Gun Safes · Vaultek
Vaultek 20 Series Essential Biometric
3.5/5 Best Safe Score (how we score)
My fingerprint pick: a 7.2 lb, 16-gauge steel pistol safe that stores 20 prints, has a backlit keypad and two backup keys, and pops open on its own. I'd choose it over the Night Guard if a second adult needs their own prints.
Details
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Who it's for
- Best fingerprint pistol safe in Best Gun Safe Under $300 – 5 Picks for Long Guns, Bedside and Car: One or two compact handguns in a drawer, desk or car console; it fits handguns up to 10.70 in long, and a dead battery means using the key.
- Best everyday gun safe for women in Best Gun Safe for Women – 5 Compact Picks Sorted by Weight and Entry: For a woman who keeps one handgun by the bed or in a desk and wants a fingerprint with a keypad backup; it runs on three AAA batteries, so put a yearly battery date on your calendar and keep a backup key elsewhere.
- Best light gun safe for seniors in Best Gun Safe for Seniors – 5 Picks for Stiff Hands and Dim Light: An older owner who wants a light box that slides into a nightstand drawer and opens without lifting a heavy lid; it runs on batteries, so put the change date on the calendar.
- Best biometric nightstand pick in Best Handgun Safe for Nightstand Use: For a nightstand or drawer owner who wants fingerprint, keypad and key entry on a low-profile lid and is happy to swap AAA batteries; one full-size pistol with a spare magazine fits, and older VT20i, VS20i and VT20 listings are earlier versions with their own specs, so check the model on the listing.
What we like
- Fingerprint (20 prints), 4-8 digit backlit keypad and two backup keys
- 16-gauge carbon steel with anti-pry bars and dual anti-impact latches
- Pre-drilled holes, mounting hardware and a 4 ft steel cable included
- Fingerprint (up to 20 prints), 4-8 digit Smart Sense keypad and two backup keys
- 16-gauge steel and Vaultek's dual anti-impact latch system
- 7.2 lb with pre-drilled holes and mounting hardware for a drawer or shelf
What to know first
- Battery powered (three AAA alkaline, about a year)
- Owners report a print being accepted while the latch stayed shut
- Owners report the reader can need re-enrolling, and one Vaultek owner lost access after the scanner failed and the backup keys went missing
- Battery powered (three AAA), so a dead battery means using the key
- Runs on three AAA batteries, with no wall power option
Product details
| Brand | VAULTEK |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Vaultek Safe, Inc. |
| Model | Vaultek 20 Series |
| Part number | Vaultek 20 Series |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 9 inches x 11.5 inches x 2.75 inches |
| Lock | Fingerprint (20 prints), 4-8 digit keypad, 2 backup keys (Vaultek) |
| Steel | 16-gauge carbon steel (listing) |
| Exterior | 11.5 in W x 9 in D x 2.625 in H (listing) |
| Interior | 11 in W x 5.75 in D x 2 in H; handguns up to 10.70 in long (listing) |
| Weight | 7.2 lb (listing) |
| Power | Three AAA alkaline, about 1 year (Vaultek) |
| Bolt-down | Pre-drilled holes and mounting hardware included (Vaultek) |
| Fire rating | None |
| Mounting | Pre-drilled holes with hardware or a steel security cable |
Top rows from the Amazon listing; the rest from the maker pages we checked.
About this item
- Compact Design can securely hold 1-2 compact handguns, magazine(s), passport, cash, and is easily mountable to a nightstand, desk, or vehicles using the pre-drilled holes and included hardware or steel security cable. Designed to safely protect valuables and provide quick access. Fits handguns up to 10.70” in overall length.
- Tough and Rugged 16-gauge carbon steel construction with a durable powder coat finish to prevent corrosion, and reinforced with Vaultek’s signature unibody design for added strength and long-lasting durability.
- Anti-Theft Protection includes anti-pry bars, reinforced interior hinges, and a patented dual anti-impact latch system to keep the safe securely locked under force. Anchor it with confidence using the included steel security cable to wrap around a fixed object, or utilize the pre-drilled mounting holes and included hardware.
- Quick Access with an oversized high resolution biometric scanner capable of storing up to 20 unique fingerprints, auto-illuminating Smart Sense keypad with built-in proximity sensor, or included backup manual keys. Instant access to your valuables, documents, and firearm(s) with the automatic opening top door.
- Responsive LED Lighting in low light situations so you can locate your safe with the LED backlit keypad's proximity sensor, and easily view your safe contents with the interior LED lights.
- Powered by three AAA alkaline batteries (not included) and provides power for 1 year +. You can also plug in the safe to a power source for continuous power.
- Includes (2) Manual Keys, Interior Foam Padding, 4 Ft. Steel Security Cable, and Mounting Hardware.
From the product's Amazon listing, as of Nov 7, 2026, 7:59 PM UTC. The seller writes this text, not us, and Amazon may change it.
What owners say
Summarized from 7 owner discussions and review pages we read.
Praise
- Sleek, robust and packed with features (a long-term VT20i review)
- Owners like the three entry methods
- Lockpicking Lawyer's VS20 video is cited by owners as one of the few positive reviews he gives
- Forum posters call Vaultek a good biometric pistol safe
- A 1911Forum poster calls Vaultek a good biometric safe
- A 1911Forum poster calls Vaultek a good biometric safe (one line, no model named)
Complaints
- One owner's reader accepted the print but the locks did not release
- Reader can need re-enrolling at new finger angles
- A V20i owner lost access when the scanner stopped working and the backup keys were lost
- Some owners question drop safety on the 20 series latch design
- Posters in the same thread distrust fingerprint readers for a bedside gun in general, so learn the keypad code too
- Forum posters in the 1911Forum thread distrust fingerprint readers for a bedside gun in general (no Vaultek-specific failure read)
Sources: Pew Pew Tactical: Vaultek VT10i and VT20i review (search excerpt only) · Reddit r/Safes: Vaultek safe not opening (quote via search) · Reddit r/SigSauer: Does anybody have a Vaultek safe? (search excerpt only) · Reddit r/Firearms: Lockpicking Lawyer reviews Vaultek VS20 (search excerpt only) · Reddit r/hacking: Vaultek V20i safe broken (search excerpt only) · Reddit r/CCW: vaultek? (search excerpt only)
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