If you’ve been unable to find a thorough, hands-on review of the Verifi S5000 smart safe and wondered if it makes a suitable pistol safe that can accommodate a few of your handguns, spare mags, and ammo… look no further!
You’ll learn everything you need to know about this general-purpose FBI-certified handgun safe through our personal experience with it.
Exoctactical is the only blog that publishes unsponsored, unbiased, and in-depth reviews. We administer extensive testing on every gun safe that we purchase to provide our readers with product recommendations they can trust. We have not received any of these products free of charge in exchange for a positive review!
Continue reading to discover if Verifi’s S5000 smart safe is a good buy compared to other options in its price range.
Verifi Smart Safe S5000 Video Review
If you want a visual breakdown of this safe, check out our YouTube overview that shows what comes with the Verifi S5000. We check its handgun capacity as well as put it through a fingerprint gauntlet test to demonstrate how it performs with wet or dirty fingers.
To learn all of the criteria we use to rank gun safes, see: How We Test Gun Safes
We earn a commission if you purchase something through our links (at no additional cost to you).
Verifi S5000 Biometric Smart Safe Overview
The Verifi S5000 is a biometric safe that offers smart features designed to keep your firearms secure with an excellent fingerprint scanner that prevents unauthorized access to your guns.
Today, we’ll be taking a comprehensive look at this well-designed safe brought to you by the good people over at Zvetco Biometrics.
FBI-Certified Biometric Reader
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It utilizes an advanced FBI-certified 3D E-Field biometric fingerprint scanner that can store up to 4 separate fingerprints per user.
Unboxing Experience
This safe comes with everything you need to get it set up including the 4 AA batteries to power the electronics.
You will need a Phillips head screwdriver to remove the internal battery lid to install the batteries.
You get a well-written instruction manual that is easy to follow and walks you through the programming process in a straightforward manner.
There is also a set of backup keys that were changed to Pagoda locks in the updated model shown below. These keys allow you to open the safe should the mechanism fail (the safe ships unlocked).
To access the keyhole, you will need to remove at least 2 of the 3 screws that keep the hidden key cover plate in place.
First Impressions
Our first impressions of this Verifi Smart Safe are off to a good start as this safe was very well packaged and arrived with no damage during shipping.
The build quality, fit, and finish are very good and the biometric fingerprint reader is class-leading and FBI-certified.
Weighing in at 20.5 lbs empty, this safe is fairly heavy for its size and, since there are no firewalls, it has a decent amount of volume for storage.
The interior is lined with felt so as not to scratch your firearms and it even has an LED light so you can see what’s inside in a dark room.
Setup and Programming
Here’s the quick version of the initial setup and programming guide to quickly enroll the Administrator fingerprints.
Instructions For Installing Batteries:
- Remove The Battery Compartment With The Provided Screwdriver
- Insert 4 AA Batteries (The LCD Screen Will Light Up Indicating The Batteries Have Been Correctly Installed)
- Replace The Battery Compartment Cover & Secure It With The Screw
^Insert 4 AA Batteries
Take a look at the diagram below to learn the location of the “Settings/Scroll” button labeled “F” in the picture.
In this second diagram, you’ll see the location of the “Start/Enter” button on the front panel which is the “C” button in the instructions below.
Now let’s get on to programming your first set of fingerprints!
How To Enroll Your Fingerprints:
- Press The Settings/Scroll Button “F” (The LCD Will Display A Welcome Message.)
- Press The Start/Enter Button “C” To Continue
- Now, Just Follow The On-Screen Enrollment Wizard To Complete Your First Set Of Fingerprints.
- When Prompted To Place Your 1st Finger On The Fingerprint Sensor “B” Be Sure To Keep Your Finger Flat & Firm
Multiple Images Are Needed Of The Same Finger To Create A High-Quality Enrollment! Makes Sure To Use The SAME FINGER When Prompted To “Place Finger”.
Additional fingers can be added to an existing user later via the settings menu (see user manual for further details).
That’s all there is to it! Of course, the manual gives much greater detail into setting up numerous users.
Storage Capacity
The Verifi Smart Safe model S5000 has a respectable volume of .52 cu ft- allowing you enough space to fit a gun rack to take advantage of every square inch this safe has to offer.
The pictures we took showcase a variety of options to choose from depending on your needs.
This safe is large enough to accommodate a 3 or 4-gun rack- if it is of the right design. We tried out several different gun rack designs and found the models that have a lower-profile base are the best fit for this safe.
You can fit one 4-gun rack with higher beds but then you’re limited to subcompact micro9s with mags removed and placed upside down as shown in the picture below.
There is still room enough for some boxes of ammo and magazines too. We recommend using the lower-profile racks that do a better job securing the firearms while also giving you better clearance for quick retrieval.
If you’re only planning on putting your main self-defense pistol in this safe with some spare mags and ammo, you can do without adding a gun rack but you will lose the ability to store multiple firearms in a secure and organized manner.
Below is a picture of the previously mentioned setup.
You can also fit 3 full-sized guns loosely on the bottom ready to go without any rack to secure them as shown below. We caution against doing this especially if your safe is not bolted down to prevent the movement of the firearms inside.
Here are some pictures of the gun racks beside the safe to give you an idea of their size.
Overall, we think the Verifi Smart Safe model S5000 is the perfect size for storing multiple handguns with plenty of ammo and magazines. We give the storage ability an A+
Pros and Cons
There are pros and cons to any product and here we share our experience based on our time spent reviewing and testing the Verifi S5000.
