This time-locking safe helps me manage bad phone habits — and it's a 'Shark Tank' favorite

I catch myself mindlessly scrolling on my phone, ignoring loved ones, and getting increasingly anxious.

Enter the time-locking kSafe to save the day. It comes in three sizes: mini, medium, and X-large.

All three sizes are 5.5 inches square in depth and width but vary in height. The interior of the mini container is 2 inches high, the medium is 5.5 inches high, and the extra-large is 10.4 inches. There are clear and white container options, and the lids come in several colors, including green, red, and blue. Each safe works on two AA batteries that come with the unit.

The mini was too small to hold my Samsung Galaxy S10+ phone. I recommend purchasing the extra-large kSafe since it's only $10 more than the other two sizes, and can also fit small tablets and gaming devices. 

Simply put the lid on, select how long you want it to lock, and press the dial.

The lid works in any orientation, so you don't have to worry about the locking tabs lining up when you put the lid on. To set the time, you turn the dial on the lid. Once you have the time you want, press the dial. Then you have a five-second countdown in case you change your mind. If you don't press the dial again, the safe will lock, and the contents will be inaccessible until the time is up.

When I notice that looking at my phone is stressing me out or distracting me from spending quality time with my family, I pop it in the kSafe.

I try to limit my phone use after work. I usually have no trouble unplugging, but other days, my phone is seemingly attached to my hand. As soon as I recognize that my phone is monopolizing my attention, I lock it up. I usually just set the kSafe for 30 to 60 minutes. That's enough time for the phone-scrolling urge to pass. After the safe unlocks, I usually leave my phone there until bedtime.

You can put objects in there for up to 10 days. My kid put their lemonade stand money in for 5 days.

I don't recommend putting objects in the kSafe for longer than a couple of hours because you can't use it for other items during that time. Still, a long lock-up helped my kid reduce their urge to spend their money immediately after making it.

I couldn't find a way to hack it.

I tried a variety of ways to hack the kSafe. You can only add time to it, not take it away. If you remove the batteries, the timer stops, and the lid stays locked. I read that you could use a screwdriver or knife to pop one of the locking tabs out to get in without breaking the container. However, when I tried, I broke the container. My conclusion: The only way to get into the safe before time runs out is to break the container, and replacement containers cost $27 to $37.

It's not good for securing valuables, but it's a great deterrent from using items you want to avoid.

I've tested several of the best home safes, and the kSafe was easier to break into than most others I've tested. But the kSafe isn't designed for home security. It's meant for breaking habits. I found it did an excellent job of this. 

I found it was an effective tool for breaking my infinite scrolling, so I can focus on what matters most: living my best life.

While overall, I think the kSafe is pricey, that's the point. You'd be tempted to bust it open if it were cheap.