The Best Home Safes of 2024 for Securing Valuables, Tested
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Protect your valuables from the threat of theft, fire, or flood with the best home safe.
Home safes provide peace of mind when you’ve got cash, important documents, jewelry, and other valuables in the house. We recently tested the durability, security, and water resistance of 10 top options to see which protected best. We evaluated basic models that shield against theft as well as higher-end options that offer fire protection and water resistance to keep precious belongings safe during disasters.
Since home safes are meant for some of your most prized possessions, it’s important to look at lock type and protective capabilities when choosing one. Our favorite home safe, the SentrySafe Digital Fire/Water Safe, was best in both these regards. It has great basic features like a digital keypad, backup key, lighted interior, and bolt-down hardware. But what earned it our award for best overall was its ability to withstand fire, heat, and smoke for up to 1 hour and keep contents dry for up to 24 hours in 8 inches of water.
To see which home safe is right for you, consider the items you intend to store and the security the safe offers as well as a host of other features and potential upgrades. Read on to learn the pros and cons of the best home safes and see how each performed in our hands-on tests.
- BEST OVERALL: SentrySafe SFW123GDC Digital Fire/Water Safe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Amazon Basics Steel Home Security Electronic Safe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LOCKBOX: SentrySafe CHW20221 Fire/Water Chest
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DIGITAL: Stalwart Electronic Safe With Digital Keypad and Keys
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WALL SAFE: Paragon Lock & Safe Superior Wall Safe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST MINI: Amazon Basics Small Slim Desk Drawer Security Safe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LARGE: SentrySafe EF4738E Fire/Water Digital Safe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Master Lock Portable Personal Safe
↓ Jump to Review - BEST HIDDEN: Jssmst Book Safe With Combination Lock
↓ Jump to Review
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Time spent testing | 18 hours |
| Tests performed | 5 |
| Price range | $10 to $800 |
Before You Buy a Home Safe
Home safes keep your valuables safe from individual dangers like theft, fire, or water, but not every model safeguards against all of these threats. If you are most concerned about one particular type of threat, consider that as you choose the best safes for home use. Also, look at what you plan to store in your home safe. Different designs work better for specific items, such as a gun safe for storing firearms.
Our Top Picks
Home safes keep their contents safe from perils like theft, fire, and water damage. They provide owners with peace of mind by protecting valuable items, irreplaceable heirlooms, and important documents from such threats. Keep your prized possessions secure in a home safe suited to your needs and preferences.
Best Overall
SentrySafe SFW123GDC Digital Fire/Water Safe
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Water Resistance 4.5/5; Durability 5/5; Security 5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Lock type: Electronic keypad with backup keys
- Exterior dimensions: 17.8 inches high by 16.3 inches wide by 19.3 inches deep
- Weight: 87 pounds
- Material: Steel
What We Like
- Live-locking bolts plus bolt-down hardware for theft protection
- Includes digital keypad with backup key
- Spacious 1.23-cubic-foot capacity
- Withstands fire for 1 hour
- Withstands 8 inches of water for 24 hours
What We Don’t Like
- Requires 4 AAA batteries, sold separately
Deter theft and enjoy protection from both fire and water with this highly rated and reasonably priced waterproof and fireproof safe. Sturdy steel, four live-locking bolts, a pry-resistant hinge bar, and bolt-down hardware keep valuables and important documents safe and secure.
SentrySafe claims this safe is water-resistant in 8 inches of water for up to 24 hours. We placed a sprinkler on top of ours and let it run for over an hour. When we opened the safe, the toilet paper inside was bone-dry.
Its 1.23 cubic-foot capacity is large enough for stacks of sensitive materials like USB drives, file folders, and jewelry boxes. In addition to protecting from water, it can withstand fire, heat, and smoke for up to 1 hour at 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. It also has a digital keypad with a backup key, an interior light, and a locking drawer.
