Best Overall
First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe
- The safe is UL-verified to protect your belongings for one hour up to 1,700°F, and it has a key and combination lock.
The safe is UL-verified to protect your belongings for one hour up to 1,700°F, and it has a key and combination lock.
- It uses a combination lock, so you’ll have to remember your code.
It uses a combination lock, so you’ll have to remember your code.
Our best overall is the First Alert Waterproof and Fire Resistant Safe. This is one of the brands Redmond recommended and is also "well-regarded in the industry," she says.
It's UL-verified to withstand temperatures up to 1,700°F for one hour, ensuring it will protect your belongings for a sufficient length of time. It also has a waterproof seal, protecting your objects even if it's fully immersed in water. This gives you added peace of mind that your belongings are protected if firefighters have to use water.
The safe is 0.94 cubic feet, giving you plenty of space to store your belongings, including essential documents, electronics, and larger items. Plus, it offers a great level of security. It weighs about 80 pounds, making it more difficult for a burglar to take with them during a robbery.
Torrillo recommends you also look for a safe with the "ability to be bolted to a substantial object in the home" as well as one with hidden hinges. Both are important for security. This safe offers these attributes as well as four live-locking door bolts and a combination lock that allows you to set your own code.
Additionally, this safe does offer a backup key that you can store in an inconspicuous location, if necessary to use in its place.
Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL-verified for 60 Minutes at 1700°F | Dimensions: 17.8 x 19.8 x 15 inches | Weight: 79.45 pounds | Security: Combination
Key Terms to Know
- UL Verified: If a safe is verified by Underwriter Laboratories (UL), it means it has met the safety and performance standards specified by the product. Underwriter Laboratories is a third-party certification company that tests for performance standards to ensure consumer safety.
- ETL Certified: This stands for Edison Testing Laboratories (ETL), the certification program operated by Intertek, a third-party company that tests products for quality and safety. ETL-certified safes have met performance standards as listed by the product.
- Fireproof Rating: This is the amount of time a safe can withstand a fire resistance test. The rating means the contents inside the safe can endure fire for that specified amount of time until firefighting efforts begin.
- Cubic Feet: This is a measurement used to express the volume of a three-dimensional space. This number is discovered by multiplying the height, width, and depth of the safe's interior and that number is divided by 1728.
Best Budget
SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe Box
- The safe's sleek design makes it easy to store anywhere in your house.
The safe's sleek design makes it easy to store anywhere in your house.
- Depending on the number of items you plan to store, the size may not be large enough.
Depending on the number of items you plan to store, the size may not be large enough.
The best fireproof safe that doesn't cost a great deal of money is the SentrySafe Fireproof and Waterproof Safe Box. It's UL-certified to endure 30 minutes at 1,550 °F and can be submerged in water for up to 72 hours. Torrillo recommended this brand in particular as they are a leader in the industry and typically more affordable than other high-end options.
When you open the safe, an interior light turns on. This is ideal for quickly spotting what you need in case of a power outage or if the safe is stored in a dark area. The safe stays locked with a key lock.
A second key is included, so you can share it with another member of your household or a trusted family member or friend. The lock is also designed to stay closed in the case of a flood, so it won't open up accidentally.
The size of the safe is smaller than other options on our list—it's only 0.28 cubic feet. However, that should be enough to hold any legal documents and digital devices like flash drives or DVDs. There is also a storage area under the lid, which has two straps to hold objects in place. Plus, the sleek design makes it easy to place it on top shelves or other storage areas without taking up too much room.
Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL-Classified for 30 Minutes at 1550°F | Dimensions: 15.4 x 6.6 x 14.3 inches | Weight: 20 pounds | Security: Key lock
Best Splurge
SentrySafe Fireproof Safe with Dial Combination
- The interior design includes a place for holding keys, a top tray, and a drawer, and is large enough to hold a significant number of items.
The interior design includes a place for holding keys, a top tray, and a drawer, and is large enough to hold a significant number of items.
