Play it Safe, Buy the Best Home Safes – Definitive Home Safe Buying Guide

Okay, by now you are well aware that I’m a security geek and safes are my favorite thing in the world. If I could live inside of one, I probably would. Sometimes, I think my fascination with safes is contagious.

I know what you are thinking, I am not paranoid, and I don’t scare my friends and family into buying safes. However, most people do have some valuables in their home which they would like to keep away from others. Sometimes burglars, sometimes their kids.

I own a wall safe and having another home safe would be too much, even for me. However, my younger brother is not that young anymore, and he has children. He thinks that his work laptop, various documents, and prescription pills are safer away from his children’s sticky hands, and that is okay. That is what I call responsible parenting.

Once he decided to purchase a home safe, he knew who to call for help – me, of course!

Today, I will lead you through our buying experience and present you the best home safes on the market that we’ve tried.

Keep reading!

Related Buyer’s Guide:

• Best biometric gun safe
• Best gun safes
• 9 Best Fireproof Safes For Documents
• 12 Best Gun Safes Under $500
• 12 Best Drop Slot Safes

Best Home Safe – Top Rated Models

Top 9 Best Home Safes on the Market – My Best Reviews

Digital Safe-Electronic Steel Safe with Keypad, 2 Manual Override Keys-Protect Money, Jewelry, Passports-For Home, Business or Travel by Stalwart

Digital Safe-Electronic Steel Safe with Keypad, 2 Manual Override Keys-Protect Money, Jewelry, Passports-For House, Business or Travel by Stalwart

Color: Black
Brand: Stalwart
Lock Type: Electronic
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 12.2 x 7.9 x 7.9 inches
Material: Stainless Steel
Alarm: Lock
Item Weight: ‎11.66 pounds
Capacity: many variations

I think you will agree with me when I say all of your valuables should be secure in your own house. Stalwart’s electronic home safe will provide you with that luxury. This digital safe can be utilized in your home mounted on a wall or floor. Its interior dimensions are 12.08”x5.5”x7.75”.

The LED lit keypad will lock after three incorrect entries, and the alarm will notify you about the attempted theft.

I am a fan of small safes, but I always wanted a little more space. With that in mind, I loved how spacious this home safe is. Multiple people can use it as you can program two different codes in it.

It is not easy to break into with a cheap coat hanger trick because the reset button is covered. Unfortunately, the metal is only 1.5 mm thick, while the doors are only 3 mm. The batteries tend to jiggle, causing a keypad to stop working.

Pros

• It offers plenty of spaces.
• You can program two different codes in it.
• The reset button on the inside has a cover.
• The spring that holds locking mechanism is strong.
• The price is amazing.

Cons

• The mounting instructions make no sense.
• The metal is only 1.5 mm thick.
• It might fail to unlock after the first try from time to time.
• If you slam the door too hard, the batteries in the keypad jiggle and it becomes unusable

AdirOffice Security Safe with Digital Lock, Black, 2.32 Cubic Feet

AdirOffice Security Safe with Digital Lock, Black, 2.32 Cubic Feet

Color: Black
Brand: AdirOffice
Lock Type: Electronic
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 13.8 x 14.2 x 20.5 inches
Material: Alloy Steel
Alarm: Lock
Item Weight: 39 Pounds
Capacity: many variations

If you want a large, pry-resistant home safe, AdirOffice is here to offer their model with a digital lock. If will provide you with 2.32 cubic feet of storage space and high security.

It comes with an electronic lock, two live-door bolts, steel door, and concealed hinges.  It operates on two AA batteries, and if you forget the passcode, you can unlock it with override keys.

I set up this safe within minutes, on my own! I was surprised at how easy that was. This safe might not be the heaviest one on the market, but if you bolt it down, it will stay secure.

The shelves are amazing; they will help you organize the storage space. At last, the batteries are durable.

However, if the thief decides to hit the lock with a hammer a few times, he’ll be in just as fast as I installed the safe. The electronic mechanism seems a bit cheaply made, and the shelves are held by two tiny screws. So, if you don’t have to, don’t place anything heavy on them.

Pros

• Set up instructions are easy to follow.
• If you bolt it down, it will stay secure.
• The shelves maximize the storage space.
• It is sleek and attractive.
• The batteries last a very long time.

Cons

• You can open the safe by hitting a lock with a hammer.
• The electronic mechanism seems cheaply made.
• Two small screws hold the shelf.
• You might have some difficulty opening the door.

