The 5 Best Locking Key Cabinets [Ranked]
Key safes (or key boxes & lockable key cabinets) provide a moderately secure space to organize your keys- ideal for home and small business owners (Source).
For the most part, these locking key boxes won't fend off a dedicated burglar with a crowbar- so don't expect that.
They are best for home and business use- to help store and organize keys and keep out non-criminal types like meddlesome children and employees.
One enterprising user even disguised his key safe to look like a common fusebox, taping over the logo and running fake wires from it.
So, while they may not be secure enough to prevent a burglar from smashing open, some savvy buyers resorted to 'camouflaging' for extra security.
In terms of features, the Hercules key safe is the most robust- it includes a combination lock, a top-slot for depositing keys for 'late-shift' employees, and 30/60/90 key capacities.
If you need super-large key capacity- check out the Barska Industrial 400-key locker.
The other models are barer bones, providing simple, wall-mounted key organization. The best of the bunch is the First Alert model- check out the video overview below.
Our Top Pick: The First Alert Mounting Key Cabinet
- Durable powder-coated steel construction
This First Alert steel-built key cabinet ships with 28 key hooks & tags. Reviewers we spoke with told us that it has been a durable option and a solid value-buy.
The steel is moderately strong- not thin and flimsy like Chinese knockoff cabinets, but not as rugged as a safe. Burglars would be hard-pressed to jam it open with a screwdriver because its tight seams don't provide any leverage points.
In general, think of it like a 'convenience box', a convenient and tamper-resistant storage area to organize numerous keys & key sets. Buyers say that they hide these key cabinets away in obscurer areas of their home or business to help keep them secure from intruders.
First Alert Video Overview
It's reasonably attractive and machined well- no glaring construction flaws and mounts to one stud, buttressed by additional wall anchors, making it difficult to pry it from the wall.
In general, buyers tell us that it's a solid and reasonably secure place to conveniently store a large number of keys for homes and small businesses that aren't used on a daily basis.
Let's take a look at 5 of the best-selling options on the market today and see how they compare.
Contents
| Key Cabinets | Our Rating | Price ($) | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | The First Alert Steel Key Cabinet | 4.6 | $ |
 | The Kiddie Key Locker | 4.4 | $$ |
 | The Barska Key Safe | 4.0 | $$$ |
 | The SentrySafe Locking Key Safe | 5.0 | $$ |
 | The Hercules Electronic Lock Key Cabinet | 3.6 | $$ |
The 5 Best Key Cabinets
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
If you are wondering how to organize your keys, you might want to take a look at this black steel key cabinet offered by First Alert. Users love that the cabinet is well-built, but some do note that they have problems with the lock.
The key box organizer measures 11.8” x 8” x 3.5”, and it has a steel construction with a durable powder-coated finish. It also features 28 key hooks and tags, a security lock with two entry keys, a knob and a weight of 3.8 pounds. The package includes all the necessary mounting hardware.
A buyer comments that it’s easy to install the key box cabinet and that he is immensely pleased with its effectiveness, functionality, and security measures. The reviewer adds that it’s made of mid-grade steel and that it would be difficult for someone to pry it open. Another happy user mentions that the key holder box for walls is perfect for a jewelry cabinet and that the lock and the key work smoothly.
A reviewer also comments that the First Alert steel key cabinet allows him to keep his keys labeled and organized and that it’s a necessity if you tend to lose your keys. However, some customers have complained that the lock doesn’t provide enough security and that you can pick it up with a screwdriver. Some users also note that they received a defective product and that it’s smaller than they anticipated.
First Alert Key Cabinet Video Review
Pros
- Well-built
- Durable steel construction
- Powder-coated finish
- Hooks and tags
- A security lock
- Two entry keys
Cons
- Complaints of defects
- Lock issues
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This touch point key cabinet offered by Kidde AccessPoint is affordable, well-made and secure. Users love the design and price, but some do note that the push buttons are flimsy.
The key organizer for walls measures 12.04” x 8.11” x 3.19”, and it’s made of 16-gauge heavy-duty steel for added protection. It features a combination lock with over 1000 resettable combinations, numbered key tags with key rings, a lock location chart and a clutch mechanism to protect your valuables. This touch point locket can hold up to 30 keys, and it’s available in 60 key and 120 key model.
A buyer comments that this is the perfect choice for keeping your keys away from toddlers and that the steel is reasonably thick. The reviewer shares that the door closes without leaving a gap so that it would be difficult to pry it open with a screwdriver. Another customer mentions that it’s easy to set your personal code and that he didn’t have any problems mounting it on the wall.
A purchaser states that the hinges and the latch are well-made and that he likes the touch point design. He recommends the Kidde lock key box to anyone looking that wants a secure cabinet for his home.
However, some customers have complained that if you set a combination, the order of the numbers doesn’t matter and that they don’t feel secure holding their keys and valuables inside. Some also complain that the lock broke quickly or that the cabinet is too small.
