Choosing the right safe can feel overwhelming, with so many brands, sizes, and security levels on the market. At Northwest Safe, we simplify the process by carrying only safes we trust and would use ourselves. In this guide, we break down the best safes by category—from entry level to high security—explaining what matters most and why each winner earned its spot, so you can choose with confidence.

ASK A QUESTION

Have a question about safes, vault doors, the state of the industry, or even our favorite local burger spot? Sign up for updates about the next Safe Space podcast and get an exclusive link to submit a question.

Episode 37 Topics

1:48: We Carry a Carefully Curated Selection of Safes

2:33: Factors that Influence Classifications

3:20: Best Entry Level Gun Safes

13:15: Best Mid-Level Gun Safes

20:47: A Class Above Gun Safe

31:43: Best High-End Gun Safe

42:34: Best Home Safes

48:35: Best High Security Safe/Commercial Safe (TL or TRTL rated)

57:50: Best Overall Value — Liberty USA 50

59:30: Best Warranty

1:08:06: Best Vault Doors

Episode 37 Discussion Synopsis

1:48: We Carry a Carefully Curated Selection of Safes

We think it’s important for people to know that we’re contacted by almost every safe manufacturer out there. We could carry just about any safe we want—but we choose not to.

Instead, we carry a carefully selected lineup of safes we truly believe in. We’re not interested in putting every brand on our website just to show up in search results. If we wouldn’t trust a safe in our own home, we won’t sell it to you.

Not every safe makes the cut at Northwest Safe. Brands have to earn their place in our lineup.

Our goal is to keep things simple for you. Rather than overwhelming you with endless options, we focus on offering the best-quality safes at each price point—so it’s easier to choose the right one with confidence.

2:33: Factors that Influence Classifications

When looking at entry-level safes, we start with one key factor: steel thickness. Thicker steel usually means better protection and helps place a safe into entry-level, mid-range, or high-end categories. There’s some overlap, and opinions can vary—this is simply how we evaluate safes.

3:20: Best Entry Level Gun Safes

Honorable Mention: Liberty Colonial Series

We listed this safe as an honorable mention because it sits right on the edge of entry level. The Liberty Colonial started as Liberty’s entry-level safe, but over time the industry has moved toward lighter, cheaper options. Today, the Colonial is a full-featured, American-made safe with strong steel, good fire protection, and quality construction. It costs more, but it’s a great choice for buyers who want higher quality.

Runner Up: Liberty Centurion Series

For years, the Liberty Centurion has been our best-selling safe. It’s a true entry-level, American-made option for people with about a $1,000 budget. It’s a strong alternative to imported safes from big-box stores. The Centurion uses a lighter steel body but is robotically welded for strength, has solid fire protection, and quality locks. It’s a great choice if you want U.S.-made quality without spending a lot more.

Winner: Champion Challenger Series

Our top pick for an entry-level gun safe is the Champion Challenger series. It offers more steel for the money, a strong steel door, and a reinforced frame. It also comes with a high-quality electronic lock or an S&G dial—locks we trust and use ourselves. The door fit is very tight, and the interior is adjustable. For a little more money, it delivers better strength and value than most entry-level safes.

13:15: Best Mid-Level Gun Safes

Honorable Mention: 1878- Series

Our honorable mention goes to the Browning 1878 series. It has a rugged, distressed look that many people love. Browning is known for great interiors, and this safe delivers with strong shelves, lots of adjustability, and excellent long-gun storage. It’s especially popular with rifle owners who need space. The design is bold, but for the right buyer, it’s a solid and good-looking option.

Runner Up: Champion Trophy Series

Our runner-up is the Champion Trophy series. It was upgraded recently and offers great value. It has an 11-gauge body, a strong steel door, and a two-hour fire rating. The safe includes lights, a door panel, and a clean two-tone interior. One big plus is the affordable gloss finish—it looks great without a huge price jump. Overall, it’s a sharp, well-built safe for the money.

Winner: Liberty Franklin Series

Our top pick is the Liberty Franklin. It’s a full-featured, American-made safe we trust for most customers. It offers strong security, a heavy door, four-way locking bolts, and excellent fire protection. The ProFlex interior is easy to adjust and very sturdy. With great colors, a solid warranty, and quality construction, the Franklin sets the standard. It’s the safe we recommend to friends and family without hesitation.

20:47: Best Above Average Gun Safe

Honorable Mention: Liberty Lincoln

Our honorable mention in this class is the Liberty Lincoln series, one of our best-selling safes ever. It’s a step up from the Franklin with a thicker steel body, stronger door, and smooth gear-driven locking system. The Lincoln comes fully loaded with lights, power, a dehumidifier, and a jewelry drawer. With classic styling, many color options, and strong fire protection, it’s a complete, high-quality safe right out of the box.

