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Last Updated On: November 30th, 2023
Collectible sports cards not only make up for an epic collection, but can also be extremely valuable.
And once your collection reaches a certain value (think of a dollar amount that would make you feel queasy if you lost it), your number one priority should revolve around safeguarding and preserving your cards against any possible internal and external threats.
In this detailed write-up, we will discuss the primary reasons for buying a baseball card safe, the types available in the market, and insightful tips with links to the best options with pricing. With that said, sit back as we pitch you an easy and informative read on the best office safes for baseball cards.
Table of Contents
Importance of a Baseball Card Safe
Most sports card collectors commonly protect their cards by purchasing card holders or other card cases. Additionally, many now use grading card services to preserve the integrity and value of their cards by having them slabbed by the likes of PSA, SGC, and BGS.
But what about protecting valuable cards from theft, fire, or even water damage? That’s where a safe can come in handy. It is is reinforced with high-end thick steel with a locking enclosure to ensure nobody can get in — not even nature’s elements (well, at least for a few hours).
Home office safes can also be eligible for a discount if you obtain insurance for your collectibles. There are several types to choose from when shopping around, which we’ll talk about next.
Types of Safes for Your Baseball Cards
If you haven’t done any research on the types of safes in the market, you’ll be surprised by the versatility of specs available. Including fire and water protection, different locking mechanisms (e.g. keys, pins, or even eyeball scans), wall or floor mounting, and more.
Let’s go through them!
Fireproof
As the name suggests, these are fire-resistant safes that are designed specifically to endure high temperatures in an unfortunate event of a fire breaking out. This is made possible by their high-build quality that makes use of fireproof materials such as perlite, vermiculite, and gypsum. The thick layer of steel is the perfect blanket to make it all work as efficiently as possible. A standard fireproof safe can withstand extreme temperatures for a decent amount of time as shown in this video (the model tested is a Honeywell with amazing results!).
When shopping for a fireproof safe, they come in various sizes and have multiple levels of fire resistance which is estimated by the duration of time it can withstand scorching heat.
Waterproof
A broken pipe, a clogged toilet, a rainstorm floods the basement: these are just a handful of catastrophic events that can destroy your collectibles.
A waterproof safe — as the name suggests — is manufactured to safeguard valuable objects from water damage. It can prevent seepage of water even when fully submerged for a decent amount of time (some can handle a full day, or even multiple days in and under water). A baseball card safe that is waterproof is fully sealed from every nook to make them almost impermeable.
Anti-Theft Features
Obviously, what good is a safe if it doesn’t come with proper anti-theft and locking features? With many viable options to choose from, the mechanism to ground (to the floor or wall), lock, and unlock a safe will depend on your preference for convenience, and of course your budget and the level of security required.
With digital pin codes, keys, and retina scans available, your choices aren’t limited.
Digital Entry
Ever use the safe inside your hotel room? That’s typically a digital model, which makes use of electronic locking mechanisms such as a dial or digital combination locks. It’s much easier to open with a pin pad as opposed to having keys with you all the time.
However, at the same time, there have been reports of digital safes being susceptible to hacking. Not to mention, in case of an electronic malfunction or the battery dying, all that convenience goes out the door with your invaluable collectibles trapped inside until you find the override key.
Lever Lock
A more traditional and non-electronic anti-theft device, a lever safe has a built-in lever lock that uses a physical key to control the locking mechanism. Most buyers favor a lever lock over a digital lock when prioritizing security over convenience.
Lever locks are fairly secure unless there are slight imperfections in the manufacturing as mentioned by Locksmith Ledger. A proficient lock picker will be able to exploit those imperfections in order to unlock the safe. On the other hand, losing the key would put you in a troublesome dilemma.
Biometric Entry
Biometric safes employ distinct traits such as a fingerprint, facial recognition, or retina scan for gaining access to your valuables. After incorporating your biometrics, you can simply swipe or scan, and the biometric scanner will instantly detect you and unlock the safe. Cool, right?
A significant advantage of biometric safes is that they are much faster to open than traditional methods involving a key or a pin code. Additionally, one does not need to constantly worry about carrying a key similar to digital pin locks. The rapid access and speed of accessibility makes them superior to digital, combination, and lever locks. However, alongside the pros, we also have the cons for Biometrics. They weigh heavily on the wallet, batteries need charging, and there is a risk of false scans with aging or dirty skin.
