Raw steel material for safes

Cheap Gun Safes: How to Evaluate Budget-Friendly Options

There are plenty of cheap gun safes on the market, but the key is determining which of these budget-friendly options actually offer security or if it’s simply smoke and mirrors. While American Security has plenty of higher-end gun safes (like our BFX gun safes), we also provide several models that come with a lower cost. However, we take pride in the materials and security technology we implement into all of our safes, regardless of what price point you’re interested in.

If you only want a safe that can safely store your arsenal away from family members like children, burglary and fire protection may not be at the top of your priority list. But we’re going to share some red flags you should be aware of when shopping for your next safe.

Poor Quality Materials

When it comes to gun safes, the price often reflects the quality of materials used in construction. While some budget-friendly options on the market may seem like a good deal, they can be made with thinner steel and less effective or nonexistent fire-resistant materials. The thickness of the steel isn’t just what matters either–the quality of the material itself makes a big difference in how it will hold up against natural disasters or break-ins.

Some safes are so poorly made that they can be easily compromised, sometimes by just dropping them. However, not all affordable safes sacrifice quality.

Take, for example, the bolt work, a critical feature in any safe. A well-built gun safe will include multiple bolts in the door to resist prying or drilling attempts. Even American Security’s budget-friendly models are designed with this in mind, using multiple heavy-duty bolts to enhance security.

As you evaluate gun safes, pay close attention to critical security features such as hardplates, glass relockers, and door hinges. Hardplates are layers of hardened steel positioned behind the lock to provide protection from drilling attacks, making it much harder for a thief to access the safe through brute force.

Glass relockers act as a fail-safe mechanism. If someone attempts to tamper with the lock, the glass shatters and triggers additional internal locks, adding another layer of protection.

Hinges, whether internal or external, also play a role in overall security. While external hinges allow for a wider door swing, they should be reinforced and paired with interlocking bolts or anti-pry tabs to prevent tampering. These components may seem small, but together, they make a significant difference in how secure your safe truly is.

Another factor to consider is the overall weight of the gun safe. A lightweight safe is easier to carry off, making it less secure if someone tries to steal it. While lower prices might be tempting, spending a little more to ensure the safe has enough steel and security features offers greater peace of mind. Ultimately, the investment is worthwhile, especially when it’s protecting valuables that are far more valuable than the cost of the safe itself. If you have a hefty arsenal of firearms, it’s very likely that your collection and any additional valuables could meet the price you would pay for a quality safe.

The steel thickness is often measured in gauge, and the lower the number, the thicker the steel. It can get confusing, so that’s why we’ve created this useful visual to help you during your search:

American Security Steel Gauge Guide

Cheap Gun Safe Locks

A safe is only as secure as its lock. Even if the body and door are made with strong materials, a weak or unreliable lock can compromise everything inside. Many high-quality locks are tested and certified by trusted organizations like Underwriters Laboratories, which evaluates locks for resistance to tampering and failure.

Biometric locks are not as reliable as other lock types. They may appear modern and secure, but they are rarely tested to the same standards as traditional locks. Fingerprint scanners can be inconsistent, producing false readings or failing to recognize authorized users during time-sensitive moments. What seems like a smart feature often becomes a point of failure when you need access the most.

For those who want a lock they can trust, choosing a mechanical or electronic option is a smarter move. These locks are far more dependable and have a proven track record. That is why American Security offers only electronic and mechanical lock options. They are built for reliability and provide the level of protection that homeowners expect when safeguarding their most valuable belongings.

AMSEC ESL10 Electronic Lock

  • UL-Listed Type 1
  • Audible and visual feedback
  • Replaces most mechanical locks

ESL10 American Security Safe Lock

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AMSEC Mechanical Safe Lock with Spy-Proof Dial

  • UL Listed Group 2
  • Three-wheel with 1,000,000 possible combinations
  • Key-locking spy-proof dial

Mechanical Safe Lock with Spy-Proof Dial

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Insufficient Fire Protection on Cheap Gun Safes

Fire protection might not be the first thing you think about when shopping for a gun safe, but it should be high on the list. Many low-cost safes offer little to no resistance against extreme heat and are not tested to meet any recognized fire protection standards. Without proper certification, there’s no way to know how a safe will perform in the event of a fire.

Certified fire-rated safes are built to withstand high temperatures for a specific amount of time, commonly 30 minutes, one hour, or even up to two hours. These ratings are verified through controlled testing, offering a much higher level of protection and peace of mind. Whether you live in a wildfire-prone area or not, house fires can happen unexpectedly, and having a safe that has been properly tested can make all the difference.

American Security offers a wide selection of fire-rated gun safes in various sizes and price ranges, making it easier to find the right balance between budget and protection. Be cautious of cheap gun safes that claim to be “fireproof.” The truth is, there is no safe that is completely fireproof. If it does not come with a verified fire rating, it may not even be fire-resistant.

