Personal safety devices for college students need to be an essential purchase for any young woman who is venturing off to college. There are many things to be excited about when transitioning from home to college.

Opportunities and future successes are initiated the first day you step foot on campus. While enjoying the transition, it is also important to recognize and prepare for potential threats on campus.

SCROLL DOWN FOR OUR LIST OF SELF-DEFENSE PRODUCTS FOR STUDENTS

As a female on a college campus you can never be too careful. Personal safety devices for women are a big thing now and can make a big difference as to whether you are really safe in college or not.

Having said that, when mentioning self-defense products most people tend to think of things like Mace or Pepper spray, however these are not the only items you can rely on to protect yourself.

With increased need for personal safety companies have upped their game and created quite a number of new products including online apps and devices. This type of electronic media will send an alert to the Police or friends and family with a simple swipe of your phone.

So, you see it isn’t just the physical self-defense products that are popular, BUT bear in mind they are the ones that will most likely get you out of trouble the quickest. I mean, if you are already confronted by an attacker sending, out a message to police is not really going to do you much good at that present moment. Just something to keep in mind.

Physical defense items will deal with the problem there and then…such as a device that will emit a loud sound, or a powerful light that could blind your assailant for a few seconds, or a strong spray that would literally put the attacker on the ground instantly.

A good way to go would be to have both; a physical self-defense product and a digital one. The digital app could be used to send for help while you are defending yourself with lipstick pepper spray or a mini stun gun.

I know, it sounds a bit far fetched but it is better to be overprotective and READY than to be taken by surprise and not have any way to defends yourself.

NOTE: This does not just apply to female college students. Personal safety devises can also be for the elderly/seniors, lone workers, joggers/runners or anyone who basically feels a little vulnerable.

Personal safety methods and specifically self-defense products for college students should be discussed and purchased prior to arriving on campus. One in five women are sexually assaulted while they are in college.

This statistic does not include the ratio of women who are subjected to other types of crime such as theft, physical harassment, or aggravated assault. In order to prevent yourself or someone you know from becoming a victim of such a crime you can proactively identify methods to protect yourself and your loved ones.

There are several personal safety devices for college students that can assist in self-defense and ensure you are confident in defending yourself or a friend if needed.

Best Personal Safety Alarm Keychain for Women 2021

Personal safety alarms are becoming very popular among women, seniors/elderly and even joggers/runners. The keychain versions are especially trending and in-demand and there is good reason for this.

One of the biggest positives for these self-defense products is that they are small, lightweight and very easy to carry around. Most of these personal alarms are small enough to fit snugly in the palm of your hand which means they can fit in purses, pockets, handbags and anywhere else that has a tiny bit of room.

The keychain aspect means you can hook them onto your clothing which is ideal for runners because it means they can keep their hands free while jogging but feel secure knowing the personal alarm is tucked away on their person.

These personal alarms are useful for men, women and children plus they are super important for the elderly. You can have a panic alarm or a medical alarm and are legal to carry in the US and most countries.

These ear-piercing loud alarms are every attacker’s worse nightmare due to the attention they attract once the alarm goes off. There is no way an attacker will hang around with that loud beeping sound going off.

These alarms can be used by anyone and they don’t require any training to operate.

How to Choose the Best Personal Alarm for you

All these alarms are unisex and are available in a wide variety of designs. They can be used by anyone, however there are subtle differences for women’s alarms. The main differences are the colors and the size. Women’s alarms have feminine colors and tend to be a tad smaller so they can fit into small purses, etc.

Most are very inexpensive so it is well worth the investment especially seeing as it could potentially save your life!

To help you to decide which alarm is best for you, there are a few things you should consider: –

1. How is a personal safety alarm activated?

This is actually one of the most important features of any alarm because there are a few different alarm activation methods which you need to be aware of. The most common methods of setting off the alarm are a push-button operation and a ripcord activation.

The button versions tend to have a large activation area so there is little chance of missing it while in a panic. This is also very useful for anyone with limited sight, such as a senior person.

The ripcord versions have a keychain hanging out the side of the device and that chain/cord would be connected to somewhere permanent, like a small hook on the inside of a purse or a belt. To set the alarm off all you have to do is yank the device and the ripcord would instantly release.

Which method of activation you prefer is something you need to decide before choosing an alarm. If you can, why not have both versions? Two ways of activating an alarm…what could be better?

2. How loud is the personal safety alarm?

Another important thing you need to know is how loud the alarm will be. Most come standard at 120 decibels which is an ear-splitting high-pitched sound that is very uncomfortable to listen to. Some alarms go as high as 140 decibels but having the alarm that high is not really necessary.

At the end of the day as long as the alarm is loud enough to attract attention then there is no need to go higher. 120 dB is certainly loud enough to scare away a mugger or thief.

3. How will you carry the personal safety alarm?

Due to the many shapes and sizes of these alarms it comes as no surprise that certain types are better designed for specific situations. For example, a keychain alarm would be ideal for day to day use because they are compact and easily hidden away. Some of the larger alarms have a grip and these may be more suited to joggers because grabbing the device with sweaty hands would not be a problem.

4. How big should the personal safety alarm be?

As mentioned above, it really depends on your circumstances. Some people like the feel of a bulky device in their hands whereas others may prefer the more discrete variety. Generally, women tend to go for the lightweight and small versions because they want it to fit into a purse of handbag.

Make sure to take this into consideration because if the personal alarm is not the right size you may find yourself leaving it behind at home due to it being too big or too heavy for your purse. THAT would not be a good idea at all.

5. How does it look?

Appearance is the least important option. How your alarm looks is not going to affect the way it performs, however I know some people don’t want to be seen with an ugly looking contraption attached to their belt and so the option to choose a nice color is there.

These alarms come in all shapes, sizes and colors. There are alarms disguised as lipstick or a pendant, a mini torch, a pen or a number of other things. Some are colored bright pink and stand out like a sore thumb while others are just plain matt black to hide in the shadows of a handbag.

The choice is yours but when choosing make sure to consider the practical points as these are much more important than how the thing looks.

Personal Alarm with Backup Whistle

A personal alarm with a backup whistle is an excellent two-in-one personal safety device for college students.

It is a simple first line of self-defense for college students that looks like an unassuming accessory, which can also serve as a keychain to host your car keys or house keys. It can easily be clipped to a purse or backpack for hands-free transportation.

In the event of an emergency situation you can push the activation button, which creates a painfully loud sound. In case the battery dies, there is also a backup security screamer whistle built into the end of the alarm. Potential criminals do not like to draw attention to themselves so a loud sound, such as the activated beep or whistle, could deter a criminal prior to carrying out an act.

Tactical Flashlight

A tactical flashlight is a practical and multi-purpose personal safety device for college students. It is a small flashlight that is compact and easy to carry.

Despite being small, this flashlight emits a strong and blinding light. There are three different settings: high, low, and strobe. A tactical flashlight emits up to 800 feet of light. The strobe setting may disorient a potential attacker or provide a signal for help during an emergency.

If you are a night owl and enjoy evening activities then a tactical flashlight should be one of your staple personal safety devices. If you are walking in a dark or secluded area you can shine the light in front of you to ensure you are fully aware of your surroundings.

It can also be used for entering your home late at night or getting to your vehicle in a dark parking lot. You can store a tactical flashlight in a purse, glove box, college dorm safe or use the clip function to clip it to a jacket or pants. If you enjoy camping, walking pets at night, or evening jogs then a tactical flashlight can be helpful to ensure you are safe during your activities.

SABRE 3-IN-1 Pepper Spray

SABRE 3-IN-1 Pepper Spray is a step up in personal safety devices for college students. The personal alarm with backup whistle and tactical flashlight are simple and helpful tools to scare off potential attackers, but pepper spray actually has the power to temporary disable an attacker. SABRE is a reputable pepper spray manufacturer and  SABRE 3-IN-1 Pepper Spray is a popular self-defense product used by law enforcement agencies worldwide.

Traditional pepper spray is made from a chemical derived from peppers that causes temporary blindness, irritation, and inflammation of the nose, throat, and skin. SABRE 3-IN-1 Pepper Spray also includes tear gas for enhanced facial burning as well as UV marking dye, which assists in subject verification. SABRE created this product and its powerful stream in order to provide protection at a safe distance.

It has a ten foot spray range so you can avoid close contact with the subject. An added bonus with pepper spray is that you will never need to worry about replacing batteries or recharging your personal safety device. SABRE provides a four year shelf life from the date of manufacture so you can have years of dependable protection.

SABRE Lipstick Pepper Spray

SABRE Lipstick Pepper Spray transforms pepper spray into a cute, sleek, and modern form that is fun to carry and stash in your bag. This pepper spray is a popular personal safety device for college students because it combines protection and style.

It is disguised so it does not look like an obvious self-defense product, which makes it non-alerting while you are carrying it. SABRE Lipstick Pepper Spray provides the same power and ten foot spray range as the SABRE 3-IN-1 Pepper Spray.

It is a fun gift to purchase for your female family and friends in order to ensure they are properly equipped for self-defense in the event of an emergency situation. SABRE Lipstick Pepper Spray also provides a four year shelf life from the date of manufacture so you can purchase it and not worry about replacing it for several years. SABRE provides a free training video online as well as safety tips in order to learn how to safely store and use your SABRE self-defense product.

Mini Stun Gun

Another dependable personal safety device that will actually disable a potential attacker is a mini stun gun. A mini stun gun is compact in size and easy to conceal in a purse, backpack, or pocket.

It is extremely simple to use and runs on an internal rechargeable battery so you do not need to spend money to replace batteries. When you activate the mini stun gun it creates electric pulsates between the test prongs and has an intimidating electrical sound.

A potential attacker may be dissuaded by the sound of the device. If not, the jolt of the device will send a high voltage shock, which temporarily impairs an attacker. A mini stun gun can be of value for self-defense as well as in defense of a pet against an aggressive dog or animal. Mini stun guns also include safety features to prevent accidental discharge.

POPULAR SELF-DEFENSE PRODUCTS FOR STUDENTS

# 1 Ranked Ladies Back to School Stun Gun

• RELIABLE SELF DEFENSE: Streetwise Security is the leading manufacturer of self defense items for women. An electroshock gun so powerful just test firing this unit into the air is often enough to stop an attacker. Designed using real feedback from women, just squeeze the unit to activate this lady stun gun.

Last update was on: November 7, 2024 9:05 am

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$19.95

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SABRE Red Lipstick Pepper Spray

• PERSONAL PROTECTION YOU CAN TRUST: SABRE is the #1 pepper spray brand trusted by police & consumers & a leader in the personal safety category. SABRE Pepper Spray is made in the USA​
• MAXIMUM STOPPING POWER: SABRE's professional-grade OC Spray is backed by our in-house lab testing, guaranteeing maximum heat and stopping power in every burst and eliminating the 30% failure rate of other pepper spray brands (U of Utah study)​

Free shipping

Last update was on: November 7, 2024 9:05 am

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$9.97 $11.99

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Pepper Spray,15gr Quik Release

• TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS: SABRE is the #1 Pepper Spray brand trusted by police and consumers worldwide, including New York PD, Chicago PD, and U.S. Marshals; Made in the USA
• 2X STRONGER: 4 out 10 violent crimes involve alcohol use by the offender - our max strength Pepper Spray is strong enough to use against a goal oriented attacker under the influence of drugs or alcohol; Backed by our industry exclusive in-house HPLC lab

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Last update was on: November 7, 2024 9:05 am

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$9.98 $11.99

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Safesound Personal Alarm Siren Song 1-Pack

• USB Rechargeable Battery: Personal alarm siren is made of rechargeable lithium battery. Don't need to replace the battery, directly use the usb data cable to charge and charge time is only 30 minutes, then you can get one year in standby.

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Last update was on: November 7, 2024 9:05 am

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$14.99

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Safety and Security on your College Campus – FAQ’s

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The post Personal Safety Devices For College Students – Self-defense Products appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

Essential things to know about RV safes

How can you describe and distinguish a safe for RV‘s, campers and motorhomes?

Avoid Theft On The Roads

For starters, RV or motorhome safes are usually considered to be small or regular-sized safes, which are compact enough for fitting into most RV‘s. They are great for storing valuables while on the go. That’s mainly because of their easy to conceal nature.

Most good quality Winnebago safes are excellent for keeping cash, maybe a few passports, jewelry, papers and possibly – a smartphone or two away from thieves. Some larger ones can hold a lot more but with those you also have to consider the extra size and also the extra weight.

Why are they worth considering?

If you look at the numbers and if you have a little bit of experience travelling in an RV, you’ll definitely know how common theft can be. For an experienced burglar, breaking into any kind of caravan or mobile home would be a piece of cake. Rough estimates suggest that over 25 thousand motorhomes are broken into annually. That’s just in the US.

The high numbers can be linked to the fact that most RV lock compartments use the same, cheap CH751 lock. There is no point in having a built-in “secret compartment” if the lock on the safe is cheap and easy to pick for opening.

When you travel in an RV, you are always facing a much higher risk of theft than at home. That’s regardless of how many of you are travelling. Especially if there are no blinds or if the doors of your motorhome have plastic latches and a puny lock – thieves won’t have to struggle one bit to take what they want. They peek through the window, scope out the RV, break-in and take everything they want. That only takes a few minutes. Tops.

Motorhome RV Floor Safe

A concealed or floor-fitted safe in an RV largely eliminates the risk of losing your most precious belongings. Remember that for any thief, it’s best to steal the safe itself, rather than getting bogged down with trying to open it on the spot. If you just sit a regular safe on a table or even hiding it in a cupboard – it isn’t doing anything good for you. Since RV and motorhome safes are light and small, fitting them in a secret compartment or floor could be the best solution.

A thief only has a limited amount of time to break-in and then search for goodies. The harder you make it for them to find the safe the better chance you have of keeping your most important valuables secure.

Another great option is to actually bolt your safe to a permanent surface. So maybe you could create a secret compartment at the bottom of a cupboard and you could have a top opening safe bolted to the base. You can also do this with the common side opening safes but this time bolt it to the back of a cupboard hidden in its own secret compartment.

Examples of popular small safes perfect for RV’s or motorhomes

Safe and Lock Box - Safe Box, Safes And Lock Boxes, Money Box, Safety Boxes for Home, Digital Safe Box,...

• STRONG & SECURE: The safe box is made of reinforced solid steel wall construction. Dual security steel door locking bolts & a corrosion & stain resistant powder coat finish keeps the drop box safe
• EASY TO ACCESS: The safe document box gives you easy personal access to your valuables with the mechanical override function. The safe lock box includes two keys for manual access

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Last update was on: November 14, 2024 3:42 am

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$39.99

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Yuanshikj Electronic Deluxe Digital Security Safe Box Keypad Lock Home Office Hotel Business Jewelry Gun Cash Use Storage Money (Black...

• STRONG & SECURE:Digital Locking- the Electronic Safety Lock Box Is Equipped with an Easy to Program Digital Keypad That Is Simple to Lock and Unlock by Entering Your Security Combination. Two Emergency Keys Are Included for Faster and More Immediate Access.

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Last update was on: November 14, 2024 3:42 am

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$27.99

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AmazonBasics Home Keypad Safe - 1.52 Cubic Feet, 13.8 x 13 x 16.5 Inches, Black - 42SAM

• PROTECTS VALUABLES: 1.52-cubic-foot home security safe for important documents, jewelry, cash, devices, and other valuables
• RELIABLE SAFETY: Programmable electronic keypad ensures secure, easy operation; back-up key for emergency use; AA batteries required

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Last update was on: November 14, 2024 3:42 am

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$106.39

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Digital Safe-Electronic Steel Safe with Keypad, 2 Manual Override Keys-Protect Money, Jewelry, Passports-For Home, Business or Travel by Stalwart

• PORTABLE SAFE BOX - This digital cash box can conveniently be utilized in your home, office, or business and is portable for use while traveling. It can be mounted on your wall or floor if you wish to keep it in one place, making it an ideal hidden safe.

Free shipping

Last update was on: November 14, 2024 3:42 am

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$50.22 $74.99

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SentrySafe 1170 Fireproof Box with Key Lock 0.61 Cubic Feet

• FIREPROOF: Box is UL Classified to endure 1/2 hour at 1550°F to protect irreplaceable documents and valuables from fire and is ETL verified to protect CDs, DVDs, and USBs
• KEYLOCK: Fireproof safe features a flat key lock to prevent the lid from opening in the event of a fire; Includes 2 keys

Free shipping

Last update was on: November 14, 2024 3:42 am

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JUGREAT Safe Box with Induction Light,Electronic Digital Securit Safe Steel Construction Hidden with Lock，Wall or Cabinet Anchoring Design for Home...

• √The Latest Unique Intelligent Lighting Design: This safe box is equipped with the latest humanized lighting design. As soon as you open the box with the numeric keypad, the light will light up, even in the dark, you can see the internal items, hidden and safe.When the door is opened, its brightness reaches the brightest for 30 seconds, then slowly dims and goes out automatically.

2 used from $32.30
Free shipping

Last update was on: November 14, 2024 3:42 am

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$33.99

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Honeywell Safes & Door Locks - 6104 Fire Resistant Steel Security Safe Box with Key Lock, 0.17-Cubic Feet, Black

• CASH MANAGEMENT - security box is small and lightweight, but big enough to store small documents, personal items, passports or a cell phone
• FEATURES - a double steel wall construction with a fire resistant insulation

1 used from $33.45
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Last update was on: November 14, 2024 3:42 am

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$28.87 $54.60

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More RV safe examples at the end of the article

What about if you wanted to store large items in an RV safe?

So far, we’ve established that RV safes, for the most part, are quite small and should be concealed. However, if you wish to keep thieves away from your laptops and/or larger gadgets, as well as other bigger valuables, you might need to search for a larger RV safe.

These can come in all shapes and sizes d most have pre-drilled holes specially designed for easy bolting. However, with a bigger safe you must also take into account the extra weight, the extra space it will take up and most importantly the challenging concealment aspect.

Many of the larger camper safes have extra features like fireproofing, waterproofing, shelving and many other things, however…where are you going to put it? Some people have large security safes and literally leave it out in the open because there is nowhere else to put it. They cover it with a cloth and make a table out of it. So, to make do, you’ll have to somewhat compromise.

Overall, the majority of the smaller motorhome RV safes are not big enough for large laptops or huge amounts of camera equipment which tend to be standard for a lot of “van life” type people who want to document their journeys.

Try to optimize packing for the road. Only take what’s necessary and avoid being victims of fear. Keep things simple and enjoy travelling itself. One way to deal with this is to keep your most precious things on you, at all times. Even when you’re away from the RV. You could also consider an additional safe; there is no reason why you couldn’t have two small safes secured within your Winnebago or campervan.

How to find the best RV/motorhome safe for you?

Dimensions and Composition

If you were to follow the advice we gave you, concealing and fitting the safe should seem like the obvious option. However, you need to find a suitable space for that. In any campervan/RV, space for this is limited, so try to find a private, inconspicuous place where a safe could be hidden in plain sight. Once you got that, measure the area suitable for fitting.

These safes have a number of different styles; however there are two most-common shapes. These are the wide and low variety and the square-shaped versions. Tall and narrow options are also available, but they’re not as popular. 

When searching for safes online or in stores, pay attention to their composition. Steel is a durable material that is heavy and very difficult to break through. Check out the casing thickness to make sure it is not super thin. Here are the standard thicknesses available:

• 4 Gauge
• 7 Gauge (3/16″)
• 9 Gauge
• 10 Gauge
• 11 Gauge (1/8″)
• 12 Gauge
• 14 Gauge

The higher the gauge, the thicker the steel.

Also, look for features and technologies that thoroughly describe how they prevent theft and aren’t just sales marketing terms.

What are the best RV safe locks?

That is a difficult question to answer because any lock can be broken into; the question is which is the right one for you? At the start of this article I mentioned the easily crackable lock that most RV’s have; the poor quality CH571. That is a big part of why people look for additional safes.

Motorhome safes can come equipped with either mechanical, electronic or combination locks. The latter (combo locks) being listed as the safest and mechanical options are usually deemed as the easiest to crack.

However, in an RV, what you’re looking for isn’t necessarily a military-grade safe. It should have a lock that’s complicated enough, so the thief won’t crack it with ease. Give a burglar enough time and they will eventually get into your safe. Most popular units that RV owners seem to fall in love with are simple, inconspicuous units with electronic locks.

Insurance rating & other perks

For any unit, not just a campervan or RV safe, some additional features are of great importance as well. A proper insurance rating will allow you to feel much safer about your belongings. Moreover, pry-resistance, fireproofing and waterproofing as well as a sound alarm are worth paying extra for.

Why is this worth it? Well, for example, if your safe is fireproofed, then in case of a fire emergency, you have more time to save the precious belongings. In general, the best safes for your motorhome should be fireproof and be equipped with a sound alarm.

How much do RV, motorhome, campervan safes cost?

It‘s hard to give you a precise number because costs vary depending on your needs and expectations. A small, tin lock-box with a key lock should set you back 15-40 USD. However, if you decide to buy a good quality  RV gun safe or a large, solid steel safe, prepare to spend upwards of $100 to even as high as $500.

Features like suitability for firearms can really up the price. Try to be flexible and don’t compromise when it comes to safety. Look for the very best and nothing less.

Most RV owners realize it is difficult to keep valuables safe and secure. Even with a deadbolt in place to safeguard the entry points, there are still issues with the windows and the quite flimsy plastic latches.

But, there is one solution to give an extra layer of protection from theft and that is to install one of the small safes for motor homes. You may have important documents, valuable watches or jewelry. Or even a nice sum of money to last the duration of an extended trip.

In order to install the right type of RV safe, you really need to determine the type of items that need to be protected. Beyond, the risk of theft, there are other issues to consider such as water or fire damage.

What are the Best Type Of Motorhome Safe Or RV Safe?

Small safes can easily be installed in most makes and models of RVs to provide a useful place to keep valuables like cash, jewelry, passports, etc safe and secure. But, the effectiveness of a safe-in-a cupboard only goes as far as the installation.

Beyond the floor safes for protecting valuables, there are also the fireproof safes that are practical for protecting the small and important things against water or fire damage. But, this type isn’t as effective when it concerns theft protection because most can’t be secured to the floor.

Installing a traditional locking safe is always a reliable option. The most efficient safes for the RV include those with a locking mechanism that secures it to the wall, shelf or floor. Most of the safes have a small footprint to make it easy to position the safe in an out of the way place, such as in a closet or under the bed.

Any of the small safes for motorhomes that are bolted down from the inside would be very hard to physically remove by the intruder.

Safes are built with plenty of features to make them easy to use, such as concealed and pry-resistant hinges, a carpeted floor to avoid damage or scratches, a solid steel construction and a digital access panel.

Storing Valuables While Traveling in an RV/Motorhome

First Alert 3035DF Deluxe Digital Security Box

BUY HERE!

amazon.com

Mesa-Safe-Company-MHRC916E

BUY HERE!

amazon.com

SLYPNOS Electronic Digital Security Safe Box

BUY HERE!

amazon.com

SentrySafe X125 Security Safe

BUY HERE!

amazon.com

Stalwart 65-EC-40 Electronic Digital Safe

BUY HERE!

amazon.com

SentrySafe X055 Security Safe

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amazon.com

SentrySafe X075 Security Safe

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amazon.com

AmazonBasics Security Safe Box

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amazon.com

Better Protection with an RV Gun Safe

Be vigilant and stay safe

When you are traveling around to different places there is one thing that will make most people feel a little at ease. That is, knowing that they have some kind of self-defense safety device or weapon hidden in their mobile home.

In the USA, this will most likely be a gun of some sort. Bear in mind, a gun is not a guarantee of security. 

Your gun should be your last line of security. With that said, when you are on the road with a gun you will need a safe place to store it.

Basically, you will need an RV gun safe. These are specifically designed for storing a variety of legal guns whether they are small or large. For any type of recreational vehicle, you will need an effective way of securing your guns.

If you have been RVing for any length of time you will know that the risk of theft increases with valuables stored in vehicles.  You need to take precautions and secure your weapons as you would in your permanent home, ie. In a safe or vault.

Where are the best secure locations in a motorhome?

For RV’s, motorhomes, campers, etc. there should be plenty of storage options for your guns. The best thing you can do is create a secret compartment in a cupboard or closet where you can bolt down your RV gun safe.

Another option is to get yourself an RV floor safe, however these may require a little more expense to have them fitted. Some mobile homes already have a unit fitted but the quality may not be what you would expect.

What are the best quality RV safes?

It goes without saying that the better the safe, the more secure your guns will be. You cannot go wrong if you get something that is well built and is a reputable quality brand.

Go for the heavily reinforced steel safes with the higher gauge ratings – (see above list). You want one with a really good, strong locking mechanism that is not only reliable but easy to use. These days electronic digital security safes seem to be the trending thing right now. The big sellers at the moment are the biometric fingerprint safes.

