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The 7 Best Home Safes of 2024 to Secure Your Jewelry, Documents, and More

Keep your valuables protected with these home safes.

One of the best home safes on a patterned background.

Better Homes and Gardens / Brian Kopinski

Whether you keep cash, important documents, or jewelry in your home, it’s important to keep them somewhere that’s safe and out of sight. While a hidden drawer or the back of a closet may seem best, a home safe is a secure solution that’ll protect your valuables and give you extra peace of mind. 

According to Scott Loeppert, the founder of Trova, a truly good home safe will be able to fit seamlessly into your decor as well as into your life. In addition to Loeppert, we also spoke with Gene Gyure, president of the Safe and Vault Technicians Association, for additional insight on what to look for in the best home safes.

What We Researched
  • Size: The best size of safe depends on what you will be storing inside it and where you place the safe. We included several options and design styles.
  • Durability: A good safe needs to be durable and able to protect your valuables, so we considered options that are waterproof and fireproof. Some also have temperature and humidity sensors. 
  • Lock System: Not every safe opens the same way, which is why we found a variety of access options, including by digital keys on a keypad, fingerprint, and keypad lock.
Why You Should Get It
  • You can choose from four sizes and two lock options. Plus, it comes with the necessary hardware to mount the safe.

Keep in Mind
  • It’s not waterproof.

The combination of security and ease of operation make the Amazon Basics’ Steel Home Security Safe our pick for the best home safe overall. The safe is offered in four sizes and you can choose between either a keypad or fingerprint lock, so you’ll be able to find the ideal combination for your home.

The safe is made from durable carbon steel, and it has an 8-gauge steel door and a 14-gauge steel body for added security. Additionally, it has two live door bolts and concealed pry-resistant hinges.

Despite its substantial nature, the safe is just under 34 pounds, so one person could still easily lift it. That being said, we appreciate that it comes with pre-drilled mounting holes and hardware, so you can fix it to your floor or wall for additional security.

Whether you choose the programmable keypad or a biometric fingerprint scanner, the safe comes with a backup key should something go wrong with the batteries. Plus, we appreciate that the fingerprint scanner can hold up to 50 individual fingerprints, making this one of the best safes for families.

The interior of the safe is fairly minimal as it features just one shelf for organization. While we think this is one of the best safes to consider, keep in mind that it’s not waterproof, so you may want to store it away from any sources of water.

Product Details: Size: 13.8 x 16.5 x 13 inches | Lock System: Keypad or biometric | Water Resistant: No | Fire Resistant: Not listed

Why You Should Get It
  • The safe offers two lines of defense.

Keep in Mind
  • It has a smaller interior than other options.

Whether you have a small space or don’t want to invest too much in a safe, we recommend this secure pick from Ktaxon. If you want to get through this steel-plated box, you’ll have to get through a keypad lock and have the set of keys, which come included.

Due to its smaller size, this is a good safe for holding items like jewelry, passports, and money. The safe is just over five pounds, which would make it easy for someone to steal. Luckily, the safe features predrilled holes to make wall mounting a viable option.

It’s worth noting that this pick is not waterproof, so you’ll want to be mindful of where you place it. The inside also doesn’t offer quite as much space as other options on our list, but it’s still one of the best safes for an office, bedroom, closet, or other small space.

Product Details: Size: 9.06 x 6.69 x 6.69 inches | Lock System: Dual lock (key and keypad) | Water Resistant: No | Fire Resistant: Not listed

Why You Should Get It
  • The safe features eight pre-drilled holes and tamper-proof door bolts to ensure it doesn’t go anywhere.

Keep in Mind
  • It’s only fireproof for up to one hour.

Although it’s more expensive than other options, the design, quality, and aesthetic of Mycube’s Mini make it a worthy investment. Despite its compact size, the safe features thick, reinforced steel walls and weighs 35 pounds.

Although 35 pounds isn’t as lightweight as other choices on our list, we like that this safe includes eight pre-drilled bolt holes so you can more securely install it in your home. It also has locking door bolts for added protection. Additionally, this safe is one you won’t want to hide far away. The safe has a modern design and is offered in four colors: black, white, teal, and silver. 

When it comes to this safe, we appreciate the small details that make it user-friendly. For example, an illuminated digital keypad makes it easy for you to open it, even in the dark. Meanwhile, an internal light helps you to locate your valuables with ease.

The brand offers a 35-day trial, so you can confirm it works for you before you commit to the investment. While it’s an investment, MyCube provides 24/7 customer support and a lifetime guarantee. Although the safe is certified for protection against fire for up to one hour at 1,700 °F, the guarantee will cover a replacement if necessary. 

