Top 5 Best Large Home Security Safes • (2024 Reviews)

Do you want a safe that provides enough room plus peace of mind? If the answer is yes, then the best large home safe is your solution. One inherent problem with smaller safes is that they don’t weigh much. Hence, why it’s easier for thieves to run off with them. If you’re a homeowner, then you shouldn’t rely on a product that can easily be moved.

In this guide, we share our top home safe picks with a large capacity. Additionally, these models provide enough weight to keep them in place. Also, there’s always the option to bolt yours to the floor or wall, which we highly recommend doing.

In the chart below, you’ll get an idea of the specs of our top picks. You’ll find that there are roomy options along with fireproof models as well. All of these models are good for storing important documents, jewelry, cash, and other valuables. On top of that, we added a good large safe with long gun storage.

Top 5 Large Home Safes

Best Large Home Safe Reviews

According to the FBI, the average burglary lasts between 90 seconds to 12 minutes. With that being said, a home security safe is an essential item to keep your valuables secure. While no safe provides 100% protection, all of the models in this guide add valuable time to the length of a potential burglary. By using each of these safes as directed and bolting them down, you give your valuables the protection they need.

Also, since there’s always the chance of fire, homeowners often consider a fireproof safe. For this reason, we included multiple large home safes with fireproofing in this guide. Below, you’ll find reviews of each of our top picks.

#1) SentrySafe EF4738E XX-Large Fire/Water Digital Safe

SentrySafe is one of the most well-known and reliable safe manufacturers for home use. Of the available models, the EF4738E is the best large home safe for the money. In total, it offers 4.71 cubic feet of storage space. With that amount of room, you’ll have no problem finding spots for all of your jewelry, important documents, family heirlooms, and even cash.

Next, since this model is fireproof, you’ll find that the walls are thicker than your average safe. This is due to the fireproofing embedded between two thick layers of steel. In addition to fireproofing, this model also provides protection against water damage. However, it’s important to note that it only provides water protection in up to 1 ft of water.

Regarding security features, there are five live-locking bolts, a digital lock, and included bolt-down hardware. And at 217 lbs, this safe is not one that’s easy to move. Lastly, be aware that since this is a fireproof model, it requires a desiccant to prevent humidity from building up inside.

Pros

Cons.

#2) TIGERKING BGX-5/D1-65YZ Large Executive Safe

Now if the first model was too substantial for your needs, then this executive safe by TIGERKING is the perfect alternative. At 70.5 lbs, it’s not the heaviest, but bolting it to the floor or wall fixes that issue.

Comparatively, this model offers 3.47 cubic feet which isn’t quite as much as the SentrySafe model above. Yet, 3.47 cubic feet is still more room than you’ll find offered by most of the common home security safes.

Next, the TIGERKING sports an attractive interior padding along with an internal lockbox. As mentioned above, time is money in the case of burglaries. For this reason, the extra layer of protection provided by the internal lockbox makes it a good spot for hiding cash and jewelry. Outside of the lockbox, there’s plenty of room below with a removable shelf for internal customization.

A couple of final highlights are the built-in alarm system and pry-resistant door. After three failed login attempts, the alarm sounds until entering the correct entry code. Finally, this model features a secure dual-locking system that requires the master key along with a personalized code for entry.

Pros

Cons.

#3) Steelwater SWD-530 2-Hour Fireproof Home & Document Safe

Homeowners who want a safe that means business should consider model SWD-530 by Steelwater Gun Safes. When Steelwater chooses its materials, it doesn’t mess around. At 143 lbs, this isn’t a safe that can easily be moved by one person. Plus, you have the 1/2″ pre-drilled anchor hole to rely on to ensure this guy isn’t going anywhere.

Next, of the models in this guide, this one offers the highest level of fire protection. Compared to the SentrySafe model that offers 1/2 hour protection, this model gives you a full 2 hours of fire protection at up to 1850°F. Next, it’s important to note that while large, the SWD-530 does offer the least internal storage space at 1.44 cubic feet.

Inside, there’s a removable tray and a removable shelf. First, the slide-out tray allows you to store smaller items you’d like to keep separate. Second, the removable shelf gives you the option to customize the height of the shelf. Unlike our first two picks, this one does not rely on battery power. Instead, it’s a combination lock that must be used alongside the key for entry.

Pros

Cons.

#4) Viking Security Safe VS-50BLX Large Biometric Fingerprint LCD Keypad Safe

If you landed here looking for a reliable budget large home safe, this is the one for you by Viking Security. As you may have already noticed, this model uses a different entry method than the other models in this guide. If you’re unfamiliar with biometric entry, it’s essentially a fingerprint reader similar to what you’d find on your smartphone. This particular model features a 500 DPI optical sensor that allows you to store up to 32 fingerprints.

