Best Home Safes 2023
Introduction
You trust your home safe to keep your items secure, so it’s important to choose the right one that suits your needs best.
In this article, we’ll show you our top picks for a home safe, and also walk you through some things to consider before purchasing. Read more to find out what’s the best home safe for you.
Our picks
Mike’s Top Pick
First Alert 2087F Waterproof and Fire-Resistant Bolt-Down Combination Safe
Not only is this safe waterproof, fire-resistant, and pry-proof, but it’s also quite heavy, which also makes it difficult to steal.
We also liked the long battery life of this safe and its 5 year warranty, along with its reasonable price. It’s great that the battery life is long, but batteries aren’t even needed to operate the combination lock of this safe.
Pros:
• 5 year warranty
• 2000 hours battery life
• Very heavy , waterproof and fire resistant
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting and hardware
Cons:
• No interior lighting
• Combination for lock is set upon purchase: this combination is not customizable
Value pick
AmazonBasics Security Safe
This safe has some of the best reviews on our list, and it definitely has the best price. It has a customizable keypad code and has been put to the test: many reviewers said that someone had tried to break into the safe but were unsuccessful. Though this safe isn’t certified fire resistant, it survived at least one reviewer’s house fire.
Pros:
• Customizable keypad combination
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting and hardware
Cons:
• No interior lighting
• This safe is not waterproof or fire resistant
Premium Pick
Verifi Smart.Safe. Fast Access Biometric Safe with FBI Fingerprint Sensor
This home safe is by far the most expensive on our list, but it is also by far the best.
It features reliable fingerprint reading technology, provides users with an activity report to say who accessed the safe and when, and whether or not any technical issues may be happening with the safe. Reports also note if someone was trying to tamper with the safe.
Pros:
• Extended battery life
• Tamper alerts that state any unsuccessful attempts to access the safe
• Auto-lock features ensures door is locked as soon as it is closed
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting and hardware
• Extremely easy set-up and great customer service
• Fingerprint sensor is suitable for people of all ages
• Event logs tell safe administrator who access safe and for how long, including tamper alerts, and diagnostic information
Cons:
• This safe is not waterproof or fire resistant
• Some malfunctioning issues were reported
Table of Contents
First Alert 2087F Waterproof and Fire-Resistant Bolt-Down Combination Safe
SentrySafe SFW123FUL Fireproof Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad
Viking Security Safe VS-20BLX Mini Biometric Safe Fingerprint Safe
AmazonBasics Security Safe – 0.5-Cubic Feet
7750 Electronic Wall Safe Hidden Large Safes Jewelry Secure-Paragon Lock & Safe
Verifi Smart.Safe. Fast Access Biometric Safe with FBI Fingerprint Sensor
How to Choose the Best Home Safe
Comparison Table
PLAN - PRICE
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Interior Dimension
Exterior Dimension
Fire Resistant
Waterproof
Theftproof
Lock type
Weight
12.88 x 10.38 x 12.25"
17.8 x 15 x 19.8"
Yes up to 1700 degrees Farenheit for up to one hour
Yes, can be fully submerged
Yes, pry-resistant
Combination
82 lbs
12.6 x 11.9 x 13.8"
16.3 x 19.3 x 17.8"
Yes up to 1700 degrees Farenheit for up to one hour
Yes, in up to 8" of water
Yes, pry-resistant
Digital keypad
86 lbs
7.5 x 11.62 x 7.5"
7.87 x 12.18 x 7.87
No
No
Yes, pry-resistant
Fingerprint reader and digital keypad
20.1 lbs
PLAN - PRICE
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Exterior Dimension
Fire Resistant
Waterproof
Theftproof
Lock type
Weight
4 x 16.25 x 22"
No
No
Yes, tamper-proof hinges
Digital keypad
37 lbs
16.1 x 17.4 x 7.9"
No
No
Yes, access only with fingerprint or key
Fingerprint reader
30 lbs
Reviews of the Best Home Safes
First Alert 2087F Waterproof and Fire-Resistant Bolt-Down Combination Safe
At mid $100, this is one of the more expensive home safe options on our list. It’s also very durable and high quality at 82 lbs.
This safe features technologies to keep your valuables safe from fire, water, and theft.
To protect against theft, this safe has pry-proof, hidden hinges. There are four live-locking door bolts, and a combination lock.
