The Best Home Safe

Our Top Pick for 2019: SentrySafe SFW123DSB 1.23 Cubic Feet Combination Fire-Safe
Amazon

Having a home safe can provide you with a secure place to keep many of your most valuable items. This could be important papers, jewelry, cash, or electronic devices. Home safes can also provide the perfect place to keep dangerous items such as handguns away from small children. Home safes come in a variety of sizes with several optional features. You can pick from basic models, fire and water resistant designs, key entry locks, or electronic locks. The following information can help take some of the confusion out of this purchasing decision.

Let’s Have a Quick Look of Our Top 4 Picks:

Amazon

The Sentry Safe SFW123DSB 1.23 cubic feet fire safe with combination lock is specifically designed to protect your media, important documents, and other valuables from fire, theft, and water. This safe will offer you advanced fire protection with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) classification for fire endurance up to one hour at 1700f/927c. It is also Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL) verified to protect your DVDs, CDs, USB drives, and memory sticks from fire for one hour. You’ll also have the additional benefit of ETL verified water resistance for as much as eight inches of water for up to 24 hours. During testing, this safe has also been subjected to the abuse of a 15 foot drop, where the contents stayed intact and the safe was still locked. The thorough testing makes this model an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable home safe that will stand up to multiple forms of abuse.

This particular safe provides you with extra protection not found in many models at this price point. In addition, you’ll have plenty of room inside with interior measurements of 13.8 by 12.6 by 11.9 inches. It can hold multiple handguns, large amounts of paper work, and certain electronic devices. Even with its roomy interior it is still compact enough to tuck away nicely in any closet or corner with a weight of 90 pounds and a 19.3 by 16.3 by 17.8 inch exterior. It comes in a medium grey color.

The Sentry Safe SFW123DSB comes equipped with a mechanical combo lock. This lock has a fixed combination, and you’ll find an additional key lock for added safety. The key won’t override the combination as they are separate. The four big one inch bolts that come with it are 60% larger than those found with traditional safes, and the pry resistant hinge bar will take security one step further by guarding against unauthorized access.

You’ll find plenty of room inside of this Sentry Safe for all your important items. A multi-positional shelf helps you keep everything organized along with a door tray, key rack, and door pocket for all of those smaller, easy to miss-place belongings. The entire unit can be bolted to the floor to prevent someone from removing it from your home. The bolt-down kit is included as well as the owner’s instructional manual and a limited manufacturer’s warranty. Keep in mind that there are no pre-drilled holes for bolting it down. A 7/16 inch masonry bit will be needed to drill them yourself, but the kit has everything else you’ll need including two four inch long screws and washers and a set of two masonry anchors.

Those who have already purchased and used the Sentry Safe SFW123DSB are quite pleased. Many were really impressed by how well made this safe is. Online reviews describe it as sturdy with no worries of moisture build up inside of it. It comes with a large desiccant packet that will help remove interior moisture when placed inside with any documents, media, or valuables.

Most owners of this safe enjoy the large amount of space for storing items. The drawer, pocket, and shelf really do help keep everything organize and easy to find. This is especially helpful when it is used to store important paperwork. The shelf that comes with it is removable, allowing room for bigger possessions. Many stated that there was definitely enough interior space for the average person to keep their valuable items. The shelf itself can be placed on nine different levels Additional shelves are available for purchase from the manufacturer.

Other comments found in the online reviews include high praise for the quality construction of this safe. The sides and top are built strong and won’t flex. The separate key lock, in addition to the combination lock, gives one that extra piece of mind against an unwanted entry. The bolt down kit keeps the safe solidly in place, and the fact that it is fire and water resistant is a big plus. The UL Classified endurance to fire, one hour fire protection with ETL verification, and the ETL verified resistance to water mean that your items will remain intact during the average house fire. The water resistance adds a level of protection owner’s appreciated in flood zones.

The First Alert 2077DF Anti-Theft Safe will keep important documents, cash, electronic devices, and other valuables safe and secure. It is constructed in a way that deters thieves, and it features heavy gauge welded steel construction, a digital lock, and two steel locking door bolts. Other benefits found with this safe include a key rack, adjustable shelf, and a fully carpeted interior where you can keep all of your belongings neatly organized.