These tend to cost a little more but it is well worth it. Fingerprint scan safes are usually quick release which means you can get to your gun fast in an emergency. Just scan your fingerprint and within a second the door will pop open. Fast and efficient.

Here are some RV gun safe examples:

Eliminate Temptation

The principle of “out of sight, out of mind” can apply when it concerns safeguarding the valuables in the motorhome. By eliminating the possibility of temptation while the RV is parked up, such as cleaning up the camp area, locking the door and windows and keeping attractive items out of sight.

Other Things To Consider Include:

Camp near other people – there is greater safety in numbers. Most would-be thieves will actively avoid the populated areas and look for easier targets. By camping near others there is the benefits of having someone looking out for not only their own things, but will also keep an eye on the surrounding motorhomes.

The post Small Safes for Motorhomes and RV Safes (2021 UPDATE) appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

Best Fireproof Safes & Fire Resistant Safes – Deals & Discounts!

 SCROLL DOWN TO THE LATEST 2021 TOP FIRE SAFES LIST

What to look for in a fireproof/fire resistant Safe – Buying Guide

When it comes to house fires a person’s first reaction would be to think of the damage caused to the house itself. Then comes the revelation that within your house you also had important things like your passports, house deeds, irreplaceable family photos, documents and many other priceless valuables inside.

You cannot control a blazing house fire once it gets going and cannot really protect your house itself, BUT you can do something about protecting the items inside. Simply put, if you are going to keep important items/valuables in your home then you will need to protect them not just from thieves but also from fire and water damage.

Below you will see a list of the top 10 best selling fireproof safes available on the market as of today. You can scroll through those, but before you do so read on a little further so you get a good grasp as to what type of fireproof and waterproof safe would suit you.

Many fireproof safes these days also offer waterproofing or at least some form of water protection. Some are designed and tested to withstand a period of time submerged in water while others are only able to handle water sprinklers or extinguishing from a fireman’s hose. Obviously, if you live in an areas that is prone to floods then you want to make sure your waterproof safe can handle more than just a light sprinkle of water.

What to look out for when researching safes is the actual fire rating of the safe. Some fire safes are designed to withstand a full hour of temperatures up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit where as other, less fireproof safes, can only withstand 30 minutes in a much lower heat.

This is definitely something you need to take into consideration. Of course, cost comes into play here and the longer a safe can withstand high heat the more expensive it will be. Don’t be put off if you don’t have much to spend because you can still find very good safes that are not as expensive. They may not be as tough but if you can get one that offers at least 30 minutes protection from fire then it’s a good start.

Maybe the best thing to do would be to decide how much you intend to spend on a fire safe and then just focus on researching safes within that range. Doing that will keep you on track and not overwhelm you because there are a lot of options out there….maybe too many options!

Once you decide on the fireproofing aspect of the safe you need to next think about its protection against burglars. You want a safe that can also deter potential break-ins, however there are so many varieties of security safes out there that it can be difficult to choose one.

Actually, it’s not that difficult. First think about the style you want. There are safes with digital keypads, biometric fingerprint recognition, dial combination locks or just plain manual key locks. Some have a combination of many of the options mentioned.

Each of these options have their own benefits. Modern digital style safes do tend to be easier to operate as they either require just a pass code or even just a scan of your fingerprint. Bear in mind anything electronic will require batteries or another source to power the mechanism and warning lights, etc.

Old style dial combination locks may not be as easy to operate for some people but they do tend to be more robust due to the fact that they have few electronics to operate them. If you can get past learning how to use a dial combination correctly then these safes can be quite a good investment for the long run.

With either of these styles you do get a set of override manual keys that you can use to get into the safe if something goes wrong. This is especially important for the digital safes. Manual override keys will come in very handy if you are ever locked out due to the batteries failing or some other electrical faulty.

1. SentrySafe EF4738E Fireproof Waterproof Safe

BASIC OVERVIEW

When it comes to buying a fireproof safe there are always going to be a lot of options to choose from. For many, the main purpose of a safe like this is to protect valuables from a fire and even water damage. The second thing would be protection from theft.

These are pretty much the priorities of the SentrySafe EF4738E safe; it puts fire protection first. This is actually the case for many fire safes in this price range and category.

This does not mean that its anti-theft protection is not up to scratch. On the contrary, this safe will do a pretty good job of deterring a burglar but it is not in the same league as the $1000 and above really heavy-duty security safes.

This is just something to bear in mind. For example, this firesafe would probably be much more suited for a home rather than an office.

With that said, a massive plus is that this has waterproofing and that is actually a feature that a lot of manufacturers tend to ignore in a fireproof safe. The reason why it is good to have waterproofing is because if there’s a fire, the fireman will put it out with water.

All that water is going to smother your safe. So, all your valuables will survive the fire, but be ruined by the water! So yes, having both fireproofing and waterproofing is a major plus point for this safe.

This safe is ELT Verified to withstand 30 minutes at 1400°F which is not a huge amount of time but it is better than average. Its waterproofing is slightly more advanced being ETL Verified for 72 hours of protection in 12 inches of water. This means it will definitely be fine after the fireman have finished putting out the fire with huge hose sprays of water.

This is an electronic digital safe that offers a very slick looking keypad that controls the locking mechanism. You will have a manufacturer’s code, that is default and cannot be deleted, however you are able to also program in your own code too. Very quick and easy to set.

If there is a problem and for some reason you cannot get into your safe you can use one of the two override keys to bypass the numeric panel. These keys come with the safe.

The locking mechanism is pretty standard for safes in this price range and at a similar size. It features five live-locking bolts and four deadbolts, and you can see those in the side of the door. These bolts would make it very difficult for anyone to try to pry the door open.

The EF4738E has a solid steel construction offering pretty good protection against theft. The outer casing is 3mm of 11-gauge steel. Certainly not top of the range security but above average regarding thickness of steel.

The interior size is very roomy at 19.4 in. W x 11.7 in. D x 35.7 in. H. It has a 4.7 cubic foot capacity which is more than enough space to store all kinds of valuables. Unlike other similar safes, this one has 3 interior adjustable shelves which is perfect for keeping all your stuff organized. There is also a nice carpeted bottom to prevent any potential scratches from occurring.

The exterior size is 21.7 in. W x 19 in. D x 37.7 in. H and weight wise it is around 217 pounds. Certainly not a light safe so one burglar could not just carry this away. With enough time and strength maybe two strong men could carry this but it would not be an easy robbery that’s for sure.

To increase security, you do have the option to bolt this thing down to the floor using the included hardware. This would be considered advanced protection against theft. One thing I would recommend when purchasing any fireproof/waterproof safe is to invest in a good dehumidifier. Having one of these in the safe will greatly reduce the chance of moisture build up due to the airtight qualities of these safes.

FEATURES

Fireproofing for up to 30 mins: Fire rated at 30 minutes in 1400°F of heat. ELT Verified.

Waterproofing for up to 72 hours: Up to 72 hours of protection in 12 inches of water. ELT Verified.

Locking bolts: The locking mechanism features five live-locking bolts and four deadbolts in the door.

Strong casing: The walls are 3mm thick and made with 11-gauge solid steel.

Digital lock keypad: Has an electronic digital keypad with a default manufacturer’s code. You can program in your own code too. Very simple to set.

Mounting: You can bolt down the safe for additional security using the included hardware.

Interior shelving: There are actually three adjustable interior shelves that come with this safe.

Internal Dimensions
19.4 in. W x 11.7 in. D x 35.7 in. H

External Dimensions
21.7 in. W x 19 in. D x 37.7 in. H

Weight
217 lbs

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Offers enough fireproofing and also waterproofing.
• It has a sturdy construction with a heavy-duty weight.
• Has three very handy interior adjustable shelves.
• Offers a tough locking mechanism with 5 locking bolts and 4 deadbolts.
• Comes with two emergency override keys.
• Offers increased security when mounting to the floor.
• Hinge and lock are solid and operate smoothly.
• Very easy to set up.
• The interior has a lot of space.
• A very good price for what you get.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• When first opened is has a bad smell inside. Leave the door open for a few days and spray Febreze inside once a day.
• The keyboard may feel a bit flimsy for some people.

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2. Paragon 7800 Fireproof Electronic Digital Heavy-Duty Home Safe

BASIC OVERVIEW

This heavy-duty Paragon fireproof safe is another one of those models that does exactly what it is supposed to without all the flashy buttons and flickering lights. You can expect this to be very reliable, however I am not sure I would put it down as a “fireproof” safe. I would see this as more of a fire resistant safe; yes, there is a difference.

I say that mainly because of its average fire rating. It has been tested to rate at 30 minutes in 1700 degrees F. Don’t misunderstand, that is still a good rating, however I consider a fireproof safe to at least be able to withstand double that time under the same conditions.

So, what does that mean as far as fire protection goes? Well, it will do its job up to the 30-minute mark, however if fireproofing is THE most important feature you require then this may not be the safe for you.

True fireproofing would be tested for at least 1 hour or more and would most likely have waterproofing as well. Of course, they would also cost a lot more. That is where this safe excels…for what you get it is very cheap/affordable.

This Paragon 7800 actually has a very robust construction with double walls filled with fire resistant fiber insulation. It is made with 11-gauge thick solid steel which I would say is adequate for a safe in this price range. Not very thick but also not thin.

Regarding the two wall layers the inner thickness is 1.5mm steel and the outer thickness is 2mm steel. At those thicknesses this model should be strong enough to keep unwanted hands away from your stored valuables.

Having said that, a pro burglar should be able to get into this safe with enough time and the right tools. Again, the higher the price the more secure your safe will be. This will be able to be brute forced open given the right circumstances.

The door thickness is 5mm solid steel which is pretty good and it does have tamper-proof hinges to prevent any forced crowbar attacks.

This fire resistant/fireproof home safe has an electronic digital keypad that is very easy to program and simple to operate. Digital models seem to be pretty popular right now and that is due to the fact that most operations are automatic.

There are two ways of opening this Paragon; you can use a secret PIN code – (which you program yourself) – or you can use the included keys. You can change your secret code as many times as you want…in fact doing that every so often would be advisable.

Bear in mind that the key is mainly used as a backup to get into your settings if you forget your PIN code. The keypad has push button beeping – (which may be annoying for some) – and a backlit LED for viewing in the dark

The door bolts are pretty heavy duty. There are two 1 and 3/4 inch locking bolts on either side of the door that fit securely and tight into the safe frame.

The interior is surprisingly spacious and has one adjustable shelf so you can split the space in half for smaller items. Or you can remove it entirely to store much bigger items.

Weight wise I would say it is heavy enough to prevent anyone from walking away with it, however I would still take advantage of the pre-drilled holes for a more secure mounting. The mounting hardware is included in the pack.

FEATURES

Fire resistant for up to 30 mins: Fire rated at 30 minutes in 1700 degrees F of heat.

Strong walls: The Paragon 7800 has special double walls of 1.5mm steel and 2mm thick filled with fire resistant fiber insulation.

Digital lock keypad: You can enter the safe using two options; punching in your PIN code or using the included key.

Tough hinges: The hinges are pry-resistant to deter anyone from trying to force entry.

Mounting: You can bolt down the safe for additional security using the included hardware.

Interior shelf: There is an adjustable shelf that can be placed anywhere withing the safe as well as be taken out completely.

Locking bolts: The bolts on the side of the door are 1 and ¾ inches of thick solid steel.

Internal Dimensions
13″W x 17″H x 14″D

External Dimensions
16.75″W x 19″H x 16.25″D

Weight
77 lbs

PROS AT A GLANCE

• It has a sturdy construction with a manageable size and weight.
• The adjustable shelf is very handy.
• Has an LCD readout for the code which can be useful.
• Perfectly sized for home use and can be easily hidden out of sight.
• It has both manual key and keypad opening.
• You can bolt it to the floor or to a wall.
• Very easy to set up.
• The interior has a lot of space.
• A very good price for what you get.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The mounting hardware could be better quality.
• Beeping on every button press cannot be turned off.
• Keypad is made out of plastic.

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3. SentrySafe SFW205GQC Fireproof and Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad

BASIC OVERVIEW

There are two versions of this Sentrysafe fireproof safe; one has a digital keypad operation and the other uses a dial combination lock. Which type a person chooses mostly depends on whether they prefer more modern “automatic” locking mechanisms or the old school “manual” dials.

In this review we will focus on the digital electronic version, however most of the features are also the same for the dial combination safe…except that it is not electronic.

Some people think that a combination safe is going to be tougher than a digital safe because there are less electronic parts which means less chance of any malfunctions. This may or may not be true as there are positives and negatives for both versions.

This Sentrysafe SFW205GQC classed as a fireproof and waterproof safe. Its firesafe capabilities are UL classified to protect documents and valuables for up to one hour at 1700˚F (927˚C). It is also ETL verified for impact resistance to withstand a 15-foot fall and remain closed as well as provide protection against all kinds of digital media such as USB drives and the like.

This safe also has waterproofing. It will protect your items from any damage while the fire is being extinguished. That means it can handle water spray used to put the fire out. It also has ETL verified water protection which means it can sit in 8 inches of water for 24 hours without any leakages. So, if a pipe bursts and your home is flooded all your stored items will be kept safe and dry.

The security features are as good as any quality firesafe in this price range. It is tough enough to discourage casual theft, however a pro thief with enough time and the right tools could probably get in eventually. Bear in mind that this is heavy, weighing in at 125 pounds empty. Taking that into consideration you can guess that it certainly won’t be easy to pick this thing up and walk out the door with it…even with two strong fellas.

Of course, the bad side of having a heavy duty safe is that it will be a pain if you need to move it to another room or another house. So, make sure to consider all the good and bad options.

For added security you can bolt this thing down using the included anchor dolts, however I am not sure what that will do to the waterproofing capabilities and warranty.

If you take a look at the front side of the door you will notice six 1 inch large live-locking bolts that line up all away along it. That makes breaking into the safe that much harder especially with the pry-resistant hinge bar and all over steel construction. This is a solidly built safe.

The door opens and closes easily and locks and unlocks flawlessly. There is a large keypad on the front of the door with an opening handle attached.

A 5-digit security code comes is default as a permanent master code. You can add up to 2 additional 5-digit codes and these can be reprogrammed at any time, however the master code stays the same. The instructions are easy to follow regarding how to use the digital keypad and there is a pretty cool audible beep for each key pressed. For some, this may be annoying and so there is the option to turn the beep off.

You do get a key with the safe which can be used as a way of opening up the safe manually, however they do not override the digital codes.

The interior of this fireproof safe has been very well thought out during the design process. You can see by looking at the images that there is ample room inside for all manner of items. A huge plus has to be the additional interior lock boxes that can be slotted in at various points within the safe.

These lock boxes are big enough to store even more items that you may want to keep separate from all the other contents. Also, if you have larger items to store you can remove the boxes entirely. A very cool design.

The inside of the door has a couple of small compartments for smaller things like rings, thumb drives, keys, loose cash etc. Keys can also be hung using the special key hooks inside the door.

Senrtysafe certainly thought of everything regarding the interior because they even added LED lights that come on when you open the safe. Very handy for seeing what you are doing if you ever need to get stuff out of the safe in a darkly light room. You can program the lights to stay off, stay on for 30 seconds or 60 seconds.

One thing you should consider is purchasing a good silica desiccant and keeping it in the safe. This fireproof and waterproof safe is totally airtight when closed up and so there is a possibility of moisture buildup inside. To avoid any damage to paperwork or electronic items a desiccant is a must have.

FEATURES

Fireproof for 1 hour: UL classified to protect your valuables for up to one hour at 1700˚F (927˚C). Is also ETL verified to provide protection to digital media.

Waterproof for 24 hours: ETL verified to protect valuables from water spray used to put the fire out. Also protected against flooding in 8 inches of water for 24 hours.

Digital lock keypad: Has a default master code as well as the ability to set your own digital combination with an 1-8-digit code.

Secondary locking keys: Use the key to disable the primary lock at any time. It is not a backup key.

ETL verified impact resistance: The safe can drop 15 feet and still be intact with the door still closed.

Tough hinges: The pry-resistant hinge bar will deter anyone from trying to force entry.

Locking bolts: This Sentrysafe has six 1-inch thick locking bolts that run the length if the door. These will provide advanced protection against forced entry.

Mounting: You can bolt down the safe for additional security using the included hardware.

Interior lock boxes & File Organizer: Use the lock box to store small items and the file organizer for documents and larger items. Both can be adjusted or fully removed from the safe.

Interior light & small compartments: The inside of the door has a couple small compartments as well as hooks for hanging keys. There is a built in LED light that provides increased interior visibility as well as a keypad light.

Internal Dimensions
14.8 in. W x 11.9 in. D x 19.6 in. H

External Dimensions
18.6 in. W x 19.3 in. D x 23.8 in. H

Capacity & Weight
Extra large 2.05 cubic foot capacity; weighs 125 pounds.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Well made solid steel construction.
• Has six 1 inch live-locking bolts and a large pry-resistant hinge.
• Fireproof and waterproof.
• Hooks on the back of the door for keys is a nice idea.
• Pocket/compartment on the back of the door is great for small items.
• Keypad lights up so you can see numbers in the dark.
• Two ways to lock using the key or PIN.
• Option to use up to 3 PINs.
• Door swings open smoothly.
• The keypad beeps for each key pressed. This can be turned off.
• Batteries are replaced from the outside.
• Adjustable/removable lock box/case drawer inside to fit smaller items.
• Very heavy and solid.
• Fits legal size documents and folders.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Interior lights can only stay on for up to 60 seconds.
• Key doesn’t open the safe, it just disables keypad entry.
• The handle is plastic and feels flimsy.

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Here is the combination dial alternative:

4. AmazonBasics Fire Resistant Box Safe with Keypad

Let’s start off with one of the biggest sellers in this fire resistant safe category and that is the infamous AmazonBasics fire safe.

It’s not a 100% fireproof safe, (no safe is 100% fireproof), but it is fire resistant for up to 20 minutes. When you consider the low price you really do get a quality safe that will protect your valuable belongings from fire and theft.

This durable safe does what it is supposed to do by safeguarding almost anything from your digital media, important documents, jewelry and pretty much anything else you can fit into it. The fact that it is a fire-resistant safe can make a huge difference when it comes to offering you peace of mind knowing that your belongings are fire protected.

AmazonBasics safes tend to generally be very good quality and that also includes their smaller versions that are not firs resistant. The brand is growing in popularity and I think one of the reasons is because their safes tend to be ruggedly built and long lasting.

This particular safe has a 14-gauge heavy-duty steel body which is a good thickness. For locking security there are five, yes…five, large 0.75-inch bolts three of which are external active bolts and two being internal dead bolts.

The opening and closing locking mechanism is performed via an electronic keypad which is sort of standard these days because these tend to be a quicker and easier way of getting in and out of the safe.

In case of a fire you don’t want to be wasting valuable time messing around with an old-fashioned combination style lock! You also get a key just in case you happen to forgot the code. This key is an emergency back-up.

 The interior of this fire resistant safe has sufficient room for a number of items whether they are small or large and also includes an adjustable shelf. The interior is also padded with a carpet type material to protect your belongings from scratches and the like.

So this is a fire resistant safe and complies with modified UL 72 Standard for Safety Tests for Fire Resistance of Record Protection Equipment for 20 minutes.

It’s not as tough as a 1 hour fire resistant safe but then considering the low price you can’t really ask for more. A basic 1 hour fire safe will set you back at least $300 or more!

There are three size versions of this safe 0.83 cubic feet, 1.24 cubic feet and the largest at 2.1 cubic feet. All the features are the same except for their sizes of course.

The middle of the range safe is the 1.24 cubic feet version and that one tends to be the most popular with the 2.1 cubic feet versions a close second. It all depends on the amount of valuables and size of valuables that you plan on storing.

Basic details of the 1.24 cubic feet AmazonBasics Fire Resistant Safe

• 1.2-cubic-foot fire-resistant safe.
• Complies with modified UL 72 Standard for Safety Tests for Fire Resistance of Record Protection Equipment for 20 minutes at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Has a durable 14-gauge heavy-duty steel body construction.
• Comes with 3 external active bolts.
• Has 2 internal dead bolts.
• Quick and easy access electronic keypad including back-up key.
• Adjustable shelf optimizes storage space.
• AmazonBasics limited 1-year warranty.

Internal Dimensions
12.5″ x9.6″ x 18.1″ (L x W x H)

External Dimensions
14.2″ x 13.8″ x 19.7″ (L x W x H)

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5. SentrySafe SFW123EU Fireproof Waterproof Safe with Digital Keypad

SentrySafe have been designing and building fire resistant safes for quite sometime now and they always seem to have a handful of their latest safes in the Amazon bestsellers list.

This SentrySafe SFW123EU fire resistant and water resistant safe is no exception. As with the AmazonBasics safe above, this is not a 100% fireproof safe, (no safe is 100% fireproof), but it is fire resistant for up to 1 hour.

It is the perfect home safe with lots of room to store important documents, valuables, digital media and more. The SentrySafe SFW123EU will protect against fire, flood, and theft. It is ETL verified so that anything stored on USB drives, CDs, DVDs and portable hard drives should survive a catastrophe.

As with many home safes this has a digital locking system with dual key functionality. You can create two personal 5-digit codes for easy, secure access and if there is a problem you have a key that can simply disable the digital lock.

The interior is basic but also very spacious. The safe comes with one shelf but you can purchase more if you wish. They are removable and adjustable making it easy for you to organize the interior to suit your needs. The interior dimensions are 13.8H x 12.6W x 11.9L.

The SentrySafe SFW123EU has pretty good fire protection. It is rated to withstand up to 1 hour of fire exposure in 1700° F, which puts it up there with many of the “high quality” expensive safes regarding protection from fire.

It also has an additional function of advanced water resistance and has been verified to protect your valuables for a minimum of 24 hours in flood conditions. With the increase in flooding over the past few years having this kind of protection for your belongings will be very beneficial.

For many people protection against theft is their main priority and this fire resistant and water resistant safe does not disappoint. It has a few powerful theft deterrents including the solid steel construction, four locking bolts and pry-resistant hinge bar.

No one is going to get into this safe with ease that is for sure. For added security you also have the option to bolt the safe to the floor by using the mounting hardware which is included with he safe.

There are three size versions of this safe starting from the smallest at 0.82 cubic feet, 1.23 cubic feet and the largest at 2.05 cubic feet. The most popular version is the middle sized version and there are a few different types to choose from. You can get the 1.23 cubic ft safe with the additional dual key and locking drawer or with a shelf tray design or with a shelf tray and no interior light. The prices vary for each choice.

One of the really great things about SentrySafe is their customer service. If your safe gets damaged by fire or water, SentrySafe will send you a replacement safe. How about that for a quality service…there is really nothing to lose here!

Basic details of the 1.23 cubic feet SentrySafe SFW123EU Fire Resistant and Water Resistant Safe

• 1.23-cubic-foot fire-resistant safe.
• Has a durable heavy-duty steel body construction.
• Has 4 live locking bolts.
• Interior LED light.
• Quick and easy access electronic keypad including back-up key.
• Adjustable shelf optimizes storage space.
• This fire resistant safe is built to endure 1 hour at 1700°F.
• Fully water resistant to ensure your valuables inside remain dry for up to 24 hours.
• The safe is certified to withstand impact from falls of up to 15 feet.
• SentrySafe replacement guarantee.

Internal Dimensions
13.8 in. x 12.6 in. x 11.9 in. (H x W x L)

External Dimensions
17.8 in. x 16.3 in. x 19.3 in. (H x W x L)

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6. Steelwater AMSWEL-500 2-Hour Fireproof Home and Document Safe

This is a no-fluff fire safe that does exactly what it is supposed to. It is one of the higher end fireproof safes that has all the important basic functions of a tough home safe to help prevent damage or theft to your valuables.

This safe has 2 Layers of steel to make this one of the toughest safes available for the price you pay. The two layers cover the inner walls and the door so that any attempt at cutting it open will be a very difficult task indeed.

The door has been designed to swing open at 180 degrees which is not a common feature for most safes. This is an interesting feature because it allows the user to keep the door open wider than normal in order to place larger items or awkward items into the safe with much trouble.

The interior capacity is about average for a medium sized fireproof safe at 0.99 cubic feet and it very basic to look at with a removable and adjustable tray drawer at the top and a removable and adjustable shelf in the middle.

Take these two items out and there is ample room for placing fairly large valuables including guns if you wish. Of course, most fireproof safes are prone to produce interior humidity so definitely place some desiccant packs inside the safe if you store guns or electrical equipment.

There is an easy to use electronic keypad at the front which has a total of four re-programmable 4-16 digit combinations. It does not come with a key but you can setup more than 1 pin code which makes managing access easier. Steelwater makes a key version, however keys can be lost.