Stanley Solid Steel Biometric Personal Home Safe, Fast Access Home Safes Fingerprint Scanner

Stanley Solid Steel Biometric Personal Home Safe with Fast Access Fingerprint Recognition for Wall, Floor or Closet

Color: Black
Brand: Stanley
Lock Type: Electronic, Key
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 7.87 x 12.18 x 7.87 inches
Material: Alloy Steel
Alarm: Lock
Item Weight: 17.63 Pounds
Capacity: many variations

If you want a heavy-duty home safe, Stanley’s model is the one for you. The door is 5 mm thick, with motorized deadbolt locking system and seamlessly welded body, made of solid steel. Its dimensions are 7.8″ x 12.2″ x 7.8″.

It comes with a biometric fingerprint reader, electronic lock and an emergency key override option. Additionally, it has an LCD screen that will tell you whether your safe is locked or unlocked and give you information about battery life.

My favorite thing about this home safe is how hard it is to pick its lock. The key has a star-shaped end, which makes it super complicated. Also, the mechanism works quietly, and the implemented biometric technology can memorize up to 32 different fingerprints.

On the other hand, if you want to access the emergency keyhole, you will have to unscrew the brand’s nameplate first. Also, each time you want to use the fingerprint reader, you will have to press the “#” first. There is no backlight on display, which is inconvenient if there is no light in the room.

Pros

• Digital display shows remaining battery power.
• The keys are well made, with the star-shaped end.
• It can memorize 32 different fingerprints.
• The pneumonic hinges are quiet.
• It is solid and well-built.

Cons

• You have to unscrew the nameplate to access the keyhole.
• You have to press the # button, before using a finger reader.
• Fingerprint recognition doesn’t work every time.
• There is no backlight on display

Safe Box, Lock Box Electronic Safe Box, Combination Security Cabinet Digital Safe Box 1.8 CF Large

Safe Box, Lock Box Electronic Safe Box, Combination Security Cabinet Digital Safe Box 1.8 CF Large

Color: Black
Brand: COLIBYOU
Lock Type: Combination
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 19.7 x 13.8 x 11.8 inches
Material: Alloy Steel
Alarm:
Item Weight: 55 Pounds
Capacity: many variations

The safe box claims that their home safe is one of the hardest models to break into. Its exterior dimensions are 19.7″13.8”11.8,” and it will provide you with 1.8 cubic feet of storage space.

It runs on four AA batteries, it is easily bolted down, and the locking mechanism is simple to program. This home safe will notify you when someone is trying to break in, and its shelf will give you a chance to store your valuables more efficiently.

The first thing I noticed about this safe was its price. You will rarely find such great value for money ratio. Safe box home safe offers plenty of room; it is easy to figure out and hard to be stolen.

If you are a first-time safe owner, I would recommend you something this straight-forward to get you going.

However, be cautious, the lock and the door are not strong enough, and I noticed that separate buttons start to fail after some time. The batteries shift all the time which makes the keypad practically unusable.

Pros

• It offers plenty of room.
• The initial set up and code reset are a breeze.
• It is reasonably priced.
• The keypad is easy to use.
• It is hard to be stolen when bolted down.

Cons

• The lock and the doors are not strong enough.
• Separate buttons might stop working.
• The batteries in the keypad often shift.
• The metal is too thin.

Amazon Basics Home Safes – 1.20 Cubic Feet

Amazon Basics Home Safe – 1.20 Cubic Feet

Color: Black
Brand: Amazon Basics
Lock Type: Programmable keypad w/backup key
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 13 x 13 x 14.2 inches
Material: Carbon Steel
Alarm: Lock
Item Weight: 29 Pounds
Fire rating: 20 minutes at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit tested by Intertek
Capacity: many variations

I love testing different brands out there, but I also fancy relying on a well-known name when I am familiar with its reputation. AmazonBasics has a great small safe, so I decided to give this bigger version a try as well.

Its interior dimensions are 12.8”x10.6”x14”. This home safe features a programmable electronic keypad, heavy-duty carbon-steel construction, two live-door bolts, and pry-resistant concealed hinges.

Amazon’s home safe is very user-friendly. The digital code is simple to set up, and the unit comes with a 1-year limited warranty. Whenever your batteries are low, the light on the keypad will warn you to replace them.

At the same time, you will have a lot of space to store your valuables, and they will be protected by heavy-weight metal.

However, no matter how great the construction is, this model is still too lightweight, and it can be quickly moved if you don’t bolt it down. Even then, it can be broken into using a crowbar. The pop-open key-cover usually doesn’t pop open.

At last, it doesn’t come with any batteries, which means you will have to spend a few more dollars on it.

Pros

• It is made of heavy-weight metal.
• It comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
• Setting the digital code is easier than expected.
• The light on the keypad will warn you when the batteries are low.
• The safe is huge.

Cons

• It can be easily broken into with a crowbar.
• It is lightweight.
• The pop-open key-cover door won’t pop open.
• It doesn’t come with the batteries.