Read our full review: SentrySafe SFW123GDC Digital Fire/Water Safe
Get the SentrySafe SFW123GDC home safe at Amazon, Lowe’s, Walmart, or SentrySafe.
Best Bang For The Buck
Amazon Basics Steel Home Security Electronic Safe
Photo: Amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Water Resistance N/A; Durability 3/5; Security 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Lock type: Electronic keypad with backup keys
- Exterior dimensions: 16.5 inches high by 13.8 inches wide by 13 inches deep
- Weight: 33.66 pounds
- Material: 8- and 14-gauge carbon steel
What We Like
- 1.52-cubic-foot interior space
- Built-in storage shelf
- Electronic keypad and keyed entry
- 2 live-door bolts and concealed pry-resistant hinges
- Predrilled mounting holes and mounting hardware included
What We Don’t Like
- Not fire- or waterproof
Thanks to the included instruction booklet, setting up the Amazon Basics electronic safe was simple, though it did not come with the required four AA batteries for the digital keypad. The interior is just large enough to fit an A4 document without bending or folding it, so you can store important certificates and other files without worry. The safe’s bottom shelf has a felt liner, but there is nothing to soften the removable shelf, so users will want to package delicate items before storing them there.
At over 33 pounds, the Amazon Basics safe is heavy for its dimensions, making it feel quite sturdy, which is a plus for such an affordable model. To test durability, we dropped it onto a concrete surface, and it came out unscathed. Its heavy carbon-steel construction actually chipped the concrete!
One small complaint we had with this safe is the removable panel to access the keyhole, which felt a little flimsy—like it could easily come off and get lost. That aside, the Amazon Basics safe is a well-built, moderately sized model that comes with mounting hardware to bolt it into place. Shoppers should note, however, that this safe is not water-resistant, so a flood would certainly creep into your valuables here.
Get the Amazon Basics steel home safe at Amazon.
Best Lockbox
SentrySafe CHW20221 Fire/Water Chest
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Water Resistance 5/5; Durability 5/5; Security 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Lock type: Tubular key lock
- Exterior dimensions: 6.6 inches high by 14.3 inches wide by 14.3 inches deep
- Weight: 20.4 pounds
- Material: Captured fire insulation
What We Like
- Grab-and-go handle for emergencies
- Withstands fire for up to 30 minutes
- Withstands submersion in water for 72 hours
- Elastic straps on interior lid increase organization
What We Don’t Like
- Extra-thick walls limit interior storage
- Not as secure as a home safe that bolts down
With interior dimensions of 4.4 inches high by 12.8 inches wide by 8.5 inches deep, this safe for documents, valuables, USB drives, and other small items is built to withstand fire and water. Its simple key-lock design features one main compartment with in-lid organizer straps. It also has a carrying handle that makes it easy to grab in an emergency or as a travel safe.
During testing, we found the tubular key lock a little sticky. While momentarily frustrating, the system actually adds a layer of security by preventing the lid from opening in a fire. The thick walls of this Underwriters Laboratories–rated safe box can withstand 30 minutes of fire at 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit, and its Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) verification ensures its waterproof gasket will keep water out for up to 72 hours of submersion. For those with limited space or who want to be able to quickly grab valuables and go, this small lockbox is a great option.
Get the SentrySafe CHW20221 home safe at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Digital
Stalwart Electronic Safe With Digital Keypad and Keys
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5;Water Resistance N/A; Durability 4/5; Security 3/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Lock type: Electronic keypad with backup keys
- Exterior dimensions: 7.9 inches high by 12.2 inches wide by 7.9 inches deep
- Weight: 9.25 pounds
- Material: Steel
What We Like
- Portable but reasonably sized safe
- Sturdy steel construction
- Comes with 2 backup keys
- Can be bolted to the wall or floor
What We Don’t Like
- Not fire- or water-resistant
- User code is erased when shut off
Looking to hide small holiday gifts from snooping kids? Want a spot for jewelry and other valuables while repair people are in your house? This Stalwart safe with electronic lock might work well for you. At about a foot wide and 8 inches high by 8 inches deep, it’s roughly the size of a bread box—room enough for passports, jewelry boxes, or folded papers. Its steel construction feels fairly durable, and it comes with bolts (and drilled holes in the sides of the safe) for affixing it to the wall or floor. At just over 9 pounds, it’s heavy enough that you won’t want to schlep it while traveling but not so heavy that a burglar couldn’t simply steal it rather than attempt to crack it.
