10 Best Diversion Safes To Keep Your Stash Well Hidden

By Will Brendza | Updated: 12/07/2023

Diversion SafeToday I’ve got something really exciting to share…

A Complete Guide To Buying, Building & Uses Diversion Safes

Because diversion safes are just awesome…

They allow you to hide valuables in plain sight!

  • So whether you’re looking for your first
  • OR want to add one to your collection…

I’m going to show you the best ones available AND how to make your own

TOPICS IN THIS GUIDE…    ↓(click to jump)
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Best Diversion Safes On The Market Today

Many styles, shapes, and sizes are available today.

It’s tricky to know exactly what you’re getting.

That’s why we list some of the highest-rated, most widely acclaimed diversion safes.

The list is diverse to give you a taste of the vast choices.

Some are simple, some are clever, and others are outright devious.

But they are all high quality, intelligently designed, and explicitly made to hide your valuables.

1.
RamPro Hide-a-Spare-Key Fake Rock - Looks & Feels like Real Stone

This classic diversion safe looks like a plain old rock.

It will blend in perfectly with its natural habitat right outside your door. 

Or hide it further away from your house for even more diversion confidence.

Perfect for hiding those spare keys!

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↓ RamPro Hide-a-Spare-Key Fake Rock

2.
Bixell Hidden Compartment Secret Diversion Safe Food Morton Salt

The safe is inside an old salt canister.

This helps it blend seamlessly with any kitchen setting.

It's also larger than most, so it offers a bit more in the way of storage space.

Just be careful not to throw this one out by mistake.

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3.
Southern Homewares Hair Brush Secret Hidden Diversion Safe

The top of this innocent-looking hairbrush screws off to reveal a hidden compartment.

This diversion safe is perfect for hiding cash, spare keys, notes, or documents.

What I like about this safe is that it's a hairbrush you can use.

Most other diversion safes are just replicas.

And it makes sense to take it with you when traveling. I'm sorry, but traveling with a canister of salt might put you in the loony bin.

But be aware it's too small to fit any larger valuables.

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↓ Hair Brush Safe

4.
Barbasol Diversion Safe Stash Can

This product is like a real Barbasol can.

The bottom of a Barbasol diversion safe can be opened to store valuables.

The opening space at the bottom can store cash, rings, and more.

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↓ What Is The Shaving Cream Safe?

5.
Diversion Bottle Safe Secret Container Dasani Bottled Water

This bottle has a double layer of plastic built into it, so it always looks like a full, unopened water bottle.

The hidden compartment is behind the water label, making it very difficult to detect - brilliant!

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6.
Tire Foam Stash Can Safe

Here’s one for the garage.

This ArmorAll can look-a-like opens up so you can access the inside through the bottom of the canister.

Stuff this thing with valuables and tuck it on a shelf with other such hardware supplies.

It virtually disappears - a safe in plain sight!

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7.
IGE Innovative Internet Products The Brief Safe

This is a genuinely raunchy way to hide your cash, but it's sure to work.

What thief in their right mind will sift through your filthy soiled laundry?

Not even the most desperate thief would touch soiled undies, hoping to find valuables.

They really went out of their way to make this pair of tightie-whities as nasty as hell!

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8.
Younion Flower Pot Safe with Key Lock

Complete with a lock and key; this flower pot safe is one of the most impressive options on this list.

It disguises your valuables with little to no danger of being thrown out or destroyed.

Mothers-in-law, don't throw out flower pots!

It has a locking mechanism for security and is easy to remember.

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↓ The Flower Pot Hidden Safe

9.
Elder Welder® Hidden Wall Safe Outlet with Key Lock

This baby is a true hidden gem - a cleverly designed wall safe that looks just like an ordinary electrical outlet.

But hidden inside its inconspicuous facade is a spacious and secure storage compartment, perfect for hiding your cash, jewelry, or any other important belongings.

And don't worry about anyone stumbling across your secret stash - the Elder Welder® Hidden Wall Safe Outlet is equipped with a key lock, ensuring that only you (and whoever else you give a key to) can access your hidden treasure trove.

