Best Home Safe Reviews UK 2023 – Top 10 Choices Compared

Last Updated on January 10, 2023

Our Favourites

Editor’s Choice: Yale Locks YMS 25 cm Medium Digital
Best with Buzzer: Dirty Pro Tools Electronic Steel
Best Value: Dirty Pro Tools High Security

If you feel the need to protect your important documents, valuable items, treasured memories and hard cash from intruders; the best solution is a sturdy home safe. These safes offer a convenient and secure alternative to deposit boxes, while also acting as an effective theft deterrent. For this reason, choosing the right home safe is an important decision. After all, this box will be tasked to protect your most treasured items. With so many safes available at the present time, picking the right one to buy for your needs can be a confusing experience. In this guide, we make choosing easy to do. Let’s see which is the best home safe UK families would love, so you can make your own decision about which to buy.

How We Compared Home Safes

To find the right home safes we considered multiple factors including:

• Cash Rating
• Fire Rating
• Locking Mechanism
• Installation
• Safe Size

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

To find out more about our process please see here.

Top 10 Home Safe Reviews

We can defend our homes from ‘cat burglars’ and animal pests by installing microchip cat flaps. But what about human thieves? How can we have security that they won’t be able to get to and run away with our valuables? Of course, we can do this by having safes. Let’s get started with our reviews of the top 10 best home safes so that you can pick the right option to protect your treasures at home.

1. Yale Locks YMS 25 cm Medium Digital (Editor’s Choice)

The Yale Locks YMS 25 cm Digital Safe is a great solution to safekeeping your valuables. Being small in size, this safe is perfect for those who prefer a more inconspicuous security method.

This safe has a 4-digit programmable keypad allowing entry into a soft lined interior which protects the items stored inside. Should you forget the access code, two additional override keys are provided, So, you can still get to your belongings in an emergency. This can be securely mounted to most surfaces. Fixing bolts are provided, as well as pre-drilled holes for installation convenience. More sturdy bolts can be used in place of those included if required.

2. Dirty Pro Tools Electronic Steel (Best with Buzzer)

With a 44.6-litre capacity, the Dirty Pro Tools Large Safe offers one of the largest storage volumes for a competitive price. If you have numerous items you wish to store away, using this safe means you will have plenty of room to store them without resorting to stacking potentially delicate belongings on top of each other.

Users can choose a combination code between 3 and 8 digits long, which offers potentially thousands of access codes. Two backup override keys are provided just in case the code is forgotten or the batteries run flat. A removable shelf is located inside the felt-lined interior so organising your items is simple and convenient. Users can rest easy, knowing that their valuables are kept protected from thieves behind the solid 16 mm locking bolts.

3. Dirty Pro Tools High Security (Best Value)

The Dirty Pro Tools High Security Electronic Digital Safe offers a 10-litre capacity and is insurance rated to £1,000 cash or £10,000 in valuables.

Finished in a smart fine powder coating with a felt inner lining, this safe looks attractive as well as does a great job of protecting your treasured items. The door is fashioned from 3.6 mm thick steel, whilst the body walls are 1.5 mm thick. Access codes can be between 3 and 8 digits in length, easily programmed with the keypad and LED light indicator.

Moreover, this safe will auto-lock after a period of time, so you can have peace of mind that your valuables are secure. Should you have an issue with the electronic code, two backup access keys are included. On the other hand, it is not fire-resistant.

4. Deuba Digital 56L (Best Capacity)

Measuring 40x40x35 cm and with a capacity of 56 L, the Deuba Digital Safe has the largest capacity of any other safe on our list. This model is constructed entirely from steel, so any potential thieves will struggle to gain easy access by force.

Showcasing an electronic double-bolt lock, it gives users the option of more than 10,000 possible combination codes between 3 and 8 digits long.

If the wrong code is entered, or the batteries are running low, an LED indicator will light up. The electronic keypad can be overridden by using one of the two keys provided. This safe comes with a complete installation kit for effortless attachment onto the wall or into the floor. On the other hand, it is not fire-resistant or cash rated.

5. Yale Locks YSB250EB1 Premium (Luxury Choice)

The Yale Locks YSB250EB1 Premium Home Safe offers 22 mm electric locking bolts, as well as a 6 lever double bit override for extra security. The hinges are reinforced against brute attacks and the door is laser-cut to ensure minimal gap.

A digital keypad allows the programming of access codes between 3 and 8 digits long. It has a sleek backlit display that can be set to hide or show the code as it is typed in. This screen will also advise the owner when the battery level is running low. If the batteries run out, or the code is forgotten, two override keys are included as backup security. It is rather lightweight so it should be bolted down with the kit provided. This safe is also insurance rated to £1,000 in cash or valuables worth £10,000. On the other hand, it is not fire-resistant.

6. Rottner Saturn LE17 (Best Fireproof)

This Rottner Saturn LE17 Key Lock Safe is the only non-digital safe on our list which offers an insurance rating. This may be the best home safe UK families would buy if they do not want to go digital. The mentioned insurance rating is up to £1,000 in cash and £10,000 in other valuables.

Crafted from high-quality steel, this 11-litre safe is also the best fireproof safe. In the event that there is a fire, it is able to comfortably withstand a small blaze due to its strong hinges and fire creases. The body of this safe is a sturdy 3 mm thick, while the door is a solid 4 mm. Your belongings will be expertly secured from unwelcome intruders behind a strong double bit safety lock and 18 mm bolts. Two keys are provided, which ensures that you can still gain access should one become lost or damaged. Additionally, this safe has pre-drilled holes at the back and also includes fitting bolts for wall attachment.

