Barska AX13108 Drop Safe
Pros
- Biometric Fingerprint Scanner can Hold 120 fingerprints
- Two 1" Steel Locking Bolts
Cons
- Un-Rated Solenoid Biometric Lock
- Tubular Key Override Can Be Opened with a BIC Pen
- Thin Steel Construction
- Unreliable Company for Service and Warranty
The Barska AX13108 Drop Safe is another disappointing product from a long line of low quality safes with low quality locks. I’m honestly amazed they manage to stay in business after all the years of selling complete junk. When it comes to drop safes, longevity and reliability are essential and I advise looking for a safe that uses a UL Rated high security locking mechanism. In this review, I will help you understand what makes this a drop safe you should definitely avoid.
Lock – Barska AX13108 Drop Safe
First and always most important for any safe is the lock. Barska uses a biometric fingerprint scanner that is one of the absolute cheapest in the industry. The lock sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t and when it comes to a biometric system, you need it to work every single time. With the advancement of biometric scanners by the likes of Apple, Google and even safe companies like Verifi, the technology exists but is more expensive. Barska opted to go with the cheapest option and the poor quality shows. Buy hey, at least it can store 120 fingerprints.
Next, the back-up method on the Barska Biometric Drop Safe AX13108 is a tubular key override. This is the same tubular override key that Amazon Basics used on their low quality safes and there are tons of videos out on how to open these key locks with Bic Pens and anything round that can fit in the hole. It takes a minimal amount of force to open these and lock picks are easily found on Amazon for around $60.
Security – Barska AX13108 Drop Safe
The Barska AX13108 Drop Safe is built with 16 gauge steel construction. For reference this is the thickness of a penny and not adequate for storage of cash. Securing the door are two locking bolts and the safe operates on a internal hinge. When combined with the low quality tubular key override, I can’t think of a less secure safe.
Style & Function
The Barska drop safe is finished in their standard textured black with chrome L-Shaped handle and plastic black keypad. The finish is the same low quality paint they use on most of the imported safes from China. The interior is all metal and only includes a carpeted mat for the bottom. Mounting hardware is included for securing the safe to a concrete surface.
Warranty
Not only does Barska make extremely low quality products but they also have the industries worst warranty. They provide a 1 year warranty that does not include shipping, repair or sending a safe technician to your home. They actually require you to pay $30 to cover their inspection, shipping and handling of their defective product. You will not be reimbursed if they find it to be defective, that is the fee for them to assess. Absolutely insane and horrible customer service. Huge red flag here.
The Bottom Line
Overall, this is not a good quality product and it’s sold by the worst safe company in the industry. When things inevitably go wrong, they will not help you. In fact, they will actually require you to send them a check for shipping and the cost to repair the safe. That’s if they respond to your customer service request at all.
With that said, there is a drop safe I highly recommend. The Stealth DS1614 Drop Safe comes with the same steel thickness but then adds a UL rated high security NL Electronic lock, hard plate, re-locker and has a reliable warranty. It’s my top absolute top pick in the drop safe category at this size and is significantly more secure.
