Paragon Lock & Safe Drop Safe - Digital Compact Steel Money Security Box with Keypad - Deposit Cash Easily – For Home or Business by Paragon Safe - Black, .54 Cubic Feet

I needed a simple way to move cash out of a register and into something harder to grab, without interrupting work. After a few weeks with Paragon’s compact drop safe mounted under a counter and later in a home office, I’ve got a pretty clear sense of what it is—and what it isn’t.

What this safe gets right

• It’s purpose-built for deposits. The front slot (about 6 inches wide and half an inch tall) takes folded bills, checks, and thin envelopes easily. For a small shop, salon, or home office, being able to “feed” money without opening the door is the whole point.
• The form factor is practical. At roughly 14 x 10 x 10 inches and about 22 pounds, the box tucks under a counter or in a cabinet. It looks nondescript in dark gray/black powder-coat, which is exactly how a drop safe should look.
• Setup is straightforward. The LED keypad supports both master and guest codes (3–8 digits). You get two override keys, and the safe comes with batteries and anchor hardware.
• The build is decent for the price tier. The body panels are 11-gauge steel with concealed hinges. It’s nowhere near a bank vault, but it’s sturdier than a lockable cash drawer or a flimsy home “security box.”

Setup and daily use

Out of the box, I mounted the safe under a counter using the pre-drilled holes in the bottom. The included bolts work fine for wood; if you’re going into concrete, I’d use proper wedge anchors. Take the time to place it where the slot is easy to reach from your register position but not visible to customers.

Programming codes took a couple of minutes. I set a 6-digit master code and gave a shorter guest code to staff. The keypad beeps on entry; the tones are helpful feedback but not loud enough to be conspicuous in a store.

Deposits are quick—fold, drop, and you’re done. The slot height favors folded notes and slim envelopes; thick coin rolls can hang up. I had better luck dropping coins in a small flat pouch or leaving rolls for end-of-day when I opened the door.

A small but important detail: the round key-cover on the front is press-fit. It pulls off with light prying from a fingernail or plastic tool and snaps back cleanly. The override key cylinder itself only needs a slight counterclockwise turn to unlock. Don’t force it.

Security: what to expect (and what not to)

• Steel and door: The 11-gauge shell and internal hinges deter casual tampering and quick prying. The door tolerances are typical for a budget drop safe—tight enough to feel solid, not tight enough to defeat a determined pry bar. This is a deterrent, not a high-security container.
• Anchoring is non-negotiable: At 22 pounds, the safe is portable if left loose. Bolt it down, ideally through both the bottom and back into structure (studs or concrete), and place it where prying leverage is limited.
• The slot is convenient, but fishable: There’s no anti-fish baffle. If someone has uninterrupted time and access to the slot, they can attempt to fish bills with a stiff wire or hanger. I mitigated this in two ways: 1) Mounting the safe behind a panel with a narrow cutout so the slot sits flush against wood. 2) Depositing into thin, sealed envelopes rather than loose cash, which makes “hooking” far harder. If you need true anti-fish protection, you’re shopping in a different category and budget.
• Alarm and lockout: After three wrong code attempts, an alarm sounds briefly; after three more, it’s louder and lasts longer. It’s enough to draw attention in a small space. It does not transform the safe into a sirened vault; it’s an extra nudge of deterrence.

Capacity and what fits

The interior measures roughly 13.5 x 7.25 x 9.5 inches (.54 cubic feet). That’s perfect for pouches of cash, check envelopes, a passport, keys, and small valuables. It’s not sized for laying 8.5 x 11 documents flat (the interior width is too narrow), nor for storing laptops or bulky items. For a drop safe, this is the right trade-off: compact outside, adequate inside.

Keypad behavior and reliability

The keypad is the convenience factor that makes this safe usable day-to-day. In regular use, it registered inputs reliably and latched/unlatched cleanly. I did encounter one brief episode where a row of keys felt unresponsive; pulling the battery pack, cleaning the contacts, and installing fresh cells resolved it immediately. A few tips that have kept it consistent:

• Use quality batteries. High-quality alkaline or lithium AAs reduce low-voltage quirks. Lithium cells also have very low self-discharge if the safe sits for long periods.
• Reseat the battery pack if you get flaky button response. Oxidized contacts or slightly loose fit can cause odd behavior.
• Keep the override keys accessible but not co-located. Store one offsite. If the keypad ever fails outright, your keys are your lifeline.
• Test both the master and guest codes monthly. Five seconds of preventative habit beats a headache when you’re closing up.

It’s worth pointing out: electronics are the most failure-prone part of any budget safe. Paragon includes the mechanical backup for a reason. Treat the keypad as a convenience layer over a simple steel box.

Day-to-day ergonomics

• The door swings smoothly and stays out of the way when open. The interior is bare steel—no shelves, no light—so plan on using labeled envelopes or a shallow tray if you want organization.
• The powder coat holds up. After a few weeks under a counter with occasional shoe scuffs, it wiped clean and didn’t show new scratches.
• Noise level is low. The beeps are noticeable in a quiet room but not disruptive. The alarm is sharper, as it should be.

Who it’s for

• Small businesses that need to skim larger bills during the day and keep them away from the till.
• Hosts and managers in shared spaces (studios, clubs, concessions) who need simple drop-and-go cash handling.
• Households that want a discrete place to park cash, spare keys, or small valuables out of sight.

Who should look elsewhere

• Anyone needing anti-fish protection from the slot. This unit lacks a baffle; you’d need a higher-grade depository safe.
• Those seeking fire or water protection. This is not fire-rated or waterproof.
• High-risk environments where a pry attack or removal attempt is likely. You’ll want thicker steel, relockers, and a heavier body.

Tips to get the most from it

• Mount it right: Into solid wood or concrete with proper anchors; position it so the slot is flush to a panel to reduce fishing attempts.
• Manage codes thoughtfully: Use a master code you don’t share and a guest code you can rotate. Keep a written record offline.
• Standardize deposits: Use thin, sealed envelopes for cash and checks to speed drops and reduce fishing risk.
• Maintain the electronics: Fresh batteries, cleaned contacts, and a quick monthly test. Keep one override key offsite and one accessible but hidden.

The bottom line

The Paragon drop safe does what a budget depository box should do: it makes it easy to move cash out of sight and into a steel container that’s bolted in place. The slot works well, the keypad is convenient, and the body is sturdy enough to handle daily use without looking rough. Its limitations are the expected ones at this price tier—no anti-fish baffle, no fire rating, and electronics that demand the usual care and a backup plan via keys.

I recommend this safe for low- to moderate-risk cash handling in homes and small businesses—especially if you’ll mount it securely and adopt a simple deposit routine. If you need stronger anti-fish features or higher resistance to forced entry, budget for a heavier, baffle-equipped depository safe instead.