The best electronic safes in the UK 2023

In order to keep your documents and other precious objects safe from prying eyes, nothing beats an electronic safe. With a keypad or equipped with a biometric recognition system, this equipment impresses by its robustness and its price. The choice will depend on your taste, but also on the degree of inviolability. Discover our comparison of the best electronic safes.

Yale YSV/390/DB1 1
8/10

Best value for money

Yale YSV/390/DB1

The best electronic safe

Design, sturdiness and practicality, this Yale electronic safe has all the characteristics to store your most precious belongings in optimal security conditions.

See price

Yale safes are the references in the field and the YSV/390/DB1 model is one of the flagship products of this company. With a capacity of 40,1 L, it is equipped with an electronic lock offering 100 000 possible combinations. Its 16 mm diameter bolts, its 1.5 mm thick walls and its 4 mm thick door make it almost inviolable.

Its programmable electronic lock has a security lock that blocks the opening of the safe after 3 wrong attempts. This safe comes with 2 spare keys, batteries and a fixing kit.

HMF 4612412 2
6/10

Best value for money

HMF 4612412

The best entry-level electronic safe

Robust, practical and offering a large capacity, this safe will be perfect to store cash, documents and all precious objects.

58,20 £ on Amazon

With its dimensions 450 x 250 x 365 mm, the HMF safe is very spacious. A 15 inch laptop can easily be placed in it. The fixing screws are supplied with the product. The holes provided for this purpose also allow it to be fixed to the floor. We appreciate the presence of the removable shelf making the safe more flexible.

Note also the ease with which the code can be programmed. And in case of forgetfulness or breakdown, you can always fall back on the emergency key provided. Considering the quality, it's almost surprising that this HMF is offered at such a low price.

Yale YSEM/520/EG1 3
9/10

Best value for money

Yale YSEM/520/EG1

The best high-end electronic safe

This Yale model is characterized by its sturdiness, its reliability and the storage space offered. On the other hand, its selling price is not for everyone.

See price

The Yale YSEM/520/EG1 is an all-risk insurance for storing your valuables and important documents. With a volume of 49.8L, it can accommodate a large amount of items. This SKG and Gold Secure Silver certified electronic lock box has 100,000 possible combinations. There's a shelf inside, so you can cram in even more stuff.

Made of armored steel, it has anti-drill plates, a laser-cut steel door, and 22mm anti-wire bolts. This model is beautifully finished, including textile lining. Upon opening, a light illuminates the interior of the safe. For installation and use, you can refer to the instructions, for once clear and precise.

BURG-WÄCHTER 32 x 44.2 x 35 cm 4
8/10

A great choice

BURG-WÄCHTER 32 x 44.2 x 35 cm

A great alternative

Burg-Wätcher safes also enjoy a solid reputation. This fixed model is ideal for the secure storage of cash.

150 £ on Fnac

With a solid single-wall body, double-wall door and digital code lock, this safe is a monster when it comes to strength. It features an emergency opening lock, motorized locking and automatic door opening. Easy to install (2 x 2 holes), this model can be installed on the floor or on the walls.

Thanks to its dimensions H 310 x W 435 x D 288 mm, it will be perfectly suitable for the secure storage of cash, travel documents and other precious items such as jewelry.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best electronic safe

Any specific needs?

The best electronic safe

The best entry-level electronic safe

The best high-end electronic safe

A great alternative

Your guide : Samuel

Rate this buying guide :
4.9/55 votes

By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!

Comparison table of the best electronic safes

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Yale YSV/390/DB1 5
8/10
HMF 4612412 6
6/10
Yale YSEM/520/EG1 7
9/10
BURG-WÄCHTER 32 x 44.2 x 35 cm 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Yale YSV/390/DB1
HMF 4612412
Yale YSEM/520/EG1
BURG-WÄCHTER 32 x 44.2 x 35 cm
Design, sturdiness and practicality, this Yale electronic safe has all the characteristics to store your most precious belongings in optimal security conditions.
Robust, practical and offering a large capacity, this safe will be perfect to store cash, documents and all precious objects.
This Yale model is characterized by its sturdiness, its reliability and the storage space offered. On the other hand, its selling price is not for everyone.
Burg-Wätcher safes also enjoy a solid reputation. This fixed model is ideal for the secure storage of cash.
Programmable electronic lock from 3 to 8 digits
Extra key system for emergency opening
Emergency key opening
Solid, single-wall body
Security locking system
4mm thick door
Anti-waxing bolts
Motorized lock with automatic door opener
Luminous indicators on front panel
Double bolt locking device
Sold Secure Silver and SKG 2 certified
Easy installation

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - electronic safe

Primary Item (H2)Sub Item 1 (H3)

Why can you trust us?

Why you can trust us
Our mission
How to support us
We do NOT accept any sponsored posts or advertising.