Pros
- Heavy-duty steel
- A combination lock
- Key tags and rings
- A location chart
- A clutch mechanism
Cons
- Combination is not secure enough
- Lock issues
- Small
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This gray steel lock cabinet for keys offered by Barska is spacious, well-constructed and convenient for securely storing your keys. Users love the elegant design and the gray color, but some do note that it’s expensive.
This key lock cabinet measures 14.5 x 11 x 3.25 inches, and it features four rows of numbered hooks with a hinged divider, 0.8 mm solid steel doors and walls, a powder coated gray finish, a weight of 6.7 pounds, and one-year limited warranty. The package includes keys, mounting hardware, and key tags. The key storage box can hold up to 160 keys, and it has four pre-drilled mounting holes so that it will be easy to mount it on the wall.
A purchaser says that he has been looking for ages for such a durable key lock box and that he doesn’t have any complaints about its functionality or design.
He adds that the included color key tags are very useful and that there is enough space to store all the keys he wants. Another happy customer states that he is very impressed with the quality of the material and that it’s handy to have the key cabinet organizer around. He highly recommends it to anyone who has a lot of keys and needs to keep them well organized and secured. However, he complains that the labels don’t stick to the box and keep falling.
Another reviewer also complains that he received a damaged lock key box and that he plans on reinforcing the weak spots.
Barska Industrial Key Cabinet Video Review*
*This video review demos the 600 capacity cabinet, not the smaller capacity option we examined. But it gives you a sense of how they design their key safes.
Pros
- Spacious
- Well-constructed
- Numbered hooks
- Key tag
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Labels fall
- Complaints of defects
- Expensive
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
If you are searching for top-rated key box organizer, you might want to consider this black key cabinet offered by SentrySafe. Users love that the key safe is easy to install, but some do note that it’s smaller than they expected.
This black lock cabinet has the following exterior dimensions 9 37/32″ x 7 13/32″ x 3 38″, and it features a durable enamel finish, key tags and labels, a privacy key lock and a weight of 5.2 pounds. You can store up to 50 keys in this key holding box, and the package includes a bolt down kit hardware.
In general, users are extremely satisfied with the functionality, design, and price of the SentrySafe black key storage box and they don’t have any major complaints. A buyer comments that this key box is perfect for an office and that he can confidently store his maintenance keys when he is not using them. The reviewer shares that the black key cabinet is easy to mount and that he highly recommends it.
Another customer states that the package contains hardware for mounting the cabinet on different types of walls and that it was delivered quickly and in perfect condition. A purchaser mentions that likes the key organizer so much that he bought another one and that the only thing that bothers him is that key color tags vary from box to box.
Pros
- Easy to mount
- Secure
- Durable enamel finish
- Key tags and labels
- A privacy key
Cons
- Color tags vary from box to box
Effectiveness
Price
Ease of Use
This electronic lock key box offered by Hercules is solid, easy to mount and well-designed. Users love the alarm and the automatic lockout feature, but some do note that the knob is plastic. The lock key box measures 14.75” x 2.5” x 17” inches, and it’s made from welded heavy-gauge steel.
It features durable full piano hinges, a scratch-resistant powder-coated finish, and electronic lock with up to eight number keypad codes, and a weight of 8.2 pounds. It can hold up to 120 keys, and the package also includes 120 numbered white key tags with chrome-plated hooks, two override keys, a key control chart, and 20 yellow key tags for loaned keys.
In general, users have a mixed opinion regarding the Hercules key organizer box, and they agree that the construction is solid, but the locking mechanism leaves room for improvement.
A buyer states that it’s easy to mount the key safe and that it’s perfect for his business needs. Another happy customer shares that he has this key cabinet for a couple of weeks and he finds it extremely useful and convenient. He adds that he didn’t have any problems setting his personal code.
However, a purchaser says that the instructions for setting the passcode were wrong and that he had problems fitting in the batteries needed for the lock. Another reviewer shares that this key storage cabinet is well-made, but he wouldn’t call it secure.
Pros
- Easy to mount
- Solid
- Well-designed
- Alarm
- An automatic lockout
- An electronic lock
- Key tags
- Hooks
- Override keys
- A key control chart
Cons
- Complicated passcode instructions
- Security issues
- Plastic knob
What Are Buyers Saying?
The First Alert Locking Key Cabinet
The first lockable key safe we took a look at it was manufactured by First Alert- it features a steel build with a powder-coated finish. It's equipped to store 28 key hooks and tags with a cabinet knob to open and it ships with mounting hardware.
- Reviewers tell us that in terms of the mounting hardware, all you need to do is screw it to the wall with its wooden screws, which ensures a durable, mounted position.
- Reviewers who assessed its dimensions report that it measures 7.25 inches wide by 3.25 inches in depth and 11 3/8 inches in height.
- One home owner we interviewed told us that this has been a fairly simple but effective key safe for their purposes- it helps him store the hundreds of keys that he had laying around the house and locked onto his massive key ring.
- Other toolshop managers say this lockable key box eliminates the need to carry around tons of individual keys- you'll just need to carry the one key around for the locking wall key organizer to access all the other keys you need, oftentimes to manage multiple properties.
