Table of Contents
Always consider the size of the safe you need before purchasing it.
Space and size
Always start with how much space you want inside your safe (aka capacity) and how much space you have in your home for a safe (shelf, closet, stairwell, etc.). As a simple starting point, think about what you want to store in your safe.
Biometrics
Would you rather unlock your safe with your finger or thumb? Then make sure you find a safe with fingerprint scanning technology. Otherwise, keypads are a common feature on home safes, and they all have backup keys to use.
Anti-manipulation
App-connected home safes can send you notifications about tampering, such as when someone enters multiple wrong codes, and they can lock and wait for you to address the problem right away. Along with access history, this is a very informative feature to have.
Fireproofing and waterproofing
A fireproof safe can withstand high temperatures for an hour or so while protecting the materials inside, ideal for house fires. Waterproofing is important if pipes burst or flooding comes your way (and the safe is on the ground).
Durable, saw-resistant bolts
The best home safes have multiple durable bolts that can withstand attempts to saw through them.
Portability and mounting
You may want a safe that is portable, for example if you are taking it on a business trip. But maybe not, to prevent a burglar from making off with it. In that case, you want a safe that (like most of our picks) comes with a mounting kit so you can screw it directly to a floor or wall.
Smart Home Compatibility
We wouldn’t call this a priority for a safe, but if you want your safe to connect to a home security platform, look for the right support, like our pick for Yale.