The Steelwater AMSWEL-500 locking mechanism is standard fro Steelwater with their rectangular shaped bolts rather than the usual round bolts found on most safes. There are 2 active rectangular locking bolts and 2 stationary rectangular locking bolts on the hinge side.

There is an external battery compartment on the outside for easy access. Note that the door cannot be opened without working batteries hence the reason why the compartment works well on the outside of the safe; you can change them quickly and easily.

If you require additional security you have the option to anchor the safe to the floor. At the bottom of the safe you will find 1 pre-drilled 1/2″ diameter anchor hole perfect for bolting the safe securely to the ground to prevent any thieves from trying to tip the safe over. A similar safe that may be of interest to you would be the Mesa Safe Electronic Burglary and Fire Safe.

Basic details of the 0.99 cubic feet Steelwater AMSWEL-500 2-Hour Fire Resistant Safe

• 0.99-cubic-foot fire-resistant safe.
• Two Layers of durable heavy-duty steel body construction.
• There are 2 Active rectangular locking bolts
• 2 Stationary rectangular locking bolts.
• Quick and easy access electronic keypad.
• 4 Reprogrammable keypad combinations.
• One removable/adjustable shelf optimizes storage space.
• One removable/adjustable storage tray.
• 2 Hour fire rated at 1850°F (1010°C).
• External battery compartment.
• 1 Pre-drilled 1/2″ diameter anchor hole for secure anchoring.
• Lifetime fire and burglary guarantee.
• 1 Year in home repairs against manufacturers defects guarantee.

Internal Dimensions
15″ x 9 3/8″ x 12 1/8″. (H x W x D)

External Dimensions
19 1/4″ x 13 3/4″ x 16 3/4″. (H x W x D)

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7. SentrySafe SFW205CWB Fire and Water Safe, 2.05 Cubic Feet Large Combination Safe

SentrySafe has done it again by creating yet another reliable fire resistant and water resistant safe for home use and even office use. This particular model is one of their larger versions and packs in quite a few features to boot.

As mentioned above, this is not a 100% fireproof safe because no safe is actually 100% fireproof however it does have a special advanced fire protection: Fire resistant safe is UL classified for fire endurance 1 hour at 1700ºF.

At those temperatures this combination fire safe will protect any valuables you place inside including important documents, CDs, USB sticks, jewelry, money, digital media and more.

If you are worried about the strength of the safe if dropped from a height then you will be pleased to know that this safe is also ETL verified to withstand a 15-foot drop during fire and stay closed. As well as being fire resistant the SentrySafe SFW205CWB is also water resistant: ETL verified in up to 8 inches of water for up to 24 hours.

There are 4 different versions of this fire resistant safe and it has 3 different sizes to choose from. The smallest version is 0.82 cubic feet and the largest version is 2.05 cubic feet. There are two medium sized versions at 1.23 cubic feet. One of those comes with a dual key and a self and one comes with a shelf and tray. Which you decide to purchase depends on your needs and the price you want to pay.

 Note that this is a combination safe and not a digital or electronic safe. Both types are just as good as one another but it really depends on your preference. These days electronic safes are becoming more popular but combination safes have a good reputation for being reliable too.

For security the SFW205CWB has six live-locking bolts that fit along the opening edge of the door from top to bottom. The hinge bar is pry-resistant and for additional peace of mind you can also anchor the safe to the floor using the bolt down hardware.

The interior is fairly spacious at 19.6 in. H x 14.8 in. W x 11.9 in. It also includes includes a deep multi-position tray and drawer for optimal organization so if you like to keep things tidy this will come in quite handy. A similar safe that may be of interest to you would be the First Alert 2087F-BD Fire-safe Waterproof Safe.

Basic details of the 2.05 cubic feet SentrySafe SFW205CWB Fire and Water Safe

• 2.05-cubic-foot fire-resistant and water resistant safe.
• Tough durable body construction.
• 6 live-locking bolts fitted along the opening edge of the door.
• Easy access combination wheel and handle.
• One removable/adjustable shelf optimizes storage space.
• One removable/adjustable storage tray.
• Fire resistant safe is UL classified for fire endurance 1 hour at 1700ºF.
• ETL water resistant verified in up to 8 inches of water for up to 24 hours.
• After fire replacement guarantee.

Internal Dimensions
19.6 in. x 14.8 in. x 11.9 in. (H x W x D)

External Dimensions
23.8 in. x 18.6 in. x 19.3 in. (H x W x D)

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8. SentrySafe SF123CS Fire Safe, Large Combination Safe, 1.23 Cubic Feet

Here we have more of a square style SentrySafe that is strong, reliable and has some of the usual features offered by the company. This would be the perfect safe for storing larger items because the interior is very spacious and includes a multi-position shelf and door pocket with key rack.

In a number of other fire safe reviews people have mentioned how useful a door pocket is because it allows you to place much smaller items in there; maybe items you would want to get at easily. The same goes for the key rack. We all have keys and so this rack would be handy for hanging spares and keeping them safe.

The fire protection for this safe is the same as the advanced fire protection on the SentrySafe SFW205CWB that I mention in the above review – Advanced fire protection: Fire resistant safe is UL classified for fire endurance 1 hour at 1700ºF. It is ETL verified for  1 hour at 1700ºF to protect CDs, memory sticks, and other digital media. This SentrySafe SF123CS is also ETL verified to withstand a 15-foot drop during fire and stay closed.

This is a combination safe and so you will obviously have to get used to using a dial rather than an electronic keypad. As such, it does have its advantages and disadvantages and really depends on your preference.

Three are four pretty thick live-locking bolts from top to bottom in the edge of the door opening. Easy to lock and unlock but very hard to break into. This has a standard SentrySafe steel construction on all sides and a pry-resistant hinge bar.

Basic details of the 1.23 cubic feet SentrySafe SF123CS Fire Safe

• 1.23-cubic-foot fire-resistant safe.
• Tough durable body construction.
• 4 thick live-locking bolts fitted along the opening edge of the door.
• Easy access combination wheel and handle.
• One removable/adjustable shelf optimizes storage space.
• Fire resistant safe is UL classified for fire endurance 1 hour at 1700ºF.
• After fire replacement guarantee.

Internal Dimensions
13.8 in. x 12.6 in. x 11.9 in. (H x W x D)

External Dimensions
17.8 in. x 16.3 in. x 19.3 in. (H x W x D)

Click the button below to discover more about this fireproof safe

9. Hollon Safe FB-450E Oyster Series 2 Hour Fireproof Safe

It is easy to become overwhelmed with the amount of security safe companies that are out there today. Many tend to focus on manufacturing only the safes that are popular and trending…even if they are not the best quality!

The Hollon Safe company is not like that. Their focus is on making high quality safes that actually exceed industry standards for design, strength and durability. They may not be the best fireproof safes on the market but for the price they come pretty close.

Knowing that, you would think their safes would be more expensive…but they are not. Most of their prices are 20% to 50% less than the more popular safe manufacturers.

So, now that you know that Hollon are a reputable company let’s look at one of their quality fireproof safes from what they call the Oyster Series.

Here is a collection of security safes that are designed to resist both burglary attacks and fires. These safes are put through rigorous fire and impact testing to qualify for verification. All Oyster Series safes are constructed with heavy duty vault style hinges as well as a long 1-inch thick locking bar.

Every one of these fire safes comes standard with either a tough electronic keypad or a UL Listed mechanical dial. The Hollon Safe FB-450E has a digital keypad and so that is what we will be reviewing here.

This is considered to be one of the higher end best home safes and is very robust. It would be very difficult to break into and will also do a great job of protecting its contents from fire damage for up to 2 hours of heat exposure. The electronic locking mechanism is easy to program just by following the simple instructions that come with the safe.

There is a default Master Code but you can also reprogram the unit to accept a personal combination. You can also save 4 additional PIN codes that can only be changed with the default Master Code which helps to keep security tight.

This particular Hollon fire safe is one of the smaller Oyster Series models with exterior measurements of (H x W x D) 17.71″ x 20″ x 20.5″ and interior measurements of (H x W x D) 11.67″ x 14″ x 13″. Certainly, large enough to store many items, however if you do have larger items to secure then you may prefer another model from this series such as the FB-685, FB-845, FB-1054 or FB-1505.

It has an adjustable shelf inside and one other thing to consider is its weight. It is a heavy-duty safe and so it will naturally be quite heavy, weighing in at around 242lbs. That’s a pretty heavy safe so wherever you put it in your home you can be certain it won’t be going anywhere soon.

Basic details of the Hollon Safe FB-450E Oyster Series

Fireproofing: Has a 2 Hour fireproof rating in 1700 degrees external and 350-degree internal temperatures.

Impact strength: This safe has been impact tested from a 30-foot drop.

Tough handle: The handle is a heavy-duty Tri-spoke.

Locking bolts: The locking mechanism features two 1¼ inch live-locking bolts in the door.

Locking bar: There is a full length 1” thick hinge side locking bar.

Digital lock keypad: Has a CE rated electronic digital keypad with a Master Code. You can program in your own code too.

Pry-resistant hinge: The FB-450E has a heavy-duty vault hinge.

Mounting: You can bolt down the safe for additional security using the included hardware.

Interior shelving: There is one adjustable interior shelf.

Internal Dimensions
11-2/3” (H) x 14” (W) x 13” (D)

External Dimensions
17-3/4” (H) x 20” (W) x 20-3/8” (D)

Cubic Feet: 1.23

Weight: 242 lbs.

Click the button below to discover more about this fireproof safe

10. SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof and Waterproof Safe

This is another one of the popular SentrySafe models from the SFW series. When it comes to the best fireproof safe for a cheap or affordable price then you just can’t go wrong with a SentrySafe. Of course, there are similar models on the market that are better…BUT they will cost you A LOT more.

The SFW123GDC is one of the mid-sized models in the collection with an exterior measurement of 16.3 in. W x 19.3 in. D x 17.8 in. H and the interior being 12.6 in. W x 11.9 in. D x 13.8 in. H. The inside capacity is around 1.23 cubic foot which is not a bad size if you are looking to store items that may not be small but also not too big either.

As mentioned many times before, these affordable fireproof/fire resistant safes tend to be more about protecting your items from fire damage or water damage rather than being burglar proof. This is understandable because at these low prices you can’t have every feature available.

Having said that, this safe does have quality security to help fend of break-in attempts. For example, this has 4 large 1 inch thick live-locking bolts that slide in and out of the closing side of the door. This makes prying that door off a very difficult task for any thief.

Next, there is the pry-resistant reinforced door which provides added protection to prevent any kind of forced entry. Let’s not forget that all of these SFW SentrySafe models can be bolted down to the floor making it a permanent fixture.

The fireproof rating is one of the highest as it is UL Classified to withstand 1 hour at 1700°F of hot temperatures. If that isn’t enough it is also ETL Verified for 24 hours of protection in water up to 8 inches deep.

Finally, just in case you have this safe on the top floor of your home and during a fire the floor collapses, this safe has been ETL Verified to withstand a 15-foot fall and remain closed.

The electronic digital keypad allows you to set your own digital PIN code with 1-8 digits. The pad is very easy to operate and also has a convenient back light to improve visibility in a dimly lit area.

There is a secondary locking key that comes with the safe which allows you to disable the primary lock for whatever reason. Note, it is not a backup key.

The interior has some very nice features including a light which can be used to increase visibility without having to turn on a main room light. There is also a very handy interior locking drawer which spans the full width and depth of the interior and is around four inches deep.

You can use this compartment to store smaller, more important items because you can lock the box up; keys included. It seems like SentrySafe have thought of everything regarding the fire and waterproofing aspect as well as providing an above average amount of security for a safe in this category. It is kind of like a Jack of all trades but master of non.

Basic details of the SentrySafe SFW123GDC Fireproof and Waterproof Safe

Fireproof for 1 hour: UL classified to protect your valuables for up to one hour at 1700˚F (927˚C). Is also ETL verified to provide protection to digital media.

Waterproof for 24 hours: ETL verified to protect valuables from water spray used to put the fire out. Also protected against flooding in 8 inches of water for 24 hours.

Digital lock keypad: Has a default master code as well as the ability to set your own digital combination with an 1-8-digit code.

Secondary locking keys: Use the key to disable the primary lock at any time. It is not a backup key.

ETL verified impact resistance: The safe can drop 15 feet and still be intact with the door still closed.

Reinforced door: The pry-resistant hinge bar will deter anyone from trying to force entry.

Locking bolts: Has four 1-inch thick live-locking bolts on the closing side of the door.

Anchoring: You can bolt down the safe for additional security. Hardware is included.

Interior lock box: The lock box can be used to store smaller more important items. Locking keys are included.

Interior light: There is an interior light to help with visibility in dark rooms.

Internal Dimensions
12.6 in. W x 11.9 in. D x 13.8 in. H

External Dimensions
16.3 in. W x 19.3 in. D x 17.8 in. H

Cubic Feet: 1.23

Weight: 87lbs.

Click the button below to discover more about this fireproof safe

Fireproof Safe Tips & Fire Resistant Safe FAQ

Some Basics Before You Purchase A Fireproof Safe

Fire Rating – Which Is Best For You?

When you are looking for a fireproof or fire resistant safe the fire rating should be a top priority.
Generally, a 1 hour fire rated safe is probably the lowest you want to go. There are 30 minute fire safes but they will not provide adequate protection to survive a typical home or business fire. As a rule, whatever your budget is, make sure you select the safe with the longest fire protection that you can afford.

When shopping for fireproof safes look for a U.L. or a U.S. made safe with a certified fire rating of at least 1 hour. A rating of more than 1 hour would be a very wise buy.

Many people have important documents saved in their home or office. Usually these are placed in document files and then stored in a drawer somewhere. Unfortunately, this will not protect them from a fire.

If you have important documents or delicate items then you need to add greater protection by investing in a small fire certified fire box or document safe. There are quite a number of these safes available many of which are best sellers and rated highly by customers. Check out our small safes category to see a few there.

One other area you should look at before buying a fireproof safe is the fire seal on the door. A fire seal is an important part of a good fire rating and also helps keep out unwanted moisture from entering the safe. That means preventing rust and corrosion of your guns or other valuables.
A good seal will keep out fire and smoke as well as any sprayed water that may occur while extinguishing the fire.

Fire Resistant Safes / Fireproof Safes Vs Burglary

Just so you understand, there are no real 100% “fireproof” safes on the market. The words “fireproof” are used to describe certain safes but they cannot hold out in a fire indefinitely. This is the reason why you need to make sure your safe has an adequate fire rating time, (1 hour being the minimum choice).

All fireproof safes are “fire resistant”, meaning that they resist heat, smoke and sometimes water over a given period of time. These safes do a great job of protecting your valuables from a fire, during a specified time limit, but are not all tough enough to defeat a skilled burglar.

The reason for this is because many of the lower priced fireproof safes use a thin 14-18 gauge metal for the construction materials. If you want a quality fire resistant safe that is also tough against burglars then you will have to pay quite a bit more…at least $500+.

The best choice safes, overall, are burglar rated and quality composite fire safes or good fire safe with a high security TL rating. These safes will protect against both burglars and fires.

Fire Resistant Safes & Important Data Protection

A good fire safe will, (for a specific period of time), protect important paperwork, money, pictures, data and media, photos, CDs/DVDs, etc. However, those items are sensitive to heat and moisture from humidity. A very basic lower end fire safe will not protect against these things for very long in a fire.

Sensitive items such as those mentioned above may be damaged if the internal heat of the safe reaches between 120 to 180 degrees or 85% humidity.
If you specifically want to store data or media then once again you may need to invest more to get a higher end fireproof safe preferably one that specifies data/media protection. The inside temperature of these safes will keep below 135 degrees with a humidity level below 85%.

ADDED PRECAUTION: It would be VERY wise to also purchase a quality dehumidifier regardless of what you plan on putting in the safe. These will protect against excess moisture spreading over your valuables!

The post Top 10 Best Fireproof Safes & Fire Resistant Safes (2021 Update) appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

What Are The Best Laptop Safes For Dorm Rooms?

Laptop safes for dorm rooms are becoming increasingly popular due to the critical role technology plays in the lives of students. It is common for college students to maintain their academic, professional, and personal lives through electronic media devices, such as their laptop.

Laptop security as well as electronic media device protection is of the utmost importance because theft of a laptop can result in the loss of academic research, professional work, and personal information, such as passwords, online banking information, and social media accounts. The low cost of dorm room safes is well worth the protection that is provided in order to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of theft or having your valuables accidentally damaged.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE LATEST LAPTOP DORM SAFE DEALS

Sharing a living space can present challenges in securing your valuables in an effective and stress-free fashion. Laptop safes for dorm rooms can serve as a practical dorm security safe and hold a variety of valuables to include tablets, cellphones, cameras, and audio video (AV) equipment. Laptop safes protect your devices from theft, damage, and unauthorized access.

Additional accessories such as removable shelves, LED lighting, and cushioned interior help to protect your items as well as keep them to organized and easily accessible for use. There are different methods of locking, such as traditional key, number or letter keypad, or biometric fingerprint. An extra lock key or an override key is essential in case you forget the pass code or lose the key so that you can still access your belongings.

Another reason laptop safes for dorm rooms are a leading dorm room safe is because they are small, light, and easily transferrable as necessary to a new dorm, temporary housing, or to take while traveling or studying abroad. It can also be stored in a closet, drawer, under a bed, or under a passenger seat while traveling.

A desirable version of laptop safes for dorm rooms are models that use a cable securing system. Dorm safes with cables are extremely secure while ultra-portable for the college student that is routinely moving or traveling. The cable can easily wrap around or through a permanent surface and lock to ensure the safe cannot be removed.

College students that live in a dorm, shared housing, or often host social events will find that protection of valuables and specifically laptop security is a necessity. One of the best parts of owning a laptop safe for your dorm room is having peace of mind that your academic, professional, and personal life will not be stolen or compromised.

While you are attending class, a social event, or away for spring break you can feel confident your valuable items are secure. Laptop security and protection of electronic media devices is always a worthwhile investment that can actually prevent financial and emotional hardship.

Electronic media devices not only store critical information, but store lifetime memories that tend to be irreplaceable, such as photographs, messages, journals, and keepsakes. A laptop safe for your dorm room will ensure that all of your valuables are protected throughout your college years and onward.

For most people, having a good security safe gets to be an integral component of whatever method or system they’ve put up to keep one’s family secure at home. Some of the key reasons are :

1. Protection – If one had cash and jewelry or some valuable heirlooms and other items of some monitory or sentimental value like a baseball with Babe Ruth’s signature, there’s need for a safe to protect these from burglars,
2. Safe from fire – When fire-proofed, a safe will keep paper money intact … same for important documents like land titles, deeds and contracts …should an unfortunate conflagration happen,
3. Safety – should one own a gun or other firearms, keeping them in a safe ensures they’re out of children’s reach or kept secure from thieves who may want to curiously look them over.

For mostly the same reasons, laptop safes have now become a must-have item among college students.

Best Laptop Safes 2021

AmazonBasics Security Safe Box, 0.7 Cubic Feet

• 0.7-cubic-foot security safe with electronic lock and 2 emergency override keys
• Steel construction with carpeted floor to protect against scratches and damage;
• 2 live-door bolts and pry-resistant concealed hinges

Free shipping

Last update was on: November 9, 2024 9:11 pm

in stock

$74.71

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SentrySafe X105 Security Safe with Digital Keypad, 0.9 Cubic Feet (Large)

• Security safe with digital keypad lock is an ideal solution for your valuables and electronics; This safe is not a fireproof or waterproof safe
• Safe features a set-your-own combination digital lock that uses a programmable 1-8 digit code

1 used from $79.99
Free shipping

Last update was on: November 9, 2024 9:11 pm

in stock

$100.80 $152.99

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Stalwart Electronic Combination Safe – Large Steel Strongbox with Keypad, Manual Override Key – Protect Money, Laptop, Jewelry, Documents, More

• DUAL ENTRY DIGITAL SAFE BOX - Access valuables and important papers inside this money safe by using the battery-operated programmable keypad. The safety box also comes with two manual override keys should you forget what your 3 to 8-digit PIN code is.

Free shipping

Last update was on: November 9, 2024 9:11 pm

in stock

$89.11 $119.99

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Viking Security Safe VS-35BLX Biometric Safe Fingerprint Safe

• HIGHLY SECURE 8” x 17” x 14” BIOMETRIC FINGERPRINT SAFE - Unlocks Fast by Registered Fingerprint or PIN Code.
• FAST ACCESS PERSONAL SAFE FOR HOME & OFFICE DEFENCE AND PROTECTION – Upgraded 500 DPI Optical Sensor, Motorized 20mm deadbolt locking mechanism with 2 pry-resistant insertion slots, 5mm door, Seamless Laser Cut, Four Prong Backup Cross Key

Last update was on: November 9, 2024 9:11 pm

in stock

$229.97

BUY HERE!

Dorm Room Laptop Safes

Try to picture a college dorm room, or we might call it a hub. Besides one’s room mates, there would be people coming in and out … classmates who may want to borrow a book, other students with an invitation to join the dramatic guild and a host of other young men and women who drop in for a gab fest or to share some bits of college gossip. Not to mention the house keeping and cleaning staff to take on the impossible mission of getting the room neat and tidy.

If your son or daughter in college is in such a situation, it makes perfect sense to get them a laptop safe. You can lock away expensive cameras, Ipods, cash along with a laptop.

Amazon.com

AmazonBasics Security Safe Box

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Honeywell Safes & Door Locks

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SentrySafe PL048E Electronic Security Box

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SentrySafe X075 Security Safe

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Some types of laptop safes are lined with fire-resistant material. This offers some protection from fire damage in addition to protection from theft.

It may cost a little extra but may just make you sleep better. Some models have at the rear, an electrical conduit, a hole through which one may charge one’s laptop, cell phone and other electronic device while they’re secured safely in the laptop safe.

When you come right down to it, there really shouldn’t be any second thoughts about having a home security safe or a laptop safe for use while in a dorm. It’s simply a good investment.

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The post Best Laptop Safe For Dorm Rooms appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

There have been quite a few college dorm safes launched since the last time I did a review. Some are good and of course some are bad, but what really matters is that the safe you choose offers the right features for you.

In this new 2021 list I will be picking out the safes that have become top sellers. Most of these have pretty mixed reviews from owners, which is normal, however there are a few that do stand out from the crowd as top safes.

Don’t forget you can also use the Table Of Contents above to locate some of the best dorm safes from years past. Some items such as the Stealth safe, (reviewed below in 2018), will keep popping up. There is a reason for that….it’s a really good safe!

Anyway, here is the new 2021 list.

All safes below are chosen as some of the best available for 2021.

SentrySafe X031 Security Safe with Key Lock

BASIC OVERVIEW

This is perfect for anyone looking for a small, tough dorm safe. Due to its size it is just right for storing the usual items that you may normally just leave lying around your room. Things like your phone, USB stick, keys, jewelry and loose cash can be secured away while you go off to do…whatever.

This Sentrysafe X031 is only 0.35 cubic feet with dimensions of 6.6 x 10.4 x 11.4 inches. It is really small which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what you are looking for. As a good thing, it can be easily hidden away as it is about the size of a big shoe box. A lock box that small can fit in a drawer, night stand, closet or literally wherever you want!

A bad thing about being so small is that someone could walk off with it IF it is not secured…and that is an important note…you need to secure this safe if theft prevention is a high priority for you.

Sentrysafe obviously thought of this and so added mountable security with its predrilled holes on the bottom and rear of the unit. As a dorm safe a student may not be allowed to bolt this thing down which is fine because you also have the option to use a tough security cable to tie it down.

Steel security cables are actually becoming a common thing in colleges where bolting things down to the floor is not allowed. There are a ton of really tough quality versions available at different thicknesses and different lengths so finding a good one will not be a problem.

For such a small safe there are a number of useful features that make this stand out from the rest. One of them is the fact that it is not a digital safe. Many manufacturers now focus on the electronic digital keypad safes because they are in demand, however that doesn’t mean they are any better.

If you prefer manual locking systems then this is for you because the Sentrysafe X031 has keyed entry instead of the digital button entry. This generally means that it should not have multiple access points.

Another great feature is that the key for this safe is not your average key. Due to its design it would be harder to get duplicated. The keys are not flimsy and will not snap easily. They are pretty unique and come as a pair.

FEATURES

Bolting system: Has two large, live-locking bolts for better security.

Pry-resistant: Concealed hinges makes it difficult for burglars to pry the door open.

Strong design: The X031 is constructed with solid steel for a tougher outer casing.

Locking system: There are no electronics on this safe. It uses a tough, manual locking method where only keys are needed.

Safe keys: There are two very unique keys that come with the safe. Due to their design they are very difficult to duplicate.

