Door locks

What's behind our door lock Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 19 models in door locks to see which ones perform best.

We look for:

Overall score
Overall score is based mainly on resistance to a heavy metal pendulum meant to simulate a burglar's kicks.
Kick-in as sold
Resistance to kick-in as sold is how well the lock survived increasingly forceful impacts using the hardware it comes with.
Kick-in reinforced
Kick-in reinforced (not used in scoring) is the same test using an aftermarket Mag Security Box Strike in place of the included strike or, for surface-mount locks, 3-inch screws; models scoring Excellent as sold were not retested.
Prying/wrenching
Prying/wrenching uses a pipe wrench, channel-lock pliers, and a screwdriver with lever.
Drilling
Drilling shows how well the lock stood up to assaults with a drill.
Picking
Drilling and picking shows how well the lock stood up to the lock-picking efforts of a professional locksmith.
Hammering
Hammering swings a weighted sledgehammer down onto the lock to break it off; the more blows needed (up to 10), the higher the score.
Sawing
High scores in sawing are for locks whose deadbolt couldn't be totally cut and whose performance in kick-in tests didn't drop after they were partially cut.
Finish durability
We tested finish durability by exposing the locks to salt spray.

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Recommended door locks

Recommended door locks are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Recommended door locks

Door lock buying guide

To find the door lock that is right for you, read our expert advice on which features to consider and how to find the best value.

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Door locks Ratings

Find out which Door locks scored the best on our tests. Our tests are based not only on government and industry standards but also on standards our specialists think should apply, which re-create the experience you will have with the product.

Latest door lock ratings

Any dead-bolt lock is better than the common key-in-knob variety. We spent weeks prying, hammering, picking, pummeling, and drilling locks, and few scored well. A handful proved far more susceptible than most. If you're looking for information about door locks, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ door lock reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our door lock buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and door lock reviews to help you choose the best door lock for your needs.

Ratings & recommended door locks

Door locks (19)

The right lock for you depends largely on your concerns about a break-in, what other measures you're taking, and how much you want to pay. The locks we recommend vary in the protection they offer but withstood most of out tests.

Door lock buying guide

Many of the dead-bolt locks we tested don't provide the level of protection you might expect. A few well-placed kicks or a standard cordless drill was all it took to defeat most locks. Those test results are especially unsettling because forcible entries, such as kick-ins, are the most common type of home break-ins. And 67 percent of respondents to our national survey count on dead-bolt locks to help keep their homes secure. But any dead-bolt lock is better than the common key-in-knob variety.

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