Fire testing can be conducted by trusted organizations such as:

  • Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
  • ETL Intertek
  • Other independent third-party labs

Understanding how a safe is tested—and who tested it—is one of the clearest indicators of its true quality and reliability under extreme heat.

Low Burglary Protection on Cheap Gun Safes

Everything we’ve already mentioned, like the gun safe materials, locks, etc., all influence the level of burglary protection a model can offer. It’s important to evaluate the burglary ratings that a safe has to determine whether or not it’s the right level of security you’re looking for. Similar to fire protection, cheap gun safes can claim their “high security” but don’t have the ratings to prove it.

Burglary ratings are assigned by organizations such as UL, with time ratings typically ranging from 15 minutes to 2 hours. During testing, professionals use a wide variety of heavy-duty tools to try and break into the safe. The timer only runs when a tool is actively touching the safe, and it stops whenever testers pause to switch tools or reconsider their approach. Because the timer can be stopped and started, a 15-minute rating does not mean the entire test only lasts 15 minutes. In many cases, the testing process can continue for many hours, depending on the methods used.

Inadequate Safe Size

One of the most common regrets we hear from safe owners is that they did not choose a large enough model the first time. At American Security, we often see customers come back not because something went wrong with their safe, but because they ran out of space sooner than expected. A high-quality safe should last for many years, so it is important to plan ahead.

Your safe should have enough space not only for your current firearms and valuables but everything you may want to store in the future. Many customers start off thinking they only need room for a few guns, and then realize they also want to protect documents, heirlooms, or other personal items. If there is no extra space, important items can be left out.

We have heard too many stories where a valuable item was placed outside the safe due to limited space and ended up lost or damaged during a fire, theft, or unexpected event. Meanwhile, the items that were stored inside the safe remained secure. That kind of situation is preventable with a little planning.

American Security offers safes in a wide variety of sizes to meet both current and future storage needs. Choosing a slightly larger model from the start can give you peace of mind and help avoid the need for a second purchase down the line.

Key Takeaways on Cheap Gun Safes

Not every budget-friendly gun safe is a bad choice, but it is important to know what to look for. Some affordable models can offer dependable protection, while others cut corners in ways that are not immediately visible. From weak locking mechanisms to thin steel or poor fire resistance, the differences often come down to what is beneath the surface.

Rather than choosing a safe based on appearance or price alone, take the time to understand how it’s constructed and which features truly matter for long-term security. A well-built safe is an investment in peace of mind, and with the right knowledge, you can find one that fits your needs and your budget without compromising on protection.

Storing firearms or valuables out of reach of children and other family members is a good first step, but true protection goes beyond simple access control. It’s just as important to consider how a safe will hold up in the event of a natural disaster or a break-in. A low-cost safe that fails under pressure could leave you vulnerable during those unexpected emergencies.

Pay close attention to the construction materials, fire protection features, boltwork, locking mechanisms, and any independent testing or certifications. Taking the time to evaluate these details will help you make a smart investment without compromising on security.

Ready to browse safe models in person? You can easily browse our gun safe models or find the closest American Security safe dealer near you.

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Person using POS machine and holding a paper receipt

How Smart Safes for Business Improve Cash Management and Handling

A business’s cash handling process can either be streamlined or tedious. But in the fast-paced environment of convenience stores, retail shops, and restaurants, there’s typically not a lot of free time available for employees to continue antiquated cash counting and management practices.

Meeting customer expectations normally requires quick service and dedicated attention from your staff. When they have to pivot and turn their attention to counting cash and managing deposits, you’re risking the chance of customer satisfaction decreasing.

A smart safe is a secure and effective financial solution for businesses, large and small. According to a Globe Newswire article, 85% of high-volume retailers in urban centers have transitioned to smart safes to reduce shrinkage and protect cash flow.

Smart safes aren’t just for high-volume retailers; they offer real advantages for smaller businesses, too. When you factor in bank fees and the labor hours spent manually counting, validating, and reconciling cash, the operational costs quickly add up. Without automated tools, the risk of human error also increases, making cash handling less efficient and more prone to costly mistakes.

Let’s go over how a smart safe can help from start to finish throughout your cash management process.

Handle and Manage Cash Deposits Efficiently

Manual cash deposits often involve balancing tills, counting cash by hand, logging amounts in spreadsheets or ledgers, and preparing physical deposit bags for transport/pick-up. It’s a multi-step process that introduces opportunities for human error and security risks at each stage. What if we told you there was a way to eliminate most of those extra manual steps?

A smart safe simplifies managing cash deposits through the following.

