When it comes to home security and protecting your valuables, a home safe is the best way to go. But with so many different types and brands of safes on the market, how do you know which one is right for you?
There are a variety of different types of Home Safes available on the market, so it is important to do your research and select the one that best suits your needs. With this Home Safe Buyers Guide, we will walk you through the process of choosing a safe that is perfect for your needs.
We will discuss the different types of safes available, as well as crucial factors to consider when making your purchase. So, whether you are looking for a small safe to store your jewelry or a large safe to protect your entire collection of firearms, we got you covered!
Pre-Purchase Thoughts
Pick The Right Sized Safe
One common mistake people make when buying a home safe is choosing one that is too small. Your safe should be big enough to fit all of your valuables, including important documents, jewelry, cash, and other valuables. It is better to be on the side of caution and choose a safe that is too big rather than one that is too small, storage capacity is a crucial point to keep in mind.
Protection
When choosing a safe, you should consider what type of protection you need and how much money you are willing to spend. If you live in an area with a high crime rate, you may want to invest in a burglary-resistant security safe. However, if you are on a budget, a fireproof / fire-resistant or waterproof safe may be all you need.
Consider Your Budget
When it comes to home safes, you get what you pay for. The more expensive the safe, the better the quality and security features will be. The price is mostly a reflection of the material used for the safe. A smaller media safe is made from very thin metal while a tall fireproof gun safe has a more solid steel construction.
Location
Finally, consider where you will be placing your safe. If you are putting it in a closet or office, make sure there is enough space for the door to open fully. If you are planning on hiding your safe, measure the space before you buy to make sure it will fit.
Types Of Safe Locks
There are three different types of safe locks to choose from: keypad, biometric, and traditional mechanical either via a combination lock or a key.
Each locking system has its own set of pros and cons that you should consider before deciding. For example, biometric locks might be more secure than keypads or traditional key locks because they cannot be duplicated. However, they may be more expensive than the other types of locks.
Digital – Keypad
A safe with a digital pin code mechanism is an upgrade to the traditional dial lock. It also comes with other benefits like sharing access codes or opening at specific times etc. (now we are talking access control), but it also means you must make sure that it is not running out of power.
Usually, smaller safes are battery-powered, while larger safes can be connected to an external power source like your regular home outlet. The downside of an electrical keypad is, what happens if you forgot to change or charge the battery, or the power is out? Always make sure the manufacturer is providing an additional way of opening the safe just in case you lose power.
Biometric – Fingerprint
This technology is becoming increasingly more popular as it allows the user to unlock the biometric safe with just their fingerprint. But the same principle with the digital code applies here as well; if the power is out, you need to have a backup to open the safe.
Also, you want to look for safes that offer as close to 100% accuracy as possible. You do not want an unauthorized person to fool the fingerprint reader and open the safe. The same goes for your fingerprint; you do not want to get locked out because the reader cannot recognize your fingerprint anymore.
Mechanical Dial lock – Combination Lock
Call me old school, but I’m a fan of a mechanical dial lock or a combination lock. It gives the whole safe a classic touch, and it is still safe. You might be able to upgrade to an electronic lock later if you decide so; however, only a couple of safe brands do have that option.
Key lock
A safe with just a key mechanism is not a safe in my eyes but only a bigger version of a lockbox. I’m not sure how easy it is to pick a safe with only a keylock mechanism. Sure, there are massive safes out there that are operated just by a key, but it would not be my first choice.
A Mix – Dual locks
Some high security safes are providing a dual lock mechanism. This type of lock needs two ways of unlocking before opening the safe. Sometimes they come with a key and a combination lock or a digital pin pad and a key lock. However, while this sounds like a more secure option, it might also be a bit more inconvenient since you always must carry the key with you or make sure you have access to it.
Type Of Safes
When it comes to choosing a Home Safe, one of the most crucial factors to consider is what you plan to store inside of it. The type of safe you need will be dependent on the items you want to protect. For instance, if you are looking to store important documents, you will need a fire-resistant safe. If you are looking to store jewelry or other valuables, you will need a waterproof and/or burglary-resistant safe.
Document Safes
Document safes come in a variety of sizes, from small safes that can fit under a desk to large safes that can hold several hundred documents. Choose a size that will fit all of your important documents and give you some room to grow. Also, consider the option to have a fireproof document safe.
Firearm / Gun Safe
As a responsible gun owner, you want to make sure you choose a safe that can accommodate those items.
Gun safes are designed to provide maximum security for your belongings, and they come in a variety of sizes to accommodate different items. You will be able to get small gun safes for a single firearm or a full-size vault that is able to secure all your long rifles in addition.
According to the Bureau of Justice, about 1.4 million guns were stolen during household burglaries and other property crimes from 2005 through 2010. Source: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/press/fshbopc0510pr.cfm
Some things to keep in mind when choosing a Firearm / Gun Safe include the type of locking mechanism you want, the size and weight of the safe, and the level of fire protection it offers. Be sure to select a safe that meets all of your needs so you can rest assured knowing your belongings are well-protected.
Naturally, the premium gun safes offer the best burglary protection as they have heavy door construction with pry resistant hinge bars and can withstand certain attacks.
Hidden Safes
The famous behind a picture wall safe is a popular choice for many as it can be easily concealed and often come equipped with security features such as hidden hinges and recessed handles. If you are looking for a home safe that will offer one of the best protection for your valuables, then a hidden wall safe is worth considering.
