Eurograde 2 vs Eurograde 3 Safes : Which Security Safe Do You Really Need?

When choosing a security safe, it is natural to assume that a higher grade must always be better. This is one of the most common questions we receive at London Safes.

A customer will often enquire about a Eurograde 2 safe, only to ask whether they should upgrade to a Eurograde 3 because "it sounds more secure."

The answer depends entirely on your requirements.

While Eurograde 3 safes do provide a higher level of protection, they are significantly heavier, more difficult to install, and often completely unnecessary unless specifically required by your insurer or risk assessment.

If we compare the smallest sized grade 2 safe with the smallest size grade 3 safe.
Both have a capacity of 36 litres, the grade 2 version weighs in at 109kg and the grade 3 safe is 177kg.

Jump to the next size up, both with 60 litres of capacity, the grade 2 version is 145kg and the grade 3 is now up to 239kg

Understanding Eurograde Ratings

Eurograde safes are independently tested and certified under the EN1143-1 European security standard.

Each grade represents the amount of time, effort, and specialist tools required for a professional attack to gain access to the safe.

In simple terms:

• Eurograde 1 offers excellent domestic and business security.
• Eurograde 2 provides a substantial increase in resistance to attack.
• Eurograde 3 offers a further increase in protection but usually at a considerable increase in weight and installation complexity.

For most homeowners, the jump from Grade 2 to Grade 3 is where practical considerations become particularly important.

The Weight Difference Is Significant

One of the biggest differences between Eurograde 2 and Eurograde 3 safes is not immediately obvious when looking at specifications online.

It is weight.

To achieve the higher certification level, manufacturers typically use thicker steel construction, denser barrier materials, reinforced locking systems, and additional anti-attack protection.

As a result, a Eurograde 3 safe can weigh dramatically more than a similarly sized Grade 2 model.

For example, a Grade 2 safe with around 70 litres of internal capacity may weigh approximately 150–250kg, whereas a comparable Grade 3 safe may weigh 250–450kg or more.

That additional weight creates several practical challenges:

• More difficult access through narrow hallways and doorways.
• Increased risk of damage to flooring.
• Greater difficulty navigating staircases.
• Higher installation costs.
• Longer installation times.
• Increased requirement for specialist lifting equipment.

These are important considerations for residential properties where access can be limited.

Need a Eurograde 3 level of protection, but the safe is too heavy to carry upstairs or onto a higher floor?

An alternative option is to install two Eurograde 2 safes together. When used in this way, they can provide a combined insurance level comparable to a Eurograde 3 solution, while making installation much easier in properties where weight or access is a concern.

It is important to remember that each safe still carries its own individual insurance rating of £17,500. That means you cannot exceed the rating capacity of either safe, but you can split your cash or valuables across both safes to stay within the rated limit of each one.

A slightly more sales-focused version would be:

Too heavy for your floor? Consider two Eurograde 2 safes instead
If a Eurograde 3 safe is too heavy to move or install on an upper floor, two Eurograde 2 safes can be a practical alternative. Installed together, they can offer a combined insurance level equivalent to a Eurograde 3 safe, while making access and installation far more manageable.

Each safe remains insured up to £17,500 individually, so the contents must be divided between the two safes rather than exceeding the limit of either one. This gives you flexibility, convenience, and strong protection without the complications of a single heavier unit.

The same principle also applies at lower grades. If a Eurograde 2 safe is larger or heavier than you require, two Eurograde 1 safes can provide a combined insurance capacity equivalent to a single Eurograde 2 safe. Again, each Eurograde 1 safe maintains its own individual insurance rating, so the contents should be divided between the two units rather than exceeding the rating of either safe.

This approach can be particularly useful where access restrictions, upper-floor installations, narrow staircases, or floor-loading considerations make a larger, heavier safe impractical.

The Hidden Risks of Installing a Heavier Safe

Many customers focus solely on the security rating and overlook the installation process.

A 350kg or 400kg safe is not simply "a bit heavier" than a 200kg safe.

The forces involved when moving these safes through a home are substantial.

Professional installers must consider:

• Floor loadings.
• Staircase construction.
• Turning spaces.
• Surface protection.
• Access restrictions.
• Safe handling requirements.

The heavier the safe, the greater the likelihood that specialist lifting methods will be required.

In some cases, a Grade 3 safe may not even be suitable for the intended location without structural assessment.

This is particularly relevant for first-floor installations, loft conversions, apartments, and properties with narrow staircases.

Does a Grade 3 Safe Provide Double the Security?

Not necessarily.

A common misconception is that a Grade 3 safe provides dramatically more protection than a Grade 2 safe.

The reality is that both grades offer an extremely high level of resistance against opportunistic burglars and most criminal attacks.

The difference becomes more relevant when protecting very high-value assets, commercial cash holdings, jewellery stock, or where insurers specifically mandate Grade 3 protection.

For many homeowners storing jewellery, watches, family heirlooms, important documents, and moderate cash values, a Eurograde 2 safe already exceeds the security requirements of the average residential burglary.