- The combination lock does not contain a backup key. Plus, the hinges are visible.
The combination lock does not contain a backup key. Plus, the hinges are visible.
For those willing to splurge, the SentrySafe Fireproof Waterproof Safe is UL-certified to endure up to 1,700°F for one hour, and it has even been tested to withstand a 15-foot fall.
It's also ETL verified for water damage up to 24 hours in 8 inches of water, which is not typically found in many fireproof safes. It's also made of alloy steel, a durable construction material for added protection.
The interior of the safe is suitable for those who want to keep their belongings organized. It contains a top shelf, a drawer, and a place for keys.
Plus, with its 2 cubic feet of interior space, there is plenty of room for any other necessary objects you want to keep safe in a fire. The safe weighs 125 pounds, so it will not easily be grabbed in the case of a robbery. You can also bolt down the safe if you want the added security.
The locking mechanism is a combination lock, which is suitable if you prefer a simple locking system. However, it does not include a backup key if you happen to lose the combination code. However, the code is preset by the company, so you can contact them in case you lose it. The hinges are visible but are considered pry-resistant.
Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL certified for 60 Minutes at 1,700°F | Dimensions: 18.6 x 23.8 x 19.3 inches | Weight: 125 pounds | Security: Combination lock
Best Small
Honeywell Portable Waterproof and Fireproof Chest
- It’s fireproof for one hour at 1,700°F.
It’s fireproof for one hour at 1,700°F.
- Even though it has a handle for easy carrying, it weighs 40 pounds so it is hefty.
Even though it has a handle for easy carrying, it weighs 40 pounds so it is hefty.
For a small option, Redmond recommended this brand as being another well-regarded and reputable choice. The Honeywell Portable Waterproof and Fireproof Chest has an ETL-certified protection rating of 60 minutes at 1,700°F and can be submerged in water for 100 hours up to 1 meter. This gives firefighters plenty of time to stop the fire, and you won't have to worry about water damage to the items inside.
The safe measures 0.39 cubic feet, giving you plenty of space to store legal-size documents or jewelry. It weighs 40 pounds, which could be a deterrent during a burglary, but it also may make it difficult for you to move around your house.
The locking mechanism only requires a key to open it. This may not be ideal if you are wanting a more complex system for additional security. However, that is a better option if you are ever in need a neighbor or friend to open the safe to access documents.
"There are definitely situations where people traveling abroad or with a medical emergency, and suddenly need a trusted person to open a safe and found [more complex locks] to be a major challenge," Redmond says.
Product Details: Fireproof Rating: ETL-Certified for 60 Minutes at 1700°F | Dimensions: 19.96 x 7.32 x 17.17 inches | Weight: 41.9 pounds | Security: Key lock
Best for Documents
SentrySafe Safe Box
- It's perfect for storing and organizing legal or otherwise important documents with enough room for you to use file folders.
It's perfect for storing and organizing legal or otherwise important documents with enough room for you to use file folders.
- The hanging file system is sold separately.
The hanging file system is sold separately.
If you want to keep documents safe and organized, the SentrySafe Fireproof Safe Box is the best fireproof safe. It has enough room for you to use letter-size hanging files to organize your documents, making it perfect for those who want to find what they need effortlessly.
There is also a storage area inside the lid for DVDs, passports, and other small objects, so you can find the most important items you need without difficulty. It is also waterproof for up to 72 hours immersed in water.
Inside, the fireproof safe can hold up to 40 hanging files (purchased separately). Its design looks similar to a typical filing system that you might place near your desk, making it a discreet option for your home office.
However, it weighs almost 40 pounds, so it cannot easily be stolen, making it ideal for security. The locking mechanism is a key, which can be ideal if you want to access items swiftly. It comes with an additional key for safekeeping in case the first one gets lost.
Product Details: Fireproof Rating: UL certified for 30 minutes at 1,550°F | Dimensions: 15.5 x 14.3 x 13.5 inches | Weight: 38.9 pounds | Security: Key lock