Choosing a safe often starts with choosing a brand. Gardall, AMSEC, and Hayman are three well-known American manufacturers, and each has built a reputation around different strengths. Their names show up again and again when shopping for home safes, gun safes, and business safes, which makes comparing them a practical first step.
For buyers of safes in NYC, all three brands offer solid options, but each fits different needs. Gardall is known for fire and burglary safes built in Syracuse, New York, with a wide range for homes and small businesses. AMSEC covers the widest span, from residential gun safes up to high-security TL-rated commercial safes. Hayman stands out for cash handling safes and hidden in-floor safes. The right choice depends on what you are protecting, whether fire or theft is the bigger risk, and where the safe will live.
Gardall, AMSEC & Hayman: A Quick Comparison
Each brand has a clear background and a set of products it is best known for. This side-by-side view shows how they compare:
| Factor | Gardall | AMSEC | Hayman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1950 | 1946 | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Syracuse, New York | Fontana, California | Oviedo, Florida |
| Ownership | Family owned | Company owned | Family owned |
| Known for | Fire and burglary safes for homes and small businesses | Wide range from gun safes to TL-rated high-security safes | Cash vault safes, depositories, and in-floor safes |
| Common safe types | Fire, burglary, gun, depository, wall, in-floor | Gun, burglary and fire, depository, high-security, pharmacy | Cash vault, depository, gun, in-floor, wall |
| Best for | Homeowners and small offices wanting fire and theft protection | Buyers needing the highest ratings or a large gun safe | Retail and restaurants handling cash, and hidden storage |
Read More: How Locksmiths Use Borescopes To Open Safes Without Damage
A Closer Look at Each Safe Brand
Every brand grew from a different starting point, and that history still shows in what each one builds best. These profiles break down the strengths of each.
Gardall
Gardall has built safes in upstate New York for more than 75 years. The company was founded in 1950 and has been family-owned and operated since its inception, and many of its products have passed independent UL tests for fire and impact. These strengths define the brand:
- Fire and Burglary Combination Safes: Many models pair a fire rating with RSC or B-rate burglary protection, which suits homes storing documents and valuables together.
- Depository Safes: Drop-slot and rotary depository models serve businesses that take in cash during the day.
- Concealed Options: Wall safes and in-floor safes give hidden storage for smaller items.
- Made in America: Production stays in Syracuse, which appeals to buyers who want a U.S.-built safe.
AMSEC
American Security, better known as AMSEC, has the broadest range of the three brands. The company was founded in 1946 and is based in Fontana, California, with a line that includes gun safes, high-security safes, burglary and fire safes, depository safes, pharmacy safes, and smart safes.
Its lineup splits into clear tiers:
| AMSEC Category | What It Offers | Typical Buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Residential gun safes | RSC-rated safes with fire protection | Firearm owners and collectors |
| Burglary and fire safes | Combined theft and fire ratings for home or office | Homeowners and small businesses |
| Depository safes | Front-loading and drop-slot cash safes | Retail stores and restaurants |
| High-security safes | UL TL-15 and TL-30 rated models | Jewelers, pharmacies, and high-value storage |
Buyers should know that AMSEC sells both U.S.-made and imported lines, which makes checking the specific model important if American manufacturing matters to you.
Hayman
Hayman is the youngest of the three and has built its name on practical, specialized safes. The company was founded in 1971 by Bill Hayman and has stayed family-owned, earning patents for a floor safe hinge design and a polyethylene floor safe body that avoids rust underground. Today, Hayman is best known for its CashVault money chests and depositories, which use a thick steel door and a relocking system at an affordable price. Its in-floor safes, wall safes, and Minuteman quick-access gun safes round out the line.
How Safe Ratings Compare Across Brands
Brand names matter less than the ratings on the safe itself. Two safes from the same brand can offer very different protection depending on how they were tested. These are the ratings you will see across Gardall, AMSEC, and Hayman models:
| Rating | What It Means | Found On |
|---|---|---|
| B-rate | A construction classification based on steel thickness, not a lab attack test | Entry-level burglary and depository safes from all three brands |
| UL RSC | A residential security container tested under UL 1037, with three tiers of increasing resistance to attack | Home safes and gun safes |
| UL TL-15 / TL-30 | Burglary-resistant safes tested under UL 687 against tool attacks on the door and front face | High-security commercial safes, mainly from AMSEC |
| UL fire rating | Record protection tested under UL 72, which can include a fire and impact test with a 30-foot fall | Fire safes from Gardall and AMSEC |
- Note: The number in a TL rating reflects the attack time the safe resisted, with a TL-15 safe resisting a skilled tool attack for 15 minutes and a TL-30 safe for 30 minutes. Insurers often ask for a specific rating when you store high-value items, which makes the rating a better guide than the brand alone.