Mounting options: There are pre-drilled mounting holes in the back and bottom. Bolting hardware is included.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• It has a solid build for the price.
• Very sturdy and heavy for its size.
• It has mount points on the bottom and rear of the unit.
• Small size and so can be hidden anywhere.
• The keys have a unique design to prevent them from being inserted incorrectly.
• Has a carpeted interior bottom.
• Does not have a digital keypad.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The included anchor bolts are not of the best quality.
• Would need to be tied down or bolted if theft prevention is a priority.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

AmazonBasics Security Safe Box – 0.7 Cubic Feet

BASIC OVERVIEW

The”Amazon Basics” security safe brand has grown from strength to strength over the past few years and there is good reason for this.

All of the models are quality builds and the best part is that they are also very reasonably priced.

This AmazonBasics security safe box is no exception. Just by looking at the image you can see that this is the perfect safe for a dorm room student.

There are four different sizes for this particular model which means that no matter what your needs are there will be a size that fits your preference. The four capacities available are: 0.5 cubic feet, 0.7 cubic feet, 1 cubic feet and 1.2 cubic feet.

In this review we will be focusing on the 0.7 cubic feet model. The shape on this unit is more flat, wide and long compared to the other versions. If you look at the interior measurements, (16.81 x 12.15 x 6.97 inches – L x W x H – ), you can see that it should be wide enough and long enough to store a small laptop…one of those mini laptops will fit in this no problem.

There is also room for documents and other paperwork which is just what a student needs. Aside from all the college assignments being stored away there should also be plenty of room for some other general valuables such as a passport, phone, tablet, jewelry and other smaller items.

Regarding security, this is not a mini Fort Knox, at this price point you shouldn’t expect it to be. It will do a fair job of keeping the opportunist thief at bay; however it probably won’t stop a determined thief.

That being said it does have a pretty good pry-resistant solid steel construction which means a thief will need tools if you plan on breaking into this thing.

This AmazonBasics safe has 2 live-door bolts which are a good thickness which lock into the side of the safe. The door itself has pry-resistant concealed hinges which lowers the chances of someone trying to pry the door open with a crowbar.

The locking mechanism is controlled by an electronic digital control keypad. To open the safe all you do is punch in your personal PIN code, (that you already pre-set), and the door is unlocked instantly. You also get two emergency override keys which you can use to open the safe if you forgot your pass code.

FEATURES

Digital electronic keypad: Just key in your pre-programmed pass code to unlock the safe.

Solid steel construction: Certainly not the thickest casing but it is made of solid steel and for a safe this size it should be adequate.

Strong bolting system: 2 live-door bolts and pry-resistant concealed hinges that will deter anyone from trying to break in with basic tools.

Option to open with keys: If you cannot get into the safe for whatever reason you can use one of the 2 included override keys to open the door.

Removable adjustable shelf: You can remove the shelf to store larger items.

Mounting holes and hardware: There are pre-drilled mounting holes in the back and at the bottom of this safe for bolting to the floor or a wall for added security.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Initial programming setup is an easy process.
• The 0.7 cubic feet is a good size for student paperwork and small laptops.
• There are two options to access the safe. Via password or manually with keys.
• It comes with 2 override keys.
• The two locking bolts are strong and a good size.
• You could easily hide it inside a large closet or even in a drawer.
• There are pre-drilled holes in the back and bottom to allow permanent fixture to the wall/floor.
• It is a quality safe at a good price-point.
• It is quite light weight at around 24 pounds.
• Has one shelf in the middle that is removable.
• Has a nice smooth looking finish to it.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The keypad beeping cannot be adjusted.
• There is no keypad light.
• The carpet could be slightly thicker for better protection.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON AMAZON

Tigerking Biometric Safe Fingerprint Safe

BASIC OVERVIEW

This Tigerking biometric safe is nice looking with its modern, curved, sleek design. It looks like it would blend right in if placed on a shelf somewhere in a room. Of course, its main purpose is not to look cool on someone’s shelf but to provide the best protection for valuable items. It does just that too!

As a dorm safe this would fit perfectly in a small area. It can be placed somewhere in plain sight, and not stand out, or you could hide it away somewhere…like a closet.

As a biometric fingerprint safe this means you can get quick access to your items without having to remember PIN codes or fumble around with keys or dials. All you do is press your finger onto the scanner and within seconds the door will pop open.

It is what I would call medium sized with interior dimensions of 13.5 in. W x 10.6 in. D x 9.5 in. Not huge but certainly adequate for storing quite a number of items including unfolded A4 size documents, folders and a 13-inch laptop.

Also, because it has an adjustable shelf, you will be able to store even larger odd shaped valuables that usually will not fit in something like a laptop safe.

This particular Tigerking model is very well built and has pretty thick walls compared to other models in this category or price range. It is manufactured from a durable, reinforced, double thickness tempered steel casing which is pretty impressive for a safe of this size.

It weighs around 24 pounds which is not too heavy but also not light enough to be picked up and stolen with ease. It does include mounting hardware so bolting to the floor would be a good idea if you had this in your home, however this may not be possible in a dorm room.

It has two active live-locking bolts and a tamper-resistant concealed hinge so this won’t be the easiest of safes to break into.

A flawless feature is the biometric fingerprint scanner unlocking and locking system. Getting this thing open fast is as simple as scanning your fingerprint. Even if you don’t manage to place your print on the scanner correctly it will still recognize your fingerprints and rapidly unlock the safe. The system can save as many as 32 fingerprints.

The door will only unlock if the system recognizes the fingerprints. The other option is to open the safe manually using a key or your PIN code. You can save up to 8 passcodes by preprogramming them into the system.

The programming is easy and if you did come across a problem where you cannot get into the safe then you can use either of the two emergency keys to manually open the door. Incidentally, these are special barrel keys which means they are harder to duplicate and the keyhole will not be easy to pick.

There is even a very cool hidden key hole feature that is actually tucked away under the Tigerking logo. Only YOU would know that the manual key hole is there! For a top-quality biometric fingerprint safe this is very affordable, especially if you compare it to other more popular older brands on the market.

FEATURES

Biometric safe: Its main feature is the biometric fingerprint scanner that will unlock the door with a simple scan and can store up to 32 fingerprints.

Digital keypad: This electronic lock box has an easy to program digital keypad locking system.

Color availability: This Tigerking safe is available in 5 different colors – Black, Blue, Noble Black, Off-White and White.

Modern design: Has a smooth, curved modern style to its design.

Great interior size: The interior is big enough to store a 13-inch laptop and full size, unfolded A4 paper or folders.

Strong build: Made of high quality durable thick steel material. Tamper-resistant with a large concealed hinge.

Interior organization: Has a small adjustable shelf in the center of the safe for better organization.

Door bolts: There are two live-locking bolts in the door.

Manual keys: Comes with two barrel shaped override keys for emergencies.

Special key hole: Under the door logo is a hidden key hole for the manual keys.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• The safe is very sturdy and durable for its size.
• Is tamper proof and has a large concealed hinge.
• Nice design and overall easy instructions.
• The safe can be bolted to the floor for added security.
• Comes with two barrel shaped emergency keys.
• Opens and closes effortlessly.
• Has an adjustable shelf.
• The fingerprint scan reading speed is fast and accurate.
• Includes mounting hardware and a backup battery pack.
• Enough room inside to store three small ring binders.
• Big enough to store a 13-inch laptop or A4 documents.
• An affordable quality biometric fingerprint safe.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Limited hardware included for mounting
• Loud beeping when buttons are pressed.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Honeywell 30 Minute Fire Safe Waterproof Filing Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

If you are someone who has a lot of paperwork and documents that need to be neatly stored away then you should take a look at what this Honeywell filling box has to offer.

Firstly, this is not a security safe, it won’t stop a determined thief from breaking into it. This fire safe box is locked with a simple key which means someone with a bit of time and a little thieving experience could probably pick the lock.

Having said that, this box is defiantly safer than an ordinary file cabinet or desk drawer. If you think about it, most students would just file their documents in a folder and then put that folder in an unlocked desk drawer or on a shelf in their closet. That is certainly not a safe way to go.

This has been classed as a fire safe and waterproof filing safe box. It has a 30-minute UL fire protection rating for up to 1550°f/843°c so it can take some heat but only for a short period of time.

Regarding the waterproofing side of things, this box has a 24-hour waterproof seal that is verified to keep your contents dry. It has been tested by submerging it in 1 meter of water and can withstand some time under emergency sprinklers.

The interior and exterior measurements are just enough for keeping important letter and a4 size hanging files: exterior dimensions are 12.9 in h x 15.9 in W x 12.6 in D. The interior dimensions are 10.1 in h x 12.2 in W x 8.5 in D.

One thing to bear in mind is that fire and water safes have tough, airtight seals which means the inside can be prone to humidity and moisture buildup.

To tackle this open it up occasionally to air it out and maybe put drying agent inside to prevent moisture. You can place silica bags in the bottom of the box.

Yes, this is technically a filing box but you can use it to store other items too if you wish. As well as accommodating letter sized hanging folders, it also has room for things like USB Flash Drives, CDs, DVD’s, jewelry, loose cash, etc.

FEATURES

Amazing guarantee: This Honeywell filing box has a 7-year limited warranty with a Lifetime After-Fire Replacement Guarantee.

File storing: Specially designed for storing all forms of paperwork and important documents in folders or with a hanging file system.

Fire proofing: Has a 30 Minute UL Fire protection rating for up to 1550°F / 843°C.

Water proofing: Has a 24-Hour waterproof seal that is verified after being submerged 1 meter underwater.Easy key locking system: Two tough latches will seal the box shut and you have a set of keys for locking tight.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Very sturdy and has a solid design build.
• It is quite heavy so it won’t be easy for a thief to run off with it.
• The two locking latches are very strong and seal the box tight.
• Comes with slots for document organizers, hanging files.
• There is plenty of room for storing other items too.
• Has a great warranty offer.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• This filing box is not really designed for theft security.
• You cannot remove the key while it is unlocked.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

There are several alternative sizes for this safe box:

Digital Security Safe Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

As small safes go, this one has to be one of the best-looking ones. I know looks are not really that important when it comes to researching for the right safe but I guess it doesn’t hurt does it?

This is obviously one of the high-quality small safes on the market; you can tell straight away…and that’s not just because of its pretty, stylish design. There are a number of very cool features that can either make or break a dorm safe.

For example, the interior storage space is not only good for the usual smaller items but also accommodates things like A4 size documents and 13-inch laptops. This means that it is deep enough and wide enough which many other manufacturers tend to avoid.

There is also a very unique security system when three incorrect number entries are punched into the keypad. It vibrates or you can program it to sound an alarm! That should wake the neighbors.

Its build is secure and strong with durable thick steel material walls and two strong locking bars to resist forced entry. Bear in mind it is not a fireproof safe or waterproof safe, but I don’t think that is important for dorm rooms.

If you are using the safe in the dark the keypad can be lit up with LED lights. You have a master code and guest codes both being 3-8 digits long. If you get locked out for any reason you can use the two manual override keys.

Out of all the 2020 dorm safes reviewed here this one certainly comes in at the top 5 best quality for what you pay.

FEATURES

Strong build quality: This digital safe is made of durable thick steel material as the walls and on the top and bottom.

Strong bolting system: 2 strong locking bolts, 0.8-inch diameter.

Digital LED keypad: Equipped with high secure keypad locking system and is LED lit. It can be programmed with master and guest codes 3-8 digits long.

Mounting holes and hardware: The safe has 4 pre-drilled mounting holes in the back and bottom for wall or floor mounting.

Nice looking safe: Not an important feature but it does make a difference if you have this safe out in the open for all to see.

Removable interior shelf: You can remove the shelf to store taller or generally bigger items.

Two ways to open: You can type in your personal code or you can use one of the two override keys that come with the safe.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Has a fast and accurate fingerprint reader.
• Programming is easy and the locking mechanism is very secure.
• Safe is built very well, and steel is thick and heavy.
• You can fit 3 small ring binders inside that hold important documents.
• There are 4 mounting holes in the back and 4 mounting holes at the bottom.
• It comes with 2 override keys when the electronics fail or batteries die.
• There is a separate external battery pack you can plug into the keypad area.
• There is an interior light.
• Has a cool hidden key hole feature.
• The door is both bolted on and welded.
• It’s a good size for keeping things like jewelry and emergency cash.
• Keypad lets you set up 2 separate combinations of up to 8 digits.
• The price is very reasonable for what you get.
• Has one shelf in the middle that is removable.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Limited hardware included for mounting.
• The keypad is loud when the buttons are pressed.
• There is no real interior covering.
• Not fire or waterproof.
• You need to rotate the dial to open it.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Golval ES25 Digital Electronic Home Safe Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

Sometimes the best products are the ones that don’t have all the bells and whistles and just do what they were designed to do. Just by looking at this digital electronic home safe I would say that it fits in that group. You know what?…That’s a good thing!

The last thing you need in a dorm room is a flashy security safe just sitting there in full view with it’s flashing lights and beeping buttons. You don’t want to draw the attention of any potential thieves, do you?

Something like this small Golval safe box can sit at the bottom of a closet and no one would even notice it was there. This particular product is more of a “strong box” and does suit the dorm room environment.

It’s not much to look at but does have a good quality build. It is made of high-quality metal material, is solid and durable.

It is not very big at 12″ x 9.8″ x 9.8″ and also not too heavy weighing in at 20lbs. This would mean that someone could potentially walk off with it if you do not tie it down with a cable or even bolt it down if your dorm allows.

It does come equipped with a digital keypad which means you will have to enter in a pin code to get in. It does come with emergency override keys just in case something goes wrong and you cannot open the door or if you forget you pass code.

This is basically a safe/lock box that does what it is supposed to do without advertising it to the world! A good purchase for someone who needs to store smaller items.

FEATURES

Strong build: Made of high quality durable thick steel material.

Quality interior: Has a small removable shelf in the center of the safe for better organization.

Door bolts: There are two locking bolts in the door.

Digital keypad: This electronic lock box has an easy to program digital keypad locking system. A quick and simple way to get to your stored items.

Two override keys: If there is a problem opening the door or if you forget your pin code you can use either of the 2 emergency override keys to get in.

Good capacity for a small safe: Dimensions: 12″ x 9.8″ x 9.8″ Weight: 20lbs.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• The safe is very sturdy and durable for its size.
• Would be harder to pry open compared to other boxes in price range.
• Very good price for what you get.
• Nice design and overall easy instructions.
• The safe box can be bolted to the floor for added security.
• Opens and closes effortlessly.
• Has a removable shelf.
• The lock is solid, the walls are thick enough.
• The basic digital lock allows for 1 master code and 1 user code.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Does not have an option to connect external battery pack.
• A determined thief may walk away with the safe if it isn’t secured somewhere.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Hoee Electronic Fingerprint Safe Lock Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

Here is a small safe that is not a really popular brand name yet it offers some very useful features. At the price this is going for you cannot really complain considering this is an electronic fingerprint safe which are generally not cheap.

As a dorm safe this should do fine as it offers pretty good security and also allows for quick access via the fingerprint feature. It is a good quality build and is a perfect size for storing all forms of paperwork, documents, jewelry, cash and other general items.

It is not considered a heavy duty safe, however it is well designed for keeping out unwanted hands from a snooping roomie. It will not withstand a determined attack with a heavy tool but then I would say most thieves in dorms are more opportunists rather than full on criminals. Not many would be walking the halls with a sledgehammer in their hands!

The fingerprint locking system is a cool feature and the setup is relatively easy. It boasts the ability to program 120 fingerprints which can be very useful if more than one person uses the safe.

A really useful feature is how there are three ways you can open the safe. The options are code opening, fingerprint opening or code and fingerprint opening. Either of these three options may come in handy if you ever forget your code or even lose your override key.

Overall a really good dorm safe for such a low price and considering it is not a huge brand name it may give the bigger brand names some tough competition.

FEATURES

Digital & fingerprint lock: This electronic lock box has an easy to program digital keypad and fingerprint lock system. A quick and simple way to get to your stored items.

3 Door opening options: There are three different ways you can open your safe. They are: code opening, fingerprint opening and code plus fingerprint opening. You can choose which you feel more comfortable using.

Quality interior: Has a small removable shelf and the bottom of the safe is also carpeted to prevent scratching any stored items.

Strong and secure build: This lock box/safe has solid reinforced durable steel walls all around including the bottom.

Door bolts: There are two 0.7inchs live-locking bolts in the door. The door itself has pry-resistant steel to make it even more difficult to pry open the door with tools.

Smart locking system: An alarm will sound if the wrong password or wrong fingerprint is entered. The system also locks if too many consecutive attempts have failed.

Good sized capacity: Exterior-(L)13.8”x(W)9.8”x(H)10”, Interior-(L)13.1”x(W)9”x(H)9.6”. (L)13x(W)7.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• The safe is not light, so stealing it would be somewhat difficult for a thief.
• Easy to program fingerprint locking system.
• Very good price for what you get.
• If the fingerprint doesn’t work, you have a code or key to get it open.
• The safe is sturdy and a good size.
• You can store up to 120 different fingerprints!
• The safe can be bolted to the floor for added security.
• 3 Different ways to open; code, fingerprint or code plus fingerprint.
• Has a removable shelf and carpeting.
• Alarm goes off if wrong code or fingerprint is entered.
• Easy to install, easy to follow instructions.
• The lock is solid, the walls are thick enough.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Keypad only has numbers 1-5.
• The bolts that come with this safe are not great quality.
• It is not fireproof or waterproof.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

SereneLife SLSFE14 Home Digital Safe and Lock Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

First things first, this is not a fireproof safe…it is “heatproof”. Now, I don’t know exactly how much heat this thing can handle but I doubt it could withstand very high temperatures. I think some customers mistook “heatproof” as a “fireproof” stamp of approval…which it clearly is not.

Also remember for this type of price range you are not going to find any quality fireproof safes…it just won’t happen, so make sure to take that into consideration.

As for high security, this safe will offer the very basics. Again, the price says it all. If you want a super high security safe then you will have to spend a lot of money…and that is one thing most students don’t have!

This home digital safe is not heavy duty, however in terms of a functional digital safe at a reasonable price, this thing is a pretty good deal. It is ideal for keeping dorm roomies from going through your stuff.

This compact lock box can fit perfectly in a drawer or in a closet and is big enough for storing a number of small items.

It has an easy to use front panel digital button pad to control the electronic locking system. You can use a customizable code to gain quick access to your stuff. You also have the option to use the included keys for manual access.

It has a solid construction with a corrosion & stain-resistant powder coat finish and dual door locking bolts but I would think that if someone wants to steal what’s inside, they would probably just take the whole box. This is why a really good idea would be to secure this with a security cable.

Another option would be to bolt it down to the floor but I am not sure that would be allowed in a dorm room. If your dorm rules allow this then the safe has pre-drilled anchor holes for permanent mounting in a convenient location.

A great feature is the option to open it with both a key or pin, just in case the batteries die…or you get so drunk you forget your pass code! Not to worry because you can just open the box with the included key.

FEATURES

Small dimensions: The small size of this safe will help you to easily conceal it in a drawer or in a closet.

Pre-drilled holes: The pre-drilled anchor holes allow you to bolt the safe to the floor or a wall. You can also use those holes to feed a security cable through.

Electronic lock system: The locking process consists of a digital touch screen control pad for added security. It is s type of finger sensor technology; useful for quick entry.

Manual access keys: Includes two manual override keys in case you forget your pass code.

Customizable password: Your pass-code is not permanent. You can change your password at any time.

Secure construction: Made of reinforced 2mm solid steel alloy wall construction and steel door thickness of 3mm.

Dual security door locking bolts: Two locking bolts on the door make it harder for any thief to break into.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Set up and setting a security code is simple.
• Not a complicated design; everything works as it is supposed to.
• The keys provided makes for easy manual access.
• The safe is sturdy and a good size.
• The key hole is hidden with a plastic cover, so only you would know it is there.
• Pass-code is easily changed, so if you forget it, you can just change it.
• Compact and lightweight.
• Has 1-year warranty.
• Is heatproof but not fireproof.
• Tough double bolt locking door.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The interior could have been slightly larger to accommodate documents to be laid flat.
• Some say the handle feels very flimsy.
• Good quality for its price but needs a little more of a solid design.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Variations of this storage chest are also available:

Vaultz Locking Dorm Storage Chest with Combination Locks

BASIC OVERVIEW

Question: What do you do if you are a student in a dorm room and you want to secure your valuables without appearing too paranoid to any of your roomies?

Answer: You get yourself a dorm storage chest that looks just like a briefcase or camera case of sorts. That way, no one would be any the wiser.

Dorm rooms do not usually have en-suite bathrooms and so something like this storage chest would be a perfect place to store your wallet, phone, jewelry and other stuff while you leave the room to shower.

Of course, the Vaultz locking chest is not a safe; it is not made of a super strong steel, it is not fireproof or waterproof and it is probably not the best place for storing irreplaceable documents, priceless heirlooms, or expensive jewelry for any length of time. However, it is a great temporary storage box. It is, as advertised, a locking storage box.

It’s absolutely not a substitute for a safe. It’s a box that is designed to deter the causal snooper while at the same time keeping your stuff tucked away and organized.

You will be able to fit your laptop, gaming system, wallet, and plenty of other random electronics and it is the perfect size for under the bed or top of the closet.

This locking box looks like a regular case, just slightly larger than a briefcase and is probably just a secure as your average locked travel case. You can use the cable tie to secure the storage box to your bed which will deter someone from running off with it but will not stop them from breaking into it.

FEATURES

Dual combination locks: Has dual combination locks for keeping your valuables locked away.

Strong construction: The storage box is very well built and has a fairly strong casing.

Security cable: A security cable is included with the Vaultz chest and can be used to secure it to your bed, desk or any other weighted surface.

Durable handle: The strong handle will make transportation that much easier.

Organization pockets: The interior has a mesh pocket for safe storage of smaller items.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Is available in many colors and styles.
• Large enough to hold many items, but small enough to fit in a cabinet at your dorm.
• Perfect for under bed storage.
• Easy to set your combo, sturdy, and a good size.
• You can set two different lock codes on this storage box.
• The inside is lightly lined with a soft cloth, and the mesh pocket holds things nicely.
• You can reset the lock anytime the lock is open.
• The combo locks are smooth and the clips feel solid.
• The cable is long enough to pull out from under the bed without drawing attention to the cable.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Should not be used to secure very valuable irreplaceable items.
• A thief will be able to open it with something as simple as a screw driver.
• The combo locks work well but aren’t the highest quality.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Variations of this storage chest are also available:

SentrySafe FHW40100 Fireproof Waterproof Box with Key Lock

BASIC OVERVIEW

As a college student you will no doubt have a lot of important paperwork that needs to be stored safely away. Yes, you can file your documents away in a folder and then put it in a drawer but doing that will not keep it private or safe.

If you are looking for a good place to put your paperwork then it needs to go in a document safe. There are many types out there but the ones that offer the most peace of mind are the fire- and water-resistant ones.

This SentrySafe FHW40100 is UL classified, fireproof to endure 1/2 hour at 1550°F. It is also waterproof ETL verified for 72 hours of water submersion. This means that the safe itself is airtight and is designed to protect irreplaceable documents and other valuables.

This is a document safe that features built-in carrying handles for easy transportation…although bear in mind it is quite a heavy box. It is designed to be heavy duty due to its fire and water protection.

As a fire lock box, it has a flat key lock to prevent the lid from opening in the event of a fire and includes two keys. It accommodates letter-size hanging files and folders for easy storage of a number of different documents and papers.

The exterior is – 16. 6 in. W x 13. 8 in. D x 14. 1 in. H and the interior is – 12 in. W x 8. 1 in. H x 11. 6 in. H. It has a large capacity of 0. 66 cubic feet and weighs 41 pounds so there is plenty of space inside not only for documents but also for any of your valuables.

As far as security goes regarding keeping your valuables safe from theft…well I don’t think it was really designed for that. Yes, it will keep prying eyes out and a thief will not be able to walk off with it easy enough, however…the lid could be pried open with the right tool.

Here is the thing though…how many thieves have a crowbar stashed in their dorm room to use on such a safe?

FEATURES

Fireproof box: This safe is UL Classified to endure 1/2 hour at 1550°F.

Waterroof box: ETL Verified for 72 hours of water submersion.

Flat key lock: This fireproof lock box features a flat key lock to prevent the lid from opening in the event of a fire.

Two carry handles: The safe features built-in carrying handles for easy transportation.

Perfect for storing documents: The box accommodates letter-size hanging files and folders for easy storage.

Heavy duty design: Has a very sturdy heavy duty feel to it and is also airtight.

