Best Home Safes

We combed through top-rated safes and compared prices and features side by side to find the best.
Best overall safe
SentrySafe product image
SentrySafe SFW123GDC
  • pro
    Water and fire resistant
  • pro
    Keypad and backup keys
  • pro
    Stationary
Best budget safe
AmazonBasics safe
AmazonBasics Keypad Safe
  • con
    Not fire or water resistant
  • pro
    Keypad and backup keys
  • pro
    Stationary
Best travel safe
SentrySafe 1200 home safe
SentrySafe 1200
  • pro
    Fire resistant
  • pro
    Backup key
  • pro
    Portable
Best fingerprint safe
TIGERKING Biometric Safe
  • pro
    Fireproof (1 hour)
  • pro
    Fingerprint, keypad and key
  • pro
    Stationary
Best gun safe
Barska gun safe
Barska Mini
  • con
    Not fire or water resistant
  • pro
    Fingerprint and key
  • pro
    Portable and mountable

SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review. We may earn money when you buy through our links.

The SentrySafe SFW123GDC sets the standard for home safes. Whether your valuables face fire, water, gravity, or a burglar, this SentrySafe is tough enough to protect them. You can purchase sizes from 0.82 to 2.05 cubic feet, which is enough room to store piles of files, records, binders, and more.

See how other home safes stack up to SentrySafe in our side-by-side comparison.



Compare the best home safes

Product
Best for
Price*
Lock type
Interior size
Weight
Resistances
Learn more
Best home safe Keypad, key12.6 in. x 11.9 in. x 13.8 in.87 lbs.
bulletFire, water
Best budget safe Keypad, key13.6 in. x 10.6 in. x 16.4 in.37 lbs.
bulletNone
Best travel safe Key12 in. x 7.5 in. x 3.5 in.13 lbs.
bulletFire
Best biometric safe Fingerprint, key 10 in. x 12.8 in. x 12.2 in.70 lbs.
bulletFireproof for 1 hour
Best gun safe Fingerprint, key7.5 in. x 11.5 in. x 5.75 in.13 lbs.
bulletNone

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Reviews: Best small home safes

1. SentrySafe SFW123GDC: Best overall home safe

Best overall
SentrySafe product image

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

Home security is an investment, so sometimes it’s worth dropping a little more cash to keep your valuables safe.

The SentrySafe SFW123GDC is a heavy-duty, tough-as-nails security safe. It’s designed to withstand up to an hour in scorching hot fire (up to 1700℉), survive falls up to 15 feet, and withstand close to a foot of water. 

pro
Pros
pro Fireproof and waterproof design
pro Backup key
pro Multiple programmable combinations
pro 2.05-cubic-feet maximum capacity
con
Cons
con No mounting features

You can order this SentrySafe fireproof model as an old school combination lock or with a digital keypad. Either way, it comes with a backup key to open the waterproof safe manually. It also comes in sizes ranging from 0.82 to 2.05 cubic feet.

Its hardware is impressive too. This fire safe has four live-locking bolts, a pry-resistant hinge bar, a locking drawer, and even an interior light inside. And it’s all made with steel, which explains why this safe doesn’t come with mounting options. (It’s a whopping 87 pounds.)

bullet
Keep it locked

Regardless of what you’re storing in your safe, you should keep your safe locked at all times. You never know when you’ll forget to rearm your safe or who will be snooping around the house, so be proactive and keep the safe locked.

2. AmazonBasics Keypad Safe: Best budget safe

Best budget safe
AmazonBasics safe

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you like our top pick, but you're on a budget, here's a good alternative. The AmazonBasics safe is made of heavy-duty carbon-steel with an 8-gauge steel door and a pry-resistant hinge. For a box that holds under 2 cubic feet, it weighs almost 40 pounds, making this dense home safe a reliable first line of defense for your jewelry and heirlooms.

pro
Pros
pro 1.80-cubic-feet maximum capacity
pro Heavy-duty carbon-steel
pro Mountable design
con
Cons
con Not fireproof or waterproof

This security safe made our top three for several reasons. It’s strong, simple, and holds a substantial amount. It isn’t as tough as the SentrySafe, and isn’t fire or water resistant, but it’s no cardboard box.

