Choosing the best outdoor key lock box for your home or rental property must be done with care. The first step is to avoid knockoff brands and stick with the brands you can trust. After all, the lock box is all that stands between your home and an intruder. For this reason, the most secure key lock box must be able to take a beating without opening and function reliably. The trickiest part is designing a box with ironclad security.
In this guide, we share our Top 5 picks along with in-depth reviews of each box. Additionally, you’ll find tips along the way to help make your final decision easier. Below is a list of items we considered when creating this guide:
- Brand Trustworthiness
- Materials/Construction
- The Number of Possible Codes/Combinations
- Weatherproof Materials for Year-Round Outdoor Use
- Capacity
- Anti-Theft Features such as Alarm Sensors
- Ease of Use
- Warranty Period
Now, let’s look at a comparison of the top five boxes before checking out the reviews.
Best Key Lock Boxes Comparison
| Box | Description |
| #1) Kidde AccessPoint KeySafe P500
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| #2) Kidde AccessPoint KeySafe Slimline
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| #3) WordLock 4-Dial Key Lock Box
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| #4) Kidde AccessPoint KeySafe Pro
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| #5) Master Lock 5423D Push-Button Lock Box
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Best Outdoor Key Lock Box Reviews
When it comes to choosing the most secure key lock box, it’s best to stick with wall-mount boxes rather than portable boxes with shackles. One of the most secure key safes with a shackle ranked #3 on our list. It’s actually surprising how easy it is to break through most of the shackles on popular boxes. Additionally, a wall-mount box requires a thief to dislodge the box from a wall or other surface.
Now, let’s go over the reviews of each box to give you a clearer idea of which model(s) suits your needs.
#1) Kidde AccessPoint KeySafe P500
Kidde AccessPoint key boxes are certainly our favorite because they provide the highest level of security. Of the Kidde models currently available, the P500 is the most secure. There are two versions of this box available: model 002047 and 002048. For ultimate security, choose model 002048 that features an alarm sensor. The alarm sounds when the safe is opened or removed from the wall.
Next, the included cover and weatherproof materials used to construct this heavy-duty box make it the best outdoor key lockbox on the market. Plus, the P500 has more internal space to fit up to 5 keys compared to the popular Slimline 001170 model, though, the Slimline is available in a 5-key size.
As for security, the box features mostly stainless steel components, including pin hinges, an anti-tamper plate, a punch-resistant plate, a locking bolt, and an interior liner for added security. One final highlight of this box is the reliable mechanical push-button locking system. While Bluetooth and digital boxes may seem more convenient, it’s hard to beat the security offered by a simple push-button system that doesn’t rely on battery power.
Watch how to install the Supra C500 Police-Accredited Key Safe below to get an idea of how to use the P500:
Pros
- Over 4,000 possible combinations for ultra-high-security
- Components that stand the test of time in all weather (includes cover)
- The unique built-in alarm that’s difficult to find in other key safes
- More substantial than competing boxes (compare the weight to other popular models)
- Easy to make code changes
- Triple-wall construction provides the most security layers
- Choose how many digits you want your code to be
- The hinged lid is more convenient than the removable lid on the Slimline model
Cons
- Requires a bit of a learning curve and clear, visual instructions if you plan to use it for Airbnb or other vacation rentals
- Locking yourself out requires a call to the locksmith
#2) Kidde AccessPoint KeySafe Slimline
Of the five models in this guide, Kidde’s Slimline gives you the most bang for your buck. Unlike the P500, it’s not quite as secure and beefy, yet it does cost less than half as much at the time of this writing. If you’re in the market for an emergency key lock box, this is the one. It’s certainly a much better choice than an insecure hide-a-key magnetic box or fake rock.
Similar to the P500, the Slimline uses a mechanical push-button locking system, however, it offers fewer possible combinations at over 1,000. Regardless, casual thieves won’t have enough time on their hands or the patience to test over 1,000 possible combinations. Plus, this box is better for installing in locations where thieves are unlikely to look since it’s the smallest model in our guide.
A couple of final considerations are no weatherproof cover, and the included mounting hardware lacks wall anchors. To get the most secure installation, it’s best to purchase wall anchors separately and consider upgrading the included screws. If you’re mounting the box to wood, be sure to choose the longest screws possible.
Note: The video demonstration below is in German
Pros
- Its smaller size makes it less visible than bulkier key safes
- Multiple sizes available
- The most secure key lockbox for the money
- Easy installation
- Smooth operation
- Holds up in outdoor environments without a weatherproof cover
- Mighty difficult to pry open
- These units stand the test of time (positive reports after over a decade of use)
Cons
- Not as heavy-duty as the P500
- Fewer possible combinations than the P500
- No weatherproof cover included
- The digits to your code can be entered in any order
#3) WordLock 4-Dial Key Lock Box
For fans of letter combination locks, it doesn’t get any better than the WordLock key lock box. Of the five models in this guide, this is the best high-security portable key lockbox. The most ideal use for this box is when you need to secure your keys and other items while at a beach vacation rental. The first highlight is the size of the weatherproof 301 stainless steel cylindrical body. There’s enough room for a bit of cash, keys, car key fobs, and a small garage door opener.
