Shopping for a safe isn’t always straightforward. With so many brands and models on the market, it’s easy to be swayed by a low price or bold/flashy marketing, only to discover later that the safe falls short when it comes to real protection against burglary or fire.
At American Security, we’ve seen too many cases where buyers thought they were covered, only to learn the hard way that their safe wasn’t built to perform under pressure. That’s why we’re breaking down what sets American Security apart and how other brands approach safe construction. By understanding the design choices that truly impact safety and durability, you can make a more informed decision when choosing the right safe.
The Importance of Investing in a High-Quality Safe
We highly advise against settling on a safe solely based on price. In many cases, a lower price tag reflects shortcuts that were taken in materials, construction, or security features, which leaves your valuables vulnerable when it matters most.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to buy the most expensive safe on the market. Instead, think of it this way: if the safe costs less than the items you are protecting, is it really providing the level of security you need? A high price does not always guarantee superior protection. What matters is the craftsmanship, certifications, and features built into the safe, not just the number on the price tag.
That’s why it is essential to look beyond marketing claims and focus on whether a safe has been tested and rated to prove its level of protection. Burglary and fire-resistant ratings serve as reliable benchmarks, showing how long a safe can withstand forced entry attempts or extreme heat.
Many higher-end safes undergo rigorous testing and certification by independent organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and ETL Intertek. These third-party labs evaluate safes through controlled burglary and fire tests, giving buyers confidence that the protection promised is backed by verified performance.
American Security Products vs. Other Brands
Next, we’ll take a closer look at the features and design techniques that set AMSEC apart from many other safe manufacturers.
AMSEC’s Security Standards for Safes
If your main reason for purchasing a safe is protection against burglary or fire, a small unit such as a pistol box will not provide the level of security you need. These compact models are fine for keeping firearms or valuables out of reach of children or family members, but they offer little real defense against theft. A burglar can easily carry off a lightweight safe and attempt to break into it later.
When evaluating safes, pay close attention to weight and size. Both play an important role in determining how well a model can resist forced entry. In addition to that, the way the locking mechanism works behind the scenes is also a large contributor to the level of security the safe can offer your valuables. For example, our BFX gun safes feature an Active 4x Locking System, which has locking bolts on all four sides of the model, making it a formidable barrier against burglars.
Many high-quality safes in the industry undergo burglary testing by independent organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). During these rigorous tests, one or two testers use a wide range of specialized tools and are given a set amount of time, typically 15 to 30 minutes, to either open the safe door or create a six-square-inch opening in the safe’s body. The timer starts when the testers first make contact with the safe and pauses only when they switch tools, which means the actual time spent on a 15-minute test can end up being significantly longer.
Burglar ratings from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) typically range from the following:
- UL RSC Level I
- UL RSC Level II
- UL TL-15
- UL TL-30
- UL TL-30×6
> Learn More About TL-Rated Safes
For business owners in particular, these ratings are more than just technical classifications. A higher burglary certification can play an important role in qualifying for insurance coverage and may even help reduce premiums, making the investment in a high-security safe even more valuable. In some cases, a TL-rated safe is a requirement in order to get insurance coverage.
Security Standards for Other Brands
American Security is not the only safe manufacturer to have products professionally tested and certified. Other brands also undergo testing, but few achieve ratings in the higher categories. On the flip side, many safes on the market make bold claims, calling themselves “burglary-proof,” yet provide little to no evidence to support those statements. Regardless of price, it is important not to take these claims at face value without verification.
Lower-cost safes often lack certifications from UL or other independent laboratories to back up their security claims. When choosing your next security solution, it is essential to consider whether the safe has been properly tested and certified.
American Security/Industry-Leading Fire Protection Standards
Similar to burglary certifications, the safe industry also has fire ratings that can either be given by the manufacturers themselves or third-party testing organizations like UL or ETL. Testing processes may vary, but for laboratories like UL, this process typically involves inserting a safe into a controlled furnace for a set period of time while measuring the interior temperature.
Since paper begins to char at around 350°F, any safe that allows its interior temperature to rise above that point will not pass a fire test. When a safe successfully meets fire protection standards, specifically those set by UL or ETL, it’s typically marked with an official certification label, such as this:
American Security offers fire protection ratings from trusted third-party organizations as well as our own in-house testing, giving you clear insight into the level of protection each safe provides. Every fire-resistant claim on an AMSEC product is backed by a verified rating, so you can feel confident in its ability to perform when it matters most.
If fire protection is your top priority, pay close attention to these key indicators to ensure you are investing in a safe that can truly safeguard your valuables during the intense conditions of a house fire.
