Complete Buyers Guide To GunBox | Pros & Cons | My Thoughts

The Gunbox is a unique pistol box company, that has their origins in crowdfunding. Gunbox has created a product that is part standard pistol box, and part diversion safe.

Their belief is that a gun safe shouldn’t be hidden away where you can’t quickly access them, so instead of going the hidden route, they built something that could be safe, while being left on a counter or somewhere else completely visible.

The 3 Different GunBox Units

The Gunbox safe has multiple different types of models that have the features below. Different types for every use. All of which should fit into the decor of most homes and be hidden in plain site. 

1. The Gunbox 2.0

This Gunbox 2.0 is the company’s flagship product (and is actually found on my best overall gun safes).

It has all of the tech that you would expect from a tech heavy company, including many different ways to access, and a lightweight portable design. 

I got a chance to review one of the older 2.0 versions before they had both the keypad and the biometric option in one unit, and I was thankful to see they upgraded it to both being on the same unit.

These safes are overall great, look awesome, and work well!

Feature Highlights

Specifications

GunBox 2.0 Competitors

The main competitors to this safe are the Vaultek line of safes, and more specifically the VT20i.

There of course other pistol safes on the market, but the Vaultek, and Echo are both the only ones with this plethora of access options, and also the great build quality.

2. The Gunbox Echo

This Gunbox Echo is a step down from the Gunbox 2.0 both in price, as well as technology, aluminum thickeness and size.

At $100 less than the 2.0 though, it does still give the most needed features, such as multiple ways to access it, the internal lighting and more.

If you need a smaller unit that you can take with you, then this is probably your best bet! As you get all the great features of the larger unit for less.

Be aware though, you won’t be able to bolt down this safe to anything, as it lacks the bolt down holes.

Feature Highlights

Specifications

Competitors to the Echo

Again, just like the 2.0, Vaultek is the main competitor to Gunbox. The comparable version would probably be the VT10i.

• Gunbox vs Vaultek Smart Safes | Echo vs VT10i | 2.0 vs VT20i
• Top 10 Best Quality Handgun (Pistol) Safes
• Top 11 Best Quality Nightstand And Bedside Gun Safes
• Top 8 Best Diversion Safes [Homes and Apartments]

Features of the Gunbox safes

All of the Gunbox products are ridiculously feature rich. They are one of the few gun safe manufacturers that focus on technology, instead of sticking with the tried and true old style of making safes.

Because of this, there are so many features that they offer that are important to understand.

The Aluminum

This is by far the first feature I think should be addressed. Normal gun safes are pretty much always made from a carbon steel, however the Gunbox products are made from varying thicknesses of Aluminum.

I can’t really tell you exactly how strong aluminum is, however I can say from experience the 2.0 definitely has heft to it, and seems really strong.

I personally wouldn’t worry too much about it, and I’m sure if you purchased it, you wouldn’t either.

Biometric Access

No smart style gun safe is complete without the ability to open it with your fingerprint. 

While this isn’t a technology I personally use, it is something many people do, and is an important addition to this safe.

Biometric access is included on both the 2.0 and echo units, however it is not included on the Alertlock.

Keypad Access

Again, if you don’t have a good keypad on your smart safe, you don’t have a good safe in the first place. 

Finally Gunbox is including this along side the Biometric lock on all of their safes. Until recently they sold two models where it was either the keypad, or the biometric. Now they are both one, and that is a great thing.

The Keypad is included on both the 2.0 and the Echo units, however is not included on the Alertlock.

RFID Access

RFID is a short range way to transmit data, and in this case unlock your 2.0, Echo, or Alertlock.

Basically you can use an item that has an RFID tag in it, and place it near the sensor to quickly open the safe.

Some of the ways Gunbox has made this easy, is by adding the RFID tag into things you readily have on you all the time.

This includes a ring, wristband, sticky labels, key fobs, and credit card style keys.

Phone Access

All 3 Gunbox items are able to use your phone to access the safe. If you pay their annual membership of $59, you can also get Tamper alerts, low battery alerts, push and text notifications and the ability to set your Gunbox up from your phone.

Automatic opening with struts

Once this safe is unlocked, it can be accessed quickly as it springs open due to its quality struts. Only the Gunbox 2.0 offers this feature, and unfortunately the Echo does not.

Conclusion

I do think these safes aren’t for everyone, as many people believe a safe should be hidden away, and not on display. However for those who disagree, this is probably the perfect option.

If I were to personally choose between the Echo and the 2.0 at this point, I think I would choose the Echo. It has all the features I want, for a lower price. Sure it has a bit less steel, and is a bit smaller, but it works.