When checking out a safe for your home or office, there are a few features you should look for to ensure you have the right one for your needs. The main one is the storage capacity, so you know if it will be able to hold everything you’d like to put inside of it. You should also look at the security system. These can include locks, keypads, or combination locks, as well as other theft deterrents like pry-proof hinges, all of which are designed to keep everyone except you from getting inside. The dimensions of the safe tell you how much space it will take up in your home.
Top 6 Home Safes Review 2019
To help you pick the best home safe for your personal needs, we’ve spent countless hours checking out different manufacturers, looking over their product features, and reading every customer review we could find. Then we chose the top safes available, created a comparison table with in-depth reviews, and wrote up a buying guide to help you choose the right one.
21. First Alert 2087F Editor's Choice Features Capacity: 0.94 cu. ft. Security system: combination lock; emergency key Dimensions: 16.5 x 14.5 x 19 inches Warranty: 5-year limited; lifetime after-fire
More features: withstands external temperatures of 1,700°F for 1 hour; waterproof
VIEW ON AMAZON 9.8
Anyone who wants their belongings protected at all times needs the best home fire safe to store them in. The First Alert 2087F is one of the top models around, with its Ready-Seal technology that protects against fire, water, and theft all at the same time.
For the fire-resistance, this model can withstand temperatures up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for up to an hour. It includes a waterproof seal that keeps everything in the safe bone dry, even if the whole thing is fully submerged. Both of these features even remain intact if you use the included hardware to bolt it down, giving you extra protection.
As well as allowing you to secure it to a surface, this heavy-duty safe also includes pry-proof concealed hinges and four live-locking door bolts to keep thieves out. The combination lock is easy to use and requires no batteries; the code is pre-set and can be changed as you desire. This safe comes with two override keys with a secret storage area on the safe’s exterior.
Inside the safe is plenty of storage space for all of your valuables, including money, jewelry, firearms, or anything else you may want to keep hidden. It also has plenty of room for documents, external hard drives, or other electronics. The inner storage shelf is adjustable as needed. On the inside of the door is a pocket for smaller items and a rack you can use for multiple key rings.
Pros Fire and waterproof Concealed hinges Heavy-duty build Great warranty terms Bolt-down kit included Cons May look a bit old-fashioned for some
22. SentrySafe SFW123GDC Best Home Fireproof Safe Features Capacity: 1.23 cu. ft. Security system: digital keypad; secondary locking key Dimensions: 16.3 x 19.3 x 17.8 inches Warranty: lifetime
More features: fireproof for 1 hour at 1700F; waterproof for 24 hours in 8 inches of water
VIEW ON AMAZON 9.7
The best fireproof safe for your home will keep all your important belongings safe and sound. The SentrySafe SFW123GDC is UL classified to handle heat and fire up to 1700 degrees for one hour, keeping everything inside safe for that amount of time.
This safe also has other great features, like the ETL verification, which gives you 24 hours of waterproof protection in up to eight inches of water. This certification even covers a fall of 15 feet or less, so it won’t break open if it’s dropped.
For security, there is a backlit digital combination lock that you can customize with your own 4-8 digit security code. There is also a secondary key lock that adds to your peace of mind. This key lock disables the keypad, so even those that know the security code can’t open the lock when the key lock is engaged. The battery compartment for the keypad is easy to access, too, so you can change them out quickly and easily.
Other safety features include the steel construction, four large live-locking bolts to prevent forced entry, the pry-resistant hinge bar for added reinforcement, and a bolt-down kit to mount it to the floor, though this can affect the waterproofing.
Inside of the safe is a large storage capacity that is big enough for full-size documents, an inner locking security drawer, and an interior light to keep everything inside visible.
Pros Fire and waterproof Durable build Two-stage security system Large capacity Cons Expensive Inner security drawer a bit flimsy
23. Verifi Smart.Safe. Biometric Gun Safe Best Home Gun Safe Features Capacity: 0.28 cu. ft. Security system: digital keypad; optical fingerprint sensor; back-up key Dimensions: 14.4 x 10.8 x 5.8 inches Warranty: 1-year limited
More features: FBI-certified sensor; FSD approved; wall/floor mountable
VIEW ON AMAZON 9.6
Those with guns need to store them in a safe and secure place while still maintaining easy access to them in an emergency. That’s why the Verifi Smart.Safe. Biometric Gun Safe is one of the best home security safe models there is.