With that amount of storage, you’ll be able to program the safe to open for yourself and your significant other. One helpful tip is to program the same finger multiple times for a more reliable operation. Outside of fingerprint access, there’s also the option to access it using a backup key or the digital keypad. With this feature, you’re able to grant access to people who haven’t programmed their fingerprints.

Beyond access methods, this model features a fully-carpeted interior with a customizable shelving system. Because of this, you’ll be able to easily arrange the internal storage to your liking. Lastly, it’s important to know that this model is the lightest of the bunch at 43 lbs. For this reason, it must be bolted down to ensure maximum security.

Pros

Cons.

#5) Liberty Safe Centurion 24

Last up is an option for homeowners who want long gun storage. Currently, Liberty Safe offers its Centurion model in multiple sizes, and the Centurion 24 is just right for most people. Firstly, what we really like about the Centurion is the internal organization. Neatly tucked into the bottom left compartment is the long gun storage, and that’s just the beginning.

Alongside the rifle storage compartment, there are multiple shelves for storing all of your valuables. Then, at the top, there’s a large storage shelf that spans the entire width of the safe. Overall, we really like this internal storage configuration for use as not only a firearm safe but as a home safe as well. Beyond those storage spots, there’s also a door organizer with plenty of space for pistols and other items.

Next, we want to point out that the Centurion is both made in the USA, and it sports a Sargent and Greenleaf mechanical lock. If you’re unfamiliar with Sargent and Greenleaf, they manufacture some of the most secure safe locks on the market. Finally, this model is CA DOJ approved, and it does give you some fire protection of up to 1/2 hour at 1200º F. Also, there’s the transferable lifetime warranty, which is one of the best you’ll find.

Pros

Cons.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Large Home Safe

There are always considerations to make before choosing any product for your home. The following points are the most important ones to consider when choosing a home safe.

Internal Capacity

Since you’re looking for a large safe, this is one of the most important factors to consider. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a model that offers at least 2.5 cubic feet of internal storage space.

Once you know the capacity, take some time to gather the items you plan to store. Once you have an idea of the amount of space you need, make sure that there’s some extra space left over for important items you may obtain in the coming years.

Access Methods

Most home safes offer electronic locks with digital keypads. While this type of lock does offer convenience, it’s not the most secure lock on the market. For this reason, you may want to choose a model with a mechanical lock that doesn’t offer backup key access. A mechanical lock is inherently harder to crack and no backup key access leaves no room for picking attacks.

Beyond keypad, key, and mechanical access, there’s also biometric access. Biometric access allows for the highest level of convenience along with the quickest access. However, it’s important to not go too cheap when choosing a biometric safe because a cheap reader only leads to unreliable access.

Materials

All of the most secure safes on the market are made of heavy-duty steel of varying thickness. Do your best to check the gauge of the steel when choosing your model. The lower the gauge the heavier the steel. For example, 12-gauge steel is thicker than 14-gauge steel. The beauty of thicker steel is that it adds weight along with providing better protection against brute force attacks.

After your steel body, you’ll find that all safes feature locking bolts. These bolts are the only thing standing between your valuables and a would-be thief. For this reason, choosing safes with a higher number of locking bolts is generally the better path. Additionally, check the thickness of the locking bolts to ensure they’re not dinky.

Weight

The overall weight is an important factor to consider, especially since you’re choosing a large home security safe. Clearly, the heavier the safe the harder it is for thieves to move. This means that thieves can’t easily run off with your safe and worry about accessing it later. And this is one thing homeowners often get wrong when they choose a home safe that’s too light to store their valuables.

In addition to weight, there should be pre-drilled anchor holes to attach the safe to a wall or the floor. When bolting to the wall, make sure that you’re anchoring to a stud. Once properly installed, your safe shouldn’t be going anywhere easily between its weight and secure anchor points.

Dimensions

Another important consideration is the dimensions. Oftentimes, companies will list both the external and internal dimensions. This gives you a clear idea of where you’ll be able to install the safe inside your home along with how much space you’ll have to store your valuables.

Unlike capacity, internal dimensions give you the exact measurements you have inside the safe. And since some safes feature customizable shelving, you’ll want to take a look at the different internal dimensions offered by the various configurations.

Fire Protection

One of the most important features to consider is fire protection. Since home fires are not uncommon, you want a reliable place to store your valuables in the event of a fire. This way, you’re most precious possessions stand a fighting chance to survive the fire. Commonly, you’ll find home safes that offer between 1/2 hour to a full 2 hours of fire protection. In addition to time, most companies list a maximum temperature for the materials to withstand the heat of a fire.

One way to maximize fire protection is to invest in fireproof document bags. When using these in conjunction with a fireproof safe, you give yourself ultimate protection against fire and smoke damage. Lastly, remember that the fireproofing in the walls may lead to high internal humidity issues. To mitigate this problem, use a color-changing desiccant canister that alerts you when it’s time to reactivate the desiccant. Also, choose a desiccant canister that’s rated to handle the internal capacity of your safe.