Design features include an adjustable shelf, and key hooks on the door as well as a pocket for documents. This safe also comes with two emergency override keys in case you forget the combination. These can be stored in hidden compartments on the outside of the safe itself.
The durability and locking mechanisms of this safe have been independently reviewed to ensure efficiency.
To protect against water damage, this safe has a waterproof seal and will keep items dry even if it is completely underwater.
This safe requires 4 AA batteries, and its average battery life is 2000 hours. It is made of a durable resin material, and has a 5 year warranty. It comes with the hardware required to bolt the safe to the floor.
Pros:
• 5 year warranty
• 2000 hours battery life
• Very heavy , waterproof and fire resistant
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting and hardware
Cons:
• No interior lighting
• Combination for lock is set upon purchase: this combination is not customizable
What buyers said
“This safe is exactly what I was looking for. It’s reasonably priced, very durable, and I like that it isn’t digital. Though AA batteries are required for the locking mechanism, they aren’t needed to lock the safe. I really like this feature because often digital safes run into issues with malfunctioning.”
SentrySafe SFW123FUL Fireproof Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad
This safe features a digital keypad lock and can be purchased for the $200 mark. SentrySafe offers a combination lock safe for around the same price as the First Alert safe-price and has many of the same features as the digital keypad lock version.
Unlike the First Alert Safe, this safe cannot be fully submerged in water, but can withstand 8 inches of water exposure for up to 24 hours.
Similar to the First Alert Safe, this safe is quite theft-proof with pry-resistant hinge bars, and four live-locking bolts. It’s made of steel, making it very durable, and is verified to withstand a 15 foot fall without breaking open. It can also be opened with a key, in case the combination is forgotten.
This safe is fireproof for up to 1700 Farenheit, like the First Alert Safe, and design features are also similar, with adjustable shelving, a pocket for documents, and a key rack.
Four AAA batteries are required for this safe, and the manufacturer recommends high quality, non rechargeable batteries. While batteries are required for the digital keypad lock to operate, they are not required for key-entry.
This safe has an interior light that helps make its contents more visible. This safe also has a warranty, but only up to one year.
Pros:
• Fire resistant
• Durable: very heavy, made of steel and able to withstand a 15 foot fall
• Comes with interior lighting to make it easier to see inside
• If combination is forgotten, can call in with serial number and SentrySafe support will provide combo
Cons:
• May be damaged in shipping
• Cannot be bolted down from the inside
• Keypad combination is not customizable
• No pre-drilled mounting holes, but comes with mounting hardware
• Requires batteries for keypad operation (generic brand or rechargeable batteries not recommended)
What buyers said
“There was a small dent on the back when I received the safe… but other than that it seems pretty sturdy. This safe required 4 AAA batteries, but I liked that it comes with a light to indicate low battery.”
Viking Security Safe VS-20BLX Mini Biometric Safe Fingerprint Safe
This home safe is the most high tech safe on our list so far, with the capability to read fingerprints. It also comes with a digitized pad, and has an interior light, and runs around mid $100.
Like the others listed, this safe also is theft-proof with pry-resistant doors and a live-locking (or motorized) locking system. Like the SentrySafe, this home safe is made out of steel and has a one year warranty.
This safe offers three locking mechanisms: a backup key, a digital combination keypad (like the SentrySafe), and a fingerprint reader. With this homesafe, you can save up to 32 different fingerprints that can be read to open the safe.
The manufacturer recommends bolting this safe down, probably due to its light weight (only 20 lbs), but there are four pre-drilled holes and bolts are included.
This safe seems to be great quality, lightweight, and easy to program. However, one major downside of this safe is that it is NOT fire resistant or waterproof. This safe serves more as a deterrent for thieves than for protection against a flood or fire.
Unlike the others, there is no key rack or document pocket on the interior of the door of this safe, but there is a removable shelf.
The battery life of this home safe isn’t listed, but there is a low-battery indicator.
Pros:
• Interior lighting
• Customizable keypad combination
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting and hardware
• Numerous locking mechanisms including backup key, combination keypad and fingerprint reader
Cons:
• This safe is not waterproof or fire resistant
• Fingerprint reader not recommended for people 55+ because fingerprints are harder read with age
What buyers said
“This is a great safe, it seems really durable and I love the size. The light isn’t that great, though, and neither is the customer service. The light stopped working within a week but I wasn’t able to reach the company for a response. Other than that, it’s a great home safe.”
