Top 7 Best Gun Safe Alternatives in 2023

There are plenty of reasons why you may want an awesome alternative to a gun safe. Whether it be the fact that you can’t have a safe in your rented apartment, you don’t want to lug it up and down stairs, or because you don’t want to spend the money that is needed to get the safe that you want.

Regardless of what it is, I have put together a list of awesome full-size gun safe alternatives that you might not have thought of quite yet. You will find mirror safes, vehicle safes, vault doors and more. So stay tuned, you might find something that works for you.

Best For Bedrooms

1. Tactical Traps Mirror

3.5

$597.00

You can't go wrong with an awesome hidden mirror safe! This one in particular doesn't require you to cut a hole in your drywall like many of the other options on the market. You can easily access this safe via an RFID locking mechanism, and you can choose from a couple different colors. You should be aware though, even though this is locked, it wouldn't be that hard to get into it.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 47.5" High by 19.5” Wide
• Steel: N/A (Wood Construction)
• Fire Rating: N/A

Pros:

• RFID Locking Mechanism
• High quality build
• Multiple style options

Cons:

• Lock can be bypassed by smashing through the unit
• No cutting out drywall in your home

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03/19/2024 10:08 am GMT

Best For Vehicles

2. Console Vault

4.5

If you can't have a gun safe in your home, you might consider having one in your vehicle! My favorite is by far the Console Vault. It utilizes thick steel, a reliable 4-digit lock and it is custom fit to your vehicle. I have had one in my truck in the past, and found it to be extremely reliable and helpful.

Specifications:

• Lock: Key or roller lock
• Dimensions: Varies by application
• Steel: 12 gauge
• Fire Rating: N/A
• Weight: Varies by application

Pros:

• Custom fit to your vehicle
• High gauge steel
• Hidden away in your vehicle
• High quality locking mechanisms

Cons:

• Not available for all vehicles

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Best For Vault Rooms

3. Snapsafe Vault Door (Out-Swing)

4.0

Don't want to have a full-size gun safe? You might want to consider a vault door instead, which turns a whole room of your home into a safe. This vault door from Snapsafe is an awesome value, and is one of the lease expensive options on the market for your home. Keep in mind though, if your home only uses drywall, the thieves can break through your walls instead. Might want to reinforce it with brick or cinder blocks.

Pros:

• Awesome price for a vault door
• Great steel gauge
• Can convert most doors to vault door

Cons:

• Other vault doors have thicker steel
• Can break through drywall on the sides of the door, if not reinforced by brick
• Imported

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 81" High by 31.4" Wide
• Steel: 12 gauge
• Fire Rating: N/A
• Weight: 350 pounds

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Best Full-Size Safe Alternative

4. SecureIt Agile Ultralight Model 52

5.0

This gun cabinet likes to find its way into most of my recommendations, as it is a fantastic gun cabinet. While it is only 14 gauge steel, it offers extremely quick access, has THE BEST interior of any safe, a high quality lock, and a modular design (allows it to be broken down and moved easily). If you need a lightweight safe alternative, this is the best.

Specifications:

• Lock: Electronic Lock w/ Key Bypass
• Dimensions: 52” High by 20.25" Wide by 15.25" Deep
• Fire Rating: N/A
• Steel: 14 gauge
• Weight: 105 pounds

Pros:

• The BEST Interior of any gun safe on the market
• High quality build
• Lock works very well

Cons:

• Thinner steel
• Smaller capacity

Paid Link: SecureIt Model 52 Read Full Review

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. [Image courtesy of SecureIt Gun Storage]

Best For Your Coffee Table

5. Tactical Walls Issue Box

4.0

This by no means should be a safe alternative for firearms, as there isn't any locking mechanism, and it can easily be carried away. However, it would work well for other valuables or items that you don't mind keeping for short periods of time. It also makes for an awesome conversation starter.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 3.75" High by 9" Wide by 5" Deep
• Steel: N/A (ABS Plastic)
• Fire Rating: N/A

Pros:

• Great diversion safe
• Very inexpensive
• Easy to access

Cons:

• Not anchored down in any way
• Not lockable

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Quickest Access

6. Stopbox Quick Access Lock Box

4.0

This is not meant to be a safe, rather it is a quick access box! It is an awesome controlled access box that you are able to keep within arms reach of yourself at all times, but still be able to keep it safe for a few moments to give yourself some reaction time. I have used this lock box (still currently have one), and it does everything they promise it should.

Specifications:

• Lock: Proprietary Mechanical Lock
• Dimensions: 2" High by 10.75" Wide by 7.25" Deep
• Steel: N/A (ABS Plastic)
• Fire Rating: N/A
• Weight: 1.75 pounds

Pros:

• Extremely quick access
• Lock works very well
• Easy to transport

Cons:

• Shouldn't be left alone
• Can't tether it to anything

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7. SnapSafe Wall Safe

4.0

If you can't have a full-size safe due to weight restrictions, but can modify your walls, this would be an awesome option. While it doesn't have the largest capacity, it can easily be hidden behind pictures, mirrors, or anything else on your wall. It even has a false floor on the bottom, to hopefully fool anyone that might end up finding it.

Specifications:

• Lock: Electronic
• Dimensions: 22" High by 16.25" Wide by 4" Deep
• Fire Rating: None
• Steel: 16 gauge
• Weight: 32 pounds

Pros:

• Out of the way storage
• Can be hidden behind pictures or mirrors

Cons:

• Drywall needs to be cut out for installation
• Can be cut out of the wall if they have enough time

See Price: SnapSafe Wall Safe

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. [Image courtesy of Snapsafe]

What should you keep an eye on with gun safe alternatives?

There are quite a few compromises when it comes to finding an alternative to gun safes. Gun safes do an awesome job of keeping items safe, bolted to the ground, yet easily accessible. If you are looking for something outside of a gun safe, you should be aware of what you might be lacking before making a purchase.

Locking mechanism

Most alternatives to gun safes do not have a high-quality locking mechanism. Sure, there are wall safes and vault doors, however, if you are looking for diversion safes, or just a metal box to put stuff into, you will quickly find that the clocks are not nearly as specialized as a gun safe.

You will want to weigh the difference between having an awesome lock, and the fact that the alternative might be hidden better than a big, large metal box.

Overall security

Much like the locking mechanism, alternatives to gun safes tend to not be nearly as secure as a gun safe. You will generally forgo thick steel plates, relockers, fire ratings, and more. This can result in something cheaper, lighter, and easier to have in an apartment, but it is at the sacrifice of additional security.

Quality

Thankfully, with these alternatives, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice quality. Items like the

Tactical Traps Mirror at the top of this article offers high-quality wood, a great RFID lock, and more. It just isn’t going to be anywhere near as secure as a similar budget

Conclusion

There are many different options available when it comes to gun storage that doesn’t require a safe. From cabinets and racks to hooks, there’s something for everyone. Keep in mind that some of these options may not come with locks, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you want to lock up your firearms. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure it meets your needs in terms of security and accessibility.