The Best Home Safes for 2022
/
Best Home Safe
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are affiliate links in this post. This means that at no cost to you, I will receive a commission if you purchase through my link. I will only ever promote the products and services that I trust and 100% recommend. You may read my full disclosure policy for more information. Thank you for supporting my business in this way.
A high-quality, durable safe is one of the best ways to protect your valuables from unexpected events such as floods, fires, and even burglaries or theft.
UPDATED: June 1, 2022.
To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best home safes currently available.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the Tigerking Security Home Safe because it features a touchpad that can be programmed with two unique codes, an interior lockbox, and a key plus code setting for a dual-layer of protection.
What is a safe used for?
Some popular possessions to store in a home safe include the following:
Cash. Keeping an emergency reserve of cash on hand can be a lifesaver in disastrous situations.
Personal ID. Documents such as passports, social security cards, birth certificates, or a marriage license should be kept in a safe place that can withstand fire or flood.
Family heirlooms, such as jewelry, purses, silver, or gold.
Important documents, such as a property deed, home and health insurance, bank account information, car title, a will, medical records, any necessary prescriptions.
Computer backups, to preserve your memories and digital data.
Keys. A set of spare house or car keys, or keys to a safety deposit box at your bank.
RELATED:
The Best Keyless Door Locks
7 Stunning Modern Filing Cabinets
When you are selecting a specific model, you should pay attention to the temperature rating, interior capacity, and locking method of the safe.
Interior Capacity
Before you purchase a safe, gather up everything that you want to keep inside so you can have a better idea of the size you need. The size will typically be listed as a volume in cubic feet. Also, take note of each of the interior dimensions to make sure that whatever you need to put inside will actually fit.
Temperature Rating
Certain materials, such as paper documents, should be kept in a safe that can weather at least 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that it does not allow the interior of the safe to exceed that temperature in the event of a fire. As you may recall from the classic book, Fahrenheit 451, it is the temperature that paper will combust.
Since they are more sensitive to heat, digital accessories like USB backups and hard drives should be kept in a safe that has a minimum rating of 150 degrees.
Flood Protection
In addition to fire protection, some safes offer protection from water damage by featuring a waterproof seal. This is helpful in the event of a natural flood, a burst pipe, or a forgotten bathtub. It is ideal for protecting essential paper documents that are easily ruined by water such as passports, deeds, photos, birth certificates, etc.
Types of Locks
You will also want to pay attention to the locking mechanism.
Key lock safes are equipped with a traditional lock and key, and like combination locks, they tend to be affordable. However, like all keys, they can be misplaced.
Combination locks are old-fashioned but are still incredibly effective and reliable. They consist of either a rotary combination lock or a mechanical keypad with physical numbered buttons. The benefit of these types of locks is that they do not require a power source, typically a battery. They also offer the advantage of not requiring a key, although some come equipped with a backup key in case you forget the combination or code.
Many modern safes can be unlocked with a fingerprint reader or digital keypad. These are typically more expensive than combination locks, but the ease of use can be worthwhile. Using a fingerprint reader means you don’t have to worry about forgetting your passcode. However, fingerprint readers can be a problem for senior citizens since the elasticity of skin decreases as we age, causing the scanner to not interpret it correctly.
As with physical locks, digital locks are usually accompanied by a backup master key in case the battery dies, the scanner doesn’t work, or you forget the code.
Safe within a Safe
Some models include a separate interior lockbox within the safe. This allows for a second layer of protection and also allows for two people to access different sections of the safe. For example, if you could keep your heirloom jewelry inside the inner lockbox and ocuments that need to be accessed regularly, such as passports, in the main interior section.
Alarm System
In addition to a traditional lock, some digital models feature an alarm system. This can be activated if it detects vibrations due to a possible break-in attempt or if the passcode is repeatedly entered incorrectly.
Exterior Dimensions
If you plan on placing it in a confined area such as a closet or under the bed, note the overall exterior dimensions to be sure there won’t be a fitting problem.
Lighting
Some safes are equipped with interior lighting. This makes it great for improving visibility when accessing the contents at night or in low-light areas such as a closet.
Mounting
Depending on the size, weight, and configuration, most models will allow you to mount it to the wall, floor, or shelf. The hardware is attached from within the safe so only someone with access can remove it. I recommend attaching it with bolts directly to the wall studs or floor joists for maximum protection. This is essential for a burglary situation in which you want to prevent someone from simply running off with the safe. However, for smaller models such as lockboxes, you may prefer the portability of carrying your secured valuables with you.
Check out this brief video to see the process of bolting a standard safe to the floor:
Weight
If you do plan on carrying the safe around with you, take note of the overall weight in addition to the items you will be carrying within it (those gold bars are really heavy). Obviously the heavier it is the more cumbersome and exhausting it will be to transport.
Now, on to the individual products. Each safe has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy. Every unit has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection. There is a wide range of price points below, so depending on your particular needs, I have found something for you.
So here is my list of The Best Home Safes for 2022.
Enjoy!
