In this guide (9 sections)
- Our top picks
- Drop safe comparison: drop opening, bolts and interior
- Drop safe picks for a business
- How to install a drop safe so it stays put
- How to run a drop safe at closing time
- Drop safe problems owners run into, and the fix
- How we picked these drop safes
- Drop safe limits: fire, burglary ratings and overnight cash
- Questions safe buyers ask
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How we picked these
- Review themes from 37 verified-buyer and owner reviews on retailer sites, so every pick shows what buyers praise and complain about.
- 21 owner posts, user discussions and expert reviews read across 8 sources.
- Every spec checked against 16 maker and retailer pages.
- We did not test these products ourselves, and we say so. All sources are linked at the end of this guide.
Our top picks
Best overall · 3.5/5Hollon FD-2714E
Best under-counter · 3.1/5Hollon FD-2014E
Best for till storage · 3.6/5Hollon FD-4020E
Best for bulky deposit bags · 3.9/5AMSEC BWB4020FL
Best two-compartment · 3.7/5Mesa MFL2731EE
The short answer
- For most shops, my pick is the Hollon FD-2714E: a B-rated front-load drop safe with five 1 1/4-inch bolts and 1.55 cubic feet inside.
- Under a counter, the 20 1/4-inch-tall Hollon FD-2014E; for tills on a shelf, the Hollon FD-4020E; for thick deposit bags, the AMSEC BWB4020FL.
- The Mesa MFL2731EE splits drops and till storage behind two doors, and its lock adds user codes and a time delay.
- None of the five has a fire rating from UL or Intertek, so empty the drop safe at close instead of storing a day's cash in it overnight.
The best drop safe for business, for most shops, is the Hollon FD-2714E: a B-rated front-load drop safe with five 1 1/4-inch bolts, an anti-fish baffle and room for a day of envelopes under a counter. My chooser below covers one-register shops, stored tills and thick bank bags.
A drop safe, or depository safe for business, lets staff push cash through a deposit door without being able to take it back out, which cuts shrinkage at the till. That matters because 16.7 percent of US robberies in the FBI’s 2019 count happened at commercial houses. For records, my office safe picks for small businesses cover fire-rated safes.
From our notes: The AMSEC BWB3020FL was on three of the top pages we read, and it still missed our list: its Amazon listing is currently unavailable. Its bigger sibling took the spot. We worked out each safe’s cubic feet from maker dimensions, then divided weight by volume. The compact Hollon FD-2014E carries about 90 lb of steel per cubic foot; the roomy Mesa about 38.
Drop safe comparison: drop opening, bolts and interior
The drop opening decides what staff can deposit; bolts and weight per cubic foot hint at the steel guarding it.
| Drop safe | Drop opening (H) | Bolts | Interior | Weight | Lb per cu ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollon FD-2014E | About 2 in | 3 x 1 1/4 in | 1.0 cu ft | 90 lb | 90 |
| Hollon FD-2714E | About 2 in | 5 x 1 1/4 in | 1.55 cu ft | 115 lb | 74 |
| Hollon FD-4020E | About 2 in | 7 x 1 1/4 in | 4.96 cu ft | 250 lb | 50 |
| AMSEC BWB4020FL | 4 in | 5 x 1 in | 5.63 cu ft | 360 lb | 64 |
| Mesa MFL2731EE | Mailbox door | 1 in, count not listed | 6.7 cu ft | 256 lb | 38 |
We took drop heights from Dean Safe’s spec sheets and the rest from the makers.
Drop safe picks for a business
I matched each drop safe to a different cash routine.
Hollon FD-2714E: Best drop safe for most businesses
3.5Best Safe Spec Score out of 5
- Security (lock and build)7/10
- Access (speed and ease)7/10
- Capacity6/10
- Value8/10
I scored it high on value: five bolts and a B-rated door at a mid size; capacity is modest and the drop suits envelopes, not bulky bags.
| Burglary class | B-rate (Hollon) |
|---|---|
| Lock | UL-listed S&G Type 1 electronic |
| Bolts | Five 1 1/4-inch solid steel |
| Exterior (H x W x D) | 27 x 14 x 14 in |
| Interior | 18 x 13.5 x 11 in (about 1.55 cu ft) |
| Weight | 115 lb |
| Fire rating | None |
What owners and reviewers say review themes from 10 owner reviews, plus 5 posts and reviews we read
Praised for
- Heavy door and solid material for the money
- Easy to operate day to day
Common complaints
- One buyer never received the safe and got the run-around from the seller
Read on: Dean Safe customer reviews: Hollon FD series drop safes (10 reviews) · r/Locksmith: Hollon as an alternative to AMSEC
Who it's for: For a store or restaurant with one or two registers dropping envelopes through the day; the drop takes items about 2 inches tall, so thick bank bags won't fit, and there is no fire rating.
