Keeping your valuables safe is important, but it is also important to make sure that you are prepared for any emergency like a fire. A fireproof safe is a great way to do that, as it will protect your belongings from both theft and fire.
We’ve crash-tested 15 models and compiled a list of the 7 best fireproof safes and the First Alert 2087F is on top of that. All of these safes can endure high temperatures, with 1,500-1,700 degrees Farrenheit being the average for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. The capacity also varies from 0.7 to 0.99 cubic feet, which is more than enough for small and medium-sized items like passports, jewelry, and USB drives.
More features: waterproof; ETL verified impact resistance
This just might be the best overall fireproof safe on the market today. One of the things that really stands out with this safe is its thick walls and insulation. This combination gives it one of the longest endurance ratings out there. It is capable of keeping your items intact for up to an hour at 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit. When you take into account that most structure fires only burn at 1,100 degrees, you can get a clearer picture as to the quality of this safe. Plain and simple, this safe will keep your things secure if a fire should occur in your home.
The company offers a five-year limited warranty should anything go wrong with the safe. While this warranty isn’t all that long, they also will replace your safe if you have a fire. This emergency warranty has no limit and is actually good for the lifetime of the product.
This safe is also very secure. It uses a combination lock and key to keep your documents and valuables from being tampered with. You just need to make sure that you take the time to memorize the combination carefully since it cannot be changed. Thankfully, the combination is not all that complex, so this shouldn’t be too difficult.
Not only is this safe fireproof, but it is also waterproof and impact resistant. Even if you accidentally drop it while you are moving it into position, you can rest assured that it will still keep your items safe and secure. The fact that it is waterproof helps to make it a great choice for anyone that lives near a body of water.
More features: holds standard file holders; waterproof
One of the most common things for people to keep in their fireproof safes are important files. These files might include marriage licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, or any other number of important papers. All of these papers can be quite difficult to keep in order in a regular firebox, but not with this model. It is built to organize standard file holders easily. This storage setup makes it a great option for anyone that wants to keep their important files, both safe and organized.
As you would imagine with a quality company like First Alert, this model comes with a lifetime guarantee that if you should experience a fire in your home, they will replace this safe free of charge. Not only does this reflect well on the company, but it shows that they stand behind their product, which is just one way that you can tell it is a quality safe.
This safe has a very high-temperature rating. Of course, it won’t last very long at that temperature, as it will only survive for about 30 minutes at 1,550 degrees. This should be plenty of time, however, considering most fires do not get that hot. This safe is also completely waterproof, so you can rest easy if your home is prone to flooding.
This safe is very easy to open and organize. While this is definitely a plus for you, it isn’t all that great if you experience a break-in. This safe is not meant to keep your documents secure against robbers, so you shouldn’t expect it to. Thankfully, it is small enough that you can keep it in a closet out of sight, which should help to keep it a bit safer if someone breaks into your home.
More features: comes with 2 keys; built-in carrying handle
When you hear the word safe, you probably think of something huge and expensive. You might even think that you can’t get good quality safe without spending tons of money. Thankfully, this is not the case, as long as you get this fireproof safe. This model is a high-quality firebox, that won’t cost you a ton of money to buy. Of course, it isn’t quite as durable as some of the more expensive models, but it will still offer plenty of fireproofing for the price. In fact, this safe can withstand 1,550 degrees for about half an hours, which should be plenty of protection for your paper documents.
If you do decide to buy this safe, you will want to make sure that you only use it for paper valuables. The reason for this is that, even though this safe can withstand 1,550 degrees externally, it will heat up to about 400 degrees internally. This temperature, while not dangerous for papers, could melt plastics and some metals. This safe would not be a good option for data storage because of this reason.
This is one of the easier to carry safes on the market today. It is designed to be used very much like a briefcase, complete with easy to use handle. The exterior is very durable, which will help to protect it against any drops, bumps, or dings that might happen.
More features: waterproof
Though fire is usually on everyone’s list as the worst thing that could happen to their home, water damage can be just as devastating. If water gets into your home, it can destroy things just as badly as a fire can, and can turn your once-lovely home into an unlivable mess. Water is just as dangerous to documents and precious mementos as fire, so if you live near any body of water, it only makes sense to look for a fire and waterproof safe. If that is your situation, then you this may be the right model for you.
Not only is this model rated for 30 minutes at 1,550 degrees, but it is also completely waterproof. Even if this safe is completely submerged for a short period of time, your documents will be safe and sound, regardless of whether you are storing paper or electronic items.
