The best fireproof safes for homes and small businesses

First Alert 2017F

This fireproof, waterproof safe is designed to protect digital media and other valuables in even the most trying conditions. It offers 30 minutes of fire resistance for exposure to temperatures as high as 1550° Fahrenheit, and its waterproof seal keeps valuables dry even if the safe is fully submerged. It's designed to protect a range of digital media (including CDs, DVDs, memory sticks, external hard drives, and so on) and is large enough to store letter-size documents without folding or bending.

First Alert 2030F

Not only is this .39-cubic-foot chest fire-resistant for 30 minutes at temperatures of up to 1550° Fahrenheit, it's also waterproof when fully submerged. This means you can rest assured that important documents and other items will remain secure in some of the toughest circumstances. In addition to these benefits, the fireproof document safe also features an airtight seal, pick-resistant lock, and room to store a wide variety of documents, jewelry, and other small valuables—all while being small enough to fit in a closet.

First Alert 2092DF

Just like the other First Alert safes on this list, the 2092DF is both fire-resistant and waterproof. It's classified to withstand one hour of exposure to temperatures as high as 1700° Fahrenheit and is waterproof even when fully submerged. The chest also boasts a digital lock, pry-resistant concealed hinges, four live locking door bolts, an adjustable storage shelf, key rack, and door pocket. This fireproof, waterproof safe was designed with digital media in mind and offers excellent protection for memory sticks, DVDs, external hard drives, and other similar items.

Honeywell 6104

This 300-cubic-inch security box utilizes double-steel-wall construction and fire-resistant insulation to keep valuables safe for a full 20 minutes of fire exposure. Weighing in at a little more than five pounds and featuring a carry handle, this safe is easy to transport on business trips and stashes conveniently in even the most cramped office or home. A key lock system requires two access keys, which provides protection from unauthorized access attempts, and secures cash, keys, electronics, important documents, and other valuables. All told, it's one of the best small fireproof safes on the market.

SentrySafe SFW123GDC

At 1.23 cubic feet of storage space, the SentrySafe SFW123GDC is one of the larger fireproof safes on this list. It earns rave reviews as one of the best fireproof safes for home or office use. Its many notable features include classified fire endurance for up to one hour at temperatures of 1700° Fahrenheit (including verified protection for digital media), dual digital and key locks for extra security, pry-resistant hinges, extremely durable construction, water resistance for up to 24 hours in eight inches of water, a locking drawer for extra privacy, and an adjustable key rack and door tray. All that and it will still fit into a closet or other small space.

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What to Look for When Purchasing a Fireproof Safe

When researching the best fireproof safe for your home or office, consider the following:

• The items you want to store
  The size and quantity of the items you plan to store will determine the size of safe you need to purchase. It's a good idea to stack up everything you plan to store, measure it, and then purchase a safe that provides some extra room in case you want to add later on. If you plan to store digital media, make sure to purchase a safe that's explicitly designed to protect these items. If you're storing papers, consider whether you want them to lie flat or are comfortable folding them.
• Where you'll store the safe
  Where you plan to keep your safe can influence size constraints—both in terms of the safe's final location and your ability to move it through doorways. It's also helpful to consider how frequently you will access the safe. If you need to use it every day, for example, stashing it in the back of the closet may be a hassle.
• The fire rating
  Look for a safe that offers fire protection somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 minutes or more. You may also choose to look for certifications from UL or ETK, which offer independent verification of a safe's fire rating. It's a good idea to purchase safes made in the U.S., because some imported safes use falsified fireproof labeling.
• The lock type
  Different safes offer different types of locks including combination locks, electronic keypad locks, and biometric locks. The right one for you comes down to the level of security you desire and your personal preference.
• Burglary protection
  Some fireproof safes are designed primarily for fire protection, while others are also meant to be effective in the face of attempted burglary. If you want protection from both, make sure to closely read the safe's description.

Once you've purchased a safe, ensure its effectiveness by keeping the door closed and locked whenever it's not in use, withholding the security code or combination from others, and concealing the safe. While no safe can guarantee protection from every natural disasters or theft, research will help you find the best option for your office or home.

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Laura Newcomer

Laura Newcomer is a writer, editor, and educator with multiple years of experience working in the environmental and personal wellness space. Formerly Senior Editor at the health site Greatist, Laura now lives and works in Pennsylvania. Her writing has been published on Washington Post, TIME Healthland, Greatist, DailyBurn, Lifehacker, and Business Insider, among others. She has taught environmental education to students of all ages in both Pennsylvania and Maine, and prioritizes living an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. She's a big proponent of creating self-sustaining communities and accessible healthy food systems that care for both people and the earth. An avid outdoorswoman, she can often be found hiking, kayaking, backpacking, and tending to her garden.