Brandt Ranj / Popular Science
Published Dec 13, 2023 1:00 PM EST
These secure, fire-resistant strongboxes let you protect and store passports, jewelry, deeds, and other items with confidence.
Best overall
SentrySafe SFW205CWB
SEE IT
This home safe from SentrySafe features a roomy 2-cubic-foot interior and offers the best fireproof performance in its price range.
Best splurge
Steelwater AMSWFB-685 2-Hour Fireproof and Burglary Safe
SEE IT
This formidable safe is built to withstand burglary attempts and features an extended fireproof duration of two hours.
Best budget
SentrySafe Lock Box
SEE IT
This grab-and-go lockbox offers 30 minutes of fire protection in a portable design that’s great for small essentials and paperwork.
Published Dec 13, 2023 1:00 PM
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Fireproof safes are some of the best ways to guard your irreplaceable valuables in the face of unexpected twists and turns. As with so many preparedness investments of this size, it’s impossible to put a price tag on the value of a fireproof safe in the unfortunate event that it actually comes in handy. There are many varieties of these home safes to choose from depending on the size and type of items you’re looking to safeguard and the level of protection you need (it’s important to remember that “fireproof” safes only resist heat to a certain temperature for a certain amount of time). We considered brand reputation, construction, customer reviews, and price for this list, which features some of the best fireproof safes, from portable handheld boxes to 400-pound burglary-resistant behemoths.
Best overall: SentrySafe SFW205CWB
Best splurge: Steelwater AMSWFB-685 2-Hour Fireproof and Burglary Safe
Best value: SentrySafe Lock Box
The best fireproof safes: Reviews & Recommendations
Best overall: SentrySafe SFW205CWB
Specs
Dimensions (L x W x H): 18.6 x 19.3 x 23.8 inches
Weight: 125 pounds
Fireproofing: 1 hour at 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit
Waterproofing: 24 hours in up to 8 inches
Lock Type: Pre-set dial combination
Capacity: 2.05 cubic feet; tray, drawer, key hooks
Pros
Best price-to-performance ratio in its class
Secure factory-set dial lock
Variety of interior storage areas
Cons
Fireproof performance limited to one hour
For the majority of people looking to safeguard their valuables, the SentrySafe SFW205CWB offers fantastic flexibility and protection, with ample space and a variety of internal storage compartments in a design that will resist fires for up to an hour. This safe features a classic dial combination lock that comes pre-set from the factory, giving it a lasting edge over digital lock designs that require routine battery changing. Inside, the SentrySafe SFW205CWB features six hooks for your essential keys and a position-adjustable tray and drawer for separating small and large essential items. In addition to being fireproof, this safe also guarantees waterproof performance in up to 8 inches of standing water for up to 24 hours, making it a great choice for use in flood-prone areas. Like every worthy safe of its size, the SentrySafe SFW205CWB is relatively heavy, weighing 125 pounds. This will make it challenging to lift and install, so you’ll want to enlist help from another person when accepting delivery. We do wish that this safe offered fire protection lasting a bit longer than an hour, but because price jumps up dramatically the longer a safe resists fire, the $400 SFW205CWB takes the gold when it comes to bang for your buck.
Best splurge: Steelwater AMSWFB-685 2-Hour Fireproof and Burglary Safe
Specs
Dimensions (L x W x H): 20.5 x 21 x 27 inches
Weight: 330 pounds
Fireproofing: 2 hours at 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit
Waterproofing: Water-resistant
Lock Type: Dial combination
Capacity: 2.37 cubic feet; removable shelves
Pros
Extremely secure burglary-resistant design
Resists very hot fires for up to two hours
Removable position-adjustable shelves
Cons
Very large and heavy
If you’re looking to buy a no-compromise fireproof safe for home or business, look no further than the impressively heavy and rugged Steelwater AMSWFB-685. Weighing in at 330 pounds and featuring a 4.5-inch-thick composite door, this $1,300 safe is built to withstand drilling, prying, and other break-in attempts in addition to withstanding blazing temperatures of 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit for up to two hours. Inside, adjustable and removable shelves offer separate storage areas for your jewelry, passports, and other valuables. While the AMSWFB-685 lacks an official waterproof rating and isn’t built to withstand flooding, it is water-resistant and should withstand spraying from fire hoses in the event of a fire. There are also several restrictions on how and where this safe can be delivered due to its incredible 330-pound weight, so double-check the delivery requirements against your location.