Verifi Smart Safe with FBI Certified Biometric Safe Fingerprint Sensor

Backup Key Access Alert

Color: Black
Brand: Verifi Smart.Safe.
Lock Type: Biometric
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 13.2 x 13.8 x 7.9 inches
Material: Alloy Steel
Alarm: Audible
Item Weight: 21 Pounds
Capacity: 0.52 cubic feet

The next item on our shopping list is a high-quality biometric pistol safe. The fingerprint technology in this device is among the best in the industry. Consider this unit as an option if you are looking for the best.

TouchChip TCSI silicone chips are included in this biometric sensor. This unit has been approved by the FBI due to the high quality of this component. As a result, it should come as no surprise to you that this unit made our top ten.

The larger sensor on the device is one of its most distinctive features. For this reason, the sensor acts like a high-resolution camera that captures high-quality images of your fingerprints. This is followed by an interior search using the print’s unique identifier in conjunction with the database’s search criteria.

The unit is extremely concerned about its long-term viability. The unit’s walls are 2 millimetersthick, while the door is 4 millimeters thick.

With the 14-gauge steel construction, there’s no reason to doubt the safe’s sturdiness and build quality.

Tamper alert, one of the device’s unique features, tracks any break-in attempts and records the time they occurred. It even has self-diagnostic capabilities and tells you if there is a problem with the device. Because of its high price, the unit is worth its weight in gold.

Pros:

• The Fingerprint scanner of the highest caliber
• Design that is both strong and impenetrable
• Comfortable to use
• Automatic locking capabilities are included.
• Backup key access alert

Cons:

• It’s a little out of reach.

SentrySafe Fireproof Waterproof Safe, Large Biometric Safe

large capacity safe – good to add to home security systems

Color: Black
Brand: SentrySafe
Locking systems: Electronic
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 19.4 x 11.7 x 35.7 inches
Material: Alloy Steel
Alarm: Anti-theft
Item Weight: 186.34 lbs
Fire rating: 1/2 hour at 1400°F
Capacity: 4.7 cubic feet

An extra-large home safe, like this one from SentrySafe, is required for this list to be complete. It can hold 4.71 cubic feet of stuff. Passcodes can be entered using a digital keypad.

This massive safe can withstand a fire for 30 minutes at 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also up to 72 hours water resistant in a depth of 12 inches. With five live bolts and four deadbolts, the fireproof safe’s steel construction provides additional security.

What better home safe than the Fireproof SentrySafe to suit your every need and budget?.

Pros

• Waterproof and Fireproof
• This item is floor-mountable.
• Spacious
• Innards: Carpet

Cons

• High levels of humidity can develop if the space isn’t regularly ventilated.
• Heavily burdened

Viking Security Safe Mini Biometric Safe

Color: black
Brand: Viking Security Safe
Locking system: Electronic, Key
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10 x 14 x 10 inches
Material: Alloy Steel
Alarm: Audible
Item Weight: 27 Pounds
Capacity: 0.5 Cubic feet

The Viking Security Safe VS-20BLX Mini Biometric Safe has a number of features that set it apart from the rest. The two motorized 20-millimeter steel deadbolts can be opened in three ways. The keyhole can be accessed by removing the door plate and inserting a four-prong cross key.

Using a passcode of four to eight digits is possible. Alternatively, you can keep up to 32 fingerprints on file for future use as a biometric login. Entering the passcode was faster than scanning a fingerprint, as we discovered. The biometric optical sensor, on the other hand, has a light that makes it easier to see in the dark.

In our tests, the Viking Security Safe proved to be the most difficult to smash open. We hammered on it with a sledgehammer for about five minutes before breaking it open.

Because of its small size and low weight, the Mini Biometric Safe could be easily stolen. Fortunately, it comes with bolts for attaching it to the floor or a wall, which we strongly recommend. Because the safe is not watertight or fireproof, you should store your valuables in fireproof bags.

This safe has two unique features: an LED light that shines light inside, and a beep that sounds if the door is left unlocked. It was well worth the additional cost for us to use these additional features.

Pros

• Heavy duty
• Keypad and keys, as well as biometrics
• The use of light-emitting diodes
• Adjustable light fixtures

Cons:

• Potential for key snatching
• Wear and tear on a light battery occurs.

Barska Mini Safe

Color: Black
Brand: BARSKA
Lock Type: Biometric
Item Dimensions LxWxH: 14.5 x 16.5 x 7.75 inches
Material: Aluminum
Alarm: Lock
Item Weight: 28 Pounds
Capacity: 0.79 Cubic Ft

As a homeowner, safe gun storage should be your top priority. Because of its biometric locking mechanism, silent mode, solid steel construction, and Department of Justice-approved design, we chose the Barska Mini as our top pick.

