Best Door Hardware & Locks for DIYers
Locks, handles, and deadbolts secure your home and set the first impression at the door. The big choices are mechanical versus smart, the security grade, and a finish that matches. Schlage and Kwikset lead the market.
What to look for
- ·For exterior doors, choose a Grade 1 or 2 deadbolt for real security; interior knobs and levers can be lighter Grade 3.
- ·Smart locks add keypad and app access and many support Apple Home, Alexa, or Matter; mechanical locks are simpler and cheaper.
- ·Kwikset SmartKey lets you rekey locks yourself to one key; match finishes across all your exterior hardware.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Smart Deadbolt | Editor's pick | $200 to $350 | Smart access with top security |
| Baldwin Prestige Handleset | Editor's pick | $120 to $300 | Premium entry door look |
| Schlage B60 Deadbolt | Editor's pick | $30 to $60 | Top mechanical security |
| Kwikset Halo Smart Lock | Best value | $130 to $200 | Value smart lock |
| Kwikset SmartKey Deadbolt | Best value | $20 to $45 | Value mechanical with rekey |
| Schlage Camelot Handleset | Best value | $80 to $160 | Value entry handleset |
| Defiant Deadbolt (Home Depot) | Budget pick | $15 to $35 | Budget security |
| Brinks Door Lock | Budget pick | $15 to $40 | Affordable basic locks |
| Kwikset Basic Entry Set | Budget pick | $15 to $35 | Budget interior and light doors |
Editor's pick
Schlage Encode Smart Deadbolt
$200 to $350
A top smart deadbolt with built-in WiFi, a keypad, app control, and strong physical security (the Encode Plus adds an alarm). The pick for smart access plus serious security.
Best for: Smart access with top security
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Baldwin Prestige Handleset
$120 to $300
Premium, heavy, beautifully finished entry hardware that makes a statement and lasts. The pick for a high-end front door look and feel.
Best for: Premium entry door look
Typically available at Build.com, Amazon.
Schlage B60 Deadbolt
$30 to $60
A Grade 1 mechanical deadbolt with excellent forced-entry resistance and a clean look. The pick for top security without going smart.
Best for: Top mechanical security
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Best value
Kwikset Halo Smart Lock
$130 to $200
A WiFi smart lock with a keypad, app control, and SmartKey rekeying, easy to install at a friendlier price than premium smart locks. A strong smart value.
Best for: Value smart lock
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Kwikset SmartKey Deadbolt
$20 to $45
A solid mechanical deadbolt with the convenient SmartKey rekey feature at a value price. A practical, secure pick for exterior doors.
Best for: Value mechanical with rekey
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Schlage Camelot Handleset
$80 to $160
A stylish, secure entry handleset with a deadbolt at a mid-range price. A dependable value for a good-looking, secure front door.
Best for: Value entry handleset
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Budget pick
Defiant Deadbolt (Home Depot)
$15 to $35
Home Depot's budget lock brand offering deadbolts and entry sets at low prices. Basic security for rentals, sheds, and budget projects.
Best for: Budget security
Typically available at Home Depot.
Brinks Door Lock
$15 to $40
An affordable, widely available lock and deadbolt line for basic security needs. A reasonable budget pick for secondary doors.
Best for: Affordable basic locks
Typically available at Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon.
Kwikset Basic Entry Set
$15 to $35
A budget-friendly knob or lever entry set for interior and light exterior doors. Basic but dependable from a trusted brand at a low price.
Best for: Budget interior and light doors
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Frequently asked
What security grade do I need?+
Locks are graded 1 (highest) to 3. For exterior doors, a Grade 1 or 2 deadbolt gives real resistance to forced entry. Interior passage and privacy knobs or levers can be Grade 3. Pair a quality deadbolt with a solid door and strike plate for the most security.
Are smart locks worth it?+
If you value keyless entry, guest codes, and remote lock/unlock, yes. Smart locks add keypad and app control and many work with Alexa, Google, Apple Home, or Matter. Mechanical locks are cheaper, simpler, and need no batteries or setup, so it comes down to convenience versus simplicity.
Schlage or Kwikset?+
Both are reputable leaders. Schlage is known for strong physical security and robust smart locks. Kwikset is praised for easy installation, the SmartKey rekey feature, and broad smart-home compatibility, often at lower prices. Either brand serves well; choose by features and budget.
What is SmartKey rekeying?+
Kwikset SmartKey lets you rekey the lock yourself in under a minute to match a key you already have, so all your locks can use one key without a locksmith. It is handy after a move or when you want matching keys across doors.
Can I install a door lock myself?+
Yes, replacing a deadbolt or handleset on an existing door is a straightforward screwdriver job, and smart locks usually retrofit onto the existing deadbolt hole. Cutting a new door for hardware (boring holes and mortising the strike) is more involved but still DIY-friendly with a kit.