Having the best fireproof safe for cash and documents allow you to safely store money and papers and keep them safe against fire, water, and theft. Choosing the best fireproof safe can be a little overwhelming, so here’s a list of the best fireproof safes you can pick from.
Fireproofing your home requires more than installing fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in the right places. Apart from protecting human lives, you also have to exert every possible effort to protect your valuables, including cash, legal documents, digital files and even jewelry.
If you haven’t got one yet, it’s time you look around for the best fireproof safes where you can store important documents and valuables. Not only will a fireproof safe box protect your valuables against fires and moisture when the water sprinkler turns, but will also protect against burglars.
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What is a Fireproof Safe Box?
A fireproof safe box is a fire resistant box designed for storage of essential documents and valuables, including legal documents, certificates, passports, wills, jewelry, and even some cash.
A fireproof safe box is not only fire resistant but also waterproof. When you try to kill fires with water or a fire extinguisher, you need to make sure that your valuables are protected as well. Otherwise, a fireproof safe that is not waterproof will only prove to be useless in real-life fire situations.
Finally, a fireproof safe is also used to deter theft. Most modern-day fireproof safes are equipped with an excellent locking mechanism to keep robbers from stealing your important documents and valuables.
What is a Fireproof Safe Made Of?
Fireproof safes are not made equal, so you can see variations in their materials and construction.
However, reliable fireproof safes are often constructed with a fire retardant material sandwiched between two layers of steel. The fire resistant material could be perlite and vermiculite, gypsum, mineral wool, fire-protected concrete, or calcium.
The door of the safe box also comes with an insulation material that expands in the event of a fire, effectively keeping the temperature inside the safe as low as possible and preventing the contents from getting burned and damaged.
Criteria for the Best Fireproof Safe
We’ve set the following criteria to come up with this list of the best fireproof safes:
Fire Rating
The first consideration is the UL fire rating of the safe box. All of the fireproof safe boxes mentioned here have at least one hour fire resistance rating, the most accepted commercial quality standard for fireproof safes.
This UL rating indicates that the safe box is fire resistant within one hour at 1700 f and the temperature of the interior of the safe does not go over 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Locking Mechanism
The best safes need to be secure not just against fire and water, but also against theft. In this list of fireproof safes, we took into consideration different locking mechanisms, including a digital keypad, key lock, and combination lock.
Storage Capacity
Most people would store their paper records, along with digital files, inside a fireproof safe. This means that it’s important that the storage capacity of a safe can comfortably house legal size documents, cash, and other valuables.
Weight
It’s a given that a fireproof safe is heavy, given the kind of materials and how they were designed and constructed. You could of course find lighter safes, which are also often on the cheaper side, but you can’t just expect to get the same protection that heavy duty fireproof safes offer.
8 Best Fireproof Safes
1. SentrySafe SFW205GQC Fireproof Safe and Waterproof Safe
The SentrySafe SFW205GQC is an excellent fireproof document safe that comes with a lot of wonderful features.
The first thing you’ll see is its size of 2.05 cubic feet, giving the safe spacious storage capacity for your essential documents and valuables. If you have a lot of things to store, a safe with this much storage space is a good option. An added feature is the interior light which allows you to see the contents of the fire safe easily.
It also holds an excellent one-hour UL fire resistance rating, keeping the contents safe against 1700 degrees Fahrenheit exterior temperature. It is also ETL verified to remain impact despite falling from a 15 feet distance. It is also a waterproof safe that can protect your valuables by up to 8 inches of water.
As for its locking mechanism, this fireproof safe comes with a digital keypad plus a secondary locking key. You can set your own digital combination lock, and/or use the secondary locking key for added protection and peace of mind.
Pros
- UL rating of one hour at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit
- Combination locking mechanism (digital and locking key) to ensure optimum security
- Comes with pry resistant hinge bar
- Generous storage capacity
Cons
- Requires high-quality batteries for its digital key lock
- This safe is too heavy to lift and move, so it won’t be as portable as many people would like
2. Honeywell Safes & Door Locks LHLP1104G 1
If you are looking for a more compact and portable fireproof safe, one that you could stash in your legal size documents and smaller valuables, then the Honeywell 1104 Fireproof Safe is a strong contender.
