Wasatch 18EGW 18-Gun Safe Review: Big Keypad Safe, Worth It?
The Wasatch 18EGW is a full-size, 18-gun-class cabinet with an electronic keypad, a backup key and a manufacturer fire claim, sold in a pebble gray finish at a price that sits well below traditional big-brand safes. It suits owners who have outgrown a slim rifle cabinet and want fire-resistance claims, door storage and a lever handle without stepping into the multi-thousand-dollar range. It is a weaker match if you need an independently documented fire rating, a precise interior layout you can verify before purchase, or a model that is easy to move through tight doorways.
Bottom line:
- Best for owners who want a roomy 9.9 cubic foot long gun safe with a listed 1400-degree, 45-minute fire claim at a mid-range price.
- The listing describes five bolts (three active and two dead), a backlit keypad, an alarm and a backup key.
- The fire rating is the seller’s claim and no weight, steel gauge or warranty detail is listed, so confirm those before you order.
This review is based on the Amazon listing, the seller’s feature bullets and general safe-storage knowledge. We have not handled this safe, and no owner feedback summary was available at the time of writing, so we point out where you need to read the manual or listing details yourself. For a broader view of the category, our best gun safes guide is the place to start.
Wasatch 18EGW specs at a glance
| Spec | Listing detail |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 20″ D x 17″ W x 55″ H |
| Capacity | 9.9 cubic feet (sold as an 18-gun model) |
| Lock type | Electronic keypad, backup key |
| Material | Metal (steel gauge not listed) |
| Fire claim | 1400 degrees for 45 minutes, per the seller |
| Bolts | Three 1.5″ active locking bolts and two dead bolts, per the seller |
| Mounting | Floor mount |
| Color | Pebble Gray |
| Extras | Alarm-U alarm function, interior door storage, lever handle, external hinges |
Access and lock
The 18EGW uses a backlit electronic keypad, which is the right choice for a safe kept in a dim garage corner or a basement closet. The seller adds that the keypad includes an Alarm-U function that sounds a theft alert and a deterrent alarm, and that a backup key is included. Together that gives you two ways in: a code for everyday use and a physical key if the electronics fail.
The listing does not say how long the code can be, how many users it supports, what happens after repeated wrong entries, or what type of batteries it takes. Those are questions for the manual, and they matter if several adults share access. Set a unique code on day one, avoid birthdays and house numbers, and store the backup key away from the safe, never inside it.
The lever handle is a nice detail for a bigger safe. Lever handles are easier to operate with one hand than a spin handle, which can help when you are retrieving a firearm in a hurry or when someone with limited grip strength needs to open the door.
Build and security features
Security here comes down to the bolt layout and the door. The listing describes three 1.5-inch active locking bolts and two dead bolts, with external hinges that allow a full 180-degree opening. Active bolts are the ones that move into the frame when the lock engages, and larger diameters generally resist prying better, but we cannot verify those numbers, and the listing gives no steel thickness, body construction or independent security rating.
The fire claim deserves the most care. The seller says the safe is rated for 1400 degrees for 45 minutes and calls it fireproof and waterproof. We treat that as a manufacturer statement. No third-party lab name or certification appears in the details we reviewed, and no safe is truly fireproof. Real-world protection depends on fire duration, where the safe sits and what you store in it, so if you have irreplaceable papers, photos or digital media, keep copies elsewhere. Our best fireproof gun safes guide explains how to read these claims more skeptically.
External hinges are a mixed bag. They let the door swing wide for easy loading, but they sit outside the body, so ask whether the listing or manual describes hinge-side bolts or other protection against hinge attacks.
Interior and fit
At 20 inches deep, 17 inches wide and 55 inches tall outside, with 9.9 cubic feet of space, this is a fairly tall, narrow-front cabinet with good depth. The 18-gun label is a nominal count, and the real number usually drops when rifles have scopes, wide magazines or thick stocks. A realistic plan is to expect a mix of long guns, then use the interior door storage for pistols, magazines, documents and accessories instead of cramming every slot.
The listing does not give interior dimensions, shelf layout or whether the door organizer pockets are fabric or rigid. Measure your longest and widest rifle, including optics, and compare it to the interior height once you can verify it. A 55-inch exterior leaves less than that inside, and tall hunting rifles with extended barrels or sling mounts can be a tight squeeze.
The door storage helps free up the main compartment. Use it for lighter items, and keep ammunition and firearms stored separately where your household rules call for it. Our best rifle safes guide covers other layouts if you want something with fewer slots and bigger spacing.
