Finding the Perfect High Security Safe: Where to Look and What to Ask

Estimated Reading time: 9 minutes

Protecting your valuables—whether it’s cash, jewellery, business documents, or important data—selecting a high-security safe is a critical decision. The challenge? Not all safes are created equal, and finding the perfect safe that balances protection, functionality, and cost can be overwhelming. With so many options available, from specialised retailers like us to online marketplaces where the quality and standard of safes can be questionable. With high security safes, there’s a wide variety of security features to choose from, knowing where to start can feel daunting.

In this guide, we’ll help you uncover information to help you make the right decision when buying a safe.

Quick links:

Where to Look for High-Security Safes
Questions to Ask When Choosing a High-Security Safe
Understanding Security Ratings and Features
Assessing Your Security Needs

Where to Look for High-Security Safes

When searching for the perfect high-security safe, it’s important to know where to look to find reliable, high-quality options. Here are a few key avenues to consider:

1. Specialised Safe Retailers

One of the best places to start is with specialised safe retailers, like Trident Safes, who focus exclusively on security products. Retailers like us often have years of experience and deep knowledge of the industry, this insight allows us to understand your needs and guide you to the right safe based on your specific needs, whether it’s a safe for home, an office safe, or commercial use such as pubs & bars, hospitality businesses, jewellers, pharmacies, construction businesses or retail. The benefit of working with a specialised retailer is the expert advice you’ll receive, including recommendations for safes that meet strict industry standards, ensuring optimal security and often insurance purposes.

Additionally, specialised retailers typically offer a wide range of safes, from brand-new, high-tech options to refurbished safes that provide excellent value for money.

2. Online Marketplaces

Another option is large online marketplaces like Amazon or Alibaba, which offer an extensive variety of safes from a range of sellers. While offering convenience and cheap pricing, they also come with some risks. It can be difficult to verify the quality of the products or the reputation of the seller, and customer support is often limited. If you choose to go this route, be sure to thoroughly research the brand and read customer reviews. While you may find budget-friendly safes here, remember that when it comes to security, price shouldn’t be the only deciding factor. A cheap, unreliable safe could cost you the contents.

3. Direct from Manufacturers

If you have a specific brand in mind, such as Chubb, buying directly from the manufacturer is another solid option. Many high-end safe manufacturers offer direct sales, allowing you to purchase a safe with complete confidence in its authenticity and quality. By purchasing from the manufacturer, you often receive warranties and after-sales support. However, prices may be higher compared to retailers or refurbished options, as you are paying for brand-new, cutting-edge security solutions.

4. Purchasing from Reputable Sources like Trident Safes

While there are many places to find high-security safes, it’s crucial to purchase from a trusted, reputable source. At Trident Safes, we pride ourselves on our long-standing expertise in the security industry, offering both new and refurbished safes that meet the highest standards of protection.

Explore our extensive selection of high-security safes here

Questions to Ask When Choosing a High-Security Safe

Choosing the right high-security safe involves more than just picking one off the shelf. To make sure your investment meets your needs and provides the best possible protection, there are several important questions you should ask.

Here are key considerations to guide you in the process:

1. What level of security does this safe provide?

Why ask: Not all safes are rated equally when it comes to security. Safes are typically graded by insurance or security standards such as Eurograde, which provides insight into their resistance to fire, break-ins, and other threats.

2. What size and capacity do I need?

Why ask: Safes come in various sizes, and it’s essential to choose one that fits your space and can accommodate the items you need to protect. Consider what you plan to store and how much space it will require, both now and in the future.

3. How should the safe be installed?

Why ask: Proper safe installation is critical to maximising a safe’s security. Some safes are designed to be floor-mounted, while others may need to be wall-mounted or bolted to a specific location. You’ll want to know the installation requirements and ensure you can meet them. The installation method may also affect insurance purposes so it’s important to be aware.

4. Is the safe fireproof or waterproof?

Why ask: Depending on what you’re protecting, fireproof or waterproof safes may be necessary. If you’re safeguarding important documents or electronics, for example, these features can be crucial in the event of a fire or flood.

5. What kind of warranty or after-sales support is included?

Why ask: A good safe is a long-term investment, and it’s essential to ensure that it’s backed by a reliable warranty and strong after-sales support. A good warranty indicates that the manufacturer stands by their product.

