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Most homes have valuable items, sensitive documents, and irreplaceable mementos that could be at risk without home safes to protect them against theft, fire, or flooding. Documents, passports, heirlooms, and other personal items can become a target because of the potential value of these items. Even with a low risk of theft, it’s important to protect your valuables against water damage, smoke damage, and fire damage.

With this in mind, one of the best ways to keep your precious items and irreplaceable documents secure is to invest in a home safe. A wide variety of residential safes are available, including gun safes, waterproof safes, and fireproof safes that can hold up when exposed to extreme temperatures. Another factor to consider is the type of lock, such as biometric fingerprint locks, programmable keypad locks, or simple keyed entry locks. Use this guide to find out more about the best home safes, so you can make an informed decision about the right safe to protect your valuables.

How we chose the best home safes

In order to put together a list of the best home safes, I researched a wide assortment before narrowing the list based on several key product factors, including the lock type, material, weight, dimensions, capacity, and resistance to both fire and water damage. Not every home needs the largest safe, so the top choices list includes products of various sizes and capacities. 

Generally, home safes are made of steel, though small or light-duty safes may be made from durable, heat-resistant plastic to make the safe easier to carry or transport. Digital and biometric locks offer the unique ability to set the lock to a specific code or fingerprint pattern. I favored home safes with these lock types over standard keyed locks. Similarly, it’s beneficial to have a safe that is secure even against fire or water damage, so many of the top picks feature home safes with superior durability and resistances. Additionally, products with special features stood out when all other product specs remained relatively comparable.

The best home safes: Reviews & Recommendations

While we hope that thieves aren’t able to breach our home security systems, sometimes it happens. Take the extra step to protect the documents, jewelry, and other irreplaceable items that are precious to you by investing in one of the best home safes available. The following products were selected based on size, lock type, material, and fire and water damage resistance.

Best overall: SentrySafe Waterproof and Fireproof Safe

SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof Safe and Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad 1.23 Cubic Feet

SentrySafe

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Why it made the cut: The heavy-duty steel construction and pry-resistant hinge bar protect valuables from would-be thieves.

Specs

  • Lock Type: Digital keypad and secondary locking key
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Weight: 87 lbs
  • Dimensions: 19.3 inches D x 16.3 inches W x 17.9 inches H
  • Capacity: 1.23 cubic feet

Pros

  • Fireproof for up to one hour at 1,700 degrees F
  • Waterproof for 24 hours in water up to 8 inches
  • Pry-resistant hinge bar
  • Interior light

Cons

  • Bulky at 87 pounds
  • Requires four AAA batteries for operation

When it comes to home security, this SentrySafe home safe is one of the top options for durability, locking capabilities, anti-theft features, as well as resistance to both fire and water. The home safe is made out of alloy steel, and the door to the safe locks tightly with four large 1-inch steel bolts. It also comes with a built-in pry-resistant hinge bar, making it difficult to pop open, even with a pry bar. 

Users can set a personalized combination for the digital keypad but can also access the safe using the secondary locking key. Inside the safe is an open compartment for easy storage and a locking drawer for items that need an extra layer of security. Thanks to the built-in interior light, users can retrieve the contents of the safe without issue in any lighting, instead of fumbling around in the dark.

The SentrySafe can withstand a drop from 15 feet during a fire without opening. In case of a house fire, this safe can endure temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour. Similarly, it will keep the contents secure during a minor flood for up to 24 hours, though it’s important to note that it is only waterproof in up to 8 inches of water. Additionally, the homeowner or user will need to keep the digital keypad powered with a set of four AAA batteries for the ongoing operation of the safe. 

Best value: Amazon Basics Steel Home Security Safe

The Amazon Basics Home Security Safe is the best home safe for value.

Amazon Basics

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Why it made the cut: The affordable price, lightweight build, and durable carbon steel structure make this safe a great choice for homeowners on a budget.

Specs

  • Lock type: Digital keypad and back-up key
  • Material: Carbon steel
  • Weight: 33.66 lbs
  • Dimensions: 13 inches D x 13.8 inches W x 16.5 inches H
  • Capacity: 1.52 cubic feet

Pros

  • Lightweight design is relatively easy to maneuver
  • Programmable electronic keypad and backup key for emergencies
  • Mountable design for floor or wall mounting
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Requires AA batteries for operation
  • Vulnerable to fire and water damage

Home security doesn’t need to be expensive. This Amazon Basics carbon steel home safe is an affordable alternative for homeowners on a budget to help ensure that important documents, jewelry, and other valuables remain secure inside the home. The safe has a capacity of 1.52 cubic feet, so there is ample space for passports, files, folders, and bulky keepsakes.

Homeowners can mount the safe to the floor or wall to help deter would-be thieves from taking the safe during a home invasion. The door to the safe is kept locked by a programmable electronic keypad, though it can also be accessed using the backup key in case the battery power runs out or the user forgets the password to open the lock. It is worth noting that this safe is not fire- or water-resistant.

Best fireproof: AEGIS Fireproof Safe

The Aegis Waterproof Safe is one of the best home safes.

