# Best Gun Safes

> Gun safes from Liberty, Browning, Winchester, Fort Knox, Vaultek, SecureIt and more, compared on dated US prices, steel thickness, fire rating, lock, published approvals, warranty and a scoring formula you can check. US English. 15 gun safes compared, prices checked on November 13, 2026.

- Website: https://best-gun-safes.com/
- Language: English (US)
- Publisher: Mint Technology LLC, 4405 Jager Dr NE, Ste C4-4375, Rio Rancho, NM 87144, USA
- Contact: contact@best-gun-safes.com
- Full version: https://best-gun-safes.com/llms-full.txt

## Methodology

- [How we score](https://best-gun-safes.com/methodology/): one score out of 10, weighted average of 6 criteria (price, against the median of its kind (dated, us); body steel thickness (gauge); fire rating claimed by the brand (minutes); lock and ways to open it; published approvals: ul listing, california doj; warranty, return window and shipping), with weights per kind of safe. Criteria not published by the seller score 2/10. Displayed score = 7.5 + 0.68 × (weighted average − 5), between 7.5 and 9.6; a published tie-break keeps every score different.
- [Affiliate disclosure](https://best-gun-safes.com/disclosure/): some links are affiliate links; it never changes our scores.
- Fire ratings, capacities and approvals are quoted from each brand as claims, with the source linked in every review. No safe is fireproof. Claimed gun capacity is not part of the score.
- Firearm storage laws vary by US state and city; the site links official sources and gives no legal advice.

## Rankings

- [Best gun safes of 2026, ranked](https://best-gun-safes.com/): No. 1 Liberty USA 30 (9.3/10), 15 compared
- [Best biometric gun safes](https://best-gun-safes.com/best/biometric-gun-safe/): No. 1 SecureIt Fast Box 47D (8.9/10), 6 compared
- [Best fireproof gun safes, by fire rating](https://best-gun-safes.com/best/fireproof-gun-safe/): No. 1 Browning Sporter 23 (8.4/10), 7 compared
- [Best handgun safes for the bedside](https://best-gun-safes.com/best/handgun-safe/): No. 1 Barska AX13092 Desk Safe (8.8/10), 5 compared
- [Best rifle safes for long guns](https://best-gun-safes.com/best/rifle-safe/): No. 1 Winchester Ranger 26 (9.2/10), 9 compared
- [Best budget gun safes under $1,500](https://best-gun-safes.com/best/budget-gun-safe/): No. 1 Liberty Centurion 24 (8.7/10), 4 compared
- [American made gun safes, compared](https://best-gun-safes.com/best/american-made-gun-safes/): No. 1 Liberty USA 30 (9.3/10), 4 compared
- [Best gun safes for an apartment](https://best-gun-safes.com/best/gun-safe-for-apartment/): No. 1 SecureIt Fast Box 47D (8.9/10), 3 compared

