The 7 best home safes of 2025, tested against fire, water, and a sledgehammer

We used to think home safes were only for people with expensive jewelry or stacks of cash to hide from burglars. But in reality, they're just as essential for protecting everyday essentials — like passports, birth certificates, and priceless family keepsakes. With climate change driving more extreme floods, fires, and storms, keeping irreplaceable valuables secure is now a critical part of emergency preparedness. Fortunately, the best home safes under $300 provide a degree of fire and water protection while making it tough for thieves to reach your valuables.

I spoke with four security industry professionals and submerged, burned, and beat 12 popular models to find the best home safes. The SentrySafe Waterproof and Fireproof Digital Safe is our first choice and is a great option for most people; it was difficult to bust into, protected its contents after two hours in a fire, and is too heavy for most thieves to steal. Unfortunately, it didn't pass our waterproof test. If that's important to you, consider the SentrySafe HD4100 Fireproof Safe. This document-style safe not only passed our fire testing but kept its contents dry after being submerged in water for nearly two days. It also costs under $70.

Find out more about how Business Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

Our picks for the best home safes

Best overall: SentrySafe Waterproof and Fireproof Digital Safe (SFW123GDC)- See at Amazon

Best fireproof: SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Large Safe (FPW082HTC) - See at Amazon

Best for documents: SentrySafe HD4100 Fireproof Safe - See at Amazon

Best budget: Amazon Basics Steel Security Safe (25EI) - See at Amazon

Best biometric: Viking Security Safe VS-20BLX Mini Biometric Safe - See at Amazon

Best portable: SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box - See at Amazon

Best small: Honeywell Waterproof and Fireproof Chest (1114) - See at Staples

Best overall

What impressed me most about the SentrySafe Waterproof and Fireproof Digital Safe (SFW123GDC) was how hard it was to break into. With a sledgehammer and crowbar, I've gained access to every other safe in under 10 minutes, but the SentrySafe, with its four one-inch-thick steel bolts and pry-resistant hinge bar, took 30 minutes of effort. I was sweating (and swearing) by the end.

At 86 pounds empty, it's significantly heavier than any other safe in our guide, yet not too heavy for two people to set up. If you're concerned a thief could take off with it, the safe comes with bolt-down hardware for permanent installation. The Waterproof and Fireproof Digital Safe has the added security of requiring a code and physical key to open it.

It is UL classified to handle 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. I misread the rating and kept it in the fire for nearly two hours. No problem: The contents were perfectly safe, even the USB jump drive functioned perfectly after the burning experience.

Though I didn't perform a drop test, the SentrySafe is also ETL verified to withstand a 15-foot fall and remain closed. However, I did test its waterproof credentials — ETL verified for 24 hours in 8-inch-deep water — and it failed. In fact, when I removed the safe from the water after 20 hours, water flowed out of it. If flooding is a concern, consider installing it well above ground.

While having to use a pass code and key to enter the safe was a little annoying, I appreciated the extra level of security. I also liked the spacious 1.23-cubic-foot interior, which features a locking drawer and LED lighting for improved visibility.

Overall, I strongly recommend the SentrySafe Waterproof and Fireproof Digital Safe (SFW123GDC) if you want a reasonably priced home safe that can thwart burglars and survive fires.

Best fireproof

Of the safes we considered, two models from SentrySafe had best in class UL-classified fire protection and were rated to handle temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit for up to an hour. Our top pick overall outlasted this timing after we mistakingly left the fire going too long, but the SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Large Safe (model FPW082HTC) is another reliable option — just slightly smaller in capacity with three bolts instead of four and marginally more affordable. In testing we put paper and a flash drive in the safe before putting it in a fire for 55 minutes. The fire destroyed the safe, but the contents were unharmed.

At 55 pounds, the SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Large Safe is the second heaviest safe we tested. It comes with bolts to make it even harder to steal. I could lift it alone, but it wasn't easy, especially since the safe is bulky and lacks handles.

The door is flush to the sides and features three thick deadbolts, making it difficult to bust open the safe. I didn't attempt to break into it because I needed it intact for the fire test, but it felt secure. Even after going through the fire, I couldn't break the door open. I had to bust through the body of the safe to access the contents.

It comes with two keys for manual entry and can be programmed with up to four five-digit codes. I needed the instructions to figure out how to program the codes, but they were easy to follow. Access to the batteries is inside the safe, which concerned me about passcode entry if the batteries die. Fortunately, you can use a 9-volt battery to operate the keypad and gain access.

The SentrySafe FPW082HTC has an adjustable shelf inside, and when the door opens, an interior light helps you see the contents. While the safe looks large, it features a thick layer of fire-resistant material around the outside. Still, at 0.81 cubic feet, it's big enough to hold reams of documents, jewelry, money, and other sensitive materials.

I was a little disappointed that the safe failed our water test. It's ETL verified to handle five inches of water for 24 hours. Yet, when I tested this, moisture was inside the safe, though it wasn't a full-blown breach. The papers I put inside were partially damp, and water drops were inside.