Best Overall: Tigerking Security 2.0 Cubic Ft. Home Safe
The Tigerking Security Home Safe features a touchpad that can be programmed with two unique codes.
Features a secondary master key lock to provide extra security.
Includes a dual warning system that activates an alarm if the safe registers vibrations due to a possible break-in attempt or if the code is entered incorrectly three times.
Includes a removable shelf for customization and organization.
Equipped with six live-locking bolts to resist forced entry.
Features an interior lockbox for particularly valuable items or if the safe is being used by more than one person.
Features an interior capacity of 2.0 Cubic Feet.
Runner-up: AmazonBasics 0.5 CF Security Home Safe
The AmazonBasics compact safe offers a 0.5-cubic-foot capacity.
Accommodates a wide range of items, including legal documents, passports, jewelry, cash, and more.
Features steel construction with a scratch-proof carpeted floor.
Includes reprogrammable digital access and two override keys.
Equipped with an electronic lock with two live-door bolts and pry-resistant hinges.
Features a removable and adjustable interior shelf.
Includes mounting hardware for bolting to floor, wall, or shelf.
Best Fingerprint Reader: Viking Security VS-50BLX Home Safe
The Viking Security VS-50BLX features a 500 DPI optical fingerprint reader, numeric digital keypad, and LCD display.
Stores up to 32 unique fingerprints and one PIN code into the non-volatile memory.
Equipped with an optical sensor that only recognizes the registered fingerprints.
Features a pin code that acts as a backup in case the safe needs to be accessed by someone whose fingerprints have not been programmed into the safe.
Features steel construction with a finish that is scratch resistant.
Features locking deadbolts that are motorized and reinforced by two anti-pry insertion slots for added security.
Comes with an all carpeted interior and an LED light.
Includes three fully adjustable shelves.
Best Budget Option: SentrySafe CHW20221 Home Safe
The SentrySafe CHW20221 features UL classification to protect the contents in a fire for 30 minutes up to 1550 degrees F (843° C).
Offers flood damage protection for a minimum of 72 hours by providing a continuous waterproof seal.
Equipped with a built-in carrying handle for easy maneuverability.
Includes an in-lid organizer for convenient storage of files and documents.
Best Value: AmazonBasics 1.52 CF Keypad Home Safe
The AmazonBasics 42SAM safe features 1.52 cubic feet of storage.
Access is controlled via a simple to use, programmable electronic keypad and handle.
Features heavy-duty carbon steel construction.
Consists of an 8-gauge steel door with two live-door bolts.
Includes pry-resistant concealed hinges with a 14-gauge steel body.
Features pre-drilled mounting holes to secure it to the floor and wall.
Includes an emergency backup key if there is an issue with the keypad.
Best Alarm: Tigerking Digital Security Home Safe
The Tigerking Digital Security safe features an LED screen that allows for a programmable master and user code.
Offers a key and code setting if a dual layer of protection is required.
Includes a dual warning system that activates an alarm if it registers vibrations due to a possible break-in attempt or if the code is entered incorrectly three times.
Features an interior lockbox for additional security or if the safe is being used by more than one person.
Features an interior capacity of 1.5 Cubic Feet.
Weighs 55 pounds.
Best Premium Option: SentrySafe T6-331 Security Home Safe
The SentrySafe T6-331 features solid steel construction for long-lasting durability.
Features programmable one to eight digit code access.
Equipped with live-locking bolts for additional protection.
Features a relocking device that helps protect against drill attacks.
Large capacity to conveniently store documents and valuables in one location.
Includes an interior organizer.
Simple to Use: Stalwart Digital Home Safe
The Stalwart Digital Home Safe features passcode protected access.
Features a large interior space for storage and protection of a range of items (14" L x 12" W x 20" H).
Offers the ability to be mounted to the floor or wall for added security,
Comes with two manual override keys for easy access when needed.
Best Fire Protection: SentrySafe SFW123GDC Home Safe
The SentrySafe SFW123GDCUL is classified to protect the safe contents for up to one hour at 1700˚F (927˚C).
Offers flood protection for up to 8 inches of water for 24 hours.
Features a digital combination lock that can be set with a 1-8 digit code.
Includes a backlit keypad for easy viewing even in low light conditions.
Features a secondary locking key that allows the owner to disable the primary lock from access from other code holders.
Equipped with a pry-resistant hinge bar for increased reinforcement of the door.
Features an interior light that makes it easy to view objects within the safe.
Includes an interior locking drawer for an extra level of security for select items.
Best for Large Objects: AdirOffice Home Safe
The AdirOffice home safe features steel construction for long-lasting durability and pry-resistance.
Offers the ability to create a custom numeric code.
Comes with two override keys to open the safe in the event the keypad batteries run out or the code is forgotten.
Equipped with a digital display that has three different symbols, indicating locked, unlocked, and low battery.
Features two live-door bolts, a pry-resistant steel door, and pry-resistant concealed hinges.
Features a carpeted floor that protects valuables and fragile belongings from scratches and damage.
Features a range of color options: red, black, or white.
Also available in 0.5 and 1.25 Cubic Feet sizes.
I hope this list of the best home safe was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
