Best Small Safes for Documents and Handguns 2022

Have you ever wished you would never lose a valuable item, or your heirlooms and weapons would never succumb to accidents and disasters? If that wish came true, we wouldn’t have had to compile this best small safes review.

In reality, our valuables get lost all the time and sometimes land in the hands of unauthorized personnel. That’s why it’s our responsibility to keep our weapons safe to keep our loved ones from harm and protect our possessions from thieves and burglars. Luckily, the solution is easy; just get a small personal safe for yourself.

Be warned, the task sounds simple but can prove to be a tedious one once you get to know the long list of brands and models available. You’ll find compact safes, home safes, fireproof safes, handgun safes, rifle safes, and whatnot. So which one is perfect for you?

Best Small Safe Reviews – Our Top Ten Compact Personal Safes for Your Home.

The diversity in the market just makes the shopping spree more fun for us and allows us to make a choice that fits our requirements. In this small safes review, we’ve listed down our top picks along with a detailed buying guide to help you purchase the small security safes for yourself.

Quick List of Best Small Safes Today.

• Yuanshikj Digital Security Safe Box
• AmazonBasics Small Desk Drawer
• Honeywell 6104 Fire Resistant
• BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe
• Hornady Lockbox for Guns
• ROVSUN TUFFIOM Security Safe Box
• ROVSUN Electronic Security Safe Box.
• SereneLife Safe Box
• TIGERKING Safe Box
• SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box.

Comparison Of Best Small Safe In 2022

1. Yuanshikj Digital Security Safe Box.

When it comes to compact safes, Yuanshikj is leading the game with some of the best small safes in the market. It’s a reputable brand offering accessible gadgets for homeowners to feel the peace of mind that they need. This security safe box is the ultimate solution for protecting your valuables.

This Yuanshikj Electronic Safety Lock Box has a high-tech digital keypad that you can program according to your preference. After you’ve made the required settings initially, all you have to do is enter the recorded passcode whenever you need to access your items.

Moreover, in case of emergencies, when you forget the passcode or need someone else to fetch the things for you, the lock has two emergency override keys as well.

Coming to the size, this small house safe measures about 0.2 cubic feet. The interior has ample space to hold your handguns, along with documents and jewelry. Also, due to its compact size, you can store the box anywhere and keep its location discreet from your children and guests.

Besides that, the box is durably constructed. Entirely built out of sturdy solid steel, the robust exterior cannot be penetrated through drilling.

Other than that, the small security safe is covered with a corrosion-resistant powder coating. This keeps the box from scratches, abrasions, and rust so that it doesn’t disintegrate over time.

What makes this one of the small house safes is the unique automatic magnetic lock. Even if you’re in a hurry and forget to shut the door completely, the magnetic lock system will lock itself closed. This way, you won’t have to double-check the lock ever again.

2. AmazonBasics Small Desk Drawer Safe Box.

SentrySafe is a dedicated fireproof home safes brand operating since 1930. They’re the pioneers in the security safes market, producing all kinds of varieties, including fireproof, waterproof, biometric, and electronic small safes.

This fireproof small house safe is one of the best small safes for storing your valuables. The box is UL classified, which means it is certified and tested to endure fire for a certain period of time. This model can handle up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour and thirty minutes

Considering that, you’ll have lots of time to retrieve your documents, jewelry, and firearms before the fire causes any severe damage.

Furthermore, the safe weighs about 13 pounds, which is portable, but still quite heavy if a burglar considers to take off with it. It has a small interior compartment, that’s enough to store a handgun, along with a few documents and heirlooms. It does not have enough space to hold more than one pistol.

What’s different about this safe is that you can carry it around with you wherever you go. That’s great if you require certain documents and protective firearms while staying at a hotel or while traveling. Also, the safe has a built-in top handle to make transportation easy for you.

Although this fireproof safe does not have any fancy electronic locks with their illuminated keypads, it has a secure key lock that stays put during emergencies. If the box catches fire during an accident, the lid and lock shut off securely to prevent the flames from reaching your possessions.

3. Honeywell 6104 Fire Resistant Steel Security Safe Box.

Honeywell International is a highly celebrated company founded back in 1999. It operates in various segments of manufacturing, so they’re a reliable option when it comes to durability and quality. Their small fire-resistant safe is a high-end safety option for those who prioritize their weapons and valuables.

