The 9 Best Budget Gun Safes in 2022

As a responsible gun owner, one of your primary goals is to stop your guns from getting into the wrong hands. This is where gun safes come in. Plenty of us have dragged our feet on buying a gun safe

They’re too expensive, or choosing one takes too long, or it’s hard to find space for one in the house. In this post, I’ll show you several budget gun safe options–storing your guns safely doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s dive right in and choose the best budget gun safes for you.

Best Budget Gun Safes:

If you need a compact, technologically-advanced safe for a single handgun, this is one of the best cheap gun safes you can buy. It opens using both a fingerprint scanner and a code, and it features an ultra-quiet opening mechanism. This makes it useful as a home defense safe, since there’s no loud opening to catch the attention of an intruder.

It features a sleek, modern exterior and requires AA batteries. You also can purchase one with a two-gun capacity, which is helpful if you have multiple handguns or think you may purchase another. This options has an interior light to help you make sure you select the right gun.

This safe has been consistently praised by buyers. In particular, customers appreciate the fact that it can easily be mounted to a wall. Many note that, unlike the somewhat unreliable fingerprint scanners in some smartphones, the biometric lock operates flawlessly.

This is a great safe for those looking for an affordable way to store multiple pistols–it can hold three hanging handguns and two stored flat. The hanging storage option is ideal when you need to access a gun quickly, since they’re stored with the grip facing outward.

And while its default opening mechanism is spring-loaded, you can select an optional silent mode for when you need to quietly access a gun. This case also has a special pry-proof design, and it can be secured either with bolts or with an included security cable.

The result is a safe that is incredibly tamper-proof, especially considering its affordable price. This may well be the best affordable gun safe for those with a handgun collection.

This safe is often highly praised by buyers–many have commented on the remarkable durability and high storage capacity. However, some have lamented that the position of the interior pistol hangers isn’t adjustable.

Thus far, we’ve only covered handgun safes. But if you own rifles or shotguns, you need a larger safe capable of storing long guns. This safe offers affordable protection for up to 10 long guns, and its padded interior means you won’t risk scratching or otherwise damaging them.

And there’s no need for a separate ammunition safe–a steel top shelf offers plenty of space to store ammunition and other accessories. This safe also has an elegant black finish with gold accents, which allows it to blend in with most furniture. A key-coded, double-bitted lock keeps your long guns secured. If you’re in search of the best cheap long gun safe, this might be your answer.

This safe is largely positively reviewed, with many buyers commenting on its compact size. However, some have said that the storage shelf isn’t big enough to hold larger quantities of ammunition.

Stack-On is one of the brands many people think of when they need a good cheap gun safe, and this model is no exception. It’s important to note that, while it’s secure and comes from a reputable manufacturer, this is a very basic safe.

It doesn’t feature the advanced security options of some higher-end safes, and it can even be used for storing valuables in general. The GCB-900 has a reinforced key-coded lock and includes adjustable shelves. It’s a good choice if you want to save money, and it also has enough storage to contain other valuables alongside your gun.

Customer reviews reflect the versatility of this safe–some purchase it to store ammunition only, some store guns, and some use it as a general-purpose safe. Most customers report that the lock is easy to operate and that the safe is very solidly constructed. However, a common complaint seems to be the included shelves–they are made of plastic and may flex or break if overloaded.

Sometimes, a combination of gun safe offers more peace of mind than a key-operated safe. The best combination of gun safe offers several options for access codes, and this safe delivers. While its outward design is very simple, its onboard computer performs a variety of must-have functions for gun owners focused on security.

This computer alerts you if failed attempts have been made to open the safe, which can let know if a family member or stranger has been trying to access your guns. It also allows you to program unique access codes for multiple users. And like many smaller handgun safes, it can be mounted to the wall or bolted to a floor to ensure that a thief can’t simple run away with your safe.

While many buyers have reviewed this safe favorably, the reviews on this safe are more mixed than others in this post. Most buyers especially appreciate the tamper alert feature and the fact that, while small, this safe can hold a few handguns. Some have complained about foam falling from the interior and about needing to use the override key.

Many people looking for a budget gun safe are looking for something to store their guns at home. But if you need to travel with your handgun in tow, you may be frustrated by the lack of portable options. the SnapSafe Treklite brings you big-safe security in a smaller package.

It’s made of polycarbonate, which doesn’t offer the same tamper-proof protection as welded steel. But when you need to take your handgun along in a suitcase, this is a much safer option than packing your gun unsecured. It meets TSA standards for firearm storage and has TSA-compliant locks.

Even if you don’t intend to fly with your gun, this portable safe offers an affordable storage options–it’s one of the most affordable on the list by far.

Many customers praise this safe in reviews. In particular, many are impressed with its quality construction, especially given its low price point. Its lightweight is also a factor. However, many reviewers have rightly pointed out that the external hinge makes it easier to tamper with.

If you regularly travel with your handgun in the car, finding the best affordable car gun safe is a high priority. This case offers more durable construction than many lighter portable gun cases, as it’s made of steel. It also features a pry-resistant band to deter would-be thieves from attempting to steal your pistol.

This safe has a keyed lock that is TSA-compliant, so you can safely transport a pistol while flying. The included security cable can resist up to 1500 pounds of force, so you can also secure it to stationary objects if necessary.

Buyers have rated this case as being one of the highest-quality ones available. Most reviews mention that, while the case is compact and can be easily hidden, it’s still made of strong, heavy-gauge steel. For many buyers, the affordable price point makes this portable safe a steal.

Finding the best cheap car gun safe is often a journey, and this economical but quality safe offers a viable option. This safe also has a somewhat unique feature, it has heavy interior padding to reduce rattling and protect contents, but layers can be removed in case you need increased storage capacity.

It includes a key lock, but it isn’t TSA compliant. This means it’s an affordable portable safe for those who don’t anticipate taking their gun on a plane. It also is made of durable but lightweight steel, so it’s tamper-resistant without being overly heavy.

Since it’s often hard to find an affordable portable gun safe that also is made of steel, this safe is popular among reviewers. However, some have commented that the lack of TSA-compliant locks is a downside.

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to experience a home invasion, you know that being able to quickly access your firearm is necessary in these cases. This SpeedVault option has a digital keypad for quick access. But unlike most gun safes, this one eliminates the need to reach in altogether.

A quick-drop drawer releases your gun, so all you have to do is grab it by the grip. This feature makes it a strong contender for best budget bedside gun safe.

This case’s innovative design and superior strength mean that it gets consistently positive reviews. However, some have noted that their safes drain 9V batteries quickly.

The Takeaway

While you can’t really go wrong with any members of this roundup, the Stealth Handgun Hanger is my top pick. With this safe, you get excellent construction and space for a growing handgun collection.

You also get both of these in a compact package for a fair price. Make sure you consider how many guns you need to store (and whether you plan on buying more), do you research, and take your time, and you’ll soon find the best budget gun safe for you.