The rankings and ratings expressed on this site are the opinion of thehomesecurityadvisor.com and are subject to change. To keep this valuable service free, we may generate advertising revenue from some of the companies reviewed on this site. This in no way effects our ratings. Learn more.

Disclosure: The Home Security Advisor participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

The SentrySafe CHW20205- Our #1 Portable Small Home Safe Pick

 

If you are in the market for a small home safe that is portable, waterproof and offers some protection against fire…then you must take a look at the SentrySafe CHW20205. That’s why we ranked it Number #1 in our roundup of the Best Home Safes.

The Sentry CHW20205 Fire & Water Chest is a compact home safe offering fire and water protection. With a UL Classified fire rating of 30 minutes at temperatures up to 1550 degrees F, as well as ETL Verified water protection for up to 72 hours, this safe provides reliable security for valuable items.

Equipped with digital media protection, tubular key lock, and carrying handle, it offers convenience and added security. Measuring 6.60′ H x 15.40′ W x 14.30′ D and weighing 20.40 pounds, the safe provides ample storage space within its interior dimensions of 0.28 cubic feet.

Perhaps it might be better termed as as a portable safe box, it is not meant to be a stronghold to protect priceless artifacts. However, it certainly meets the needs of the average homeowner trying to safeguard important documents, some rainy-day cash, and a few valuables. As a matter of fact, it was our top portable pick in the Best Fireproof Safes of 2023.

If you are looking for small home safe that provides portable protection at a reasonable price, the SentrySafe CHW 20205 is a worthy candidate for your serious consideration.

 

 

Rating the SentrySafe CHW20205 – Evaluating the Common Features of Home Safes 

 

When it comes to choosing the perfect portable small home safe for your family and home, there are several important factors to consider. With a wide variety of styles and features available, it’s crucial to find the right fit for your specific needs. In many cases, security-minded individuals are looking for portable small home safes for documents and small items that can take with them, as well as a more substantial home safe to protect firearms and valuables.

With that in mind, we want to provide an overview of some of the important factors one might consider when evaluating home safes.

The size, type, and features of the safe will vary depending on your priorities and the items you plan to store within it. Whether you’re looking to secure a few important documents or protect a valuable collection of guns, antiquities, or jewelry, the type of safe you require will differ greatly.

In this guide, our main focus will be on finding the best home safes for everyday use. However, don’t be surprised if some of these safes offer more than just document protection. We have a couple of exceptional options that not only provide fireproof capabilities but also ample space to safeguard a wide range of valuables. It’s like getting the best of both worlds!

 

 

Top 6 Considerations When Buying a Home Safe 

 

 

 

The Size and Weight

 

Home safes come in a variety of sizes. They range from smaller portable ones, for a few documents and small items, to larger units,  designed to house gun collections weighing many hundreds of pounds.  The best home safes are large enough for the items you need to store. You should also factor in a bit of space to keep valuable items you might purchase in the future.

Smaller, portable safes that can be hidden and carried when traveling.

If you are looking for a bit more versatility, there are some modest-sized fireproof safes that will enable you to store documents and some valuables as well. An average-size 1.3-cubic-foot safe typically weighs in the 80-100lb range. This is usually large enough to store important documents, a handgun or two, and expensive jewelry.

While the weight makes it difficult for an intruder to carry it off, these safes can usually be bolted to the floor for an extra measure of security.

Some of them even contain a separate smaller lockbox inside which can be transported.  Additionally, fireproof pouches can easily be taken on the road as well.

The  SentrySafe CHW20205 was rated as the best small safes for home use because it is small enough to be portable, yet it still affords fire and water protection.

 

 

Types of Fireproof Safes

 

Safes for your home can provide protection against a variety of threats – theft, fire, or even water.  Some safes do a good job of protecting against all of them. However, there are typically trade-offs to be made. Not all safes are designed to address all these risks. When selecting your home safe, be sure that it is designed to protect against the risks that concern you most.

When choosing the most secure safe to use at home, there are a variety of styles to choose from:

Portable – If you travel or are away from your primary residence for extended periods, a portable safe might be a good fit. (or work well as a secondary unit). It will be more convenient to bring the safe with your valuables and important paperwork with you.

Wall Safe – Safes for walls are typically installed in between the wall studs. They can be easily concealed behind furniture or prints and paintings.  However, they are not very spacious and often provide less protection against fire and flooding.

Stand-Alone – They come in a variety of sizes and can even be bolted to the floor. These safes offer more durable construction and may provide additional protection against fire, water, and theft.

Gun safes – Are available in various sizes, from small handgun boxes to massive safes for rifles

In addition, there are different levels of protection against specific types of threats.  Keep this in mind if you are looking for safes that are fireproof.

 

Fire Resistance

 

Although they are often referred to as “fire-proof” safes, a more accurate term would be fire-resistant.  Fire-resistant safes are rated Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and other agencies based upon the safe’s ability to keep the contents below a certain temperature after the exterior is exposed to fire-level temperatures. It is based on keeping the temperature below 350 degrees F for times that range between 30 minutes and up to 2 hours.

This temperature was selected because these safes are commonly used to protect important paper documents.  Paper begins to char at 387°F and ignites at 421°F.