Water Protection

Water protection is less common than fire protection, yet it is an important feature for most homeowners. For this reason, we like SentrySafe model EF4738E as the best overall large home safe. It’s one of the few models that offer a water protection rating. The key point to remember is that it only provides protection against water damage for up to 72 hours in one foot of water.

Pry Resistance

One feature you’ll often see offered is pry protection. For instance, the Viking model in this guide compensates for having fewer locking bolts by adding two anti-pry slots. With the slots, thieves are unable to get a grip just inside the door.

Additionally, safes should offer seamless designs that prevent a pry bar from making its way between the door and body. Finally, locking bolts also come back into play here since they ensure that the body stays connected to the door in the event of a prying attack.

CA DOJ Approval

For California residents who own firearms, it’s imperative to choose a safe that’s CA DOJ approved for legal reasons. Even for those firearm owners who live outside of California, it’s nice to know that a company went the extra mile to seek CA DOJ approval. With the CA DOJ approval stamp, you know for sure that you’re investing in a model that’s made for proper firearm storage.

Warranty

A safe is not a small investment, hence why it’s important to buy from a reliable manufacturer. All of the manufacturers in this guide stand behind their products, yet you will notice that some companies offer longer warranties than others.

With that being said, we love that Liberty manufactures its models in the USA and the transferable lifetime warranty. Overall, a transferable warranty is the best you’ll find, and it helps you to maintain the value of your safe should you decide to sell it down the line.

FAQ

Below, we answer some common questions related to choosing a large home safe.

Where is the best place to put a safe in your house?

The best way to secure your safe is to bolt it down to your ground floor. On the ground floor, you’ll find the most secure anchor points. If you choose to install it inside a closet, there’s always the option to bolt it to both your wall and floor. This way, you have multiple anchor points for enhanced security.

Beyond anchoring, it’s important to choose a place that’s out of sight, such as behind a sliding door. Since burglars are likely to check your bedroom closet, you want to think outside of the box for stealthier spots around your home. Plus, there’s the fact that since you’re installing a large safe, installation options are more limited compared to installing a small one.

How heavy should a home safe be?

In most cases, the heavier the better. Since the average man can deadlift about 155 lbs, this is a minimum number to shoot for if you plan to leave your safe unanchored. When anchored, weight becomes less important.

However, if a thief manages to break the safe at its anchor point, you’re left with only the weight of your safe. With that in mind, a model that weighs at least 200 lbs gives you added peace of mind. Because even two people will have trouble moving that amount of weight a long distance.

Should you bolt down a safe?

The answer to this question is YES in all circumstances. Even if you’re a renter who can’t make permanent modifications, you’ll want to bolt to a heavy fixed object.

Is Tiger King a good safe?

Firstly, Tiger King safes are made in China and come backed by a shorter 1-year warranty. Having said that, Tiger King is a legitimate manufacturer that offers good value for the money.

Their safes operate smoothly and reliably. Plus, they offer unique security features such as an internal lockbox. However, one feature that Tiger King does lack is fire & water protection. Your best bet is to invest in fireproof document bags should you choose a model by Tiger King.

How to prevent high humidity inside your safe?

The best method for preventing humidity is a color-changing desiccant canister. These work by changing color once it’s time to recharge the desiccant. Always follow the instructions when it comes time to reactivate your desiccant or replace the desiccant beads.

Alternatively, avoid relying on baking soda to keep humidity levels in check since it’s messy and less reliable than the appropriate desiccant. When choosing a desiccant canister, check to make sure that it can handle the internal capacity of your safe.

Once installed, check the desiccant canister every couple of weeks to see whether it needs to be reactivated. Additionally, opening your safe will give the interior a much-needed air exchange to prevent moisture buildup. Overall, dealing with humidity is one of the tradeoffs of choosing a fireproof model.

What is the battery life of the digital keypad?

Most digital keypads use AA batteries. When choosing your batteries, choose high-quality batteries with an expiration date years beyond the purchase date. Battery life heavily depends on how often you access your safe. If you access it several times per day, then battery life may only be several months. On the other hand, seldom use may provide up to a year or more of battery life. Regardless, you will have a low-battery indicator, and changing the batteries is easy by following the instructions.

Bottom Line

Overall, choosing the best large home safe depends on your needs. For example, if you need long gun storage, then choose a larger model such as the Liberty Centurion. Conversely, if your main priority is to store documents and small valuables, then a 2-hour fireproof safe such as the Steelwater model is an excellent option. For people who desire complete protection along with CA DOJ approval, it doesn’t get much better than the SentrySafe EF4738E model.