Aegis

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Why it made the cut: The fireproof insulation, durable steel walls, and heat-activated door seal work together to protect the contents of the safe during a fire.

Specs

  • Lock type: Digital keypad and two back-up keys
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Weight: 79.4 lbs
  • Dimensions: 14.2 inches D x 17.3 inches W x 18.9 inches H
  • Capacity: 2.6 cubic feet

Pros

  • Fireproof for 30 minutes at 1,400 degrees F
  • Heat-activated door seal expands to keep out heat and smoke
  • Fireproof plasterboard layer insulates the contents of the safe
  • Dual power supplies for keypad functionality

Cons

  • Heavy; not easy to lift
  • Not waterproof

Fire is a destructive force that can burn through furniture, floors, walls, and ceilings, so it’s important to have a safe place to store important documents and other valuables that would be at risk in a house fire. This fireproof safe by AEGIS is made of tough alloy steel and fireproof plasterboard insulation that works to keep the contents of the safe secure in case of a fire.

The safe is designed to last for 30 minutes at up to 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. It also features a heat-activated door seal, which expands to prevent heat and smoke from entering the safe. Users can access the safe through a digital keypad powered with batteries. Still, it can also receive power through a USB-C cord, allowing the user to operate the keypad even if it runs out of battery power. Just keep in mind that this safe isn’t waterproof.

Best gun safe: Verifi S7000 Smart Gun Safe

The Verify Smart Safe is the best home safe for guns.

Verify

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Why it made the cut: Homeowners can safely store up to five long guns and ammo behind the FBI-certified biometric fingerprint lock.

Specs

  • Lock type: Biometric fingerprint lock and back-up key
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Weight: 92 lbs
  • Dimensions: 13.5 inches D x 11 inches W x 53.5 inches H
  • Capacity: 3.3 cubic feet

Pros

  • Commercial-grade biometric fingerprint lock
  • Automatic locking door with open door and tamper alerts
  • LED lighting for better visibility
  • Adjustable storage for five long guns

Cons

  • Fingerprint lock requires four C batteries
  • Not resistant to water or fire

It’s important to keep firearms secure in a safe location when they are not in use. For that reason, this locker-style gun safe by Verifi is an excellent choice for those who need a place to keep their guns and ammo. The gun safe has enough space to store up to five long guns and ammo, including a recess in the door, padded gun barrel holders, and an adjustable shelf.

The gun safe is secured with a commercial-grade biometric fingerprint lock certified by the FBI. Users can unlock the door to the safe by scanning their fingerprints on the high-definition fingerprint imaging scanner. After using the safe, the door automatically locks and will sound an alert if the safe is tampered with or if the door is left open. Additionally, the safe features built-in LED lighting for enhanced visibility.

Best wall safe: Viking Security Safe VS-52BLX Biometric Fingerprint Hidden Wall Safe

Viking Security Safe VS-52BLX Biometric Fingerprint Hidden Wall Safe

Viking

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Why it made the cut: This discreet wall safe makes it to hide your valuables close at hand, and it’s designed with biometric fingerprint and key entry, a motorized deadbolt, and an LED light to see your possessions easily.

Specs

  • Lock type: Biometric fingerprint, PIN combination, key
  • Material: Alloy steel
  • Weight: 39 pounds
  • Dimensions: 4 inches D x 14 inches W x 19.3 inches H
  • Capacity: 18.5 inches H x 14 inches W

Pros

  • Discreet
  • Provides several methods to lock 
  • Features LED light to locate valuables
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Limited capacity for larger items

Good luck trying to find this safe: It’s designed to fit snugly between two wall studs and is perfect for hiding in closets, behind bookshelves, and more. Great for situations where there’s no room for compromise, it features a biometric fingerprint lock and a motorized deadbolt, a carpeted interior, and an LED light so you can see your valuables in the dark. Its solid steel body is equipped with a pry-resistant door, and it sounds a warning alarm when the door is open for longer than a minute.

Best small: Honeywell Waterproof Safe

The Honeywell Waterproof Safe is one of the best home safes that's small.

Honeywell

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Why it made the cut: Take advantage of the small, discreet size to store this safe out of sight and use the built-in carrying handle to retrieve the safe in an emergency.

Specs

  • Lock type: Keyed entry
  • Material: ABS Plastic
  • Weight: 28.6 lbs
  • Dimensions: 12.6 inches D x 16 inches W x 6.6 inches H
  • Capacity: 0.24 cubic feet

Pros

  • Fireproof for 30 minutes at 1,550 degrees F
  • Waterproof for 100 hours in up to 39 inches of water
  • Built-in carrying handle makes transportation easy
  • Small, discreet size

Cons

  • Safe is not mountable

Big, bulky, heavy home safes can be a good option if there is a place to install or store the safe. The weight of those safes can even be a deterrent to intruders who don’t want to lug around an 80-pound steel box. However, this small home safe by Honeywell offers unique advantages over those bulky home safes, such as a built-in carrying handle that makes it easy to pick up and retrieve from the home in a fire, flood, or a similar emergency. 

