The best key safes

If you're constantly having to leave keys under flowerpots, doormats or a family-favourite rock, then it's time to invest the best key safe you can buy. Not only will it put your mind at ease when you're not home, but it'll make sure thieves don't get access to your keys, and that when your cleaner, Air BnB guests or babysitter come, whoever it may be can get in to your home without hassle.

Find more ways to keep your home safe with our guide.

What to consider when choosing a key safe

Buttons

Our picks are a combination of push buttons and rotation wheels, with some allowing you to set your own memorable number. 

Capacity

It's size will be based on how many sets of keys you need to store at a time. Simples.

Design

Key safes with covers are less obvious.

Is it actually safe?

While each key box on our list is verified secure by happy reviewers, our top pick all round is the Supra C500, one of the best selling lockable key boxes on the market, and the first one to be approved by the police as part of the Secured by Design initiative. 

THE BEST KEY SAFES

The Supra C500 is the market-leading key safe, and it’s easy to see why. Its box is made from an attack-resistant zinc alloy that’s guaranteed to frustrate any would-be burglars with its anti-forced entry construction. Not only that, it’s one of the few key safes approved by the Police through the Secured by Design initiative, so it’s certified secure, a great bonus for buyers concerned about leaving their keys outside. Also, the mechanical buttons are easy to operate and the code is easy to set. A pretty good all-rounder that's suitable for pretty much any user, we think it's the best outdoor key safe you can buy.

Shop more key safes on The Key Safe Company's Amazon page.

For top-notch security in the palm of your hand, opt for this Bluetooth key safe by Masterlock. It's compatible with an app you can download on your iOS or Android device which will let you know every time someone opens the safe and when there are attempted openings, and you can share guest access from your phone, meaning you can give one-off guests a temporary pin. You can see a full activity report on your phone too, letting you know who accessed the safe last. Our pick of the best key safe for those who are after something to fit in with the rest of their smart home tech.

Shop more Master Lock key safes on their Amazon page.

The Supra C500 is widely commended for two reasons: one, its mechanical keypad is easy to use, and two, it’s police accredited. This Burton Keyguard matches the latter, rarer commendation with its Secured by Design certification, making it another reassuring option for nervous homeowners. But while it might not be quite as simple as the C500 for those with mobility issues – there’s also a turn lock for two-step security – reviewers loved its high-vis keypad and dials, so it’s arguably better suited to anyone who gets home late and has to figure out the lock in low light, or anyone with poor vision. 

Shop more Burton key safes at their Amazon page.

With its ability to hold up to 10 Yale-type keys, this Sentinel key safe has the highest capacity of any option on our list, making it great for large households with lots of doors or cars between them. That large capacity sits inside a safe that’s made weather-resistant with special paint, and it has a reassuringly robust feel to it, as well as being easy to mount. Our only complaint is that while you can set your own combination for this, it's worth noting that it the key safe will unlock no matter what order you put your chosen numbers in, so it's best that you have a long code to ensure it can't be cracked. Our pick of the best key safe for those who need to store lots of keys.

Shop more Sentinel key safes at their Amazon page.

A great combination key safe in terms of robustness, the Rhino Lock Secure Key Combination Safe feels strong and considerable, and it has a window that drops down over the combination wheels to keep them completely apart from the elements. Thanks to its durable, weatherproof design as well as its large interior, Rhino Lock say this Secure Key safe is ideal for housing more delicate emergency items like cash and credit cards as well as house and car keys, and the use of combination wheels may be preferred by some to a keypad. The best outdoor key safe for weather protection, we think.

Browse more Rhino Lock key safes on their Amazon page.

If you have an inkling that wannabe intruders are scoping out your house, you might be left edgy by the prospect of a short keypad code that can easily be guessed from over your shoulder. A combination lock box is a lot harder to get an eye on from afar, and as this one lets you set your own combination, you won’t be left red-faced and calling the locksmith because you forgot the default. Reviewers found it was easy to install, and had a good interior space for an abundance of keys, too.

Ideal for holding a spare house key or two, this outdoor wall mount allows you to lock the box with a four-digit combination code of your choosing. Its strong zinc alloy construction makes it tough to crack and it has pre-drilled holes for quick wall installation. It also has a window that comes up over the lock so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb to passers-by. The only answer for storing your spare keys on a budget (that's not under a plant pot).

More smart home security:

• Go for a motion sensor porch light for security as well as style 
• The best outdoor flood lights for the front and back garden
• The best keyless door locks, just in case you're always losing your keys