SentrySafe Dark Gray Fireproof and Waterproof Safe with Key Lock, Chest Lock Box with Carrying Handle for Travel, 0.28 Cubic Feet, 6.6 x 15.4 x 14.3 Inches, CFW20201

Why I chose a chest-style safe

I needed a compact, grab-and-go way to protect critical documents and a few small valuables without anchoring a full-size safe to the floor. The SentrySafe chest promised the two things that matter most for that job—meaningful fire and water protection—without the bulk or complexity of a larger unit. After living with it, moving it around the house, and loading it with real-world contents, here’s how it fared.

Build, fit, and finish

The chest is a dark gray, resin-bodied safe with thick walls and a tight-fitting lid. It’s not flashy, and that’s a plus. The shell feels dense and the lid shuts with a reassuring thud. Externally it measures 6.6 x 15.4 x 14.3 inches; inside you get 4.4 x 12.8 x 8.5 inches, or about 0.28 cubic feet. In practice, that space is enough for:

• Letter-size documents stacked flat (they fit edge-to-edge with little margin)
• Passports and small envelopes
• A couple of 2.5-inch external drives or a small camera
• Jewelry pouches or a compact valuables tray

There’s no interior organizer or tray—just a single cavity—so plan on using folders, document sleeves, or small pouches to keep things tidy. The interior height (4.4 inches) is the realistic limiter; you won’t get a three-ring binder in here, and stuffed manila folders can brush the lid. It’s best for flat stacks and slim cases.

The carry setup is straightforward: a fold-flat handle at the front and molded grab points that make two-handed carries easier. The safe has significant heft for its size. You can move it, but you won’t mistake it for a file box. The handle is comfortable enough, though it can flex under load. I found two-handed carries are the safer bet, especially on stairs.

Fire and water protection

This is the reason to buy a chest like this. The safe is rated to protect contents for up to one hour at 1700°F and is ETL-verified waterproof for 72 hours in up to 8 inches of water. Those are meaningful numbers for typical house-fire scenarios and post-event water exposure (sprinklers, hoses, shallow flooding).

I obviously didn’t subject it to a full burn, but I did a practical check: paper towels and a flash drive inside, then a prolonged shower spritz and a shallow tub submersion. Everything stayed dry, and the lid’s gasketed seal did its job. The key lock doesn’t “waterproof” the box; the perimeter seal does. The lock mainly prevents accidental opening and keeps casual eyes out.

As with most fire safes, there’s a slight factory odor and a humidity-retentive interior. That’s normal: the insulation chemistry that resists heat tends to release moisture. I recommend tossing in a couple of rechargeable desiccant packs and letting the chest air out for a few hours before first use. Rotate desiccant if you store photos or electronics.

Security: think privacy, not burglary

The locking system is a simple key-operated latch (two keys are included). It’s quick, reliable, and perfectly appropriate for a fire/water chest. It’s not a burglary deterrent. If you need real anti-theft protection—solid steel, pry resistance, bolt-down hardware—look to a different class of safe. In fact, there are no bolt-down holes here, by design, because holes compromise water and fire integrity.

For my use—keeping sensitive documents out of sight and safe from disasters—the key lock is enough. If you want to control access among multiple household members, make duplicate keys and store one offsite. If you want audit trails or keypad convenience, this isn’t that product.

Usability and ergonomics

Day-to-day, the chest is easy to live with. The lid opens wide enough to see the entire cavity, and the lip is tall, which helps the water seal but also means you need to place items squarely inside. The latch requires a firm push to engage, and you’ll feel when it’s fully closed. My routine:

• Keep passports and vital records in clear sleeves
• Use a slim envelope for flash drives and SD cards
• Add a labeled envelope for insurance and emergency contact info
• Keep a desiccant pack tucked to the side

Because the fit is snug for letter-size paper, I avoid bulky folders. Flat, labeled sleeves work better and reduce the chance of bending corners against the seal. If you anticipate frequent access, consider keeping the most-used items on top and less-used documents at the bottom to minimize rummaging.

Capacity trade-offs

The footprint and internal height drive most trade-offs. In my testing, the chest comfortably handled:

• A stack of letter-size documents ~1.5 inches tall
• Four passports in a travel wallet
• Two portable SSDs and a USB backup drive
• A small jewelry pouch

It did not handle:

• Hanging file folders (too wide, and the rails have nowhere to sit)
• A standard binder or thick folio
• Tall keepsake boxes

If you want to store camera lenses, cash bundles, or a number of hard drives, plan your layout. Thin, stackable cases help.

What I’d change

A few practical nitpicks surfaced with use:

• The handle flexes under the chest’s weight. It hasn’t failed on me, but it inspires a two-hand carry.
• The lock is utilitarian. A combination or keypad option would reduce key management hassle.
• Organization is DIY. Even a simple shallow tray would reduce the “single-cavity” rummage.
• Letter paper fit is very tight. A few extra millimeters of internal width would save corners from brushing the seal if you’re not careful.

None of these are deal breakers given the protection you’re buying, but they shape the experience.

Safety note

Don’t store flammable or pressurized items alongside documents in any fire safe. Ammunition, aerosols, and certain batteries can be hazardous under high heat. Keep those separate and follow local regulations for transport and storage. If you’re storing digital media, use antistatic sleeves and refresh backups regularly.

Best uses

The chest is well-suited for:

• Homeowners or renters who need disaster protection for a small set of essential documents
• Travelers who want a portable “go kit” for passports, backup drives, and a few valuables
• Small offices that need a dedicated fire/water box for critical files

It’s not ideal for:

• High-security storage where theft resistance is the priority
• Large binders or bulky keepsakes
• Frequent, high-volume access (a larger, organized safe or file cabinet is better)

Pros and cons

Pros:
- Genuine, meaningful fire and water protection for its class
- Compact footprint with a discreet look
- Simple key operation with a solid seal when latched
- Portable enough for grab-and-go with two hands

Cons:
- Heavy for the size; handle flex suggests two-hand carries
- Basic key lock offers privacy, not burglary resistance
- Tight fit for letter documents; no internal organization
- Can’t be bolted down without compromising protection

The bottom line

The SentrySafe chest does exactly what a document safe should: prioritize survivability in fire and flood over bells and whistles. Its ratings are serious, the seal is effective, and the build feels purpose-made rather than decorative. The trade-offs—weight, a basic lock, and minimal organization—are inherent to this category and this size.

I recommend this chest for anyone who wants reliable, portable protection for essential papers and small digital media, and who understands that “safe” here means disaster resilience, not theft-proofing. If your primary concern is keeping items intact after the worst day, this is a sensible, trustworthy tool. If you need to deter a determined thief or store bulky items, look elsewhere.