Runner Up: Fort Knox Maverick

The runner-up is the Fort Knox Maverick, a very popular safe for us. It has a 10-gauge body, a heavy steel door, and a 90-minute fire rating. Fort Knox is known for excellent welding, strong construction, and solid insulation. The Maverick feels more rigid than many safes and offers tons of customization options. It costs more, but you get premium build quality and flexibility.

Winner: Champion Triumph

The winner for best above-average gun safe is the Champion Triumph series, formerly called the Superior Master. It’s built with very thick steel, a strong double-step door, and excellent fire protection. Champion focuses on using more steel instead of flashy extras, giving you real strength for the price. With solid locks, great finishes, and heavy-duty construction, it offers outstanding value and security for serious protection.

31:43: Best High-End Gun Safe

Honorable Mention- Rhino Thunderbolt

Our honorable mention for best high-end gun safe is the Rhino Thunderbolt. It stands out as one of the most affordable AR500 steel safes made in the USA. It offers strong cutting resistance, a solid interior, and excellent fire protection. While the locking system feels different than some others, the Thunderbolt delivers serious strength, good design, and great value for buyers wanting high-end protection without the highest price.

Runner Up: Fort Knox Titan

Our runner-up was a tough choice. This safe costs more than the winner, but it’s also tougher. The Fort Knox Titan uses very thick steel, including AR500, for serious strength. It’s fully welded inside and out, with smooth operation and top-quality locks. Fort Knox builds every safe the same way, just with heavier materials. If strength and customization matter most, the Titan is an excellent choice.

Winner: American Security BFX

The winner is the American Security BFX. This is the safe we use at Northwest Safe for our own valuables. It offers incredible strength for the money with a unique concrete-filled design that improves fire and cutting protection. The solid steel door, smooth locking system, and well-designed interior make it feel truly high-end. For overall value, durability, and protection, the BFX is hard to beat.

42:34: Best Home Safes

Honorable Mention: American Security BF home Safe

The American Security BF Home Safe is one of the best home safes available, but it costs more. It uses the same strong construction as the BFX, with layered steel and concrete-based insulation. Some sizes even carry true UL fire ratings, which are very hard to earn. This safe is built more like a commercial safe, making it ideal for high-value items when maximum protection matters.

Runner Up: Champion Estate Series

The Champion Estate Series has been a strong seller because it offers great value. Its taller size makes it easier to use, so you don’t have to bend down every time you open it. It includes solid fire protection, a strong steel door, and handy interior drawers. It’s a smart middle-of-the-road option for people who want quality features without a higher price.

Winner: Liberty Premium Home

The Liberty Premium Home Safe is our top pick. It has a thick steel body, a two-hour fire rating, and premium features usually found in larger safes. It’s American made and comes with lights, power, and a great door panel for jewelry and pistols. Available in multiple sizes and finishes, it offers strong protection, great looks, and excellent value for a higher-quality home safe.

48:35: Best High Security Safe/Commercial Safe (TL or TRTL rated)

Honorable Mention- American Security CEV - TL-15

We often recommend the American Security CEV TL-15 for homeowners who want real protection. It’s a very tough safe with double steel walls and concrete fill. Smaller sizes fit well in closets, and the heavy weight shows how solid it is. While it’s not fancy furniture, it offers serious security and strong fire protection. For the money, more homeowners should consider a TL-15 safe like this.

Runner Up - Amsec CF Series TL-30

The runner-up is the American Security CF Series, a TL-30 rated safe and one of our best sellers this year. It’s made in the USA and built with very thick steel for serious security. Unlike many commercial safes, it also looks and feels high quality. American Security focuses on both strength and finish, making the CF Series a great choice for homeowners who want top-level protection without a rough, industrial look.

Winner: ISM Super Treasury TRTL-30x6

This is one of the highest-security safes in the world. It’s rated to resist tools and torches on all six sides for 30 minutes under extreme attack. Built for protecting very high-value items like gold, cash, or precious metals, it’s incredibly hard to drill or cut. If you’re storing irreplaceable assets at home or for business, this is where true protection starts.

57:50: Best Overall Value — Liberty USA 50

The Liberty USA 50 offers the best value for most customers. It’s 100% made in the USA and gives you a lot of space for the money. It has been one of our best-selling safes for years. While most safes this size are imported, the USA 50 is American made and often available under $2,000, making it a smart, dependable choice.

59:30: Best Warranty

Honorable Mention - Fort Knox

Fort Knox earns honorable mention for standing behind their safes. Over the years, we’ve seen them repair or replace safes damaged by floods, fires, or accidents—even decades later. They also offer a lifetime warranty on electronic locks. While owners may need to cover service or shipping costs, Fort Knox consistently makes things right. Their long-term support and customer care set them apart in the industry.