This compact safe is made of durable steel, with a recessed door and concealed hinges to keep thieves from prying it open. It also includes pre-drilled holes and all the mounting hardware needed to secure it to a wall or floor.
For security, this model has an FBI-certified high-resolution fingerprint sensor. This enhances the fingerprint recognition for fast access to the safe’s contents. It can store up to 40 fingerprints, plus allows you to add users, edit their privileges, or remove them if needed. There is also a keypad and backup key access, with the keyhole hidden behind the logo.
This safe automatically locks when you close the door and alerts you if it is left open, plus alerts you if someone tampers with it in any way. It runs self-diagnostics daily to ensure it is operating properly, plus logs these tests, tamper alerts, and any alarms.
For power, it uses only four AA batteries, monitoring the usage and alerting you if they are running low. The inside compartment is fully carpeted, with a soft LED night light to reduce night blindness. You can also adjust the light’s duration or turn it right off if needed.
Pros Tamper alerts FBI certified fingerprint sensor Solid construction Self-diagnostic testing Cons Not fireproof or waterproof Pricey
24. AmazonBasics Home Keypad Safe Best Home Safe for Storage Capacity Features Capacity: 1.52 cu. ft. Security system: programmable electronic lock; back-up key Dimensions: 13.8 x 13 x 16.5 inches Warranty: 1-year limited
More features: concealed hinges; other sizes available
VIEW ON AMAZON 9.5
The best small home safe gives you a sturdy place to store your valuables without taking up a lot of space in your home to do so. This model has 1.52 cubic feet of capacity inside, so you can store all of your jewelry, important documents, cash, or even a small gun if needed. On the outside, though, it is still compact, so you can place it anywhere in your home.
This safe has a heavy-duty construction using 8-gauge steel on the door and 14-gauge steel on the rest of the body. The addition of two live-door bolts and concealed hinges that can’t be pried open with a crowbar makes this even more durable and theft-proof.
The downside to this safe is that it is quite light, so a thief could pick it up and carry the whole thing out the door. That’s why there are also multiple mounting holes that have been pre-drilled into the back and bottom for securing it to a wall or the floor. All the hardware needed for this is included for added convenience.
There is an electronic keypad on the front of the door, which is easy to program when you first get the safe. Once this process is complete, you can access it easily whenever you like while keeping others out. There is also a backup key included that you can use in an emergency situation.
Pros Heavy-duty construction Pre-drilled mounting holes Concealed hinges Solid locking mechanism Cons Not fire or waterproof Lightweight – needs secure mounting
25. Viking Security Safe VS-25BL Best Home Safe with Fingerprint Scanner Features Capacity: 0.63 cu. ft. Security system: digital keypad; optical fingerprint sensor; key Dimensions: 10 x 14 x 10 inches Warranty: 1-year limited
More features: stores up to 32 fingerprints; 5-mm thick door
VIEW ON AMAZON 9.4
The best safe box for home use doesn’t just keep your belongings safe from intruders. It also gives you quick access to everything you’ve stored inside of it, especially in an emergency situation. The Viking Security Safe VS-25BL covers you in both of these areas.
To keep your valuables safe, this model is durable one-piece steel with seamless welding on the back and a scratch-resistant finish. The 5-mm door has been laser cut to prevent large gaps for added security. There are two 20-mm pry-resistant locking bars on the motorized deadbolt locking mechanism to keep thieves from jimmying the door open with a crowbar.
There are three ways into the safe for you and other members of your family. One is the keypad, which lets you add your own 4-8 digit code. This piece isn’t backlit, though, so may be hard to see in the dark.
For a quicker way into the safe, you can also use the 500 DPI Optical Fingerprint Sensor, which lets you store up to 32 fingerprints. If the batteries die and you can’t use either of these options, there is also a keyhole hidden behind the Viking logo that you can use to open the safe if needed.
Other great features include the adjustable storage shelf, the fully carpeted interior, the built-in LED light, the door-open alarm, and the pre-drilled holes for mounting.
Pros Easy setup Carpeted interior Adjustable shelf Fingerprint reader Cons No lighting on the keypad Not fire or waterproof
26. SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box Budget Pick Features Capacity: 0.18 cu. ft. Security system: key Dimensions: 14.3 x 11.2 x 6.1 inches Warranty: 1-year limited
More features: UL classified to endure 0.5 hour at 1550°F
VIEW ON AMAZON 9.3
Even if you don’t have expensive jewelry, firearms, or other valuable items in your possession, you will likely have some important papers to protect. The best home safe for documents can keep these safe during a fire, plus can keep them all together so you won’t misplace any of them.
The SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box is a small, compact safe that is perfect for storing your important documents, like a passport, birth certificate, or marriage license. It can also hold any work-related papers you may have to store, though it may be tight for regular 8 ½ x 11-inch papers, curling the corners a bit.
This box has UL classification, which means that its fireproofing can protect your documents and other items for up to a ½ hour at 1550 degrees Fahrenheit. It is ETL verified to keep your DVDs, CDs, and USBs safe from damage in a fire as well. It does need to be stored with the feet down and the lock facing out for the fireproofing to be most effective, so be careful where you put this handy safe.
There are no complicated locking mechanisms to deal with. Instead, there is only a simple lock, complete with two keys for you to hold onto. A large carry handle is built right into the front, so you can take the whole box with you when you travel or transport it easily to a new home, an office, or anywhere else you need it. Of course, so can a thief, so be sure to hide it carefully.
Pros Very low price Portable Fireproof Well-made Cons A bit small for regular-sized documents Easy for thieves to remove it from the home
Buying Guide
Everyone has valuable items in their home that they want to protect from damage or theft. This is why many people are looking into the best home security safe for their homes. These items keep all of those irreplaceable and valuable items out of the hands of thieves, plus can protect them from damage in many situations. If you’re considering a new safe for your home or office, the following sections can help you decide on the right one to meet your needs.
Why it’s a wise investment to make
There are a few ways that the best safe for your home can benefit you. The main one is that they offer you a secure place to store your valuables like jewelry, electronics, or even money, protecting these items from anyone who may break into your home.
Those who have a few firearms in their possession are required to keep them in a safe and secure location, where little hands or those who would use them for unsavory purpose can’t access them. A home safe is perfect for small pistols and their many accessories.
Many of the safes on the market are fireproof so that they can keep all of your important documents safe in the event of a fire. Some of them are also waterproof, so if a flood should occur, you won’t have to worry about trying to replace important paperwork like passports or birth certificates.
Home safes come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, so you can choose the right one to hold the items you want to be protected, plus it makes it much easier to get the right size for the space you have to store it in.
Features to consider while choosing a home safe
The best home safe is one that meets all of your needs in capacity, security, strength, plus it will fit in the space you have available. The following features will help you choose the right one for you.
Capacity
The capacity of a home safe is one of the most important features to look at. If you’re getting one of these pieces for your home, you likely have a few things in mind to store in it. The safe should be able to hold all of those things comfortably, without having to pack it all in to make it fit. If you have a lot of stuff to store in a safe, you may want to get one that’s a bit bigger, like the SentrySafe SFW123GDC. Those who have important documents to store should also look at the inner dimensions to ensure these papers will lay flat rather than forcing you to fold them up or curl in the corners.
Security system
When it comes to security systems, home safes have a few options to choose from. The simplest is the key lock, like the one on the SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box. These are easy to use, though they do require you to keep track of a key at all times, plus some of them aren’t really as theft-proof as you may like.
Safes like the First Alert 2087F use a combination lock to keep unwanted hands out of your safe. These have a set combination that you can use to open it and are sturdy and difficult to break into.
The more advanced security system is the keypad. Many of these allow you to choose a specific code that you can punch in. Sometimes these are backlit to make it easier to see them in the dark. They do require batteries, though, so you need to keep an eye on them to ensure they still have power in an emergency.
Some of the more high-tech models even include a fingerprint scanner. These allow you to scan a certain amount of fingerprints for you and those you’re allowing access to the safe. Like the keypads, they also require batteries to work, so be sure to check the battery power often.
Other security system features include door open alarms, tamper alarms, self-diagnostic tests, and user logs, though many of these can only be found on the high-end models.
Materials used
If it is easy to bust into your safe, it won’t be doing its job. That’s why most home safes are built using extremely durable materials, like steel for the body and the door. The door is usually a bit thicker since this is the area thieves will most likely attack to get it open, so the harder it is to bust into, the better.
As well as using strong materials, home safes need to be put together well. For instance, the welding should be seamless to ensure there are no weak spots that could be manipulated. The hinges are also a place a would-be thief will focus on, so these should be recessed or hidden to reduce prying. External dimensions
The external dimensions of the safe you’re buying are probably as important as the inner capacity. This is because the external size will determine where you can actually store your new home safe. The bigger it is, the harder it will be to hide. If you want a smaller model that you can slide under a bed or tuck in a closet, a more portable model like the SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box would be a good option due to its compact size. Of course, the smaller and lighter it is, the easier it would be for a thief to just pick it up and run out the door with it.
