10 Best Diversion Safes for Hiding Valuables in Plain Sight

Diversion safes look like ordinary household objects, like soda cans, books, and personal care items- but they all have hidden compartments where you can store valuables discretely. If you pick the correct diversion safe, it can be nearly impossible for a burglar or thief to find it unless they are aware that you have one to begin with.

Many of these disguised hiding places can go undetected if you make them blend in well enough and provide an inexpensive, discrete solution when compared with floor safes.


Contents (Jump to a section)


How to Pick a Diversion Safe

Choosing the right diversion safe involves considering its disguise, size, construction, opening mechanism, and placement.

Opt for a safe that closely resembles a common household or personal item, ensuring it blends seamlessly.

Select a size that accommodates your valuables and documents, and prioritize durable materials and inconspicuous opening mechanisms.

Consider the environment where the safe will be placed.

Law enforcement groups (like the FBI) are keenly aware of diversion safes and know to look for them, which would be unfortunate for those being searched professionally.

Follow those tips to confidently select a diversion safe that discreetly safeguards your belongings. We list our top 10 below (11 including the fake rock) to cover a wide range of places you may want to hide a stash or cache of valuables.


English Dictionary Book Safe

If you have a bookshelf around, it makes sense to have a few books on it. Dictionaries may not be as popular as they once were since you can find everything online, but there are still plenty of dictionaries taking up room on desks and shelves.

This specific dictionary doesn’t have many words in it, but it does have enough room for your stuff.

Here are the specifics:

  • Interior storage: 9.2″ x 5.7″ x 1.6″
  • 3-number combination lock
  • Available in black, blue, and red
  • Available in a smaller size

You’ll want to throw this on a shelf with similar hardback books so it’s less noticeable.

*at time of writing

This tried-and-true diversion safe may not be the most clever one out there, but it is effective.

Hidden Book Diversion Safe

Hairbrush Diversion Safe

If you have long hair, you probably have a hairbrush. Several of them.

Well, you’re in luck- this is one of the smaller diversion safes that will fit in with plenty of environments. You don’t just have to stash it in your main bathroom- you can stash it anywhere you would typically find a hairbrush: work drawer, glovebox, suitcase, purse, etc.

Here are the specifics on the brush:

  • Interior storage: 1.2″ D x 4″ L
  • Available in black or gold
  • Optional ‘smell blocking’ mylar bag

Plus, this thing actually works as a functional brush!

*at time of writing

Be sure to use it enough to get some hairs in there. A used hairbrush is much less suspicious than one without any hair on it.

Hairbrush Diversion Stash Safe

Tire Foam Stash Can

If you are looking to stash valuables in your garage or vehicle, this tire foam can get it done. It won’t ever get grabbed because nobody wants to detail your tires for you.

Here are how it measures up:

  • Interior storage: 2″ D x 3.5″ L
  • Can dimensions: 3.25″ D x 5.25″ H

While it is on the smaller side, it can fit inconspicuously with other cleaners on a shelf or fit anywhere in your vehicle.

*at time of writing

Stash small valuables, cash, or keys using this as a cache.

ArmorAll Tire Foam Safe Cash Stash

Flower Pot Fire Safe

If you need an indoor solution, this flower pot safe is one of the best.

It has a keyed lock under the planter drop-in to access the safe, which is good for deterring prying kids.

Inside, it includes a handy fire bag so you can grab and go quickly once you get in the safe.

Here are the specifics:

  • Interior storage: 4.3″ x 4.3″ x 2.8″
  • Pot dimensions: 4.5″ D x 4.5″ W x 6″ H
  • Keyed lock with two keys
  • Available in black, white, and terracotta orange
  • Waterproof and Fireproof (with included bag)

You’ll need to bring your own plant though as this only includes the pot.

*at time of writing

Burglars rarely toss house plants, especially small ones like this. Plants make sense in any room, from bedrooms to bathrooms so it’s easy to make it blend in.

Flower Pot Fire Safe

Outlet Hidden Wall Safe

Outlets are everywhere in your house and nobody is going to consider looking at them as a potential hiding spot.

This is one of the few diversion safes that require installation to work by making a hole in your wall where an outlet may typically go. But, that can be worth the work since it is one of the most secure and discrete options available.

Here are the specifics:

  • Interior storage: 2.6″ x 2.2″ x 4.1″
  • Keyed lock with two keys
  • Outlet plates can be replaced to match
  • Available in larger 2-gang size as well

Plug an appliance you rarely use or a nightlight/surge protector in the outlet (it obviously won’t power) to complete the deception.

*at time of writing

The best-of-the-best when it comes to small hidden safes- this one flies under everyone’s radar.

Elder Welder Wall Safe Outlet

Corn Can Stash Safe

Statistically speaking, the pantry is one of the best places to have a safe if you have room. Even if you are installing a larger security safe, pantry and laundry rooms are preferred over bedrooms and closets where thieves look first.

Even if you don’t have room for a full safe, you probably have room for a can. Hide this in your canned food storage for maximum deception.