Runner Up - Champion

Champion earns strong praise for its warranty and support. On paper, their warranty covers more than most, and in real life, they stand behind it. We’ve seen Champion replace safes and fix issues without hassle. Having a good dealer matters too—we work directly with factory reps to solve problems fast. Many warranties look great, but Champion and Liberty truly honor them, which makes a big difference for customers.

Winner - Liberty

Many manufacturers make customers ship their safe back and wait months for repairs. We don’t do that. When there’s an issue, we remove the old safe and install a new, better one right away. Because we stock many safes and have long-standing relationships with manufacturers like Liberty, we can act fast. Our direct access lets us fix problems quickly, without delays or extra hassle for our customers.

QUICK NOTE ON AMSEC

You may notice American Security isn’t mentioned much in warranty discussions—and that’s a good thing. We rarely have issues with their safes. Models like the BFX arrive well-built and reliable, with very few problems over the years. When small issues do happen, they’re handled quickly. Overall, American Security makes dependable safes, so warranty claims just don’t come up often.

1:08:06: Best Vault Doors

Winner: Fort Knox Vault Doors

Fort Knox vault doors offer excellent strength and flexibility. Their standard doors are tougher than most, and you can upgrade with AR500 steel for even more protection. Features include a smooth gear-driven handle, strong hinges, and multiple lock options. Fort Knox also offers custom sizes and finishes. For most vault rooms, their larger door options provide better access and security than smaller, standard sizes.

Runner Up: American Security Vault Doors

The American Security vault door is a top seller because it offers great value. It features a thick steel front, reliable construction, and many color options. One standout feature is the interior locking system, which lets you secure the door from inside for safe room use. With multiple standard sizes and custom options available, it’s a strong, practical choice for most homes.

Honorable Mention: Liberty Beast Vault Door

The Liberty Beast Vault Door stands out for its strong build and smart design. It has a heavy frame, solid locking bolts, and an easy-to-use interior lock with a panic room option. The bypass system is well thought out, and the door feels very secure. With quality construction and plenty of color choices, the Liberty Beast is one of the best vault doors available.

2. What’s the Most Interesting Thing You Personally Have in Your Safe At Your House?

David Jr.: I don't know. It's not that interesting. The first thing that pops. There's a few things, but the first thing that pops up in my mind is a little hammer Stobie gave me when I was…I don't know. Gosh. I was four. Five.

I was pretty young, but you know, when Northwest Safe was just starting, we still had the sign business going out of the shop. So we had all this scrap wood, nails. So I used to tinker and build and hammer stuff together. The hammer is for the size of a child, so I don't really use it anymore. But it has some sentimental value.

Kael: All I can do is picture you this big man with this little hammer.

David J.: Yeah. That's a unique thing that I have inside my safe. I have the ‘firsts.’ I mean, stuff that I don't use anymore, but all the first. So, first pocket knife my dad gave me. The rifles. My first BB gun. Those are a few things. How about you?

Kael: Interesting. Yeah. I guess that's tough because what's interesting to some people might not be interesting to others. Yeah. Like, my, you know, the first time I harvested an animal with my bow, right, my elk tag that's just got blood all over it. You know?

Notching that tag, that’s one of the most memorable things for me. I have some original print photographs of my family members who I've never met from the early nineteen hundreds, late '18 hundreds that were taken here in Enumclaw. Those are pretty interesting, and those are inside of my safe right now.

And, yeah, I think that's probably it. All my sports awards and things from my youth even that that hopefully I get to show my kids one day and say, “Hey. Your dad was decent at a couple of sports.” 

So I think those are probably it. They're not that interesting, but they're the most important things to me, I guess.

Cristian (videographer in the background): So this question was made specifically for Junior because we heard that you have nail clippers.

Kael: Okay. Yeah. Let's elaborate on that. Nail clippers, hu?

David Jr.: So for those of you that don't have older children, kids get to an age where they just they steal everything. They never put it back where it goes. This goes both for my kitchen, but I hate most nail clippers. And I have this old pair of nail clippers that my mom left when I bought the house from them and they moved.

So these nail clippers, I've been using them for like thirty-plus years.

Kael: You got a good pair.

David Jr.: They just cut a certain way and I hate that they got misplaced. So, you know, we have multiple safes around the house And I have multiple safes in my bedroom, which is right next to my bathroom.

So, yeah, I started putting my nail clippers in there because every time I went to go look for. And we have a ton of nail clippers. Like, they can take any of them, but maybe they recognize how great these ones are.

Kael: That's awesome that that's one of the things that got left behind. Yeah.

I know I've heard you talk about how, obviously, phone chargers, that's something that disappears all the time. And yeah. But, yeah, if they get old nail clippers, I mean, hey. Once you find something that works good and and, yeah. Yeah.

David Jr.: They’re made in the USA.

Kael: Love it. Love it. Thank you, Christian, for bringing that topic.

David Jr.: Thanks for joining in for the Safe Space.