The 3 Best Fireproof Document Safes of 2025
Top pick
This fireproof document safe is certified to withstand high-temperature fires for twice as long as the competition. But it weighs 42 pounds and has the footprint of a mini fridge.
The Honeywell 1114 Lightweight Fire and Waterproof Chest is the best fireproof document safe to protect belongings from fire and water. It can survive hotter fires for longer than any other home or office document safe we’ve found from a reputable brand, and Honeywell claims that this safe should keep water out for 100 hours.
You should be able to fit documents of any standard size inside. This includes letter, A4, and legal paper sizes. If you need to store hanging file folders, check out the Honeywell 1108.
The 1114 has an internal capacity of 0.39 cubic feet, with the interior measuring 14.8 inches wide by 12 inches long by 3.8 inches tall. So it’s shorter yet wider and longer than most document safes. It’s large enough to hold unfolded sheets of paper.
It’s thoughtfully designed. The Honeywell 1114 includes features that set it apart from the competition, including a securely attached lid and hydraulic hinges (which prevent your fingers from getting crushed when you close the lid).
We appreciate the lid’s hinge system, which stops the heavy lid from potentially crushing your fingers as it closes. It’s still possible to slam the lid shut, but if it’s knocked down accidentally, it’ll slow down a few inches from closing. In our testing, we’ve seen this feature only on larger safes from Honeywell, not on any other brand’s models. Additionally, this Honeywell safe has latches on either side of the lock that provide an extra degree of security in keeping the lid shut.
It can withstand high temperatures. Intertek rates the Honeywell 1114 to withstand temperatures of up to 1,700 °F for an hour while keeping the internal temperature under 350 °F. That’s superior to the 1,550 °F for 30 minutes that most other safes (including our budget pick) are rated for. And though this rating is not a guarantee of security, it does mean the 1114 should keep more of your stuff protected in more situations.
According to Larry McKenna of the US Fire Administration, a room will remain on fire for about an hour to an hour and 15 minutes if it’s not otherwise put out, and temperatures can reach up to 2,000 °F. McKenna said that since heat rises, those higher temperatures will be at the top of the room, and it will be cooler down where safes are usually kept. So the protection the 1114 offers will likely be enough in many circumstances. (Again, every fire is different, and there is no guarantee that your stuff will be safe in every instance.)
Additionally, Honeywell promises digital-media protection, as well as waterproofing under a meter of water for up to 100 hours. However, those two claims are based on Honeywell’s own testing, not the work of a third party like Intertek.
It comes with a seven-year manufacturer’s warranty. Honeywell also promises a “lifetime after-fire replacement guarantee.” If your safe is damaged in a fire at any time, the company will replace it (but, important to note, not the contents) for free with the same or a similar model.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
It’s about the size of a mini fridge. With a 20-inch-wide and 17-inch-long footprint, the 1114 may not be a great fit in small apartments or other living situations where there’s not a lot of floor space. With its size and higher fireproof rating comes weight, as well: Moving this 42-pound safe around isn’t as easy as moving a smaller, less protective option. You might see that as a good thing if you consider it through the lens of both fire and theft protection. However, the 1114’s heft can be inconvenient if you have to move the safe around when you need access to your stuff.
The 1114 lacks a digital keypad. While this is not an essential feature, it would offer a way to get into the safe without a key. None of our other current picks have a keypad either, but it’s a convenient feature that we keep an eye out for.
