Biggest Issues with a Sanctuary Safe from Costco

Sanctuary Safes sold through Costco are popular because they are affordable, easy to buy, and packed with features like fire ratings, electronic locks, and interior lighting. For many homeowners, they can be a good entry-level option for basic firearm storage and keeping kids away from firearms.

But there are also important limitations buyers should understand before storing cash, jewelry, precious metals, important documents, or high-value firearms inside one.

Since 1988, we’ve helped businesses and homeowners secure their valuables and protect their loved ones. We’ve seen the relief and peace of mind when someone buys a safe built to meet their needs and the utter despair when they don’t. In this post, we’re sharing our honest insights based on this 40 years of experience to showcase the biggest issues people face with Costco Sanctuary safes. Plus, we’ve outlined when a Sanctuary Safe may be the right option.

1. Most Sanctuary Safes from Costco Are Residential Security Containers — NOT ‘SAFES’

One of the biggest misunderstandings is that a Sanctuary safe is a “high-security” safe. Most Costco Sanctuary safes are classified more like a Residential Security Container (RSC), not a true commercial burglary-rated safe like a TL-15 or TL-30.

That matters because an RSC is designed to:

• Keep children away from firearms

• Deter smash-and-grab thefts

• Provide some fire protection

• Slow down casual burglars

It is not designed to resist serious tool attacks for long periods of time. Many affordable big-box-store safes use thinner steel than commercial safes. In many cases, the body of the safe relies heavily on fireboard insulation instead of thick steel construction.

This is one reason we always caution against storing large amounts of cash, expensive jewelry, or concentrated precious metals inside a low-cost Costco safe or any other security container.

2. Lightweight Safes Can Be Removed

Many Costco Sanctuary safes weigh between 250 and 350 pounds. That sounds heavy until you realize professional burglars regularly move refrigerators, appliances, and vending machines.

If a safe is not bolted down properly, thieves may simply remove the entire safe from the home and open it later. This is one of the biggest concerns with smaller residential safes.

Even security experts who discuss safe break-ins regularly point out that burglars often target safes specifically because they know valuables are likely inside. A properly anchored safe is far more difficult to steal.

3. Electronic Lock Problems Are Common

A frequent complaint online involves electronic lock failures. Many owners report:

• Difficulty replacing dead batteries

• Keypad failures

• Wiring issues

• Lockouts

• Handles spinning without opening the safe

Some owners have also reported needing locksmith service after lock malfunctions. Electronic locks are convenient, but cheaper electronic systems are often the first component to fail on lower-cost safes.

We always recommend buying a safe with a high-quality UL listed lock you can depend on.

4. Fire Ratings Can Be Misleading

A Sanctuary safe may advertise ratings like:

• 60 minutes at 1400°F

• Waterproof protection

• Fireproof construction

But consumers should understand that not all fire ratings are equal. Some manufacturers use internal factory testing instead of independent third-party testing. A true fire-resistant safe depends on:

• Seal quality

• Insulation type

• Door gaps

• Heat expansion control

• Overall construction quality

In many house fires, temperatures can rise rapidly and exceed what lower-cost safes are realistically built to handle. Fire ratings are helpful, but they should not automatically be treated as equal to commercial fire-rated safes.

5. Thin Steel Construction

Another common criticism involves steel thickness. Many big-box-store safes use relatively thin steel bodies to keep costs and weight down.

That makes the safe easier to move, easier to ship, and more affordable. But thinner steel can also make the safe more vulnerable to:

• Pry attacks

• Cutting tools

• Grinding tools

• Drilling attacks

In fact, there are multiple videos online that explain the best way to cut into a Sanctuary Safe from Costco — like this one.

This is one reason higher-security safes become dramatically heavier and more expensive. True burglary-rated safes often use:

• Composite concrete barriers

• Hardened steel plates

• Glass relockers

• Thick steel bodies

• Torch-resistant materials

Those features are rarely found in lower-cost retail safes.

6. There Have Been Product Safety Concerns

In 2024, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall involving Sanctuary biometric safes. According to the recall notice, some biometric safes could be opened by unauthorized users, creating a serious firearm safety risk.

While this recall involved quick-access biometric models rather than the larger gun safes, it still raised concerns for some buyers about quality control and lock reliability.

Are Costco Sanctuary Safes Worth It?

For simply keeping your kids from accessing firearms, a Sanctuary safe is better than having no safe at all. But buyers should understand what they are — and what they are not.

A Costco Sanctuary safe is not the same thing as a true high-security safe.

If you are protecting:

• Large amounts of cash

• Rare firearms

• Gold and silver

• Expensive jewelry

• Business assets

• High-value collectibles

We always recommend buying a safe that is equivalent to the value you are protecting. What level of safe does that mean you need? Answer a few simple questions on our safe finder quiz to get a carefully curated set of recommendations to meet your specific needs.