Another option to consider is a floor safe. Floor safes are bolted to the ground, preferably on a concrete floor, making them extremely difficult to move or break into. They are also usually fireproof, which is an important consideration if you are planning to store any valuable documents or items in your home safe. However, creating a large enough space for a floor space in a concrete floor might be a challenge.
Related article: The 5 Best Portable Safes For Travel And Beach
Safe Features
It is important to consider what features are most important when choosing a home safe. Some people may prioritize fire protection, while others may prioritize security or waterproofing. Below, we will discuss some of the most important features to look for when choosing a home safe.
Fire Protection
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a home safe is how well it will protect your belongings in case of a fire. A fireproof safe protects your documents and some electronics from damage caused by heat and flames.
Look for a fire rated gun safe rated by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and choose one that has at least a UL Class 350 fire rating. This means that the safe has been tested to withstand temperatures over 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for at least one hour without the contents being damaged. It is also designed to protect paper records.
The class 125 1-hour means that the internal temperature will not exceed 125°F for at least an hour when exposed to external temperatures over 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are many different fire ratings but the lower the first number and the higher the last, the higher the price and it comes with the longest fire protection.
Some Fireproof Safes have the issue of being moist on the inside, which might be due to their seal or fire retardant material used. If you do not air them out, your documents might get mold or mildew. A dehumidifier might help.
Security
Another important consideration when choosing a home safe is how secure it will be from thieves. Look for safes that are made with thick, heavy-duty steel and have multiple locking mechanisms. The more difficult the safe is to break into, the better. Make sure to choose the right locking system.
Again, you would think a safe is a safe, but this is wrong. Some are made of thin metal sheets while others have massive metal plates and are beefier in their construction.
Waterproof Or Water-Resistant
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding or other water damage, it is important to choose a waterproof home safe or at least water-resistant. Look for safes that are rated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and choose one that has at least an ISO Class of IPX-7rating. This means that the safe is completely waterproof and will protect your belongings even if it is submerged in water at a depth of one meter, for 30 minutes.
The Option To Bolt It Down
This should not be considered a feature; this should be standard with all safes! Please always look for a safe that you can bolt down to the ground or a wall. If two people can carry away your safe, the safe is not helping you. Thieves can either carry it out by hand via a dolly or hand truck. Once they are out, they have enough time to try to open the safe. Also, they might be able to use specific tools and the weight of the safe to pop it open by tipping it over.
Another reason is the weight of the safe door. If your safe is not fully loaded, it could tip over when you open the heavy door. It will be challenging to catch the safe without getting hurt.
Those are the two most important reasons why you really should look for a safe that you can attach to something or bolt it down.
Accessories
The best home safe comes with a couple of accessories options. Usually, taller safes with a lot of storage capacity provide additional accessories like shelves, inlays, weapon holders, jewelry boxes, and more for your valuables. This helps especially with keeping your safe organized or quick to access if needed.
Light
A safe light is not only for the aesthetics to make the safe interior look more luxurious or nicer. It is indeed beneficial if you have a tall and deep safe or if the safe is hidden somewhere in a darker area. It might not make sense for a small compact safe but then again, if you can have a light in your safe, get it.
Humidity Regulator – Dehumidifier
This is one of my top features I would be looking at if I would get a new fire-resistant safe. I have a fire-resistant safe, and I have to air it out every couple of weeks; otherwise, my documents are starting to get mold or mildew. You can buy an optional dehumidifier for safes, which reduces the humidity in the safe – this is especially important if you store guns or any other kind of metal that could rust over time.
There is also a cheap solution: Those little silica gel packets help a lot to keep the moisture out.
4 Important Tips For Safe Owners
Do Not Talk About Your Safe
The first rule of home safe buying is to never let anyone know you have a safe. If someone knows about your safe, they will be more likely to target your home in the event of a break-in. The fewer people know about even the existence of such a safe, the better it is. Why? There are quite a couple of scenarios where burglaries happened, and the burglar and victim knew each other. Let that sink for a minute.
Hide / Conceal Your Safe
Certain brands are making incredibly beautiful safes, and some display them in plain sight in the living room, office, or anywhere in the house. While it is nice to highlight the safe as an additional design object, just don’t. Even if the safe is 1000 lbs. and bolted down, hide it. Even more important, if you have a small safe in your apartment, hide it. The best way to keep your safe hidden is to conceal it within another piece of furniture or behind a wall hanging.
Always Bolt Down Your Safe
I mentioned it in the features part, and I have to say it again: No matter how big or small your safe is, always bolt it down. This will make it much harder for thieves to take your safe with them if they do manage to break into your home. Many safes come with pre-drilled holes and bolts for easy installation, use them.
Backup
This might be one of my most important tips for a safe: Make sure you have a backup key or another solution for the safe. A safe backup key is highly recommended just in case you forget the combination or the electronic fails on you. If you have a mechanical lock, you might get the combination from the safe manufacturer, but better yet, write it down and hide it somewhere – just not in the safe, and do not make it too obvious – you know, the same as with your passwords!
Conclusion
As you just read, there is a lot to talk about when it comes to finding the best home safe. I want to make sure you are not wasting your money on something that should protect your money or valuables. It is an important investment to make but also a great improvement to your home security, and you should know the ins and outs. You can find some smaller good safes for around $100, but you can also spend upwards of $3500 for a tall stand-up safe with many bells and whistles. Also, do not underestimate the weight of a safe!
I hope this little Home Safe Buyers Guide was helpful for you, and you were able to get some more details before deciding which safe to buy and what to look out for. I will make sure to provide further information on the best safes on the market soon.
– Keep your valuables safe and secure!