During testing, we were happy to see we couldn’t access the safe’s interior reset button by poking a stick through the bolt holes in the back and bottom of the unit. If you or a would-be thief enter an incorrect code three times, its automatic keypad-disabling function activates a warning beep that only stops by removing one of the batteries. Just be aware that powering it down erases the user code, making the safe key your only option until it’s reset.
Bottom line? This is a decent unit for the back of your closet or the top of your dresser—but for heaven’s sake, don’t lose the keys.
Get the Stalwart home safe at Amazon.
Best Wall Safe
Paragon Lock & Safe Superior Wall Safe
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Water Resistance N/A; Durability 5/5; Security 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Lock type: Electronic keypad with backup keys
- Exterior dimensions: 22 inches high by 16 inches wide by 4 inches deep
- Weight: 39 pounds
- Material: Steel
What We Like
- Made of heavy steel
- Sized to fit between wall studs
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- Includes mounting hardware and batteries
- Access panel sticks out just 0.5 inch from surface
- 5-minute auto alarm sounds after 3 incorrect codes are entered
What We Don’t Like
- Locking mechanism is large
- Not fire- or water-resistant
With a virtually flat profile, a wall safe is a great way to hide valuables behind artwork or furniture. Though it requires some tools and a little effort to install, this option from Paragon Lock & Safe comes with the necessary mounting hardware and is sized right to fit between studs. Just be sure you insert the included batteries and set up your user and manager codes first. This process is much easier when the safe is still on the ground.
Also, be aware that, like many safes, the Paragon safe is shallow, measuring just 4 inches deep. It has three interior shelves, but the housing of the locking mechanism takes up most of the middle shelf. Still, the other two shelves provide ample space for cash, jewelry, folded documents, and small heirlooms. While this wall safe is not fire- or water-resistant, it does include an extra theft-busting feature: an automatic 5-minute alarm that sounds after three incorrect code entries, alerting everyone nearby of the failed entry.
Get the Paragon home safe at Amazon.
Best Mini
Amazon Basics Small Slim Desk Drawer Security Safe
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Water Resistance N/A; Durability 5/5; Security 4/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Lock type: Electronic keypad with backup keys
- Exterior dimensions: 4.4 inches high by 11.8 inches wide by 8.6 inches deep
- Weight: 10.34 pounds
- Material: Steel
What We Like
- Small safe that’s great for travel
- Constructed of heavy-duty steel
- Can be mounted to a desk or wall
- Pry-resistant design features 2 secure door bolts
What We Don’t Like
- Keypad batteries dislodge relatively easily if dropped
- Interior space is cut in half by battery housing
Measuring 4.4 inches high by 11.8 inches wide by 8.6 inches deep, this mini safe is slim enough to fit inside a standard desk drawer. It features heavy-duty alloy steel construction and unlocks via a convenient electronic keypad or backup keys. One word of caution on this particular option, however: Be careful as you move it around. During testing, we found that even drops of around a foot sometimes dislodged the batteries enough to disrupt the keypad’s functionality. Also, like many electronic keypads, the batteries’ housing takes up a portion of the internal space. For this small safe, that means about half the interior area is unusable.
If you’re looking to store passports, folded papers, or small jewelry boxes, however, rest assured they’ll be protected by two secure door bolts and pry-resistant, concealed hinges. At just over 10 pounds, you could use this mini safe as a portable option for travel or employ the included mounting hardware to install it in a drawer, closet, or other hidden space.