The most common UL classification system is as follows:

• Class 350-4Hr.      (formerly Class A)    4 hrs.   @  2000°F
• Class 350-2Hr.      (formerly Class B)    2 hrs.   @  1850°F
• Class 350-1Hr.      (formerly Class C)    1 hr.     @  1700°F
• Class 350- 1/2Hr.  (formerly Class E)    30 Min. @  1550°F

 

Most fireproof home safes are designed to maintain temperatures below 350°F for at least 30 minutes when exposed to flames. This level of protection is usually sufficient because house fires rarely reach temperatures higher than 1200°F and are typically extinguished within an hour. However, if you live in a rural area with longer response times, it may be wise to consider safes with higher fire ratings.

To ensure the best fire resistance, it is recommended to place your safe on a concrete surface like a basement or garage floor. This reduces the risk of extreme temperatures affecting the contents of the safe.

Certain items, such as computer disks or DVDs, are highly susceptible to damage from extreme heat. If you intend to store sensitive information on such media, you will need a safe that can maintain temperatures below 125°F. Keep in mind that these safes tend to be more expensive. Alternatively, you could consider converting your data to digital media and storing it securely in the cloud.

By following these guidelines, you can provide optimal protection for your valuables while also considering practical and cost-effective solutions.

 

Home Security Safe Rating Index

 

Not all safes have UL Ratings. However, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rates certain safes based on the construction, design, and capability to deter forced entry attempts.  Following are some very general industry guidelines commonly used to recommend safes by specialized safe retailers.

The most common burglary ratings are:

• B-rated –      $5,000 or less worth of important items.

• Rated B/C –  Up to $10,000 worth of content.

• UL RSC  –     Up t0 $15,000 worth of content.

• C-rated –       Up to $25, 000 worth of content.

• UL TL -15 –    Up to $100,000 worth of valuables The safe can be able to withstand an attack of 15 minutes using ordinary tools and devices.

These values are typically doubled when combined with top-rated monitored home security systems!

 

 

Lock Type

 

One of the features that distinguish fireproof home safes is the type of locking mechanism it uses.  The lock type can be a simple as a key or combination…or as sophisticated as a fingerprint sensor.

A biometric safe is opened by using a fingerprint sensor that matches fingerprints that are programmed into the safe.  This can be the fastest and most efficient system, but some of them can be finicky.

Also,  bear in mind, it will require a power source-either battery or an AC outlet. (as does an electronic keypad)

Keys and combination locks are more traditional and don’t require power.  However, keys can be lost, and codes can be forgotten.  As a result, it is always best to have a backup means of opening the safe.

The most common types of safe locks are:

• Traditional lock: This safe opens with a traditional key.
• Combination lock: Uses a series of numbers like vintage school lockers.
• Electronic Keypad: Requires the entry of a personal PIN code.
• Biometric lock: Access is gained by registering fingerprints into the system.
• Dual lock: Multiple methods are required for access. For example, you may need to enter both a combination and use a key.  Some systems include the key as a backup.

 

 

Waterproof Rating

 

Water-resistant safes can safeguard important documents and valuables from water damage resulting from flooding, broken pipes, leaks, and water damage caused by extinguishing a fire.

The possibility of water damage may be much higher in areas that are prone to flooding, or when storing a safe in the basement. Also,  safes located on upper floors can end up submerged in a fire if the wood floors are compromised. The weight of the safe can crash through fire-ravaged floors and the safe can end up underwater in the basement if the fire damage is extensive enough.

For protection from water-related damage, look for a safe that has an ETL waterproof certification. This independent Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) rates safes based on their ability to withstand a certain amount of exposure to water for a specified period of time.

 

Premium Features to Look for in a Home Safe

 

The best fireproof home safes may offer additional features to enhance usability, security, and convenience:

• Hardware – Additional mounting hardware for securing the safe to the floor or a wall.  This provides an additional measure of protection against theft.
• Lighting – Interior lighting can aid in identifying the contents of the safe. Backlit keypads make it easy to gain access in the dark
• Adjustable Shelves – Help you optimize the interior space and customize it to your needs.  Some home safes even have a lockable shelf or box which can be quickly removed and taken with you.
• Carpet or Felt Lining – A carpeted lining can protect firearms and valuables from getting scratched or marred.
• Tamper Alert – An audible alarm that is activated if it detects vibrations due to a possible break-in attempt or if the passcode is repeatedly entered incorrectly.

 

These are some of the most common features that we evaluated in determining our list of the Best Home Safes of 2023.

 

Not only does the SentrySafe CHW 20205, offer a measure of fire and water protection at a wallet-friendly price,  but you can even take it with you!

Home Safe FAQs

 

 

OUR #1 Pick for the Best Small Home Safe that is Portable

SentrySafe CHW20205

 

 

 

 

 

Alternatives to a Portable Small Home Safe 

 

Perhaps you have more specialized needs, are considering multipe safes, or are looking for other budget-friendly options.  We have compiled a list of some of the very best safes in a variety of categories that should meet almost anyone’s needs or budget.

 

 

 

Thank you for your interest in this Best Small Home Safes – SentrySafe CHW20205 Review.  We hope you found it helpful. If you are looking to enhance the protection of your valuables, home and family, click the button below for our top-rated home security recommendations.