With this security box, you can choose the locking system yourself. You can continue to use the traditional key locking system, or integrate your own passcode to use the keypad. Even if you’re using the passcode, you can use the keys to unlock your safe in case of emergencies manually

Furthermore, this small home safe has double steel walls. This means it can resist all kinds of external interference, including prying and drilling. It also has concerned hinges that make it difficult to break in through the door. Moreover, each steel door is reinforced with a durable, fireproof coating to protect your possessions during accidents and calamities.

Other than that, this small personal safe has ample interior capacity to store your handguns with their ammo. Besides that, you can keep your jewelry, documents, and other heirlooms safe inside the box. Most importantly, the interior is designed to protect your valuables. It’s covered with protective padding and has a soft floor mat to avoid scratches and abrasions to your items.

4. BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe.

Billnonch is a manufacturing enterprise founded in 2018. The company is a reliable modern manufacturer for smart home appliances. Their range of products includes fingerprint locks and automatic home locks. This Biometric small gun safe is the perfect protective gear for an intelligent household.

You never know when you might need your gun., and in such cases, timing is everything. This Billnonch Biometric gun safe is specially designed to protect and provide quick access to your valuables when needed. It has a backlit illuminated keypad to help you touch your fingerprint as quickly as possible, even in the dark.

Besides that, you’ll get an extra backup key with this best small safe. This way, you can access your gun remotely, or even ask someone else to do it for you in case of emergencies.

Furthermore, this security box has a robust and rugged construction. It’s made out of 16-gauge carbon steel that’s almost impossible to penetrate even with the toughest tools. Along with that, the heavy-duty steel body is covered with an anti-corrosion powder coat. This prevents the box from rust and scratches so that it does not decay over time.

You can connect the safe to your phone using Bluetooth, and manage your fingerprint sensor settings. Also, you can check all the data about your security safe on the app to keep track of intruders. Additionally, the box includes its own rechargeable battery that runs the biometric lock system. You can recharge the battery using the USB charging set up provided with the box. Also, the safe will alert you when the battery level is low, so you can recharge it immediately.

5. Hornady Lockbox for Guns and Valuables.

Hornady is a well-known manufacturer for bullets and ammunition since 1984. Their wide range of products includes reloading tools and weapon accessories as well. That’s where their high-quality gun lockboxes come in.

If you’re looking for a small cheap, safe, this is probably one of the small personal safes you’ll find out there. First of all, it’s constructed with tamper-proof, sturdy materials. The 16-gauge steel walls keep your valuables safe from break-ins and intruders. Also, the hinges are integrated with a pry-resistant design to make sure no thief can get in without getting caught first.

Furthermore, the box has ample space inside to store all your handguns and valuables. After you keep your pistol along with its bullets, you’ll have enough space left for essential documents and jewelry as well.

Besides that, this security box has a traditional barrel key locking system for people who don’t want to go through the hassle of electric locks. This means you can access your valuables any time without worrying about recharging and battery replacement. Also, their barrel key lock comes with a dual latch system that makes it more reliable than the traditional lock. The crossbar mechanism makes sure that the door is completely sealed, so no intruder can sneak into your box using a crowbar or pry their way in.

6. ROVSUN TUFFIOM Security Safe Box.

ROVSUN is a company created back in 2017. It’s an online hub for high-quality home appliances and gadgets. They gather their products range from reputed brands in each sector and make them accessible to their customers. This TUFFIOM small security safe has all the features to qualify for our best small safes list.

Firstly, this small personal safe is compact and slim enough to fit in any space available to you. You can place it inside your drawer, under your bed, beneath your car seat, or inside your office cupboard. This way, you can store your valuable possessions in the most unsuspected place you can think of.

Secondly, it’s small and compact in size. Despite that, it has lots of internal capacity, enough to store a list of small valuables such as firearms, documents, jewelry, and heirlooms.

Thirdly it’s constructed out of solid steel material. The thick steel walls are in proportion with the thick door that makes it almost impossible to break-in from any side. Besides that, it has strong live door bolts and concealed hinges that allow it to become impenetrable from every nook and cranny.

Lastly, the safe provides easy access to your belongings. Just punch in the digital code, or use the override keys in case of emergencies to get your firearms out as quickly as possible. Additionally, as the safe is small, you can bolt it down to the wall or to the floor to make sure an intruder doesn’t carry it away along with your prized possessions.

7. ROVSUN Electronic Security Safe Box.

Another high-quality product by ROVSUN. This small personal safe has slightly more features than the one we reviewed above. If you’re looking for a small cheap safe, the former is perfect for you as it has a lot of great features and utility. However, if you’re willing to invest in a high-end product, this might be one of the best safes for you.

