Best key safe: 7 buys for hiding a spare set

A selection of the best key safes as chosen by Real Homes team on a blue graphic background

(Image credit: Future / Masterlock / Defender)

Jump to category:

The best key safes
Things to consider
Where to buy
FAQs
How we test

By Christina Chrysostomou

last updated 26 January 2023

in Buying Guides

Best Key Safe: Quick list

1. Best key safes
2. Things to consider
3. Where to buy
4. FAQs
5. How we test

Let's get straight to it: the best key safe or lock box isn't supposed to be glamorous, it's merely supposed to provide you (or your family and friends) with access to your home when you can't. Out for brunch with the girls but your mum needs to pop by and grab something? Still at the gym but your boyfriend is waiting outside? Or are you an Airbnb entrepreneur who is earning a little extra by renting out your apartment? Whatever the situation — there's no need to rush home anymore.

Saying that, it's more than worth investing in something safe and secure for peace of mind and protection against potential break-ins. Whatever your budget and however many keys you have to hold, I've done the oh-so-fun job of researching the best key lock boxes for your porch, doorstep, and more. So you can find one online, order it for quick delivery, and then fit it yourself — in less than an hour, and from under £10. That way, all you need to do to give your nearest and dearest access is set a secure combination, pop the keys inside, and let them know the code.

Find my favorite top-rated key boxes just below. Here I've listed the price, design, plus how many lock-openers it can hold. There are also some pros and cons to each, plus a little summary of other particulars you might find interesting. For example: Many designs are attack-resistant, and one of them has police approval!

7 of the best key safes to buy in 2025

The best key safes

Simple to install

1. Defender Push Button Key Safe

The best key safe

Price: ~~Was £44.95~~ Now £32.95 (save £12) at Amazon
Design: Alloy Steel
Keys: 6+

+ Heavy-duty design
+ Spacious
+ Easy to use
+ Internal hook
- Not the best looking

This Defender wall-mounted safe is the easiest to use and sturdiest option on the market plus it's a great all-rounder for anyone, and after testing it, we are certain that it will do a great job in your home. Its box is made from attack-resistant alloy steel that’s guaranteed to frustrate any would-be burglars. The mechanical buttons are easy to operate and the code is easy to set, meaning you're unlikely to be left locked outside your own home.

Real Homes rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Heavy-duty mechanism

2. Defender Lock Combination Key Safe

The best compact key safe

Price: £14.95
Design: Alloy Steel
Keys: 5

+ Easy-to-use
+ Window to cover lock
+ Affordable
- No interior hook

For top-notch security in the palm of your hand, this Defender Wall Mounted key safe is excellent and for less than £20, you can secure a reliable spot for your keys when you're not home. After testing, we discovered that it's easy to use and very sturdy. It's built to prevent attacks from hammering, sawing, or prying. We love the slide-up compartment to keep it protected from the weather.

Real Homes rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Master Lock Wall-Mounted Key safe Large internal cavity

3. Master Lock Wall-Mounted Key safe

The best small key safe

Price: £17.99
Design: Aluminium
Keys: 3

+ Compact size
+ Easy to mount
+ Window to cover lock
+ Great for elderly
- Fiddly to unlock
- No interior hook

We've tested this key safe from Master Lock, and we think it's a great pick if you are searching for something for an older person's home. Whether that's for safe keeping one key for emergencies, or for carers to let themselves in. It's straightforward and intuitively designed so that anyone can easily work out the opening if they have the code. If you have a mortice lock or larger keys to store, you might be best to go for something larger.

Real Homes rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Burton Police Preferred Specification Keyguard XL Outdoor Key Safe 5-year standard warranty

4. Burton Keyguard XL Outdoor Key Safe

The best high visibility key safe

Price: £59.95
Design: Steel
Keys: 6

+ 2-step security
+ Police-approved
+ Great if you have poor vision
+ Weather-resistant rubber cover
+ Interior hook
- Expensive

Designed to maximize the safety of your home, this police-approved key safe has some impressive features. Designed with a high-vis keypad and dials, this model is best suited to those who anticipate coming home in the dark or for those with a visual impairment. The combination of a keypad and turn-lock is great if you're concerned about break-ins and like the idea of two-step security. That said, it's worth bearing in mind that this system may not suit those with limited mobility.

Sentinel Push Button Key Safe Twin Pack

5. Sentinel Push Button Key Safe Twin Pack

The best key safe for capacity

Price: £22.99
Design: Steel
Keys: 10

+ Large capacity
+ Can buy in bulk
+ Can buy in multiples
+ Weather-resistant paint
+ Offers over 10,000 safe combinations
- Need to use a long combination
- No interior hook

This large capacity key safe from Sentinel can hold up to 10 Yale-type keys, so whether you've got kids or lots of sets of keys for different family members, it should be large enough to help with any job. Its sturdy design is robust and easy to mount, plus it has a push digit combination. Just bear in mind that you'll want to use a lengthy combination as it's not about the order it's about the numbers. You can also buy this key safe in multiples, so landlords will rejoice.

Master Lock 5415EURD Key lock box 1-year guarantee

6. Master Lock 5415EURD Key lock box

The best subtle key safe

Price: £30.99
Design: Solid die-cast zinc body
Keys: 2

+ Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
+ Water resistant
+ Protective cover
+ Can store cards too
+ Mounting kit included
- No interior hook

If you live on a main road or a busy street, this Masterlock key safe might be the best option for you, mostly because of its subtle design but also because it's made to withstand attempted break-ins. It comes with a protective cover that not only protects the combination dials from the weather but disguises them from potential burglars. Plus, it's easy to install and anything but complex, whilst never compromising on quality.

Cheapest in guide

7. Home Hut Outdoor Key Safe

The best budget key safe

Price: £9.95
Design: Aluminium alloy
Keys: 2

+ Window to cover lock
+ Super affordable
+ Quick and easy installation
- No interior hook
- Small capacity

Best for those on a budget, this Home Hut key safe, available at Amazon, provides impressive value for money. It's ideal for holding a spare house key or two and 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. It also has a window that comes up over the lock so it doesn't stick out like a sore thumb to passers-by. It's even designed with pre-drilled holes for quick installation.

Things to consider when buying a key safe

When it comes to buying the best key safe to suit your requirements, there are few factors worth bearing in mind. These include:

1. Which type of key safe do you want?
We've featured a mix of push buttons and combination key safes, with some allowing you to set your own memorable number. It's worth considering which will best suit your needs.

2. How many keys can it hold?
While it may seem obvious, many people fail to consider what size key safe they actually require, until it's too late. Take time to consider how many sets of keys you intend on storing at a time, and make a choice accordingly.

3. What does it look like?
Key safes with covers are less obvious. Plus, you may wish to consider how your key safe will affect the appearance of the entrance to your home. Something big and bulky will – obviously – have more of an effect than something more slimline. Conversely, there are added security benefits in picking something a little more heavy-duty.

4. Is it easy to see?
For those with weaker eyes, a high-vis option is certainly preferable. Plus, it goes without saying that if you're likely to return home in darker light you'll want something with clear numbering.

5. Smart or simple?
In today's day and age, there's rarely a product you can't connect to a smartphone. And the key safe is no exception. Choosing a digital option that pairs with iOS or Android devices offer neat extras, like the option to drop guests a one-time code or updates every time an individual opens – or tries to open – the safe. Of course, for some, this might be a little intense and overcomplicated. For those who like to keep things basic, a heavy-duty, mechanical operation design is a more sensical choice.

Where to buy a key safe

Most of our product listings above have links to the cheapest places to buy them. However, if you want to broaden your search, consider the following retailers

Key safe FAQs

Are key safes a good idea?

For those who often misplace their door keys, key safes really are a savior. Plus, if you have lots of people coming in and out of your home at different times, needing different keys, then they are a very efficient way to manage that.

Does a key safe affect house insurance?

Nowadays, many insurance providers have grown wise to the benefits of key safes, and a fair number of insurers will not void your insurance for using one. That said, because it can allow someone other than the homeowner to enter your house, it is viewed less favorably by some companies. Better safe than sorry, we would always recommend giving your provider a call to check their policy.

How we test key safes

We haven't had the opportunity to test out all of these key safes just yet, but we have tested the three first in this guide. Otherwise, we carefully chose the rest of these products based on a range of criteria. That includes looking at police-approved options for that extra element of safety, considering the capacity, build, and materials of each and including safes within a range of budgets, to make this roundup accessible to all. For those we have tested, we've awarded a star rating.

If you're working with a tiny amount of space outside and are lost for inspiration, then see our small porch ideas guide for looks you can easily replicate.

Hi, I'm the former acting head ecommerce editor at Real Homes. Prior to working for the Future plc family, I've worked on a number of consumer events including the Ideal Home Show, Grand Designs Live, and Good Homes Magazine. With a first class degree from Keele University, and a plethora of experience in digital marketing, editorial, and social media, I have an eye for what should be in your shopping basket and have gone through the internal customer advisor accreditation process.