Product Details: Size: 16.5 x 9 x 13.5 inches | Lock System: Keypad, backup key | Water Resistant: No | Fire Resistant: Yes

Why You Should Get It
  • The FBI-certified fingerprint sensor can see through dirt and scratches for easy access.

Keep in Mind
  • It has less storage than some other options.

Verifi’s Smart Safe S5000 is our pick for the best smart home safe. The safe features an FBI-certified fingerprint sensor, so you can feel confident that your valuables will be quite secure. 

The safe features a biometric fingerprint scanner that is designed to be able to see through dirt and scratches, so you shouldn’t run into any issues while using it. While other biometric safes feature backup features, like keypads, Verifi is so sure of its technology that it doesn’t have any of these backup features. However, it does include a hidden key behind the logo plate, should something go wrong. 

Although the safe has less storage space than other options, we think its features make it a worthy investment. For example, after every use and every 24 hours, this safe performs a diagnostic test, gauging how much battery is left, if the fingerprint scanner is facing any problems, and if the internal locking mechanisms are working properly. 

You’ll be alerted if any of these features are not working properly, as well as if the battery is low, the door is open, or if there were any attempts to tamper with the safe, like unauthorized fingerprints. Plus, the safe also logs the previous 1,000 attempts made at trying to open it, which is helpful if you’re using it in an office or another shared space. 

This pick is designed so you won’t have to worry about its battery life. Thanks to some built-in features, like an adjustable lighting system, you can expect up to four years of battery life.

Product Details: Size: 13.8 x 7.9 x 13.2 inches | Lock System: Biometric, backup key | Water Resistant: No | Fire Resistant: No

Why You Should Get It
  • It’s less expensive than other options and can double as decor in your home.

Keep in Mind
  • You’ll have to keep track of the key to use it.

If you’re looking to be discreet with hiding your valuables, Amazon Basics’ Book Safe is the best home safe option for you. Designed to look like a standard dictionary that fits right into any existing bookshelf that you may have, the safe is less expensive than other options and serves as a functional piece of decor. 

Unlike other safes that have electric keypads and sensors, the inside cover has a simple lock that you can open with a key. The safe comes with two keys, though you’ll have to be mindful of where you keep them. 

The smaller size of this book makes it ideal for storing items like jewelry, cash, and smaller documents. Since the safe weighs just 1.65 pounds, it’s easy to use and move around. Because it’s so lightweight, however, you’ll want to ensure you hide it properly between other books for extra security in your space. 

Product Details: Size: 9.45 x 2.17 x 6.1 inches | Lock System: Key lock | Water Resistant: No | Fire Resistant: No

Why You Should Get It
  • It can tolerate 8 inches of water for 24 hours while protecting the valuables inside.

Keep in Mind
  • The inside lighting turns off after a minute.

This durable steel safe from SentrySafe is the best home safe if you’re looking for a fireproof pick. The safe has a UL classification that certifies it can handle one hour of 1,700 °F while keeping the inside temperature low enough to protect documents and other valuables.

In addition to its ability to protect your valuables against fire, it can also protect items against liquid damage. The safe offers water resistance for up to 24 hours in 8 inches of water.

Beyond water and fire damage, this safe is also designed to keep intruders out. It uses a digital locking system with programmable codes that can be 1–8 digits. It also has a pry-resistant hinge bar, as well as the necessary hardware to bolt it down. The safe is about 87 pounds, however, so that may not be necessary.

The safe’s interior features a key rack, a door tray, a deep door pocket, and an adjustable locking drawer as well as interior lighting. However, just be aware that the lighting is timed and won’t stay on for more than 60 seconds.

Product Details: Size: 16.3 x 17.8 x 19.3 inches | Lock System: Keypad, backup key | Water Resistant: Yes | Fire Resistant: Yes

Why You Should Get It
  • It’s easy to travel with and links with your smartphone to provide status updates.

Keep in Mind
  • It can only be linked to one phone.

Whether you travel often or you’re looking for more compact safety for your valuables, Trova’s Go is our pick for the best small home safe. The safe is offered in four colors and is small enough to fit into a handbag, car, or carry-on, as well as in a drawer. Plus, it’s made of aluminum, which is both lightweight and durable. 

Using Trova’s app, you’ll be able to track the last known location of the safe, which is especially helpful when you’re traveling. The app will also send you other notifications, like how long your safe has been left open. Just keep in mind that the safe can only be connected to one phone, so you won’t be able to share it with anyone else in your household. 

Inside, there’s a sidecar box for holding small jewelry or medication. It also has a magnetic strap to make sure your valuables are held in place. 

