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I have been discussing safes on this website since 2017, when in fact, that is all I talked about on this site, so it is always exciting for me to get to try out a safe I have never tried before, and today that is the case with the Onnais Alloy SE.
If you have spent any time shopping on some of the largest retailers out there, you likely have stumbled across this brand or even this specific safe, as it sits well within the budget range of many shoppers and comes packing quite a few features. Stay tuned to hear my thoughts on all of this and more!
Quick Note: This is a sponsored article from Onnais; however, they have asked for my honest review of the product, so all opinions are my own.
Why should you trust me? I have been in the gun safe and security industry for years; I have plenty of hands-on experience, discussions with manufacturers, and tons of conversations with owners, giving me a unique take on the industry. You can learn more about me here!
Table of Contents
What is the Onnais Alloy SE?
- Lock: Key, Keypad, Biometric, and RFID
- Dimensions: 3.10" High by 7.87" Wide by 11.28" Deep
- Steel: Unknown
- Fire Rating: N/A
- Weight: 5.2 pounds
- Great use of interior space
- Built-in handle
- Four different ways to access the safe
- It talks to you
- Fantastic price point
- Unknown steel thickness
How did I test the Alloy SE?
While many other reviewers like to write articles based on other reviews and specifications on the internet, I enjoy a hands-on experience with the product, which has happened in this case! I have spent time with this safe to find precisely what I do and don’t like and what is just marketing hype.
What did I like about it?
1. Great use of interior space
I have seen a lot of handgun and personal safes over the years, and most companies tend to spend considerably more time and effort on the safe’s exterior than the interior.
The interior of this Onnais safe seems to be exceptionally well thought out; it includes LED lights to light up the interior and multiple foam inserts with perforated squares to allow easy removal to fit whatever firearm you need to place in there.
My favorite addition to the interior of this safe is a plastic plate with slots and elastic velcro bands so that you can keep items such as wallets, electronics, and more without them rolling around while still keeping them accessible.
2. Built-in handle
Portability is a big detractor for many pistol safes designed to be nightstand safes. There are a few safes with handles, and this is one of the few!
This Onnais has a metal handle that retracts back into the safe; this keeps it compact yet allows easy access to the handle when you need it most. Everything inside of the safe should be strapped down or in a foam insert, so you don’t have to worry about it jostling around inside.
3. Four different ways to access the safe
Accessing the interior of your safe depends heavily on the ability to get to the locking mechanism. This Onnais has four options, so you can choose which works best. In this case, you have a key, biometric (fingerprint), keypad, and what I believe to be one of its defining characteristics, RFID.
RFID is a less commonly used access point on these types of safes. However, I found that they are one of the best. Onnais sends you some small keychain-like cards, which allow easy and quick access to your safe, so as long as you have those cards accessible, you can get into your safe without having to remember a code or have fingerprints scanned.
4. It talks to you
I have had difficulty deciding if these safe talks are an upside or a downside. On the one hand, it is a gimmick or a novelty; however, on the other hand, it is nice to know when you are doing something wrong by just hearing it said to you rather than having to troubleshoot what a particular beep or flashing light means. Either way, decide for yourself, and I’ll leave it in the upsides section for now!
5. Fantastic price point
Sure, there are better safes on the market today; however, the Onnais Onnais Alloy SE is a compelling option for the price. As of this writing, the safe is well under $100, and its feature to price point is quite reasonable. You would need to invest more to make the additional price over this one worth it.
What did I not like about it?
1. Unknown steel thickness
I have been trying to locate any steel thickness for this safe, and have been unable to do so, which is a big downside. It likely is somewhere between 14-gauge to 18-gauge, which is the standard for budget safes in this price range, and its weight backs that up in my mind. This isn’t a big deal, as most of its competitors are in that range; I wish it were disclosed for peace of mind.
Conclusion
The Onnais Alloy SE may not be a high-end pistol safe and may not have the thickest steel or the best locks on the market. However, for its price point of under $100, it has plenty of compelling reasons why it is one of the best in its class.
With a well-thought-out interior, multiple lock options (including RFID), and other creature comforts like interior lighting, perforated foam pads, and more, it is a fantastic deal for what you pay.
This isn’t it if you want a thick-gauge steel safe with a mechanical lock! However, if you are looking for a feature-rich safe with some reasonable protection, this might be what you are looking for!
