Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe Review: Protect Your Valuables Without Paying a Fortune

Now that I’m a bit older, I’m learning the true value of privacy and security. Some friends in my crypto group discussed how they secure their valuables, and the subject of safes was a big one. So I started researching simple yet solid safes that I can store safely but didn’t stick out like a sore thumb. Enter the Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe.

So, I asked to review the Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe, and I’ve found it to be a great way to hold our personal documents, including passports and our wedding license, as well as items I rather not have lying around like a very special watch that my father passed to me recently.

I chose the Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe over the two size options, medium and small, because this version would fit under our bed or in any other small space in our home where no one might think to look. The safe has mounting holes, and it comes with fixing bolts for securing it to a wall or the floor.

The exterior of the safe measures 7.87″ tall by 16.93″ wide by 13.78″ deep, and the interior measures 7.48″ tall by 16.54″wide by 11.81″ deep. At $79, it’s a modest price for security to protect items you can’t put a price on. 

There’s no fancy app to pair to the Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe, but it does come with two sets of keys that are unique to the lock itself. My personal suggestion is to have the spare set of keys kept in a safety deposit box or stored somewhere that’s not inside your home. 

The Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe comes with a built-in 130dB alarm that will surely wake you up in the middle of the night if someone tries to pry it open. Considering that the safe is small and light enough for a thief to pick up and carry, Yale includes mounting hardware so it can be secured.

I tested the safe’s alarm after incorrectly entering its password three times, and I could hear the lock secure itself from the inside as a precaution — and it began making a whirring noise like a canned horn sound. 

You can secure the Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe with a combination of anywhere from 3 to 8 numbers or letters, so you know I obviously chose “12345ABC” to be the best version of Fort Knox I can be. Joking.

There are two LEDs on top of the keypad; green indicates that the password has been entered correctly and the safe can open, and red shows when the password has been entered incorrectly or there is a low battery.

The Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe features: 

• An integrated 130 dB alarm is triggered if the safe is tampered with or after 3 incorrect code attempts.
• Electronic lock with 100,000+ combinations, 3 to 8 digit code. User code can be numbers or letters (e.g., a memorable name or word)
• Locking mechanism: Anti-bump solenoid
• Powder-coated interior with a carpeted floor
• Protect documents, electronics, jewelry, keys, etc.

It would be nice if the safe had a screen that would signify that you’ve entered a digit incorrectly. A few times, I’ve accidentally missed a button, possibly not paying attention, but the red LED lets me know when that has happened.

Another caveat is that the safe is not fire-resistant or fire-proof, which could be an issue if you plan to store birth certificates and other important or irreplaceable papers inside. The safe’s password lock is battery dependent on 4 AA batteries (which they included). I haven’t had to change them yet, but I could simply use the physical key to unlock the safe if they were ever to die. 

I am a fan of the Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe, and I feel like it’s an inexpensive and simple way to keep your valuables and important papers secure. So I guess I should personally thank our crypto group for the information on researching safes!

The Yale Laptop Alarmed Value Safe sells for $79; it is available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Simple setup; The safe secures via number or letter combinations; Two sets of keys are included; Safe will sound an alarm if it is tampered with: Red LED lets you know when the battery is low, or the password has been incorrectly entered; Safe has mounting holes and comes with fixing bolts for securing it to a floor or wall

What Needs Improvement: The safe is lightweight and should be mounted for extra security; The safe is not fire-resistant or fire-proof