Top 3 Best Floor Safes

Floor Safe Reviews by Brand:

American Security Floor Safe Reviews
American Security Floor Safe Reviews
Hayman Floor Safe Reviews
Hayman Floor Safe Reviews
Hollon Floor Safe Reviews
Hollon Floor Safe Reviews
Protex Floor Safe Reviews
Protex Floor Safe Reviews
Stealth Floor Safe Reviews
Stealth Floor Safe Reviews
Viking Security Floor Safe Reviews
Viking Security Floor Safe Reviews

Floor Safes have been around for decades but recently there have been new manufacturers, importers and misinformation from internet marketers writing floor safe reviews to make a quick buck at your expense. So what should you look for when buying a floor safe you ask? I’m here to help break down the most important features and point you in the right direction because ultimately the floor safe you choose depends on your specific needs and budget.

Lock – Floor Safe Reviews

The lock is the absolute most important component of any floor safe and this is where most floor 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 floor safes, I always recommend going with a mechanical lock. If your home or business ever experiences a fire, the water from the fire hose will damage the electronics making it extremely difficult to get into your safe. A mechanical lock has a much higher potential of surviving and opening when the dust settles.

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.

S&G UL Type 2 High Security Mechanical Lock
S&G UL Type 2 High Security Mechanical Lock

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.

S&G Spartan Direct Drive UL Type 1 High Security Electronic Lock
S&G Spartan Direct Drive UL Type 1 High Security Electronic Lock

Key Locks

Low end floor safes made by companies like Viking Security and Barska use key locks that vary in quality. Viking uses a double-bitted high security key that is decently secure. 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 recommend the Viking Security Floor Safe and the keys they use.

Viking Key Lock

Security – Floor Safe Reviews

Floor safes are not tested by an independent laboratory like UL for a security rating. Instead, they use the Broad Form and Mercantile Insurance Classifications that range from B-Rate up to F-Rate. Opposite of your school grades, the higher the rating, the more secure the safe.

B-Rate

To qualify as a B-Rated safe, the floor safe must have at least a 1/2″ steel door and 1/4″ steel body. Safes made by American Security Series, Hayman, Hollon and Stealth all qualify as B-Rated safes. While this is considered the lowest tier outside of no rating at all, 1/2″ steel on the door and 1/4″ body is substantially thick and much thicker than gun safes and home safes who often only use between 18 and 12 gauge steel. This rating qualifies for up to $5,000 of insurance and with a burglary alarm up to $10,000.

C-Rate

The American Security C series and Hayman floor safes upgraded to a 1″ door qualifies as a C-Rate which requires a 1″ thick steel door and 1/2″ steel body. Because floor safes are installed in concrete, on 5 out of 6 sides, the body requirement is waved for both B-Rate and C-Rate construction. This rating qualifies for up to $10,000 of insurance and with a burglary alarm up to $20,000.

Steel Gauge Comparison

Fire Rating – Floor Safe Reviews

Currently there are no Floor Safes that have a fire rating. This is for two main reasons. The first is that heat rises and floor safes are installed in concrete below ground. Fires do not affect floor safes the same way they do up-right safes.

Second, adding gypsum fire board, fire clay or concrete composite add significant space and weight to the safe. Considering floor safes have to have their doors lifted up, it makes it nearly impossible to lift.

If you are looking for solid fire protection, I would not recommend purchasing a floor safe and buying an up-right burglary and fire rated home safe or gun safe and bolting it to concrete.

Style and Function

In general, floor 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 floor. Some models from Hayman and American Security include internal shelves for additional storage. All models come with a dust cover that makes the safe flush with the floor. Finally, American Security includes an air tight O-Ring Sealed dust cover on the C series that provides additional water resistance.

Floor Safe Reviews Installed

Warranty

Warranties on floor 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.

American Security also offers a lifetime warranty against burglary or attempted burglary on the Brute series. Just send them a copy of the police report and they will replace the safe at no cost to you.

The Bottom Line on Floor 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 floor safe reviews:

  1. UL Rated High Security Type 1 Electronic or Type 2 Mechanical Lock from NL, S&G, SecuRam or Big Red
    • Mechanical Lock Highly Recommended for Floor Safes
  2. Minimum B-Rate Construction
    1. Minimum 1/2″ Steel Plate Door
    2. Hard plate Protecting the Lock
    3. Re-locker Protecting the Lock
    4. Minimum 1″ Thick Locking Bolts
  3. Reliable Warranty
    1. Minimum 1 Year Parts and Labor Warranty
    2. Company Pays Locksmith or Safe Tech to Fix it in Your Home and Not at Their Factory
  4. Additional Features
    1. Dust Cover
    2. Air Tight Water Seal – Available on American Security C-Series Only
    3. Carpeting on the Bottom of the Safe
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