We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.

Our mission is to simplify your purchasing decisions.

We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.

We are a small team of geeks and enthusiasts.

To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!

How to choose your electronic safe

The electronic safe is an excellent way to keep your belongings safe. Therefore, its choice should not be taken lightly. Here are the essential elements to take into consideration before buying this type of equipment.

#1 - The size

Choose a safe that will easily meet all your requirements. A model that is large enough to accommodate your personal belongings, your laptop, your jewelry and even your bulky valuables.

#2 - The locking system

To keep your belongings safe at all times, make sure your safe has a well thought-out locking system that is ultra-resistant to all kinds of forcing attempts.

To this end, sophisticated models that use fingerprint recognition technology are excellent choices. If you are on a tight budget, consider a safe with a dual locking system such as a key and a code lock/unlock. This locking system is very convenient because in case you misplace your key, you can still access your belongings by entering your secret code.

Other systems also require the key/secret code combination to open the safe. Either way, the choice is yours.

#3 - Easy access to batteries

For many safes on the market, changing the batteries can be a real pain. To that end, before you buy your safe, try replacing the batteries first. Look at the number of screws that need to be removed and take a good look at where they are located.

#4 - The thickness of the door

The safe's door must be strong enough to withstand attempts at forcing and sawing. You have four levels of thickness to choose from for this purpose.

  • The first level is for steel doors with a thickness of 6 to 8 mm.
  • The second level is for doors with a thickness of 10 mm or less.
  • Finally, the last two levels are for doors that are 15 mm thick, providing a very high level of security.

#5 - The standards

A safe that meets certain standards is both reliable and high quality.

These include the EN 1443 burglary standard rating safes from 0 to 6, from least to most robust. Then there is the EN 1047 anti-fire standard, which concerns safes that display high resistance to extreme temperatures and shocks over a period of approximately 30 to 100 minutes.

Finally, the A2P or Assurance Prévention Protection standard is a guarantee of security with regard to the robustness of the safe's lock in the face of attempted break-ins.

With a star (A2P*), the A2P standard guarantees that the safe's lock can resist up to 5 minutes, A2P** means that it will resist 10 to 15 minutes. And A2P*** means that the safe lock will take a good 15 minutes before it fails.

How does an electronic safe work?

The electronic safe is a great help for an organization for document management because it allows vital or sensitive documents to be kept permanently, securely and confidentially.

Thanks to this tool, it is possible to set up an archiving system for evidentiary purposes in which the documents are kept. In addition, in case of an administrative control or dispute, these documents can be presented. In principle, the conservation of documents is done in two steps, which are the digital sealing and the archiving.

Once the documents are filed, a digital seal is necessary to ensure their integrity. Indeed, there will be an electronic signature to verify that the author of the deposit is authentic; a timestamp to certify the date of the deposit, and finally a digital fingerprint calculation to guarantee the non modification of the document in time.

Then, the documents are archived in the safe where periodic checks of integrity, traceability and management of actions and users have been performed. You can then access the stored data by connecting from any PC, tablet or even your mobile. All you have to do is enter your personal login and password. Sometimes you need to fill in the security code received by SMS for more security.

Moreover, there is nothing to worry about, because all information and exchanges remain confidential. You can also create another reliable electronic copy of paper documents. This will protect them from possible risks such as loss, theft and damage.

Electronic safe or key safe?

Electronic safe

Characterized by a combination code system, the electronic safe is easier to use than a mechanical or key system. Since there is no need for a key, you don't have to worry about where it is located. The buttons, beeps, warnings and settings that make up the system are all designed to provide a better experience. So the main advantage of an electronic safe is the level of control it presents.

Not only is it difficult for burglars to bypass, but it is also easy to program. In fact, you can change the combination at any time and you can add or modify many other functions. However, the electronic safe does not prevent you from forgetting the code. This can make it inaccessible for a while after several incorrect attempts.

Key safe

The key safe is the easiest to use. Existing for years, it is recognized as the most reliable storage unit for keeping valuables or money. With this type of safe, only you or the person who has the copy of the key can access the items inside. In addition, some recent models have improvements in security features and design (double door lock, stronger walls, etc.).

However, if the key gets lost or if you have to break the lock for any reason, you will have trouble opening the safe without the help of a locksmith. Also, if you have a hand injury or arthritis, locking and unlocking the safe will not be a cup of tea and may take you longer.

Verdict

In conclusion, having a safe at home is much better than paying to store items in a bank. A key safe is a simple security option to use. But the most effective is the electronic model. This is because you have more flexibility, as you can change the combination frequently without anyone knowing.

Why buy an electronic safe?

To secure your valuables

The main role of a safe is to protect your most precious objects. Thanks to its state-of-the-art locking and unlocking system, you will no longer be afraid of being robbed. Thus your confidential documents, jewels, and other goods will be highly secure thanks to this type of safe. An electronic safe is a tamper-proof device for amateurs as it is locked with a code and any error would trigger an alarm that will alert you in case of theft.