AmazonBasics Security Safe – 0.5-Cubic Feet
This is the most inexpensive home safe on the list. It’s comparable to the others, with a digital keypad and back-up key. Its doors are also pry-resistant and it has two live-locking door bolts.
The keypad code can be changed, like the Viking Security Safe but unlike the SentrySafe, which has a fixed code. The keypad requires 4 AA batteries, which are not included. If you forget your code, you can call in to customer service with your serial number and they can give you another code.
Easy installation is made possible by pre-drilled holes for mounting, and included mounting hardware. This is similar to all the other home safes listed, except the SentrySafe.
There is an interior shelf in this safe, but no key rack or document pocket.
This safe is not waterproof or fire resistant, however, reviewers who had experienced a fire said the safe and the contents inside made it through.
Pros:
• Customizable keypad combination
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting and hardware
Cons:
• No interior lighting
• This safe is not waterproof or fire resistant (but some reviewers said it was!)
What buyers said
“This safe isn’t supposed to be fire proof, but I had the unfortunate experience of having my home burn down, and somehow this safe and the documents inside it survived the fire. I was also able to open it using the keypad, despite the fire.”
“Someone tried to break into this safe with a hammer and crowbar, but they were unable to. This safe kept my items very well protected!”
7750 Electronic Wall Safe Hidden Large Safes Jewelry Secure-Paragon Lock & Safe
Unlike the other home safes on our list, this safe is meant to be installed inside your wall as a hidden safe. It comes in a discreet white color and pre-drilled mounting holes, but only on the sides of the safe, not the bottom.
Although the instructions can be a bit confusing, it is quite easy to install. It will also likely fit between the studs in your walls.
It can be opened with a keypad combination or back-up key. Two AA batteries are required and included with purchase.
This safe isn’t as deep as the other ones on this list, but it is much taller. Its 3.75” deep and 20.25” tall. It comes with two shelves which can be removed, however, their height can’t be changed. No key racks are included.
This safe is not fireproof or waterproof. However, as it is a wall safe, it will likely avoid most water caused by flooding.
Pros:
• 10 year warranty
• Customizable keypad combination
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting
Cons:
• Not a lot of storage space
• No interior lighting
• This safe is not waterproof or fire resistant
What buyers said
“I’ve bought this safe for 20 years, and I’ve been through 4. My house was broken into last month and the thieves were unable to break into the safe despite using a grinder and a hammer. The keypad still worked after all that, too!”
Verifi Smart.Safe. Fast Access Biometric Safe with FBI Fingerprint Sensor
This is the most expensive home safe on our list, but also the most high-tech.
This safe’s features match those of almost all the others on this list: it has 2 live-locking bolts,
This safe uses an FBI silicon based sensor that can create a very detailed fingerprint image, unlike the Viking Security Safe which uses an optical sensor. Names can be associated with fingerprints
Also unlike the Viking Security Safe, this home safe doesn’t have a keypad, because, the manufacturers argue, a keypad is just an easy way for a thief to gain access to the safe and therefore decreases the security of the items in the safe.
This safe has a self-diagnostic process that will access the battery power and let you know if anything else needs attention.
Tamper alerts are another feature that this safe comes with that none of the others on this list do. These alerts will tell you about any unsuccessful access attempts to access the safe via the fingerprint reader, and include information about backup key access and failed resets.
Event logs can be provided to the safe administrator to let them know who opened the safe and when it was closed. Tamper alerts, adding and deleting users, and diagnostic results are also kept on the log.
Battery life is indicated after each use of the safe, and battery power is long-lasting. Manufacturers claim batteries can last for years with regular use. The safe makes use of technologies that enable the safe to use less power, extending battery life, and Boost Power technology which allows LCD lighting and motor speed to be consistent even when battery power is low. This safe uses 4 AA batteries.
Pros:
• Fingerprint sensor is suitable for people of all ages
• Extremely easy set-up and great customer service
• Features for extended battery life, which is already long-lasting (more than one year)
• Tamper alerts that state any unsuccessful attempts to access the safe
• Auto-lock features ensures door is locked as soon as it is closed
• Comes with pre-drilled holes for mounting and hardware
• Event logs tell safe administrator who access safe and for how long, including tamper alerts, and diagnostic information
Cons:
• Some malfunctioning issues reported
• This safe is not waterproof or fire resistant
What buyers said
“I did have a bit of trouble getting this safe to read my fingerprint, but it reads my thumbprint everytime. I used to work in security and am very impressed with the quality of this safe!”