Guarantee: Has 1-year limited warranty.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Has good capacity, easy to open and close.
• Very sturdy and heavy.
• Great for hanging file folders.
• Has two side handles.
• There is ample room inside the safe to meet most people’s needs.
• The in-lid area provides bonus storage with easy access to more frequently used items.
• Weighs 45 pounds making it very hard for someone to walk off with it.
• The top opens easily with a small push button activated latch.
• The lid latches securely and the lock is easy to engage with the 2 included tubular lock keys.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Could be a little wider on the inside for larger manila envelopes. Otherwise you have to put them in diagonally.
• Someone with the right tool could probably break open the lid.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

AmazonBasics Home Keypad Safe

BASIC OVERVIEW

Generally speaking, the”Amazon Basics” lock box and safe products are usually pretty well made for their prices. The safes themselves are quality made and tend to be simple in design. You basically get what you pay for.

This particular home keypad safe is no different. It does what it is supposed to and avoids all the extra bells and whistles that most people do not really need. This is especially so regarding college students who just want a decent enough safe to put their belongings in.

This is NOT a waterproof or fireproof safe. It isn’t designed to be anything but a good quality safe for the price. It is not a super heavy duty safe, those cost a lot more, but it is made with a heavier gauge steel rather than thin sheet metal.

It is a good size, outside and in, which means it is small enough to be hidden in a closet somewhere but also large enough to store good sized items. The available sizes are – 1.20 cubic feet, 1.53 cubic feet and 1.80 cubic feet.

It has an easy to use electronic keypad and operates by entering a code or using a key. Most safes in this price range only have one or the other function. Entering the wrong code will cause the safe to go into lockout mode for 5 minutes, but using the physical key can override the lockout mode at any time.

This Amazon Basics safe is tough enough to secure against prying hands in your dorm room and would protect your valuables against amateur thieves.

It’s excellent value for securing general items such as cash, jewelry, documents, watches, phones, hard drives etc. Any thieves with a smash and grab mentality will not get in without making a lot of noise!

FEATURES

Programmable electronic keypad: This safe offers quick set-up and easy operation. Use the keypad to enter your pass code and then pull the door handle to open it.

Tough construction: Has a tough 8-gauge carbon-steel door construction and a fairly heavy duty 14-gauge steel body.

Strong bolting system: 2 live-door bolts and pry-resistant concealed hinges that will deter anyone from trying to break in with basic tools.

Two ways to open: You can type in your personal code or you can use one of the two override keys that come with the safe.  

Removeble interior shelf: You can remove the shelf to store taller or generally bigger items.

Carpeted floor layer: Not exactly “rug” thickness but certainly thick enough to prevent any damage to your valuables.

Mounting holes and hardware: The safe has pre-drilled mounting holes and all the hardware is included. Perfect for bolting to the floor or a wall for added security.

Guarantee: Backed by an AmazonBasics 1-year limited warranty.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• The pass codes and combination are easy to set up.
• Comes in 3 different sizes – 1.20 cubic feet, 1.53cf and 1.80cf.
• There are two options to access the safe. Via password or manually with keys.
• It comes with 2 override keys.
• The keypad can beep or be silenced.
• The locking bolts are sturdy and nicely oversized in relation to the rest of the construction.
• The walls are single layer 14-gauge steel and of a heavier gauge than sheet metal.
• You could easily hide it inside a large closet.
• There are pre-drilled holes in the back and bottom to allow permanent fixture to the wall/floor.
• The price is very reasonable for what you get.
• It is quite light weight but still heavy enough at nearly 38 pounds.
• Has one shelf in the middle that is removable so you can fit bigger items.
• Door is heavy and securely built to reduce easy access.
• It’s also fairly strong and the lock is really sturdy.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• It will not protect from fire or water damage.
• Only accepts between 4 and 8-digit code numbers.
• The keypad does not light up, which could be a negative for some people.
• Not a very thick carpet.
• It has a shelf but some may find it to be a bit flimsy.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Slypnos Electronic Digital Security Safe Box Lock Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

First and foremost, let me get this out of the way…this is not what you might consider a typical “safe”. It is more of a strong lock box, so if you are looking for something that is high security then this digital safe box is not for you.

Seeing that this will most likely go in your dorm room you will want to hide your stuff from common thieves or sketchy people. In that instance, this is perfect. For added security it would also be advisable to put it in a closet or otherwise more hidden place.

Another thing I need to mention is that this is not fireproof or waterproof so take that into consideration when deciding what to put in it.

This safe box comes in two sizes – 0.7 cubic feet and 1.0 cubic feet. The pricing for the two are not much different and so if you have a lot of stuff to put away then the 1.0 cubic safe at least offers that little bit more space.

For a dorm safe/lock box it is a good choice as it is lightweight but also pretty strong for the low price point. Would I put really valuable items in it? No, I personally wouldn’t but of course to feel 100% secure you would need a real safe and they cost a lot more AND weigh a ton. Not truly practical for college students staying in a dorm room moving from one place to the other.

It is built from sturdy steel and has solid live bolts, so storing things like cash, jewelry, documents and other small items should be safe. You can store larger items by removing the shelf inside and due to the compact size of this digital safe box it can be easily hidden away.

FEATURES

Robust construction: This powder-coated security safe is built from 2mm thick solid steel. Great for basic security.

Digital lock keypad: The keypad has a thin water-resistant film and can be easily cleaned. It is easy to operate and offers 3 indicator lights including a low battery warning.

Tough door frame: The front door is 4mm thick and has 3 enhanced 20mm thick live-door bolts. It also has concealed, pry-resistant hinges to make breaking in that much harder for a thief.

Removeable interior shelf: For bigger items you can remove the interior shelf. Having a shelf keeps things that much more organized.

Two ways to open: You can program a Personal Code and a Master Code which not only adds to the security but also allows you to give the personal code to a guest while maintaining the master code. You also get 2 override keys for manual access.

Carpeted floor layer: Not a super thick carpet but certainly thick enough to prevent jewelry or other delicate items from scratches.

Easy to operate and install: The operation manual is very easy to follow and if you want to make sure no one walks off with the safe you can use the pre-drilled holes to mount it to a wall or floor – (depending on whether that is allowed in your dorm, of course).

PROS AT A GLANCE

• A very simple and easy to install safe.
• There are 2 ways that you can access the safe. Via two password options or manually with keys.
• The steel casing is very durable for a lock box.
• Includes easy to follow instructions.
• It works great for papers and small stuff.
• You could easily hide it inside a cupboard/wardrobe.
• You can bolt it to the floor if needed.
• The pass codes and combination are easy to set up.
• The price is very reasonable for what you get.
• It is quite light weight which can be a good thing if you move around a lot but also means someone can walk away with it.
• Add or remove the interior shelf as needed to organize your valuables large or small.
• Has enough room inside for important documents.
• The backup key is useful in case you forget the code or need someone else to access the safe for you.
• It can hold a jewelry box or important files and papers.
• It’s also fairly strong and the lock is really sturdy.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• It’s not fireproof or waterproof.
• It’s not a particularly large safe but should be adequate for students’ needs.
• Loud beeps when entering the pin.
• It is not very heavy so someone could actually carry it away.
• The buttons are oddly positioned but it isn’t a big issue.
• The safe could probably be cracked by a professional crook or anyone who really wants access.
• The door itself is very sturdy and thick, but the sides of the safe are thin.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Langria Steel Security Safe Deposit Box with Digital Keypad

BASIC OVERVIEW

What you want from a dorm safe is something that doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb. You don’t want anything that is odd shaped, colorful or flashy; you want it to blend into its environment. This Langria safe does just that and it is set at a pretty low price if you consider all the features that come with it.

However, bear in mind that this is not what you would consider to be a standard “safe” due to the fact that it is not designed to be heavy duty. The casing is sheet metal and so a determined person, with time, could cut through it.

You need to take that into consideration when deciding what to put into the safe AND when looking WHERE you will put it. So, I would think of this more of a good quality lock box rather than a conventional safe.

If you are looking to secure some VERY valuable items while you are at college then this probably is not for you. This is best used for storing items that you would just normally leave lying around the dorm room while you pop out for a bit.

You would chuck your phone in there, loose cash, basic documents, books, a watch and even not so expensive jewelry. The Langria steel security safe can be bolted to the ground or wall but for a college dorm room this is probably not advisable.

FEATURES

Shockproof electromagnetic door: I am not sure how much “shock” this door would take, (if someone hit it with a hammer), however at least there is some protection.

There are 2 solid live-locking bolts and the steel door panel is 1.85 inches thick.

Moisture-proof circuit board: That does not mean this thing is waterproof! If you store something that can create moisture then at least you know the circuit board is protected.

Digital lock with manual override: You have two ways to open the safe; with pass code and key settings. Use the code or manually override with the enclosed keys. The keys can be used to get into the safe if you are locked out.

Steel construction: I would say this is adequate as a “lock box” but for a “safe” this may not be tough enough. The door is 1.85 inches thick but the walls are not. Good for basic security.

Hemmed door frame: Not sure what kind of safety this provides but it does give the safe a fine design look.

Comfortable long-stem door knob: This is ergonomically designed to make opening and closing comfortable and easy.

Carpeted floor layer: If you have delicate items to put in the safe then the carpet will protect them from scratches or damage.

Hidden reset button: You can change your personal code at any time by using the red reset button hidden inside the door.

Security alarm: An alarm will go off after three failed attempts at entering the pass code.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Combo setting up is easy and fast.
• Well built; fits in a relatively small area.
• For normal security measures against a casual thief it’s fine.
• Has plenty of interior space.
• Is relatively sturdy & compact, fits almost anywhere.
• Perfect for storing my watches and a few other pieces of jewelry.
• Includes easy to follow instructions.
• It works great for papers and small stuff.
• Having the ability to get into the safe via code or key is nice.
• You can bolt it to the floor if needed.
• Easy to set the code and also has keys if you forget the code.
• The shelf is a great feature.
• Put inside a closet behind hanging clothes. Fits perfectly.
• Not too heavy only 22lbs or less.
• Great price for the size.
• Decent alternative to buying a real safe.
• This item is more along the lines of a lock box.
• You need a good hiding spot for it or to bolt it down.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Would suffice until you can afford a real safe.
• Made out of thin sheet metal. Sides flex when pressed.
• It is not very heavy so someone could actually carry it away.
• Pushing the numbers let’s out a loud beep.
• A determined thief could break into this with a hammer and screwdriver however it will help keep things hard to get and private.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Sunnydaze Digital Security Safe Lock Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

This is a pretty good choice if you are looking for a digital safe that is compact in size and offers basic security from thieves. It is obviously not going to provide the same security as a heavy duty safe, however as a dorm safe it should be adequate. Consider it a handy place to keep your valuables secure from casual snooping…which happens a lot in college!

There are four different sizes for this lock box all of which have their own strengths and weaknesses, but for this review we will be looking at the 1.19 Cubic Feet version which measures at 17.25 inches wide x 15 inches deep x 8 inches tall.

Its inner dimensions are smaller at 14 inches wide x 13.5 inches deep x 6 inches high, so it’s a good size for a small to medium laptop and also documents, money, digital media, jewelry and other small items.

It is not very tall so if you do have taller items then you may want to look at ether of the other sizes on offer.

Sunnydaze digital security safe lock box offers minimal features, however they are very useful features. One of the big pluses is its solid construction. It consists of 2mm thick steel sidewalls and a durable 4mm thick steel door.

For quality security there are two live-locking bolts in the side of the door that function very smoothly and provide advanced protection from possible unwanted entry.

This safe weighs around 29 pounds so for some this is a heavy safe and for others it would be considered fairly light. Certainly, a determined thief could walk off with it which is a good reason why you may want to bolt the safe down.

For a dorm safe you may not be allowed to mount it to the floor and so your best bet would be to hide it somewhere…like a large drawer or closet shelf. You get two override keys with the safe which can come in handy if you ever find yourself locked out for whatever reason.

FEATURES

Strong design: Has 2mm thick steel sidewalls and a 4mm thick steel door.

Electronic keypad: Uses a digital keypad for inputting your personal code for fast and easy entry and locking.

Locking system: Has two live-locking bolts in the side of the door for better security.

Safe keys: You get two emergency override key that will help you to get into the safe manually if need be.

Battery options: You can use rechargeable batteries to operate the safe.

Mounting options: There are pre-drilled mounting holes with bolting hardware is included.Warranty: Offers 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• The 2-bolt lock action is very smooth and solid.
• Very sturdy and a pretty good weight for its size.
• Really easy to operate.
• Small size and so can be hidden anywhere.
• It includes batteries and two emergency keys.
• Has a carpeted interior bottom.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The instructions are ok but could have been better.
• Not big enough for larger laptops.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Anslock Smart Touch Screen Electronic Security Safe Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

Having enough room in your dorm is pretty important considering the amount of students who are crammed into those tiny areas. As a student, you are going to want to preserve as much of that space as possible because, most likely, there will be two of you sharing the one room.

Taking that into consideration how is a student able to keep their valuables from theft without having a large high security safe placed in their room? Well, size is not everything and that is certainly the case when it comes to finding a college dorm safe.

Some students may just be looking for some basic security for their stuff. I mean, there is only so much you can do to keep thieves away from your belongings when you live in a dorm. This is where this Anslock Smart Touch Screen Electronic Security Safe Box comes into its own.

The first thing you will notice is that it is pretty small compared to many other safes in the same category. Its external size is 9.8×13.8×11.8 inches (H x W x D), and its internal size is 9.5×13.4×9.8 inches (H x W x D). Not tiny by any means but certainly “compact”.

You would use this to store your most valuable stuff such as keys, passport, phones, cameras, jewelry, loose cash, etc. Let me note that this is not a high security safe, however when you consider your options it is certainly better than leaving your stuff laying in a drawer somewhere.

It does have some very cool features. The electronic touch screen key pad will eradicate the need of having to carry around any keys and also helps speed up entry into the safe. You can program your very own passcode with any combination of 3 to 8 personal numbers; which I think is adequate.

If you are worried about forgetting your code then you do have the option to use either of the 2 keys which are supplied with the safe. You can also use them to override the locking system in case of an emergency.

Whenever you open the safe door a nice LED interior light automatically turns on, which will come in handy if you ever want to get into the safe late at night…for whatever reason.

The interior and exterior are powder coated and the design itself is sleek with smooth rounded edges. Certainly not an important feature but at least this thing will not stand out in the room. This brings me to the next point, due to its size you can easily store it away in a closet to keep it hidden.

For added security you could bolt the thing down as it does have pre-drilled holes for this, however I am not sure that would be allowed in a dorm room. You would have to consult the accommodation rules.

This touch screen safe has been constructed with fairly thick 2mm solid steel and has a 4mm thickness door. Like I said, it is not high security but it does have a tight design to prevent any prying.

This is what I would consider to be a good “starter” safe. It is no Fort Knox but for the price you do get a very good quality safe. It weighs around 27lbs so it is not that heavy but also not so light either. A determined “someone” could walk off with it if they wanted to but then that won’t be easy in a dorm filled with so many others.

I would say it is perfect for someone who wants to keep their valuable stuff organized and in one place. It is perfect for someone who just wants to prevent an opportunist thief from getting to their stuff. This Anslock safe will do just that.

FEATURES

Touch screen electronic keypad: This safe has a very quick and easy way of unlocking and locking. You just punch in your passcode and you can get to your stuff fast.

Fairly tough construction: It is very well constructed with 2mm thick solid steel body and 4mm thick steel door.

Two bolt system: There are 2 locking bolts on the inside of the door which automatically lock or unlock with either a key or the use of the electronic keypad.

Two ways to open: The main way to open is via the touch screen but you can also get into the safe using either of the two emergency keys provided with the safe.

Lighting system: Whenever you open the door an LED light will come on.

Mounting holes and hardware: The safe has pre-drilled mounting holes and all the hardware is included.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Provides easy programming.
• Mounting is fairly easy if you wanted extra security.
• There are two options to access the safe. Via password or manually with keys.
• It comes with 2 override keys.
• Has a very nice, quick access touch screen keypad.
• The walls are 2mm thick and the door is 4mm thick.
• You could easily hide it inside a large closet.
• There are pre-drilled holes in the bottom to allow permanent fixture.
• The price is very reasonable for what you get.
• It is quite light weight but still heavy enough.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• It is not fireproof or waterproof.
• For some people it may be a little too small.
• It is not high security.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Jugreat Digital Dorm Safe Box

BASIC OVERVIEW

There are a lot of mixed reviews regarding this dorm safe. There seems to be a lot of people who have not had much luck with regards to locking the safe or creating a new entry password. It seems to me that this will not be one of the best college dorm safes on the market BUT it is cheap.

This item is more of a protective safe box and should be used as a deterrent to keep others from snooping. So, if you have a particularly nosey roomie then I guess this safe should do you fine but if you are looking for high security then I would look elsewhere.

So, it’s a safe that will keep anyone from snooping through your personal belongings…but is that all it has to offer? Well, no…it does have some nice features. I would say its unique selling point would be its intelligent lighting system.

It sounds pretty scientific but it’s actually fairly standard for a lot of safe boxes. The interior light simply comes on automatically as soon as the box is open. Nothing spectacular there, however for its low price I guess I can give it a pass.

There are two ways to open the safe. One way is to use the override keys and the other is to punch in your personal code. Again, fairly standard stuff but it is nice to have more than one way to get into the safe.

Before buying this safe bear in mind that it is pretty small. Its capacity is only 0.23 cubic feet. Its exterior measurements are stated to be 9″ x 6.7″x 6.7″. The interior measurements are 8.6″ x 6.4″ x 6.4″.

So what exactly can you store inside something so small? Well, I would only store items in here for the purpose of staying organized and maybe keeping a nosey roomie out. That means do not store expensive or valuable things in here. It is a cheap safe box, so expect to get what you pay for.

One of the major advantages of having such a small safe is that you can hide it easily. You could store it in a wardrobe or even keep it hidden in plain sight on a shelf somewhere. If you have a cabinet with deep drawers it could easily be hidden in there too.

It is said to be made with thick solid steel although I am not sure how thick. Again, for the price you pay I would not expect much security here. It does have two live locking bolts but reviewers have mentioned how flimsy they are.

It does have a pry-resistant steel door and concealed pry-resistant hinges which are good features but seeing as the safe only weighs 7lbs I really don’t see anyone wasting their time trying to break into the thing. A thief would just pick it up and walk away with it.

That is where the option to bolt it onto the floor would come in handy, but of course I doubt that would be allowed in a dorm room.

The digital keypad is a nice little feature as well as the reset button which can come in handy if you forget the passcode – (although I am not sure if that would compromise the safes security features).

Overall, it is a nice looking little safe box that can be used to store general items and keep them out of the way of prying eyes. It will not stop a determined person from breaking in and certainly will not stop anyone from walking away with it. So bear that in mind.

FEATURES

Digital electronic keypad: Security box has a nice digital keypad on the front to make entering your passcode a little easier.

Two bolt system: There are 2 live-locking bolts on the front inside edge of the door which automatically lock or unlock with either a key or the use of the electronic keypad.

Two ways to open: You can either open the safe by punching in your passcode or you can use the override keys.

Intelligent lighting system: This basically means that an interior light turns on automatically whenever you open the safe door.

Mounting holes and hardware: The safe has pre-drilled mounting holes and all the hardware is included.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Is very easy to program or reset the password.
• The lighting system is convenient.
• The override keys are a useful feature.
• Due to its size it can be hidden pretty much anywhere.
• Due to its weight you can move it around with ease.
• Has a very nice, quick access digital keypad.
• Has a pry-resistant door and pry-resistant hinges.
• The price is very affordable for what you get.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• It is not fireproof or waterproof.
• The door knob may feel a little loose.
• The door has been known to wobble when using the keypad.
• For some people it may be a little too small.
• It is not high security.
• The locks feel cheap and generic.
• This is more of a safe storage box that an actual security safe.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFORMATION AND SPECIFICATIONS

Dorm Safe FAQ’s

Older Bestseller Dorm Safe Reviews

KEEP SCROLLING DOWN TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE LIST OF BEST DORM SAFES

I am just going to jump straight to the point and tell you that the best student security vault throughout 2017 and 2018 is actually called the Best College Dorm Safe…go figure! For quite a number of years now this brand of safe, starting all the way from “version 1”, has been a massive best seller. In that time there have been some fantastic improvements many of which are specifically designed to cater to college students.

Lets take a look at what this amazing security safe has to offer.

The #1 Bestseller from a few years back

Best College Dorm Safe V5.0

This new Version 5 has been 10 years in the making and is of the highest quality dorm safe made from real steel with a real electronic lock, custom designed specifically for dormitory rooms. The safe has a vertical design which is perfect for squeezing into small spaces. Considering most student “digs” are fairly small having an upright standing safe will make all the difference.

This thing can fit under your desk, be placed inside a closet or be placed anywhere that would be a tight spot for the average safe. Due to its design it is large enough to fit up to an 18″ laptop and a whole assortment of other things such as your phone, wallet, watches, jewelry, cash, cameras and much more.

This latest version has an improved UL Approved NL electronic locking system considered to be the most reliable electronic lock to date. For additional security you are also able to use the free security cable, that comes with this safe, to tie it into position. Just wrap the cable around any fixed object and use the hook to attach to the inside of the safe. If you want this safe for your home then you also have the option to bolt it to the floor via the 4 pre-drilled mounting holes.

One really cool feature I think would be very handy for students are the two access holes large enough to fit a power cord through enabling you to charge your electronics while they are locked inside.

FEATURES:

• A Vertical design to fit snugly into college dorm rooms or RVs in closets or under desks.
• Has 3 padded/lined shelves for preventing any scratches to your personal electronics and smaller valuables.
• Protects laptops (up to 18 inches).
• Rubber lining protects your stuff from scratches.
• There is a small electrical cord access hole at the back so you can charge your electronics while they are locked away in the safe.
• UL Approved High Security NL Electronic Lock – 99.99% Reliability.
• Includes four bolt down holes – easy to bolt down if desired.
• Free High Strength Security Cable included!
• Uses standard 9v battery. Battery not included

SPECIFICATIONS:

• External Dimensions: 20″h x 7″w x 14″d (Overall depth with door open: 20.5″)
• Internal Dimensions: 18.5″ Overall Height
  SHELF HEIGHTS FROM BOTTOM:
  • Height to first shelf 5.5″
  • Height to second shelf 9.5″
  • Height to third shelf 14″
  • Width: 6.5″ (Usable shelf space 3.25″)
  • Depth: 12″
• Weight: 40 lbs.

You can have a more detailed look at the features and specs of the Best College Dorm Safe by downloading the free instruction manual HERE.

You may also want to check out the very helpful reviews from customers HERE:

CHECK THE PRICE HERE

There has been a massive increase in popularity for security safes over the past couple of years and this is especially so with regards to dorm safes. In early 2017 the statistics show that there is an increase in burglary within college dormitory communities which means it is not safe to leave your expensive computers, digital media and even your term papers lying around your dorm room.

It is the sign of the times…and so if you are going to college this year or are a parent of a child going to college then you are going to want to take this aspect of college life seriously. The best option for protecting valuables within a college dormitoryroom is by using a security safe….it’s that simple. Actually, it really is that simple because your safe dose not have to be a huge bulky chunk of metal. On the contrary, many college dormitory safes are medium to small in size and range from medium security to high security.

For the past few years The Safe Sleuth has been researching all the best college dorm safes and picking out the ones that seem to be the most popular with buyers. Much of the time the same types of security safes keep popping up each year due to their immaculate reputation and this year seems to be no different.

As with last years results the safe brand at the top of the list is the AmazonBasics Security Safe that includes all four sizes – 0.5 cubic feet, 0.7 cubic feet, 1 cubic foot and 1.2 cubic feet. Also at the top of the best sellers list for 2017 are the Barska safes. There is the Barska Top Opening Biometric Fingerprint Safe and the Barska Biometric Safe both of which are big college dorm safe sellers.

4 More Recommended Dorm Room Safes

There is a wide range of safes on the market that comfortably would fit in a dorm room ranging from the cheap and nasty to the top of the range. We selected 4 of the most popular, top selling dorm room safes available. Apart from the build quality, locking mechanism and security features meeting or standards, we also look at the feedback from customers that have purchased and used these particular safes. This is a good source of honest, unbiased feedback that is very useful when selecting a product.

Best College Dorm Safe

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FULL DETAILS HERE

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For the third year running once again there is a security chest that stands out from the rest and has become one of the major bestsellers in the “quality college dorm safe” category. This safe made best selling dorm safe of 2015 and 2016 and looks to be on its way to do the same this year 2017. THIS IS a quality safe that is designed for dorm rooms but can also be great for home use.

Prevents Laptop, Phone & Medication Theft.
Charges Your Electronics While Locked Inside.
Protects Your Dorm Room Accessories.
Opens with a Swipe of Your Credit Card!

