You don’t necessarily have to live in areas prone to break-ins to need a home safe. Aside from keeping your possessions safe from the prying hands of burglars, the best home safes can actually help keep dangerous items (such as guns and heavy medications) away from the reach of children.
Considering buying a safe for your home? It can be difficult to find one that fits your specific needs, especially considering the fact there are so many options on the Australian market. To help make your decision easier, we’ve reviewed one of the top safe brands in Australia, along with four of its most popular and best-selling products.
Beyond this, we’ve included the low-down on home safes; important things to know about them, and what features to look for when you finally go browsing the shelves. By the end of this article, you’ll be in a great position to pick out the right safe for your home.
Best Home Safes Available in Australia – The Reviews
1. SentrySafe SFW123GDC – Best Home Safe in Australia
- Fireproof safe is UL Classified to endure 1 hour at 1700°F and keep interior temperatures safe for irreplaceable documents, valuables, DVDs, and USBs; ETL Verified to withstand a 15 foot fall during a fire and remain closed
- Waterproof safe is ETL Verified for 24 hours of protection in water up to 8 inches deep offering peace of mind in the event of a flood
- Set your own digital combination fire safe with secondary locking key for strong security; digital combination safe features four live-locking bolts, steel construction, pry-resistant hinge bar, locking drawer, interior light, and bolt down hardware
- Exterior: 16.3 in. W x 19.3 in. D x 17.8 in. H; door requires 14.75 in. of clearance to fully open; Interior: 12.6 in. W x 11.9 in. D x 13.8 in. H; large 1.23 cubic foot capacity; weighs 86.69 pounds
The SentrySafe SFW123GDC fireproof and waterproof safe is an excellent option if you are looking to keep your valuables safe. It is made from Steel-Cased Fire Insulation heavy-duty steel, with a superior locking mechanism consisting of four live locking bolts to keep your valuables safe and where they belong. In comparison to traditional safes, these bolts are about 60% larger. The bolt-down mechanism of this safe prevents it from being removed easily from your residential or commercial property.
In case you think that is not enough, there is also a pry-resistant hinge bar. This reinforces the door of the safe and adds even more protection against theft.
This safe provides up to 1-hour protection against fire and up to a temperature of 1700°F or 927°C. Your possessions will stay dry for about a full day even when they get submerged in up to 8 inches of water thanks to the safe’s ETL-certified water resistance.
It contains a backlit digital keypad and inside lights so you can access your belongings even when it’s dark. The SFW123GDC is excellent for your home or business security needs with UL – fire protection and ETL verification for your digital media, vital documents, and other valuables.
This safe also offers the extra protection of dual lock technology. The digital lock allows users to create two personal 5-digit codes for easy, secure access. With this key, owners of the lock can disable the digital lock, regardless of whether the combination is known by other people.
If you are looking for secure storage space that can withstand a house fire or a flood, this airtight container is the safe you need.
It offers a spacious interior with enough room for your important documents like birth certificates, cash, and digital media devices. A key rack, door tray, deep door pocket, and adjustable locking drawer provide excellent organization on the inside of the safe. The interior lighting is especially handy in dimly lit locations and allows you to easily access your items without the need to add any extra lighting.
For your residential or commercial property, the SentrySafe SFW123GDC is the perfect security solution.
Safe Stats
| Exterior Size: | 49.02 cm H x 45.21 cm W x 39.14 D |
| Interior Size: | 35.05 cm H x 32.04 cm W x 30.22 cm D |
| Capacity: | 0.034 Cubic M |
| Lock Type: | Digital |
| Peril Type: | Security, Fire, Water |
| Weight: | 39.14 kgs |
| Material: | Steel-Cased Fire Insulation |
Pros
- Can be installed in your home and due to its size and weight hard to move in a hurry
- Solid construction
- Sentry Safe – Trusted brand
- Fire and Water-resistant
- digital keypad – with a key to disable the digital clock
Cons
Heavy and requires 2 people to move safely
- Remember your access code or you will be locked out
2. SentrySafe X125 Security Safe with Digital Keypad – 2nd Best Home Safe
- Product Type: Security Electronics
- Package Quantity: 1
- Exterior: 16.9 inch W x 14.6 inch D x 10.6 inch H; Interior: 16.8 inch W x 11.6 inch D x 10.5 inch H; Extra-large 1.18 cubic foot capacity; weighs 27 pounds
- Country of Origin: China
Protect your valuables with the SentrySafe X125 home security safe. It has a carpeted interior, a removable, adjustable shelf, and access to the power wire for security while charging your electronics. Further, it can be used as a laptop safe, a personal safe for the house, or a safe for pieces of jewellery.