Larger models take up a bit more room, though they are also much more of a deterrent to someone who just wants to grab a few pricey items and run out the door. These ones may still fit in an office, or you can mount them to the floor or wall anywhere you have room. This keeps them out of the way while still keeping your valuables protected.
Warranty
Though we want everything we buy to last forever, this is rarely the case. Expensive products like a home safe need to work as intended, though, or they may not give you the protection you need when storing your most important and valuable items. That’s why you should make sure the warranty on the home safe you purchase covers you for a faulty product. If it doesn’t work as intended or it is damaged in some way, you won’t be able to use it. The warranty will ensure you don’t have to pay for a whole new safe.
Most of the safes we’ve reviewed have a one-year limited warranty, which should give you enough time to test out the safe and make sure everything is working as it should. Of course, some issues don’t show up right away, which is why a product like the SentrySafe SFW123GDC, which has a lifetime warranty, can give you a bit more peace of mind.
Extra features
Though protecting your belongings is the main purpose of a safe, there are a few extra features that make them a bit better. Certification is one of these. Though a good safe can protect your belongings from thieves, they don’t always protect against fire or water damage. That’s why many manufacturers add specific materials to their safes that give them some fireproofing for up to an hour at specific temperatures. Some of them are also waterproof, keeping the water out even if they are submerged.
Another feature you may want to look at is pre-drilled mounting holes. If you just plan on setting it on the floor and leaving it there, these won’t be of any use to you. Of course, mounting the safe to the wall or the floor can keep it securely in place, preventing a thief from picking the safe up and running out the door with it. Models with these holes usually include all the mounting hardware as well for extra convenience.
Inner shelves give you some extra space to spread out your belongings rather than piling them all on top of each other. This lets you separate the items as you like. Models like the First Alert 2087F even have pockets on the door or a key rack for even more storage options. An interior light keeps everything inside visible, even if the room you’re in is dark.
FAQ How long will the digital keypad battery last?
There is no set time limit for the keypad battery in a home safe. It all depends on the user. If you’re opening the safe a couple of times a day, the battery will die long before one in a safe that is opened only once a week. It is recommended to check your batteries twice each year, changing them if needed, so they are working properly in an emergency.
Which models are fire- and waterproof?
There are three models in our reviews that are fireproof. The SentrySafe SFW123GDC and the First Alert 2087F are both rated for up to 1 hour at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. The SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box is rated for temperatures of 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit for up to half an hour. For waterproofing, the SentrySafe SFW123GDC is good for up to 24 hours in eight inches of water, while the First Alert 2087F can be fully submerged.
How to avoid high internal humidity levels?
First, acclimatize the safe to your home before using it to reduce condensation inside. If you have a larger safe, you can use an electric dehumidifier inside it. You can also use desiccant packs, a box of baking soda, a jar of cat litter, or a pouch of charcoal to absorb any extra moisture inside. Every two weeks, open up the safe to air out for about 20 minutes. Make sure everything you put inside is dry before you put it in the safe. Together, these tips should keep the internal humidity levels of your safe low.
Our Verdict
A home safe can keep all your valuables, important documents, and even your firearms in a secure location at all times. Though any home safe can offer some protection, there are a few that stand out.
Our favorite is the First Alert 2087F, which is a heavy-duty model with four live-locking door bolts and pry-proof concealed hinges. It is fire- and waterproof and has a combination lock with a backup key lock. This one also has a large storage area with an adjustable shelf, inner door pocket, and a key rack.
The SentrySafe SFW123GDC has a huge capacity with an inner security drawer. It also has great safety features, including a backlit digital keypad, a key lock, steel construction, live-locking door bolts, and a pry-resistant hinge bar. It is also fireproof, waterproof, and can handle a fall of 15 feet.
For gun owners, the Verifi Smart.Safe. Biometric Gun Safe is a great option. It has a digital keypad, an FBI-certified fingerprint scanner, and a backup key. Steel construction, a recessed door, and concealed hinges keep thieves out. It also has an interior light, full carpeting inside, a door open alert, an auto lock when closed, and it logs all activity.
The post 6 Best Home Safes to Keep All Your Valuables Away from Burglars appeared first on WisePick.org.
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