The digital lock is easy to set up along with the programmable key pad. Once the four AA batteries that come with the safe are put in, you can program the lock with any three to eight digit code you like. The fact that you have to enter your code plus insert one of the two included keys to open it means that you have an additional layer of security in place. The process is simple with yellow, red, and green lights guiding you through each step. If incorrect codes are entered several times in a row, the lock is designed to deny entry. The emergency key allows you to open the safe without entering a code. This means you will still be able to get into the safe, even if the batteries die or the keypad locks up.

The First Alert Company has included their patented Delta hinges with this safe for greater security. They are concealed, as well as pry-resistant, and they will stop anyone from being able to pry open the door. The entire safe is made from a heavy gauge, welded steel. The interior carpeting protects items inside from scratching. All holes are pre-drilled so that it is easy to bolt to your floor or wall. All of the needed mounting hardware is included. The step by step instructions walk you through the process. The exterior of this model measures 17.25 by 15.19 by 13.25 inches, and it weighs 70 pounds. The interior capacity is 1.2 cubic feet with a measurement of 16 by 12.13 by 10.75 inches. This safe is not rated as fire proof, but it comes with a five year limited warranty.

Online reviews state that this safe is built solid. Many are surprised at just how big it is and how much they can fit inside. The lock is very easy to program and only takes a few moments to do. One man said it was a “five second task to program codes.” The holes are pre-drilled and make it simple to mount to any wall or floor with little difficulty. Those who own this particular safe said it does include all of the necessary hardware for installation, and they didn’t need to purchase any additional pieces.

Owners describe the First Alert 2077DF Safe as worth the money. It is a great safe for the price it costs. It is heavy, but one person is still able to pick it up alone. The size makes it ideal for college students who are looking for a place to keep their electronics and cash safe. It is small enough to tuck under the average size desk, or it will fit nicely into a closet.

The Paragon 7805 Electronic ParaGuard Premiere Digital Safe is built to resists mechanical tool and hand attacks. It is constructed out of thick 11 gauge solid steel with a powder coat, dark gray finish. The tamper proof hinges are concealed inside. It is lighter weight than many safes at only 35 pounds, but works well for keeping items such as handguns locked away from small children. It measures 17.5 by 13 by 13.75 inches.

The door swings to the right on this safe and opens with a PIN code or one of the two keys that comes with it. You can pick your own PIN code, and it can be changed multiple times. The lock runs on two AA sized (1.5V) batteries which are included. The programmable codes eliminate the need to have extra keys made when numerous people are sharing the safe. Easy to program, this electronic lock has an LED light and a buzzer. It will beep as you enter your PIN code, and it beeps again as it opens.

The Paragon 7805 is ideal for home or office use. It comes with a ten year full warranty, and it is more robust and bigger than many of the competition’s models at the same price point. An interior shelf is included that can be used to create two unique compartments for storing belongings in an organized fashion. A carpet mat in a coordinating gray is found on the interior bottom to help prevent scratching anything that is placed inside. There is no fire rating attached to this particular safe.

People who have already bought and used the Paragon 7805 have found it to be a very nice safe for the price they paid. Those looking for fire and water protection won’t find it with this design, but it is perfect for keeping items out of the reach of children, storing extra cash, or keeping important papers organized in one secure spot. Online reviews state that the size is more than ample for the average household with more than enough room inside for their valuables.

Reviewers also mention how quick and easy this safe is to set up and use. The PIN codes are easy to program, and they can be changed when needed. The pre-drilled holes found inside of the safe, along with the fixing bolts that come with it, allow one to anchor this model to the floor for extra security. This is recommended as the total piece is light enough for one person to easily carry. Thieves won’t waste time trying to open an attached safe, but they can quickly remove one that isn’t secured to the floor.

People who own this safe are generally quite pleased with their purchase and the quality and ease of programming it. If you are looking for a basic safe to store a few household items in, the Paragon 7805 is ideal. It will keep your valuables organized and safe in your home, office, or away at school for an affordable price.

The Paragon 7775 Lock and Safe 1.8 Cubic Foot Electronic Digital Safe is our pick for the best safe at an inexpensive price point. It is the perfect digital safe for storing valuables in the office or at home. The powder coat finish comes in a grey tone, and the entire safe measures 19 ¾ by 14 by 13 inches. It weighs 47.6 pounds, and it will require the use of two AA batteries which are included. There are tamper proof hinges inside this model on the door that swings open to the right. It is made with an extra thick, 11 gauge solid steel which provides a durable and rugged construction. A full 10 year warranty and owner’s manual are included.

