Best key safes, tried and tested to keep your home secure
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journalism → try → readers
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we → purchase → commission
There are countless reasons to invest in a key safe, from the peace of mind of knowing your spare key is secure to giving access to authorised people such as tradespeople or Airbnb guests.
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key → be → tradespeople
The best key safes are a far better solution than stashing a key under a mat or hooking it in the shed.
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safes → stash → shed
Key safes have become common around the country, especially in tourist destinations, where mounting one of these simple boxes next to the door is an easy way for guests to gain access without having to work out complex handover instructions.
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guests → become → instructions
However, as I found out while testing, not all key safes are built the same; while the basic function is the same, some features, pricing, and durability differ greatly.
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features → find → ?
In this test, I’ve looked at a range of simple coded key safes that use a four-digit combination lock to gain access.
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that → look → access
These range from inexpensive combination boxes to Police Preferred models.
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These → range → models
A key safe is a simple box you attach to the outside of your property.
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you → attach → property
In all cases, the products in this review require light DIY skills to install.
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products → require → skills
Once in place, a combination lock lets you access the small, key-sized inner chamber, where you can store keys securely until you need them.
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you → let → them
You can then give others who need access to your home the code to the key safe, avoiding the need to pop a key under the mat.
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who → give → mat
How I tested
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I → test → ?
In this review, I tested a wide variety of key safes, from straightforward four-digit combination boxes you often see mounted beside doors to the Police Preferred requirements.
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you → test → requirements
I tested each key safe for the installation process, ease of use, and capacity.
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I → test → use
Once the keys were installed, I checked how easy the combination dials or buttons were to operate and how easy it was to gain access.
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it → instal → access
This test was carried out in both daylight and night conditions.
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test → carry → conditions
I also subjected each keysafe to two break-in attempts: the first used a screwdriver to try to lever the front of the safe open, and the second was a simple impact test to see if the safe would break or shatter when hit with a hammer.
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safe → subject → hammer
Ark Tamo key safe
★★★★★
Best: Overall key safe
What we love: Ultra-secure, backlit keys, with internal key hooks
The Ark Tamo uses a clever multi-push concept, letting you press individual buttons up to four times and creating more than 9.7 million possible combinations.
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you → love → combinations
Installation is via four mounting points through the backplate, with a set of security screws supplied.
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set → supply → screws
There are 10 large buttons surrounding the central release mechanism, with illumination making the controls easy to see even in the dark.
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controls → be → dark
I also found the large buttons easy to operate with cold and wet hands.
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buttons → find → hands
Setting the combination is less straightforward – read the instructions very carefully – but once inside, there’s enough space for five flat keys or three bulkier tubular keys.
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Setting → set → keys
The exterior weather cover is also appreciated.
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cover → appreciate → ?
The key safe box stood up well to break-in attempts.
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box → stand → attempts
A screwdriver failed to break through, while repeated hammer blows didn’t crack through the casing.
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blows → fail → casing
☆
Best: Budget key storage safe
What we love: Small, surprisingly spacious, and impressive durability
Master Lock’s Select Access 5401EURD is a compact, wall-mounted box secured by four rotating combination wheels.
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5401EURD → love → wheels
Installation is simple, with four light-duty screws that are supplied alongside the instructions (I would upgrade these for a little more durability).
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I → supply → durability
The dials can be small and fiddly – particularly with cold hands – and there’s no illumination.
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dials → ’ → hands
The internal cavity leaves ample space for one or two keys – but there’s room for eight keys with careful arrangement.
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cavity → leave → arrangement
Weather protection is basic, so I’d suggest positioning it in a relatively sheltered place.
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I → suggest → place
Attempting to break in with both a screwdriver and a hammer proved impossible; however, there are no independently verified security credentials for this safe.
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Attempting → attempt → safe
- Dimensions: 120 x 86 x 36mm
- Weight: 417g
- Lock type: Four-digit combination
Burton Keyguard Digital XL key safe
★★★★★
Best: For large bunches of keys
What we love: Substantial casing, encased weather protection, and large internal cavity
The Burton Keyguard Digital XL uses a mechanical push-button lock.
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XL → love → lock
Among the largest key safes I tested, the box includes everything required for installation, including four hefty screws.
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box → test → screws
The full-protection weather cover is as substantial as the safe itself – it completely stopped water from reaching the safe.
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it → stop → safe
Each button has a contrasting green number that makes it easy to identify in low light.
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it → have → light
Setting the combination is easy, with codes of between three and eight characters.
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Setting → set → characters
While the internal hook only takes two flat keys, it’s the largest compartment I tested, with space for a substantial bunch of keys.
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I → take → keys
It proved impressively resistant to forced entry.
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It → prove → entry
The Keyguard Digital XL isn’t the most discreet option, but it still isn’t huge and feels solid and secure.
- Dimensions: 150 x 95 x 55mm
- Weight: 2,466g
- Lock type: Mechanical push button
- Price: £126
Key Safe C500 Pro key safe
★★★★★
Best: Value key safe
What we love: Easy to install and use, relatively affordable, and robust build quality
The C500 Pro is one of the more established high-security key safes, and for good reason.
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Pro → feel → reason
…and 59 more, not listed.
The Aporia
