Choose compact
Your core items are limited and the safe must fit a smaller room, closet, or wardrobe location.
See the compact recommendation →By Which Safe · Research-based guidance · Updated
researched starting points
Home safe comparison
Compare the SentrySafe FPW082HTC, SFW123GDC, and SFW205GQC by usable size, weight, and published protection. All three are fire-and-water-focused; their main difference here is capacity and fit, not fire-test duration.
Compare the current starting points
| Compare | Compact fire-focused safe | General home-safe starting point | Larger fire-focused safe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | SentrySafe FPW082HTC | SentrySafe SFW123GDC | SentrySafe SFW205GQC |
| Best starting point for | A core collection where lower height and weight matter. Check the nearly mid-size floor footprint. | Mixed household documents and valuables needing a mid-size starting point. | A larger household document collection and more substantial storage needs. |
| Published capacity | 0.81 cu. ft. | 1.23 cu. ft. | 2.0 cu. ft. |
| Published interior size | 9.6 H × 12.4 W × 11.5 D in. | 13.8 H × 12.6 W × 11.9 D in. | 19.6 H × 14.8 W × 11.9 D in. |
| Published fire claim | UL Classified for one hour at up to 1700°F. | UL Classified for one hour at up to 1700°F. | UL Classified for one hour at up to 1700°F. |
| Published water claim | ETL Verified for 24 hours in up to 5 inches of water. | ETL Verified for 24 hours in up to 8 inches of water. | ETL Verified for 24 hours in up to 8 inches of water. |
| Published exterior size | 13.7 H × 16.4 W × 18.8 D in. | 17.8 H × 16.3 W × 19.3 D in. | 23.8 H × 18.6 W × 19.3 D in. |
| Published weight | 55 lb. | 86.7 lb. | 124.8 lb. |
| Read the full recommendation | FPW082HTC fit, limits & purchase link | SFW123GDC fit, limits & purchase link | SFW205GQC fit, limits & purchase link |
| Important limit | These have stated fire/water and security features, but should not be treated as burglary-rated or high-security safes. Check each model’s documentation and installation instructions. | ||
Manufacturer specifications rechecked October 29, 2026, against manufacturer-published specifications. Pricing, availability, and specifications can change. Which Safe has not physically tested these products.
Read this table in three passes
- Fit: rule out models that cannot hold your largest folder or case, or fit the delivery route.
- Protection: check the stated fire and water conditions. None is presented here as a burglary-rated jewelry safe.
- Ownership: open the full recommendation for lock details, installation considerations, and its existing purchase link.
What do you gain by choosing a larger model?
FPW082HTC to SFW123GDC: published capacity increases by about 52%, while the rectangular exterior footprint increases by about 2%. The larger model is 4.1 inches taller and 31.7 lb heavier. Most of the extra room comes from height; interior width increases by only 0.2 inch.
SFW123GDC to SFW205GQC: published capacity increases by about 63%, while the rectangular footprint increases by about 14%. Interior depth remains 11.9 inches; the gain is in height and width. The larger model weighs 38.1 lb more.
More capacity does not mean a longer fire rating. All three models in this table have the same published one-hour, 1700°F fire claim. Choose the larger model for items that need the extra room, not for an assumed improvement in fire duration.
These are calculations from the published figures above, rounded to the nearest whole percent. Footprint means exterior width × depth; it excludes door swing and operating clearance. Capacity does not predict whether a particular folder or device fits.
Manufacturer sources and comparison scope
- SentrySafe FPW082HTC specifications
- SentrySafe SFW123GDC specifications
- SentrySafe SFW205GQC specifications
This comparison covers three models already documented on Which Safe. It is not a market-wide ranking or a hands-on test. For valuable jewelry or theft-first requirements, use the jewelry and valuables guide before choosing from this fire-focused shortlist. Read how we assess products.
Choose mid-size
You need a flexible, general home-safe starting point for documents plus mixed valuables.
See the home-safe recommendation →Choose larger
You need materially more room and can plan for the heavier delivery and final installation.
See the larger fire-safe recommendation →Do not compare the table alone.
Use it to narrow the size direction, then check usable interior dimensions, final location, door clearance, and anchoring requirements. Fire protection and burglary protection remain separate decisions.