This home safe features 2 live-locking bolts and its protective features include a steel construction with concealed hinges and bolt-down hardware. Locking bolts also offer advanced theft and unauthorized user prevention.
The solid-steel construction, pry-resistance hinge bar, and heavy-duty locks provide higher protection specifically against tool attacks.
Safe Stats
| Exterior Size: | 26.92 cm H x 42.92 cm W x 37.08 cm D |
| Interior Size: | 26.67 cm H x 42.67 cm W x 29.46 cm D |
| Capacity: | 0.033 Cubic M |
| Lock Type: | Digital |
| Peril Type: | Security |
| Weight: | 12.25 kgs |
| Material: | Solid Steel |
Pros
- Can be installed in your home and mobile home or Motor home
- Solid construction – fits easily in a small-ish space
- Fire and Water-resistant
Cons
- Best to be bolted to a surface due to weight
- You’ll be unable to access the contents of your safe if you forget your access code
3. SentrySafe SF123ES Fireproof Safe with Digital Keypad – Top Rated Home Safe
- Fireproof safe is UL Classified to endure 1 hour at 1700°F and keep the interior temperatures safe for irreplaceable documents, valuables, DVDs, and USBs
- ETL Verified to withstand a 15 foot fall during a fire and remain closed
- Set your own digital combination fire safe for strong security; Digital combination safe features 4 live-locking bolts, steel construction, pry-resistant hinge bar, shelf, and bolt down hardware. Do not drill through the back or side
- Exterior: 16.3 inch W x 19. 3 inch D x 17.8 inch H; Door requires 16.6 inches of clearance to fully open; Interior: 12. 6 inch W x 11.9 inch D x 13.8 inch H; Large 1.23 cubic foot capacity; Weighs 85 pounds
The SF123ES is a UL-listed fireproof safe that can withstand temperatures of up to 1700° F (927°C) for an hour while keeping important documents, valuables, DVDs, and USBs secure.
This safe contains a battery-operated digital locking system with a 1 to 8-digit programmable code. Multiple users, each with their unique code, are also permitted.
This safe’s sturdy steel structure is long-lasting and reliable, and a pry-resistant hinge bar supports the safe’s door for further security against burglars.
A key hook, large door compartment, and flexible shelf are included in the internal structure.
Boasting an ETL certification, this fireproof safe can withstand a fall of up to 15-foot during a fire. It’s also been designed to be impregnable.
So, even in the case of fires, the internal temperature will stay cool to protect your important documents.
Safe Stats
| Exterior Size: | 45.21 cm H x 41.40 cm W x 49.02 cm D |
| Interior Size: | 35.05 cm H x 32.00 cm W x 30.22 cm D |
| Capacity: | 0.033 Cubic M |
| Lock Type: | Digital |
| Peril Type: | Security, Fire |
| Weight: | 38.7 kgs |
| Material: | Steel-Cased Fire Insulation |
Pros
- Can be installed in your home and due to its size and weight hard to move in a hurry
- Solid construction
- Trusted manufacturer
- Fire and Water-resistant
Cons
- Heavy and requires 2 people to move safely
- Don’t lose your keys or you won’t be able to reset the key code
- Remember your access code or no access
4. SentrySafe CHW30220 Fireproof Box and Waterproof Box
- This safe box, fireproof, waterproof, holds A4 sized paper and contains straps to easily stash and find social security cards, passports, birth certificates and other critical records
- Fireproof safe is UL classified for ½ hour at 1550°F, keeping valuables safe while emergency responders address the situation
- The lid of the small safe includes tubular key lock for added security and to prevent the lid from opening in the event of a fire; Includes 2 keys
- Waterproof safe is ETL verified for 72 hours of water submersion offering peace of mind in the event of a flood
The SentrySafe CHW30220 is a fireproof UL Classified box to endure a half-hour at 1550°F or 843°C. This guarantees the protection of irreplaceable documents and valuables like DVDs and USBs and physical cash from fire.
