What to ask yourself before buying
Not all safes serve the same purpose, and buying the first one you see in a hardware shop can be a costly mistake if it doesn't end up protecting what you actually want to keep safe. Before choosing, it's worth being clear on three things: what you're going to store, how much space you need, and where you'll install it.
Depending on what you want to protect
- Documents and small valuables (jewellery, watches, cash): a medium-sized safe recessed into a wall or floor is usually enough
- Firearms: these require a specific approved gun cabinet, not a generic safe — this is a legal requirement, not just a recommendation
- Business documentation: a larger model is best, designed for frequent use, with an electronic lock for multiple users
Wall-recessed, surface-mounted or floor safe
A wall-recessed safe is harder to spot and to pull out, but requires building work. A surface-mounted one is quicker to install and can still be anchored to a wall or floor, though it's more visible. A floor safe is the most discreet option if you have a suitable space, usually under a wardrobe.
Where to install it
Avoid the obvious spots (behind a picture, in the main bedroom wardrobe): these are the first places anyone looks. And more than where you hide it, what really protects a safe is being properly anchored — an unanchored safe can simply be carried off whole, however good the lock is.
Key, combination or electronic
Electronic keypad locks are the most convenient for everyday use and avoid the problem of losing a key. Key-operated ones are simpler and don't depend on batteries, though you need to keep the key somewhere that isn't obvious. Many models combine both as a backup.
If you're not sure which model fits what you need, we'll advise you, no obligation — including installation and anchoring, which is where a badly fitted safe most often fails.