Tested: The Best Door Locks For Your Home, Garage, or Rental
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To find the best door lock for your property, lifestyle, and budget, start with the tips and recommendations outlined in the guide ahead.
No home security system is complete without a good entry door lock. Choosing one might seem like a simple decision, but in reality, there are a number of considerations to weigh. Door locks vary in quality based on their type, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) rating, construction, and the materials used.
After researching the most popular options on the market, we tested 10 different locks from the best-known brands in the business to determine which locks are true standouts. The locks on our list range from standard deadbolts to the most advanced smart locks. Read on to learn the differences between common lock types as well as why we believe the models below are the best door locks available today.
- BEST OVERALL: Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
- RUNNER-UP: Kwikset Juno Security Set Keyed Deadbolt
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Kwikset 660 Keyed Deadbolt With SmartKey
- BEST SMART: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- BEST TOUCH-SCREEN: Yale Assure Lock SL With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- BEST FINGERPRINT-ACCESS: Eufy E130 Smart Lock
- BEST KEYLESS: Yale Assure Lock SL With Z-Wave Plus
- BEST WITH KEYPAD: Schlage Keypad Lever With Flex Lock
- BEST DEADBOLT: Schlage B-60 Single-Cylinder Deadbolt
- BEST HIGH-SECURITY: Kwikset Halifax Deadbolt Security Set
How We Tested the Best Door Locks
All of the selections on our list went through extensive hands-on testing, during which we evaluated each lock on several points. We began with ease of installation, assessing how simple it was to install and set up each lock. Once installed, we considered how well the lock worked by using each over a 1-week period. For smart locks, we tested all of the smart features, including remote access, auto-lock and unlock features, and digital assistant compatibility. We also considered each lock’s size and appearance, evaluating how it impacted the aesthetics of a door. Finally, we combined our hands-on testing with external research, comparing lock security ratings, build quality, and finish options.
Testing Stats
- Products tested: 10
- Time spent testing: 15 hours
- Tests performed: 5
- Average price: $129.14
Our Top Picks
The products we highlighted are all high in overall quality and value—our testing helped confirm that. Whether you’re shopping for your home, garage, or rental property, this list should have something for you. We’ve given each product a unique award to highlight its standout features.
Best Overall
Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.7/5; Installation 3/5; Aesthetics 5/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Smart lock
- Lock quality: Grade 1
- Material: Zinc
Pros
- Programmable keypad for reliable security; has a Grade 1 ANSI security rating
- Compatible with Amazon Key app for added security and remote locking/unlocking
- Voice-control capability for added convenience
- Offered in various colors to match a home’s outdoor fixtures
Cons
- Expensive compared to other door locks on the market
The Schlage Encode smart lock carries a higher price point than many, but it includes a range of high-end features that distinguish it from its competitors. Users can connect it to their home Wi-Fi network and pair it with the Schlage app to lock or unlock the door from anywhere without needing to purchase any additional accessories.
The Schlage smart lock features a touch-screen keypad, providing multiple unlocking options. It can even be paired with voice control. Thanks to its ANSI rating of Grade 1, you can rest assured that your door is securely locked. Users can choose from bronze, chrome, satin nickel, or matte black.
The Schlage Encode may be among the priciest locks you can put on your door, but if you’re after top-notch security, we think it’s worth the cost. Thanks to its quality construction and high ANSI rating, the lock has a sturdy, rock-solid feel out of the box. While it’s a bit of a challenge to install, once it’s up and running, we found it to be an excellent lock.
Since it’s Wi-Fi–ready, you don’t need to purchase a separate communication hub known as a “bridge” to link it to your Wi-Fi. We loved having the ability to control the lock from virtually anywhere via a smartphone. As we found, this is a real advantage for families with kids who get home before their parents each afternoon. We also like the auto-lock feature, which we found to be a great backup for forgetful kids and adults.
As for looks, you’d be hard-pressed to find a smart lock with classier aesthetics than this one. If you’re after a lock that offers maximum security and smart capabilities—all while looking good—this is the one.
Get the Schlage Encode door lock at Amazon or Lowe’s.
Runner-up
Kwikset Juno Security Set Keyed Deadbolt
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Installation 3/5; Aesthetics 4/5; Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Single-cylinder
- Lock quality: Grade 1
- Material: Metal
Pros
- Highly durable for long-term use and reliability; Grade 1 ANSI security rating
- Lock and door knob included; provides entire locking system
- Available in various finishes to match a home’s current fixtures
Cons
- May require professional installation
With an affordable price and the highest security rating offered on residential locks, the Kwikset Juno is our top pick for a residence or rental property. Each purchase includes both an entry door knob and a single-cylinder deadbolt. The ANSI rating of Grade 1 means the lock can resist being kicked, bumped, drilled, sawed, or picked open.
Rekeying the lock is a breeze with Kwikset’s patented SmartKey Security, which lets you rekey your lock quickly, ensuring that lost or stolen keys are no longer usable. While this listing features a satin nickel finish, a variety of other finishes are also available to best suit your home’s aesthetic. The door knob has universal handling, meaning that it can be installed on either the left or right side of the door.
For those who don’t need a fancy smart lock or keypad access, the Juno is a worthy option. We found it to be one of the easier lock-and-handle combinations to install. Plus, the rounded shape of the knob and the attractive compact deadbolt lock gives it a classic look that’s ideal for a back door or garage door entryway. Its Grade 1 ANSI security rating makes it a good candidate for such doors, which are at higher risk for break-ins than a front door.