7. Q-Connect KF04388 (Best Key Operated)

The Q-Connect KF04388 Key Operated Safe is a good low-priced option for the home or office. There’s no electronic keypad to be seen on this safe, instead, it features a heavy-duty double bit lever that can only be opened with the two keys provided.

The body of this safe is strong and beautifully enamelled in a neutral colour able to blend unobtrusively into most rooms. Also, It offers a 5 mm thick door and has a 10-litre capacity, which is large enough to easily accommodate a standard cash box, as well as any other valuable items.

The Q-Connect KF04388 Key Operated Safe also includes pre-drilled fixing holes and a full fixing kit to make attachment to the floor or wall a breeze.

8. Yale Locks YVSS Small (Best Compact)

The Yale Locks YVSS Small Value Safe offers an incredible 10,000 possible combination codes, thanks to its 3 to 8-digit programmable keypad.

Brute force code attacks are blocked by a time-lock function. It prevents further attempts for 20 seconds after 3 incorrect codes have been entered, and for 6 minutes after 6 failed attempts. Measuring 20 x 32 x 20 cm, this solid steel construction protects your valuables with its 15mm steel locking bolts.

A useful LED indicator makes it clear that the safe is opened by displaying a green light. A red light is displayed for incorrect codes and also as a warning that the batteries are running low. Using the tools provided, this safe can also be easily fixed to a wall or floor for optimal security.

9. Kingavon SAFE28 (Customisable Interior)

The Kingavon SAFE28 Large Electronic Safe is a generously sized option for people who need to store boxed documentation or bigger items.

Measuring 35 x 50 x 31 cm, the 2 mm steel walls and 4 mm thick steel door are powder coated both inside and out for a durable and sleek finish.

This electronic safe features a programmable keypad as well as two additional override keys for security. Inside, there are two shelves which can be easily removed if required.

The Kingavon SAFE28 Large Electronic Safe isn’t fireproof or insurance rated, but it is quite heavy so it may intimidate would-be thieves. It can also be bolted securely to a wall or into the floor as a further deterrent.

10. Yale Certified (Best with LCD Screen)

The Yale Certified Home Safe is packed with attributes that have made this product one of the most popular home safes on the market.

Perfect for use in the home or office, this safe offers the best insurance rating of £2,000 in cash and up to £20,000 in valuables.

With an 18 L capacity, it is also large enough to secure sensitive A4 sized documents without having to fold and crease them.

Notably, the Yale Certified Home Safe is more than just practical; it is also attractively designed. The interior is felt-lined to prevent scratches to your treasured items. A LED light provides adequate illumination of the contents and the automatically opening door operates smoothly and quietly.

This safe has also won the silver award from the Sold Secure Accreditation Scheme. If you feel 18 L is too small for your needs, the Yale Certified Home Safe is available in 2 larger sizes.

How to Choose A Home Safe?

Home alarms, CCTV and securely locked doors are great security measures. But if the worst happens and an intruder gets into your home, your home safe is your last hope in protecting your belongings. This is why picking the right safe is imperative when you buy.

Here, we look at some of the things that can help guide you in deciding which home safe to buy.

Cash Rating

Check the ‘cash rating’ of the safe as tells you how burglar-resistant the safe is understood to be. This is usually determined by the resistance of the lock, thickness and strength of the walls, as well as how difficult it is to remove. It is important that you check for the exact cash ratings with your insurer. Be reminded that individual insurers’ policies vary.

Fire Rating

See what the ‘fire rating’ of the safe is. This is often measured in hours, but may simply give a score instead. The rating will establish how long the safe can survive a fire while protecting the belongings within.

Locking Mechanism

Another key point is deciding on a locking preference. Nowadays, most household safes and even key safes will have electronic keypads which require a combination code to access the contents. Many people consider these safes to be the best choice to secure your belongings, as only the person who knows the code can open them. This isn’t strictly true, as electronic safes usually come with a security ‘override key’ which will grant access if the code is forgotten. However, when you buy non-electronic, solely key activated safes, they do not have such a backup option. So, if the key is lost, your belongings are stuck inside.

Installation

Think about where you want to put your home safe. People usually think it’s best for safes to be hidden. Hence, some like to have their safes in walls, concealed behind paintings. You wouldn’t notice it was there if you didn’t know where to look. Others would have their safes neatly tucked away in the bedroom. It’s just an arm’s reach in case of emergencies like a fire. On the other hand, there are a number of people who would want their safes fitted into the floor. As a matter of fact, safes can be so inconspicuous that you will not notice it even if you are using your cordless vacuum cleaner or just walking over it.

The Safe Bet for Your Home

You don’t need to be a security freak to be concerned about ways to protect your belongings. As has been noted, burglary is a problem across the country, and owning a home safe is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to give yourself some peace of mind that your most important possessions are defended against theft.

All of the home safes featured in our review are fantastic and well-built options for security. But if we had to choose a winner, it would be the Yale YSV/200/DB1. We think it addresses most people’s needs, especially thanks to its incredible 10,000 possible digital key combinations and 15 mm solid steel locking bolts. After three incorrect entries, it locks you out for 20 seconds, which increases to 6minutes after six failed attempts. Additionally, the 20 x 32 x 20cm large safe features a useful LED indicator that displays a green light when the safe is unlocked and warns you when the batteries are running low.