Compare Biometric Home Safes: Barska vs. SentrySafe?

​​Author: Maurice Savaryego, M.Sc.Eng.

Barska Biometric SafeBarska Biometric Safe (Photo Credits: Barska)
Whether you are storing important documents, jewelry, or small firearms, a biometric safe is your best choice because it gives you the ability to quickly and effortlessly access your valuables and weapons in times of emergency, while keeping them safely away from unauthorized hands. 

Simply put, with biometric safes your fingerprint is the key or combination! A key that can’t be lost  and a combination that can not be forgotten. One swipe of your fingerprint unlocks the case, making it one of the most reliable and most secure type of safes. 

Because every fingerprint is unique, a biometric safe can not be opened by just anyone. Only the fingerprints loaded to the safe's memory can be used to open the safe.

Here are some of the advantages of a biometric safe:
  • Biometric safes limit the number of people that can access the contents of your safe. You can be sure that if you're keeping your handgun there, it will not fall into the hands of inexperienced  or unauthorized people such as children or burglars.
  • Biometric safes can be opened within a second or two as opposed to the several seconds required by traditional safes.
  • Biometric safes are very easy to use and do not require keeping track of physical keys or memorizing any combinations, so you know that at any time you can have access to the contents. 
  • Biometric safes are more tamper-resistant than traditional safes.

For the safety and protection of the family, it is imperative that in particular those who keep a licensed handgun at home ensure that  it is securely and properly stored. This is crucial most particularly if there are kids and teens at home. Biometric safes provide the required level of security for such  situations.

Because of their  smaller size, you can easily place and hide these safes anywhere you want, but it is a good idea to mount them on the floor, shelf, or wall, so that they become more secure from theft and easily accessible during emergency. All mounting hardware is usually included when you purchase the safe.

Finally, note that for those who are looking for a biometric safe to hide away their handgun, it is preferable to get one that does not make much noise (such as beeps) when it is opened, so  the intruder does not know you're reaching for your gun.

This article will compare Barska AX11224 and SentrySafe QAP1BE biometric home safes.
Note that among Amazon buyers, these two were the most popular in the biometric safe category at the time this article was written.

If you are in a hurry and wish to see right away Amazon price information for these biometric safes, please click below:
Selected Biometric Home Safes on Amazon



​Comparing the Selected Biometric Safes

The following images show the biometric safes selected for comparison:

Barska AX11224
(Photo Credits: Barska)
SentrySafe QAP1BE
(Photo Credits: SentrySafe)
The following table compares the features and characteristics of the selected biometric safes (please read also the table notes that follow for a better understanding of the features offered):
Tables Notes 1-5 Explained:

Note 1:
Both safes can hold at least one hand gun, a couple of magazines and other personal valuables.
However, Barska is the largest.  
The following pictures illustrate the capacities of the two safes:

Barska AX11224
(Photo Credits: Barska)
SentrySafe QAP1BE
(Photo Credits: SentrySafe)
Note 2:
Fingerprint memory is the number of fingerprints the safe can store and that will open it.
  • Barska can store up to 30 fingerprints.
  • SantrySafe allows you to program primary and secondary user fingerprints (2 for each).

Note 3:
  • Barska provides two physical keys for alternate access.
  • For alternate access, SentrySafe can both be opened using a physical key or dialing a programmed code on the built-in keypad. ​

Note 4:
  • Barska has a Silent Access feature that allows you to mute the beeping notifications. 
  • SentrySafe is almost completely silent. Aside for a hardly audible clicking sound, there are no beeps that can be heard.

Note 5:
  • With Barska, factory drilled anchor points on the bottom and on the back of the unit allow you to permanently secure the safe to the floor or wall. Required mounting hardware is included.
  • SentrySafe is not designed for wall mounting and must be mounted only on a horizontal surface (like the floor, shelf, etc.). It comes with holes on the bottom, and mounting hardware is provided.

So which biometric safe to buy?

As mentioned above, both safes considered here were the most popular among Amazon customers at the time this article was written, and they had also received mostly quite good reviews from most Amazon buyers. Note that SentrySafe had received the best average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 stars, while Barska had received 4 stars.

However, before you decide which to get you should keep in mind the following:
  • If you have lots to store and need a large safe, you should consider the Barska which is the larger of the two. If you need just enough space to store your handgun and some magazines then the SentrySafe would be a great choice as you would also be getting the top rated biometric safe.
  • If you need a silent safe (no beeps), you should either consider the Barska or SentrySafe. SentrySafe does not beep and Barska has a feature that allows to turn off the beeps. 
  • Both safes are equipped with holes on their bottom and come with the hardware needed for  mounting on the floor, but only Barska can be mounted on a wall as well. SentrySafe must be mounted on a  horizontal surface only.
  • Finally, if you have to store the fingerprints of a number of people, you should consider the Barska safe (up to 30 fingerprints). SentrySafe can only store the fingerprints of two people (primary and secondary users).​

Compared Biometric Home Safes on Amazon

Please click the safe of your choice below for price information or to purchase.  
Note:  Amazon often provides a good discount on the List Price of sold products. If a discount is available, the List Price and the actual Amazon price will be shown when you click the product link images below.

Barska AX11224

SentrySafe QAP1BE

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