Car Gun Safe Reviews

Best Car Gun Safe for 2023

Publushed by:

Mathew R Reed

Last updated:

Winner: Gocybei Biometric Gun Safe

Short summary

It doesn’t get better than alloy steel.

Gocybei is on the top of this list for one clear reason: they put attention to detail into every single aspect of this gun safe.

Whether you actually use this in your car, or you want to get it for a vacation home, your own home, or just to keep another weapon available in the garage/shed, Gocybei wins the day.

Not only is this gun safe completely built out of alloy steel, but it also offers power in the areas that most car safe and small safes end up lacking. Impact resistance is something that a lot of folks don’t think about. If this is in your trunk and you get rear-ended, you want impact resistance. Or if it’s at the bottom of a pile of packages/luggage in your car, you don’t want the weight of your items to indent or impact your safe. Gocybei took care of those worries.

Apart from the impact resistance that Gocybei offers, you also get three ways to access your safe. As a car gun safe, you want quick access in the event that you either require it for self-defense, or you’re requested to show your contents to the police. You can access your safe with an old-fashioned key, or use fingerprint biometric scanning, as well as a keypad if option two ends up being difficult to navigate.

Plenty of options, loads of protection, and enough space to store two guns, or a single handgun and protected documents. There’s more than enough room to make this wholly viable for your travel needs. On top of that, Gocybei offers fantastic support if you aren’t able to activate the voice prompts within the safe during setup. They know how to walk you through setup, and it’s all completely free of charge.

Last but not least, there’s a small LED within the safe to help you identify what you’re grabbing (very useful if you’re accessing a disassembled handgun at night/in dark areas to grab for protection). Use up to twenty different fingerprints, meaning you can allow trusted family members access to the safe without needing extra keys for them. Overall, this is often rated as being on-par with SentrySafe without the huge price tag, and having 19 more identified biometric signatures over SentrySafe as well.

Quick Facts

  • Combination: Fingerprint, keypad, key
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Weight: 11.0 lbs

Runner Up: Winzone Biometric Gun Safe for Pistols

Short summary

Timing is everything, especially when you need to reach for your weapon to defend yourself and your family.

That’s why Winzone made one of the best gun safes out there, because they fully understand what your needs are.

This safe features three forms of access, but first and foremost is the biometric fingerprint detection, and here’s why.

You can unlock your safe and access the contents in a tenth of a second. 100ms is all it takes to pop open the lock, because we all know split seconds can be the difference between self-defense and a really good attempt.

Apart from boasting one of the best biometric fingerprint scanners on any gun safes we can find, Winzone also has one of the strongest exteriors of any car gun safes we’ve tested. All it takes is one big dent to completely misalign the locking mechanism on most car gun safes. If that happens, your gun safe is basically useless. Winzone prevents that from happening within reason.

Funnily enough, there are plenty of buyers that don’t get this with guns in mind. There are plenty of universal benefits such as using it for an emergency cash box, or keeping standard sized documents inside. There’s enough room for two standard sized pistols, making it perfect for those of you travelling with small firearms designed to protect yourself while you’re away from home.

Set keypad passwords with as little as three numbers, or up to eight for maximum security. Timing is everything, so if you choose a three-digit password for time’s sake, you can actually access it faster with the 0.1 second response time from the biometric fingerprint lock. Fast access, but completely secure; that’s what we’re all looking for.

Quick Facts

  • Combination: Fingerprint, keypad
  • Material: Alloy Steel, Carbon Steel
  • Weight: 13.0 lbs

Alternative: KAER Biometric Gun Safe

Short summary

There’s a reason we ranked KAER below Winzone and Gocybei, and it’s by some very miniscule details, but still details that we need to think about in self-defense situations.

Utilize three ways to open this safe, being biometric fingerprint scanning, the standard keypad, and your backup key. However, keep one thing in mind: the biometric scan takes 0.5 seconds, compared to 0.1 seconds from the other two safes we’ve already looked at.

Does every second count? Of course. Is the 0.4 second difference between KAER and other brands the most critical detail? Not exactly. In many instances, this is a negligible amount of time, but if you’re trying to optimize your reaction time to the best of your ability, another safe may work better for you.

That being said, KAER does come in with some alternate benefits. First of all, you have two pre-drilled holes in the bottom of the safe so you can secure it to anything you’d like, whether that’s the underside of the seat in your car, or a nightstand drawer. The choice is up to you. KAER also features a self-locking alarm system, meaning after five incorrect combinations have been entered, it will auto-lock and set off a loud beeping alarm to alert you.

