By Tony Carrick | Updated 4:09 PM, June 25, 2021

If you purchase a product through one of our links, BobVila.com and its partners may receive a commission.

Floor safes can protect valuables such as jewelry, cash, guns, and even sensitive documents from being damaged by thieves or potential fire and water damage. Floor-standing safes are similar in size to wall safes, but smaller than many home safes. This makes them an excellent choice for apartments and small houses. Their small size also allows them to be hidden under closets or furniture, thus adding an extra layer of security. These safes use classic dial combination locks or more advanced technology keypad locks, and even sophisticated biometric locks that can scan fingerprints.

This guide will examine different types of floor-standing safes, discuss the factors to consider when buying the best floor-standing safes, and review some of the top models on the market.

When choosing a floor safe, lock type, fire and water resistance are important considerations. Learn about these and other important factors about these safety devices in advance.

If the thief can take the whole thing, the safe will not provide too much protection for one's valuables, which is possible for small floor safes weighing no more than 50 pounds. To ensure that the safe itself is safe, the floor safe includes pre-drilled holes that allow the safe to be installed on the floor or wall. For maximum safety, fasten the safe to the floor or wall joists.

It is relatively easy to set up a floor safe. Manual dial floor safes come with pre-programmed combinations, while digital floor safes allow users to set the combination they want. The secure installation of biometric floors involves scanning and storing the fingerprints of authorized users.

There are three different types of floor-standing safe locks to choose from, from modern biometric locks to electronic keyboard locks to classic combination locks that have existed for more than a century.

Dial combination locks: Despite being a very old technology-dial combinations were invented in the 1800s-dial combination locks are often used with floor safes. This is because they lasted a long time. They also have no electronic components, so they are not prone to malfunction due to a dead battery or a short circuit. The dial code lock is composed of a dial pad with numbers ranging from 0 to 100 or more, and the combination range is 3 to 5 numbers. This kind of lock takes longer than an electronic lock to open, and if the user wants to change the password, a locksmith is required.

Digital electronic lock: The digital electronic lock consists of a keyboard, when the correct password is entered, it will open the lock. These locks are easy to operate and allow users to quickly open the safe. The user can change the password without the locksmith's expense or inconvenience. Many digital electronic locks have security features that can lock the keyboard for five minutes after a certain number of failed attempts. Some even sounded an alarm after a certain number of failed attempts. Digital electronic locks do have their shortcomings. If the user fails to save the new battery in the keyboard, it may not be possible to open the safe electronically. For this reason, many digital locks include a master key that bypasses the keyboard.

Biometric code locks: Once something from science fiction and spy movies, biometric codes can now be used on consumer products such as floor safes. These locks work by matching authorized fingerprints with users. The lock records the user's fingerprint pattern, and then compares the pattern with the fingerprint of the person trying to open the safe. If they match, the safe opens. This makes this type of combination lock open faster and does not require the user to remember the password.

Biometric locking systems are also easier to use by multiple people, and more difficult to bypass. Like electronic locks, they require electricity to be used, and if the battery is exhausted or damaged due to water or fire, problems may occur. False positives or false negatives are possible, allowing unauthorized people to enter the safe or preventing authorized users from opening the safe.

The design of door frames and hinges is crucial for floor safes, as these areas are potential weaknesses for entry. A good floor safe will have a solid steel door frame, which is not easy for a thief to pry open. The door should be inserted into the front of the safe, not flush with the frame, to prevent being pried. Safes with a narrow gap between the door frame and the door are also safer because they make it more challenging for the crowbar to enter the space. The hinge of the safe should also be located inside the device to prevent thieves from removing or dismantling the hinge to penetrate it.

In addition to providing a safe place to store valuables, the floor safe can also protect items in the event of a house fire. Since safes are made of thick steel, they can withstand flames and heat and protect the items locked inside. Many safes can withstand temperatures up to 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit, leaving files, jewelry, cash, and even sensitive flash drives intact.

In other words, no safe is completely fireproof. The constant heat will eventually affect the contents of the safe by exposing the safe to extreme temperatures. Some safe types are more fire resistant than others. Dial combination safes can withstand high temperatures better than electronic locks.

The location of the floor safe may make it vulnerable to water damage caused by flooding. If the house is flooded, the non-waterproof floor safe will be filled with water. Some floor safes are waterproof to protect important documents and electronic equipment from harm. In other words, most of them cannot remain completely watertight for a long time. Most waterproof safes can be placed in 6 to 8 inches of water for about a day without letting water seep into the internal compartments.

The performance of the dial code lock in the water is also better than the electronic code lock. The electronic code lock is easy to short-circuit and may cause the user to be locked. Those who wish to use a safe to protect valuables from floods should ensure that any safe with a digital lock has a spare key, which can bypass the keyboard in case it suffers water damage and stops working.

