We may be compensated if you purchase through links on our website. Our team is committed to delivering honest, objective, and independent reviews on home products and services.
Safes are an important part of any home security system and are used to keep valuable items, such as personal documents and firearms, out of unwanted hands. Our team has researched the best home safes on Amazon to keep your belongings secure.
Here are our top five picks.
Top 5 Safes
- Best Traveling Safe: Vaultek LifePod Electronic Lock Box
- Best for Mounting: Amazon Basics Home Keypad Safe
- Best for Handguns: Awesafe Gun Safe
- Best Storage Options: SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe
- Best Digital Display: TIGERKING Digital Security Safe
Compare Top Safes
| Product | Safe Type | Material | Unlocking Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaultek LifePod Electronic Lock Box | Traveling | Non-metal polymer | One lock and two latches |
| Amazon Basics Home Keypad Safe | Mounting | Alloy steel | Two bolts |
| Awesafe Gun Safe | Gun | Alloy steel | One lock |
| SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe | Home | Steel | Six bolts |
| TIGERKING Digital Security Safe | Home | Alloy steel | Four bolts |
| Product | Safe Type | Material | Unlocking Options |
Best Traveling Safe
Vaultek LifePod Electronic Lock Box
- $109.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes in the form of a hard case for durability and easy carrying
✔ Has a touch-activated digital keypad
✔ Meets TSA guidelines
✘ Made with material that’s not fireproof
✘ Requires a nine-volt alkaline battery to operate that’s not included
What Customers Are Saying
Customers described the product as lightweight and easy to lock. We also noted that many customers appreciated the safe’s foam lining. Those who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that the product couldn’t accommodate full-sized handguns.
Best For Mounting
Amazon Basics Home Keypad Safe
- $119.99
- $126.11
- 5% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has concealed pry-resistant hinges
✔ Is made of carbon steel
✔ Has an 8-gauge steel door
✘ Sometimes arrives damaged
✘ Can be difficult to replace the batteries
What Customers Are Saying
Customer reviews we found this product stated that it was easy to use and sturdy. Customers also said that the safe had plenty of room and was a good value. Dissatisfied customers expressed disappointment that the product wasn’t fire resistant.
Best for Handguns
Awesafe Gun Safe
- $129
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Opens with fingerprint identification
✔ Can be stored in small spaces
✔ Has interior LED lighting
✘ The fingerprint reader sometimes struggles to decipher different prints
✘ Can’t accommodate larger handguns
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked this safe’s three unlock options and storage capacity. Many reviewers also complimented the responsive touchpad. However, we did find some disappointed customers who said the biometric feature didn’t work well.
Best Storage Options
SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe
- $505.47
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Offers 2.05 cubic feet of storage space to hold a lot of items
✔ Can endure one hour in a fire with temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit
✔ Can withstand 8 inches of water for up to 24 hours
✘ Comes with a non-optional tray accessory at an additional cost
✘ Takes up a lot of space because of its large size
What Customers Are Saying
Customers raved about this product’s easy-to-use unlocking and locking mechanisms and simple setup. A common complaint we noted from dissatisfied customers was that the dial was made of less durable plastic instead of metal.
Best Digital Display
TIGERKING Digital Security Safe
- $348.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can be programmed to open with two codes
✔ Has the ability to save up to 35 opening records
✔ Comes with two override keys
✘ Only allows three incorrect entries, which can lead to owners getting locked out
✘ Some customers had difficulty setting it up
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers we found praised the safe’s extensive security features that protected against theft, especially considering its affordable price. Those who were unsatisfied with the product said it was difficult to set up.
Buying Guide to Safes
When purchasing a safe, it’s important to understand the factors that impact each product’s function and user experience. Here are three factors we found to help you choose a high-quality safe that suits your needs and will give you peace of mind that your items are protected.
Means of Entry
Some safes require a physical key for manual entry or have a combination lock. Other safes offer more technologically advanced options, such as digital locks, keypads, dials, and fingerprint readers. Even if your safe has one or more of these advanced entry functions, it will likely still come with a manual key for emergency access.
Size
Safes come in all shapes and sizes, from small, portable safes, to handgun safe boxes to large in-home safes. Before purchasing a safe, consider the items that you want to store in it. If you only have a few personal items like birth certificates and other important documents, consider buying a small, weatherproof safe like the Vaultek LifePod Electronic Lock Box. If you want to store larger items, such as handguns and documents, consider investing in a larger model like the TIGERKING Digital Security Safe.
Weatherproofing
In addition to protecting your items from theft, some safes also protect your belongings from fire and water damage. If your safe is fireproof or waterproof, the manufacturer will tell you for how long it can withstand these conditions. For example, the SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe is has fire protection for one hour and is water-resistant for 24 hours.
Other Ways to Keep Valuables Protected
Using a safe is an easy, affordable way to keep your most-prized items safe and secure. However, if, for whatever reason, you’re looking for alternate ways to keep your items secure or just want to mix it up and not have everything of value in the same spot, here are some other methods you can use to keep your items protected.
Put Items in Hidden Compartments: One clever way to hide items in your home is to create hidden compartments in everyday objects or furniture where you can discreetly store your valuables. For example, you can use hollowed-out books, false bottoms in drawers, or specially designed hidden compartments in your furniture.
Utilize Diversion Safes: Diversion safes are ordinary-looking objects that are designed to conceal valuables and throw off would-be robbers. They come in various forms, such as soda cans, cleaning product containers, or even fake electrical outlets. These safes blend in with their surroundings and can be an effective way to keep valuables hidden in plain sight.
Keep Items in a Bank Safety Deposit Box: One way to keep valuables safe outside the home is by renting a safety deposit box at a bank. This is a secure option for storing important documents, jewelry, and other valuable items. Access to the box is typically restricted and protected by the bank’s security measures.
Keep Items in Portable Lockboxes or Lockable Bags: You can also invest in a lockable bag or a portable lockbox with a secure lock to keep items safe. These can provide a level of security for your valuables when you’re on the move or traveling. Look for options that have tamper-resistant features and are made of durable materials.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safes
Where should I hide my safe?
Safes should be stored away from plain sight in a secluded area. If you can, create a designated space for your safe inside of a wall or underneath the floor. If that’s not an option, you can keep your safe hidden in a closet or behind a large piece of furniture, such as a couch. Floor safes are another option, as they can be embedded directly into your home’s flooring.
Should I bolt down my safe?
If you’re able to, you should bolt down your safe. This will prevent any potential thieves from carrying it out of your home.
Will paper money and documents burn in a fireproof safe?
If your safe is fireproof, it can protect cash, documents, and other personal belongings from fire damage for a designated amount of time up to a certain temperature.
How We Chose the Best Safes
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of safes with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, from doorbell cameras and backyard fencing to pool vacuums and snow blowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