What We Like:
- Best Fingerprint Scanner On The Market
- Improved Pagoda Keyed Backup Entry
- Keeps Access Logs In Memory
- Strong Locking Bolts & 8 Gauge Thickness On Door
- Just Enough Room To Fit Lower-Profile Gun Racks We Used
- Provides Adequate Lighting Upon Opening
- Heavy Build With Good Fit & Finish
- Easy Mounting Options
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive (But Worth It IOHO)
- A Bit Cramped Inside
- Not The Quickest Opening Biometric (But More Rigorous)
- Some Gun Racks Wouldn’t Fit Inside
- No Quick Secondary Entry (Key Is Underneath Badge W/3 Screws)
Who This Safe Is For
Who It’s For:
- This safe was designed for those needing the most reliable and quick access to a gun safe or just a safe to store other valuables that can be accessed by multiple people if needed.
Who It’s Not For:
- It is not a safe you should buy if you’re looking for fire or flood protection as it is neither fire rated nor waterproof.
- It also doesn’t have any official theft rating though it does provide you with a very thick steel door for its relatively diminutive size with 2 beefy locking bolts, as pictured below.
The side walls are made out of much thinner 14 gauge steel (which is standard fare for most safes of this grade) and would benefit from being securely anchored down using the supplied bolts.
Key Takeaways
The Verifi Smart Safe is one of the most advanced safes on the market at this price. It’s a step up in cost for its size but it has an 8-gauge steel door that’s more robust compared to similarly-sized safes we’ve come across with a heavy-duty build overall and some smart monitoring features that set it apart from the competition.
It undoubtedly has the best biometric fingerprint scanner technology that you can buy for a safe of this size. It’s also the only safe in this price range and form factor that has these specific smart features built in.
We were very impressed with what you get for the money and believe this safe is a no-brainer if you want the most dependable quick-access gun-safe mechanism for home defense and safe gun storage.
Verifi S5000 Features:
Let’s explore the key features, advantages, and limitations of the Verifi S5000 Handgun Safe.
Key Features:
- FBI-Certified Biometric Fingerprint Scanner: The Verifi S5000 features an advanced fingerprint scanner that provides quick and accurate access to your firearms. It can store up to 40 unique fingerprints, making it suitable for multiple users.
- Tamper-Proof Construction: This handgun safe is constructed with durable steel and features motorized locking bolts, offering enhanced protection against tampering and unauthorized access.
- Self-Diagnostics and Tamper Alerts: The safe performs regular self-diagnostics to ensure the fingerprint scanner and other components are functioning optimally. It also provides tamper alerts, notifying you if any unauthorized attempts are made to access your firearms.
- LED Night Light: The built-in LED light illuminates the safe’s interior, making it easier to locate and retrieve your handguns in low-light conditions.
- Battery Life and Power Options: The safe is powered by 4 AA batteries, and it boasts an impressive battery life of up to 10,000 scans. Additionally, it includes an AC power adapter, allowing you to plug it into a wall outlet for continuous power.
Advantages:
- Quick and Reliable Access: The biometric fingerprint scanner is highly responsive and provides near-instant access to your firearms. You can trust that the safe will open swiftly when you need it the most.
- Ample Storage Space: The Verifi S5000 offers enough room to securely store multiple handguns, spare magazines, and other small valuables, ensuring all your essentials are protected in one place.
- User-Friendly Interface: The safe’s interface is intuitive and straightforward to use. The setup process for fingerprint registration is hassle-free, and the tamper alerts add an extra layer of security.
- Robust Security Features: The tamper-proof construction, motorized locking bolts, and self-diagnostics make the Verifi S5000 highly secure.
Limitations:
- Size & Portability: While the spacious interior is advantageous for storage, the safe’s larger size may limit portability. It is designed to be mounted securely in a fixed location.
- Cost: The Verifi S5000 is priced higher compared to some other handgun safes on the market. However, its advanced features and solid build quality justify the investment for those seeking top-notch security and convenience.
Where To Buy
This compact S5000 model must be popular due to the stock shortages on most websites like Optics Planet. Amazon usually has the best prices but Armadillo Safes offers price matching (unfortunately Amazon no longer has a listing for this model). Amazon does have the larger S5800 silver and S6000 platinum series available if you require a bit more space.
FBI-Certified Biometric Reader
Get price matching, free shipping in the US, and pay no tax when you buy from Armadillo Safes!
Q&A Section
In this section, we try our best to answer all of the most frequently asked questions we get about the Verifi S5000 Gun Safe.
How many fingerprints can the Verifi S5000 store?
The Verifi S5000 can store up to 40 unique fingerprints, making it suitable for multiple users or allowing you to register multiple fingers for increased accessibility.
What happens if the batteries die?
The Verifi S5000 includes a low battery warning, and you’ll have sufficient time to replace the batteries. Additionally, it comes with an AC power adapter, offering an alternative power source.
Can I mount the Verifi S5000 to a wall or floor?
Yes, the safe is designed to be mounted to a solid surface. It includes mounting hardware and instructions for a secure installation.
Can I rely solely on the fingerprint scanner, or are there alternative access methods?
The Verifi S5000 primarily relies on the biometric fingerprint scanner for quick access. However, it also includes a backup key that can be used in case of emergencies or if the fingerprint scanner malfunctions.
Final Thoughts
Let’s wrap up this Verifi smart safe S5000 review with some closing thoughts after weeks of testing and 2 years of daily use. The original batteries are still going strong on this compact little safe that has been a highly reliable and secure storage solution for our handguns for the duration of our time with the S5000.
We appreciate any company, like Verifi, that addresses any flaws in their design- e.g., the exceedingly long key they used in their older models that has been replaced with a superior, much shorter key in current iterations.
As for how it compares to the competition… its biometric reader is the best on any safe of this size and form factor. If it’s a bit too pricey for you, there are other multi-pistol safes that also perform well and offer a good value proposition.
We’ve written a few articles that show you a list of good solutions for pistol storage that you should check out if you want to spend less and still want to get an adequate amount of secure storage.
