Not all floor safes are created equal. They may look the same or similar in pictures but when it comes down to it, there is a huge difference between Made in USA and Made in China quality. The Protex Floor Safes are the perfect example of what Made in China quality will get you but you won’t know it until after you receive it and unfortunately, install it in your floor. In these Protex Floor Safe Reviews, I will help you understand why this is a product line you should stay far away from.
Lock – Protex Floor Safe Reviews
First and always most important for any safe is the lock. The Protex floor safe uses the LaGard Group 2 Mechanical lock which is UL rated. I always recommend using a UL rated mechanical lock but LaGard is the absolute worst in quality. Not surprisingly it is also the cheapest UL rated mechanical lock and also made in China.
I always recommend going with a UL Rated mechanical lock made by S&G or Big Red. Nearly all of the 1 star reviews on this product complain about the locking mechanism. Customers complain that it loses the combination and is very stiff to use. This is one area where you really can’t cheap out because if the lock doesn’t work, the safe is useless.
Security – Protex Floor Safe Reviews
When it comes to the security of the Protex Floor Safes, they actually did a decent job. Similar to the Stealth floor safes, it has a 1/2″ thick solid steel plate door. In addition, it has five 3/4″ thick steel locking bolts. They also include a 1/2″ lip at the bottom of the safe to create further difficulty from full removal. They didn’t cheap out on the steel for this safe and the security is quite good for the price.
Style and Function
If properly installed in concrete, floor safes are not affected by fire as heat rises. If you have perishable items, it is still advised to purchase a fire rated home or gun safe. However, for burglary protection only, floor safes are the most secure option. I also recommend placing your items in waterproof bags or ziplock compartments for additional water protection, especially cash.
Once everything is in the safe, you can cover it with a rug or carpet to make it completely hidden. Finally, a steel plate dust cover is included to make it flush with the floor.
The Bottom Line
While the security of the Protex floor safe is comparable to higher end models such as the Stealth and American Security Floor Safes, they really missed the mark on the lock. If your safe doesn’t open when you need it to, all of that security goes to waste. Considering a high quality S&G Mechanical Lock would cost around $200 to replace the existing lock, you’re really better off going with the American Made quality in the Stealth floor safe line.
It’s also extremely concerning when a “business” doesn’t list a phone number, doesn’t answer customer messages, doesn’t honor their warranty and doesn’t back their products. All in all, I would stay away from Protex as a company and buy from a reliable American company such as American Security or Stealth.