## Reviews (overall score)

- [Liberty USA 30 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/liberty-usa-30/): 9.3/10, $1,969 (Liberty Safe, November 13, 2026), long-gun safe, steel: 12-gauge steel, fire: 60 min at 1,200°f (brand's claim), lock: keypad, approvals stated: UL listed + CA DOJ, 565 lb, warranty: lifetime
- [Winchester Ranger 26 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/winchester-ranger-26/): 9.2/10, $1,899.99 (Winchester Safes, November 13, 2026), long-gun safe, steel: 12-gauge steel, fire: 60 min at 1,400°f (brand's claim), lock: keypad, approvals stated: UL RSC + CA DOJ, 594 lb, warranty: lifetime
- [Rhino Kodiak KGXR5933 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/rhino-kodiak-kgxr5933/): 9.1/10, $2,449 (Rhino, November 13, 2026), long-gun safe, steel: 12-gauge steel, fire: 60 min at 1,400°f (brand's claim), lock: keypad, approvals stated: UL RSC + CA DOJ, 536 lb, warranty: lifetime
- [SecureIt Fast Box 47D review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/secureit-fast-box-47/): 8.9/10, $399 (SecureIt, November 13, 2026), lightweight long-gun storage, steel: 16-gauge steel, fire: no rating claimed, lock: fingerprint + keypad + key, approvals stated: None stated, 60.5 lb, warranty: lifetime
- [Barska AX13092 Desk Safe review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/barska-ax13092/): 8.8/10, $299.99 (Barska, November 13, 2026), handgun safe, steel: 2 mm steel, fire: not fire rated, lock: fingerprint + keypad + key, approvals stated: CA DOJ, 8.6 lb, warranty: 1-year
- [Liberty Centurion 24 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/liberty-centurion-24/): 8.7/10, $829 (Liberty Safe, November 13, 2026), long-gun safe, steel: 14-gauge steel, fire: 40 min at 1,200°f (brand's claim), lock: keypad, approvals stated: CA DOJ, 375 lb, warranty: lifetime
- [Vaultek 20 Series review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/vaultek-20-series/): 8.6/10, $312.99 (Vaultek, November 13, 2026), handgun safe, steel: 16-gauge steel, fire: no rating claimed, lock: fingerprint + keypad + key + phone app, approvals stated: None stated, 7.2 lb, warranty: 2-year
- [Fort Knox Original Pistol Box review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/fort-knox-pistol-box/): 8.5/10, $299 (Fort Knox, November 13, 2026), handgun safe, steel: 10-gauge steel, fire: no rating claimed, lock: push-button mechanical, approvals stated: None stated, 22 lb, warranty: lifetime
- [Browning Sporter 23 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/browning-sporter-23/): 8.4/10, $1,649 (Browning, November 13, 2026), long-gun safe, steel: 12-gauge steel, fire: 95 min at 1,200°f (brand's claim), lock: not stated, approvals stated: UL listed, 530 lb, warranty: not stated
- [Steelwater Heavy Duty 20 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/steelwater-hd-20/): 8.3/10, $1,399 (Steelwater, November 13, 2026), long-gun safe, steel: 12-gauge steel, fire: 60 min at 1,875°f (brand's claim), lock: keypad + key, approvals stated: CA DOJ, 453 lb, warranty: not stated
- [Vaultek LifePod 20 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/vaultek-lifepod-20/): 8.2/10, $169.99 (Vaultek, November 13, 2026), handgun safe, steel: polymer shell, fire: no rating claimed, lock: keypad + key, approvals stated: None stated, 3.3 lb, warranty: 1-year
- [SecureIt Agile 52 review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/secureit-agile-52/): 8.1/10, $699 (SecureIt, November 13, 2026), lightweight long-gun storage, steel: not stated, fire: no rating claimed, lock: fingerprint + keypad + key, approvals stated: None stated, 115 lb, warranty: lifetime
- [SentrySafe QAP1BLX review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/sentrysafe-qap1blx/): 8.0/10, $189.99 (SentrySafe, November 13, 2026), handgun safe, steel: not stated, fire: no rating claimed, lock: fingerprint + keypad + key, approvals stated: CA DOJ, 11.9 lb, warranty: not stated
- [Fort Knox Maverick review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/fort-knox-maverick/): 7.9/10, $2,759 (Fort Knox, November 13, 2026), long-gun safe, steel: 10-gauge steel, fire: 90 min at 1,600°f (brand's claim), lock: not stated, approvals stated: None stated, Not stated, warranty: lifetime
- [Vaultek RS500i review](https://best-gun-safes.com/review/vaultek-rs500i/): 7.8/10, $1,699.99 (Vaultek, November 13, 2026), lightweight long-gun storage, steel: 14-gauge steel, fire: not fire rated, lock: fingerprint + keypad + key + phone app, approvals stated: None stated, 93 lb, warranty: 2-year

## Head-to-heads

- [Liberty USA 30 vs Fort Knox Maverick](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/liberty-usa-30-vs-fort-knox-maverick/): our pick Liberty USA 30
- [Liberty USA 30 vs Browning Sporter 23](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/liberty-usa-30-vs-browning-sporter-23/): our pick Liberty USA 30
- [Liberty USA 30 vs Winchester Ranger 26](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/liberty-usa-30-vs-winchester-ranger-26/): our pick Liberty USA 30
- [Liberty USA 30 vs Rhino Kodiak KGXR5933](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/liberty-usa-30-vs-rhino-kodiak-kgxr5933/): our pick Liberty USA 30
- [Winchester Ranger 26 vs Browning Sporter 23](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/winchester-ranger-26-vs-browning-sporter-23/): our pick Winchester Ranger 26
- [Liberty Centurion 24 vs Steelwater Heavy Duty 20](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/liberty-centurion-24-vs-steelwater-hd-20/): our pick Liberty Centurion 24
- [Rhino Kodiak KGXR5933 vs Fort Knox Maverick](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/rhino-kodiak-kgxr5933-vs-fort-knox-maverick/): our pick Rhino Kodiak KGXR5933
- [Winchester Ranger 26 vs Rhino Kodiak KGXR5933](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/winchester-ranger-26-vs-rhino-kodiak-kgxr5933/): our pick Winchester Ranger 26
- [Browning Sporter 23 vs Steelwater Heavy Duty 20](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/browning-sporter-23-vs-steelwater-hd-20/): our pick Browning Sporter 23
- [Liberty Centurion 24 vs SecureIt Agile 52](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/liberty-centurion-24-vs-secureit-agile-52/): our pick Liberty Centurion 24
- [SecureIt Agile 52 vs Vaultek RS500i](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/secureit-agile-52-vs-vaultek-rs500i/): our pick SecureIt Agile 52
- [SecureIt Fast Box 47D vs Vaultek RS500i](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/secureit-fast-box-47-vs-vaultek-rs500i/): our pick SecureIt Fast Box 47D
- [Vaultek 20 Series vs Fort Knox Original Pistol Box](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/vaultek-20-series-vs-fort-knox-pistol-box/): our pick Vaultek 20 Series
- [Vaultek LifePod 20 vs SentrySafe QAP1BLX](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/vaultek-lifepod-20-vs-sentrysafe-qap1blx/): our pick Vaultek LifePod 20
- [Barska AX13092 Desk Safe vs Vaultek 20 Series](https://best-gun-safes.com/vs/barska-ax13092-vs-vaultek-20-series/): our pick Barska AX13092 Desk Safe