The Hollon FD-2714E is a B-rated, front-loading drop safe from Hollon Safe Company, and I’d start here for a store with one or two registers. It has a 1/2-inch solid steel door, five 1 1/4-inch locking bolts, a heavy dead bar, a spring-loaded relocker and a drill-resistant hard plate over its UL-listed electronic lock, an S&G Type 1.
At 27 inches tall it fits under most counters, with 1.55 cubic feet inside. The drop takes flat envelopes, not a stuffed deposit bag. Dean Safe reviewers of the FD series praise the heavy door and easy keypad; one never received a safe, so I’d buy from a seller with clear tracking.
Hollon FD-2014E: Best under-counter drop safe
3.1Best Safe Spec Score out of 5
- Security (lock and build)6/10
- Access (speed and ease)7/10
- Capacity4/10
- Value8/10
I rate it a strong value for one register; three bolts and the smallest interior hold back security and capacity.
| Burglary class | B-rate (Hollon) |
|---|---|
| Lock | UL-listed S&G Type 1 electronic, 2 users |
| Bolts | Three 1 1/4-inch solid steel |
| Exterior (H x W x D) | 20.25 x 14 x 14 in |
| Interior | 10.5 x 13.5 x 12.25 in (about 1.0 cu ft) |
| Weight | 90 lb |
| Fire rating | None |
What owners and reviewers say review themes from 10 owner reviews, plus 5 posts and reviews we read
Praised for
- Heavy door and good material
- Very easy to operate
Common complaints
- One buyer reported a delivery that never arrived
Read on: Dean Safe customer reviews: Hollon FD series drop safes (10 reviews) · r/Locksmith: Hollon as an alternative to AMSEC
Who it's for: For a coffee shop, kiosk or salon with one register and envelope drops; about 1 cubic foot fills fast, it has three bolts instead of five, and the lock holds two user codes.
The Hollon FD-2014E is the compact B-rated front-load drop safe in Hollon’s FD line, my pick for a coffee shop or kiosk with one register. It keeps the 1/2-inch door, anti-fish baffle and S&G Type 1 lock, with two user codes, in a body only 20 1/4 inches tall.
The trade-offs are three bolts instead of five and about 1 cubic foot inside, which a busy weekend can fill. The Hollon FD-2014E listing ships in about 8 to 9 days, so I’d order before you need it.
Hollon FD-4020E: Best drop safe for till storage
3.6Best Safe Spec Score out of 5
- Security (lock and build)7/10
- Access (speed and ease)7/10
- Capacity8/10
- Value7/10
My scores reward the seven bolts and the room for tills; the narrow drop and the size keep access and value a notch lower.
| Burglary class | B-rate (Hollon) |
|---|---|
| Lock | UL-listed S&G Type 1 electronic |
| Bolts | Seven 1 1/4-inch solid steel |
| Exterior (H x W x D) | 40 x 20 x 20 in |
| Interior | 27.1 x 19.75 x 16 in (about 4.96 cu ft) |
| Weight | 250 lb |
| Fire rating | None |
What owners and reviewers say review themes from 10 owner reviews, plus 5 posts and reviews we read
Praised for
- Solid, heavy build owners say is worth the money
- Simple to open with the keypad
Common complaints
- One buyer reported a delivery that never arrived
Read on: Dean Safe customer reviews: Hollon FD series drop safes (10 reviews) · r/Locksmith: Hollon as an alternative to AMSEC
Who it's for: For a restaurant or bar that drops envelopes and stores cash drawers; at 250 lb and 40 inches tall it needs floor space and a concrete floor to anchor into.
The Hollon FD-4020E is a tall B-rated front-load depository safe from Hollon, my pick for restaurants that lock cash drawers away at night. Hollon lists (7) 1 1/4-inch bolts, the most in this group, plus a removable shelf in about 4.96 cubic feet.
At 250 lb and 40 inches tall, it needs a planned floor spot. Dean Safe reviewers call the series heavy and worth the money. The Hollon FD-4020E has no fire rating, which matters if receipts sit in it.
AMSEC BWB4020FL: Best drop safe for bulky deposit bags
3.9Best Safe Spec Score out of 5
- Security (lock and build)8/10
- Access (speed and ease)8/10
- Capacity9/10
- Value6/10
I gave it top access for the widest drop and strong security for the thick door; size, weight and support reports cost it on value.
| Burglary class | B-rate (per Dean Safe) |
|---|---|
| Lock | UL-listed ESL10 electronic |
| Bolts | Five 1-inch chromed steel, 3-way |
| Exterior (H x W x D) | 49.75 x 20 x 20 in |
| Interior | 29 x 19.75 x 17 in (about 5.63 cu ft) |
| Weight | 360 lb |
| Fire rating | None |
What owners and reviewers say review themes from 1 owner reviews, plus 3 posts and reviews we read
Praised for
- Good size and quality; one office replaced both a drop safe and a regular safe with it
Common complaints
- Long wait for delivery because the maker was behind on production
- Locksmiths on Reddit complain about AMSEC customer service
Read on: Dean Safe customer review: AMSEC BWB4020FL (1 reviews) · r/Locksmith: AMSEC customer service thread · r/Locksmith: Suggestions for a new safe (AMSEC and Hollon)
Who it's for: For a busy store or quick-service restaurant dropping thick deposit bags; at 360 lb and nearly 50 inches tall it is the biggest and heaviest pick, with no fire rating.