This safe also has a large capacity that helps to make it a great option for storing larger items, such as external hard drives full of family memories or even whole photo albums. The case is very easy to open and is wide enough to fit larger items nicely.
The only thing that you will need to keep in mind with this safe is that the locking mechanism is very easy to break. You need to be sure to keep it completely clear when you are closing the safe, or you might accidentally bend it.
More features: comes with 2 entry keys
Lots of times when you are looking at safes, it can be very difficult to find one that will fit into your home, especially if you live in an apartment. Many models are simply too bulky to fit into the living space that you have, much less slide into a closet with ease. This model, on the other hand, is nice and slim, making it an ideal choice for anyone has a limited amount of space to store a safe. While this safe is definitely very slim, it is still more than big enough to fit all of your important documents.
It should come as no surprise that such a slim case is also very easy to move from place to place. Even if you load this fire case down with as many items as possible, you shouldn’t have any issue moving it around. The secure lock and easy carry handle help to make moving this safe very easy.
This case is not really designed to keep your items secure from anything but a fire. Even though the lock is strong enough to hold the case shut, it could easily be opened. It does come with an extra key, which is a good backup if you should accidentally lose the first one.
Something that you will want to keep in mind with this particular case is that it has a very low-temperature rating. This case is only rated to about 400 degrees for a short amount of time. It would keep your documents safe in the event of a minor fire, but would not do very well in the case of a full-scale blaze.
More features: removable inner drawer; adjustable/removable shelf
When it comes to keeping your mementos, documents, and family treasures safe from a fire, you can never be too careful. If you are in the market for a safe that will go above and beyond to make sure that nothing happens to your things should a fire break out in your home, then this just might be the right option for you.
It has the highest fire rating available. In fact, it is rated to protect your items for up to two hours, even if the temperature should reach 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit. It will last for a much longer time if the temperature doesn’t get that high, making this an excellent option for anyone that wants as much of a guarantee as possible for their valuables to survive a fire.
Even though the combination cannot be altered on this model, you can rest assured that it will keep your items extremely safe. It also comes with a set of keys that can be used to unlock it as well. You just want to make sure that you keep these two keys in separate places so that you always have one if you need to use it.
This safe also has one of the largest capacities available, making it a great item for anyone that wants to stow away lots of things. It has an adjustable or removable shelf to help you keep organized. This shelf, along with the removable and easy-to-use drawer, helps to make this one of the best storage units on the market.
More features: steel construction with double-insulated walls
As we have mentioned before, you can never be too careful when it comes to your important documents or valuables and fires. No matter where you are, no matter how new the structure is, and no matter how carefully you plan things out, fire can strike at any time. Which is why it is a good idea to have a portable fireproof safe handy.
This model, which is made by SteelMaster is a great example of a safe that would be a good choice for anyone that is in the process of moving or wants to keep their documents safe when they travel. This model is very lightweight and comes with an easy-to-use carrying handle that makes picking it up and taking it along a breeze.
Since this is such a lightweight and compact box, it should come as no surprise that it is perfect for storing pretty much anywhere in your home. This compact design helps to make it a great option for anyone that is staying in a new residence that hasn’t had a chance to get a bigger safe, as it can easily be stored wherever you want.
Even though this model is relatively small, it still has a very high heat rating. The one issue with this is that it, unfortunately, does not have a very long endurance period. This safe will only last for about 15 minutes at its maximum temperature. It is also not built to protect well against theft, as its locking mechanism could easily be broken, so keep that in mind before you make your final purchase.
In this section, we will go through everything you need to know to find the best fireproof safe to keep your valuables secure. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions, so be sure to read through those as well if you are still unsure about anything.
There are many different reasons that you should pick fireproof safe for your home. These include:
The first thing that you are going to want to consider when it comes to finding your fireproof safe is the capacity. The capacity of the safe is going to determine how many items you can fit into it, and the types of items that you can store within it. The best idea when buying a fireproof safe is to get one that can handle more than you intend to store in it right away. The last thing that you want to do is to limit what you can store in it since you will probably acquire more valuables and more important documents during your life after you purchase your safe.
If you are looking for the largest safe on the market, then the Steelwater AMSWD-500 is going to be the best option. It has plenty of room for valuables, as well as enough space for plenty of documents, even if you have a ton to store. On the other hand, if you are looking to save a bit of money and don’t need to store a lot of stuff, then the Honeywell 6104 might be a good choice.
