Buying guide for best wall safe
One of the worst feelings is knowing you’ve lost something valuable. Accidents happen, but taking measures to prevent theft or loss of valuables can make a significant difference. A wall safe is one of the best ways to keep your valuables secure, as only those with authorized access can open it.
The best wall safes are suitable for storing various items, including cash, jewelry, documents, guns, electronics and fashion accessories. However, a wall safe should be easy to install, made of durable, high-quality materials and have a steel door to ensure no one can pry or break it open. Some even offer water and fire protection, but there are several other factors to consider when choosing the best wall safe for you, including its safety mechanism.
We researched dozens of wall safes, looking at features such as build quality, size and lock type, and found the high-end Mycube Wall Safe to be the best overall. However, our list also includes options for those who want a smaller safe, a fireproof safe or one with a fingerprint keypad.
5 Best Wall Safes for Your Home in 2024
Best wall safe
Product specifications
Dimensions: 14.25" W x 6.5" D x 18" H | Lock Type: Keypad | Capacity: 0.8 cu ft | Material: Metal
This wall safe fits between two wall studs for a recessed installation that adds an extra layer of security and gives it a sleek look. It has a high-gloss white designer finish, a pry-resistant door and four pre-drilled bolt holes for quick and easy installation.
The illuminated digital keypad makes it easy to access the safe even in low-light conditions, and the internal light lets you see all your stored items. It’s fully motorized with two locking bolts, and the digital components run on four AA batteries. Plus, there’s a bottom compartment for jewelry, and the battery life typically lasts 12 to 24 months.
The Mycube Wall Safe is a high-end wall safe box perfect for storing everything from cash and jewelry to documents and electronics. It has a durable steel door, a double lifetime guarantee and customer service is available 24/7.
Best fingerprint safe
Product specifications
Dimensions: 13.6'' W X 3.9'' D x 20.5'' H | Lock Type: Combination | Capacity: 0.35 cu ft | Material: Metal
Those looking for a heavy-duty safe will not be disappointed with this safety box that offers plenty of storage space. It has a flush, hidden design for a clean look wherever you install it. It boasts a handful of neat features, including a 500 dpi optical fingerprint reader, a numeric digital keypad and an easy-to-read LCD.
You can store up to 32 unique fingerprints and one digital PIN. The advanced optical sensor only recognizes saved fingerprints but will accept the PIN to open if someone whose fingerprints have not been stored needs to access the safe. It has a scratch-resistant finish, a motorized deadbolt locking system and a beeping function that sounds off if the door is left unlocked. The carpeted interior features an integrated LED light, key hooks and two fully adjustable shelves.
The black powder coating and pry-resistant design give this wall safe a premium, polished look and feel, and multiple security features provide peace of mind, knowing your valuables are safe. Plus, this wall safe comes with two keys, batteries and all the mounting hardware you need for installation. It's one of the best wall safes on the market, and the digital lock is easy to input and change whenever you like.
Best for an easy install
Product specifications
Dimensions: 15.5” W x 3.73” D x 20.75” H | Lock Type: Biometric | Capacity: 0.45 cu ft | Material: Metal
Many wall safes have premium security features and safety mechanisms, but if you have trouble installing one, it won’t do you much good. That’s why we recommend the Barska AX12038 for anyone who wants to install a reliable safety box quickly. It has predrilled holes for quick and easy wall-mount installation where you can position it behind picture frames, furniture and mirrors.
This biometric wall safe can store up to 120 unique fingerprints and has a two-point deadbolt system for maximum security. It has a durable, solid-steel construction, two removable shelves to help you organize valuables, and it comes with four AA batteries.
Although this wall safe doesn’t have as many features as some of the other top wall safes, it’s an excellent option with ample storage space for those who want a biometric safety box that’s easy to install. Plus, the number of fingerprints it can store makes it appealing for those who wish to share access with others.