This ROVSUN small safe has more capacity compared to its contemporaries. You get lots of space for your firearms, cash, documents, and jewelry as well.

Also, you can customize and manage the area in this safe according to your preference. How? It sports a set of removable shelves that you can set up, add, or remove whenever you feel the need.

Besides that, it has a solid steel construction, combined with a thick, double-layered door. Additionally, the door has two live bolts to keep it securely locked at all times.

Furthermore, the safe is easy to operate. Just set a four-digit PIN code in the electronic lock and access your valuables whenever you need them by punching the code in. You can also reset the password when you feel it’s not secure anymore. The best part is if someone tries to enter the safe through dishonest means, the safe will automatically go into time out mode after three wrong tries.

Moreover, you can mount the safe anywhere on your walls or the floor for extra security. The safe comes with pre-drilled holes so you can set it up without any extra effort.

8. SereneLife Safe Box.

SereneLife is a well-known American company that aims to make life easier for consumers through its accessible product range. They provide everything from high-quality gadgets, home appliances, sports gear, and security accessories. This SereneLife small home safe is a useful and affordable option for you.

Constructed out of solid steel, this safe can hold almost anything you wish to store inside, including firearms, documents, and heirlooms. Additionally, the door has two live bolts that make it difficult to break into.

The corrosion-resistant powder coating makes sure the safe lasts you long term and doesn’t become subject to rust, scratches, and abrasions. Also, it has efficient concealed hinges that make it pry-resistant.

Furthermore, it has a quick access electronic locking system. You can enter your passcode to obtain your items in no time. There’s also a manual override option in the keypad control panel, which you can use during emergencies. To make sure you never get locked out of your safe, the company provides a pair of keys as well in case the battery is drained and can’t replace them immediately.

Moreover, the small, compact size means that this security safe can fit anywhere you like. You can fix it inside your cabinets or drawers to keep it hidden from spying eyes. Also, the safe comes with pre-drilled holes that allow you to mount it on your walls or to the floor to extra safety.

9. TIGERKING Safe Box.

TIGERKING is a Chinese security safe company established back in 2000. This brand is one of the highest-rated brands when it comes to secure and affordable small personal safes. It has a wide range of safes, including rifles, long guns, and handgun safes, all varying in their features and sizes. If you’re looking for the best small safes, your search may end here.

This high-quality digital safe is constructed out of thick steel material.

Additionally, the door has two strong locking bolts that give it the maximum protection against break-ins.

Besides that, the interior structure of the safe is highly accessible. It has removable shelves that you can adjust according to the items you want to store. Also, it has automatic LED lights that turn on by themselves whenever you open the safe. This makes it easy to locate things in the dark, or when you’re in a hurry.

Most importantly, this security safe has great safety options. The alarm system will alert you if a wrong password is punched into the keypad more than three times. When the alarm starts ringing, it can only be stopped if you enter the correct code. Similarly, the backlit keypad will alert you if the battery is running low so you can replace it.

What makes this safe unique is its unique color and design. It won’t look like a security safe at all, so you can be concern-free about prying eyes. Also, it can easily fit into your interior design. Whether you mount in on your wall or on the side of your closets and cupboards, it won’t look out of place.

10. SentrySafe 1200 Fireproof Box.

SentrySafe is a dedicated fireproof home safe brand operating since 1930. They’re the pioneers in the security safes market, producing all kinds of varieties, including fireproof, waterproof, biometric, and electronic small safes.

This fireproof small house safe is one of the best small safes for storing your valuables. The box is UL classified, which means it is certified and tested to endure fire for a certain period of time. This model can handle up to 1550 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour and thirty minutes.

Considering that, you’ll have lots of time to retrieve your documents, jewelry, and firearms before the fire causes any severe damage.

Furthermore, the safe weighs about 13 pounds, which is portable, but still quite heavy if a burglar considers to take off with it. It has a small interior compartment, that’s enough to store a handgun, along with a few documents and heirlooms. It does not have enough space to hold more than one pistol.

What’s different about this safe is that you can carry it around with you wherever you go. That’s great if you require certain documents and protective firearms while staying at a hotel or while traveling. Also, the safe has a built-in top handle to make transportation easy for you. Although this fireproof safe does not have any fancy electronic locks with its illuminated keypads, it has a secure key lock that stays put during emergencies. If the box catches fire during an accident, the lid and lock shut off securely to prevent the flames from reaching your possessions.

