Paragon Lock & Safe In-Wall Safe - Home or Business Safe with LED Keypad and 2 Manual Override Keys - Protects Cash, Jewelry, Passports, and More by Paragon Safes

Why I picked an in-wall safe for everyday valuables

I wanted a secure spot for passports, a couple of small electronics, spare keys, some jewelry, and the occasional compact handgun—all without sacrificing floor space or broadcasting, “Hey, there’s a safe here.” The Paragon in-wall safe hits that practical middle ground: a steel box that tucks between studs, a simple LED keypad, and a face frame that sits flush against drywall so the cutout is covered cleanly. It’s not a high-end vault and it’s not fire-rated, but for lightweight, quick-access storage, it’s been a solid addition.

Installation: straightforward with a few smart precautions

This is one of the easier in-wall units I’ve installed. If you’re comfortable cutting drywall, you can handle this in an afternoon.

• Planning and locating studs: In most modern homes, wall studs are 16 inches on center. I used a stud finder with live-wire detection to locate the inner edges of two studs and to double-check there were no pipes or wires in the cavity. The safe’s outer frame covers the cutout, so you get a bit of forgiveness on the drywall work.
• Cutting the opening: I marked one stud’s edge with a level, measured for the height and width, and used a drywall saw for the cut. The safe’s body is a touch narrower than the space between stud faces, so expect to shim lightly on at least one side for a snug fit.
• Anchoring: The safe is designed to secure to both studs with three screws per side. It comes with lag bolts, which work, but I swapped them for slightly beefier structural screws after predrilling pilot holes. That spreads load better and reduces the chance of splitting studs.
• Keypad and power: Before mounting, I opened the safe with the included override key, installed the four AA batteries, and set a PIN. Note: to access the key cylinder, you remove a small Phillips screw and pop off the keypad cover. Keep a small screwdriver somewhere outside the safe for this purpose.

From first measurement to tightening the last screw, I spent about an hour, including cleanup and test-fitting a couple times to get the face perfectly flush.

Design and build quality

The safe looks utilitarian in an off-white (“New Cream”) finish that blends well with typical wall paint. If you want it to disappear, it’s easy enough to paint the face to match the wall. The door uses tamper-resistant, internal hinges, and the steel body and flange feel appropriately rigid for its class. At 39 pounds, it has some heft, though it’s not so heavy that installation becomes a two-person job.

The keypad and turn knob protrude roughly an inch beyond the wall plane. That’s worth noting if you’re hiding it behind a flat-backed picture frame—most frames won’t sit flush. Placing it behind hanging clothes in a closet or behind a deeper wall-hung piece works better.

Security and access

This is an electronic PIN safe with a simple, dependable routine:

• Programmable 3–8 digit PIN via the LED keypad
• Two manual override keys (keep one off-site)
• Buzzer alert after repeated incorrect entries

I tested the lockout behavior: after three wrong PIN attempts, the buzzer sounds for about 20 seconds. After three more wrong tries, the alarm kicks on for roughly five minutes. It’s not ear-splitting, but it’s loud enough to draw attention in a home. There’s no silent mode: the keypad beeps on keypress, and there’s no built-in way to disable that. If you want stealth entry in a quiet room at 2 a.m., the beeps may annoy.

As with most in-wall safes at this price, this is best seen as a deterrent and a way to control access, not a defense against a determined attacker with time and tools. The value here is discretion, anchoring to structure, and quick convenience. If you need serious burglary or fire protection, look for a UL-rated RSC safe and a separate fireproof document box.

Capacity and interior layout

With 0.83 cubic feet of storage and an interior roughly 14.25 inches tall by 20.25 inches high by 3.75 inches deep, the safe is sized for small items:

• Passports, cash envelopes, jewelry cases
• Tablets and external drives
• Spare keys, titles, and documents (letter-size papers fit flat; use folders no thicker than necessary)
• A compact or subcompact handgun and magazines

The safe ships with two shelves, creating three compartments. Practical note: the middle compartment’s usable depth is partially reduced by the internal battery box and lock mechanism. That space is fine for passports or jewelry but not ideal for bulkier items. The bottom compartment offers the most unobstructed depth, so I keep anything thicker down there.

Battery life is quoted at 4–5 months with daily use. I’ve been swapping batteries proactively every four months, and the keypad responsiveness has stayed consistent. Keep the override key handy just in case you ever let the batteries lapse.

Daily use

Day to day, the safe is simple: enter code, turn the knob, pull the door. The boltwork feels positive, and the door opens and closes smoothly. The beeps are audible but brief. I appreciate having a reliably consistent routine, particularly when I’m in a rush and don’t want to fuss with a key.

The flush face frame hides drywall cut imperfections, and once painted to match, it’s easy to overlook, especially in a closet. The off-white finish out of the box is perfectly fine if you don’t want to paint.

What I like

• Clean, flush installation between studs with a face frame that hides cuts
• Simple, programmable keypad plus two override keys
• Anchors to two studs for better resistance than a free-standing cheap safe
• Practical interior for passports, cash, jewelry, and small electronics
• Built-in buzzer alarm after repeated wrong codes
• Reasonable weight and solid-feeling door action
• Includes batteries and basic mounting hardware

What I don’t

• Keypad and knob protrude about an inch, limiting truly flush concealment behind flat objects
• No option to silence keypad beeps; not ideal for quiet, discreet access
• Middle shelf depth is partially obstructed by the lock/battery housing
• Included lag bolts work but are on the light side; I preferred sturdier screws
• Not fire-rated and not designed for high-security burglary protection

Tips for a cleaner, more secure install

• Use a stud finder with AC detection and verify with a small exploratory hole before cutting the full opening.
• Prepaint the visible face to match the wall before mounting; it’s easier than taping around it later.
• Shim the sides for a tight fit and predrill pilot holes before driving lag screws.
• Keep one override key in a truly separate location and stash a small Phillips screwdriver nearby for cover removal.
• Replace batteries on a schedule (e.g., every four months) rather than waiting for them to die.

Who this safe is for

• Homeowners and renters who want organized, controlled access to everyday valuables and documents without a floor safe or heavy cabinet
• Anyone who values concealment and convenience over maximum burglary or fire protection
• People comfortable with basic DIY wall work

If you need to store irreplaceable documents against fire, pair this with a small fire-rated document box placed elsewhere. If your priority is high-security storage for significant assets, you’ll want a heavier, rated safe and professional installation.

Recommendation

I recommend the Paragon in-wall safe for users who want a practical, low-profile way to secure small valuables and documents with quick keypad access. Installation is approachable, everyday use is uncomplicated, and anchoring to studs plus an audible alarm adds a real layer of deterrence. Just be clear about its role: this is a convenient, hidden safe—not a fire-rated or high-security vault. If that aligns with your needs, it’s a smart, budget-friendly choice that does its job well.