Best small wall safe
Product specifications
Dimensions: 16'' W X 4'' D x 18'' H | Lock Type: Dial/Combination | Capacity: 0.2 cu ft | Material: Metal
Wall safes typically have ample space to store several items. Although most are compact, some people might still find many options too bulky for their needs. But if you want a small wall safe that still has plenty of interior room to store key valuables, look no further than this dial safety box.
With a tamperproof and pry-resistant design, this wall safe is perfect for storing valuables, including cash, jewelry and documents. It has a felt-lined back and a shelf for organizing items, and additional shelves are available for purchase. The lock is easy to set, and users can choose from 1,081 possible combinations.
This wall safe’s traditional dial combination lock makes it one of the easiest to use, and the flush wall design gives it a clean look. It’s one of the best wall safes, and its compact size makes it suitable for those who want something that won’t take up much room but still offers enough space for keeping several valuables.
Best fireproof safe
Product specifications
Dimensions: 15.15” W x 4” D x 25.6” H | Lock Type: Keypad | Capacity: NA | Material: Metal
This heavy-duty wall safe has a cabinet design that makes it one of the best for those who want to position it behind a mirror, a frame or other furniture. It fits perfectly between wall studs on 16-inch centers, and the pry-resistant door, 8-gauge steel housing and welded steel body provide superior protection for all your items.
It has a numeric keypad where you can set a programmable code, a removable shelf and an internal LED light so you can see all your stored valuables even in low-light conditions. Its fireproof exterior has a powder-coated finish to help protect your stuff against fires and impacts.
This is one of the best fireproof wall safes. Its vertical design also makes it one of the most accessible wall safes, and although the primary safety mechanism is the programmable code, it comes with a key that serves as a backup should you forget the code.
Things to consider when choosing the best wall safe
Picking your location for discreet and secure storage
A wall safe needs to be hidden from view, so you’ll want to install it or keep it somewhere where only you and a few select others know where it is. For instance, you may want to install one in the attic or cover it up with a painting. Keeping it hidden from view may cause criminals or those without authorized access to overlook it. Having a safe in plain sight will likely still keep your valuables safe, but it makes it easier for unauthorized individuals to access the contents or damage the box.
Determine the necessary volume
Holding capacity varies from one wall safe model to another, but anything ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 cubic feet is standard. When determining the right size for your needs, think about what you want to place inside the safe. Choose one that fits all of those items with some free space for later additions.
Locating wall studs and measuring wall depths
Determine the maximum size wall safe you can fit into your chosen locations. This is where having multiple potential locations can help you; if one location cannot accommodate the safe size you want, another might. Usually, a wall safe will be anchored to wall studs. To locate wall studs, tap your finger along the wall. When the taps start sounding more solid, you’re approaching a wall stud. You can also use a stud-finding tool to find wall studs and get an accurate wall depth measurement.
Picking between UL vs. non-UL rated wall safes
Rating systems can make choosing a wall safe tricky as some models receive an independent rating from Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Wall safes with UL ratings will display the letters “UL” inside a circle. UL provides independent, verified testing methods for many different products.
Here are a few of the UL ratings specific to wall safes:
- Class 125: Refers to the safe’s fire resistance. During testing, the safe’s exterior is heated to at least 1,550 degrees. The interior must remain 125 degrees or less for one or two hours. Models with this rating will protect computer data discs.
- Class 150: Refers to fire resistance. The interior of the safe must remain 150 degrees or less during testing and for one or two hours after. This will protect recording tapes and 35-millimeter slides.
- Class 350: During and after the heating process, the interior of the safe must remain at 350 degrees or less. Safes with this rating will protect paper, which burns at about 410 degrees. Class 350 safes are rated for 30 minutes, one hour or two hours.
- RSC rating: The RSC (Residential Security Container) designation indicates that the safe’s lock proved impervious to common tools for five minutes when tested by UL.
- TL-15 / ER rating: These safes are constructed of solid steel at least 1 inch thick on all sides. Also, the lock must withstand common tools for at least 15 minutes.
