Our market research uncovered the following door locks that can help keep you and your family safe. Keep reading to learn more about the best hardware for the doors around your home or office. Additionally, you may want a lock or deadbolt that works with your smart home, allowing you to unlock or lock the unit from your smartphone or a keypad. Of course, the overall warranty is also considered, as you shouldn’t worry about your new door lock or deadbolt failing. Remember, though, that a deadbolt on its own can’t be integrated into a smart home. You need to pair this Kwikset with a smart door lock if you want to access it remotely. Tech specs
Adjustable and fits all standard door thicknesses ANSI Grade: Grade 1 Weight: 1.5
One other thing: this lock is both right- and left-handed. A perfect fit for the ambidextrous American! Tech specs
Adjustable and fits all standard door thicknesses ANSI Grade: Grade 1 Weight: 2.72 lb.
Mortise locks are more expensive than deadbolts, but the cost is justified if you want extra safety. Still, mortise locks are better suited to commercial properties than residential. In a family home, a mortise lock could be overkill. The Schlage L9000 series of mortise locks have a feature called Vandlgard. It’s essentially a reinforced strike plate that prevents tampering from kicking, hitting, or even standing on the handle.¹ With a lock like this, a thief will need a battering ram to get into your house. This mortise lock has no smart home capabilities. It’s also not compatible with most smart locks, which usually work with a deadbolt. So it’s your responsibility to lock and unlock this baby. Tech specs
ANSI Grade: Grade 1 Weight: 6.65 lb.
Tech specs
ANSI Grade: None Weight: 9.6 lb.
While these deadbolts offer the ultimate convenience, the key overrides are more vulnerable to being picked. Because of that, their ANSI ratings are usually lower than a regular deadbolt’s. Our only real beef with this keyless deadbolt is a lack of longevity. Most customers say it didn’t last as long as expected. It’s especially likely to malfunction in the extreme cold.
ANSI Grade: 2 Weight: 3 lb.
As a bonus, the lock is reversible, so it works on both left- and right-handed doors. You can also temporarily lock out user access codes if you for some reason need to deny entry to a frequent visitor. But this lock has no ANSI grade, making it difficult to say how effective it really is. Its batteries don’t last long, and it struggles in the cold and wet.
ANSI Grade: None Weight: 16 oz
Another feature: limited-use passcodes for guests. If you’re often away from home, you can grant guests access from your smartphone. The August Smart Lock is compatible with Apple HomeKit, meaning you can use Siri to lock or unlock your door. But to do that (or to hook your lock up to Alexa and other protocols), you may need to get an additional August bridge. Overall, the August is the best lock choice for the smart home enthusiast.
ANSI Grade: None Weight: 13.9 oz
This lock tends to run a little more expensive than the August Smart Lock. It’s compatible with fewer protocols, and it’s not as sleek-looking. It’s also a mortise, so it’s not compatible with an ANSI-grade deadbolt.
ANSI Grade: None Weight: 6 lb.
Another reason we like this door jammer is because it comes in sets of two—you can secure two doors with one package. And it’s portable, so you can even take one along on vacation and jam your hotel door. To counterbalance this problem, the Battalion Strike Plate reinforces a weak frame. The added layer of metal and the extra-long screws make the door frame almost unbreakable.
Kwikset 980 Single Cylinder: This ultra-reliable lock is our recommendation for best deadbolt. Schlage L9040: For extra security, try this mortise lock. Schlage Touch Camelot Deadbolt BE375: If you don’t want to bother with keys, this keyless entry lock is for you. August Smart Lock: This is the smart lock we recommend for an automated home.
The results fall under three grades:
Grade 1: Grade 1 locks can withstand ten strikes of up to 75 pounds and up to one million open-and-close cycles.Grade 2: Grade 2 locks can withstand five strikes of 75 pounds and up to 800,000 open-and-close cycles.Grade 3: Good. Grade 3 locks can withstand two strikes of 75 pounds and up to 800,000 open-and-close cycles.
Another way you can improve the security of your home is to replace any hollow-core doors with solid wood or metal. Hollow-core doors are weaker and more vulnerable to shattering than a solid wooden frame. Sure, solid exterior doors are more expensive, but they’re also much more durable and nearly impossible to break down. Avoid doors with windows in them. A super secure lock doesn’t do any good if the thief can just break a window and reach inside. So avoid installing doors with windows. If you need to see out, add a peephole. Reinforce your doors. Remember, thieves say they go for the front door first. Invest in deadbolts, strike plates, and chain locks to make your home much more challenging to break into. A sturdy door, combined with a proper home security system, offers the best possible protection from thieves and other intruders. For instance, a keypad lock means that you don’t have to have your key on you. But it also allows anyone who has the code to gain entry to your home.A Wi-Fi smart lock lets you open your door remotely for visitors and repairmen. However, it can also be hacked. Finally, a mechanical lock requires you to have a key, which can be inconvenient. But potential thieves may have a hard time finding a way around that requirement. Always keep the pluses and minuses of each lock type in mind when making a decision.