Next, the box features a vinyl-coated hardened steel shackle for higher security than other popular safes we came across with weaker shackles. The addition of the vinyl coating ensures you don’t scratch your doors or paint depending on where you use the box. Third, the number of possible combinations is extremely high at over 10,000. This is the highest number offered by the safes in this guide.
Several final highlights are the weatherproof elements such as the clear window cover over the combination dials, the corrosion-resistant stainless steel, and the fact that the locking mechanism doesn’t take up space inside the storage compartment. Overall, there’s a lock to like about this portable key safe, just keep in mind that all shackles can be cut with power tools. Unfortunately, there’s no getting around this, even the most secure padlocks are vulnerable to cutting attacks.
Watch a demonstration of how to use the Stor-More Key Safe below:
Pros
- The highest number of possible combinations of the five boxes
- Weatherproof and corrosion-resistant materials are perfect for outdoor use
- The roomiest compartment for storing more than just your keys
- Optional mounting for enhanced security
- It’s easier to remember a word than numbers
- Over 500 possible English words
- The removable shackle makes it easy to connect to a car roof rack out of sight
Cons
- Easier to break into than a Kidde KeySafe
- The hardened steel shackle is vulnerable to cutting attacks
- You might not like the small drain hole at the bottom
#4) Kidde AccessPoint 001267 KeySafe Pro
The final Kidde model in our guide is the Pro edition. The main advantage of choosing this model over the first two is the increased internal storage space. With this model, you get enough room to store access cards along with multiple keys, which makes it a good choice for commercial applications and larger households.
Next, we really like the included rubber weatherproof cover featured in this box for safe outdoor use. The rubber outer layer ensures you get a proper seal to keep the actual box dry and protected against the elements. Additionally, it hides the face of the box, so people may not even realize that it’s a key lockbox without lifting the cover.
One final consideration – and the reason we ranked this box #4 – is that it only costs a bit less than the P500 at the time of this writing. For the price, the P500 gives you more bang for your buck and better overall security. Additionally, we discovered more complaints about this box than the P500.
Note: The KeySafe Pro is the same design as the Supra S7
Pros
- The integrated rubber weatherproof cover makes it excellent for outdoor use
- A roomier interior than other Kidde models
- The locking mechanism does not eat up interior space, unlike Master Lock models
- A good choice for commercial applications where secure access card storage is required
- Guaranteed to never rust
Cons
- Fewer possible combinations than the P500
- The code must be re-entered to close the door
- The rubber cover is harder to use than the cover included with the P500
- Mounting hardware not included
- The combination can be entered in any order (this makes a 7-digit combo not very secure)
#5) Master Lock 5423D Push-Button Lock Box
For people who aren’t fans of Kidde and Supra key lockboxes, model 5423D is the most secure key lock box by Master Lock. In reality, this model is a budget version of the P500 since it offers mostly the same core features. There are 4,096 possible combos, it’s 5-key capacity, and there’s a weather cover to protect the push-button locking system when installed outdoors.
However, it’s important to note that this box is not as beefy as the P500. Comparatively, this box weighs 1.67 lbs, while the Kidde P500 model weighs about 4 lbs. For this reason, if thieves manage to dislodge this box, it’s easier to cut or pry it open than the P500. Be sure to consider the level of security you desire when choosing between the P500 and 5423D.
Lastly, this box does not include the required mounting hardware. Also, there are two versions of this box available: model 5423D and 5422D. Model 5423D is intended for wall-mounted installations, and model 5422D is a portable box with a vinyl-coated shackle for use on doorknobs.
Pros
- More affordable than the P500 box
- Includes a weather cover for safe outdoor use
- Removable key hook included
- Roomier than Kidde’s Slimline box
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- The combination can be entered in any order like Kidde boxes
- Not as heavy-duty or beefy as the P500
- No mounting hardware included
- The combination must be entered to both open and close the box
Final Tips
After choosing the best outdoor key lock box for your application, there are additional steps to enhance the security of your key safe:
- The first step is to choose a wall-mounted key safe rather than the less secure portable boxes with shackles
- Secondly, the included mounting hardware with most boxes isn’t the best. Consider purchasing your own wall anchors and better screws than are provided by the manufacturer.
- Third, consider using epoxy or constructive adhesive when installing the box for added security. To do this, apply the adhesive to the back of the box during installation before mounting it. Two-part epoxy is good for mounting to metal or masonry surfaces.
- Fourth, if mounting to wood, use epoxy along with the longest screws for your application.
By following these steps, you give yourself the best chance of protecting your keys and keeping them inside the box. Finally, of all the boxes we reviewed, we found that Kidde models are the hardest to open.