Automatic Validation

When cash is deposited into a smart safe, each bill is automatically counted and scanned for authenticity, helping prevent counterfeit losses and simplifying end-of-day reconciliation. This automated validation process ensures that every dollar collected is legitimate, eliminating the guesswork and manual checks that can slow your team down.

American Security smart safes take it a step further by generating a detailed receipt for every deposit. This not only improves tracking and accountability but also enhances accuracy in your reconciliation process, giving you greater confidence in your cash totals.

Improved User Tracking

All transactions can be logged and attached to a user. This makes it easy to track where money is going and who handled the cash last. If there are any discrepancies or errors found during reconciliation, you, as the owner or manager, will know exactly who to go to to inquire about what occurred.

Credit for Deposits

American Security smart safes offer what’s called “Daily Provisional Credit”, which allows business owners to receive a credit to their bank account for cash deposits before they are picked up by a courier, a quicker way for you to gain access to your cash.

Streamline Shift Changes and Cash Drawer Reconciliation

End-of-shift routines can be some of the most tedious and error-prone times in a cash-based business. Employees are expected to count their tills, reconcile totals, and report discrepancies—all while trying to finish their shifts on time.

A business smart safe minimizes time spent on managing cash through the following.

Expedited Till Counting & Deposits

Since a smart safe can easily count and track deposits, the days of manually closing out and counting tills are over. This helps minimize the amount of time your team takes during their shift to handle and organize the cash in your establishment.

Trackable Money Trail

A smart safe makes accountability tracking a breeze since each user has their own login, and managers spend less time investigating mismatches or inconsistencies because the system tracks every deposit in real time.

Reduce Bank Runs and Improve Cash Logistics

Traditional cash handling requires regular trips to the bank, which can be risky and labor-intensive, especially for businesses without armored courier services. Time spent on bank runs is time taken away from customers and operations.

Improve Timing for Scheduled Bank Runs or Courier Pickups

With a secure smart safe in place, you gain more control over when and how often you need to transport cash. American Security smart business safes allow you to set customizable capacity alerts, so you know exactly when the safe is nearing its limit. This feature helps you plan bank deposits or schedule courier pickups at the right times, reducing unnecessary trips, minimizing risk, and optimizing your cash-handling logistics.

To make courier pickups even easier, American Security offers a service called SureAccess, which eliminates the need for physical safe keys and provides the individual picking up the deposits with a randomly digitized access code via their smartphone. Through this patented technology, you’ll no longer experience missed courier pickups due to lost or misplaced keys.

Remote Reporting

If you pair an AMSEC smart safe with our cash management software, you can easily access financial reports remotely, allowing you to have full visibility over your business location(s). This is perfect for franchises since you can access data insights without physically driving to each location.

Reduce External and Internal Theft

Many people think of theft as mostly external burglars, but employee theft can be quite common as well. By restricting access for employees and ensuring users are attached to the passcodes to access the cash, it’s easy to be able to track when your money is moving in and out of the safe and who’s doing it.

Smart safes also minimize user error, making the day-to-day cash management operations more efficient and less tedious for your staff.

Smart Safes for Business: More Than Just a Storage Container

A smart safe built for business environments shouldn’t simply serve as a storage container for your cash. It should also make your cash flow operations smoother and easier for your employees. By doing so, your teams can better manage high volumes of money while also prioritizing the customer experience.

Counting, verifying, and organizing cash shouldn’t be tedious, which is why American Security smart safes are built with features that give you full control and financial visibility at all times.

Explore our range of smart safes and schedule a consultation with our team, where we can help you determine what features and capabilities would help your business operations run smoothly.

AMSEC workers constructing a safe

Fireproof Safes Made With Gypsum Board: Is it Effective?

If you’re in the market for a safe, you’ve probably already seen models that offer fire protection via gypsum board, or otherwise referred to as drywall. However, during your research, you might have also noticed there’s some online speculation about whether this is an effective material for fireproof safes.

While there’s no such thing as a 100% fireproof safe, drywall/fire boards can offer a decent level of fire protection. But, there are some pros and cons you should consider before you make your final decision on what type of fire resistance your valuables should have.

Pros of Gypsum Board for Fireproof Safes

First, let’s jump into some of the positives that come with gypsum board/drywall and some reasons why you would choose this material.

Inexpensive

If you’re searching for an economical option, drywall will most likely not cause a spike in the price of a safe. This material is easy to source, which keeps the manufacturing costs low. Overall, drywall is a great option for homeowners who need a secure storage solution that doesn’t require a large investment.

Fire Resistance

While gypsum board is inexpensive, it can still offer a decent amount of fire protection. This is achieved through the chemically-bound water molecules that are released as steam when exposed to intense heat, helping to regulate interior temperatures temporarily. Safes manufactured with drywall still achieve impressive fire ratings that can range from 30 minutes to 2 hours. This is because when drywall is paired with thick steel, a safe has a high chance of withstanding high temperatures for quite some time.