The following list takes the above considerations into consideration and narrows it down to some of the best floor-standing safes on the market by lock type and price point. Any of the following safes can protect jewelry, important files, flash drives, cash and other valuables.

This floor safe from SentrySafe has a waterproof and fireproof structure and an old-fashioned dial lock that does not require electricity. It is one of the best ways to protect valuables. In the event of a fire, this safe will protect its contents from temperatures as high as 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit for up to an hour. It can also stay waterproof for up to 24 hours in up to 8 inches of water, making it ideal for important documents, hard drives, and other valuables that are vulnerable to water damage.

The dial lock system will continue to work under all these abuse situations, ensuring that users can open the safe after the flood or fire is over. It can even withstand a 15-foot drop without cracking or breaking. This safe also has four locking bolts and tamper-proof hinges, which are ideal for preventing tampering or intrusion attempts. Its spacious 1.23 cubic feet capacity has multiple shelves to keep valuables in order.

This safe has a capacity of 1.52 cubic feet, which is larger than other safes and is ideal for protecting larger and valuable items. With No. 8 thick steel doors and No. 14 thick steel fuselage, it can withstand a lot of abuse without yielding. Two large bolts secure the door, while hidden hinges prevent prying. The battery-powered numeric keypad can keep the safe locked, and the emergency key can be used as a backup key when the battery is exhausted. Convenient pre-drilled holes on the base and back—many safes have one or the other—help to install the unit on a wall or floor. Inside, the safe has a shelf to store valuables.

With its spacious volume, this model is 13.8 inches long, 13 inches wide, and approximately 16.5 inches high, which takes up more space than other floor-standing safes. It also offers larger and smaller models of 1.85 and 1.2 cubic feet.

Although this safe may not have the volume of a larger model, its low price makes it an excellent choice for those who only want to store a small amount of valuables. Despite its low price, it has some excellent additional features. A large battery-powered keyboard with three LED lights can indicate when the safe is locked or unlocked, allowing users to quickly open the safe. After 3 incorrect entries, the keyboard will be locked and alarm for 20 seconds. After 3 more incorrect entries, the keyboard will be locked and alarm for 5 minutes to let the owner know if anyone is trying to crack the safe.

Its half cubic foot volume makes it ideal for storing cash, jewelry or iPad. This small size (12 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 8 inches high) also makes it an excellent choice for closets and other tight spaces. The mounting bracket at the rear of the device ensures that no one can take the entire safe.

The TIGERKING safe home safe has two different security mode options and is one of the more versatile safes on the market. The high-security mode requires a key password and a master key to open the safe, while the second mode allows users to open the safe with only a password to quickly access valuables in an emergency. After entering three wrong passwords, the keypad lock and safe will sound an alarm to prevent potential thieves from trying to break in by guessing the password.

1.4 cubic feet of space is provided inside, including shelves for organization. Since floor safes are usually set in darker areas, such as closets, internal LED lights are a convenient additional option. If the battery runs out, backup power can prevent lock-up. The mounting hole at the rear allows the user to bolt the safe to the wall.

Unlocking safes through fingerprint recognition is no longer limited to spy movies or the rich and famous. This kind of biometric safe allows users to access its contents through a fingerprint recognition scanner or keyboard, which is very suitable for valuables that require quick access. Up to 32 fingerprints can be stored, and multiple family members can access the valuables stored in it. It also includes a spare emergency key in case the keyboard loses power.

The carpeted interior will not scratch delicate valuables, while the LED lights allow users to see the interior after turning it on. Two lock rods and anti-pry insertion slots around the door frame can prevent prying rods from attacking. The pre-drilled holes on the back and bottom allow installation to the wall or floor.

Whether it is protecting flash drives with sensitive information from fire or flood damage, or protecting heirlooms from theft, a simple floor safe is an effective means of protecting valuables.

If you still have questions about the working principle or waterproofness of the floor safe, please continue to read the answers to these and other frequently asked questions.

Although floor safes use dials, keyboards, or biometric fingerprint readers to loosen the bolts that keep the door closed, most floor safes require the user to turn the handle or latch after entering the correct combination to actually open the door.

Some floor safes are waterproof and have seals that allow them to stay watertight for a certain depth of water and for a set period of time.

The weight of a jewelry safe varies from 40 pounds to more than 100 pounds, depending on its size. In other words, the weight of the safe is not as important as the way it is fixed. Lighter safes have mounting brackets that allow users to bolt them to the wall or floor to prevent someone from stealing the entire safe.

Use lag bolts to connect the safe to the floor through the pre-drilled mounting holes. For maximum safety, please ensure that the bolts are engaged with the floor joists. This will establish a strong connection and prevent a thief from tearing the safe off the floor.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide publishers with a way to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliate sites.

You agree that BobVila.com can process your data in the manner described in our privacy policy.

Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. all rights reserved.