Best Fireproof Safes: SentrySafe vs Paragon vs First Alert vs Honeywell

Already know what size you’re looking for? Jump ahead to see our recommendations!

ETL Verified

This means a product has met certain design and performance standards set by Intertek, an independent testing organization.

Impact resistant

If the safe is located on a floor above ground and it falls, you don’t want it to crumble apart. Impact resistance helps keep the safe intact when floors give out in fires.

UL Classified

Most of the safes in this article are certified for one hour of fire protection up to 1700°F; however, this time and temperature can vary.

Waterproof

Where there’s fire, there’s most likely going to be water. I once had a car fire, and by the time the firefighters were done extinguishing it, my entire car was flooded. As a result, I had just as many items ruined with water damage as there were from the fire itself. Don’t stop at just getting a safe that’s fire resistant—be sure to get one that is also waterproof for when the firefighters put the fire out.

The SentrySafe SFW205CWB ranked as the best large fireproof safe because it has six large one-inch bolts to keep your belongings secure. It is UL Classified for one hour of fire protection and water resistant as well. Inside the safe are compartments and trays for your items to keep your things organized.

What sets this safe apart from the competition is that SentrySafe offers $50,000 in fire damages with its fire protection guarantee, something you won’t find with other safe companies. SentrySafe will also replace your safe after a fire, so this is a one-time purchase for life. (Hopefully you don’t have any fires in your lifetime, though!)

The Paragon 7800 is our runner up for large fireproof safe. It opens with either a key or a pin code. It comes with two keys, and you can program up to two pin codes that you can change whenever you want. Users have stated in reviews they like that the safe can be opened both ways. The hinges on the safe are concealed so they’re tamperproof. This safe is our second pick because it’s only fire resistant for 30 minutes and it’s not water resistant.

The best medium fireproof safe is this First Alert 2092DF. The four locking bolts and programmable three- to eight-digit passcode help secure your belongings. What makes it stand apart from other safes is that it is waterproof when fully submerged. Unlike some of our other recommendations, this safe cannot be bolted to the floor, which makes it easier for an intruder to carry away. However, the safe floats,so your valuables will withstand the waters in case there is flooding when firefighters extinguish a fire.

Similar to the SentrySafe SFW205CWB, the SFW123DSB is UL Classified for one hour of fire protection and is water resistant for up to 24 hours in eight inches of water. It has four large one-inch bolts to help secure your belongings. This safe also includes $50,000 in fire damages with the fire protection guarantee. What kept it from being our winner for best medium fireproof safe? Condensation occurs on the inside, so if you want to store cassettes, photographs, or other susceptible items, you’ll need an air-tight container.

The SentrySafe H2300CG is described as a “lock chest,” but we could also classify it as a safe since it has a keyed entry. It is ETL verified for CD, DVD, USB drive, and hard drive protection. This safe is easy to conceal since it’s a small 0.4 cubic feet in size. We chose this safe as the best for small-sized fireproof safes because there are few safes this size that are both fireproof and waterproof.

The Honeywell 2201 is probably what you picture in your head when you hear the word safe. It has a four-number combination lock, while the other safes in this article have a key lock or a digital lock. Why wasn’t this the best small fireproof safe? Only the door is water resistant, so we didn’t feel it was better than the SentrySafe safe above. Additionally, some customer reviews say the handle breaks easily.

Are you looking for a safe to use at home and aren’t worried about it being fireproof? Check out our Best Home Safes article to learn about the best.

If you’re the victim of a fire, you don’t want to spend hours trying to obtain new birth certificates, passports, and social security cards from the government. (You know how long the DMV takes? Imagine that times 100.) Not to mention, Grandma’s wedding ring or the medal Grandpa received for serving in war could be lost forever. Spending the extra money on a fireproof safe could save you hours of trying to piece your life back together.