Best for documents

The SentrySafe HD4100 Fireproof Safe is designed to protect your most important documents. It was the only safe to pass both our water and fire tests, making it the best waterproof safe we tested. The safe is ETL verified to stay waterproof when submerged for 72 hours. We submerged the safe for 45 hours, and the interior remained dry. It's UL classified as fireproof when exposed to temperatures up to 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour. We threw the safe in a fire for about 25 minutes, and the paper and digital media we put inside were unharmed.

Before destroying the safe in the fire test, I used it to protect my valuables for about a year. The spacious interior was enough for my important files.

Since we put this safe through the fire test, we couldn't test how easy it was to break into, but from personal experience, the locking mechanism feels flimsy. All the locks are analog, no digital components or keypads here. It comes with two keys. You turn the key, lift the handle, and you're in.

While it's somewhat cumbersome to carry — it still weighs over 40 pounds— a motivated burglar could easily remove the safe from your home. There are no bolts for securing it. I kept it hidden in an air fryer box in a hard-to-access spot in my basement to keep it inconspicuous.

Best budget

The Amazon Basics Steel Security Safe (Model ‎25EI) is 70% larger than our biometric pick and a third of the price. However, it's not as durably constructed and was easier to break into. Also, it doesn't offer fingerprint access, though you can get a biometric version if you want to spend more.

The Amazon Basics safe is easy to open using a three-to-eight-digit PIN or a key. The setup was simple, though it was hard to see the black battery cover and passcode reset button against the black interior.

The thick dual deadbolts made bashing in the door difficult, but we got in using a four-pound sledgehammer within three minutes. Since the safe is so light and you can access its contents with blunt force, we recommend bolting it down in a covert spot with the four provided bolts.

The safe isn't waterproof or fireproof, so you might want to keep your contents in fireproof document bags.

If you're considering another option from Amazon, you can also purchase Amazon Basics Steel Home Security Safe (Model ‎50SAM). This isn't a big safe, but at 1.64 cubic feet (by our measurement), it's larger than any other safe we tested. We like that it comes with bolts to mount it securely, and it's relatively affordable for its size. Plus, setting the keycode was straightforward. It isn't one of our top picks because it isn't fireproof, and we broke into it within two minutes using a small sledgehammer.

Best biometric

Several features set the Viking Security Safe VS-20BLX Mini Biometric Safe apart from the other models we tested. There are three ways to open the two motorized 20-millimeter steel deadbolts. You can remove the plate on the door to access the keyhole, opened with a four-prong cross key. You can set a four-to-eight-digit passcode or store up to 32 fingerprints for biometric access. Entering the passcode provided faster access than the fingerprint scan. However, the biometric optical sensor is easier to see in the dark since it lights up.

The Viking Security Safe was one of the hardest to bash open in our tests. Before breaching it, we pounded on it for about five minutes with a sledgehammer.This was our previous top pick, until the SentrySafe Waterproof and Fireproof Digital Safe (SFW123GDC) surpassed the Viking due to how long it took to breach it.

The Mini Biometric Safe is relatively light, which could make it easy to steal. Fortunately, it comes with bolts for securing it to the floor or a wall, which we recommend doing. The safe is not fireproof or waterproof, so consider protecting your contents with fireproof bags.

The Viking Security Safe has an LED that illuminates the safe's interior and a beep that lets you know if you left the door unlocked. We found these features helpful and worth the extra cost.

Best portable

In general, you don't want a safe that is easy to move because it's easy to steal. If theft of the safe isn't a concern, the SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box is an affordable way to transport small items under lock and key.

The SentrySafe Fireproof Box is UL-classified to handle temperatures up to 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit for half an hour. After putting it in a fire for about 25 minutes, the papers, USB drive, and microSD card inside remained unharmed, though we destroyed the safe. It isn't waterproof, but the box's contents stayed dry when we doused it with water to extinguish the fire.

The safe comes with two keys, the only way to open it. You can't remove the key while it's unlocked, ensuring you don't accidentally lock the keys inside. The safe also has a handle for easy transport.

Best small

The Honeywell Waterproof and Fireproof Chest (1114) is a popular solution because it's big enough to fit paper documents, yet small enough to bring with you when you need to bug out. But, what impressed me most about it was how well it stood up to fire and water.

It is ETL certified to handle fires for up to an hour. I put it to the test, and it passed easily. The paper documents and digital media were unharmed after nearly an hour, though, as with every model I tested, the safe was unusable afterward. Fortunately, Honeywell offers a lifetime after-fire replacement guarantee, where it will replace your safe for free if it's damaged by a fire.

The Honeywell 1114 is ETL verified to withstand 39 inches of water for 24 hours. I put it in about 24 inches of water for 20 hours: close to the limit without going over. While there was some moisture penetration, the documents remained readable and undamaged, and the jump drive was still functional.