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10.
Real Paper Transfer Book Safe, Hollow with Secret Hidden Compartment

This bad boy is a hollowed-out book that looks just like any other innocuous novel you might find lying around your house.

But don't be fooled by its unassuming appearance because this book packs a hidden compartment to keep your important items safe and sound.

You can stash your passports, cash, jewelry, or any other small valuables inside this sneaky little book safe, and no one will be the wiser. The best part?

The Real Paper Transfer Book Safe is made from a real book, so it's durable, sturdy, and won't draw any suspicion.

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↓ Real Paper Transfer Book Safe

Note: If you are looking for even bigger hidden safes, look at our “How To Hide Guns In Plain Sight.”

Best Items Worth Stashing

Of course, there’s an endless number of valuables you can hide.

But here are a few of the most common and the most popular:

Stashing Emergency Cash

Having an emergency cash stash is a valuable survival preparation step.

These safes are perfect for keeping a little somethin’ extra hidden away.

A bit of “mad money” you can access quickly.

Or some extra insurance for the day the financial sector collapses.

With a diversion safe, you know exactly where you can get your hands on cold, hard cash.

You can quickly grab it on the way out the door in an emergency disaster.

Because keeping all your cash in a bank is a disaster waiting to happen.

Hiding A Spare Key

Don’t tuck your spare house key under the doormat.

That’s only slightly better than leaving the front door wide open.

But plenty of hidden safes are designed to look like rocks or landscape objects.

Things that are normal to see on or around a porch.

Keeping a spare key inside one is a smart way to avoid the dreaded lockout.

Concealing Illegal Drugs

I’m NOT advocating for drug use here…

But if you have an illegal substance, there’s no better place to hide it than a diversion safe.

They’ll hide the contents from looters, roommates, spouses, and curious kids.

But they’ll also protect your stash from snoopy authorities.

Just be aware even the best ones won’t keep a drug-sniffing dog from finding your stash.

Protecting Special Documents

Perhaps you have some “special” documents you want to keep close but also safe.

If you have such documents, but it’s worth stealing, storing them inside a hidden safe is a sneaky way to protect them.

Most are large enough to keep a USB thumb drive inside.

So, you could store a small library of information in your safe.

Sending Secret Messages

Need to deliver a message in secret?

Need to send some critical information to someone you CANNOT meet in person?

No problem.

Stash your message inside a hidden safe, and leave it in a pre-specified location.

A message delivery system without creating a digital footprint.

Just remember to end the message with a p.s.:

“Destroy after reading!”

Sneaking Weapons Around

Something unsuspecting, like a book or a clock, can work for weapon concealment.

Now we’re not encouraging you to sneak guns or knives into places where they’re illegal.

But the option is there if/when it makes sense.

What Is A Diversion Safe Anyway?

You’ve likely seen such a safe used in Hollywood movies.

They’re used to create mystery, intrigue, and exciting plot twists.

  • Often, a book opens up containing a gun instead of pages.
  • Or tabletops that slide aside to reveal secret documents.
  • Or drawers with false bottoms to conceal scandalous photos or illegal paraphernalia…

A classic example is in the iconic movie Shawshank Redemption.

Andy Dufresne hides a small excavation hammer inside a hollowed-out Bible.

↓ Shawshank’s Hollowed-Out Bible

They’re safes wearing the skin of an everyday object.

And the more mundane and boring the object, the better.

A thief searching for valuables will automatically skip over a dull, everyday object.

That’s the power of a diversion safe.

Their brain will not register it as anything of value.

Soda cans, hairbrushes, electrical sockets, and food jars make excellent hidden safes.

Because nobody’s going to take the time to search for those items.

99% of the time, those objects are exactly what they look like.

Making it a dumb tactic for a thief to check those items on the off chance it’s a safe.

There’s no time for that when ransacking a house.

Thieves seek obvious targets – jewelry drawers, closet safes, and expensive gadgets.

The idea, when used correctly, is powerful.

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Regular Vs. Diversion 

The problem with a conventional safe is – you know there’s something of value inside.

It’s a treasure chest for criminals.

When they see one, they know whatever’s inside is worth stealing.

Because no sane person puts trash in an expensive safe, right?

