I’m searching for a reliable safe for documents and valuables. After doing some research, it feels like almost every safe out there can be cracked easily. I want something that’s difficult to break into. Fireproof would be great, but I keep finding videos where people break in within minutes. Any recommendations?
If you want a solid option, look for a TL-rated safe. A TL-15, for example, has really thick walls and is tested against burglary attempts. Nothing is unbreakable if a thief has enough time and the right tools, but a TL-rated safe, bolted to the ground, will take too long for almost anyone to get into. You could also consider adding cameras or motion detectors for extra security.
For something more affordable, Sturdy Safe is a good choice. It’s not TL-rated but has more steel than many of the cheaper safes you find in stores. Adding cameras to alert you if someone is near your safe helps too.
@LincolnBennett
Exactly. Most fire safes or typical gun safes can be opened in minutes with simple tools. If you’re serious about security, you want a ‘real’ safe, which means TL-rated. These safes have thicker walls and are far harder to break into. Perfect for valuable items like documents or jewelry.
@LincolnBennett
Where do you suggest buying something like that? I don’t think places like Costco or Sam’s carry safes like these.
Hutton said:
@LincolnBennett
Where do you suggest buying something like that? I don’t think places like Costco or Sam’s carry safes like these.
Yeah, you won’t find high-quality safes at places like Costco. You can buy directly from Sturdy Safe, or check out deansafe.com, which has some good options. If you’re looking for TL safes, Craigslist might also have some used ones. A TL-15 safe weighs a lot—around 2500 lbs—compared to the typical 600-800 lbs for most store-bought safes.
No matter what safe you get, an angle grinder can probably break into it eventually. Your best bet is to layer your security. Make sure you don’t give anyone enough time to mess with the safe in the first place.
Amsec, Sun Welding, and Vault Pro are all good options for solid steel safes.
If you have a bigger budget, Hamilton Safes are great too, but they’re more for high-security setups like government or corporate use.
Just keep in mind that even the best safes are only rated for how long they can resist an attack. A thief with enough time and tools can break into anything, so think about what kind of threats you’re most worried about.
Look for a TL-30 or higher-rated safe. This is the kind of safe that can resist serious attacks. Just remember to bolt it to the floor—there are plenty of cases where a thief just walks off with the whole safe if it’s not secured, even if it weighs hundreds of pounds.
@Ty
It’s more about delaying the burglar. I know that with my alarm going off, police response time is about 40 minutes. So I need something that takes a lot of time to crack.
Cody said:
@Ty
It’s more about delaying the burglar. I know that with my alarm going off, police response time is about 40 minutes. So I need something that takes a lot of time to crack.
In that case, you might also want to hide the safe really well. The less obvious it is, the longer it’ll take for anyone to even find it, let alone break into it.
For something on the cheaper side, I use the SereneLife Locking Storage Container Bin for documents. It’s sturdy and can be moved around. It’s more for keeping important documents or small valuables safe, but not something that would resist a break-in.
Fort Knox makes some solid safes. Check them out.
If you have the budget, take a look at Graffunder safes. They’re expensive, but they’re built like tanks.
I found this YouTube series on picking safes really helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TenYHmkECI
I’m pretty happy with my American Security safe. If you’re looking for top quality, Fort Knox is another option worth checking.
Look into Drake Safe Company in Roxboro, NC. They don’t have a fancy website, just a Facebook page, but their safes are really tough and built to last.
If you can afford it, get a full-size safe that’s heavy and can be anchored to the floor.
Have you considered using a safe deposit box at your bank?
Skyler said:
Have you considered using a safe deposit box at your bank?
I did, but during the COVID lockdowns, I couldn’t access mine for months, which caused a lot of issues. That’s why I want something at home now.
@Cody
Got it, that makes sense. I also have a small home safe for documents but keep the really important stuff in a safe deposit box for peace of mind.