Review: Best Home Safe
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Gardall LC1414-G-C w Commercial Light Home Safe -
Lock State Digital Wall Home Safe -
Protex Digital Home Safe -
Neiko Fit Anywhere Digital Home Safe -
Secure Logic Keypad Wall Vault 20720 -
Buyer's Guide
The late, great comedian, George Carlin had a very funny bit about stuff. He described life as the associated accumulation of stuff that we compile day after day, week after week and year after year. He noticed that when we travel we take a smaller version of our stuff with us. And while on vacation he noticed that we often take a day trip bringing with us an even smaller version of our stuff. Then coming home, we often come home with more stuff than we left with and therefore the volume of our stuff would increase. Recently, articles in many newspapers talk of a new austerity where people are reducing the amount of stuff they buy, use and keep, and most report feeling freer and happier than ever before. But no matter whether you have a lot of stuff or just a bit of stuff, I guarantee you have some important stuff that you will want to protect from damage or theft. To help you, I have compiled the best home safe list in 2022 to where you can keep your most important. So, take a good look at everything that is important to you and decide which of the five entries on this list fits your needs for size, security and risk of damage from water or fire. And remember, you’re not just getting a safe, you’re creating peace of mind. Sorry, George.
Best Home Safe of 2022 Reviewed in Detail
Gardall LC1414-G-C w Commercial Light Home Safe - Best Home Safe Overall
Let’s just say when it comes to protection, bigger is better. The question is, how much protection do I really need? If the answer is a lot then the Gardall B2818 Utility Safe B Rated Money Chest is for you. With nearly six cubic feet of interior storage capacity this is the big one. It is designed to be the most theft deterrent unit available for under a thousand dollars with five locking bolts, a recessed door, a reliable, UL listed combination lock and four pre drilled holes so it can be bolted to the floor. The door is a full 1/2 inch thick steel plate. There’s nothing too fancy about this one. It’s just a big heavy horse, and that’s why I like it. The only thing you’ll need to worry about is finding a place to put it.
Lock State Digital Wall Home Safe - Runner Up
The LockState LS-52EN Large Digital Wall Safe comes in at number two on the best home safe list. As opposed to the monster that occupies the number one spot on this list, the LockState can be installed in any standard wall by just about anyone in less than an hour. This unit comes with an electronic keypad and actual back up keys in case you forget the code. But make sure you remember where you put the keys. Made of high quality steel. There are several shelves for easy organization. Best used for lots of small items like jewelry or stacks of bills as this safe is only 3.35 inches deep.
Protex Digital Home Safe - Honorable Mention
The Protex Large Digital Safe Primary Safes 2 sits in the middle of the size and price range of the five best home safes so it enters and holds steady in third position. Simple and sturdy, big but not too big, the Protex is a very serviceable, no nonsense, well built safe for most home needs. It is predrilled and can be bolted to the floor for extra protection. The one outstanding feature that I particularly like on this box is its seamless construction and design for added security and a sleek, modern appearance. The Protex is also fire rated for one hour at 1850 degrees which is more than enough protection for your flammables.
Neiko Fit Anywhere Digital Home Safe - Consider
For those of us with a few good things we want to protect wherever we are, the Fit Anywhere Digital Safe Box for Home, Office, Boat/RV - 550 Cubic Inches - Gray Color is a great choice. Small enough for tight spaces or to move from home to office to RV or boat, yet strong enough for you to trust, this mighty might is there so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff. With 550 cu inches of interior space, at just 17 pounds this unit is small enough to go with your or tough enough to get bolted down in any location (bolts included). Uses an electronic keypad to accommodate an eight-digit secret pin code. The Fit Anywhere is not water or fire proof but it is still a hearty entry on this list at a very modest price.
Secure Logic Keypad Wall Vault 20720 - Best Home Safe
The Secure Logic 20720 Keypad Wall Vault, Black reminds me of something that you would see in the next James Bond film or Ocean’s Fourteen. On that alone it makes it onto my list because, at the end of the day, don’t we all want a little of the glamor we see in the movies. Don’t we all want to believe that our stuff is valuable enough to keep hidden in a safe behind a painting where thieves and dishonest house staff walk by it every day and not even know it was there. The company is more practical when they describe the unique combination of InvisiVault’s remote control technology and solid, commercial grade construction available for the above average homeowner. Installs quickly between two standard wall studs and requires no hard wiring. And you can even replace the photo that is included with your favorite velvet painting of dogs playing poker...or something like that.