Fire Protection Standards for Other Brands
Many brands advertise their safes as “fireproof” or “fire-resistant” without providing proof that these claims have been verified through testing. In many cases, these safes fail to perform when exposed to the extreme conditions of an actual house fire, leaving valuables unprotected and your investment wasted. If a safe, regardless of its price, claims to offer fire protection but lacks proper ratings or certifications, it should be considered a red flag.
Common Shortcuts Taken by Other Safe Manufacturers
To make the most out of your investment, it’s vital that you pay attention to inflated claims or poor quality construction practices that can be found in some safe brands. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Safe Door Construction
In many independent tests, evaluators often bypass the door on an AMSEC safe and attempt to breach the body instead. That is because the doors on AMSEC safes are engineered with such density and strength that they are extremely difficult to penetrate. Similarly, even though testers often bypass AMSEC safe doors, the bodies of AMSEC safes are also constructed with materials and features meant to fend off would-be attackers. When comparing safes, pay close attention to the door’s overall construction, the locking mechanism, and how the system operates. Since the door is the first line of defense for your valuables, it must be strong enough to withstand serious attempts at forced entry.
The number and design of locking bolts also make a major difference. More bolts provide greater resistance, and the way they are engineered determines how well the door holds under attack. At American Security, our bolts are engineered to be extremely difficult to cut, and with multiple bolts included in many of our models, getting through them is virtually impossible. Not only are the bolts important, but the hinge design could make or break whether your safe stands strong during a burglary. AMSEC doors are designed so that even if the hinges are cut off or tampered with, the door cannot simply be removed from the body, keeping your safe locked and secure. Some other safes on the market may not offer that level of security, so ask your safe dealer about details such as bolt work and hinge design.
Innovation and Technology
At first glance, features like biometric locks may seem like the pinnacle of safe technology. In reality, they often introduce more risk than security. Biometric systems can fail if your fingerprint is dirty, scratched, or smudged, and in some cases, they may even grant access to unauthorized individuals when they should not. Compared to the proven reliability of mechanical or electronic locks, biometrics still fall short.
The real innovation to look for is in the structural design of the safe itself. This includes how the body is reinforced, how the door is engineered, and how the locking mechanism interacts with the overall build. At American Security, we focus on layered protection that goes beyond surface-level features. Our safes integrate robust locking systems, reinforced doors, and advanced fire-resistant materials, such as high-strength concrete or proprietary composite fills, designed to defend against forced entry and/or extreme heat.
Customization Capabilities
When it comes to protecting your valuables, one size does not always fit all. Collectors, business owners, and anyone with specific security requirements often need a safe that goes beyond the standard, off-the-shelf options most brands provide. Many manufacturers limit customers to a handful of preset designs with little to no flexibility, which can leave critical needs unmet.
American Security takes a completely different approach. We offer a full spectrum of customization options, ranging from simple personal touches—such as your choice of color or interior layout—to fully custom, one-of-a-kind builds designed from the ground up. Our team works directly with you to identify customization options that maintain the security and quality we have perfected over 75 years of safe manufacturing. We never turn away customers with unique requests, as our facility can design and craft any safe you can imagine. We provide expert advice/guidance, and then let you choose the design and features that best meet your needs.
As one of the few U.S.-based safe manufacturers still offering this level of flexibility, we pride ourselves on delivering safes that reflect both your security needs and your personal preferences. With AMSEC, every detail can be designed to your specifications, giving you a safe that is truly your own and built to perform at the highest standard.
How to Prioritize Your Security Needs
It’s easy to get wrapped up in all the options and customization freedom you have when you’re shopping for your next safe. However, it’s important to take a minute and ask yourself a few questions to help gauge what your priorities are for your next big security investment.
What do you plan on storing/securing?
This might seem obvious, but it’s important to take inventory of the items you plan on keeping in your safe as well as future considerations for when/if your collection starts to grow.
What’s most important to you, burglary protection, fire resistance, or both?
Safes will differ on the level of fire and burglary protection they offer, so we recommend reviewing the ratings and certifications that are out there for both categories and determining what level of protection would give you the peace of mind you need.
How much are you willing to invest in a safe?
Safes vary widely in price. Setting a budget and sharing it with your dealer helps narrow down the best options in your range. Since American Security pricing differs across models and series, it is worth discussing cost directly when you call or visit a showroom.
Key Takeaways on American Security Products vs. Other Brands
With so many safe brands and models available, the best choice comes down to understanding which features truly provide the level of protection you need. Comparing construction quality, security ratings, and long-term reliability helps separate marketing claims from real performance.
For more than 75 years, American Security has built its reputation on durability and innovation. Every safe is designed with tested materials and features that stand up to both burglary attempts and fire. When you choose AMSEC, you are investing in proven protection backed by decades of expertise. Find a safe dealer near you to see the available models in person and talk with an expert who can explain the features and recommend the best fit for your needs.