Best Home Safes

Home Safes: Protecting What Can't Be Replaced

After a neighbor's house fire destroyed everything—including their "fireproof" box from the dollar store—I learned what actually works.

Fire Ratings Actually Matter

UL rated: Independent testing, reliable protection
- ETL verified: Also trustworthy third-party certification
- "Fireproof": Marketing claim, often meaningless
- 1700°F for 1 hour is the gold standard for home fires

### Security vs. Fire Protection
Most safes do one well. True protection often means spending more or accepting trade-offs:
- Security safes: Thick steel, pry resistance, but melt in fires
- Fire safes: Great insulation, but easier to break into
- Combination: Exists, but expensive

### What Size Do You Need?
- Small (0.5-1 cu ft): Documents, jewelry, one handgun
- Medium (1-2 cu ft): Documents, laptops, multiple valuables
- Large (2+ cu ft): Collections, cash reserves, multiple firearms

### Bolt It Down
An unboltted safe is a to-go bag for burglars. Every safe should be anchored to floor or wall.