In terms of the fingerprint scanner, we all know that these can mess up from time to time. KAER uses a 500 DPI scanner, which means that it uses 500 dots per inch. You get a high resolution scan on your fingerprint (most safes use 300 DPI or lower), which offers better accuracy and fewer failed attempts in a pinch.

The integrated LED light is useful, the case is sturdy, and the convenience is fantastic. KAER will save you a buck or two compared to Winzone, but with a slight reduction in response time and internal size (you can still fit two pistols inside of it, it’s just a tighter squeeze).

Quick Facts

  • Combination: Fingerprint, keypad, key
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Weight: 9.8 lbs

Alternative: SnapSafe Portable Lock Box for Guns

Short summary

Smaller lock boxes come with the issue of being lightweight and, well, being smaller.

It makes them harder to lock down to a specific area.

SnapSafe understands that issue, which is why they’ve done something fantastic here to help you take your security to another level. They’ve included a 1,500 lb rated cable in the box.

This cable is a good chunk of the reason to buy this kit. You get a smaller lock box which just fits a single four-inch barrel pistol or revolver, but even so, it’s enough to secure in your car while having enhanced access. If you’re not able to access safes that are secured under a seat because of their placement, you can pull out a lock box on a cable for better accessibility. It’s still secured to your seat.

You get a total of two small, same-key lock boxes in this kit, and two cables as well. These are easy to install just about anywhere that you need them, although you are skipping biometric entry methods and keypads since this is just a key only safe. That being said, the lack of features also means a much lower price tag. In some instances, you could pay 2.5x less for this set of lock boxes than if you went with one of the most expensive options on this list.

Saving money and keeping your guns safe, as well as being completely TSA-approved, is a pretty good deal. For residents of California, you’ll be happy to know that this has also been approved as a safety device by the California Department of Justice. It’s about as safe as you can get with basic accessibility.

Quick Facts

  • Combination: Key only
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Weight: 5.8 lbs

Alternative: Dalmbox Small Car Gun Safe for Pistols

Short summary

Now it’s time to take a look at the lowest end of the budget.

This is lightweight, inexpensive, and has its flaws, so let’s cover all the bases.

Yes, you can still keep your guns safe and take them across state lines in your vehicle with enhanced protection, all without spending a miniature fortune on a lock box. 

While it does come with a steel cable for securing it to an affixed location, there’s no weight rating on the cable from what we could find. It’s sturdy, it’s strong, but is it as strong as SnapSafe’s 1,500 lb rated cable?

We’re not sure.

Carbon steel will keep up to one four-inch barrel handgun safe, although there is one little picadillo here that we don’t often see in gun safes: it’s combination lock only. That means there’s no backup key; you have to get the combination right and that becomes your only way to access this gun safe. Not a bad thing, but definitely odd that it doesn’t come with a backup key. This can be convenient during travel so you don’t have to remember to bring a key along.

Overall, the value is plain as day, and the carbon steel still provides fantastic protection, as well as impact and crush resistance, making it a great budget pick. Just know what you’re getting into and compare it against the top choice properly, and keep a list of your expectations handy when you make your final decision.

Quick Facts

  • Combination: Combination lock only
  • Material: Carbon steel
  • Weight: 2.75 lbs

Car Gun Safe FAQ

Can You Put a Gun Safe in Your Car?

Yes you can. You are within your legal right to do so, but you have to keep a few things in mind.

You have to remember which state you’re going to pass through on your way to a destination, know your local and state laws, and plan your trip accordingly. If there’s a detour that takes you through a different state, but you don’t know their laws, then you have to account for that.

In many instances, you’re allowed to keep a gun in your car if you keep the magazine separated from the gun itself, and you may even have to keep the magazine in a separate compartment.

This isn’t the best for self-defense situations, but in the end, you’re not going to really need it for a self-defense situation if you’re in jail for not following the law. We all know California is its own special place and has laws that often skew from most nationally-recognized laws, so this is something you’ll mostly run into in strict areas, but it’s still something to keep in mind.

If you do put your gun safe in the car, you can’t just place the safe wherever you want. You have to secure the safe to something, which is why many of these come with cables or screw holes in the bottom to affix to areas in your car or truck.

But how is it possible that you can keep a gun in your car?

It all comes down to a concealed carry permit.

Do You Need Concealed Carry to Keep Gun in Car?

Yes , you do need concealed carry to keep a gun in the car. In many states, you actually need to ensure you’re carrying it completely concealed no matter what (while in your car). Any open carry in your vehicle is a violation. Again, this varies from state to state, but it’s something important to keep in mind.