Buyer's Guide
Most of us keep our money in a bank or building society. Some of us keep a little cash aside for easy access in emergencies and paying people who only accept cash. You may be considering a home safe to protect your valuables.
Owning a home safe is a sound investment. If you choose the right safe, any burglars who enter your home should not be able to access your family heirlooms or savings.
What is the best safe? Well, it depends on what specifications you are looking for. After all, home safes come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Continue reading to see our list of properties and features you may like to look for when buying a home safe.
What is a home safe?
A home safe is a hollow box that is used to store valuables or dangerous items. It consists of a lockable lid usually made from metal. A home safe is usually a lot smaller than other kinds of safes.
Why do you need a home safe?
There are many reasons why you would benefit from owning a home safe.
Here are just a few.
Store important documents
Safes are a great place to store important documents like passports, social security cards, insurance policies, and power of attorney documents. It is easy to put an item away safely and forget where you have placed it. If you get into the habit of putting important documents in a safe, you will be able to find them without a problem.
Store valuables
If you want your valuables and heirlooms to be as safe as possible, put them in a home safe. You should keep anything worth a lot of money in the safe, as well as small items that have a high amount of sentimental value.
Store Cash
Banks aren’t open 24/7, and you may need more money than an ATM allows you to take out in one go. Perhaps you live a long distance from a bank or ATM. Storing some money in a home safe allows you access to your money at any time.
Contents insurance policy
Most contents insurers have a custody clause in their policies that claims items over a certain value must be kept in the owner’s possession, worn by them, or kept in a safe.
Things to consider when buying a home safe
There are many home safes on the market. How do you choose the right one? You can start by reading our list of things to keep in mind. This will save you time and energy when it comes to making your decision.
Here are some of the things you need to consider before making a decision.
Capacity
Work out how much space you need for all your current valuables, documents, and money. Add extra space for your future additions. Safe capacity is measured in liters starting from as little as 5 liters and rising to 300 liters. A home safe will often say how many cubic feet it will store, so you can work out if any unusually shaped valuables will fit.
Steel door gauge
An easy rule to follow: if the gauge figure is high, your steel safe door will be thin; if the gauge is low, the steel will be thick. If you want drill-proof steel, opt for a home safe with a low gauge of 14 or below.
Fire and waterproof
If a fire damages your home, you can rest assured that a fireproof safe will protect your valuables. Similarly, if you have a leak, you will want to keep any important documents dry and intact with a waterproof safe.
Weight
If you want to place your safe on a shelf, you should make it is not too heavy. A small home safe usually weighs around 6lbs, while a large one can weigh over 80lbs.
Digital lock or key lock
You may prefer safe with a digital lock for several reasons. A digital lock has no physical key that can be stolen or misplaced. No one will know your code unless you tell them or if it is easy to guess. You can regularly change your digital code without telling anyone, making it more secure than a physical key.
If you don’t have a great memory and you feel you would need to write down your keycode, you may prefer a safe with a key lock.
Override key
Some home safes come with both a digital lock and an override key if you forget the code. This is a useful feature if you are prone to forgetting passwords. Alternatively, you can regularly use the key and only use the code if you can’t find the key.
Soft interior lining and shelve
Some safes come with a soft interior lining, so your valuables don’t get damaged. Many saves also have a useful shelf so you can keep your valuables ordered and tidy.
Home safe price range
Home safes range massively in price. They start from around $25 and go up to $17,000. If you want a decent mid-range safe, you should budget between $60 and $180.
FAQ
Where is the best place to put a safe in my home?
If you own a multistory home, install the safe somewhere on the ground floor. If you want to put your home safe on a different floor, install it where two outside walls meet. This provides the most support and protection for a heavy safe.
Will a home safe stop thieves from stealing my valuables?
Unfortunately, a home safe won’t guarantee the safety of your valuables. If it is heavy and difficult to carry, opportunists may give up and take something easier. Professional thieves will probably still either take it away or manage to break into it eventually unless it is a high-end safe.
That being said, a home safe will deter most burglars. You will also be covered financially in case of theft.