Designed to be water-resistant, the box has been ETL-certified to ensure that flooding is the least of your worries.
In addition to the tubular key lock that provides additional security, this fireproof lockbox also has a thumb latch that makes sure that the lid remains sealed during a fire.
There are two keys included so you get a backup key. Unwanted viewers or youngsters can be prevented from accessing the contents of the safe by a privacy key lock. The safe provides extra protection and can withstand power tool attacks.
Designed with built-in straps for easy storage of birth certificates, social security cards, and passports, this firebox offers document security mechanisms as well.
Additionally, it can fit A4 documents. The in-lid organizer is also perfect for holding small valuables such as spare keys, passports, or media files that you need readily accessible.
Safe Stats
| Exterior Size: | 19.30 cm H x 41.91 cm W x 37.59 cm D |
| Interior Size: | 13.71 cm H x 32.00 cm W x 23.36 cm D |
| Capacity: | 0.010 Cubic M |
| Lock Type: | Tubular Key |
| Peril Type: | Security, Fire, Water |
| Weight: | 10.9 kgs |
| Material: | Captured Fire Insulation |
Pros
- Can be installed in your car or home
- Solid construction
- Fire and Water-resistant
- trusted brand with many great reviews
- Can be used as an office lockup for workplace valuables
Cons
- Best to be bolted down as it is quite light.
- Remember your access code or access will be impossible.
Help Choosing The Best Home Safe – Buyers Guide
Before heading to the stores, here are a few things to take note of, so you can head back home with the perfect safe for you.
Reasons to own a office or home safe: theft, fire and flood, and firearms
There are so many reasons why investing in a home safe is a smart idea, but these three are probably the most prominent. One of the most common reasons why people own safes is to ensure the protection of their precious possessions against theft.
Anything of value, either sentimental or material, is often the target of thieves, especially if you live in an area where break-ins are frequent. A good safe will keep your prized possessions out of the reach of internal or external elements who would relieve you of their possession.
Keeping sensitive documents or other irreplaceable items at home is a big risk, especially when you don’t keep them locked in a safe. Those items may be unappealing to burglars, but then they’re exposed to the risk of natural (or even man-made) disasters such as fire and flooding.
The irony of the whole thing is that those documents may become even more crucial in the event of a natural disaster. For instance, things may be a whole lot more complicated than necessary if the original copy of your insurance policy got destroyed along with your home in a disaster.
When it comes to essential documents such as immigration paperwork, birth certificates, marriage licenses and so on, your best policy would be to store them in a waterproof and fireproof safe.
Leaving guns and other firearms lying around carelessly is not only irresponsible, but it may also get you in trouble. You’ll be regarded as liable if a firearm used to commit a crime can be traced to you.
Also, whether you enjoy target shooting or hunting, or you simply wish to maintain a firearm for home defence, keeping it out of the reach of youngsters is paramount. With firearms, hiding them in places you consider secure is not a good enough option; children manage to get into all kinds of places.
Safely locking up your guns in a gun safe makes you a responsible gun owner as well as a good citizen. Besides, keeping your guns in a safe can protect them from theft.
What are cash, fire, and TDR ratings?
These terms are used to refer to the performance of safes while under attack in these contexts. Safes with a cash rating are built to guard against forced entry.
Cash ratings are based on the safe’s level of security and are subjected to a variety of tests by independent agencies to establish how long it would take an attacker to open the safe.
Based on the assumption that the safe is unsupported and that there is no monitored alarm, the cash rating is calculated. The cash rating might help determine how much an insurance company will pay out if the safe is broken into.
Independent authorities test and rate fire-rated safes. The amount of time a safe will withstand the impact of a fire or intense heat is used to determine the rating level.
The fire ratings are categorised between 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. It’s vital to note that there are no fireproof safes; instead, they’re fire-resistant. The higher the fire resistance, the better the protection.