For its ergonomics

Even though it is a sophisticated safe, the electronic model offers outstanding ergonomics. It is easy to use thanks to the electronic and digitalized control system. To mention only the LED display, the sound notifications, the safe's parameterization console to automate the opening and closing or to recognize a new user.

To protect your belongings against fire

The electronic safe is generally designed with ultra-resistant and fireproof materials. Indeed, it can resist to a very high temperature for several hours. Thus, your belongings will be spared and you will be able to recover them easily once the fire is completely extinguished.

For aesthetics

A safe is not only a simple security device. It is also a decorative object in its own right. It can be adapted to all types of interior decorations. Some models can even be built into a wall or a piece of furniture. Basically, having an electronic safe at home is a good way to decorate your home in a more modern and refined way.

For its accessibility

Having a safe at home not only saves you the expense of renting it from a bank, but it also means that all your valuables are within easy reach. They will be safe and you can always take them out at any time.

The best brands of electronic safes

In our opinion, the best brands of electronic safes in 2022 are :

YALE
BURG-WÄCHTER
AmazonBasics
FLOUREON
MASTER LOCK

Yale has been in the market for over 170 years and is a pioneer in the lock industry. It is one of the most respected and purchased brands on the market with millions of Yale locks in use worldwide. Today, its electronic safe is still a sensation and ranks among the best on the market.

Founded in 1920, this German brand has a long tradition of "lock making" and today is the largest manufacturer of safes and mailboxes in Europe. The complete range of this brand includes padlocks, windows, security doors, boxes and mailboxes. This brand is a true reference in terms of quality, robustness and longevity.

AmazonBasics is Amazon's private label brand, created in 2006, and offers a selection of products that are very popular with consumers. It is one of Amazon's preferred brands, with a wide range of products.

Established in 2011, this brand is best known for its range of battery and video surveillance products. Thanks to an ever-expanding and renewed offer, the brand now produces quality electronic safes. This brand is reliable and efficient despite its relative youth.

Since 1921, Master Lock is an American company that develops padlocks, combination locks, safes and related security products. Today, the brand continues to innovate and create, which is why we can see on the market combination padlocks.

What is the price for an electronic safe

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
50 £ to 100 £
Mid-range
100 £ to 200 £
High-end
more than 200 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Remember to check the quality of the safe.

Before you buy your safe, keep in mind that you need one of sturdy construction. The idea is that it should be strong enough to protect your belongings in the event of a break-in.

Also pay attention to the weight of the safe.

Some large, high-end personal safes are so heavy that they cannot be kept on the upper floor without affecting the structural integrity of the building. Don't overlook this detail when making your purchase.

Make sure the safe you choose is big enough.

Think about what you want to put inside, and remember that the inside dimensions are sometimes much smaller than the outside dimensions, especially with fireproof safes.

The robustness and weight of the safe are not the only things you need to pay attention to.

There's also the insurance you need to purchase.

Some insurance policies only cover items stored in safes that are securely installed or bolted down.

And as for your code, don't choose it lightly.

About 15% of people choose one of the following ten codes (so you should avoid using them): 0000, 0852, 1111, 1212, 1234, 1998, 2222, 2580, 5555, and 5683.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , consumerreports.org
  2. , consumersearch.com
  3. , bestreviews.com
  4. , thewirecutter.com
  5. , allaboutsafes.co.uk
  6. , thespruce.com
  7. , toptenreviews.com
  8. , coffres-fort.info
  9. , leguide.com
  10. , manomano.fr
  11. , amazon.co.uk
  12. , leroymerlin.fr
  13. , pratique.fr
  14. , mypeopledoc.com
  15. , leroymerlin.fr
  16. , e-coffrefort.fr
  17. , fr.wikipedia.org
  18. , independant.io
  19. , psa-finance-france.fr
  20. , psa-finance-france.fr
  21. , coffrefortplus.com
  22. , bricodepot.fr
  23. , commentcamarche.net
  24. , reneelab.fr
  25. , e-paye.com
  26. , cmb.fr
  27. , openbee.com
  28. , people-doc.fr
  29. , cecurity.com
  30. , cnil.fr
  31. , ducatillon.com
  32. , archimag.com
  33. , services-numeriques.univ-larochelle.fr
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Yale YSV/390/DB1 9
Yale YSV/390/DB1
HMF 4612412 10
HMF 4612412
Yale YSEM/520/EG1 11
Yale YSEM/520/EG1
BURG-WÄCHTER 32 x 44.2 x 35 cm 12
BURG-WÄCHTER 32 x 44.2 x 35 cm

Lecteurs

Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.

Copyright © 2022 - Made with by buyingbetter.co.uk

Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!