Thankfully, if you are a responsible gun owner, getting a concealed carry permit isn’t the most difficult thing in the world.

Bring proper identification and documentation, such as weapon registration information and personal information, and research your local in-person area to apply for a concealed carry license. When you do this, keep in mind that a lot of offices don’t accept cash, and that online applications for these are either still rolling out, or may not be available in your area.

But by no means should you conceal a handgun in your car unless you have a concealed carry license, and/or your state laws allow you to transport guns in a gun safe without having a concealed carry license present.

Is a Gun in a Glove Box Concealed?

As always with any of these questions, we advise you to inspect local laws and state laws for where you live.

That being said, a glove box is considered a concealed carry area, similarly to a safe. Does that mean you should use your glove box to hold your weapon while you drive? Absolutely not.

In the Event of Theft

If your car is stolen and your gun is in the glove box, it could be used to commit a violent crime. You’re the registered gun owner, so you’re in a heap of trouble if you can’t prove that it was stolen.

If you can prove that it was stolen, but you kept it in a glovebox, it doesn’t look good, either. Gun safes are used to keep your weapons secure while you’re in your car, and many can be removed from their hiding space/cable when you enter your home for the night and brought inside.

Everything is secure, lawful, and safe.

Safes Are Concealed (Or Can Be)

Your safe could be concealed underneath your car seat or in a hidden area in your trunk, out of sight and out of mind. This means that in the event of a robbery at gunpoint, not all hope is lost.

You’re not going to reach into your glovebox and pull out a gun, and have the necessary time to angle yourself, your arm, squeeze the trigger, and defend yourself before your assailant has time to act. It’s just not going to happen.

Anyone who is trying to rob you in your car is going to check your glove box for valuables and/or a gun. This way, while it’s tricky, you still have the element of surprise hiding in wait.

Laws About Leaving Your Gun in Your Car

There are some states with different laws regarding leaving your gun in your car, as long as it’s in a proper storage space. If you can prove that your car is stolen, and hence your guns, then you’re in a much better legal defense in the event that your weapon is used for a violent crime not committed by you.

Again, everything depends on intent, how you manage your weapon in your vehicle, and if you were taking the necessary precautions to put it in a safe, in a concealed area. There’s nothing wrong with wanting quick, at-the-ready self-defense in your vehicle.

Should I Keep a Gun in My Truck?

There’s no reason not to, as long as you are within your legal right to do so. Self-defense doesn’t have an easy, simplified approach. We never know when high-level threats will arise, and we can’t plan for them in our daily lives (otherwise many of us would never sleep).

Keep a gun in your truck by all means, but just follow local laws. The amount of folks who think that their second amendment rights allow them to just carry guns wherever they want are completely wrong.

You need to exercise it appropriately, ensure you follow local laws, and protect yourself. We all know there are people out there who would love to strip you of your right to bear arms simply because you exercise it.

How Fast Do I Need to Access My Firearms?

Would it be faster to pull a handgun out of a holster against your side?

Yes. That doesn’t mean it’s safe though.

If you’re in a situation where you’re at gunpoint at a red light, where a crook has already pointed the gun at you by the time you know they’re there, then having your gun in a holster versus a gun safe isn’t going to make much of a difference. If you reach for something to protect yourself, it could cause them to act rashly.

We’re talking about situations where you have a moment to get yourself ready, such as if you see something occurring up ahead and you stop your car, or off to the side of the road. You absolutely need fast access to your firearms in these situations, which is why biometric signature safes are the most common type for gun owners to purchase.

Having that fast access to your handgun in a pinch is invaluable, because every second, and in some case every split second, counts. Just make sure you choose a safe based off of the requirements you need and not solely on the type of locking mechanism.

Keeping Your Gun Safe at All Times

There are perfectly valid concerns with unmanned, unlocked weapons being transported, but thankfully, you can use a top-tier gun safe to not only obey the law, but also ensure your guns rae as safe as possible when you arrive at your destination.

For more information on how to keep your weapons safe and more about TSA read on and find additional information in article about best TSA approved cases.

4.8/5

Gocybei Biometric Gun Safe

High-tensile steel construction
3 ways of fast and quick access
Suitable for two standard guns

Mathew R Reed

Mathew R Reed is a professional gun seller who runs a dedicated gun store in the suburbs of Oakland, CA. A hardcore hunting enthusiast since childhood, Reed has ample experience with guns and accessories. He is the founder of ArmorHoldings.com and creates some of the most helpful gun-buying guides and explainers. If not in the gun shop, you can find him on the nearest hiking trail or nearby hunting spot.