The Honeywell safe is about as easy to use as it gets. You simply insert the key, turn, and open. It also features two compression latches on either side of the lock and handle. These add an extra-tight seal and allow you to carry the safe unlocked if you desire.

The biggest limitation of the Honeywell safe is its poor break-in resistance. I gave a 10-year-old a sledgehammer, and he destroyed the lock and opened the safe within 30 seconds.

Despite this limitation, the Honeywell Waterproof and Fireproof Chest (1114) is an excellent solution for keeping documents and other small items protected from floods and fires.

What to look for in a home safe

This depends on what you want to safeguard and what you are protecting it from. If you're trying to protect important documents from floods or fires, you can get by with a smaller ETL-verified or UL-rated safe to protect against these hazards.

However, if you have larger valuables, including rifles, that you want to keep safe from burglars, you'll want a heavy-duty safe. John Dean, owner ofDean Safe, who has 50 years of experience in the industry, recommended looking for a UL residential security container (RSC) burglary rating to ensure a safe will keep your valuables secure.

Louis Chavez, the global principal engineer in UL's Built Environment group, outlined how UL tests safes that receive RSC designation. "RSCs are generally used in residential homes and should comply with UL 1037, the Standard for Antitheft Alarms and Devices," he said. UL 1037 involves using hand tools you'd commonly find in the home to attack the safe for up to 10 minutes.

Dean also recommended choosing a heavy safe or at least securely bolting it down because if a burglar can remove a safe from your home, they will get into it.

The type of lock, whether with a keypad, combination lock, biometrics or a key can come down to personal preference, and most of the safes we tested include a back-up opening option with a key. Biometric safes can present themselves the most secure since only the intended person can open the safe with their fingerprint or a retina scan, but come with an added cost for the enhanced technology. Digital keypads are convenient for entering a passcode but also require a battery. Meanwhile, combination or dial locks also require a sequence of numbers, letters, or symbols to unlock the safe.

How we test safes

We put each safe in this guide through several objective tests. Though the most important features will vary based on your situation, experts recommend choosing a fireproof safe that is hard to move and break into.

Here are the main attributes of the best safes and how we tested them:

Portability: If a safe is light enough to steal, a burglar will get into it, says Dean. All safes we tested were relatively light. The heaviest was about 86 pounds. We gave preference to safes that came with bolts for secure mounting.

Security: UL, the leading safe certification company, rates residential safes (UL Standard 1037) based on 5 to 10 minutes of attack time using common hand tools, such as a pry bar and hammers. We used a small pry bar and a 4-pound sledgehammer to breach the safes and access the contents. We rated them based on difficulty. Our top pick was the hardest, taking 30 minutes. The Honeywell 1114 was the easiest, taking a 10-year-old 30 seconds to open.

Fire: Some safes we tested were UL Class 350 rated. This rating means that when the safe is exposed to temperatures of 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the internal temp won't exceed 350 degrees. This makes the safe suitable for paper products but not digital media. Still, we put paper documents and digital media in the UL-rated safes and put them in a fire for slightly less time than they're rated for. We then removed the safes and inspected the contents.

Water: Five of the fireproof safes were designated waterproof. We tested these claims by putting paper towels and a magazine in each safe and submerging them in water. We checked the safes after at least 20 hours to see if the contents were dry. Only the SentrySafe HD4100 remained completely dry.

Ease of use: We assessed whether we needed instructions to set up the safe and whether any features made it hard or easy to use. We also timed how long it took to open the safes using each available method. None of the safes took more than 10 seconds to open.

The following chart makes it easy to visualize how long it look to break in to the safe, and whether it passed or failed our fire and waterproof testing.

Home safe FAQs

Why own a safe?

Kevin Hall, a safe technician in New York City, said home safes are beneficial because they keep people honest. "If you keep things out of sight and out of the way, then people's hands are not on them," he said. "Secondly, your valuables, documents, birth certificates, and important papers are out of view." Hall and Dean both mentioned that keeping important items in a safe will help you remember where those items are.

What gun safes do you recommend?

For this guide, we did not consider gun safes, but the experts we talked to recommended well-known brands like Fort Knox, Liberty Safe, and American Security. Gun safes differ from these home safes as they feature organization for storing guns and should feature an even more robust security measures and offer protection from potential fire or water. Biometric locks ensure that only the intended user can open a safe.

How can you get the most out of your safe?

All the experts we talked to stressed the importance of keeping safes hidden. "Common places to avoid, because they are obvious to burglars, include bedroom closets and bedroom dresser drawers," said Chavez.

Hall recommended covering your safe with a box or disguising it as a bookshelf. He suggested hiding wall safes behind a picture or artwork.

Hall also cautioned against using obvious passcodes. "Avoid codes like 123456," said Hall. "Don't use your birthday, your spouse's birthday, or your child's birthday. I've been changing combinations for 20 years, and you'd be surprised by how many people have their safes set to the same numbers."

If you choose a safe that isn't fireproof or waterproof but still want protection, consider getting a fireproof document bag. These bags are relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

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