Gardall vs AMSEC vs Hayman (By Safe Type)
Each brand leads in different categories. Comparing them by the kind of safe you need makes the choice clearer:
| Safe Type | Gardall | AMSEC | Hayman |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home fire and burglary safe | Strong choice, with combined fire and RSC models | Strong choice, with many size and finish options | Limited range |
| Gun safe | Fire-lined gun safes for home use | Widest range, from entry RSC to premium models | Quick-access and MagnaVault gun safes |
| Cash and depository safe | Rotary and drop-slot depositories | Front-loading depository safes | Strongest value with CashVault models |
| High-security commercial safe | Limited range | Best choice, with TL-15 and TL-30 models | Limited range |
| Hidden wall or floor safe | Wall and in-floor models | Limited range | Best known for in-floor safes |
Which Safe Brand Fits Your Needs?
No single brand wins every category. Matching your main priority to each brand’s strengths is the fastest way to decide:
- Choose Gardall: When you want a U.S.-built fire and burglary safe for your home or small office, especially for documents, cash, and jewelry.
- Choose AMSEC: When you need the highest burglary ratings for insurance, a large gun safe, or a commercial safe for a pharmacy or jewelry business.
- Choose Hayman: When your business handles daily cash deposits, or when you want a hidden in-floor safe at home.
- Compare Specific Models: When two brands both fit, compare the ratings, weight, and interior size of the exact models you are considering.
Also Read: What Is a Depository Safe and How Does It Work?
Buying Safes in NYC: Size, Weight, and Installation
City living adds challenges that national safe reviews rarely mention. Before choosing a brand and model, buyers of safes in NYC should plan around these factors:
- Elevator and Stair Access: Heavy safes may exceed elevator limits or need to be carried up walk-up stairs, which affects delivery.
- Floor Load: Large gun safes and fire safes can weigh several hundred pounds, which matters in older buildings.
- Anchoring: Bolting a safe to the floor makes it far harder to carry away, especially for smaller models.
- Building Rules: Co-ops and condos may set rules for large deliveries and contractor work inside the building.
- Space: Measure doorways, hallways, and the final location, including room for the door to swing open.
Our safe sales team helps match each safe to your space and delivers and installs it inside your home or business.
Bottom Line
Gardall, AMSEC, and Hayman all build dependable safes, but each brand shines in a different area. Gardall suits homeowners and small offices looking for U.S.-built fire and burglary protection. AMSEC covers the widest range and the highest commercial ratings, while Hayman leads in cash handling and hidden floor safes. Checking the UL rating and the size and weight of the exact model matters more than the brand name alone.
At NY City Safe, we offer safe sales, delivery, and installation for safes in NYC from Gardall, AMSEC, Hayman, and other leading brands, with a manufacturer warranty on every safe we sell. Our licensed and certified safe locksmith team also handles safe openings, combination changes, lock upgrades, and repairs across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, with 24/7 emergency service.
Contact NY City Safe for a free consultation on choosing the right safe for your home or business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Gardall or AMSEC?
It depends on your needs. Gardall is a strong choice for U.S.-built home and small business fire and burglary safes. AMSEC offers a wider range, including TL-rated high-security safes and a large selection of gun safes.
Are Hayman safes good?
Yes, Hayman is especially known for its CashVault money chests and depository safes, which offer strong value for businesses that handle cash. Its in-floor safes are also popular for hidden storage at home.
Are Gardall, AMSEC, and Hayman safes made in the USA?
Gardall builds its safes in Syracuse, New York, and Hayman is based in Oviedo, Florida. AMSEC manufactures many models in Fontana, California, but also sells imported lines, which makes checking the specific model important.
What rating should I look for in a home safe?
For theft protection, a UL RSC rating is a good baseline for most homes. If you store documents or media, look for a UL fire rating as well. High-value items or insurance requirements may call for a TL-15 or TL-30 safe.
Can a safe locksmith service any brand of safe?
Yes, a trained safe locksmith can open, repair, and change combinations on safes from all major brands, including Gardall, AMSEC, and Hayman.
How do I get a heavy safe into an NYC apartment?
Measure the doorways, hallways, and elevator first, and check your building’s rules for large deliveries. Professional delivery and installation handle the carry, placement, and anchoring, which protects both the safe and your building.