The security system that your new safe employs will have a direct effect on how secure it is should you experience a break-in at your residence. There are three basic systems that you can choose from in this regard. They are:
When it comes to a fireproof safe, you want to be sure that it is actually fireproof and not simply fire-resistant.
If you get a safe that is only fire-resistant, then your documents won’t last very long if they are exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time. The best idea is to get a safe that has the highest temperature and time rating possible.
Let’s be honest; firefighters are not going to be searching through your home for a safe while they are fighting the fire and trying to get your loved ones to safety. By getting a safe with a high temperature and time duration rating, you will help to make sure that your items are that much safer. If that is what you are looking for, then the Steelwater AMSWD-500 just might be the right safe for you. It can last for a total of two hours at a temperature of 1,800 degrees. This should give your valuable items enough protection during the time that the firefighters are working to extinguish the flames.
The materials used in fire safes are generally very similar across the board. These safes usually have a combination of steel and insulation to help protect your items from being burned or damaged by water. The thing that helps to determine how fireproof your new safe will be is how thick these materials are.
If you look at a smaller safe, like the Honeywell 6104, it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that it doesn’t have the highest temperature or time rating. The insulation and steel are both relatively thin, making this a nice and lightweight safe, which will offer minimal security in the event of a fire. On the other hand, the First Alert 2087F has thick steel and insulation, giving it a much longer endurance time at higher temperatures. Of course, this does make it a heavier safe, so don’t expect to move it around too often once you have it in place.
Once you have determined the capacity you need, as well as the heat rating you want to keep your items secure, then you should carefully plan where you are going to keep your new safe. The external dimensions of the different safes on the market are something that you will want to keep in mind after you have determined where you will keep it in your home. Obviously, if you have a smaller space, then you are going to need to make sure that you get a smaller safe. If space isn’t an issue, then you can go ahead and purchase any size safe.
One of the most common places that people like to keep their safes is in a closet in their bedroom. Even more common, is keeping it on a high shelf in said closet. If that is the case for you and your family, then the SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box might be a good option. It is almost the size of an undersized briefcase, which allows it to fit onto smaller shelves or tight spaces easily.
Any time you buy anything that is designed to keep your items safe, you want to make sure that it is backed by a warranty. Though the hope is that you don’t ever have to use the warranty to replace any part of your new safe, it is nice to know that the company stands behind their product. Some of these safes are also quite an investment, so a warranty is an extra protection to make sure that you don’t lose any money if something should fail on the safe through its normal use.
Something else to keep in mind with these safes is since they are designed to be used in a fire, some companies will offer lifetime replacements should a fire occur. This, as we mentioned before, is a great way for a company to show that they stand behind their product. This lifetime guarantee also helps to make your purchase that much more of a value.
As we said previously, safes are relatively straightforward devices. They are designed to keep your things sealed up and safe from fire and not much else. Of course, there are still some extra features that might make your life a bit easier. One of the best things to keep in mind, especially if you have a lot to store, are removable or adjustable shelves. These shelves will make getting all of your documents and valuables into the safe that much easier.
Something else that you might want to keep in mind, especially if you live near a body of water, is getting a safe that is waterproof. If you do get a waterproof safe, your documents will be protected against more than just fire or break-ins, making it an even better investment in the security of your things.
Finally, if you get a safe that can only be opened by a key, it might be a good idea to get one that comes with an extra set. That way, should you accidentally lose the first set of keys, you will have a backup so that you can still get into your safe.
Though these safes are designed to withstand staggering amounts of heat, that doesn’t mean that they are indestructible. There are several different things that you can do every once in a while to help make sure that your safe is functioning properly. If you don’t take the time to maintain your safe, you run the risk of it failing in the case of an emergency, so be sure to take some time each month to monitor the following:
Of all the different safes that we looked into, the First Alert 2087F is by far the best. It has one of the largest capacities on the market and has an outstanding temperature and time rating. It is also very secure, making it a great option to not only protect your documents against fire but theft as well.
Important papers are the most common thing that people want to keep in their fire safety. As such, the First Alert 2037F is the best fireproof safe around. It is designed to be used with file folders, which makes keeping your things organized super simple.
The affordable SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box will endure 30 minutes at 1,550°F; comes with a carrying handle and 2 keys. It is our Budget Pick for the best fireproof sages