Product Details: Size: 6.1 x 3 x 1.6 inches | Lock System: Electronic, biometric | Water Resistant: Yes | Fire Resistant: No

The Bottom Line

Our pick for the best overall home safe is the Amazon Basics Steel Home Security Safe. We appreciate that it has two lines of security, as well as an interior shelf to help with organization. 

What to Know About Home Safes Before Shopping

Size and Weight

Determining the proper size and weight for your home safe will be determined by the items you intend to keep inside and how much space you have available in your home. If you’re only looking to store things like cash or papers, then a smaller option like the Trova Go or the Amazon Basics Book Safe are both excellent choices with smaller footprints. 

On the other hand, if you are looking for something larger, then the best home safe on our list for you would be the SentrySafe Waterproof and Fireproof Safe Box. The larger footprint than the other choices on our list provides added storage space while the heavier nature also makes it more difficult to steal.

Security Features

Home safes can come with a variety of different security features, with our list including many different styles of lock, including biometric and keypad options. “An electronic lock should operate with a minimum of six, or even eight, digits to gain entry,” says Gyure

While locks are vital for protecting against entry, Gyure says “The number one, best form of security, is the anchor. Safes should be anchored to the floor.”

Gyure adds that all of the available anchor points should be used on a safe, with some exceptions. “If placed in a building utilizing pre-stressed concrete, you never want to drill into the floor and take the chance of causing millions of dollars worth of damage to the building,” he says. 

Durability

A safe’s durability can refer to a few different factors. For starters, the safe itself can be made of more substantial materials like heavy metals to help provide impact resistance, like with the Ktaxon Password Steel Plate Safe Box. This can offer additional protection, according to Gyure.

Another commonly seen factor for durability is fire or waterproofing. “Most modern safes use a wet slurry with gypsum or vermiculite or other moisture-wicking materials. The trapped moisture is the protection and is released as the safe heats up in a fire,” says Gyure. 

Be mindful that not all fireproof safes are created the same and that there are specific factors to consider. You will want to be aware of the temperatures that your specific model can handle as well as the time that it can handle this defined heat. Importantly, you should also be aware that fire protection may dwindle over time. 

“Most 30-minute fire-rated safes will keep the innards below 350°F for the required time. But due to the very nature of their fire protection, over a matter of only a few years, this fire protection may actually drop off. So what you thought was a 30-minute fire-rated safe may actually be as little as 15 minutes or even less,” Gyure says. 

Portability

If you are looking for something to bring with you on the go, then it only makes sense that the option you choose is lightweight and small enough to prioritize convenience. If portability is your goal, the best home safe for you would be the Trova Go, which is specifically designed to fit in your pocket. 

In terms of portability, it’s also worth noting how much your safe weighs. While some of the best home safes can weigh upwards of 80 pounds, lightweight options can easily be lifted and stolen during a break-in. 

Additional Features 

There are additional features that many home safes come with such as internal lighting, like the MyCube Mini, or unique methods of unlocking them, like the biometric fingerprint scanner of the Verifi Smart Safe S5000. Other safes, like the Trova Go offer smart notifications. 

Besides being waterproof or fireproof, it’s also worth noting if your safe offers any specific features that help protect your valuables. 

“With temperature and humidity sensors you can store your jewelry or documents in the exact right temperature and humidity for preservation,” Loeppert says.

Your Questions, Answered

What are the hardest home safes to break into?

Although all home safes offer a level of protection, some may be more secure than others. In Loeppert’s opinion, technology is your friend when it comes to added protection. “The hardest ones are the ones that have smart features and internet connectivity so that if they are tampered with you will immediately know and can alert the police,” he says

Where is the best place to keep a safe in your home?

According to Gyure, if you’re looking to protect valuables and collectibles, you should look to your basement,

“Usually, the coolest place in your home during a fire will be an outside corner of the basement. In case of a collapsing floor, the corner will provide the best protection from being crushed as the house falls down around it,” he says. 

In addition to protecting your valuables from the elements, he also notes that this is a pesky location for burglars because they will have to travel a longer distance to get to the safe as well as to leave with it. 

How much do home safes cost?

Home safes are offered at a variety of price points, so it depends on the size, materials, and features you prefer. For more bells and whistles and added security features, you can expect to pay hundreds at least. On our list, we include options around $15, like the Amazon Basics Book Safe, as well as options that are around $500, like the MyCube Mini.

Who We Are

Jack Byram is a freelance writer who covers all things home-related. As an avid door locker, Jack is constantly looking for new ways to keep his items protected. For this article, he spoke with Scott Loeppert, the founder of Trova, and Gene Gyure, the president of the Safe and Vault Technicians Association, to better understand how home safes work, what to seek from them, and who should consider purchasing one.

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