- While this locking key safe is not secure enough to withstand a determined criminal, it locks securely enough to prevent stray inhabitants from pilfering keys, a building manager says.
- Another reviewer spoke of this key organizer as a solid option- the metal casing isn't too flimsy and is in fact manufactured from mid-level steel. In this reviewer's mind, it is really more of a convenience space than a truly hardcore security apparatus for a key storage.
- In terms of where you would want to mount it, buyers say that you should mount it to a stud and perhaps use additional wall anchoring to make it difficult to pry off the wall, and to ensure that it doesn't fall off over time.
- Another reviewer told us that he has used this locking key organizer as a jewelry safety deposit box that mounts in the interior of a remote home closet.
- Other reviewers say that it really is a pretty basic option- merely a metal storage container that includes a variety of hooks inside on both sides of it not just to the rear wall of the key box.
- Another reviewer says that he has additionally disguised this locking key organizer by taping over the logo and running fake wires out of it to make it appear as though it is part of his cable or electrical system to deter burglars from investigating it.
- Another security-conscious reviewer we spoke with says that because his home contains over 15 different locking mechanisms, he has taken the time to label all of his keys accordingly and uses this key organizer to hang them in a way that his family can understand which keys go with which locks in the home.
The Kiddie Key Locker
The second key safe we took a look at it is manufactured by Kiddie- it is the Access Point key locker. The manufacturers say about it is made from a 16 gauge steel, includes a combination lock access system with over 1,000 combination possibilities, has extra depth capacity to store large key rings, and installs with a wall and screw anchoring system for simple mounting purposes.
- Helpfully, there are different models available you can get the combination-entry style key locker in 30, 60, & 120 key capacities and the key-entry style in 30, 60 & 120 key capacities.
- Buyers say that the extra interior capacity allows them to store notepads for log tracking inside of this hanging spare key locker.
- Buyers say that for common homeowners the 30 key version is probably sufficient, but if you have multiple cars and all-terrain vehicles and many locking doors inside of your home, it might make sense to go with the 60 key storage option.
- With the larger 60 key safe, you get more visibility to the keys and you often will have to shift around a bunch of keys to remove the ones you want.
- As with the previous option we examined, these lockable storage boxes are ideal for keeping the kids out, but a determined burglar could smash it open in under a minute with a screwdriver or a rock, for example.
- Buyers who purchased the combination-style wall key organizer say that they enjoy the convenience of the personal push-button code system, saying that it is an easy keyless way of accessing their spare key locker.
- Another reviewer praised how heavy and durable this option is, saying that it is likely to survive a home fire, but not the determined effort of a criminal looking to pry his way into your valuables.
The Barska Key Wall Organizer
The third spare key wall organizer we examined is manufactured by Barska- it measures 14.5" x 11" x 3.25", and is equipped to store 160 keys.
- This is a hook-style cabinet design for the convenience and seamless organization of your keys into four rows with numbered hooks separated by a hinged divider.
- One buyer was impressed by the quality of this container, but did complain that the labels are not sticky enough.
- Other reviews haven't had that issue and say that it holds all of their keys and that the stickers help to organize the different hooks with the key tags.
The SentrySafe Wall-Mounted Key Safe
The fourth option we examined is the SentrySafe key wall key organizer- it features 50 different key hangers, including labels and tags for easy organization.
- Reviewers say that in terms of mounting installation, what you'll need to do is to discover the two holes for screws on his back and then use the included screws to mount it to the wall.
- One buyer we spoke with who has a passion for small-business security told us that this was an easy to install option that provides a secure space for his employees at his office to store keys.
- Another lockable key box buyer told us that they purchased a pair of these for their office and use the key tags to accurately describe which key goes where, so even if the colors fail to discriminate the written description always clarifies the matter.
The Hercules Wall-Mounted Key Safe
The last option we examined was the Hercules electronic key cabinet- and measures 9.87" x 2.5" x 12" and is built from heavy gauge steel with piano hinges. The electronic lock is equipped to generate up to eight number keypad codes. Additionally, you can purchase this in 30, 60 and 120 key capacities.
- Another handy option we haven't seen in some of the other storage cabinets we examined is a key drop slot- this lets after hours employees just drop the key into this wall key organizer so you don't have to give them the combination password to access the interior.
- Buyers said that the 120 key model stores a huge amount of keys, ideal for small businesses to keep their items organized in one dedicated place.
- The battery-powered combinations system is pretty easy to set up and helpfully ships with two different override keys that you can use whenever the battery dies or if you happen to forget the combination- just be sure not to store those override keys inside of the key combination box.
- As with other options, though this is a more impressive build, it's still in the estimation of its purchasers unable to fend off the attacks of a dedicated burglar looking to pry it open.
- Other buyers have had some issues filling in the AAA batteries, saying that they had to really cram in the battery into the positive connection area so that it was tight enough for the batteries to provide power.
- As well, a recent purchaser says that the included instructions were wrong- preventing them from setting up the passcode.
- They ended up having to call the manufacturer to get an updated instruction manual for setting the combination lock.