6. What type of lock is best for my needs?

Why ask: Safes come with different locking mechanisms, such as key locks, combination locks, and digital keypad systems. Understanding the pros and cons of each type will help you choose the most secure and convenient option for you or your business. For example, a key might be best if it’s only one person who needs access while a code might be better for an organisation where multiple users need access to the safe.

7. Can the safe be upgraded or reprogrammed in the future?

Why ask: Some safes allow for upgrades or changes to locking mechanisms over time, which can be valuable as technology evolves or if your security needs change.

8. Does the safe meet my insurance requirements?

Why ask: Insurance companies may have specific requirements when it comes to the type of safe you need to protect high-value items. Make sure that the safe you choose complies with your insurance provider’s standards. For example, meeting Eurograde standards.

9. What delivery options are available, and is discreet delivery possible?

Why ask: Safes are large and often require special delivery arrangements and in some cases special safe installation. Additionally, if you’re concerned about security, you may want the delivery to be discreet to avoid drawing attention to the new installation.

Understanding Security Ratings and Features

When selecting a high-security safe, understanding security ratings and features is essential to understand the level of protection offered vs the level of protection you need. Security ratings help define the safe’s ability to withstand various types of attacks, from burglary to fire, while advanced features ensure that your valuables are safe against modern threats. The common security rating we work to is Eurograde. The safes are independently tested and approved from levels 1 to 6.

Common Security Ratings

Eurograde Ratings

Common across Europe, these ratings (e.g., Eurograde 0 to Eurograde 6) are tied to the amount of insurance coverage the safe can provide, depending on the value of the items stored inside. A higher Eurograde number means a stronger safe that can store higher-value items.

UL Ratings

In the U.S., UL certifies safes based on their resistance to various break-in methods, such as using drills, saws, or torches. For example, a UL TL-15 safe is certified to resist attack by tools for 15 minutes, while a TL-30-rated safe resists for 30 minutes.

Fireproof and Waterproof Ratings

These ratings show how well a safe can protect its contents from fire and water damage. Safes with fireproof ratings, like those certified by UL, are tested to withstand specific temperatures for a certain duration (e.g., 60 or 120 minutes). Waterproof ratings indicate how well the safe can keep moisture out.

Key Features to Look For

Beyond ratings, high-security safes often come with specialised features to provide extra layers of security, these could be:

• Reinforced steel walls: The thicker and more durable the safe’s construction, the more resistant it is to brute force attacks.
• Anti-drill plates: These protect the locking mechanism from being tampered with by drills or similar tools.
• Biometric or digital locking systems: These provide quick access to the safe while enhancing security by reducing the risk of unauthorised entry.
• Internal locking compartments: Additional secure compartments within the safe can provide added protection for particularly valuable items.

Assessing Your Security Needs

When you’re in the market for buying a safe your first thought might be that you need a specific type of safe to store specific items. Through this process, you need to assess your security needs. Choosing the right high-security safe starts with understanding your needs. Here’s a quick guide to help – for a full breakdown see our comprehensive safe buying guide.

1. Identify What You’re Protecting

Are you securing personal valuables like jewellery, sensitive documents, or business assets like cash or data? Knowing what you need to protect will guide your safe selection.

2. Evaluate Risk Levels

Consider crime rates, environmental threats (fire, floods), and the value of your items. Higher risks may require more robust safes with higher security ratings, such as Eurograde 3 safes, Eurograde 4 safes, Eurograde 5 safes or above.

3. Select Size and Capacity

Ensure the safe can store your current valuables with room for future needs. Check the available space where it will be installed.

4. Choose a Locking Mechanism

Key, combination, digital, and biometric locks offer different levels of convenience and security. Pick one that fits your preferences.

5. Plan for Future Needs

Look for safes that allow upgrades or additional features to meet evolving security demands.

Finding the perfect high-security safe requires careful consideration of your specific needs, from the type of valuables you’re protecting to the level of risk you face. As you begin your search, remember to explore trusted sources like specialised safe retailers, evaluate security ratings and features, and ask the right questions about size, installation, warranty, and support. By understanding your requirements and considering future-proof options, you can make a well-informed investment that provides reliable protection.

At Trident Safes, we offer a comprehensive range of high-security safes, backed by years of industry expertise and a commitment to quality. Whether you’re securing personal valuables or business assets, we have the knowledge and products to meet your needs. We also offer a comprehensive range of safe services including safe removal & relocation, safe installation, safe repair and safe hire.

Ready to protect what matters most? Explore our selection of high-security safes today and let us help you find the ideal solution for your security requirements.