It comes with four pre-drilled holes in the back for wall or floor mounting too. You can open it from any angle with its keyless electronic lock (but it still comes with a backup key for emergencies). We also like that it has a shelf inside to keep your valuables organized.

bullet
Use a complex passcode

As tempting as it is to keep the passcode or backup key in a findable spot, it won’t keep your valuables safe. You never know who might find that extra set of keys or guess an easy passcode, so keep them secret from others.

3. SentrySafe 1200: Best travel safe

Best travel safe
SentrySafe 1200 home safe

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The SentrySafe 1200 provides protection and portability for your valuables. It’s the perfect size for bank deposits or important documents that need to travel with you.

It uses a simple key lock and is small enough to hide in closets, underneath desks, and just about anywhere. It’s large enough to fit a small pistol, making it a good candidate for a portable gun safe.

pro
Pros
pro UL-classified fire protection
pro Portable design
pro Easily hidden
con
Cons
con Not tamperproof or waterproof
con Key lock only

This fireproof safe is classified by Underwriters Laboratories to withstand 1550°F for up to 30 minutes. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the same durability against water or tampering.

bullet
Don’t advertise the location

Take precautions as you would with any expensive product—don’t advertise or compromise the safe’s location. The fewer people who know about your safe, the better.

4. TIGERKING Fireproof Safe: Best biometric safe

Best biometric safe

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

The TIGERKING Biometric Safe has been verified to withstand 1700F for 1 hour to help protect your stuff in case of a fire. Weighing 70 lbs, made with thickened steel, door panels up to 8cm thick and anti-theft hinges, it keeps your valuables secure. The electronic fingerprint keypad is the best part, so you can quickly access your things in an emergency, and the external battery box makes it easy to replace the batteries.

pro
Pros
pro Digital keypad with fingerprint unlocking
pro Fireproof for 1 hour
pro External battery box
con
Cons
con Not portable
con Batteries not included

5. Barska Mini: Best gun safe

Best gun safe
Barska gun safe
Barska Mini
$239.16

*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.

If you keep a gun in your home, safe storage should be a priority. We picked the Barska Mini as our top choice because of its biometric locking mechanism, silent mode, solid steel construction, and Department-of-Justice-approved design.

pro
Pros
pro Biometric lock
pro Tamper resistant
pro Mountable
con
Cons
con Might not fit multiple guns

It can hold up to 0.29 cubic feet (enough for a pistol, ammo, and cleaning tools). It’s tamper resistant and mountable, so it’s easy to keep out of the reach of curious children or intruders.

Check out our full lineup of best gun safes and best car gun safes for more firearm storage options.

bullet
Bolt and conceal your safe

It’s always worth going the extra mile and bolting your jewelry safe to the floor or securely in the wall. If your home falls victim to intruders and your safe is light enough to carry, it’s unlikely you’ll see it again.

Final word

The SentrySafe SFW123GDC is the best fireproof safe and an absolute beast for a reasonable price. We're also big fans of its 89-pound weight, which makes it much harder for a burglar to tote off-site to a workshop. While you can bolt this safe to the floor, there are (understandably) no other mounting options.

Home security safes aren't the only way to protect your home and valuables. Consider heading over to our reviews of the best home security systems and best wireless security cameras to learn about other ways to improve your security. 

Home safe FAQ

If you do an internet search for “home safe,'' the results can be overwhelming. Some are built specifically for guns, while others offer protection from fire, tampering, or water—and then there’s the lock type to consider while you’re at it.

To start, you’ll need to determine what type of safe is best for you: a floor safe, a wall safe, or a bedside safe. Then find one with the lock type that fits your needs and budget.

When safe shopping, consider your goal—do you want to hide heirlooms or important documents? Do you need a quickly accessible gun for emergencies? Your answer will impact cost and storage location.

A wall safe might be right for you if you have a small floor plan and can make modifications to your home. Wall safes can hide behind doors or portraits without taking up too much floor space. If you do opt for a wall safe, make sure that it’s mounted between the studs in the wall.

A floor safe is a great alternative to putting a hole in your wall. These safes secure to the floor for enhanced defense against thieves. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit in tight, hidden spaces. If you want to bolt your floor safe down, hard surfaces like concrete are best.

Gun safes, such as biometric gun safes, are more secure than simply keeping a weapon on your nightstand. These safes ensure that your gun won’t end up in the wrong hands, and they open quickly should you need your weapon.