The AMSEC BWB4020FL is a wide-body front-load drop safe from American Security (AMSEC), my pick when staff drop zipped bank bags or an armored car service collects the deposits. Dean Safe lists a drop that takes items 4 inches tall, twice the Hollon opening, and an inner locker with a Medeco camlock.
AMSEC gives an 11-gauge body, a 0.75-inch steel plate door, five 1-inch bolts and a UL-listed ESL10 lock; inside is about 5.63 cubic feet. A Dean Safe reviewer liked its size and quality but waited on a production backlog, and locksmiths on Reddit complain about AMSEC support. At 360 lb, the AMSEC BWB4020FL is my pick only for high-volume stores.
Mesa MFL2731EE: Best two-compartment drop safe
3.7Best Safe Spec Score out of 5
- Security (lock and build)6/10
- Access (speed and ease)9/10
- Capacity9/10
- Value7/10
I rate access highest for the split doors, user codes and time delay; security is lower because Mesa itself states no burglary rating.
| Burglary class | Listed as B-rate by dealers |
|---|---|
| Lock | Mesa MSL500 electronic, emergency key |
| Bolts | 1-inch solid steel live bolts |
| Exterior (H x W x D) | 27.25 x 30.75 x 21 in |
| Interior | 6.7 cu ft over two compartments |
| Weight | 256 lb |
| Fire rating | None |
What owners and reviewers say review themes from 6 owner reviews, plus 3 posts and reviews we read
Praised for
- The mailbox-style hopper lets staff drop envelopes without the main code
- Responsive lock and dual doors that keep cash organized
Common complaints
- Very heavy to move into place
Read on: OJCommerce customer reviews: Mesa MFL2731EE (2 reviews) · Home Depot customer reviews: Mesa MFL3020EE (same MFL series) (4 reviews)
Who it's for: For a bar or restaurant where shift managers handle change banks and only the owner opens the deposits; Mesa's own page lists no burglary or fire rating, and it needs a 9V battery.
The Mesa MFL2731EE is an all-steel, two-door depository safe from Mesa Safe Company, and I’d buy it when managers need the tills but should never reach the drops. One compartment takes deposits; the other has no access to them, with 6.7 cubic feet across both.
Mesa’s MSL500 lock holds one manager and up to five user codes, a 1 to 59 minute time delay and a concealed emergency key. OJCommerce reviewers like the mailbox-style hopper; a Home Depot owner of a sibling MFL model calls it very heavy. B-rate appears in dealer listings only. The Mesa MFL2731EE runs on a 9V battery.
Which drop safe should you get
Match the drop safe to your deposits, not to the biggest box. My rule:
- One register, envelopes only: Hollon FD-2014E.
- Two registers or a busy weekend: Hollon FD-2714E.
- Tills stored overnight: Hollon FD-4020E.
- Zipped bank bags: AMSEC BWB4020FL.
- Managers on tills, owner on deposits: Mesa MFL2731EE.
How to install a drop safe so it stays put
Bolt the drop safe to concrete through its anchor holes before the first deposit. None of the Hollons ships with anchor hardware.
- Pick a spot out of customer view near the registers.
- Check the concrete is free of cables or heating lines.
- Set the safe, open the door and mark the four holes.
- Drill to the anchor depth and vacuum the dust.
- Drive expansion anchors and confirm the door still swings and latches.
Our guide to bolting down a safe covers slab types.
How to run a drop safe at closing time
Deposits go in during the shift and come out at close. The Dean Safe video below explains why.
- Seal each drop in an envelope with the amount and initials.
- Log the drop on a sheet beside the safe.
- Have one manager open the safe and count against the log.
- Take the deposit to the bank or courier the same day.
Drop safe problems owners run into, and the fix
We saw the same complaints in dealer guides and owner threads.
- Overnight cash. A r/Safes reply puts it bluntly: “Any safe with a drop slot/rotary hopper is only designed for temporary storage and would not be secure for large amounts of cash overnight.” Empty it at close, or add a TL-rated safe.
- Fishing. AMSEC warns that a weak slot invites fishing; all five picks have an anti-fish baffle behind the deposit door.
- Outgrown safe. Envelopes stacked beside a full safe defeat it; I’d size for the busiest season.