Measuring 0.38 cubic feet and weighing 56 lbs, this Honeywell 1104 fireproof safe is more portable than the others on this list. But that’s not to say that it lacks fire protection. The Honeywell 1104 also comes with a one hour fire rating and can withstand temperatures up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Honeywell 1104 fireproof safe is perfect for the storage of your legal documents and other paperwork. One of its best features is the fact that it comes with a waterproof seal that keeps contents dry for 100 hours should the safe gets drenched or submerged in water (up to 39 inches).
Pros
- 1 hour fire rating at 1700 F
- The Honeywell 1104 is a more portable fireproof safe compared to others on this list
- Waterproof seal prevents moisture for 100 hours
- Comes with a simple key lock, so there is no need to secure batteries
- Inexpensive but solid
Cons
- The locking mechanism does not make it theft-resistant
3. First Alert 2087F
The First Alert 2087F made it to our picks of best fireproof safes because of a number of reasons.
The First Alert 2087F has a UL rating of 1 hour at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit while keeping an internal temperature of below 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is also a bolt-down fireproof safe, so it stays waterproof and fireproof even when you bolt the safe to the floor. The First Alert 2087F is also equipped with a waterproof seal that helps prevent water from leaking into the safe in case of a flood.
The First Alert 2087F also has some nifty security features. For example, it comes with a pry resistant hinge, four locking bolts, and a combination lock to thwart break-ins.
The First Alert 2087F safe has 0.94 cubic feet of storage capacity, so it can definitely store a lot of your essential documents and valuables. The interior dimensions of this safe are 12.88 by 10.38 by 12.25 inches (h x w) and it comes with adjustable storage shelf so you can properly organize the contents inside.
Pros
- UL fire rating of 1 hour at 1700 f degrees
- The combination lock and pry resistant hinge makes it super secure
- It has the generous storage capacity to safe-keep several items and papers
- Its patented lockdown mechanism keeps the safe waterproof and fireproof even when you bolt the safe to the floor
Cons
- Weighing 82 pounds, this safe is quite heavy, making it a little inconvenient to move alone
- There are reports of moisture accumulating inside the safe, so users must use fireproof document bags for added protection
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4. SentrySafe SFW123GDC
The SentrySafe SFW123GDC is slightly smaller and lighter than the SentrySafe SFW205G, but it still ticks all the features that make it one of the best fireproof safes.
To start, it has a UL fire rating of 1 hour at 1700 f degrees Fahrenheit, and ETL verified to survive a 15-foot drop. With that, this fire safe not only offers excellent fire protection but also keeps contents safe against impact.
Additionally, the SFW123GDC is both fireproof and waterproof. It keeps your valuables safe against water damage for 24 hours and up to an 8-inch deep flood.
As for its locking mechanism, this fireproof safe comes with a combination lock and secondary locking key lock. It also has a nice storage capacity with interior dimensions of 12.6 in. W x 13.8 in. H x 11.9 in. D. It has a large storage capacity of 1.23 cubic feet and weighs 86.69 pounds.
Pros
- Excellent fire rating of 1 hour at 1700 F degrees Fahrenheit
- ETL verified to survive a 15-foot drop
- Comes with pry resistant hinge to deter forced entry
- Digital keypad with backlight and backup keys for extra security
Cons
- Needs high-quality Alkaline batteries for the digital lock to work
- It is heavy and not as portable
5. SureSeal by FireKing SS104-A
If you are looking for a portable fireproof box with an excellent fireproof rating, then you should be looking at the SureSeal by FireKing SS104-A. The interior dimensions of this fireproof box are 19.9 x 17 x 7.3 inches, a storage capacity of 0.38 cubic feet, and weighing 56 lbs.
This is a good-sized fireproof box for storing important legal size documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, deeds of sale, insurances, wills, and more. Compared to other large fireproof safes, this one is easier to move. It also requires lesser space so it’s easier to hide.
It has a UL fire rating of 1 hour and can withstand temperatures up to 1700 f degrees. It is also waterproof (but only good for two hours) and even floats.
Pros
- This fire safe has excellent size for storing legal size documents and valuables
- It has a one-hour UL fire rating and can withstand temperatures up to 1700 f
- This portable fireproof safe is easier to hide and move, even without assistance
Cons
- It is an electronic keypad for its locking mechanism and no mention of backup keys
- It claims that it is a waterproof safe, but only good for 2 hours
6. Steelwater AMSWD-500
The Steelwater AMSWD-500 is a fireproof box with a 2 hour fire rating. It can withstand temperatures up to 1850 degrees Fahrenheit. So if you want a safe that brings enormous peace of mind, this one is always worth looking into.