In short, TDR stands for Torch and Drill Resistant. Banks, government agencies, jewellers, and commercial applications that require high levels of security rely on TDR Safes.
Strong barrier materials are used in TDR safes to provide high levels of defensive strength. In order for these safes to be extraordinarily difficult to open, safe engineers have incorporated sophisticated technologies.
Installing a safe at home
Home safes can be installed without professional assistance in the majority of cases. All you’ll need for the task is a couple of DIY tools. Depending on the type of safe you want to install, and on its purpose, there are a lot of places in your home where you can install it. The most common places to install a safe are
- on the wall
- in the wall
- under the floor
Again, the best place to install a safe would depend on the safe’s application and the internal layout of your house, to a smaller extent.
Using a few bolts, wall safes can typically be secured to the floor or the wall. In order to install the safes securely, you need expansion bolts, which expand with the force of your tightening, further anchoring the safe in the wall.
Start by drilling holes in the wall or floor. You should mark the area to be drilled with chalk, then drill the hole with an electric drill and a masonry drill bit. After the holes have been drilled, place the safe over the bolts and, depending on the bolt, tighten them with a screwdriver or spanner.
In-wall safes usually fit into a cavity prepared in the wall. Typically, these kinds of safes require a custom fit and may replace regular building bricks in the area where they’re placed. In some cases, they’re concealed with paintings, photos, or other structures.
You must first inspect your floor before installing an underfloor safe. Is it concrete, or do you wish to bury the safe beneath the floorboards?
Make a hole twice the size of the safe for a concrete floor. Fill the hole with concrete and place the safe inside. The safe must be placed in a precut hole and surrounded by wooden shutters before concrete is poured into the hole.
Position, Anchoring, and Professional Safe Installation
The handling of burglary equipment becomes more complex and arduous the higher the safe is situated, making breaking into and even unhinging it much more difficult.
A good position is at eye level, which is comfortable for users but problematic for potential burglars. Striking a safe with a sledgehammer from above is significantly more exhausting and ineffective than striking it from below.
The better a wall safe is positioned, the more difficult it is to remove it from the wall. The concrete mix must be made using high-quality components (for example, 425 cement combined with sand at a rate of roughly 400 kg/m3).
If the wall in which the safe will be installed is composed of reinforced concrete, anchoring the fins on the back of the case to the reinforcement inside the wall is an excellent solution.
However, even in the case of an ordinary brick wall, the fins on the back of the case must be fitted with steel brackets or bars that are longer than the size of the safe itself, to increase the anchoring length inside the wall, ensuring that thieves attempting to remove it will need a significant amount of time, work, and effort.
The rear fins should be curved into an “L” shape rather than being straight for even better anchorage.
Features to look for in a home safe
To ensure that your valuables are kept in the safest, most secure location possible, keep an eye out for these features when you go browsing the shelves for a new safe:
- Cash rating: The cash rating of a safe is used to determine its level of security and, by extension, how much valuables should be kept within the safe.
- Size: Determine the size of the safe based on the number of items you intend to store within. Consider what precious objects you intend to keep inside, such as jewellery, a laptop, documents, expensive wines, cash, passports, or guns. Always leave some additional space for future usage.
- Fireproof: It’s good to choose a fireproof safe, especially if the items you plan to store inside are flammable. Many safes claim to be fireproof for up to an hour or two, which can come in handy if your house catches fire.
- Lock mechanism: You must determine which lock is the most secure and handy for your use. A combination lock, a metal key, or a fingerprint recognition locking system are the three primary options to consider.
- Water resistance: Many people are aware of the need of purchasing a fire-resistant safe, but many are unaware of the importance of purchasing a water-resistant safe. Remember that the stream of water used to put out a fire often causes more damage than the fire itself.
- Where to put it: Consider where you’ll put it; many people prefer to keep their safe close by so they can keep an eye on it. The most crucial thing to keep in mind is that it should be carefully hidden so a burglar cannot readily locate it.
- Alarm: Keep an eye out for safes that raise a racket once they discover a breach. If you prefer a portable safe to a built-in one, SentrySafe offers several excellent options.