Lightweight Construction

Drywall is a lightweight, fire-resistant material for safes. This may sound like a negative, but it’s actually a positive. In many cases, this allows manufacturers to install thicker steel in the body of the container, which will improve the level of fire and burglary protection as a result.

AMSEC Safes That Feature Gypsum Board: The NF Series

Our NF safes are built with multiple layers of gypsum board, which in turn allows us to add on more steel that serves as a barrier for both burglars and high temperatures. These models have been rigorously tried and tested, receiving a 90-minute fire rating at 1200°F as a result.

NF safe material construction breakdown

NF5924

NF Safe

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Cons of Drywall for Fireproof Safes

Since we covered some of the pros, it’s important to weigh the cons of drywall before you select your safe.

Moisture Risk

As we mentioned earlier, drywall provides fire protection due to its composition of releasing steam once it’s exposed to high heat. Evaluate your inventory and what items could be affected by this method of fire resistance.

Not Designed for Burglary Resistance

While drywall is lightweight, that means it also does not contribute to protecting your cherished items from forced entry. However, since it doesn’t hold a significant weight, you can compensate for this with thick steel surrounding the material. When you’re browsing different safe models, make sure they feature a thick steel gauge that could hold up against pry and/or drill attacks.

Gaps in Construction

Additionally, gypsum boards often leave gaps (air pockets) when added to a safe, whereas other poured materials offer a seamless alternative that provides a higher level of fire protection. Panels of drywall can still withstand high heat, but if you’re looking for top-tier fire-resistant materials, there are a few other options that might be a better fit for your needs.

Even though drywall offers a good level of fire resistance, it’s not considered the best of the best for fire protection. If you’re open to considering other material alternatives, there are quite a few other options to choose from.

Next, let’s dig into these alternative fill materials so that you can get some clarity on the choices you can pick from.

Alternative Materials on the Market for Fireproof Safes

Drywall is a quality material that can offer a level of fire protection for your valuables. But before you make your final decision, browse the other fill materials and evaluate their different levels of fire resistance.

AMSEC DryLight

Another lightweight option is our proprietary DryLight material. However, there are a few key differences between this and drywall. First and foremost, DryLight doesn’t leave any gaps inside the walls of the safe. This keeps the composition airtight and prevents heat from easily penetrating the interior.

AMSEC Safes with DryLight: The BFX Series

Some of the American Security models that feature DryLight fill material can be found in our BFX safe series. These are some of our bestselling gun safes, as they’re bolstered with this poured proprietary fill material and thick steel, achieving a 2-hour ETL fire rating.

BFX6024

BFX6024 Gun Safe

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Fire Clay

You can often find fire clay within kilns and chimneys, and it can provide a significant amount of fire protection. With an incredible melting point of 3,002°F, fire clay is 43% denser than materials like gypsum board/drywall.

AMSEC Safes with Fire Clay: The BF Series

With 60-minute fire ratings and a UL RSC Level I security rating, the BF series is built to last. In fact, these models are the only UL-rated high-security home safes on the market. Additionally, the fire clay that’s poured between the thick steel is a huge component in making these safes capable of withstanding destructive flames for up to at least an hour.

BF1512

BF1512 Safe

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High-Strength Concrete

The heaviest option is high-strength concrete. While this material can add a significant amount of weight to a safe, it also provides a great deal of fire and burglary protection. Constructing a safe with this type of fireproof material could bump up the price of the model, but this type of investment is worth it if it will provide you with some peace of mind.

AMSEC Safes With High-Strength Concrete: TL-Rated Series

We have a range of TL-15 and TL-30 rated safes that feature high-strength concrete. TL-15 is built with concrete that’s 162% denser than standard drywall, and then the TL-30 is a bit stronger, where it’s 172% denser than drywall. This concrete, paired with thick steel, helps these safes protect against forced entry and offer a significant level of fire protection.

ACF2020XD

ACF2020XD American Security Safe

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Evaluate Your Needs for a Fireproof Safe

Before choosing a safe, think carefully about the level of fire protection that makes sense for your situation, especially if you live in a wildfire-prone area or plan on storing irreplaceable valuables. A fire-rated safe can offer the peace of mind you need for when the unexpected happens.

While drywall-lined safes can offer decent protection, your final decision should weigh factors like your budget, the types of items you’re storing, and your local fire risk. Higher-end safes with composite or concrete insulation may offer longer-lasting protection and added security if that’s what you require.

Nothing is worse than evacuating and waiting out the long hours of a wildfire, wondering if your valuables have a chance of withstanding the flames. At least with a fire-rated safe, you can rest assured that you invested in the best option for these case scenarios and have given your valuables the best chance of survival. Don’t wait until it’s too late–give your belongings the protection they deserve.

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