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Top 10 Best Fireproof Safes – 2020 Reviews and Guide

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Top Fireproof Safe GuideNo one wants to think about something bad happening to their home, but sometimes, things happen. This is why it helps to always be prepared for an emergency situation, like flooding or a house fire. Of course, nobody wants to think about losing their belongings in a fire, but accidents do happen.

While things like furniture and clothing can be replaced, some things can’t – whether it’s treasured family photos or one-of-a-kind items. Some things can be replaced, but it’s a real hassle. This includes things like insurance paper work, birth certificates, and social security cards. To protect these important items, every home and business should have the best fireproof safe possible.

The Top 10 Best Fireproof Safes of 2020

Introduction: What is a Fireproof Safe?

Contents

A fireproof safe is a device that allows the owner to lock valuable or irreplaceable belongings up tightly to keep them safe and inaccessible by others in the home or business. Important documents can be stored safely in one place when you own a fireproof safe.

This has the added function of being able to withstand a fire, so even if other things become damaged from fire, smoke, and water, the contents of the safe remain unharmed.

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What are the Advantages of Owning One?

There are a few very important advantages of owning a fireproof safe. The first is that you can keep your valuables locked away and safe from robbers. You can also use this safe to store documents, photographs, and other important items in the event of a fire.

If the safe is truly fireproof, these items will still be intact, so they won’t be lost to an unfortunate event.

What are the Different Types?

It’s never a bad idea to protect your personal belongings, and if you’re going to invest in a safe, a fireproof one offers an additional layer of protection. Before you invest your money in a new safe, the first thing you need to know is about the different types that you’ll have to choose from when you begin shopping.

Fireproof box

This is a smaller safe that is very portable and can be used to store a small amount of valuable items or important paperwork that you wouldn’t want to lose in a fire. It is typically opened with a key.

Combination safe

This type of safe has a combination lock that is rotated to enter the combination needed to access the content inside.

Digital safe

These safes have a digital lock that you use to enter your code to access the inside of the safe.

Which Safes are the Best Fireproof Safe on the Market?

SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire Chest

If you have a few valuables, a couple of smaller photo albums, or a stack of paperwork you wouldn’t want to lose, this is the right safe for you. This small box is portable, fireproof, and comes with a very cheap price tag. It has a handle so you can take it with you anywhere, and it has just enough space to securely hold your most valuable or private belongings.

Honeywell Model 5101DOJ

If you’re willing to spend a little bit of extra money, you can upgrade from a fire box to this steel safe that keeps your items securely where you need them while protecting them from the unexpected. This safe can be put in a secure place in your home or office, and it even has pre-drilled holes for mounting it safely in place.

First Alert 2096DF

This safe is the perfect combination of security and technology. The digital lock keeps everything locked up tight, while the durable construction is designed to withstand a fire. It provides plenty of interior space for locking up your belongings and paperwork, and it is ideal for expensive electronics that you want to keep protected.

Features to Evaluate

If you’ve decided you want to make your home or business more secure with a safe that is built to withstand the heat of a fire, purchasing the right safe is the next step. You’ll find that there are many different safes on the market, and you may not even know where to start when it comes to making your purchase. Before you just buy the first safe you see, make sure that you get exactly what you need for your home or office by keeping an eye out for these four very important features.

Price

For a small box, you may pay around $50 or even less but for a full-size fireproof safe, you may pay thousands of dollars. You should look at your personal budget to decide what you can afford, but you also need to consider the size and features you need. Buying the cheapest safe may not offer you the most security, but buying the most expensive may not make much sense if you don’t plan on storing anything other than a few papers or smaller items.

Size

There are two reasons that you should consider the size of a safe before making your purchase. The first thing you should consider is the amount of space you have for a safe. If you don’t have a lot of floor space, buying a huge safe that mounts isn’t the smartest choice. You should also consider what you plan on storing. If, for example, you want to store multiple guns, a small box just isn’t going to work. Measure your available space, consider everything you need to store, and then choose a safe size based on these answers.

Lock Type

If you have a tendency to lose keys, you might want to go with a safe with a built-in digital keypad. If you don’t want to fumble with this type of technology, a traditional safe that opens with a key might be the better choice for you. Narrowing down the lock type and how it is opened will more easily help you make a purchasing decision.

Best Uses

Consider what you will be putting inside of the safe before making your purchase. Some are designed to safely house firearms, while others are better suited for paperwork. Make sure you select a product that is designed to hold your specific belongings so you don’t get stuck with a safe that never gets any use.

Price

SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire Chest

This is a very affordable option, boasting a competitive price tag.

Honeywell Model 5101DOJ

This model retails a bit more, but its low price still makes it a very affordable purchase for most budgets.

First Alert 2096DF

This safe’s price-tag places it at the higher end of the pricing scale when compared to other units.

Size

SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire Chest

The measurements inside of this are 11.25″ X 7″ X 3.375″. This the perfect size for disc backups, paperwork, passports, and other small items.

Honeywell Model 5101DOJ

This provides 0.36 cubic feet of interior space for storing smaller items.

First Alert 2096DF

This model has a 2.1 cubic feet capacity. That’s large enough to store plenty of important documents, firearms, and valuables.

Lock Type

SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire Chest

This safe can be secured with the included key. An additional key is available for another person in the household or your office.

Honeywell Model 5101DOJ

This model comes equipped with a programmable digital lock. It also has a key for emergency bypass.

First Alert 2096DF

This unit has a digital lock but it can also be accessed with a key in emergencies.

Best Uses

SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire Chest

This is best for very small items, including paperwork, jewelry, watches, passports, and more.

Honeywell Model 5101DOJ

This small safe is large enough to fit important paperwork, money, small valuables like jewelry, and is even large enough for ammunition and small firearms.

First Alert 2096DF

This is ideal for storing valuables, important paperwork, money, firearms, ammunition.

Final Results: Our Fireproof Safe Reviews

Best Cheap: SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire Chest

SentrySafe 1200BLK Fire ChestIf you don’t want to invest a lot of money in a safe but you want to keep some of your smaller belongings safe from theft or fire, this is a great investment. It is very affordable, but it offers the security that you need. This safe is small, but it has just enough interior space to hold your important documents like passports, social security cards, and insurance paperwork. It can also be used for smaller valuables like jewelry.

The lock and key are easy to use and offer no-fuss entry. It is rated for ½ hour fire protection, so you can keep your most important belongings safe in the event of an emergency. This comes with a convenient carrying handle, so it’s very portable and is small enough to be stored just about anywhere.

Pros:

  • It is affordable
  • It is small enough to fit in a closet, under a bed, or in tighter spaces
  • Easy to lock and open
  • Comes with a spare key

Cons:

  • It can be picked up and moved easily, so the entire box may be taken in the event of a robbery
  • The lock may be easy to pick since this is more for privacy and protection than security

Best for the Money: Honeywell Model 5101DOJ

Honeywell Model 5101DOJ Approved Small Steel Security SafeWhether you want to keep your important paper under lock and key or you want to secure your firearm and ammunition, this safe does it all. This model has everything you need in a safe. Standout features on this model include a digital keypad and LCD display, as well as a key for emergency bypass of the passcode. It is easy to program, simple to open and close, and is very durable and secure.

The unit has holes already pre-drilled so it can be mounted securely in place. It is big enough to hold a variety of items, but it’s not so large that it takes up a lot of floor space. The steel construction makes it extremely durable, too, so you can feel safe knowing that your important items are safe and secure.

Pros:

  • The digital lock and traditional lock give you dual options for accessing your safe
  • It is easy to operate
  • It can be mounted on the floor or on a wall
  • Very durable
  • It is roomy inside
  • Priced affordably
  • Comes backed with a 7-year limited warranty

Cons:

  • It isn’t as secure as more expensive safes and the lock can be picked more easily
  • The keypad is loud and there is not an option to turn off the sound

Best Overall: First Alert 2096DF

First Alert 2096DF Waterproof Fire Safe with Digital LockWhen it comes to your most important belongings, sometimes, you have to spend a little extra to get a quality product. That’s what you’ll find with this unit from First Alert. Despite its higher price tag, this model comes equipped with a variety of safety features that give you peace of mind. This includes pry-resistant concealed hinges for extra security, a digital lock with key override for emergencies, a roomy interior, and a design that is not just fireproof but is waterproof as well.

This model comes equipped with a pull-out file rack and two adjustable shelves, so you can customize the inside to fit your most prized and valuable possessions. It has been rated for up to one hour in fires up to 1700 degrees, giving you the most safety at a price that is very competitive. This model can be bolted to the floor, or the included carrying handle can be added to make it portable.

Pros:

  • It is also waterproof
  • Durable resin design
  • The hinges are pry-resistant
  • It comes with two emergency keys for overrides
  • The combination is easy to program
  • It is a breeze to open and secure the safe
  • It can be mounted
  • Comes with a carrying handle for portability
  • Comes with shelves and a file rack for personalization
  • 5-year warranty

Cons:

  • More expensive than other safes
  • Does not come with pre-drilled holes for mounting

In Conclusion

You don’t want to be unprepared if the unexpected happens, which is why it’s best to invest in a fire safe to keep your personal belongings and important documents safe and secure. If you really want security and protection, the First Alert 2096DF is an outstanding choice. It is well-built, durable, not overly expensive, and provides the fire, water, and security protection you need for your home, office, or other location.