Nope, we put $100 bills, gold coins, expensive jewelry, and family heirlooms in them.

So when presented with such a juicy opportunity – a thief won’t hesitate to nab your safe.

They’ll pry that sucker off the wall if necessary.

And don’t fool yourself; they know how to open it “back at the shop.”

That’s why it may be safer to hide your valuables in plain sight…

This is not to say you shouldn’t use a conventional safe.

Short of safe-cracking skills, modern safes are challenging to get into for a would-be thief.

But there are situations when it makes sense to hide something in a non-conventional manner.

The best way to do that is with a diversion.

These sneaky lockboxes offer a smart way to store valuable items in unsuspecting places.

Like in a hairbrush, a boring book, a jar of peanut butter, or even dirty underwear!

A hidden safe offers a different kind of security.

A disguise that makes your valuables virtually invisible.

They come in all kinds and sizes, and in almost any design you can imagine.

There’s one out there that’s perfect for the job at hand.

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Best Diversion Safe Features To Look For

Just like well-designed survival gear, there are key features:

Keep these particular qualities in mind when looking at all your options online.

Ordinary Household Objects (Mundane & Boring)

The main feature is like using camouflage; it blends in with its environment.

But the environment you’re working with isn’t a forest; it’s everyday household items.

So avoid anything flashy and fancy.

That would defeat the entire purpose.

That is why these safes often take on the appearance of items that people want nothing to do with:

  • cleaning supplies
  • lengthy books
  • personal hygiene items
  • there are even some disguised as dirty laundry

The more mundane the object, the better.

Believability

Some safes have the right idea but miss the mark on authenticity.

It must be believable.

If it sticks out like a sore thumb as a fake book or a fake can of soda, it’s more likely to attract unwanted attention.

A well-designed hidden safe should be able to fool you.

If you can tell it’s a dupe, so can others.

Just because someone is a criminal doesn’t mean they’re not smart.

Heck, the best criminals are the smartest ones.

The ones that DON’T get caught.

Secure Mechanism

Many hidden safes rely too heavily on their disguise as a deterrent, not security.

If you hide real valuables, get a safe with a sturdy locking mechanism.

A key lock or a combination lock enhances the effectiveness.

No, a professional thief will take the safe with them and use tools to break into it.

But a lock will deter curious kids and roommates from opening the safe – should they find it.

Has Some Keepsake Value

The problem with “low-value” safes is those items often get tossed out, moved, or lost.

Nobody thinks twice about tossing out an empty bottle of laundry detergent – that’s actually your safe!

Of course, you’d never accidentally do that.

But a helpful neat freak friend or your busy beaver mother-in-law might.

Safes that resemble items with a bit of keepsake value are at a lower risk of being accidentally tossed or lost.

Think of memorable items (like a potted plant) or hold some long-term value (like a book).

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Making Your Own From Scratch

Obviously, you can make your own.

It can be as simple as converting an old product into a container with a hidden compartment.

Boom, you have yourself a hidden safe!

And it will probably cost you a lot less, too.

To give you some ideas on what’s possible – check out these 3 simple to make DIY safes:

↓ 3 Ways To Make A Secret Safe

The question of security becomes a double-edged sword, though.

Because if you are lazy about making yours, it might not be effective.

Don’t cut a mountain dew bottle in half and stuff it full of cash.

You won’t be doing yourself any favors.

Buying one means you have guaranteed security, especially if you get one with a lockbox.

By that same token, you can ensure it’s extra secure by making your own.

If you go the extra mile and design a good one, you could create a hyper-secure safe. 

If it’s good enough, you might even be able to sell it…

So what kinds of things make for good hidden safes?

The list of highly-rated ones we covered above has some good examples.

But here’s a short list of other items that might work well, too:

  • Flashlight
  • Lamps
  • Paperweights
  • Liquor or wine bottles
  • Candles
  • Food cans/boxes
  • Condiment bottles

You get the idea.

The bottom line:

Choose a diversion safe that’s right for you.

  • It can be something as simple as a false bottom in a drawer.
  • Or a hidden gun safe behind a painting, or a safe disguised in a brick wall…

The sky is the limit because the concept is so clever and simple.

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