## Buying guides

- [Gun safe fire rating: what the minutes really tell you](https://best-gun-safes.com/blog/gun-safe-fire-rating/): a gun safe fire rating is a promise in two numbers, minutes and degrees: "60 minutes at 1400°F" means the brand says the inside stayed cool enough for an hour in a furnace held at that temperature. It is almost always the brand's own test, not a certificate from an independent lab, and no safe is fireproof. Among the safes we compare, claims run from 40 minutes for the Liberty Centurion 24 to 95 minutes for the Browning Sporter 23 ($1,649). Compare the temperature before you compare the minutes.
- [Gun safe dehumidifier: rod, desiccant or nothing?](https://best-gun-safes.com/blog/gun-safe-dehumidifier/): yes, in most homes a gun safe needs a dehumidifier. A safe is a sealed steel box, and the fireboard in its walls holds moisture; without help, the air inside gets damp enough to rust blued steel. There are two kinds. A heated rod warms the air a few degrees and needs an outlet. A desiccant, loose or in a rechargeable canister, absorbs moisture and needs nothing but a reminder to dry it out. Of the full-size safes we compare, only the Steelwater Heavy Duty 20 ($1,399) includes a dry pack, and the Rhino Kodiak has a power outlet inside.
- [How to move a gun safe without wrecking your back or your floor](https://best-gun-safes.com/blog/how-to-move-a-gun-safe/): you move a gun safe slowly, upright, strapped to an appliance dolly, with at least two strong adults and a route you measured first. The full-size safes we compare weigh from 375 lb (Liberty Centurion 24) to 594 lb (Winchester Ranger 26), so stairs are a job for professionals. Often the smart move is to buy the delivery with the safe: Browning quotes $449 to a main floor and $549 with stairs. If your home can't take a heavy safe at all, a 115 lb cabinet such as the SecureIt Agile 52 ($699) goes up in two pairs of hands.
- [Gun cabinet vs gun safe: which one do you actually need?](https://best-gun-safes.com/blog/gun-cabinet-vs-gun-safe/): a gun cabinet is a light steel locker that keeps firearms out of the wrong hands; a gun safe adds thick steel, heavy bolts and a fire rating to slow down a thief and a fire as well. A cabinet weighs 60 to 115 lb and costs from $399; an entry-level safe such as the Liberty Centurion 24 weighs 375 lb and costs $829. If children are your reason for buying and the cabinet will be bolted down, a cabinet does the job. If the collection is valuable or fire worries you, buy the safe.
- [How much does a gun safe weigh? Real figures for 14 models](https://best-gun-safes.com/blog/how-much-does-a-gun-safe-weigh/): a full-size gun safe for 20 to 40 long guns weighs between 375 and 600 lb empty. On the brands' own pages, the Liberty Centurion 24 is 375 lb, the Steelwater Heavy Duty 20 453 lb, the Browning Sporter 23 530 lb, the Rhino Kodiak 536 lb, the Liberty USA 30 565 lb and the Winchester Ranger 26 594 lb. Light long-gun cabinets weigh 60 to 115 lb, and handgun safes from 3.3 to 22 lb. Weight comes from steel and fireboard, so it tracks protection, up to the point where the safe can't reach the room you want it in.
- [California DOJ approved gun safes: what the label means](https://best-gun-safes.com/blog/california-doj-approved-gun-safe/): "California DOJ approved" on a gun safe is the brand telling you its product meets California's rules for a gun safe or appears on the state's roster of certified firearm safety devices. The state publishes both: a set of construction standards for gun safes (or, instead, a UL Residential Security Container listing) and a roster you can search by model. Seven of the 15 safes we compare carry a California DOJ line on their page, from the SentrySafe QAP1BLX at $189.99 to the Winchester Ranger 26 at $1,899.99. The product page is a claim; the state's pages are the source. This is information, not legal advice.

## Tools

- [Comparison tool](https://best-gun-safes.com/compare/): up to 3 gun safes side by side (?ids=a,b,c).