- Old codes. Change codes when anyone leaves; the Mesa’s separate user codes make it simple.
- Cheap online safes. A r/homedefense poster found “nothing that inspires confidence” among budget cash drop safe listings. I’d look for a B-rated depository safe with a solid steel door, locking bolts and a UL-listed lock.
How we picked these drop safes
We kept drop safes that at least two top-ranking pages for this search recommend and that have their own in-stock Amazon US listing. They included Dean Safe, NationwideSafes, Safe and Vault Store, The Safe Keeper and SAFESandMORE. We have not used these safes; owner notes come from retailer reviews and threads we read. Our safe buying checklist lists what to measure first.
Drop safe limits: fire, burglary ratings and overnight cash
A drop safe slows internal theft and a quick robbery; it is not a fire or high-security safe. None of my five picks has a UL or Intertek fire rating, and Northwest Safe, a dealer, says drop safes are not fire-rated. B-rate is a construction class, not a lab attack test like UL’s TL-15 or TL-30, so ask your insurer what your policy expects.
If a day’s takings must stay on site, I’d keep them in a TL-rated safe. Stores with heavy cash volume can look at a smart safe, which counts bills and keeps an audit trail of every deposit. For cash you keep at home rather than at work, see our safe for cash at home picks.
Questions safe buyers ask
What is a drop safe?
A drop safe, also called a depository safe, has a deposit door or slot, so staff can put cash in without opening the safe. An anti-fish baffle stops anyone pulling deposits back out, and only the code holder opens the main door.
Front-load or top-load drop safe?
Front-load drop safes, like all five of my picks, are the most common type: staff drop an envelope into a hopper door at the front, and the safe can sit under a counter. Top-load rotary hopper safes need clear space above them.
Are drop safes fireproof?
Not these five. None carries a UL or Intertek fire rating, and the makers do not claim one. Northwest Safe, a dealer, says drop safes are not high-security or fire-rated safes, so empty them at close.
What does B-rated mean on a drop safe?
B-rate is an insurance construction class, usually a 1/2-inch steel door and a 1/4-inch steel body. It describes the build, not a lab attack test like UL's TL-15 or TL-30. Ask your insurer which class your policy expects.
Do I need to bolt down a drop safe?
Yes. The Hollon and Mesa models have four pre-drilled anchor holes, and Hollon does not include the hardware. Even a 90 lb safe can be carried out by two people, so I would anchor every drop safe to a concrete floor.
Why you can trust this guide
- Products are checked against manufacturer specifications, user manuals and long-term owner reports.
- Each pick is scored on the Best Safe Score: security (lock and build), fire protection, access, capacity and value. Scores come from published specs, independent ratings and owner reports, not hands-on testing.
- We never accept payment for placement. Affiliate commissions do not affect rankings.
Last reviewed . Read our research process and editorial policy, or report an error.
Sources
- Hollon, Depository Safes (manufacturer specs)
- American Security, BWB4020FL (manufacturer page)
- Mesa Safe, MFL2731EE (manufacturer page)
- Dean Safe, AMSEC BWB4020FL specifications
- Dean Safe, Hollon FD-2714E specifications
- Dean Safe, Drop Safes
- NationwideSafes, Drop Safes
- Safe and Vault Store, Drop & Depository Safe Products
- The Safe Keeper, Commercial Cash Drop Safes
- SAFESandMORE, Comparing the Best Depository Safes
- American Security, Choosing the Right Business Safe
- American Security, 5 Common Mistakes with Commercial Cash Drop Safes
- Northwest Safe, What's the Best Depository Safe for Businesses?
- r/Safes, Advice on Drop Slot Safes
- r/homedefense, Cash Drop Safe Recommends?
- FBI UCR, Robbery (Crime in the U.S. 2019)
Reviews and discussions we read
- Dean Safe customer reviews: Hollon FD series drop safes (10 reviews)
- r/Locksmith: AMSEC customer service thread
- Dean Safe customer reviews: Hollon FD series drop safes (10 reviews)
- Dean Safe customer reviews: Hollon FD series drop safes (10 reviews)
- Dean Safe customer review: AMSEC BWB4020FL (1 reviews)
- r/Locksmith: Suggestions for a new safe (AMSEC and Hollon)
- OJCommerce customer reviews: Mesa MFL2731EE (2 reviews)
- Home Depot customer reviews: Mesa MFL3020EE (same MFL series) (4 reviews)
Best Safe Editorial Team
Research & editorial
We research home safes, gun safes and fireproof safes for people protecting firearms, documents and valuables: lock types (mechanical dial, electronic keypad, biometric, key), steel gauge, bolt work and pry resistance, independent fire ratings from UL or Intertek (ETL), how fast you can get in under stress, bolt-down options and legal storage rules. Every guide follows our published research process and editorial policy.