This fire resistant safe measures 4 x 3 x 16 inches, and has an interior storage capacity of 0.99 cubic feet. It is a good-sized safe to house more than just your legal size documents, but also other valuables like photo albums, file folders, and even jewelry.
One of the most remarkable features of this fire safe is how well-built it is. It is made with two layers of steel so you can be sure of its fire resistance. It also comes with nice security features, such as the locking bolts and non-changeable combination lock to ensure optimum protection against theft.
Pros
- Excellent 2 hour fireproof rating
- Solid build with two layers of steel
- Security features include locking bolts and combination lock
- Lots of storage space for important documents and cash
Cons
- The combination lock is pre-set and cannot be changed
7. Honeywell 2605
The Honeywell 2605 provides robust protection against fires, as it has a 2 hour UL fire rating, allowing it to withstand temperatures up to 1850 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is a spacious fire safe with a 0.90 cubic feet storage capacity. The interior is equipped with a removable tray so you can easily organize your valuables. You can easily fit in legal size documents and other valuables with no problems.
In terms of security features, this fireproof safe comes with 2 steel locking bolts and a programmable digital lock. The concealed pry resistant hinges also deter robbers from attempted break-ins, while its audible motion alarm gives off a sound when the safe is tilted or moved.
Apart from being a fire resistant box, the Honeywell 2605 is also a waterproof safe. It stays watertight when submerged, and can protect your valuables against water damage for up to 8 hours. The pre-drilled mounting hole remains waterproof even when you mount the safe to the floor or ground.
Pros
- It has a 2 hour UL fireproof rating which gives this fire safe enormous protection against fires
- It has impeccable security features consisting of a digital lock and bolt down system
- It keeps your documents and valuables safe against water damage for up to 8 hours
- Concealed door hinges make it less accessible to thieves
Cons
- This fire safe is heavy at 113 lbs so it’s not easy to move
8. SentrySafe SFW205CWB Fireproof Waterproof Safe
The SentrySafe SFW205CWB is both a fireproof and waterproof safe that offers excellent storage capacity and fireproof rating.
This safe has a 1 hour UL fireproof rating and can survive temperatures up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, it is ETL verified to remain waterproof for 24 hours in the event of a flood. As for impact resistance, this heavy duty fire resistant safe can survive the impact of a 15-foot fall.
The SentrySafe SFW205CWB comes with a combo locking mechanism. It has locking bolts and a combination lock to ensure the safety of its contents. You could also bolt it down to the floor to prevent thieves from removing the safe.
As for storage capacity, this 2 cubic feet fire safe is spacious enough to hold legal size documents, file folders, and other valuables. It also comes with a removable tray to easily organize the contents.
Pros
- It has a one hour UL fireproof rating, allowing it to withstand high temperatures
- It comes with a combination lock and live locking bolts to prevent others from accessing your safe
- It comes with a bolt-down kit so you can anchor the safe to the floor
- It is also a waterproof safe which keeps your valuables dry against 8 inches of water for 24 hours
Cons
- It is heavy and would be difficult to move alone
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for more fireproof products?
Are any safes completely fireproof?
Nothing is ever really fireproof, not even fireproof safes when exposed to extremely high temperatures for a period of time. However, most fireproof safes are independently tested, and their fireproof rating gives you a good idea of “how fireproof” a safe is.
Is money safe in a fireproof safe?
Yes, money is safe in a fireproof safe. A fire safe with an excellent fireproof rating can indeed protect your cash from getting burnt. So if you have to store in a safe, you should keep a close eye on the fireproof rating.
Looking for a Fireproof Document Holder?
Check out our own fireproof envelopes for documents and cash, available at our shop!
How can we protect documents from the fire?
If you want to protect your legal documents against fire and water, then putting them in a fireproof safe is a great idea. A fireproof safe is also often a waterproof safe, so you can keep your important documents protected from burning and flooding.
Verdict
If you are looking for a fireproof safe that’s worth the money, then you should look at its fireproof rating, which tells you the level of fire protection it offers. Apart from the fireproof rating, other important considerations include its locking mechanism, security features, weight, and storage capacity.
Overall, our choice for the best fireproof safe goes to First Alert 2087F. It ticks all the boxes in our criter1a: it has a good fireproof rating, it comes with both a combination lock (no batteries needed!) and locking bolts. It is also both fireproof and waterproof.
But it’s unique selling point is its patented Ready-seal technology which allows you to anchor the safe to the floor while remaining both fireproof and waterproof.
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