Because this includes both a handle lock and a deadbolt lock, you’ll get an added layer of security. While this helps prevent you from leaving the door unlocked, it also increases the chances of accidentally locking yourself out. Overall, this is an excellent manual lock that offers top-notch security at an affordable price.
Get the Kwikset Juno door lock at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
Kwikset 660 Keyed Deadbolt With SmartKey
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Installation 4/5; Aesthetics 4/5; Durability 3/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Smart lock
- Lock quality: Grade 3
- Material: Zinc
Pros
- Compact size makes it less conspicuous than larger door locks
- Simple design and easy-to-follow instructions allow one to install it in minutes
- SmartKey technology enables rekeying in just seconds
- Kwikset Bump Guard technology protects it from lock bumping, a common means of defeating locks
Cons
- Low Grade 3 ANSI security rating limits it to low-crime areas and low-risk exterior doors
With the Kwikset 660, you can get an affordable deadbolt lock without compromising security. It offers Grade 3 security, which provides good protection for most residential uses. It also comes equipped with Kwikset’s patented SmartKey Security technology, which allows users to rekey the lock themselves in seconds. And since it comes in six different finishes, the 660 is easy to match to an existing door knob.
Not only is this lock one of the most affordable we tested, but it was also one of the easiest to install. It helped that it fit the hole in our test door, eliminating the need to make additional cuts. We had it installed and ready for action in under 15 minutes.
Though the Kwikset 660 only offers Grade 3 security, it does have a solid feel. When manually locking it from the inside, you can feel the bolt snap securely into place. It also comes equipped with Kwikset’s Bump Guard technology, which prevents lock bumping, a method commonly employed to defeat deadbolt locks.
The 660 has a small profile compared to other locks we tested. Compared to many smart locks, which are frankly huge, this one boasts a much more minimalist look.
While the 660’s lower security rating doesn’t make it the ideal choice for doors that require the highest degree of security, it’s a great option for locales where break-ins are rare. It’s also a good pick for doors that don’t require the same degree of security, such as an entryway door between a garage and a house.
Get the Kwikset 660 door lock at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Smart
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Installation 5/5; Aesthetics 3/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Smart lock
- Lock quality: Grade 1
- Material: Zinc
Pros
- Smart-home compatible; pairs with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, and more
- Automatic locking/unlocking for convenience and peace of mind
- Low-battery alert included to keep the unit operational
- Works with an existing deadbolt and does not require a plug-in adapter for proper operation
Cons
- Expensive compared to other options available
Designed to fit an existing deadbolt, the August smart lock doesn’t require a bridge for Wi-Fi capability, a feature that can save users money. This Wi-Fi smart lock can be programmed to automatically lock and unlock your door, alert you when the door is left open or if its batteries run low, and even assign temporary access codes—a feature August makes free, unlike some of its competitors.
This Wi-Fi smart lock links to smart-home systems and virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. There are other Wi-Fi–enabled smart locks on the market with similar capabilities, but when it comes to virtual assistants, these competitors don’t work as seamlessly as the August Smart Lock. They also lack the contemporary design of this small, minimalist design, which measures just 2.8 inches in diameter.
Because this lock is designed to fit an existing deadbolt, there’s very little assembly and disassembly involved. During our testing, this was by far the easiest of our smart locks to install. Another highlight was that the August app walked us through each step of the installation with helpful animations. And since the smart lock only needs to be installed on the inside of the door, we didn’t even have to change the house key on our key ring.
The August smart lock is full of useful user features. It comes with a door sensor that lets you know when the door is left open, and it uses geo-fencing to automatically lock the door when you leave home and auto unlock it when you return. We found this feature particularly useful when returning home with armloads of groceries.
Because this lock doesn’t alter the functionality of your existing padlock on the outside part of the door, you can use your current house key to unlock it if the smart lock’s batteries happen to die, or if you find yourself at the door without your smartphone. In terms of aesthetics, the lock itself is a little bulky, but that’s true of most smart locks.
Get the August door lock at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Touch-Screen
Yale Assure Lock SL With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Installation 4/5; Aesthetics 4/5; Durability 4/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Smart lock
- Lock quality: Grade 2
- Material: Steel
Pros
- Smart-home compatible; can be paired with a phone or Apple Watch
- Hands-free use makes it easy to operate; great for homes with children and seniors
- Offered in multiple finishes to match a home’s outdoor fixtures
Cons
- Batteries don’t last very long; app does not have a low-battery alert
This Wi-Fi smart lock features a sleek touch screen and pairs with various smart-home systems, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Philips Hue, and Apple HomeKit. Users can enjoy hands-free use by syncing the lock with a phone or Apple Watch.
An electronic deadbolt locks the door automatically when closed or after a set period of time. Users can share permanent, temporary, or scheduled access with friends or neighbors using digital “keys.” The lock is offered in various finishes: black, polished brass, satin nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze. Users can also choose between a keyless door lock and an option for keyed entry.
We loved how well this lock worked. The touchpad was responsive, making it easy to use for manual unlocking, and the app provided total control over the lock. A standout feature was the auto-lock function, which automatically locks the door when it senses you’re more than a couple hundred meters away and then automatically unlocks it when you arrive home. We found this to be a great feature when returning home from a weekend away with armfuls of luggage. The ability to control the lock remotely was also useful for unlocking the door for a teen arriving home from school.
In terms of looks, the padlock’s exterior was one of the more streamlined and less conspicuous models we tested, but it was rather large on the interior. Overall, the Yale is an exceptional smart lock for its price, which is neither the most affordable nor the most expensive.
Get the Yale Wi-Fi lock at Amazon or Lowe’s.