Are you feeling confused about which home is the best for apartment living? You’re not alone. Buying the right safe for an apartment or dorm is trickier than buying a large home security safe that won’t ever move.
Since a lot of us are staying in an apartment or dorm temporarily, we need a safe we can bring with us when we leave.
Then, there are those rules that get handed down to us from management that limit what modifications we can make inside our apartments and dorms.
Below, I share with you the best options as well as recommendations on how to install the them to avoid any conflicts with your landlord or apartment management.
#1) SentrySafe X031 Security Safe
One of the most basic and efficient safes is this one right here by SentrySafe. Firstly, it’s small enough to bring with you when you leave your apartment, yet big enough to hold most small valuables. Secondly, it’s a suitable jewelry, gun, document, prescription medication, or cash safe.
Features
- Keyed lock (comes with two keys)
- Two large locking 1″ bolts
- Inner concealed door hinges can’t be tampered with from the outside
- Built with ultra-durable solid steel (will stand the test of time)
- Carpeted interior to protect against scratching of jewelry or other fragile items
- Includes a bolt-down kit to protect against thieves running off with it because what good is a safe if the burglar can pick it up?
- Exterior Dimensions: 11.4″ x 10.4″ x 6.6″ (Width x Depth x Height)
- Interior Dimensions: 11.3″ x 8.4″ x 6.4″ (Width x Depth x Height)
- Capacity: .35 cubic feet
- Weight: 10 lbs
#2) Moroly Digital Electronic Safe Box
For those of you who don’t feel comfortable having only a key to unlock your safe or prefer the convenience of a key code, here is a solid pick for you. What I like about this small home safe is it doesn’t use a lever arm. Over the years, I’ve seen instances where lever arms could be broken off with enough force.
Features
- Heavy-duty double steel deadbolt locking system
- Digital pin code access (program your own password between 3 – 8 digits)
- Magnetic feature allows for auto-locking in case you forget to turn the latch closed
- Comes with an override key in case you forget your password
- Includes/requires 4 AA batteries (estimated life of batteries is 3000 entries)
- Includes two 2.5″ anchor bolts to connect to your floor, wall, or other fixed objects
- Felt padding lining the floor to protect fragile items
- Made with solid steel
- Time out period after 3 unsuccessful login attempts
- Available in three colors
- Exterior Dimensions: 9.1″ x 6.7″ x 6.7″ (Length x Depth x Height)
- Interior Dimensions: 8.8″ x 6.4″ x 6.4″ (Length x Depth x Height)
- Weight: 6.75 lbs
#3) Book Safe with Combination Lock
If you move around a lot and want something you can hide in plain sight, this dictionary safe could be the perfect fit for your situation. Personally, I can’t imagine someone walking over to my bookshelf and reaching for the dictionary first.
Features
- Three-digit combination lock hidden behind the fake pages
- The book cover appears real, not cheap
- Comes in two sizes: Small or Large
- Available in three colors
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 18-month warranty
- 24-hour customer support
- Exterior Dimensions: 7.2″ Height x 4.6″ Width x 2.2″ Depth (Small Size), 9.5″ Height x 6.2″ Width x 2.2″ Depth (Large Size)
- Interior Dimensions: 6.5″ Height x 4.3″ Width x 1.6″ Depth (Small Size), 9.2″ Height x 5.7″ Width x 1.6″ Depth (Large Size)
- Weight: 1.15 lbs (Small Size), 1.8 lbs (Large Size)
#4) Best College Dorm Laptop Safe V5.0
Now for the most premium model on the list thus far. Primarily, if you’re like me and want a model that can fit your laptop, this is the best apartment safe for you. Another great feature is you can connect this safe to a fixed object without having to drill into anything. Simply connect it to a fixed object using the included security cable.
Features
- Fits up to an 18″ laptop
- The option to put an AC strip inside of it to charge items while it’s locked
- Three padded shelves
- UL-approved electronic lock w/ 99.99% reliability rating
- Includes a high-security cable for connecting it to fixed objects such as a bed frame or desk
- Option to bolt it to a fixed object, wall, or floor using 4 included bolt-down holes
- Interior rubber lining to protect fragile items
- Requires 9V battery (replaceable from the outside)
- Interior Dimensions: 18.5″ Height, 5.5″ height to the first shelf, 9.5″ height to the second shelf, 14″ height to the third shelf, 3.25″ wide interior shelves, 6.5″ Total Width, 12″ Depth
#5) SentrySafe Fireproof Waterproof Safe w/ Digital Keypad
If you want to go the extra mile and protect your valuables against fire and water damage, this is the one for you. It comes in multiple sizes with either a digital keypad or a combination lock.
Features
- UL classified to withstand one hour of fire at 1700°F
- ETL verified to stay waterproof in up to 5 inches of water for 24 hours
- ETL verified to stay closed after falling up to 15 feet during a fire
- Steel construction
- Three live-locking deadbolt locks
- Set your own digital combination
- Includes bolt-down option and hardware
- Pry-resistant hinge bar at door for added security
- Removable inner tray
- Interior light
- Requires 4 AA batteries
- Exterior Dimensions: 16.3″ Width x 19.3″ Depth x 13.7″ Height
- Interior Dimensions: 12.6″ Width x 11.5″ Depth x 9.6″ Height
- Weight: 77 lbs
- Capacity: .82 cubic feet
Additional Safe Accessories
When you want to save money and still keep important documents, cash, or jewelry in a fireproof container, then purchase a separate fireproof bag for inside your safe.
Click the image below to check out a reliable option at Amazon #ad:
If the bag above is too large for you, click the image below to check out a solid option for holding cash, passports, jewelry, and other small valuables #ad:
Another safe accessory that comes in handy is a motion-sensitive interior LED light (goes well with the college dorm safe). Click the image below for a quality interior light #ad:
For those of you with kids who are storing handguns and would like an extra layer of security, a cable gun lock is a good idea. Click the image below for a reliable lock #ad:
And last but not least, one of my favorite items for hiding small valuables in plain sight, the Barbasol stash can. Click the image to check the price at Amazon #ad:
My Top Picks
Overall, I prefer the College Dorm Safe because of its versatility. The only downside is that it’s not fireproof, but there is more than enough room to fit the larger fireproof bag I listed above inside of it.
I like that it comes with a security cable to connect it to a fixed object on the fly without needing to bolt it down, yet there’s still the option to bolt it down.
If you’re on a shoestring budget, the Moroly Safe is my top budget pick.
Final Thoughts
By now, you have a good idea of how to keep your valuables secure inside your apartment or dorm.
Most people should be able to lift all the safes listed above except for the fireproof SentrySafe which could be too heavy for some.
In the past, I’ve used the Barbasol stash can with success. Alternatively, the dictionary safe is perfect for you if you’re not too worried about people snooping around your apartment.
Best of luck inside your apartment or dorm!
