Wall Safe Reviews by Brand:
Wall Safes have been around for decades but recently there have been new manufacturers, importers and misinformation from internet marketers writing wall safe reviews to make a quick buck at your expense. So what should you look for when buying a wall safe you ask? I’m here to help break down the most important features and point you in the right direction because ultimately the wall safe you choose depends on your specific needs and budget.
Lock – Wall Safe Reviews
The lock is the absolute most important component of any wall safe and this is where most wall safe reviews you read get it all wrong. They recommend the cheap safes with unrated mechanical locks and key locks that are far too easy to break into. Think of the lock as the engine to the car. It doesn’t matter if you have the nicest seats, radio, wheels or body if the engine doesn’t work.
In the safe industry, Underwriters Laboratories also known as UL, tests and certifies the security and quality of locks. There are two main types: UL Type 1 High Security Electronic Locks which are the most secure and UL Type 2 High Security Mechanical Locks. When it comes to wall safes, I always recommend going with a mechanical lock. The whole point is to be hidden and accessed infrequently so it’s better to not have to worry about batteries at all and go with a long lasting mechanical lock.
UL Type 2 High Security Mechanical Locks
Mechanical Locks are the traditional “old school” style that don’t have any electronics or require any batteries. They use a three number combination and use a dial to spin a spindle into the lock body which is located on the inside of the safe. Some customers prefer these locks because they believe an EMP attack can wipe out their electronics. Most electronic locks are now EMP tested and they all operate on replaceable batteries, so at this point it’s really not a relevant concern. The highest quality and most reliable mechanical locks are made by S&G and Big Red.
UL Type 1 High Security Electronic Locks
In my 30 years of experience in the safe industry, locks made by NL, S&G and Securam are the highest quality and most reliable electronic locks. Ideally, look for one level up from the cheapest option such as the NL UR-2020, SecuRam Basic or S&G Spartan Direct Drive lock. You should stay away from anything that is unbranded, unrated, operates on a Solenoid or has a key override.
The reason Electronic Locks are a higher security rating is because they have significantly more possible combinations and can not be manipulated by feel the same way mechanical locks can. In all my home safe reviews you will see I repeat how important it is to have a UL Rated high security lock over and over again.
Key Locks
Low end wall safes made by companies like Barska, Gardall, Mesa, Paragon and SnapSafe use key locks that vary in quality. Gardall uses a proprietary keyway that is more secure than the tubular override key used on the other brands. Key locks will never be as good as a high quality UL rated electronic or Mechanical lock but are much less expensive. So, if you decide to go with a low cost option, I would avoid anything that uses a Tubular override key. These keyways can be picked with BIC pens and other household items in seconds.
Security – Wall Safe Reviews
Wall safes are not tested by an independent laboratory like UL for a security rating. Instead, it’s important to look at the steel thickness used. Low end wall safes will be as thin as 18 gauge and high end wall safes are built up to 3/4″ thick. The thicker the steel, the more the security. It is that simple.
Fire Rating – Wall Safe Reviews
Wall safes are typically meant for burglary protection only. However, some wall safes such as the Gardall fire rated wall safes have a UL class 350 1 hour fire rating. This is a very high quality fire rating but the safes severely lack in security. If you need a fire rated safe, I would strongly recommend not purchasing a wall safe and looking at a burglary and fire rated home safe or gun safe.
The reason wall safes are not typically fire rated is because of the usable space. Fire rated safes require fire insulation material such as gypsum board or fire clay. The safe either becomes too heavy to be installed in a wall or there is no usable space.
Style and Function
In general, wall safes are built very simply. They are steel boxes with an empty interior. Nearly all of them are painted black and don’t need to be styled as the entire purpose is to be hidden in the wall. Some models include internal shelves for additional storage. Some models like the SnapSafe wall safes include key rings, document holders and the V-line wall safes are customizable to include gun racks, Molle panels and pistol caddies.
Warranty
Warranties on wall safes usually include a minimum 1 year parts and labor warranty. Some companies like Hayman, require you to ship the physical safe to their warehouse for repair which is only possible on removable doors. If the safe is malfunctioning, you wouldn’t be able to remove the door. In my experience, American Security and Stealth provide the best service and warranty. They will pay for the safe technician to come out to your home and fix the safe on-site. As I always say with warranties, read the fine print.
The Bottom Line on Wall Safe Reviews
To summarize, here are the most important factors to think about when you ask the question: What should I look for when reading wall safe reviews:
- UL Rated High Security Type 1 Electronic or Type 2 Mechanical Lock from NL, S&G, SecuRam or Big Red
- Thick Steel Construction
- Minimum 1/4″ Steel Plate Door
- Hard plate Protecting the Lock
- Re-locker Protecting the Lock
- Minimum 1″ Thick Locking Bolts
- Reliable Warranty
- Minimum 1 Year Parts and Labor Warranty
- Company Pays Locksmith or Safe Tech to Fix it in Your Home and Not at Their Factory
- Additional Features
- Adjustable or Removable Shelves
- Safe is Flush with the Wall
- Mounting Hardware Included
- Carpeting on the Bottom of the Safe and Shelves