Buying Guide

Phew! That was a lot of information, wasn’t it? Now that you’ve been through all our best small safes reviews, you must be ready to go out and buy one for yourself. If you’re still confused with all the options you have at hand; there’s a simple solution. Take matters into your own hands.

Don’t take our recommendations for the small security safe and decide what’s best for you according to your needs. For that, you’ll need to know the aspects that make a good safe. Here’s a detailed buying guide that’ll help you evaluate all the products you go through until you’re ready to make a decision for yourself.

Types Of Small Safes

What kind of safe you need is probably the most important question to ask yourself before beginning your search. When it comes to security safes, there are four basic types to choose from and narrow your search down

 Floor-Mounted Safes

Firstly, there’s the floor home safe. These safes come with pre-drilled holes on their base. You can easily install them and bolt them down to your floor for extra protection. The ultimate benefit of this lock type is that it provides an additional layer of protection for your valuables. Besides that, bolting it to the floor means no burglar will be able to take off with it, along with all your valuables.

Also, if you’re buying a safe with low fire protection, you should consider a floor safe. That’s because floor safes are considered being safer in case of a fire outbreak than other safes that you would place inside your closets or cupboards.

Wall-Mounted Safes

Secondly, there are wall-mounted security safes.  They’re a great option as the wall support provides some extra protection as well. Also, you can mount it high up to keep away from the reach of children.

However, you should observe the design before you buy a wall safe. The one you buy shouldn’t look too unnatural with your room decor, or else it will stand out and direct attention towards your valuables.

Office-Use Safes

Thirdly, commercial safes are good options for people who want a small safe for office or industrial use. These safes are more durable than home safes.

Most importantly, you can store cash, documents, files, and other important paperwork. So if you’re looking for a safe for your firearms and jewelry, don’t go for this one as they don’t have much capacity.

Although they’re easy to carry around so if you want to keep your valuables close when you travel, you should consider these.

Portable, Traveling Safes

Lastly, you’ll find lots of portable safes that are meant to keep your valuables protected when you’re traveling.

The worst thing about these safes is that they’re lightweight. Yes, it’s a great feature for something you’ll be carrying on the go, but it makes it highly vulnerable to snatching and theft.

Also, thick-walled, heavy-duty safes are more resistant to drilling and other intervention which portable safes are not. If you just need a safe to lock your stuff away on your foreign trip, portable safes are great. But if you’re planning to keep one in your home, it might not be the best idea.

Brand Reputation

We’re not telling you to be obsessed with the brand, but you should consider it when you’re buying a safe. You see, its something you’ll be entrusting your most expensive possessions with, so it should be trustworthy.

There are many brands like SereneLife and SentrySafe, that are well-known security service providers. If you want to stay on the safe side, go for dedicated brands that produce security safes only. That’s because their quality is most reliable.

However, that doesn’t mean you should completely avoid other brands. The best way is to check user reviews for a particular brand or model before you make a purchase.

Size

The next thing you should consider is the size. You’ll find security safes of all sizes available, the question is, which size is best for storing all your items? Besides that, there are many things you should check before imagining the capacity of your safe.

When you read security safe specifications, you’ll probably see that they denote the interior and exterior dimensions separately. The interior measurement is the actual space you will get to store your things.

Most security safes have thick walls, which means the difference between the exterior and interior dimensions is quite a lot, so don’t make a mistake with that.

Other than that, some security safes have particularly thick doors, which takes up a lot of space in the interior cavity as well. If you have lots of things to store, make sure you’re buying a safe with enough space according to these factors.

Locking System

Biometric locks are the safest option because no one except you can access the safe. Remember, biometric safes are more expensive as compared to other models.

Nevertheless, if you want your family to access your safe as well, a PIN code touch keypad is a great option as well. Some safes also allow you to set different codes for each family member so that your master code remains safe.

Anyway, these electronic locks come with the hassle of replacing the batteries or recharging them when they’re drained. This means you’re at risk of getting locked out of your safety when you need your items the most. In this case, if you want nothing more than keep your possessions away from your children, a traditional key and lock safe will suffice. Also, they’re more affordable too.

No matter which locking system you go for, make sure the model comes with override keys or manual unlocking options, to avoid any inconvenience in the future.

Fire and Water Resistance

In the case of documents and jewelry, fire and water resistance is integral in a home safe. Let’s face it; the risk of facing a robbery or facing a natural disaster is more or less equal. But, fireproof safes cost more.

