Biometric safes are the only type of safe where there is no key or combination to lose. Certainly, there are pros and cons to using this type of safe, but those two benefits by themselves are extremely powerful.

• You never have to worry about being unable to open your gun safe in an extremely high-pressure situation (like a home invasion).
• You never have to worry that a child will find the key or learn the combination, gaining access to your dangerous weapons.
• You never have to worry that the key will become lost, meaning you will have to call upon a locksmith to get at your firearms.

So how do these gun safes work?

Details of biometric safes

A biometric safe uses a specialized type of lock that reads your fingerprint (much as newer cell phones might) in order to unlock. A few different fingerprints can be programmed into the machine so that multiple people can have access to the safe. Or, if you prefer, it can be limited to a single individual. This means that the lock can be opened in one or two seconds, unlike every other type of lockout there. It also means that the safe is very simple to use. In the early days of fingerprint recognition technology, many of us may have been turned off by readers that operated inconsistently. But those days are essentially gone. Modern biometric locks are reliable.

Drawbacks of a biometric safe

The very nature of the safe does lend itself to a few unavoidable disadvantages. In our opinion, these problems are relatively small considering the numerous strengths offered by biometric safes. But potential buyers should be aware of them. The first and most significant drawback is that it is dependent on your fingerprint. If you happen to have a cut on the finger you use to open the safe, you might not be able to access its contents. This is a somewhat unlikely scenario, but it can happen. Along the same lines, the safe may lose its ability to identify you as you age which can cause the skin to become thinner. This will potentially hamper the technology. Finally, this safe does require power to operate. This means that you will need to change batteries when they get low.

Why not both?

If you’re just not sure whether you want an electronic lock or a biometric lock, there’s one more option to consider: Both. Many safes have a secondary lock option to supplement other means of access. The Tracker S10, for example, can be opened with combination, key, or fingerprint. This does, of course, mean that other individuals could steal the combination or key. But in terms of reliability on a moment’s notice, this type of safe cannot be beaten. It’s a trade-off. Biometric safes have come a long way in the last decade.

The newest models are convenient, reliable, and affordable. If you’re looking for a gun safe to supplement your home defense plans, one of these may just be the best option for you. Want details about specific brands? Check out our page onbiometric gun safes. We have options in numerous sizes and styles. You can also call us at 800-207-2259. One of our safe experts can help you select a model that will fit your needs.