As much as 0.29 cubic feet can be stored in it (enough for a pistol, ammo, and cleaning tools). Because it’s tamper-resistant and mountable, it’s simple to keep out of the hands of curious children or trespassers.

The safe is made of 14-gauge steel, which is extremely durable. Two motorized steel deadbolts provide maximum security, as do the door’s edges, which are tamper-resistant.
Thicknesses of 1/16″ for the walls and 3/16″ for the door Although the walls could be thicker, I’d say it’s still reasonably safe. As a matter of fact, it’s been certified by the Department of Justice as a safe place to store firearms.

Using the included mounting hardware, you can secure the safe to a wall or other flat surface. On the wall, floor, or in a cabinet it can be installed, making it a versatile piece of equipment.

Pros:

• Locked with a unique biometric code.
• Tamper-proof
• Mountable

Cons:

• Multiple firearms may not fit in the same holster.

Related Buyer’s Guide:

• 5 Best Fireproof Safes For Documents
• Tiny Things Can be Valuable: Find the Best Small Safe to Protect Them

How to Choose the Best Home Safe?

Best Safes for cash and valuables

My little brother learned, and you should too, that when you are searching for the best home safes, you should pay attention to these five things:

Go big or go home

When we were kids, our grandpa’s logic was following – if the TV is not heavy and large, it is not worth our money. Today, this rule doesn’t apply to technology, but it still should be your first criteria for choosing a home safe. A safe that is cumbersome is usually built well, and most importantly challenging to move.

It should be made of heavy duty steel, and have thick walls or door that can stand up to burglars. If the safe is lightweight, easy to be picked up and carried out of your house, no modern locking technology will safeguard your valuables inside. So, the first lesson, look for large, heavy home safes.

Bolting down is crucial

Unfortunately, many safes manufactured today are much more lightweight than I would like them to be. Still, if you can bolt them down, they will do a just as good job as heavy ones, because your average burglar won’t be able to move them. Look for safes that have bolting down as an optional feature.

The carpeted interior is for fragile valuables

A carpeted interior can be amazing, but it is not necessary. If you want to store some delicate valuables, such as expensive jewelry or anything that can be damaged if it ends up rolling around the steel interior of your safe, having carpeted shelves is an advantage.

So, decide what are you going to store in your home safe, and based on that fact, look for a carpeted interior or not.

Support US economy

If this is an option, purchase a home safe that is made in the USA. No, this is not just about supporting the local economy, that was a joke. These models are often more expensive but usually made of high-quality materials and significantly sturdier.

This is especially important if you are looking for features such as fire and water resistance. In this case, your safe needs to have certifications from ETK (Intertek) or UL (Underwriters Laboratory). These two independent companies are in charge of verifying the manufacturers’ claims of fire, water and theft resistance.

What to Determine Before Buying a Home Safe?

Good home security safe for your best home

Except for the aspects you should pay attention to, there are a few things you should ask yourself, so you could know which type of home safes would be the best for your needs.

How much storage space would you like to have?

You can roughly assess how much storage space you need by stacking together everything you want to store in your new home safe. Remember, always look at interior dimensions to find out how much storage space you’ll actually get. For example, a 1.2- or 1.3-cubic-foot home safe will store a 1-foot-high stack of letters.

Where would you like to place the safe?

People usually don’t buy too large home safes, but if you decide to do so, make sure it fits through the doorways in your house, and that you can take it up the stairways if you need to. Particularly large and heavy home safes are commonly installed on a ground floor. If you are not sure what is the optimal location for your security home safe, you can always consult the manufacturer.

What kind of lock are you looking for?

As I mentioned in many of my previous buying guides, you can choose between a few different types of locking mechanisms and each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

Electric keypads are simple to use, but typically depend on household batteries, and they are not very sturdy. Keyed locks are even more straightforward, but this also means they can be picked, and you must know where is the key at all times.

There are also biometric solutions, but they are often significantly more expensive, and if you are not purchasing from a reputable manufacturer, they might be unreliable. You need to weigh the pros and cons of each option, to decide what is the best for you.

Conclusion

anti-theft fireproof safe for jewelry

After hours of searching and days of testing different products, my brother concluded – all five home safes are reliable and worth the money you would invest in them.

However, his personal favorite was Stanley Solid Steel Biometric Personal Home Safe with Fast Access Fingerprint Recognition for Wall, Floor or Closet. He loved the combination of biometric technology and amazing key design. I guess that runs in our family.

Still, I would like to know – what do you think about these home security safes? What are their strong suits and their weakest points? Do you agree with my brother’s choice? Go ahead and leave me a comment! I love discussing different options with my readers!

Top 5 Best Home Safes – Definitive Home Safe Buying Guide
Source: Safetyhub