Key features:

• The best dorm safe on the market. Protects smartphones, jewelry, laptops, electronics & more.
• Fits laptops up to 18″.
• Three padded shelves & room for AC strip lets you charge all your dorm room accessories.
• Open with your favorite PIN code or just swipe a credit card or driver’s license.
• Vertical form factor provides ample space, yet works in any dorm room.

Viking Security Safe VS-20BLX Mini Biometric Safe Fingerprint Safe

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FULL DETAILS HERE

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The Viking VS-20BLX is one of the most popular college dorm safes available. It has a digital keypad as well as a top of the range 500 DPI optical sensor biometric fingerprint reader. This makes it extremely safe and convenient. Security is high with a thick, robust exterior and a motorized deadbolt locking mechanism that uses dual anti-pry insertion slots.

There was a lot of customer feedback available for this safe, most of it extremely positive. Many people commented that the safe was good value for money, very fast, convenient and well made. One user has had a number of safes in the past and was impressed with the speed as well as security provided by the 2 motorized deadbolts. The customer says this will prevent safe bumping, a common way to break into inferior safes. He also noted that the internal reset button was tamper-proof. Many people also enjoyed the light, the carpeting and shelves as well as the overall quality. People found it to be user-friendly.

On the negative side, some people did report the biometric scanner to be slow and frustrating at times. While many people insisted it was fast and reliable, there were those that found the opposite. It appears it could be mostly elderly people that experience this issue, in which case they can simply use the keypad. A few people said they preferred to buy their own bolts for the safe in place of the ones that come with it.  These were a few dollars.

Key features:

• Robust solid steel, pry-resistant design with an anti-scratch black military finish
• Seamlessly welded and laser cut
• Fully carpeted inside
• Motorized deadbolt locking mechanism
• Dual pry-resistant insertion slots
• Biometric Fingerprint Reader using the latest 500 DPI Optical Sensor
• Digital Keypad and LCD display
• Non-volatile memory stores 1 PIN code and 32 Fingerprints
• Warning alert is door left unlocked
• Sound can be left on or switched off
• LED light
• External dimensions: H 7.87” (200mm) x W 12.18” (310mm) x D 7.87” (200mm)
• Internal dimensions: H 7.5” (190mm) x W 11.62” (295mm) x D 7.5” (190mm)
• Sold with or without installation
• One year warranty

Viking Security Safe VS-35BLX Biometric Safe Fingerprint Safe

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FULL DETAILS HERE

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Another top seller is the slightly larger version VS-35BLX also by Viking. The rest of the features are very much the same as the smaller one above.

Again the feedback was mostly positive with people impressed by the quality received for such a good price, the ease of setup and the speed and convenience. There were still a number of people that raved about how well the fingerprint reader worked while others have a bit of frustration with it.

Key features:

• Robust solid steel, pry-resistant design with an anti-scratch black military finish
• Seamlessly welded and laser cut
• Fully carpeted inside
• Motorized deadbolt locking mechanism
• Dual pry-resistant insertion slots
• Biometric Fingerprint Reader using the latest 500 DPI Optical Sensor
• Digital Keypad and LCD display
• Non-volatile memory stores 1 PIN code and 32 Fingerprints
• Warning alert is door left unlocked
• Sound can be left on or switched off
• LED light
• External dimensions: H 8” (200 mm) x W 17”(430 mm) x D 14” (350 mm)
• Internal dimensions: H 7.5” (195 mm) x W 16.5” (425 mm) x D 13.5” (345 mm)
• Sold with or without installation
• One year warranty

Verifi Smart.Safe. Fast Access Biometric Safe with FBI Fingerprint Sensor

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FULL DETAILS HERE

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Another very popular and highly rated biometric safe. The Verifi is all about security, speed and convenience. They have done away with the key pad and the safe works entirely off an F.B.I certified fingerprint scanner. This is a top of the range scanner with 3-D imaging. The biometrics only option makes it fast and safe.

According to the manufacturer, the Verifi Smart Safe uses a silicon-based sensor that makes use of 3-D imaging. This makes it one of the best performing biometric scanners available. This quality is reflected in the pedigree of their customers which includes, amongst others, the U.S. Dept of State, Defence and Homeland Security.

Other unique features include the tamper alerts which will let you know failed reset attempts, backup key use and unauthorized attempts, backup key access. You are notified of any of these breeches and all details are logged with a timestamp. It also performs self-diagnostics to check on all aspects of its operation and battery power. The results of these regular checks are displayed on the LCD.

Yet another feature is AutoLock which will automatically lock the safe door when left closed. Closing the safe and failing to lock it is a common problem with digital safes and this feature will eliminate that concern. The adjustable Nite-Light will help you see even when room lights are off or low.

This biometric dorm safe is available in a choice of three sizes, depending on your requirements. The options are:

• S4000     Top Opening: 0.28 cu ft
• S5000     Front Opening: 0.52 cu ft
• S6000     Front Opening: 0.85 cu ft

Internal Dimensions

• S4000 (W)14.0″x (D)10.5″ x (H)3.3″
• S5000 (W)13.0″x (D)  9.5″ x (H)7.3″
• S6000 (W)17.1″x (D)11.8″ x (H)7.3″

It was hard to find any negative feedback on the Verifi Smart Safe and most of the reviews and comments were extremely positive. Most customers were highly impressed with the overall build quality and the value for money and were particularly impressed with the performance of the advanced biometric scanners. It was fast, reliable and hassle-free. Users found the setup and operation user-friendly and were positive about the autolock function as well as the log. Verifi have many happy customers. The main advantage is clearly the advanced, reliable fingerprint scanner.

Key Features:

• Finger Touch Fast Access
• F.B.I. Certified Fingerprint Sensor with 3D Imaging
• Increased security with no PIN code
• AutoLock
• NiteLite
• Tamper Alerts
• SelfCheck
• Stores max 40 fingers, easy to add or delete
• Access Log
• Solid Steel Construction
• (2) 20mm Motorized Locking Bolts, 3/4″
• Can be wall or floor mounted
• Exterior Size: (W)17.4″ X (D)16.1″ X (H)7.9″

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So what is the best dorm room security lock box/vault? Do you actually need a safe for your dorm room? Well I think it would be better to be safe than sorry because even though college campuses or residence halls are locked and have numerous cameras there is still a big threat for dorm room theft.

Unfortunately, these days, theft on campus and in dorm rooms is a regular occurrence. It happens and you have to accept that. With so many new people in and out of dorms it would be hard to not feel a little insecure about leaving your valuables in your room….even if you did lock your door.

Having said that YOU CAN prevent any of this theft from happening to you. What you need is peace of mind and not worry about your valuables potential to get stolen. What you need is an affordable college dorm safe or lock box. A safe place to store your important items such as your passport, wallet, camera, watch, cash, iPod, laptop, important USB sticks and even college documents.

Dorm safes are among the top dorm essentials and are fast becoming very popular among students. Don’t worry, you do not need an expensive, huge heavy safe…all you need is a quality safe large enough for you to store all your personal valuables into it. Also, we recommend you invest in a good strong safe cable lock that will allow you to secure the safe to something solid in the dorm room. This is essential if your safe is small and light.

Scroll down the list below and you will see some of the best college dorm safes on sale now.  If you just want a small safe to store your data sticks and laptop then click on the image in the sidebar of this website to go check out the best laptop safes for dorm rooms. Also in the sidebar you can click to go view the best security cables for your safe.

If you scroll down further you will notice the list of best college dormitory safes for each previous year. Many of these are still very popular this year!

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Can’t Afford A Dorm Room Safe?

Student rooms can cause a false sense of security because it is “supposed” to be a safe environment. Dorm students will leave their doors unlocked to allow their friends to come and go.

It’s all well and good trusting your friends but don’t think for a second there won’t be any “unsavory” characters in the same dormitory ready to take advantage of an unlocked door and all the goodies within.

These days students own more expensive gadgets than ever before. These include laptops, tablets, iPhone, cameras, games consoles, portable TVs, and more. Gone are the days when all we had were books and pens!

How is it possible to keep all that equipment safe from theft if it is left out in the open in an unlocked dorm room? Security in a dormitory can be extremely lax in the student’s quarters. Ok…so maybe you lock the door…but that won’t stop a determined thief. Most college security is far more concentrated on the perimeter of the dormitory rather than the rooms themselves. If the potential thief is already in the building what use is that?!

What about loose cash or credit cards? You can’t carry those around with you EVERYWHERE you go. At least, as a student, you would want to keep the bulk of any saved cash kept safe and sound somewhere.

Dorm Room Safes Don’t Have To Cost Much

College dorm safes don’t have to be expensive or bulky. There is a huge variety of safes available today. They range from the well-known lockbox, vault type safes to the popular diversion type safes. Let’s focus on the latter…diversion safes otherwise known as hidden compartment safes. These types of safes are perfect for dorm rooms because they resemble ever day objects.

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Stay Safe on Your College Campus

Are college campuses really safe for students these days? With the college campus crime rates going up each year it is hard to feel safe in any college town. This year at least 15 million students will head to college in the US alone. Many of them will be staying in dorm rooms and share living quarters. Sounds like it can be a lot of fun but not all students are law abiding citizens. Not all follow a moral code of not to steal from or hurt others. With so many students, dorm rooms and valuables, there is no way of avoiding some forms of crime, including burglaries, thefts, or assaults.

The college authorities will tell you that they have security guards on campus and that the place is perfectly safe because of this. The truth of the matter is thousands of college students living in dorms rooms cannot be protected by a handful of campus guards. You need to be realistic…if a crime is going to occur chances are there won’t be a guard around to save the day.

So what is the solution here? It’s simple…understand that you need to protect yourself and your valuables. No doubt safety is a priority for most colleges, but that doesn’t mean that you or your belongings are safe. There are several additional ways you can improve your own safety and keep your valuables secure.

Take a look at some of these safety tips below.

Find Out Where The Campus Safety office Is

Your college will have a campus security office, so make sure you know exactly where it is on your campus and the quickest way to get to it from your dorm room. Check your college’s website for more information about security and make note of any important phone numbers. See if you can find details of any campus programs that can provide a safe service. Some examples could be:

• Emergency phone stations
• Campus escort services
• Safety maps with suggested secure routes
• Safety apps like Campus Safe

Also, stay up to date with the college safety statistics.

Don’t Walk Around Alone At Night

This is especially important if you are female. Statistically speaking, assaults and other crimes are more likely to occur at night. It is not worth taking any unnecessary risks, such as walking alone at night. Call a friend or call campus security for an escort.

For additional security it would also be a good idea to take advantage of all the security equipment and technology available to civilians. These are very popular with both male and female students and can really make a difference in a dangerous situation.

Keeping a few personal safety devices on hand can help a college student feel more protected. A very popular self-defense product is pepper spray or mace. These come in all shapes and sizes and are small enough to fit into a small handbag if need be.

Learn Some Self-Defense

There is nothing better than going to a regular self-defense class to learn how to protect yourself in a difficult situation. Knowing how to protect yourself is empowering and you will feel like a better person. You will certainly be a fitter person. You’ll feel safer and more confident, especially if you live or travel alone. If you don’t have the time to take classes each and every week then at least take a few important classes. Ask a professional instructor if he has short classes to help with street defense or basic fighting techniques. There are several types and styles of classes from which to choose, depending on your interests.

Lock Your Stuff Up

You need to lock your valuables away when you leave your dorm room. It doesn’t matter if you are just going to be gone for a few minutes never leave your dorm or apartment without locking up. Generally, dorm room doors are not equipped with super tough safety locks and latches so even if you do lock your door there is still a chance of someone getting in if they really wanted to.

Not to worry because you can provide additional security for your stuff by locking them away in special dorm safes or at least a small safe of some kind. As a student you will have a number of valuables that will need securing including your laptop, iPhone, tablet, car keys, wallet, loose cash and even important documents. There are a number of different types of college dorm safes to suit your needs.

For example, if you had a laptop you would benefit from a laptop safe because these tend to be longer and flatter…just the right size to accommodate a laptop and even some extra equipment.

Maybe you have a lot of smaller items such as a phone, camera, tablet, jewelry, loose cash etc. In this case you could purchase a small safe that can secure your belongings and also be hidden inside a closet. There are even specially designed under bed safes and drawer safes which are perfect for locking away smaller items.

If these are still too big to put in your dorm room you may want to consider using diversion safes. These are specifically designed to be hidden in plain sight because they are safes made from real products such as books, soda cans, spray cans, clocks and more. For smaller items such as cash, keys, USB sticks and the like, then a hidden compartment safe would be ideal.

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Dorm Safes That Are Selling Like Hotcakes Right Now!

Yes, it’s that time of year when kids get ready for college. Over the past few years we have been selling and monitoring the most popular vaults that are just perfect for college dorm rooms. These days with all the new technology like iPhones, iPads, Tablets, Ereaders, etc…you really are going to need somewhere secure to store them.

Here are some older reviews

Ok…so here are the best selling dorm room safes that have good positive reviews and have been chosen to be the best picks for 2015.

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Top Picks College Dorm Room Safes

Prevents Laptop, Phone & Medication Theft.
Charges Your Electronics While Locked Inside.
Protects Your Dorm Room Accessories.
Opens with a Swipe of Your Credit Card!

FEATURES:

The best dorm safe on the market. Protects smartphones, jewelry, laptops, electronics & more.
Fits laptops up to 18″.
Three padded shelves & room for AC strip lets you charge all your dorm room accessories.
Open with your favorite PIN code or just swipe a credit card or driver’s license.
Vertical form factor provides ample space, yet works in any dorm room.

PS-508 Extra Wide Strong Box Safe with Electronic Lock

As the name suggests, PS-508 has what it takes to guarantee safety and enough storage for a wide selection of valuables. Certified for meeting California’s standards of firearms safety, PS-508 has a great electronic locking system.

Apart from its easy to read keypad, it also has a low battery warning light, a time out duration set at 3 incorrect attempts and a back up trouble key. Other notable security features include solid steel pry resistant door with hidden hinges and live action locking bolts.

This is one dorm room safe box with a wide opening, ideal for storage of laptops and other devices. Once in college, you’ll likely be spending long hours away from your room and you’d need a safe with a sufficient space for safely storing all your important stuff while you are away.

If you get this safe I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you also invest in a good security cable. The safe is fine without one but just for a few extra dollars you can REALLY make this safe secure. Here are some popular security cables you may consider:

Stack-On PDS-500 Drawer Safe

The Stack-On PDS-500 is the best safe for keeping your guns and other valuables. It is good for keeping these things away from prying family members and friends especially from burglars.

It is easy to use, easy to program, easy to mount, plus it is very durable and provides extra security. What more can you ask for? The safe that really keeps your valuables safe so you won’t need to worry about them getting in the wrong hands.

ITS FEATURES:

• Is California DOJ-approved firearms safety device that meets the requirements of California Penal Code Section 12088.
• 2 live action steel locking bolts and concealed hinges provide greater security.
• Electronic lock can easily be programmed by the user with a “trouble key” override. Time out period after three incorrect attempts.
• Quick access electronic lock has an easy to read key pad and includes a low battery warning light.
• Electronic lock can be programmed to “beep” when the numbers on the key pad are pressed or programmed so the “beeps” are turned off.
• Combination can easily be changed at the press of a button.
• Includes pre-drilled mounting holes and hardware for mounting.

BARSKA Biometric Safe

Barska have really thought of everything. The price may seem like a lot for such a small safe but the quality of its build and its well thought out features and benefits really do make for a top product worth every penny.

For assurance of the quality of this Barska safe you only need to read through some of the reviews written by actual owners to really appreciate its uniqueness. Unlike other big security safe companies Barska have created only a handful of safes and I think this is to their advantage because they have been able to focus 100% on those few safes making them the best they can be. This in turn pleases consumers because they know they are purchasing a quality product that has been well researched before its mass production for the public.

The finger portal lights up where you put your finger which is absolutely essential in instances where you don’t want to turn on the room lights. For extra security I would bolt the safe down by using the pre-drilled holes so that it can be easily mounted to a wall or attached to a shelf or counter top.

BARSKA Mini Biometric Safe

Ideal for safely storing sensitive equipment–from personal documents to jewelry.The easy-to-use system allows you to register fingerprints in seconds. This compact safe’s biometric technology gives you the ability to quickly and effortlessly access the contents with ease. It also offers a manual two point solid dead bolt locking system that can be quickly opened.

With your purchase, you will receive the mini safe, a set of emergency back-up keys, a protective floor mat, and mounting hardware, (if needed).It’s powered by four AA batteries (included), which can last for up to 2 years.

SentrySafe X055

For anyone looking for something that is small, easy to use, and secure, you will be satisfied with the Sentry Safe X055. It is inexpensive for the quality of this item and is a good home security safe with some cool features.

It has a quality design and build and works fine without any hitches. You can change the combination with ease and if you are looking for fast access then this is also one of the X055 features.

 FEATURES:

• Electronic lock with override key.
• 2 live-locking bolts for more security.
• Has three status LED lights for ease of use.
• Carpeted floor.
• May be bolted to floor (hardware included).
• 1 Year limited warranty.

PROS:

• Bolts and installs easily which is handy for anyone who isn’t D.I.Y minded.
• Has a carpeted base for preventing any scratches to your valuables.
• Has a strong outer casing for added security.
• There is a low price tag for those of you looking for a bargain.

SentrySafe HD4100CG

If your going to college you are going to need somewhere to save all your important documents. You want a safe that is the right shape, size and is tough enough to protect its contents. A document safe that is fire safe and water safe would be perfect. The Sentrysafe HD4100CG is all of the above.

FEATURES:

• UL Classified 1/2-hour proven fire protection
• ETL verified 1/2 hour fire protection for CD’s, DVD’s, USB drivers and memory sticks up to 1550F
• ETL Verified waterproof
• Privacy key lock
• In-lid holder for CD’s and DVD’s

Dorm Safe Box

If you are planning to join college, you’re definitely concerned about the safety of your valuables. College students usually carry with them a huge amount of gadgets and other expensive stuff.

Items such as laptops, cameras, and mp3s are some of the most targeted in dorm room theft and you don’t want to fall a victim.

These dorm room lock boxes come in handy for students who want to stay safe from thieves and vandals in college. There are many varieties of dorm room safes, all designed with distinct features to cater for varied needs. Here are some of the leading types available in the market.

 Have you heard of DIVERSION SAFES?

These are super cool and do an absolutely amazing job of hiding your valuables from potential thieves. Diversion safes are used to hide things for the purpose of secrecy or security. They are made from ordinary household objects such as books, soda cans, spray cans, real rocks, clocks or something as small as a coin.

Next are SMALL SAFES.

Your dorm room will most likely be pretty small and so space will be limited. You are going to need somewhere to keep your valuable items that is also quite small and compact but very tough.

Any small safe can be used in a dorm room. There are a ton of shapes and sizes to choose from and many even have fire and water protection.

Something else you may consider is purchasing a good security cable to tie your small safe to a heavy object. This will prevent anyone from picking up your dorm safe and walking off with it.

Dorm Safe with Security Cables/Tether

Now this is an area that is often overlooked. i mean, you have already bought the safe why would you need a security cable too?

There can be a number of important reasons but probably the most obvious and simplest reason would be that a safe is many more times less likely to be stolen if it is secured with a strong cable.

Now you might be thinking that if a safe is worth anything then it would be too heavy to walk away with. True, but you must bear in mind that dorm safes are designed to be compact. Don’t get me wrong, many of them are tough, and their price reflects that, but they still have to be fairly small.

For obvious reasons a small safe would be better suited for a dorm room than a huge $3000 bank safe.

So these small safes are tough and hard to break into, but what if someone decides to just pick the thing up and walk off with it. A fairly strong guy could do that without much trouble.

What do you do to prevent this?

There is only one thing you can do and that is to secure your safe with at least one or even two strong security cables. All you need to do is latch that thing onto something really big and heavy in your dorm room…..such as the radiator or the bed. Now a potential thief cannot break into your safe OR walk off with it.

Now your valuables are truly safe from theft.

Dorm Safes, Laptop Locks & College Security

Top Safes for Dorm Rooms

Going to college is an important time for any young adult and it is something that needs to be prepared for in advance. When it comes to student dormitory stuff, dorm safes are among the top college essentials you can purchase.

I have no doubt that your residence halls would be locked and armed with cameras but that will not stop a determined thief especially if they are one of your fellow dorm dwellers.

While you and your roommate are out and about how safe and secure do you think your valuables will? Will people you don’t know have access to your room while you are gone?

At the end of the day you need to have all your college things protected & secure. Dorm locks, laptop safes & overall campus security products are student essentials.

Ok, one thing to note is that a safe does not actually have to be specifically designed as a “dorm safe” for it to be useful to a student. No there are a variety of very good quality safes out there that will not cost an arm and a leg. An alternative to getting a vault with cables would be to purchase a safe box which are usually small but a little heavier than your standard college dorm safe.

At the end of the day it all depends on how much you want to spend. Generally speaking I would purchase and use a safe security cable regardless of how much the safe weighs. As a student you will most likely need something that is big enough to store your laptop, iPhone and tablet but not so big that you could get a flat screen TV in there! You may also want to store important college documents and even course work that you put together.

There is also the fireproof and waterproof issue. What if there is a dorm fire? Well there are a number of small safes that are fire resistant and water protected that may not be specifically designed to target college students. At the end of the day make sure you know what your needs are regarding the items you want stored and how much security you require. Start with the examples of safes listed above on this page and go from there.

The post Best College Dorm Safes (New 2021 Update) – Dorm Room Safe Reviews & Buyers Guide appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

There is not one brand, type, or style that has been deemed the best college dorm room security safe because the opinion of the college dorm safe depends on the specific preferences of the user, which tend to vary.

There are several advantages and disadvantages for every type of dorm security safe; therefore, it is important for the user to assess which features are most important given their lifestyle.

The user can educate themselves on all features available and identify which matter the most prior to purchasing a college dorm safe. The safe user should consider purpose, size, and preferred method of securing and locking the safe to ensure they purchase the best college dorm safe to fit their needs.

All safes below are chosen as some of the best available for 2021.

1. Viking Security VS-14BL Top Opening Biometric Safe

Viking seem to have thought of everything when they were designing this top opening safe. It has quite a number of very cool features such as a modern biometric fingerprint reader, digital keypad, mounting options, an LED screen, interior lighting, emergency override keys and more.

This is a tough and very well-made Viking safe that has a thicker door and casing compared to other top opening models on the market. The door thickness is a good 5 mm and the body is 3 mm.

It weighs around 23 pounds empty so with items inside it could end up being quite heavy which is a good thing if you want to make sure no one will pick it up and walk away with it. In fact, as an extra measure it may be a good idea to purchase a steel lock cable to secure the vault to a bed or desk.

This biometric fingerprint safe has a top of the line locking system with an upgraded 500 DPI optical fingerprint reader that works efficiently for quick scans. The scanner/memory accepts multiple fingerprints – up to 32; all shapes and sizes.

To add a fingerprint all you have to do is press the red button and then scan the front, top, bottom, sides of your finger. By doing that, anytime you need to access the safe quickly, the scanner will recognize your print no matter what position it is in.

The locking mechanism has a motorized deadbolt system. There are two 20mm thick bolts which are much bigger than the average 16mm thick bolts usually found on other safes in this category.

It is pry-resistant to prevent any forced entry and even has a time out security mode which shuts off the safe if 5 incorrect PINs or 10 incorrect fingerprints are inputted.

If you are worried about being locked out for any reason you have 2 override emergency keys that you can use to manually let yourself in. The keys have a four-prong design making it difficult for anyone to try to duplicate therm.

As for the size, the external dimensions are H 5″ (130 mm) x W 11″ (280 mm) x L 15” (380 mm) and the internal dimensions are H 4.5” (115 mm) x W 10.5″ (270 mm) x L 14.5” (370 mm). Generally, not a bad size but would mainly be used for storing smaller items.

Yes, this is a bit pricier compared to other top opening safes, however it does offer a lot of more very useful features and most importantly it is one of the tougher, most sturdy of the drawer safes available. When you consider that it will protect your valuables from theft, the price really doesn’t seem all that high at all.

FEATURES

Fingerprint sensor: This Viking safe has an upgraded 500DPI optical sensor for more accurate readings.

Door locking bolts: There are 2 solid steel, 20mm thick motorized deadbolts that are part of the locking mechanism.

Strong construction: The exterior casing is made from 3mm thick steel and the door has 5 mm of thick steel.

Scan memory: The memory can hold up to 32 fingerprints and will retain all inputted information even after the batteries are removed.

Easy PIN keypad: You can save a 4-8 programmable digit PIN code as another option to enter the safe.

Tough hinges: Anti-pry concealed door hinges for better protection.

Time out mode: This small safe will time out after 5 incorrect PINs or 10 incorrect fingerprints attempts.

Easy mounting: There are 4 pre-drilled holes for mounting to a floor or wall. The anchor bolts are included.