There are many different canned food options to pick from:

  • Whole kernel corn
  • Roast beef hash
  • Chili beans
  • Sliced beets
  • Beefaroni
  • Stewed tomatoes
  • Beef ravioli
  • Sliced peaches

They are all 3″ x 4.3″ like standard 16 oz cans.

*at time of writing

Make sure you pick the type of can that wouldn’t look out of place in your pantry. Roast beef hash may look odd by itself in a vegetarian’s pantry.

Fake Whole Kernel Corn Can Safe

Sunscreen Diversion Safes

These diversion safes really work well at the pool or beach, but they can also work around the house and in the car too.

With the two-pack, they offer plenty of room for stashing and have that cheaper brand old school look to them where people won’t be asking to borrow sunscreen.

Here are the specifics:

  • Dimensions: 3″ x 8″
  • Two-pack (SPF 30 and SPF 50 labels)

The entire lid to access the stash is tough to take off, but that helps keep sand out and prevents it from accidentally popping off.

*at time of writing

If you need some diversion safes that are easy to pass over at home or at the pool, these are a great deal.

Sunscreen Diversion Safe 2 Pack

Peanut Butter Diversion Safe

Continuing with the pantry theme, peanut butter is great for long-term food storage. Nestle one of these Jif jars full of your valuables in with your regular peanut butter and nobody will be the wiser.

The ‘Extra Crunchy’ label will make sure I don’t confuse it with the far superior creamy peanut butter too.

This jar is labeled with a well-known brand and weighted so it is almost indistinguishable from the real deal, even if you pick it up.

*at time of writing

Stash some valuables in your pantry where science says burglars are least likely to look.

JIF Peanut Butter Diversion Safe

Comet Cleaner Stash Can

Thieves aren’t going to come in and get under your kitchen sink to help you clean up the house a bit.

This little tube with a Comet label perfectly matches the real thing, and gives you the best solution for hiding valuables with the cleaning supplies.

It is the exact same size and the weight is similar to a half-used container before you load it with whatever you want.

It’s easy to open and close quickly and the size makes it easy to grab and go if you are in a hurry.

*at time of writing

This fake comet cleaner diversion can is one of the better options for the kitchen.

Comet Cleaner Stash Safe

Soda Can Safe

Soda can safes have been around for a while, but still catch people off guard because soda cans themselves are just so common.

They come in many different types- from Coca-Cola all the way to the A&W we have listed here.

They aren’t as sturdy as some of the other diversions on our list, but they can get the job done and fit in pretty much anywhere in the home, at work, or outdoors.

*at time of writing

It may not be the best diversion safe, but it is one of the easier ones to blend into any environment.

Root Beer Soda Stash Safe

Rock Hide-a-Key

We’ve already hit 10, but we’ll include the hide-a-key as our eleventh diversion safe. Plenty of folks know to look for the rock next to the door to find the spare key- even burglars.

So, we don’t suggest that you keep one next to your entrance with keys in it- but a fake rock is still a great stash for plenty of other outdoor caches.

Here are the specifics:

  • Interior storage: 2.3″ x 1″
  • Updated to look/feel more ‘rock like’
  • Weatherproof and windproof

With enough concealment behind bushes or under mulch, this rock looks like the real deal.

*at time of writing

If you’re stashing a key in one of these, you’ll want to be sure it’s not close to where the key is used and hidden very well.

Fake Rock Hide-a-Key

Sources and References

Here are the sources and references we make in our guide. We always strive to provide references and clarity to our readers on how we get our information from reputable sources to combine with our own experiences.

  • Buldoc, M. (2012). Focus on Searches: Characteristics and Implications of Diversion Safes. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin. Volume 81, Issue 8. (Source)
  • Fagan, M. (2017). Not-so-hidden signs of teen drug use. NorthJersey.com (Source)
  • Laliberte, L. (2022). This Is the First Room Burglars Check for Valuables. Readers Digest. (Source)

The Final Word

By using everyday objects as hiding places, diversion safes offer a layer of security by diverting attention away from the true nature of their contents. It’s important to note that while diversion safes can be a useful deterrent, they are not foolproof, and it’s still essential to exercise caution and implement comprehensive security measures to safeguard your belongings.

Here are some other guides our subscribers have found helpful:

Keep exploring, stay prepared, and be safe.


You’ve Been Missing Out

Join the 2+ million preppers that rely on our prepping advice by subscribing to TruePrepper.
  • Practical guides and tips
  • Useful survival giveaways
  • Free, forever
  • < 0.4% of people unsubscribe
Thanks for subscribing, reading, and welcome to the club.

           


Top 10 Diversion Safes

Rusty Collins

I am an engineer, Air Force veteran, emergency manager, husband, dad, and experienced prepper. I developed emergency and disaster plans around the globe and responded to many attacks and accidents as a HAZMAT technician. I have been exposed to deadly chemical agents, responded to biological incidents, and dealt with natural disasters. Check out my full story here: Rusty's Story

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *