The Best Key Safes For Secure Spare Key Storage
Six wall-mounted lock boxes we'd trust with the keys to a holiday let or a relative's front door.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best key safe is the Supra C500 Police Approved Key Safe. It's heavy, double walled and was easy to fit at our Airbnb, and its police approval is what some insurers and care providers ask for. If you let out a property, the Master Lock Bluetooth Key Safe lets you send guests temporary codes from your phone and see who's been in.
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Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Supra C500 Police Approved Key Safe
Best Overall
Supra C500 Police Approved Key SafeHoliday lets, rentals and carers where police approval matters
- Check price of Master Lock Bluetooth Key Safe
- Check price of Sentinel Wall Mounted Key Safe
- Check price of Master Lock Outdoor Key Safe
- Check price of NRS Healthcare Big Key Safe
Best Large
NRS Healthcare Big Key SafeCarers and older users who need big buttons and room for bulky keys
- Check price of LDS Security Key Storage Box
What goes inside the box, and which door it opens, decide most of this choice. A front door key held for guests or carers belongs in a police approved safe if your insurer asks for one, while a spare shed key is fine in a cheap dial box. Size catches people out, because a safe that only just takes a bunch of keys is the one guests struggle to close.
We run several Airbnbs and holiday lets and have one by most of our doors. The six below run from budget dial boxes to a Bluetooth safe with app codes.
How We Tested These Key Safes
Key safes are on many of our Airbnbs and holiday lets, where guests arrive at all hours and cleaners need to get in between bookings. Over the years we've tested a whole range of mechanical and electronic models to suit different properties.
Every key safe was scored on the same things:
- Build quality: how solid the body and weather cover are
- Installation: how straightforward it is to fix to the wall
- Internal space: how much room there is for keys and fobs
- Ease of use: how simple it is for a guest to open
- Design and features: covers, lighting and smart functions
- Security: police approval, the number of code combinations and resistance to forcing
- Warranty and value: what the guarantee covers against the price
Our most recent install was the Supra C500 at one of our Airbnbs. The three photos below show it fixed to a painted wall beside the door frame, first with the weatherproof cover closed, then with it flipped down to reveal the buttons, and finally opened with the keys hanging inside. You enter the code, turn the dial and the front swings open.
The photo below shows a Master Lock dial-combination safe on a bare brick wall, a type you'll find on plenty of rentals. If you're fitting your own, our step-by-step key safe installation guide walks through the C500 install from marking out to the final screw.
When a brand releases a new or improved key safe, we try to get one on a wall and swap it into the list where it earns its place.
Watch Our Test
Need To Hide Keys In A Secure Location? Use A KEY SAFE! We've Tested Multiple To Find The Best!
The Best Key Safes We Recommend
Each of these key safes is made to live on an outside wall. The Supra C500 is police approved and the Master Lock Bluetooth opens from your phone.
Best Overall
Supra C500 Police Approved Key Safe
Best for: Holiday lets, rentals and carers where police approval matters
Check Price On AmazonThe Supra C500 is the key safe we chose for our own Airbnb, and the first thing you notice when you lift it out of the box is the weight. The double-walled shell is made from heavy-gauge stainless steel and zinc alloy, and it has been tested by the LPCB in the UK to meet the Secured by Design police preferred specification, which many home insurers recognise.
It comes with four masonry screws and was easy to fix to our wall. A rubber cover flips down over the push buttons to keep the rain off, and a clutch in the mechanism stops the handle being forced round without the right code, and there are over 4,000 combinations to choose from.
What we like
- Police approved to the Secured by Design standard
- Heavy double-walled steel and zinc alloy body
- Rubber cover keeps rain off the buttons
- Clutch stops the handle being forced
- Over 4,000 code combinations
- Four masonry screws supplied for fitting
What to know
- Costs more than the mechanical Master Lock, Sentinel and LDS safes
Our verdict
A front door key for a home people live in or stay in deserves the Supra C500, especially when an insurer or care provider asks for a police approved safe. The clutch and rain cover mean it's built to cope with both forcing and an exposed front wall. It costs more than most safes here, so a shed or garage key is better off in the cheaper Sentinel.
Best Smart
Master Lock Bluetooth Key Safe
Best for: Hosts who want to share and track access from a phone
Check Price On AmazonMaster Lock's Bluetooth key safe is the flagship of its range and the dearest safe in this list. It opens with either a code on the illuminated keypad or the Master Lock app on iOS and Android, and that app is where it pulls ahead of the mechanical safes here.
From your phone you can send guests temporary access, see a record of when the safe was opened and get tamper alerts. We found the app easy to get to grips with, and there are no activation or monthly fees. It's rated for indoor or outdoor fitting and arrives with all the mounting hardware. A CR123A battery powers it, so put a battery check on your changeover list to avoid a guest stuck on the doorstep.
What we like
- Opens by app or keypad code
- Temporary guest access and an activity log
- No activation or monthly fees
- Easy-to-use app in our testing
- Illuminated keypad for night arrivals
- Mounting hardware included
What to know
- The most expensive key safe in our roundup
- CR123A battery needs checking and replacing
Our verdict
The Master Lock Bluetooth is worth it for Airbnb hosts and landlords who manage several properties and want to see who has been in and when. If you'll only ever give out one code, a mechanical safe does the same job without batteries, and the Supra C500 adds police approval that this one doesn't claim.
Best All-Rounder
Sentinel Wall Mounted Key Safe
Best for: Simple push-button access at a sensible price
Check Price On AmazonThe Sentinel is a no-frills push-button safe made for outdoor walls. Its body is aluminium and steel finished in weather-resistant paint, which helps it resist the rust that affects a lot of cheaper safes.
The heavy-duty buttons are chunky enough to press with cold fingers, and you can choose from up to 10,000 combinations. Resetting the code takes a few minutes, which is handy for changing it between guests or after a builder has finished. Its plain design means there's very little to go wrong, and it comes with a 12-month guarantee.
What we like
- Aluminium and steel body
- Weather-resistant painted finish
- Chunky push buttons
- Up to 10,000 code combinations
- Quick code reset between users
- 12-month guarantee
What to know
- Plain design with no extra features
- Not police approved
Our verdict
The Sentinel is a solid all-rounder for family access, a garage or a let where police approval isn't required. It's simple for anyone to use and quick to recode. If your insurer wants a police approved safe, spend more on the Supra C500, and if bulky keys need to go inside, the NRS Healthcare Big Key Safe has more room.
Best Budget
Master Lock Outdoor Key Safe
Best for: Occasional access on a tight budget
Check Price On AmazonThis is the Master Lock dial safe in our testing photo, fixed to bare brick, and it's the style you'll see on doors all over the country. Rather than push buttons, it uses four rotating wheels to set a resettable four-digit code, then a lever drops the front open.
The shell is aluminium to stand up to the weather, it's sold in silver or white, and the mounting accessories come in the box. Master Lock backs it with a limited lifetime warranty, which is generous at this price. The drawback is the size, as the opening is small enough that getting a bunch of keys out can be fiddly. Master Lock also sells a portable version that doesn't need fixing to a wall.
What we like
- Resettable four-digit dial code
- Aluminium shell for outdoor use
- Silver or white finish
- Mounting accessories included
- Limited lifetime warranty
What to know
- Small opening makes a full bunch of keys fiddly to remove
- Not police approved
Our verdict
Pick the Master Lock Outdoor if you need a basic code box for a spare key and want a long warranty without spending much. It's fine for a garage or a relative's back door. For daily use by guests, the Sentinel's push buttons are quicker, and the Supra C500 is the safer choice for a main front door key.
Best Large
NRS Healthcare Big Key Safe
Best for: Carers and older users who need big buttons and room for bulky keys
Check Price On AmazonNRS Healthcare supplies equipment to care services, and this key safe is designed with carers and older homeowners in mind. The inside is roomier than a standard safe, so long Yale-style keys and bulkier bunches go in without a fight, and the larger buttons are easier to press for anyone with stiff hands or poor eyesight.
The body is heavy-duty zinc alloy, and a neoprene weatherproof cover disguises the safe as an electricity box so it draws less attention by the door. The lock resets automatically after closing, which stops a hurried carer leaving it open. All the fixings are supplied.
What we like
- Bigger inside for long keys and full bunches
- Large buttons that are easy to press
- Heavy-duty zinc alloy body
- Cover disguised as an electricity box
- Resets itself so it isn't left unlocked
- All mounting fixings supplied
What to know
- Costs more than the Sentinel and both budget dial safes
Our verdict
The NRS Healthcare Big Key Safe is the one to fit for a relative who has carers calling, or anywhere the keys are too big for a standard box. The auto-reset alone makes it worth considering. If police approval is a must, the Supra C500 is the better buy, and the Sentinel is cheaper when space isn't an issue.
Best Budget Runner-Up
LDS Security Key Storage Box
Best for: Sheds, garages and spare keys on a small budget
Check Price On AmazonThe LDS Security box is a cheap dial-combination safe with a four-digit code and an internal hook for hanging keys. LDS says it holds up to 10 pairs of keys, which suits a few door and window keys, though bulky car fobs won't fit.
The zinc alloy cylinder is built to resist hammering and sawing, and setting a new code is straightforward. You can choose a silver finish that's easy for visitors to spot or a black one that blends into a dark wall or fence post. All the fixings come in the box.
What we like
- Four-digit combination lock
- Hook inside for hanging keys
- Zinc alloy cylinder resists hammering and sawing
- Silver or black finish
- Simple code reset
What to know
- Too small for bulky car keys
- Not police approved
Our verdict
The LDS Security box is a cheap way to store a spare shed, garage or back door key, and the black finish keeps it discreet. It's a decent alternative to the Master Lock Outdoor if you prefer a darker colour. For a front door key that guests or carers rely on, step up to the Supra C500 or the Sentinel.
What To Look For In A Key Safe
A key safe protects the keys to your home, so the choice comes down to how secure it needs to be, who'll be opening it and what goes inside.
Police Approval And Insurance
A police approved key safe has been attack tested and certified to the Secured by Design standard, which some home insurers expect if the safe holds a front door key. Check your policy before you buy, as a cheap unapproved safe can leave you uncovered after a break-in. The Supra C500 meets this standard. Most budget dial safes don't, which is fine for a shed but less so for the main door.
Push Button, Dial Or Bluetooth
Push-button safes like the Supra and Sentinel are quick to open and easy to explain to guests. Dial safes use rotating number wheels and cost less, though they're fiddlier in the dark or with cold hands. Bluetooth models open from an app and let you share temporary codes and see an access log, which suits a busy Airbnb, at the cost of a battery to keep an eye on.
Size Inside The Safe
Think about what you'll be storing before you look at the outside. A single house key fits anything, but a full bunch, a long Yale-style key or a car fob needs a larger safe like the NRS Healthcare model. A tight fit means guests struggle to get keys back in, and that's how keys end up left under the mat after all.
Fitting And Position
Fix a key safe to solid brick, block or stone with masonry screws, never to timber cladding or a fence panel that can be levered off. Set it somewhere discreet but easy to reach, such as beside the door frame at around waist height or just round the corner from the front door. A decent SDS drill for masonry makes the holes far quicker in hard brick, and our installation guide covers the rest of the job.
Weather Protection
Rain and frost are what kill cheap key safes. Look for a cover over the buttons or dial, a rust-resistant body and a design that sheds water rather than collecting it. The rubber flap on the Supra and the painted finish on the Sentinel both help on an exposed wall. Whichever you fit, open it and run through the code now and then, as grit and damp can stiffen any mechanism over winter.
Key Safe Questions From Hosts And Homeowners
Are key safes covered by home insurance?
Some home insurers accept key safes, but many only do so if the safe is police approved to the Secured by Design standard, such as the Supra C500. Others need to be told the safe is there. Check your policy wording or call your insurer before fitting one, because using an unapproved safe without telling them can affect a claim after a break-in.
Where is the best place to fit a key safe?
The best place to fit a key safe is on solid masonry close to the door but out of direct view from the street, such as on the side of a porch or just round a corner. Keep it at a comfortable height for the people using it and well lit for evening arrivals, which a PIR security light by the door sorts out.
Can you fit a key safe to a rendered or pebble-dashed wall?
Yes, a key safe can go on a rendered or pebble-dashed wall as long as the screws pass through the render into the brick or block behind. Use long masonry screws and plugs set into the solid wall, not just the render coat.
When should you change a key safe code?
Change a key safe code whenever someone who no longer needs access has had it, such as after each holiday let booking, at the end of a tenancy or when a carer or tradesperson finishes. Push-button and dial safes take a few minutes to recode, and Bluetooth models like the Master Lock let you issue temporary codes that expire on their own.
Is the Supra C500 worth paying more for than the Sentinel?
The Supra C500 is worth it for a front door key, especially when an insurer or care provider asks for a police approved safe. It's tested by the LPCB to the Secured by Design specification and the weight told us a lot about the build quality. The Sentinel isn't police approved but suits a garage, family access or a let where approval isn't required.
Is the Master Lock Bluetooth key safe worth it for a single Airbnb?
No, not for one property with one code. The Master Lock Bluetooth is the most expensive key safe in our roundup and suits hosts and landlords who manage several properties and want to send temporary guest access and see an activity log. For a single code, a mechanical safe does the same job without batteries, and the CR123A battery here needs checking.
Which key safe suits an elderly relative who has carers calling?
The NRS Healthcare Big Key Safe is the one to fit. It's designed with carers and older homeowners in mind, with larger buttons that are easier to press for anyone with stiff hands or poor eyesight. It's roomier inside for long keys, and the neoprene cover disguises it as an electricity box. If police approval is a must, choose the Supra C500.
Which key safe would you use for a shed or garage key?
The Sentinel is the one we'd use for a garage, with its weather-resistant painted finish, chunky buttons and quick code resets. The LDS Security box is a cheaper way to store a spare shed or back door key, and its black finish keeps it discreet. Neither is police approved, so a main front door key belongs in the Supra C500.
Our Top Key Safe Picks
The Supra C500 is the key safe we'd fit first, as it carries police approval and the heavy double-walled body is made to stand up to life on an outside wall. The Master Lock Bluetooth is the alternative for hosts who want to send guest codes and check the access log from a phone.
For a fully remote check-in, pair a key safe with a smart lock you control from an app or a video doorbell to see guests arrive.
Richard has spent years renovating properties and turning them into rentals and Airbnbs. Like a lot of people he started out as a beginner, and these days there isn't much DIY he won't take on.