Emergency access: You get two backup keys that have a four-prong design to make duplication more difficult.

Interior: Has a good quality carpeted interior as well as a nice built in LED light.

Guarantee: Has a 1-year warranty.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Well made with a 5mm thick door and 3mm thick steel walls.
• The safe is extremely well designed and built.
• Has a long-lasting battery life.
• Feels heavy and very durable.
• Will fit perfectly in a drawer or other tight space.
• The fingerprint reader cam memorize up to 32 prints.
• The fingerprint scanner works quickly and accurately.
• LED light inside makes access in the dark easy.
• Information is retained even if batteries are removed.
• The locking mechanism is tough and secure.
• Has 2 backup override keys in case of an emergency.
• You can create a PIN code with up to 8 digits.
• The keypad is easy to set up and operate.
• It has pre-drilled holes and bolts included for mounting.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Cannot disable the beeping when it isn’t locked.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

2. Barska AX12622 Top Opening Keypad Security Drawer Safe

There seems to be a demand for top opening safes these days. I think people like the idea of having a fairly flat small safe rather than a bulky square shaped safe. This is especially relevant now because laptops are becoming more popular; you need somewhere to store it and a flat safe is perfect for that!

This is a Barska top opening safe which means that it is of the best quality. The company have been around for many years and know how to manufacturer good quality safes/vaults that do exactly what they are supposed to.

This AX12622 is one of Barska’s newer models and so far there hasn’t been many complaints from customers.

Like most lock boxes of this kind, they are not really designed for high security…meaning an expert thief could probably get into it without much hassle. If heavy duty is what you are looking for then you will need to look for something a tad more sophisticated and expensive.

The metal casing for this is 12-gauge steel which is adequate for a safe in this price range. Its outer dimensions are 12″ x 9.5″ x 4.5″ and the inner dimensions are 11.75″ x 9″ x 3.5″. Not a big safe but a perfect size for storing smaller items. Remember, this has to be small enough to be hidden in a drawer…which I think is one of its big features.

Yes, it only weighs around 10.5 pounds but if it is hidden away somewhere then there is less chance of someone walking away with it. There are pre-drilled holes in the back if you wanted to bolt it down to the floor, however I think for a dorm room your only option may be to secure it with a strong, thick lock cable.

Generally, it has pretty good security with 2 built-in pry-resistant steel deadbolts that keep the door locked tight. It has a digital keypad locking mechanism which needs a PIN code to get in. No major outstanding features…it is just a good all-round top opening drawer safe that students can store in their room.

FEATURES

Strong construction: The solid construction is made of 12-gauge steel thickness.

Door locking bolts: There are 2 solid steel locking bolts in the side of the door.

Tough hinges: Anti-pry concealed door hinges will deter anyone from trying to crowbar the door open.

Easy keypad: Has an easy to operate keypad that uses a PIN code for entry.

Emergency access: You get two backup keys that can be used to manually gain entry if you forget your pass code.Interior: Has an good quality floor mat to protect your valuables from any scratch damage.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Well made with 12-gauge steel.
• The locking mechanism is very secure for a small safe.
• Is a good size for concealing in a drawer or other tight spaces.
• Has 2 backup override keys in case of an emergency.
• You can create a PIN code with up to 8 digits.
• The keypad is easy to set up and operate.
• Is a perfect design and shape for storing small to medium items.
• It has pre-drilled holes and bolts included for mounting.
• You have the option to turn off the beeping sound on the keypad for quiet entry.
• The AX12622 is excellent value for money.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The plastic rotational lever feels a little flimsy.
• Batteries are a little frustrating to install.
• The safe is a bit on the light side.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

3. Honeywell 5705 digital Curved Top Safe

Everyone has heard of Honeywell safes as they are one of the leading brands, however this does not mean that you will be paying silly money for something that is just “average”. On the contrary, Honeywell have a long-lasting reputation for manufacturing quality safes and this 5705 digital version is no exception.

The first thing you will notice is how small and light it is. The exterior dimensions are 7.4 in H x 17.3 in W x 14.6 in D. The interior dimensions are 7.1 in H x 16.9 in W x 10.6 in D.  It only weighs around 20 pounds! Not very heavy at all which means it has a potential risk of being taken away by an opportunist thief.

Due to its light weight, if you want this thing to stay where it is then you will need to tie it down. You do have the option to bolt it down because it has pre-drilled holes and mounting bolts included.

However, for a student living in temporary dorm digs the best thing to do is get a quality steel cable lock and secure it to a bed or any other heavy permanent object.

All that aside, this is perfect for storing smaller items such as your passport, money, wallet, jewelry, USB stick, loose cash, etc.

It has an electronic keypad which allows you to save a 3-8-digit pass code. This is pretty standard for a small safe. It does have a large latching lock bar for added security plus the door is equipped with concealed hinges and a recess to prevent prying attacks.

It does come with two emergency override keys which can be used if you ever get locked out of the safe because you forgot your pass code.

FEATURES

Personalized entry code: The electronic digital lock allows you to program 3-8 digit pass codes for quick entry.

Door bolt: This safe features a large latching lock bar in the door for added security.

Hinges: The door is recessed and the hinges are concealed to prevent anyone from being able to pry the door open.

Interior: Has a carpeted floor on the inside to protect your valuables.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• The door is recessed with concealed hinges.
• Has a large latching lock bar for added security!
• Has backup override keys in case of an emergency.
• The keypad is easy to operate.
• Is a perfect design and shape for storing small items.
• Pre-drilled holes on for mounting.
• Has a 7-year limited warranty.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Some may find it too light.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

4. Gardall GH5-G-E Digital Laptop Dorm Safe

Gardall safes are known for their strong construction and are specifically designed to protect your valuable items from being burgled. It is more of a high-end dorm safe that not only has ample room for storage but it super tough too.

Due to its shape it is perfect for laptop storage. A laptop is a pretty expensive piece of equipment to be left lying around a dorm room. Remember, the confidential information you have stored in your laptop needs to be protected.

Unlike your cell phone, it is hard to take your laptop with you everywhere you go. If you want peace of mind when you are away from your room you will need to lock it up and keep it secure.  This Gardall safe is not just for laptops though. You can store pretty much anything you want inside…as long as it fits of course.

It is a good size with exterior dimensions of 9.63″ H x 16.50″ W x 15.00″ D and interior dimensions of 7.00″ H x 14.00″ W x 14.00″ D. So, you may not be able to get a large laptop to fit flat inside but certainly a medium sized one would fit perfectly.

The construction is made with 15-16-gauge solid steel and the door is approximately 10 gauge.

This laptop safe features an electronic lock and opens with a 3-6-digit combination. Alternatively, you can use the swipe system with a magnetized credit card. If either of those opening options have an error or if you forget your combination, you can use the override key to get into the safe.

This safe has pre-drilled holes in the back and bottom of the safe for easy installation. If you cannot mount it to the floor or wall then you can get yourself a thick cable lock to secure it to a bed or desk. Yes, this costs more than the usual dorm safes on offer, however it also offers a lot more security for your valuables.

FEATURES

Two ways to enter the safe: You can type in a 3 to 6-digit user code or you can swipe a card.

Special security mode: If 3 incorrect codes are typed then the safe goes into lock-out mode.

Strong construction: The walls are made from 15-16-gauge solid steel.

Easy keypad: Has an easy to operate keypad and LCD screen.

Override system: You get a special emergency key that will override the system and manually open the door if things go wrong.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Well made with thick gauge steel.
• Option of entering a personal code or using a credit card to access the safe.
• Is pretty heavy for a small safe.
• Has a backup override key in case of an emergency.
• The keypad is easy to operate.
• Is a perfect design and shape for storing small to medium sized laptops.
• Pre-drilled holes on back for mounting to a wall.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Costs more than your average small safe.
• You only get one emergency key included.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

5 . Mesa Safe Company MHRC916E Electronic Burglary Safe

Here is a small safe that can used in the home, in a hotel and in a dorm room. It pretty much does what it is supposed to without the bells and whistles. Well, it has a few of those but they are not revolutionary ideas for a security vault/box.

A lot of the time people just want a product that is easy to set up and can get working immediately. That is exactly what this Mesa burglary safe does.

It has a solid, heavy safe feel to it and is designed to keep your valuables out of the hands of amateur thieves. If you want better peace of mind, I would also secure it using the included mounting bolts or purchase a lock cable.

Most students would use the cable lock option because you can secure the safe to a dorm bed frame or heavy desk.

One of the cool features is the electronic locking mechanism which will unlock the door by either punching in the pass code or by swiping a magnetic strip card – (such as a credit card). So, there are two ways of entering the safe. Also, if there is a problem getting in you can use the emergency override key to manually unlock the door.

The interior dimensions are: 8 7⁄8″ X 17 3⁄4″ X 12 5⁄8″ Inches, however if you need this for storing a laptop, I would recommend a bigger safe if your laptop is 17 inches or more. It is perfectly adequate for a small laptop because it can then fit it straight rather than at an angle. So, if you are looking for a safe which can hold a smaller laptop you might want to give this one a try.

FEATURES

Electronic lock: This has a battery-operated electronic lock.

Two ways to enter the safe: You can type in your pass code or you can swipe a card.

Hinges: The pry-resistant door has concealed steel hinges within the recessed door to help deter pry attacks.

Easy mounting: Has pre-drilled anchor holes with the bolts provided.

Keypad display: There is a large illuminated LED display to help when typing the code in the dark.

Override system: You get a special emergency key that will override the system and manually open the door if things go wrong.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Well made with thick gauge steel for a safe of this size.
• Option of entering a personal code or using a credit card to access the safe.
• Battery powered main operation is smooth.
• Is pretty heavy for a small safe.
• Can be hidden under a bed or in a closet.
• Has a backup override key in case of an emergency.
• The keypad light is a nice addition.
• Easy to lock and unlock.
• Convenient size to fit on a shelf.
• Pre-drilled holes on the bottom and back for mounting to floor or wall.
• Easy instructions how to set the safe.
• Very good price for what you get.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The included mounting bolts are not the best quality.
• Makes a sound when the keypad buttons are being pressed.
• Has a plastic keypad/card reader unit.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

ALTERNATIVE SAFES:

6. SentrySafe H060ES Digital Lock Safe

SentrySafe have been manufacturing digital lock safes for a number of years now so their products are quality. Their small safes are built using solid steel and they tend to have a minimum of two locking bolts on their doors.

That is exactly the case with this compact security safe. Only the features are kept to a minimum because it is small, however the few features it does have are very useful.

So, it has two steel live-locking bolts, interior carpeting, interior lighting and concealed hinges to deter break-ins but I think the one thing that stands out the most is the card swipe reader.

In a nutshell, this safe can be opened and closed with either a four-digit code OR a magnetic strip card…such as a debit card. Having the ability to use any magnetic strip card is a handy option and could certainly come into play if something goes wrong and you can’t get to your stored items.

This works just like a hotel room safe. You use any card with a magnetic strip to lock or open it without worrying about any pre-programming.

Bear in mind this is not fire or waterproof but it is a very durable, spacious, sturdy, strong and reliable safe for the price. It won’t stop a determined thief who has the right tools but it will prevent opportunistic theft and at least slow down a professional burglar.

Also, you have to take into consideration its size, at 7.3 x 14.8 x 6.5 inches and weighing in at 21.9 pounds anyone can walk of with it. With this in mind, especially if you are purchasing this for a dorm room, I would invest in a really good security cable.

If you have this for your home then you can just bolt it down to the floor but for college students buying a cable would be your best option. This digital lock safe is small enough to be hidden away and large enough to keep your valuables stored safely.

FEATURES

Card Swipe Reader: This has a digital keypad that allows card swipe access. No personal information or credit card numbers are used in this operation.

Re-programmable keypad lock: If you are not using the card swipe option you can enter a pre-programmed code to open and close your safe.

Security: The pry-resistant door has concealed hinges and has been equipped with two motorized live-locking bolts. The outer casing itself has a solid steel build for improved strength.

Nice interior: Has a nice piece of carpet on the bottom part of the safe and also an interior light to help illuminate the area.

Added extras: This security safe comes with a remote battery pack, two override keys and a bolt down kit.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• The access code is quick and works flawlessly.
• The card reader works just fine with a driver’s license and any magnetic strip card.
• It is large enough to fit a standard sized iPad.
• Can be hidden under a bed or in a closet.
• Has two backup keys in case of an emergency.
• The interior light is a nice addition.
• Easy to lock and unlock.
• Convenient size to fit on a shelf.
• Pre-drilled holes on the bottom and back for mounting to floor or wall.
• Very good price for what you get.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• The included mounting bolts are not the best quality.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

7. SentrySafe X125 Digital Keypad Security Safe

This is a classic bestselling SentrySafe that sold so many units that they decided to manufacture six different versions. So, pretty much the same safe but in 6 different sizes.

Even with the larger 1.2 cubic feet size this safe is still considered “small” which means it will be light and will have just enough storage space for your smaller items. Perfect for dorm room and home use.

It is not a fire or waterproof safe but is constructed with a sturdy solid steel. I would consider this safe a “peace of mind” purchase…in other words I wouldn’t put my priciest jewels or most valuable items in it. It is perfect for keeping moderately valuable stuff protected from casual thieves, maids and of course sneaky roommates.

Due to its light construction it wouldn’t keep out a determined thief with tools for long, however the great thing about small safes it that you can hide them almost anywhere. All versions of this X125 are no exception with the added bonus of being able to bolt it to the floor or wall through the pre-drilled holes.

If you are in a dorm then bolting this to the floor may not be an option but you can use a strong security cable to tie it down somewhere. This could actually be advisable because thieves can walk off with these smaller, lighter safes. Just loop a cable around a strong part of your bed, or desk, and attach it, through the back of the safe.

I am not a fan of battery-operated safes, but these days most digital keypads run off of batteries and so it is unavoidable. The Sentry takes 4 AA batteries, which is not that many considering some safes require double that amount to power the electronics.

The keypad allows you to set your own pass code from 2-8 digits and you also get two emergency keys just in case you forget your pin code or cannot open the door for some reason.

All six versions of this X125 SentrySafe are pretty roomy depending on the size you purchase. Even the 1.0 Cubic ft size can fit a 13″ Mac Book so the larger 1.2 cubic ft will be able to accommodate a much larger laptop or even multiple laptops if you remove the shelf.

With the shelf inside you can store phones, iPads, prescriptions, keys, cash, documents and much more while at the same time keeping everything organized. This digital safe works well for easy, quick access while providing a level of protection from access by a nosy roommate.

FEATURES

Good size: There are six versions of this safe. The sizes are: 0.1 cubic feet, 0.4 cu ft, 0.5 cu ft, 0.7 cu ft, 0.9 cu ft and 1.2 cubic feet.

Locking mechanism: Features two live-locking bolts and comes with 2 keys.

Good construction: Made from solid steel, has concealed hinges with pre-drilled holes for bolting to the floor or wall.

Digital keypad: Easy to use, quick access keypad with battery compartment.

Nice interior: Has a nice piece of carpet on the bottom part of the safe and also removable shelving. Also has power cord access for security while charging your devices.

Good capacity for a small safe: Dimensions of 12 x 2.8 x 8.9 inches and weighs 6 pounds.

You can download the SentrySafe X125 user manual here!

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Great construction with a nice lock release.
• Easy to install your personal code.
• Can be hidden in most small spaces including under a bed or in a closet.
• Has two backup keys in case of an emergency.
• Key hole has a cover to keep it hidden from sight.
• Roomy enough to hold documents and laptops.
• Buttons are easy to push.
• Has shelving and carpeting inside.
• Clear instructions on how to reset the key codes.
• Pre-drilled holes on the bottom and back for mounting to floor or wall.
• Very good price for what you get.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Loud beeping sound when using the keypad.
• The included mounting bolts are not the best quality.
• Installing the batteries can be a bit fiddly.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

There are five other sizes available:

8. Winner International Personal Vault Security Lock Box

What we have here is a very versatile small safe. If you read the customer reviews you will notice that many people have used it to secure their small guns. I am not sure that is what it was designed for but there are also many owners of this mini vault who use it for their dorm rooms.

I mean, look how compact and sturdy looking it is! It is ideal for a student dorm to store a number of small items like external hard drives, keys, phones, watches, cash and other valuables.

It is only a small safe/lock box but is roomy enough to store quite a few things. A student can easily secure it to a bed frame and slide it under the bed. You could also attach it to a desk frame and maybe tuck it around the back so no one could see it.

The tough cable is certainly long enough to wrap around things and the best part is that it is removable.

Due to its compact size you could even consider it to be portable. Since it is portable, it can be used to protect items in hotels, dorm rooms, and at home. If you travel around you can carry it in your luggage and secure your items when in hostels and air bnbs.

The build is pretty tough for a lock box but bear in mind it is not a heavy duty safe, so it will not stop a serious burglar from cutting the cable and running off with it. However, strong tools will be needed to cut the cable or even to break into the box.

As a mini security box, it has none of the bells and whistles that heavy duty safes have, so the locking mechanism is just a tough key lock. Due to this it would be a good idea to buy a secret decoy stash container to keep the keys in.

There are two versions of this personal vault. The small version has dimensions of 8.9 x 6.5 x 3 inches and weighs 3.25 pounds. The large lock box has dimensions of 12 x 2.8 x 8.9 inches and weighs 6 pounds.

FEATURES

Good size: Both versions of this safe are considered “small” and due to this they can be hidden almost anywhere. You can put them in drawers, closets, shelves and even put them in a suitcase for traveling.

Locking mechanism: A simple but effective key lock system. Comes with 2 keys.

Removable cable: Has a long and tough detachable cable for fast removal.Good capacity for a small safe: Dimensions of 12 x 2.8 x 8.9 inches and weighs 6 pounds.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• It fits snuggly under a bed and in many other tight spots.
• The cable can be attached and you can tie it down anywhere.
• Great construction with a nice lock release.
• The cable is removable.
• Very good price for what you get.
• Very sturdy and relatively easy to operate.
• Comes with two keys.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Key lock mechanism sticks sometimes when trying to unlock.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

Variations of this storage chest are also available:

9. Electronic Digital Security Safe Box

Take note, this is more of a lock box rather than a safe. If high security is what you are looking for then this probably isn’t the right product for you – (plus you would have to spend a lot more).

This digital safe is built from 2mm thick powder-coated solid steel, so it is at the top end of lock box toughness. The door is a pretty tough 4mm thick solid steel and is fitted with 3 enhanced 20mm thick live-door bolts. Most similar safes in this category have just 2 locking bolts so this is one step above the rest.

As well as a tough door the hinges are concealed and pry-resistant making for even better security. You have the option to program two sets of codes – Personal Code and Master Code which allows you to give the personal code to a guest while maintaining the master code.

If something goes wrong and you cannot get into the safe using the codes you can use one of the two override keys for manual access.

You can’t expect high security from a safe that sells at such a low price, however this Slypnos digital safe box does a pretty good job…especially if you compare it to other safes in the same price range.

This type of design is what you would typically find in a hotel safe or a college dorm safe; it will keep your valuables secure, under normal circumstances. Most students want a cheap safe that is secure enough to keep the prying eyes of roomies at bay, and for that purpose it is perfect. You can always add to the security by bolting it to the floor or wall or simply by tying it down using a tough security cable designed for safes.

FEATURES

Robust build: All walls are made from 2mm thick powder-coated solid steel. The door is 4mm thick solid steel.

Door bolts: There are 3 enhanced 20mm thick live-door bolts in the door. The hinges are concealed and pry-resistant.

Electronic keypad system: Digital keypad with water-resistant film and 3 indicator warning lights.

Two override keys: Use either of the 2 override keys to get into the safe if you encounter any problems opening the door.

Good capacity for a small safe: Interior dimensions: 13.5 in W x 9.5 in D x 7.5 in H (34.5 cm W x 24.5 cm D x 19.5 cm H). Safe Capacity: 0.8 cu. ft.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• It easy to use, and very roomy.
• It’s a compact safe that can be stored under a bed or in a closet.
• The pass code set up is extremely easy.
• Small enough to hide yet large enough to hold important valuables.
• Very good price for what you get.
• The keypad responds really quick to provide quick access to your items.
• The two emergency override keys are very useful.
• The 3 solid steel door bolts are a huge plus regarding security.
• Can be bolted to the floor for added security.
• Has a nice carpet to prevent damage to your valuables.
• Opens and closes effortlessly.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• It is really light…someone could walk off with it if not tied down.
• A 12-inch laptop won’t fit inside the smaller 0.5 cu. ft. version of this safe.
• It is not fireproof or waterproof.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

Variations of this storage chest are also available:

10. Yale Security Digital Small Safe

This is what you would expect from a company that has been manufacturing safes for many years. This has been designed to be just like the kind of safe you would find in a dorm room or hotel.

It is a fairly small unit with internal dimensions of 9. 45″ x 13. 39″ x 7. 87″ / Volume 16, 3L. It seems to be just right for dorm use, ideal for storing small items, documents, phones, SD cards, cash and other general items.

As far as build goes, it is very solid. The overall construction of the body is heavy duty. Thick walls, thick door and thick hinge plates. The door is 3/8″ steel while the body of the safe is made from 1/16″ steel. Some may think this is not very thick but compared to similar safes in this category it is one of the quality builds.

It looks and feels expensive, although it is not as heavy as it could have been. For some this may be a blessing but a lighter safe means thieves can walk off with it.

It has a visually appealing design with smooth edges and the keyhole has been hidden behind the yale logo which is a nifty idea. There are two thick locking pins that keep the door shut and are made out of strong metal to prevent easy breakage via a prying tool such as a crowbar.

The electronic keypad is easy to use and inside the safe door you will find the small “set/reset” button to enter programming mode and set or reset your personalized lock code. Very useful for changing things up when you have used the same pin code for a long time.

To open the safe all you do is enter your 3 to 8-digit code via keypad or you can use the backup key.

There are three versions of this small safe. One is specifically designed for laptops because it is flatter and longer: External dimensions 7. 87″ x 16. 93″ x 13. 78″ / Internal dimensions 7. 48″ x 16. 54″ x 11. 81″ / Volume 24L.

Then there is a medium: External dimensions 9. 84″ x 13. 78″ x 9. 84″ / Internal dimensions 9. 45″ x 13. 39″ x 7. 87″ / Volume 16, 3L.

For those who just want a really small safe there is the smallest of the range: External dimensions 7. 87″ x 12. 20″ x 7. 87 / Internal dimensions 7. 48″ x 11. 81″ x 5. 91″ / Volume 8. 6L. All of the safes in the range have the same workings, all that is different is their exterior and interior sizes.

FEATURES

Strong build: Made of high quality durable thick steel material.

Tamper proof alarm: A loud alarm is triggered if the safe is tampered with or after 3 incorrect code attempts.

Electronic locking system: The digital keypad offers thousands of potential combinations. Your pin code can be numbers or letters.

Door bolts: There are two locking bolts in the door.

Two override keys: You can use either of the 2 emergency override keys to get into the safe if you have problems opening the door.

Good capacity for a small safe: There are three different Yale safe styles in this range, so the sizes depend on the particular safe design. All three are classed as small safes.

LED Indicators: Two LED light indicators light up for various reasons. The green light indicates an unlocked door and the red light is either for an error or low battery.

Below is a list of what real owners’ thought were the Pros and Cons of this safe.

PROS AT A GLANCE

• Fantastic safe for small items and important documents.
• The safe is very sturdy and durable for its size.
• Has a loud tamper alarm which is handy to deter thieves.
• Small enough to hide yet large enough to hold important valuables.
• Very good price for what you get.
• Has enough space to fit a couple personal protection devices.
• Can be bolted to the floor for added security.
• Opens and closes effortlessly.
• The lock is solid, the walls are thick enough.

CONS AT A GLANCE

• Mounting instructions could be improved.
• It is lightweight so if not bolted/secured, someone could walk away with it.
• The handle feels a bit flimsy but moves the double bolt lock well.
• It is not fireproof or waterproof.

CLICK THE BUTTON BELOW FOR DETAILED PRODUCT INFO AND SPECS

Variations of this storage chest are also available:

Why Do Students NEED A Dorm Safe?

Crime is a sad reality of modern life. It does not matter where you are, you need to take care of your belongings and secure them to prevent theft. This is sometimes easier said than done. Security has become a major issue for students living in college dorm rooms. Simply locking the door is no longer enough to keep your valuables protected.

Part of the reason is that the average college student these days has so many electronic devices, phones, cameras, iPads and digital media, not to mention your college work. You might also have jewelry and other important papers and documents that need to be secured. You simply can not leave this stuff lying around, it will not be safe for very long. The other thing with the college lifestyle is people constantly come and go, many of them strangers. The life of the college student is also very busy and often rushed.

