When it comes to protecting valuables at home, choosing the right safe can feel overwhelming. Many people imagine a home safe as something small enough to tuck into a closet, but that size isn’t always the best choice. In fact, taller safes often take up the same floor space as smaller ones, while offering better accessibility, stronger protection, and more long-term value.
From entry-level models like Liberty’s Home Safe to premium options from American Security and Fort Knox, today’s safes come in a wide range of sizes, features, and price points — giving you the flexibility to match your safe to your security needs.
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Episode 22 Discussion Questions
0:30: What is a home safe?
4:23: When someone comes in, what’s the three safes you’re going to show them for the Good + Better + Best?
Episode 22 Discussion Question Synopses
0:30: What is a home safe?
A home safe can be any size. But when most people think about a home safe, they often picture something small — less than 30 inches wide, shallow enough to fit in a closet, and around 19 to 22 inches deep. These safes are usually short, and while that might sound convenient, it’s actually a mistake for many buyers.
Here’s why: no matter if a safe is 30 inches tall or 5 feet tall, it takes up roughly the same amount of floor space. The difference is in the height — and the ease of use. A taller safe allows you to access your valuables without having to kneel on the floor. That’s why many customers who start out looking for a small safe end up purchasing something closer to the height of a gun safe.
Accessibility Matters When Shopping for a Home Safe
For older customers especially, bending down low to reach into a short safe isn’t practical. Some people try to solve this problem by putting a safe on a stand or pedestal. But those stands are often expensive, and at the end of the day, you’re better off spending that money on a taller safe in the first place.
Some lighter home safes, like MyCubes, are designed to be placed on shelves at eye level. That’s another option if you want something small but easier to reach. Still, if you’re planning to prop up a safe anyway, you’ll usually get more value by buying one that’s built taller.
These critical questions are ones every buyer should ask themselves to purcahse the right home safe to protect valuables with the right size, lock, and fire rating.
Cost vs. Size
Here’s something many people don’t realize: you don’t pay much extra for the size of a safe. The main cost comes from the security features and fire insulation, not from whether it’s 30 inches tall or 5 feet tall. The labor and shipping costs are the same, and the difference in materials isn’t huge.
That means it usually makes more sense to choose the taller safe, especially since the price point is often similar once you factor in what you’d spend on a pedestal or stand.
Quality and Price Points
Entry-level home safes can start as low as $599, but higher-quality safes—like those from Liberty’s Home Series—come with better fire ratings, stronger construction, and are made in the USA. These tend to cost more, but the jump in quality is significant.
Recently, there’s been a shift toward even higher-end home safes. Many people are moving valuables out of bank safe deposit boxes and into their own homes. Brands like American Security and Fort Knox offer premium models with advanced materials like concrete insulation, ballistic steel, and even stainless steel construction. These options provide greater protection and peace of mind for anyone looking to invest in long-term security.
4:23: When someone comes in, what’s the three safes you’re going to show them for the Good + Better + Best?
The type of home safe you need really depends on what you’re storing. Our typical Good-Better-Best recommendation for home safes looks like this:
GOOD
These are lighter safes. They are a good entry-level optionsfor basic protection.
BETTER
These safes offer substantially stronger fire and security features than their entry-level sisters.
ELITE
If that still doesn’t feel like enough, we’ll often show customers a TL-rated safe or a Fort Knox safe. Fort Knox safes, for example, can be built with multiple steel liners (similar to commercial safes), but designed in sizes that fit residential spaces, like closets. While they can cost more than a traditional TL-rated safe, they also serve as impressive showpieces while delivering top-tier security.
Commercial vs. Residential Safes
It’s worth noting that commercial safes, while strong, often aren’t designed with homeowners in mind. Their sizes and depths are made for businesses, which means they can feel bulky or awkward in a closet. That’s where brands like Fort Knox stand out — offering custom builds that balance high security, fire protection, and a homeowner-friendly footprint.
Customization Options
For those storing truly valuable items, customization is key. Fort Knox and high-end commercial safes allow for tailored interiors, from elegant cabinetry to specialized watch winders. These upgrades don’t just improve functionality—they also enhance the experience of accessing and storing valuables.
Small but Mighty Fire Safes
Not everyone needs a massive safe. If fire protection is your top priority, American Security’s FS and BFS series are excellent smaller options. They’re lightweight compared to full gun safes, but still carry a UL fire rating.
One standout model is the BFS 912. Nicknamed the “microwave safe” because of its compact size, it offers features you don’t usually find in small safes: a plate steel door, double-walled construction, and concrete insulation. Compared to lighter options like MyCube, the BFS 912 delivers a sturdier lock, higher durability, and longer lifespan—all at a price point that still feels competitive.