- TL-30 / F rating: A TL-30 (or F-rated) safe must also boast 1-inch stainless steel or greater, but the lock must survive 30 minutes of assault with common burglary tools.
- TL-30X6 / G&A rating: A safe with TL-30X6 or G&A rating is constructed from the same material as a TL-30 or TL-15 safe. The lock must withstand tampering for 30 minutes, just as with a TL-30 safe. Additionally, this rating focuses on the sides of the safe. Each side must remain intact after 30 minutes of tampering.
Non-UL wall safe ratings
These ratings are defined by the safe manufacturers themselves or by other testing laboratories. Wall safes with these ratings are accepted in the industry but may not be as consistent as UL ratings.
- B rating: Wall safes with a B rating have up to a quarter-inch-thick body and a half-inch-thick door. No restrictions are placed on the materials in the safe's locking mechanism.
- C rating: Wall safes with a C rating have up to a half-inch-thick body and a 1-inch-thick door. The safe must include a secondary locking device. This lock activates if someone tampers with the primary lock.
- E rating: Wall safes with an E rating are similar to the UL TL-15 rating but have not undergone UL testing.
Deciding your preferred locking mechanism
Wall safes come with a variety of locks. The lock design you should choose comes down to personal preference.
- Biometric: A biometric lock opens via fingerprint scan. This is the fastest and safest mechanism for opening a safe since it requires the physical presence of someone with a registered fingerprint to access the safe.
- Dial: This traditional locking mechanism lets you set up a combination lock. It’s a safe mechanism but unfavorable compared to keypads and biometric safes, which are more practical.
- Key: A key lock is typically a backup mechanism used in combination with another type of lock. Some safes strictly use traditional locks and keys as their primary safety measure, and while it’s a safe mechanism, losing the key presents a significant problem.
- Keypad: A keypad lock requires that you enter a numeric code to open the safe. This is the most common locking mechanism on a wall safe for at-home use.
- Combination: Some wall safes employ multiple locks. For example, you might use a keypad code and a fingerprint reader to open the wall safe. Some models allow you to open the safe with either mechanism rather than requiring both. Some combination safes include a relocking mechanism. This means the wall safe has a secondary lock that activates if someone tampers with the primary lock. Once the relocking mechanism is activated, the only way to open the safe is to have it professionally drilled. When considering a combination, determine whether it includes a relocking mechanism to ensure you get the features you want.
Selecting the wall safe that fits your budget
Many factors influence the price of a wall safe. Thicker doors and walls cost more. Higher capacity is also more expensive, and features such as relocking mechanisms can increase the price, too.
Budget-priced
Budget-priced wall safes cost anywhere from $50 to $100. Some parts of the safe will be plastic or sheet steel rather than solid steel.
Mid-range
Expect to pay $100 to $250 for mid-range wall safes. You may find some large wall safes at this price point. However, large safes in this range will probably lack solid steel construction. They’ll use sheet metal as the primary construction material.
Highest pricing
With price tags exceeding $250, you should expect solid steel construction. They’ll often have greater capacity, and they should offer relocking mechanisms.
FAQ
Q. How much does it cost to install a wall safe?
A. Wall safes can protect premium possessions, such as jewelry or cash. But they’re also used to protect items with emotional importance, such as photo albums or copies of digital photos. You might also use a safe to protect irreplaceable family heirlooms. In addition to protecting these items from theft, a wall safe helps protect them from fire.
Q. How large of a wall safe do I need?
A. It’s best to identify what you’ll put in the wall safe initially, identify the appropriate size for those items and purchase one with sufficient interior space to accommodate your items. Smaller safes typically measure under 0.3 cubic feet, while midsize safes measure 0.3 to 1 cubic feet. A safe is considered large if it has over 1 cubic foot of interior space.
Q. What kind of depth measurement should my wall safe have?
A. The installation location determines the maximum depth of your wall safe. You could be limited to a depth as shallow as 3 inches based on the thickness of your walls. You may want to place the safe in a location where the back can extend into a closet, then build a frame around the back of the safe to hide it.
