of your gun, which means you can also use it to stash away other valuables out of sight. Or you could keep 2 guns in there.

Please note that this gun safe is also available with a biometric fingerprint lock, however, this takes it above your $100 budget.

And coming from such a reputable brand, you also get, of course, a 1-year warranty.

Pros

  • Quick access - perfect for emergencies
  • Several access methods to choose from
  • Sturdy, durable, and pry-proof
  • Lock up other items too
  • Can be mounted to the floor

Cons

  • It costs extra if you want to get it with a biometric fingerprint lock

RUNNER UP

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Another great RPNB gun safe. 

This one can be used as a portable gun safe since it’s so compact.

Alternatively, you can decide to mount it in a convenient yet secure place, thanks to the inclusion of all the necessary mounting hardware that comes in the box when it arrives. Moreover, it can be mounted in any direction

There are 3 main methods for opening it. You can simply swipe over an RPNB card or fob, thanks to its RFID technology, or alternatively, if you can’t get to these items quickly enough, you can make use of the rapid-fire backlit backlit keypad to tap in your pre-saved pattern.

And if you don’t have the card or fob, or have forgotten your code, there are 2 back-up keys provided in the box when it arrives.

The spring-loaded door ensures that if flies open to give immediate access to your gun (or other valuables).

It runs off AAA batteries, which are super easy to get hold of (though unfortunately don’t come in the box).

What we like about this gun safe is how compact it is. You could argue that it doesn’t scream “gun safe” and wouldn’t look out of place on a bookshelf, since it’s about the size of a small stack of books.

Despite its unassuming appearance, however, the housing is constructed from solid steel, with a very high strength locking mechanism. And it’s virtually impossible to pry open with hand tools.

We also love RPNB’s after-sales service, with their 100% satisfaction guarantee and a complete year’s warranty.

Pros

  • Opens instantly
  • Portable or mounted
  • Secure opening methods
  • Discreet appearance
  • 1-year warranty

Cons

  • Batteries not included
  • No biometric fingerprint lock

RUNNER UP

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If it’s a bargain you’re looking for, you need to look no further. It’s available at a mere fraction of the price of the other gun safes in our top 5 picks, even if you don’t manage to catch one of Amazon’s great deals on it.

Of course, at this price, you can’t expect any fancy features such as a biometric fingerprint lock, or even a secure pin code to tap in. But that can be a good thing. It means that you don’t have to remember any pesky pin codes.

Instead, it unlocks more traditionally, with a set of manual keys. Which you can keep in a secure location known only to you., or which you can keep on your person.

It’s also super compact and portable, at less than 10 inches on its longest side, and weighs less than 4 pounds when empty.

But despite its small size, it can accommodate both your gun and your ammo.

And just because it’s portable doesn’t mean it’s not secure. Included in the box is a security cable that enables you to secure it to an immobile object.

And it’s constructed with heavy-duty 16-gauge steel housing and is very pry-resistant.

And it’s super affordable price, you also get protective foam in the interior.

We were also reassured to learn that this gun safe meets both TSA airline and CA DOJ firearm guidelines.

Pros

  • Bargain price
  • Very compact & portable
  • No PIN to remember
  • Meets both TSA airline and CA DOJ firearm guidelines.

Cons

  • No biometric fingerprint lock

Best Gun Safes Under 100 Buying Guide

As promised, here’s our buying guide. Once you’ve read through it, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for.

Quick Access

In an emergency, you want to be able to open your gun safe right then and there. And not have to stress out, trying to painstakingly type in some hard to remember 9 digit code.

That’s why it’s better to look for gun safes that only use a 4 digit code, or better yet a biometric fingerprint lock that only allows you, or specially selected others, to open it, at the mere tap of a finger.

Back-Up Means of Opening

Sure you want your guns to be stowed away as securely as possible. But on the flip side, you don’t want them to be kept so securely that you can never get to them again. 

That’s why we like safes that have more than one means of opening. In real terms, this may mean, for example, having a gun safe that opens with a 4 digit PIN, that also has a set of back-up keys, whose whereabouts are known only to you.

Tamper Proof

In the (hopefully highly unlikely) event of a violent attack, whereby an unauthorized person attempts to open your gun safe without the necessary fingerprint, pin code, or keys, you will need your gun safe to be sturdy and as pry-proof as possible.

So, ideally, you should look for gun safes with a solid steel housing - the higher the gauge, the better.

All of the gun safes in our top 5 picks are very pry-proof from hand tools. But we’re going to level with you here, and be honest and say that even the best gun safes can be pried open with power tools.

Our best advice on this is to look for a gun safe with seamless weldings, like our number 1 pick, the RPNB California DOJ Certified Smart Pistol Safe, and our number 3 pick, the RPNB Gun Security Safe.

Meeting of Firearm Guidelines

When your gun safe meets the regulations and meets DOJ guidelines, this is very reassuring, and we were sure to include such gun safes in our top 5 picks specifically, our number 1 pick, the RPNB California DOJ Certified Smart Pistol Safe, and our number 5 pick, the SnapSafe Keyed Lock Box. 

Warranty

When you buy a product that comes with a warranty, you can be assured that it’s certainly not a dodgy knock-off and that you have bought the real thing.

Knowing that your purchase is under warranty gives you peace of mind to know that the product will remain in excellent condition for at least the length of the warranty period, and usually for much, much longer besides.

Brand

When it comes to buying gun safes for small guns, we’ve got to say, it seems that RPNB seems to really know their stuff.

They dominate the bestseller lists with online retailers, and all their products are very reasonably priced. 

They’re hands down one of the best brands out there for gun safes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gun safe for the money?

The best answer to this question is “it depends”. It depends on what exactly you’re looking for in a gun safe.

If you’re just looking for as cheap a gun safe as possible, then you could go for our number 5 pick, the SnapSafe Keyed Lock Box.

However, we think your best option under $100 has to be our number 1 pick, the RPNB California DOJ Certified Smart Pistol Safe. It hands down has the most to offer…

For under $100, you get a gun safe that’s controlled by a biometric fingerprint, which means that you control who does and does not have fingerprint access to it. Couldn’t be more secure.

And that’s not all. You can open it one-handed, and either use it as a portable gun safe or mount it in a secure place. It’s also approved as a firearm safety device by the California Department of Justice and is pry-proof.

What is the best quick access pistol safe?

We think that the best gun safe for quick and easy access has to be our number 2 pick, the RPNB Mounted Firearm Safety Device.

What is the hardest safe to break into?

We’re going to level with you here and be honest and say that the hardest safes to break into cost way more than $100. 

That said all of the gun safes under $100 are all made from solid, sturdy, heavy-duty steel. Moreover, some of these are considered to be pry-proof, thanks to their seamless welding.

These are our number 1 pick, the RPNB California DOJ Certified Smart Pistol Safe, and our number 3 pick, the RPNB Gun Security Safe.