The small size also helps when trying to find a place to store the safe because it can be tucked into an uncommon space, like under the sink, where most intruders would never think to look. Additionally, this ABS plastic safe has a fireproof design, ensuring that the contents remain secure in temperatures up to 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also waterproof for 100 hours in up to 39 inches of water.

Things to consider when buying the best home safes

Before purchasing a new home safe for additional protection against water, fire, or theft, it’s important to take some time to research residential safes in order to determine the best home safe to secure your valuables. Consider these key product factors, so you can make an informed decision when investing in home safes for documents, mementos, and precious items.

Locking mechanism

One of the most important aspects of any home safe is the locking mechanism used to secure the door. Home safes traditionally used a keyed entry, but newer models have been equipped with various options, including the following:

  • Keyed locks are the standard option for a home safe. Users don’t need to worry about batteries for an electronic keypad, and they don’t need to remember a combination or password to access the safe. However, this also means that potential intruders don’t need a combination, password, or fingerprint scan to access the safe.
  • Combination locks use a specific set of numbers that must be entered in a designated way in order to open the lock. Safes with this locking mechanism do not require batteries to function and tend to be more secure than standard keyed locks.
  • Digital keypad locks rely on batteries or a corded connection for power. When the lock is powered, the user can enter a password to open the lock and access the safe. Generally, the password is set by the user during the initial set-up process, though most digital keypad safes will allow the user to reprogram the lock with a new password.
  • Biometric locks scan and store the fingerprints of the user. When the user places their finger on the biometric scanner, the lock compares the fingerprint to the stored fingerprint data and opens the lock if the fingerprints match.

Material

When selecting a home safe to keep documents, jewelry, guns, and other valuables secure, it’s a good idea to consider the type of material from which the safe is made. Generally, home safes are designed with an alloy or carbon steel frame, though may also be reinforced with steel bars and feature live-locking bolts to improve the durability of the safe and security of its contents. 

However, steel home safes can be too heavy to carry or maneuver without help. Some home safes are built with thick, heat-resistant ABS plastic. This type of design reduces the overall weight of the home safe, making it easier to carry the safe out of the home in the case of a fire or flood. Additionally, ABS plastic safes tend to hold up better when exposed to water.

Size

The size of the safe includes the dimensions, the weight, and the capacity. When researching home safes, it’s important to consider the size of the safe based on the area it will be stored, the items that will be kept in the safe, and the portability of the safe. Smaller home safes are easier to store under the sink, in the attic, or mounted on the wall, though they can generally only be used for small items, like passports, cash, spare keys, and jewelry.

Medium-size safes are the most common choice for the home because they are easier to move than a large safe, but are also larger than a small safe, so there is more space for storing folders, paper documents, binders, cash drawers, and large collectables. Opt for a large home safe to store firearms, ammo, important documents, and bulky data storage devices. Just keep in mind that the larger the safe, the heavier it will be.

Fire and water resistance

The purpose of a home safe is to keep important documents, keepsakes, and other valuables secure in the case of an emergency. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to invest in a home safe that is designed to hold up during a house fire or flood. However, not every fireproof safe is capable of sealing out water. Similarly, not all waterproof safes can keep the contents secure in a fire.

Consider the potential risks to the home to determine the level of fire and water resistance that will be required to keep the contents safe from harm. For instance, if you live in an area that experiences yearly droughts and wildfires, then finding a fireproof safe is a high priority, while a waterproof safe may be a higher priority for those that live in areas that are known to flood. It’s also necessary to determine the exact level of fire and water resistance, as well as the length of time the safe can remain secure when submerged or exposed to extreme temperatures.

FAQs

Q: What is the best size safe for home use?

The size of the safe is dependent on your needs. Smaller safes are easy to hide, carry, and pack into a vehicle in the case of an emergency, while larger safes provide ample space for big items, like long guns. Generally, a safe with a capacity of about 1.2 to 1.3 cubic feet is suitable for home use.

Q: Where is the best place to keep a safe?

There are several great places to keep a safe in the home, including mounting it in the wall, installing it in the floor, bolting it to the concrete floor in the basement, storing it in the attic, or even keeping it under the sink. The goal is to find a place that is both secure and relatively unused to avoid attracting too much attention to the safe.

Q: Can a safe survive a house fire?

Whether a safe can survive a house fire or not depends on the temperature of the fire, the duration of the house fire, and the type of safe. Some safes can hold up under extreme conditions for an extended period of time, though not every safe is designed to be fireproof or even fire-resistant. So, before purchasing a safe, make sure to research the various products to find a home safe that is made for fire protection.

Final thoughts on the best home safes

Homes provide a safe place for people to sleep, eat, and relax, but they also act as a secure location to store and protect your valuables. However, when there is a fire, flood, or home invasion, it’s a good idea to have an extra layer of protection in the form of a home safe. Home safes don’t just act as a deterrent to would-be thieves; they can also be used to store guns and ammo, protect against water damage, and secure key documents and other valuables in the case of a fire. Even if the safe is only used to store passports, birth certificates, and other personal documents, investing in a small home safe is recommended for an added level of protection.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

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