Best budget: SentrySafe Lock Box
Specs
Dimensions (L x W x H): 12.1 x 15.3 x 6.3 inches
Weight: 16 pounds
Fireproofing: 30 minutes at 1,550 degrees Fahrenheit
Waterproofing: Water-resistant
Lock Type: Key
Capacity: 0.37 cubic feet
Pros
Lightweight and portable design
Perfect for passports, hard drives, and small essentials
Affordable
Cons
Limited protection from fire and water
Fireproof safes don’t have to be large, heavy, or expensive to get the job done. This $45 lockbox from SentrySafe offers a basic amount of fire protection in a portable design with a handle, making it the perfect place for storing passports, vital records, hard drives, deeds, and other items that you need to take with you in the event of a fire. It features a basic key-based lock for quick access and inner dimensions large enough to fit flat-lying A4-sized documents. Bear in mind that due to its lightweight and portable design, this locked case is only strong enough to protect from fires for a maximum of 30 minutes and doesn’t feature any official waterproof rating. It’s also not large enough to fit any objects taller than 3.8 inches due to its limited internal size.
Here are other safe options that are straight fire:
Best for documents: FireKing FireShield 2S1822-DSF
Best portable: Honeywell LHLP1103G Fire Safe Box
FAQs
Q: How much do fireproof safes cost?
Fireproof safes cost anywhere from around $30 to well over $2,000, depending on their strength, size, and construction. Price is a hard factor to compromise on when securing your valuables, but we tried to feature products with the best value and balance of price to performance. In general, the less money you spend on a fireproof safe, the smaller it will be and the less protection it provides. In this list, that reality is reflected by our budget pick, which offers as much protection as possible for its portable handled design. But there’s an option for everyone, from handheld safety boxes to file cabinets to floor safes for currency and irreplaceable heirlooms.
Q: Do fireproof safes work for wildfires?
Fireproof safes will work for some wildfires if the safe’s temperature rating isn’t exceeded. Our premium pick can withstand fires of 1,850 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours, but many forest fires can exceed 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the US Department of Agriculture. A safe’s rated resistance time will be reduced in such a situation.
Q: Where is the best place in the house for a fireproof safe?
The best place for a fireproof safe in the house is ideally a ground floor corner, closet, or another structurally sound location adjacent to an exterior wall. For further protection from fire, try placing your fireproof safe underneath two or more automatic sprinklers.
Q: What are some of the best fireproof safe brands?
SentrySafe products are featured prominently here not only for their popularity and reputation but also for the company’s nearly 100-year run of business. Honeywell and FireKing were founded in 1929 and 1951, respectively. Steelwater is a relative newcomer with roughly 30 years in business.
Final thoughts on the best fireproof safes
Best overall: SentrySafe SFW205CWB
Best splurge: Steelwater AMSWFB-685 2-Hour Fireproof and Burglary Safe
Best value: SentrySafe Lock Box
Fireproof safes come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of protection. Most people looking to store a variety of items will be pleased with the simplicity and versatility of the SentrySafe SFW205CWB, which features a dial lock, many storage compartments, and 24-hour waterproof performance. If you’re in an area at high risk for wildfires, consider going with the premium Steelwater AMSWFB-685 2-Hour Fireproof and Burglary Safe, which features two-hour protection from hotter fires and very sturdy burglary-resistant construction. If you’re on a budget or just want to store passports, money, or other small items in a grab-and-go security container, the SentrySafe Lock Box costs around $40 and is perfect for keeping items you want to take in the event of an evacuation.
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