If you choose a safe with sturdy construction, your valuables may stay safe inside if you’re able to retrieve them quickly. On the contrary, fireproof safes and waterproof safes will give you the peace of mind you need, as they can withstand water and fire for long periods.

Construction Material

Quite literally, check what’s your safe made of. If you purchase a safe that’s feebly constructed, it will be a breeze for a thief to cut or drill through its walls to steal your items. The best option is to go for solid steel security safes. Steel is difficult to get through and doesn’t decay over time. Also, other construction features like live bolts and concealed hinges make the safe tougher to penetrate.

Design

This is probably the last thing you’ll think of when buying a safe, but trust us, it’s still important. You don’t want a large black safe with a combination lock and live bolts at the door sitting in the corner of your bedroom. That practically screams of the precious items inside. If you’re trying to be discreet, go for a safe that fits your interior.

Similarly, you can choose slim, compact safes that can be placed or mounted out of sight. This way, you can stash your safe away in any place you deem fit. There are many improved designs and color ranges that you can choose from. Don’t follow stereotypes while choosing one for yourself.

Safety Alerts

Imagine how devastating it must be to find you’re safely broken in, void of all your valued possessions. Or, imagine your child trying to get your gun, or spoiling your precious documents. If you don’t want to experience that, go for a safe with good safety features.

Many safes come with safety alarms that alert you when the wrong combination or unauthorized fingerprint is entered. Also, security alarms also alert you if the safe is running low on battery so that you don’t get locked out.

FAQs.

Where Do You Hide A Small Safe?

According to us, the best place to install your small safe, away from lingering eyes, is at a corner where two wall ends meet. You can mount your safe or keep it hidden in the corner. Besides that, you can store your safe under the stairs, inside your closet or cupboard, inside kitchen cabinets, or even inside drawers.

Is It A Good Idea To Bolt My Safe To The Floor?

Yes, bolting your safe to the floor is a great idea. The floor provides an additional layer of protection to your items. Also, in case of a robbery, thieves won’t be able to carry your safe off if it’s bolted to the floor. However, once you’ve bolted it, it will be difficult to take it out if you want to, without the help of a professional.

How Should I Store Paper Money In A Small Safe?

Storing money in your safe is tricky business. That’s because humidity and lack of air passage can damage the currency notes if not stored properly. The trick is to store them in files, folders, or plastic bags before you keep them inside the safe.

How To Prevent Mold Inside My Safe?

It’s not surprising to find mold accumulation inside security safe. Nevertheless, there are ways you can avoid getting mold inside your safe and onto your valuables. First of all, make sure you mount or place your safe in a dry place that’s away from direct sunlight. Exposure to moisture and sunlight can increase the humidity inside the safe and increase mold production.

To protect your belongings, keep them in airtight containers before you lock them in the safe. Also, make it a point to open your safe at least once or two a month for about half an hour. This will create a healthy air passage to avoid mold in your safe.

What To Do If The Battery Of My Digital Safe Dies?

Always remember to check the battery level on your electronic safe to avoid any nuisance. If you find that your digital safe is locked and drained of battery, try to open the safe manually. You can use the override keys provided with the safe.

Sometimes, safes also come with other override methods to open the safe in such situations. Look at the instruction manual of your model for particular guidelines.

Final Words

That wraps up our review for the best small safes for handguns. Choosing a good safe is not a difficult task, but the long list of options makes it utterly baffling.

Whatever you do, don’t choose the most expensive product of the lot, just because of its high price range. On the other hand, don’t fall for ridiculously low prices as well. In our opinion, If the price tag feels too good to be true, you must look into the specification in detail. When it comes to safes, the best features come with a price.

Look for a small safe that suits your needs. Make a list of the features you need in your mind regarding the installation, capacity, design, and security. Once you have the perfect product mapped out in your mind, look for those features, and you’ll have the ideal product for yourself.

After you’ve gone through our reviews, you probably know the most important features that make a good safe. You can also use the information from our detailed buying guide to evaluating your product further before you make a purchase. After all, a good safe is a long-term investment, so choose well to ensure the safety of your precious and invaluable items. Keep safe!

References

Home Safety Techniques: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560539/

Choosing and Using a Home Safe: https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2011/01/choosing-and-using-a-home-safe/index.htm

The Importance of Home Safety Equipment: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/the-importance-home-safety-equipment.html