The Paragon 7775 opens with either the two keys that you get with it or a secret PIN code of three to eight numbers that you customize yourself. The code can be changed as many times as you like. Up to two codes can be entered at a time. If a third code is entered, the first one will be deleted. Having a digital entry means you won’t have to have multiple keys made for other family members. An LED light and buzzer are part of this electronic locking system. The fixing bolts and pre-drilled holes make it easy to anchor this safe to the floor or walls.

The robust design of this safe includes an interior shelf that can be used to create two separate storage compartments. A grey carpeted mat is found on the floor to keep from scratching items placed inside. The interior measures 19 by 13.5 by 12 inches, allowing plenty of room for important papers, cash, handguns, or other valuables.

People who have reviewed the Paragon 7775 safe online say that the walls are not especially thick and it is not a fire proof model, but they are still happy with it. It is designed more to keep children out of dangerous items or to keep important papers organized in one secure spot. If you’re searching for an affordable, basic home safe, you’ll be quite pleased with this option.

The pre-drilled holes for mounting this safe made it easy for those who purchased it to anchor it securely to the walls or floor. Holes are found on the bottom and in the back. Many described it as being heavy enough that someone couldn’t pick it up and walk off with it very easily, but they still felt more at ease by anchoring it. Bolts and anchors are included. One owner stated in their review that the hardware that is included wouldn’t hold in dry wall without a stud behind it. This problem was easily fixed by purchasing wall anchors from their local hardware store, and it wasn’t enough for them to give this safe a bad review.

Pre-purchase considerations

Size

When buying a home safe, always purchase one bigger than you think you will need. Most people will buy a safe for the valuables they have on hand without considering future items that may need to be placed inside. Figure out how much space you need for what you have now, and choose a model slightly bigger. The interior measurements will be helpful when determining which safe to buy. On the other hand, you don’t want to go to large. If you are looking for a model that can easily fit into a college dorm or small office, consider something with smaller exterior dimensions. Measure the area where the safe will be placed, and make sure it isn’t going to be too big. Keep in mind that shelves, door pockets, and key holders will help you make the most of the interior space.

Fire Rating

At the minimum, you will want a one hour fire rated safe. Less than this won’t provide enough protection for your valuables during the average home fire. A one hour rating will give ample time for a fire to be taken care of. A fire resistant home safe should give you 60 to 150 minutes of protection during a fire. Check the door seal too. This will help you protect your things from moisture which is important if you plan to keep special documents in the safe. During a flood, the door seal could be the difference between losing your valuables and keeping them dry ad safe. A quick and easy way to check a home safe for its ability to resist fire and water is to check the UL and ETL verifications.

Type of Lock

You will want to find a home safe with a high quality electronic or combination dial lock that is UL rated as providing the most adequate protection. The EMP resistant electronic locks are some of the best available on a home safe, but redundant locks are even better. These will offer you both an electronic lock as well as a mechanical lock. Redundant locks allow you access to the safe even when a code fails or the batteries give out. When selecting an electronic lock, make sure that it is easy to program. Many models offer LED lights and buzzers that will help walk you through the process. Ones that accept multiple customizable PIN codes offer an extra layer of security.

Anchoring

For the most secure home safe, look for a model featuring an option to anchor it to the wall or floor. Burglars find it quite easy to remove an entire safe quickly, rather than trying to break it open while still in your home. Once they have removed it from your property, they can take their time getting inside without the fear of being caught. The more precautions you take, the safer your valuable belongings will be. Find out if the home safe you are considering has an anchoring option. Many will come with pre-drilled holes and all of the hardware you will need to secure it in place. If this option doesn’t come with the safe, there may be an anchoring kit available from the manufacturer for an additional cost.

Conclusion (Wrapping it up)

Once you have determined the size of safe and the level of protection you’ll need, finding the perfect home safe is easy. If you’re looking for protection against theft, fire, and water damage, you will be quite pleased with the Sentry Safe SFW123DSB. It is UL classified and ETL verified to protect your things from fire and water.

Those wanting a nice, basic safe that will keep important papers, electronics, jewelry, and other treasures safe will want to consider the First Alert 2077DF or the Paragon 7805. Both have many special features that make them appealing choices such as reprogrammable electronic locks, key overrides, adjustable shelves, and tamper proof hinges. If all you need is a safe place to keep certain items out of reach from the kids and safely tucked away, you’ll find the affordable Paragon 7775 may be just right. With a low price point it offers a terrific option for those who don’t want to invest in a safe with more features than they will use. All of these models offer a safe and secure place for valuables and can easily be anchored to the floor or wall for added protection.