Mounting and placement
The spec sheet lists floor mounting. The listing does not tell us how many anchor holes there are, what hardware comes in the box (the included components say only “gun safe”), or how heavy the safe is. Plan to buy anchors suited to your floor, whether that is wood subfloor or concrete, and look up the weight in the manual or the shipping notes because it affects delivery, stairs and floor loads.
Anchoring a tall safe matters twice over: it resists theft, and it prevents a tip-over, which is a real hazard around children. Keep the safe against a wall in a corner if you can, with enough space for the door to open 180 degrees. Avoid placing it on bare ground in a damp basement without a pad or pallet underneath.
Power and batteries
The keypad and alarm run on batteries, though the listing does not say which type or how many. Check the manual for the battery compartment location, whether it is reachable from the outside if the unit dies, and whether there is an external power option. The included backup key is the fallback, so know where it is stored and test it once after setup.
Replace batteries on a regular schedule instead of waiting for a low-power warning, keep spares nearby, and always test the keypad with the door open after a swap.
What owners say
No owner feedback summary was available for this model when we wrote this review, so we will not guess at common themes. Instead, scan the customer comments on the listing for a few specific points: how easy delivery and positioning were, whether the interior fit scoped rifles, how the keypad and alarm behaved, how owners describe the paint and door finish on arrival, and whether anyone mentions the fire claim in a way that matches the description. Comments about customer service and replacement parts are also worth reading because larger safes are harder to return.
A third-party overview can help you picture it. Watch: the Redhawk Valley channel’s overview of the 18EGW and a related model.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Roomy 9.9 cubic foot interior with decent depth
- Backlit electronic keypad plus a backup key
- Five bolts described, with 180-degree external hinges
- Interior door storage and a lever handle
- Listed 1400-degree, 45-minute fire claim at a mid-range price
Cons
- Fire claim is the seller’s, with no lab named
- Weight, steel gauge and warranty are not on the listing
- Interior dimensions and layout are not listed
- Battery type and code details need the manual
How it compares
Within our guides, the 18EGW sits between inexpensive slim cabinets and premium fire safes. If you are comparing it with slimmer cabinets, our best gun safes under $1,000 roundup lists other options in a similar tier, and our best rifle safes page leans on layout and depth. If fire resistance is the main reason you are shopping, read the best fireproof gun safes guide to see how other models describe their claims. Before settling on any model, run through the full list in our gun safe reviews A to Z hub.
The trade-off versus smaller cabinets is simple: more space and a fire claim, but more weight, a bigger delivery job and more unknowns on the listing.
Price and deals
At the time of writing, the Wasatch 18EGW sat in the $500 to $1,000 range. That is a wide band, so check today’s price on Amazon before you decide, and look at our Wasatch 18EGW promo code page for ways to pay less. Sale events such as Prime Big Deal Days in October and Black Friday sometimes move big-ticket safes, but nothing is guaranteed.
Final verdict
The Wasatch 18EGW is a sensible mid-priced option for a growing long gun collection when you want a keypad, a backup key, a lever handle and a stated fire claim in the same box. It becomes less attractive if you need verified numbers: weight, steel thickness, warranty terms and a third-party fire rating are all missing from the listing, and you should confirm them with the seller or manual before paying.
Anchor it, keep the code private, store the backup key apart and remember that child-access-prevention and storage laws vary by state, so check yours.
Wasatch 18EGW 18-Gun Safe FAQ
How many guns does the Wasatch 18EGW really hold?
The listing calls it an 18-gun safe with 9.9 cubic feet of space, but that is a nominal count. Scopes, wide stocks and magazines reduce the usable number, so measure your rifles and use the door storage for accessories. Interior dimensions are not listed.
Does the Wasatch 18EGW have a fire rating?
The seller states 1400 degrees for 45 minutes. We could not find a named third-party lab or certification in the listing details, so treat it as the manufacturer’s claim, and keep irreplaceable documents backed up elsewhere.
What happens if the keypad or batteries fail?
A backup key is included, and the keypad is electronic. The listing does not state the battery type, so check the manual. Store the key away from the safe and test it after setup.
Can the Wasatch 18EGW be bolted down?
The spec sheet lists floor mounting. Anchor hole count and included hardware are not described, since the components list only says gun safe. Buy anchors suited to your floor and check the manual for hole locations.
Does it come in other variants?
No variants are shown on the listing we reviewed. The overview video mentions a related model (18EHWBJ), but we cannot confirm its features, so compare listings carefully before buying.
FindsCheaper is reader-supported: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We research listings, manuals and owner feedback; we do not accept payment for placement. Prices, coupons and availability change, so check Amazon for the current details. Store firearms safely and follow your state’s storage laws.
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