- Portable or built-in: When choosing a safe for your home, opt for a built-in safe rather than a portable safe that could be dragged away by a burglar. Consider if you truly want to keep all of your belongings in one convenient location. You can make a convenient “luggage” out of your valuables by placing them within a portable lock. This will assist a thief to flee quickly.
- Your budget: Consider the cost of keeping your home safe. Budget appropriately for your home safe. Clearly, you wouldn’t buy a $5,000 safe to store a pair of $1,000 earrings, unless the earrings are extremely sentimental to you.
The lock – key, combination, or both?
One decision you’ll likely be faced with is the choice between opting for a key lock or a combination lock for your home safe. Both of these options have their merits and weaknesses as well. Depending on how you intend to use them, each of them can be extremely effective.
Before you opt for one option or the other, you should carefully consider points that do not count in their favour.
Key locks require you to keep your keys on you, and if you tend to misplace your keys often, this option may not be the best for you. In the same vein, if remembering combinations is not your strong suit, you may need to look beyond combination locks.
You may also need to consider situations that warrant emergency access to your safe without having access to your keys. In such a scenario, what chances would you have, based on the security of the lock?
Anything that uses combination padlocks is not covered by insurance. Combination padlocks, on the other hand, are extremely useful when multiple people need access to the same safe.
It all boils down to the worth of the items you’re protecting when it comes to making a decision. If you have anything valuable and important, it is highly recommended that you strengthen the protection of your asset rather than relying on a simple combination padlock.
Combination padlocks, on their own, do not guarantee maximum protection for your assets. Depending on how valuable your items are, you may opt for a lock that supports both options. Bear in mind, however, that accessing these kinds of safes will require a bit more physical and mental effort on your part.
Weight and construction of your safe
The golden rule of home safes is, the heavier it is, the better it’s able to support and hold more items. Generally, bigger and heavier safes are more likely to have features such as water resistance and fire resistance. They are also far more likely to be made with durable, high-quality materials, which leaves them better able to survive mishaps.
A compact safe might be as light as six pounds. A more durable one with fire retardant can weigh up to 90 pounds, depending on its size and capacity. A good professional safe might weigh anywhere from 250 pounds to an almost indeterminable value. The safe’s weight is mostly dictated by its composition and capacity.
How much do safes cost?
When it comes to safes, you do get what you pay for. How much you’re willing to spend on a safe should depend, typically, on the value of the items you want to secure. A fire-resistant 24″ x 20″ safe costs between $600 and $800.
Cheaper safes of the same size range from $200 to $400, but they lack a fire rating and are made of inferior materials. Larger safes, measuring 36″ x 24″ or larger, can cost up to $1,200.
The size of the safe you require is determined by the items you intend to keep within. In a smaller safe, coins, jewels, and documents should be safe. A 5 foot safe, on the other hand, might be necessary if you plan on storing guns or other significant items.
Frequently Asked Questions About Safes
Which SentrySafe is the best?
There are lots of excellent SentrySafe products on the market, but our choice would be the SentrySafe SFW123GDC because of its sturdy build, superior locking mechanism, and cutting-edge anti-theft features, among other attributes.
Are SentrySafes any good?
Safes from SentrySafe have long been regarded as the best in class due to their assortment of qualities including fire, water, and theft resistance, superb build, reliable locking mechanisms, and budget-friendliness.
Which brand of safes are the best?
In addition to safes in the SentrySafe lineup, other noteworthy and reliable safe brands include Verifi Smart Safe, AmazonBasics, and Barska.
Where in your home should you keep a safe?
The most secure location for a safe would be at the intersection of two exterior walls. For a heavy safe, this gives maximum protection and support. It’s advisable to store the safe on the ground floor in a house with numerous stories.
Which fire safe is best for a home?
This would depend on your budget, but our recommendation would be the SentrySafe SFW123GDC.
Do all safes have moisture problems?
Moisture in safes is a general and unavoidable occurrence. However, moisture in safes can be effectively managed.
How do you keep money in a safe dry?
To prevent money kept in safes from getting damp, place baking soda or silica gel packets on the bottom of the safe.
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