Floor or Wall Mountable
Floor or wall-mountable safes can be secured into the ground or wall to make them much more difficult to steal. This added level of security prevents a thief from getting off the premises quickly with your safe where they can take their time to pry it open. The added time it would require could be the difference between your valuables staying put or disappearing forever in a burglary attempt.
In regards to installation, most mountable safes are easy to install because they come with pre-drilled holes in the back. However, if yours does not have pre-drilled holes, then checkout the DIY installation video below. Keep in mind performing manual labor on your safe might void the warranty or interfere with its waterproof capabilities. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s manual for your model before getting carried away with the drill.
Tops 3 Best Baseball Card Safes
1. SentrySafe Fireproof Safe – SFW123GDC
SentrySafe is a renowned brand with a reputable history. Amongst the recommended products in this post, SentrySafe is widely known for its fireproof capabilities. We recommend SentrySafe SFW123GDC which is modified and built to fight fire and water damage for a price of $279.49.
The SentrySafe SFW123GDC is an ideal choice for sports card collectors as it comes with a 1.23 cubic foot capacity, and it is spacious enough to store a medium-sized baseball card collection (e.g. several hundred cards in top loaders or PSA graded card slabs). The fire protection can tolerate heat up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit for 60 minutes.
Additionally, the safe is equipped with a digital lock that is quick to access and does not involve the hassle of carrying a key around. Here’s a quick breakdown of the primary pros and cons.
Pros
- It is UL Classified and can protect contents from fire for 1 hour at up to 1700 degrees Fahrenheit (927°C)
- Offers ETL-verified water protection — up to 8 inches of water for up to 24 hours
- This SentrySafe maximizes its protection via 2-4 live locking bolts, high-quality steel construction, and pry-resistant hinge bars
- Digital lock for quick and easy access
- Provides interior lighting which allows an individual to organize the contents even in dimly lit places
Cons
- Not easily portable due to its heavy weight
- Electronic locks can malfunction and are vulnerable to hacking
Price
SentrySafe SFW123GDC is usuall priced around $300. The quote varies depending on the size and style, among other features. A well-rounded model is listed for $279.49 on Amazon.
2. Tigerking Security Home Safe – BGX-D1-58JJD(H)
Tigerking is a leading manufacturing company that specializes in safes and other security products. The model pictured has a digital pin pad for entry, and comes with either 4 or 6 live-locking bolts (the more, the better). It also has more space inside as compared with the SentrySafe above, which could be ideal for larger collections.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the perks and setbacks of owning a Tigerking security home safe.
Pros
- Spacious interior— 2.05 Cubic feet to fit 75% more than the SentrySafe model
- Dual alarm system that activates on violent vibrations and incorrect code entries
- Sturdy and heavy steel
- Comes with an override key in case you forget the digital lock code
- Cheaper than most safes of this quality in the market
- Can be mounted to the floor
- Amazon recommended
Cons
- Not fireproof/waterproof
Price
This particular Tigerking Safe carries a price tag of only $269.09 on Amazon.
3. Sentry Fireproof Safe – HD4100
The last recommended safe for baseball cards on this list is SentrySafe HD4100. To be more specific, this Sentry fireproof safe is value for money for small collections due to its compact design (with 0.65 cubic feet interior), portability, fire-resistant properties, and moderate locking mechanism. Here’s a quick overview of the product’s pros and cons.
Pros
- UL classified— can withstand 1550 Fahrenheit for half an hour
- ETL-Verified waterproofing supports submersion under water up to 72 hours without damaging the contents inside
- Comes with 2 keys that are fire insulated
- Easy to transport
- Very cheap
Cons
- Cannot accommodate large baseball card collections (approximately 100 PSA slabs)
- Offers less fireproof protection time limit
- Cannot be mounted
Price
This small safe is priced at only $68 (on sale) on Amazon.
How to Hide a Safe in Plain Sight
Regardless of the model you choose, you should consider how to properly hide a safe — preferably in plain sight. One of the golden rules that you need to keep in mind is that your choice of location should be secure and accessible to you but not easily noticeable to others. For example, a closet with a hidden compartment or a wall mount behind some furniture or other structure. Experiment with colors and positioning as well to add camouflage and make it harder to notice.
Not sure what to do? Check out the best place to hide a safe in the video below (you won’t believe the sneaky place Locksmith Recommended mentions)!
Summary
At the end of the day, a considerable amount of planning goes into purchasing a baseball card safe. Ultimately, your choice will resonate with your need for quality, security, budget, and other necessary factors. High-end safes will land you multiple features such as water and fire proofing capabilities, the ability to mount to a wall or floor, and digital or biometric locking capabilities.