Hidden safes are home safes in disguise. Usually camouflaged as books, they’re perfect for hiding valuables in plain sight. They’re discreet and light, making them portable for travel and moving. This also means they don’t store a ton of stuff, but they’re generally large enough to hide documents like passports and birth certificates.

The harder to find, the better. But this depends on whether you’re able to make alterations to your home or not. If you own your house, consider a mounted wall safe concealed by a piece of art, false wall, or fixture. If you rent, be sure to hide your safe in a hard-to-reach place to keep it out of unwelcome hands.

Heavy safes with good locking mechanisms offer the most security. Here's a quick breakdown of different lock types.

Biometric scanner
This is a highly secure digital lock. It scans and then reads your fingerprint, and it opens only if the print matches one within the fingerprint memory. Some safes hold multiple prints for multiple users, so be sure the safe you chose suits the number of people using it.

Electronic keypad
Thanks to its PIN authentication, an electronic keypad keeps your valuables secure and easy for you (or other authorized users) to access. A lock can run on batteries, Wi-Fi, or an AC adapter. Be sure to check for a low battery alert or backup key if you opt for a safe that requires a power source.

Combination
A combination lock is as basic as it gets. Turn the dial to your combination passcode and voilà. It’s battery-free, so you can always count on it to function. But it does require periodic maintenance. To prevent the lock from seizing, you’ll have to disassemble it, clean it, and lubricate it. Your local safe technician or locksmith can tell you more about the service costs and specifics.

bullet
Always have a backup key

Find a safe with a backup key. Regardless of your lock type, a backup key saves the day in the event of a dead battery, power loss, or misplaced key. All of the safes in our comparison have an override key.

Even lighter safes should be hard to carry out the door. If you can help it, the heavier the safe is, the better. Heavy safes are harder for intruders to remove and carry out quietly. They’re also generally more durable. If you need a lighter, more portable safe, be sure to choose one with multiple locks or one that’s easy to hide.

The size of your safe affects where you can store it, how much it can hold, and its price. Watch for different measurements when shopping around. Most safes use cubic inches or cubic footage to express capacity.

Portability
While lightweight safes are generally more portable, they’re also easier for a burglar to carry out the door. If you choose a portable safe, keep it hidden safely or under your supervision.

Contents
Consider what items you want to store in the safe. The size and amount of your valuables will determine how big your safe should be. Larger items like binders, weapons, or laptops will need more room than documents, jewelry, or thumb drives.

While it isn’t exactly Fort Knox, a lock box or safe box is a great starter safe that's easy to hide and move if discovered. It generally comes with a main and backup key, but not much else in terms of security.

Home safes without fire and water protection are still a good idea for securing your valuables, but the extra protection is worth it for irreplaceable objects. Before you make your purchase, consider what kind of threats your valuables are up against.

Fire-resistant
Usually marked as “UL Certified for Underwriters Laboratories,” fireproof safes have been tested for how much heat they can stand. These tests measure the temperature both inside and outside the safe, ensuring that the contents and the safe itself can take the heat.

Water-resistant
If you live in an area that floods frequently, you may want to buy a safe that floats or is water resistant. We also recommend keeping smaller safes on higher ground to avoid exposure to water.

How we reviewed the best home safes

To create this round up we spent hours researching, reading customer reviews, and doing some hands-on testing.

To start our best safes review, we considered what we’d want to see in a home safe. We eliminated flimsy key lockboxes and large gun safes to make sure our candidates were a suitable size for most consumers.

We also looked for safes with backup keys, biometric scanners, and keyless entry to avoid getting locked out (or the wrong person getting in). We looked through top-rated products and compared their prices and features to see which safes stood out.

Check out our full methodology to learn more about how we rank home safes and other products.

Related articles on SafeWise


Disclaimer

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Safewise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.

Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.

Katie McEntire
Written by
Katie McEntire
As a renter, pet-owner, and woman living alone, Katie McEntire takes safety seriously. She’s tested devices like pet cameras, home security systems, and GPS trackers in her own home and devices in the name of safety. In addition to testing, writing, and reviewing for SafeWise, she also makes videos for the site’s YouTube channel. She’s been featured on publications like TechGuySmartBuy, Forbes, Healthy Moms, and Digital Care. Katie has a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She’s held previous writing positions at Overstock.com and Top Ten Reviews.

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