“The fingerprint reader malfunctioned on this safe, but the safe notified me of the problem itself before I even tried to get into it. I contacted customer service and they sent me a new safe and I returned the old one after receiving the new!”
How to choose the best home safe
Before choosing a home safe, identify what you will be using the safe for, primarily.
Different home safes offer different features and specifications.
Waterproof
Are you worried about flooding in the specific area of your home where the safe will be located?
If so, it is best to choose a safe that is verified to be waterproof.
Not all safes have this feature. If your safe isn’t waterproof but you’re worried about flooding, put your items in a container or bag that is waterproof.
Another option, if your safe isn’t waterproof, is to place the safe on a surface that isn’t too close to the ground, like on a table.
Fire resistant
Are you using your safe to protect your items from a fire?
As with waterproof safes, safes can also be verified to be fireproof up to a certain temperature and for a certain period of time.
Again, though not all safes have this feature, if you’re worried about your items, you can always purchase a fireproof bag or container that will protect your items.
Size
What are you storing in your safe?
The answer to this question will help you determine what size of safe you need. If you’re storing small items, like jewelry or keys, your safe doesn’t have to be very big or very deep. However, if you’re storing large items like photo albums, your safe may need to be deeper and larger.
Mounting
Where are you planning to put your safe?
If you’d like to hide your safe behind a photo, and aren’t afraid of a little handy work installing it, a wall safe is a good option.
However, if you’d like quick access to your safe and would prefer not to install your safe, a regular safe, not wall-mounted, is a good option for you.
If you do have a safe that cannot be mounted on the wall but would like to mount it for extra security, many home safes come with pre-drilled holes and hardware for mounting, generally onto the floor.
Lock-type
What kind of locking system do you prefer?
This is a big question, and the answer will help you decide not only what kind of safe to buy, but potentially also the price.
Home safes feature a number of different locking systems.
Key lock
Almost all safes have a key lock, even if there is another way to unlock it. This is to ensure that you have a way to access the contents of your safe even if you for some reason can’t access the safe in another way. For example, if you forget your combination or if the batteries have died and you can no longer access electrical power, you will need to access your safe using a key.
Combination dial lock
Home safes may also use combination dial locks. These are a non-electronic way to open your safe, and often you can set your own combination.
These are preferable if you’re worried about battery power (and your back-up key). These locks may be less safe than electronic locks, though, as often combination dial locks allow for slight inaccuracies, and they may also make a slight sound that can give clues as to what the combination is (Wikipedia).
Digital keypad
A digital keypad requires electricity to work. Home safes with digital keypads require batteries or another power source in order to work. However, these safes also come with back-up keys, in case power is lost.
When looking at a digital keypad safe, it is important to also look at the battery life of the safe. If you purchase a safe with low battery power, you may find yourself using the back-up key more than the convenient keypad.
Like the combination dial locks, often home safes with a digital keypad allow you to set your combination, and sometimes multiple combinations. This isn’t always the case though, so verify this before purchasing if it’s important to you to be able to set your own combination.
Biometrics
Biometrics are unique physical characteristics (US Department of Homeland Security). A biometric home safe allows you to use something biologically unique to you, like a fingerprint or iris, to open your safe.
Biometric home safes usually use fingerprints to verify whether or not the person trying to access the safe is allowed access.
This type of home safe is reliant on battery power, but, again, comes with a backup key generally.
These safes can also be a bit more expensive, as they are using more technology than the other lock types listed. There are cheaper models, but the quality of the fingerprint sensors may not be as good as the more expensive models.
Theft-proof
Being “theft-proof” generally means that a safe has hidden locking mechanisms that are internal to the safe. Often manufacturers will refer to their safes as “pry-proof” if they have this feature. This means that they are difficult to open, even with a crowbar.
Weight
Home safes are often quite heavy, though, because of the material they’re made out of that makes breaking, burning, or flooding them difficult. The lightest larger home safes are about 20 lbs, while the heavier ones are about 90 lbs.
This is something to consider when purchasing a home safe for a few reasons. Heavier safes are harder to move, which is a pro and a con. If they’re difficult to move, they’re also more difficult for someone who is stealing the safe to walk away with. They’re also more difficult for someone like you, who may simply want to change the safe’s location, to move, or bring into your home in the first place.
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