The loss of personal belongings can be massive. The financial implications can be huge as well as the inconvenience and hassle it causes when things have to be replaced. Some things have sentimental value and can never be replaced…college work and memories saved on an electronic device that you can never get back. What is the solution, how do they keep all their possessions away from would be thieves?

The most effective and best way to do this correctly is to purchase a dorm safe. Sounds pretty simple at first but once you start looking around, you will realize that there are quite a few factors to consider. Selecting a poor safe will give you a false sense of security and not protect your valuables sufficiently.  The wrong safe could also be a major inconvenience and cause you unnecessary headaches. To make the task of purchasing a college dormitory safe, we will guide you through all of the important considerations. When you have to make a selection, you will be able to make an informed decision and get the one that is just right for your needs.

Important Factors To Consider When Purchasing A College Dorm Safe

Purpose

One of the most important considerations is the purpose for purchasing the safe. If you are looking for dorm jewelry safe then it may be helpful to purchase a safe that has organizational compartments. If you are looking for a dorm security safe to hold any type of self-defense item you may lean towards a safe that has LED lighting available for easy nighttime access.

Document safes are another phenomenal option for the student that needs a method to protect their personal identification information such as passport, birth certificate, and social security card.

The purpose for purchasing the safe should be understood prior to considering the size and other feature options available.

Size & Style

Given dorm rooms typically have limited space the best college dorm safes are often smaller safes that are still large enough to hold all of your valuable items. Dorm room safes can fit in a desk, under a bed, in a closet, or be in plain sight depending on the user’s preference.

It is helpful, but not always necessary, to identify which storage location is ideal so the general size is understood prior to purchasing the college dorm safe.

You are obviously restricted in terms of size as college dorm rooms are not massive. You can not go and get a giant safe that is difficult to get in and takes up half of the space. Having said that, one of the most common mistakes people make is buying a safe that is too small for their needs.

There are two aspects to the size you need to consider, the exterior dimensions and the internal space or capacity of your safe. So, will it fit where you wish to put it and will it be big enough to store everything you need to use the safe for?

To answer the first one, work out exactly where you wish to place the safe and measure the available space. Inside a cupboard or somewhere out of the way that is not immediately visible is always best. Ensure you have the height, width, and depth and make sure doors will not be obstructed and the safe is able to open where you wish to position it. Measure the available space and have these measurements with you when shopping for your safe.

In terms of capacity, you have to be aware that the exterior dimensions and interior could vary considerably depending on the amount of insulation and the thickness of the metal.

Measure your biggest item and think about what other things you wish to also include. There might also be additional items you want to store in the safe in the future. Add at least 25% to the capacity you think you need, possibly more if you can.

Strength

Do not for a second think that a safe is a safe and they will all protect your valuables equally. Some are a lot stronger and more secure than others. Buying a cheap safe is a waste of time as it will offer little to no protections. Consider the value of the items you wish to protect when evaluating the various options available. Look at the thickness of the metal, the mounting bracket and the lock mechanism. There are a number of strength ratings, just make sure you are comparing apples with apples.

Method of Securing and Locking

Dorm safes with cables are the ideal type of college dorm safes for students that plan on moving or changing housing every year. If the student intends on staying in the same living space then it may be best to purchase a safe that physically mounts or bolts to a hard surface.

It is also important to consider which locking method is preferred by the user. Traditional key, number or letter keypad, or biometric fingerprint are all readily available options. Also, every dorm room safe will have an extra lock key or an override lock key for use if the user forgets the keypad code or loses the original key.

There are mini dorm room safes available in every budget range; therefore, pricing can be considered once the type of safe and size is determined. Typically, the best college dorm safes are small, portable, and easy to use. However, it is important to assess all of the criteria in order to find a college dorm safe that will fit your needs and most importantly properly protect and store your valuables.

Locking Mechanism

There are a number of options when it comes to locking the safe. You certainly do not want an old fashioned safe that uses a key as it is a big responsibility and risk. Keys are also bulky and make opening the safe time-consuming. Digital safes are much more convenient and biometric safes even better as they offer extra protection and ensure that only you or a pre-authorized person will be able to open the safe.

A biometric safe works with your fingerprint or hand-print and is a very secure way to operate a safe. They are slightly more expensive than a normal digital safe or an old fashioned combination safe but they are a lot more secure and extremely convenient.

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The post Safes for College Dorm Rooms (Updated 2021) appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

A safe is something that everyone should have in their homes. It is something that will keep your valuables safe from the dangers of fire, flood and burglary.

A safe is not just limited to just one group of social class. It is not just for people who are in one type of profession. There are different types of home safes for different types of individuals and these can serve different types of purpose.

The bottom line is having one will surely make your home a safer place and it will make your home the best place to store your valuables.

Protecting your firearms

Policemen handle guns on a daily basis, sometimes they would need to take it home with them. Some even have personal guns kept at home as they feel that this is an important item that they should have.

Security guards are also in the same boat. So how should you keep your guns safe when you are off duty and you are at home? If you have kids, extra measures must be taken to ensure that these guns are kept away from them.

They should not be able to easily find them and they shouldn’t be able to have easy access to them. Having a home safe, and in this case, a gun safe is the answer to this.

A home safe will keep the guns protected and out of the kids’ reach. The safes can even keep the guns away from burglars who may break into your home.

Keeping your money safe

People who have lost their faith in the financial system would want to handle their finances themselves. But they may think twice before deciding to keep their money at home. Their homes would be more susceptible to theft.

Not if you properly keep your cash. If you have a home safe, then keeping your money at home would be hassle-free. You wouldn’t have to worry about theft.

You even wouldn’t have to worry about your money going down the drain in case of a flood, or all your cash reduced to soot in case of a fire. A fire-proof, water-proof home safe will keep it completely protected.

Let’s not forget the important security of your keys. This could be house keys, car keys, garage keys etc. A small key safe is perfect for storing one or two sets of keys indoors or even outside.

 Safeguarding your important records

Older couples who have complete trust in the economy and still have faith in the financial system may think that keeping their money at home is not their cup of tea. But what about important records like their will, deeds of trust, life insurance policies and car titles?

They should have personal copies of these at home. What should be done to protect them? If they go on a vacation, they might not be able to enjoy it that much if they keep on thinking about all the important files they left back at home.

If you have a home safe, this will take all those worries away. Home safes are a perfect place to keep your documents.

Childproofing your home

Moms would want to keep all hazardous materials away from their toddlers. They would want to do all that they can to ensure that dangerous things are not at arm’s reach.

Cleaning formulas that have dangerous chemicals, gasoline containers, insecticides, knives and guns. These are only some of the hazardous materials that can be found in your homes.

If you have a toddler that has now begun to grab on everything he sees, then it is important that these things are kept away from him. These things should be kept in home safes.

You underestimate your kid if you think just putting it inside a cabinet will do. Children are naturally curious and a closed door won’t stop them from exploring. If you keep these dangerous things locked inside home safes, then you are making your home completely child-proof.

No matter where you live, what profession you have, what walk of life you come from, it is important that you have a security safe for your home.

The post Who needs a home safe? appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

Time To Buy A Fireproof Safe?

It is very unfortunate to be a victim of a fire. It is completely unexpected and you can lose everything in just an instant. A fire is something that takes everyone by surprise and it is something that we would least expect.

If you are totally unprepared for a fire, then valuables that are hard or even impossible to replace would be just a distant memory.

According to the US Fire Administration, there were 356,200 residential fires in the US in 2009 alone. This resulted to a loss of $7,259,800,000.

How do you think it would feel like if you were part of these statistics and you lost all of your valuable possessions in a house fire?

For sure this would be devastating. Just think of all the things that you risk losing.

What you will lose

You will surely lose a lot if you haven’t made the effort to secure your valuables. You will lose things that have taken you years to acquire and to build.

All the memorabilia that would be impossible to replace: photos of your son’s first birthday, the only digital copy of videos from your grandmother’s last birthday, your daughter’s first artwork, family heirlooms and even souvenirs from special trips or vacations the family had.

You could lose other important documents such as, passports, important IDs, bank statements, investment documents, birth certificates, wills, mortgage papers or real estate deed of trust, insurance papers and important health and medical papers for your family doctor.

Think of what you had to go through getting these documents. It would have all gone to waste if these were lost in a fire. And you would need to go through the same process again to get new ones.

Think of how you can never get these back. All the meaningful items will just be etched in your memory with nothing concrete to remember them by.

All these are very important for you and your family. All these can be lost just in a split second.

Plan ahead and get a fire safe

Of course nobody would ever want to be victims of a fire, but if there is a possibility of one occurring then steps must be taken to prevent it. You must take the time to think of a plan in case this unfortunate incident happens to you. Planning will put you and your family in good stead.

So where should you start? Begin with a fireproof safe for home.

Fire safes are the best way to go to keep your valuables in a secure place. Home safes are so advanced nowadays that they can not only protect your possessions from fire but also from water damage and theft.

This is by far the simplest way to get your valuables protected and because of the huge popularity in home safes prices are much lower than you would expect.

Incomparable rewards

Purchasing a fire safe is a small amount to pay if you think about how much you could lose in even the smallest of home fires. The small price you paid to buy that safe cannot be compared to the peace of mind you will have gained.

Even if a fire is something that is unexpected, you can still be prepared for it. If you are thinking of buying a secure safe for home then make sure to read through our best fireproof home safes reviews to help you make you decision.

The post Dont Lose All Your Valuable Possessions In A Fire appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

A general overview of drawer safe uses

Scroll down to see top 10 drawer safes 2020

If the name hasn’t already given it away – drawer safes are ideal for safely storing small and medium-sized valuable items.

They are primarily designed to fit into drawers for safe keeping and staying hidden.

These kinds of safes can be installed in drawers or similarly-sized spaces. They can be fitted, but are also suited for carrying; thus, a drawer safe might also be portable. This versatility offers more options for people who need a safe at home but also need to take it with them to work or wherever.

These safes are created to be relatively compact, weighing around 10-25 pounds (4-12 kilos). Bigger safes are mostly sturdier and more robust, but increased size does come with trade-offs.  A larger and heavier drawer safe is much more difficult to carry.

With that being said, it is easy to deduce that a smaller, cheaper unit could be handy on the go. Still, a thief might have few issues trying to open or steal it.

Storage space in drawer safes is not super limited, but you may struggle to find one that can store a large laptop or something similar in size.

Remember, the priority is to be able to be hidden within a drawer and most drawers are not that deep.

You may have a hard time storing anything bigger than an 11” tablet; however some larger drawer safes can be found. Many are designed to hold cash, valuable jewels, wristwatches, maybe a small handgun, passports, valuable papers, and a wallet as well. In short – mostly small stuff.

What would be the best drawer safe for you?

This is an excellent purchase if you have cash, jewelry, important documents or something similar, just lying around at home. Such valuable items need protection, and regular lock boxes or locked drawers aren’t always enough.

A drawer safe is also commonly bought by families who wish to store their shared valuables somewhere safely. This is why you can often find these safes hidden in closets or somewhere inconspicuous around the house.

To sum up – if you have too many valuables for a lock box or are in general, looking for a more robust storage option – definitely look into buying a small, medium-sized or large drawer safe (depending on your needs), rather than a simple lock box.

Proper placement for a desk drawer safe

Drawer safes are very home-friendly, so-to-speak. They are not large or too extravagant, meaning that you can always find a suitable spot for them in any house/apartment/condo, etc.

Nevertheless, an office also has a place or two where such an object might be fitted.

Security experts always recommend fitting a safe in a secluded place, out of plain sight. They say that floor-fitting is the safest option while wall-fitting is not as effective but still heads and shoulders above leaving it out unattached. If the first two options are not a possibility, you could try and bolt/screw the safe to the ground or a particular surface.

PIECE OF ADVICE: Remember that a small drawer safe could be an easy steal for a thief. If you have it in your house, fit it into a hole, wall or a drawer.

How to buy the best possible drawer safe?

Mobility or sturdiness?

We mentioned this earlier, but size dictates the trade-offs and pros and cons of drawer safes and drawer safe boxes. It all begins with and mostly revolves around the size of these safes. Thus, you have to decide whether you are going for maximum mobility or are you looking for a solid, heavy-duty drawer safe.

Expect larger units to be more costly, but to have more sophisticated anti-tampering gear like pry-resistance doors, etc. They are made from steel, instead of aluminum and so on. Consider if you set out on the road or go away from home for a while, carrying a box in your luggage is much simpler than stuffing a much larger safe, weighing 30 pounds, in your backpack.

Pick your poison when it comes to these aspects.

Lock and opening type

Usually, when you are buying a safe, the lock type is a critical feature. This case is no different, but, when it comes to drawer safes – door openings are also crucial.

The door type could very much impact where you decide to place the unit.

There are top-loaders and regular units that open horizontally. If you fit one in a deep drawer, then the top opening desk drawer safe is your only option. On the contrary, if you decide to just hide your safe in a closet or in a cupboard then a regularly opening safe should work fine.

Now let’s talk about locks. Drawer safes usually come with mechanical, electronic or combination locks. Mechanical locks rely on keys and/or twist-turn knobs to be opened. They are the cheapest, but also labeled as the least safe option.

Electronic locks are usually paired with more pricey safes and safe boxes. They are triggered by keypads or even biometric scanners that scan your fingerprint to allow or deny access. Finally – combination locks. These are thought to be the safest.

Insurance rating & other features

To get more bang for your buck, you mustn’t overlook the vast abundance of additional features that are available with most safes. Moreover, you might also need to consider the insurance rating on your potential purchase to be able to insure your valuables.

Among the aforementioned additional features that are worth your attention:

• Fireproofing – allows protecting stored valuables from the dangers of fire.
• Secondary access – in case you lose your keys or forget the combination.
• Pry-resistance – so wrongdoers aren’t able to just pull the doors off.
• False bottoms and similar sections – to hide your cash, jewels or anything else with even more security.
• Handles and straps – if you plan on carrying the box.
• Pre-drilled holes – that make fitting easy.

Viking Security Safe VS-14BL Top Opening Drawer Biometric Fingerprint LCD Keypad Safe

• Upgraded 500 DPI Biometric Fingerprint Optical Sensor and Digital Keypad; LCD displays operations and battery status, Non-volatile memory - Retains memory even if batteries are removed
• HIGHLY SECURE 5" x 15" x 11" 22lbs. It can be used as Narcotics safe, Medicine Cabinet Safe, Narcotic Storage, Medicine storage. Made of steel; Motorized deadbolt locking system opens fast; WARNING: MUST REGISTER AT LEAST 1 FINGERPRINT AND CHANGE THE PIN, SO SAFE IS NO LONGER IN FACTORY DEFAULT MODE!! OR ANYONE CAN OPEN!

Free shipping

Last update was on: November 11, 2024 10:34 pm

in stock

$229.99

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V-Line Slide-Away Security Safe, Semi-Flat Black

• MADE IN THE USA
• CA DOJ Approved
• Pick and pluck foam interior
• Genuine Simplex Lock
• Oversized pullout drawer with ball bearing sliders

Last update was on: November 11, 2024 10:34 pm

in stock

$349.00 $385.00

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AmazonBasics Small Desk Drawer Safe Box

• Safe with a slim size fits conveniently inside of a drawer
• Programmable electronic keypad for easy operation; emergency back-up key included; small handle on door for quick access
• 2 live-door bolts and pry-resistant concealed hinges for superior security

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Last update was on: November 11, 2024 10:34 pm

in stock

$48.24 $54.99

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SentrySafe X075 Security Safe with Digital Keypad, 0.7 Cubic Feet (Medium-Wide), Black

• Security safe with digital keypad lock is an ideal solution for your valuables and electronics; This safe is not a fireproof or waterproof safe
• Safe features a set-your-own combination digital lock that uses a programmable 1-8 digit code

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Last update was on: November 11, 2024 10:34 pm

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Vaultek Essential Series Quick Access Portable Safe Auto Open Lid Quick-Release Security Cable Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery (VE10 (Sub-Compact Safe))

• SLIM DESIGN can securely hold 1 handgun, magazine(s), passport, cash, and is easily mountable or tether to a nightstand, desk, or vehicles using the included mounting hardware or security cable. Easily portable to travel in your car, the office, or backpacks and luggage. EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS: 10.5" x 8.5" x 2.125". INTERIOR DIMENSIONS: 9.875" x 5.375" x 1.5".

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Last update was on: November 11, 2024 10:34 pm

in stock

$159.99

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Honeywell Safes & Door Locks - 6108 Fire Resistant Steel Security Safe Box with Digital Lock, 0.26-Cubic Feet, Black

• CASH MANAGEMENT - This security box is equipped with fire resistant insulation.
• FEATURES – Keep your valuables secured by creating your own entry code to the 6108.
• QUALITY MADE - built with a sturdy double steel wall construction for greater and stronger security.

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Last update was on: November 11, 2024 10:34 pm

in stock

$56.69

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BARSKA AX11556 Biometric Fingerprint Top Opening Security Drawer Safe Box 0.23 Cubic Ft

• Advanced Biometric Security - Biometric home safes provide advanced protection through 2.5-sec access via fingerprint recognition, ensuring that only authorized individuals can enter.
• Built to Withstand - These safes are meticulously crafted with robust materials, designed not only to safeguard your valuables but also to resist tampering and unauthorized entry attempts effectively.

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Last update was on: November 11, 2024 10:34 pm

in stock

$279.99 $350.99

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Drawer Safe FAQ’s

• Safes for drawers are primarily used to store firearms and in particular, handguns.
• Jewelry and other valuables can be securely stored inside it.
• It is an ideal place to keep your wallets and purses safe. Alternatively, small stacks of dollars can be stuffed inside it as well.
• You can stock your prescription drugs so that they won’t fall into the wrong hands.
• Other important papers like mortgage papers, tenders, receipts etc. can be piled into it.
• They can also be used as portable safes.

There are several benefits of locking away your stuff inside a top opening drawer safe rather than storing it in a regular drawer. Here are a few.

Advantages Of A Top Opening Drawer Safe:

• Combination Locks: A regular drawer can easily be broken into even if it has been locked. The locks that regular drawers are equipped with do not usually change with the advancement of technology; even a small-time burglar can pick those. On the other hand, the safes for drawers have the best combination locks that technology has to offer. The high-end top opening safes are so secure that only a handful of veteran burglars would be able to break into those. They can always be given extra protection, though it is not needed…just place the safe inside a drawer and lock the drawer!
• Portability: They are not only versatile, but highly portable as well. You can carry these safes anywhere without having to worry about thieves catching a glimpse. A small safe will easily fit inside your laptop bag or office briefcase, leaving enough space to cram your other belongings.
• Protection from the Elements: What if your house catches fire when you are not at home? All your important documents and valuables would be destroyed. Many drawer safes are fireproof and can withstand very high temperatures if the need arises. Some of the more sophisticated ones are also water resistant. Thus, even if your house is obliterated by a hurricane or washed up by a tsunami, the safe will still endure!

There are many more advantages of these exceptional safes for drawers, but a lone disadvantage – the limited space available. The largest safe could be as big as a small shoe cabinet. Portability does allow you to secure your valuables on the go, but you can take only a few of those along. Also, larger firearms cannot be squeezed inside. You can’t have everything in life after all!

As the name suggests, a drawer safe is essentially one which is built to fit inside a regular drawer. Thus, it is relatively small in size and quite compact. Since not all drawers have the same dimensions, the sizes of the safes vary.

If you do not wish to place your safe in a drawer or a cabinet, you can as easily hang it on a wall or store it in a wardrobe. It can also be hermetically concealed in a secure place inside the wall separating two rooms. Due to its inimitable versatility, it boasts of several uses. Let us take a look at a few of those.

The post Best Safes For Drawers | Small Top Opening Drawer Safe appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.

Humans have been fascinated by fire for as long as we can remember. From grilling a mouth-watering steak, all the way to poetic associations with various feelings, like passion and desire, people are captivated by the magic of fire.

It is, however, one of the most dangerous elements in the world, causing 26 billion USD property damage annually, and that’s in the US alone. We haven’t even discussed the immeasurable sentimental value of the objects that fire can destroy.

To protect precious property, and more precisely – documents and money from fire, you can invest in fireproof document bags – (also known as fire resistant document holders).

These carefully and insightfully manufactured pouches/holders/bags are fire-resistant and thus can protect precious personal documents or important archives from being reduced to ashes.

So, what is there to know about fireproof/fire-resistant document bags?

Top 10 best fireproof document bags available:

What exactly is a fireproof document bag?

How are these folders built & what is their purpose?

In the shortest and simplest way we can put it – fireproof document bags are… Well… Fire-resistant bags for documents.

Engineers created them by utilizing sturdy materials and compositional elements which have very high ignition points. Thanks to these materials, fireproof bags can only melt or catch on fire after extremely long exposure to very hot fire. The bag is a great investment since most house and building fires never even get close to the point required to damage it.

Most of the best fireproof document bags in the market today are made from:

• silicone,
• fiberglass
• special PVC coatings,
• special thermal insulation layers

However, you should know that no bag, despite its quality and the marketing information about it, is 100% fire-resistant. The bag only protects the contents for a much more extended period of time, but if rescue does not come, prolonged contact with flames will do its fair share of damage.

So, in short, don’t think about it as a “Get out of jail free” card. Rather look at the bag as a means to win more time for recovery and rescue.

Do these document bags really work, or is it just a gimmick?

You might wonder then if these are just fire-resistant and not fireproof, why bother at all.

We would like to add that nothing is fully fire-resistant. Give it enough time and everything can be ignited, burnt through or forced to burst into flames. However, fireproof document bags absolutely work!

There are tons of video reviews out there. Check them out to see for yourselves. Those babies can take a lot of heat and keep even the most fragile contents safe for a very long time.

Depending on the make and model, bags can withstand excruciating heat, anywhere between 350 Celsius (662 Fahrenheit) all the way to 1200 degrees Celsius (2100 Fahrenheit).

Since most house and regular fires are only around 300 degrees Celsius, photos, papers or anything of value that is stored in a fireproof document bag can be kept intact. As you know, paper is easily ignited, whilst lighting silicone coated fiberglass on fire is a much more difficult challenge.

Choosing the right fireproof bag for documents

Trust us; we could ramble on about the pros and cons of any one of the fireproof bags in the market today. However, since this is a general overview, let’s focus on the aspects and traits of these bags that can help you find just what you were looking for.

1. What is the best folder size?

Fireproof document bags can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. However, the most common dimensions for this item tend to be around 45 x 30 x * centimeters or 17 x 12 x * inches. This is because they have to contain A4 or A3 pages and smaller-sized documents. In addition, a standard-scale fireproof document bag can be used for laptops, credit cards, tablets, smartphones and other belongings as well.

However, the market is also full of smaller bags (usually reserved for cash and valuable documents like a passport etc.) and larger units which can house much more than a 17 by 12 (inches) fireproof document bag.

Make sure you know how much stuff will go in there and select the size accordingly.

2. What is their heat resistance?

As we’ve mentioned – house fires usually keep a steady temperature of ~300 degrees Celsius. This means that any document bag, capable of withstanding a higher temperature can keep your documents protected for longer. Nonetheless, a free piece of advice is never to save and compromise when it comes to security measures. Only take the best available.

Don’t look for the lowest price. Make sure that the purchase can ensure maximum safety before diving head-first into buying the cheapest fireproof document bags en masse.

Heat resistance and its extensiveness are directly related to the qualities of the compositional elements. So, if let’s say your bag is made from wood, it won’t protect the contents from fire. Then again, using something like fiberglass, aluminum foil, PVC and silicone can improve fire resistance. Due to fact that these materials have a much higher ignition point, your documents are stored with much more safety.

3. Are there any extra features?

Look for additional features such as water resistance. Just imagine, a fire breaks out in your company’s archive or any storage area. What immediately happens? That’s right – the sprinklers and the alarm go off. Your documents can be fireproof, but without waterproofing or resistance to water, the H2O will ruin what’s inside the bag before the flames get to it.

If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, browse the specification of a particular product that might interest you. Maybe it has a detachable section, secret, more protected internal compartments, safety certificates, a lock, etc.

Keep in mind that these extra features work not just by protecting contents from flames, but also preventing tampering and theft by adding more safety.

Additional advice for protecting documents from fire

How much should you spend?

It depends. If we are talking about average fireproof document bags, they can cost between 20 and 50 USD. Specific needs can up the price.

What other measures can be used for document protection against fire?

Sometimes it is best to place a bag inside of a bag, but that is just an additional precaution, not a recommendation. What we would recommend is ensuring maximum fire hazard prevention in the particular area where the documents are stored. Fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers and extinguishers placed in convenient locations can help suppress a fire or deter hazards. Make sure you yourself know what to do in case it happens, and you’re set to go!

The post Best Fireproof and Waterproof Document Bags appeared first on Home safe reviews | Best home safes | The Safe Sleuth.