Best Door Locks to Prevent Break-Ins at Homes & Businesses

According to a recent survey, more than 40% of American homes that have been burgled do not have proper door locks installed. The worst being the thieves did not have to make an attempt to break into the homes or properties. 

We were intrigued by some of the best door locks to prevent break-ins. During our research, we found the Kwikset 99170-001 SmartCode 917 Keypad Keyless Entry as our top choice. It comes with a residential electronic lever deadbolt alternative with a Tustin door handle.

Based on our experience, the Revolo RE001 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt is the best keyless entry door lock because of its keyless entry, auto-locking, easy installation, stylish design, and IP65 rating features. 

We also liked the Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock as our budget pick, and it is designed to withstand 800 lbs. of force. 

Our Top Choice (our top three) 

1. Kwikset 99170-001 SmartCode 917 Keypad Keyless Entry (Best for Security)
2. Revolo RE001 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt (Best Keyless Entry Door Lock)
3. Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock (Budget Pick)

Best Door Locks to Prevent Break-Ins

A good door lock is essential for a home’s security. The model helps in stopping unwanted people from entering the home or property. Using a poorly designed lock, one may be living happily, when suddenly the property is broken into by a burglar. 

It is obvious that the quality of the front door lock is important for ensuring that break-ins are prevented. Based on our research, we have listed some of the best door locks to prevent break-ins.

1. Kwikset 99170-001 SmartCode 917 Keypad Keyless Entry – Best to Prevent Break-Ins

The Kwikset 99170-001 SmartCode 917 Keypad Keyless Entry is our most secure front door locks on the list of the best door locks to prevent break-ins. Our team members & participants were blown away by its features and capabilities in our lab.

We also found the residential lever a good choice for convenience and security for our rental properties as well. Our team member saw that it has a SmartKey security that can provide amazing security, protecting homes from advanced break-in techniques. 

It allowed us to re-key our lock in seconds for one key convenience. We were able to disable the passage mode, which makes sure it auto-locks every time and a code is always required for entry. This feature enables temporary workers or caretakers not to forget to lock the maintenance closet.

The auto-lock mode can be set to stay locked always. Of course, we noticed that a key or code is required for entry each time making it ideal for front doors, side doors, back doors, and the garage.

We were also able to use the passage mode where the lock can be set to stay unlocked. No key or code is required for access. It is helpful for office areas that allow access for individuals to enter and leave instantly. 

The installation did not take too long, and we were able to complete it in under 30 minutes. However, we did feel that the buttons are rather soft, and we are not sure how they would hold up if exposed to the weather.

Bottom line:

The Kwikset 99170-001 SmartCode 917 Keypad Keyless Entry is our top choice as the best door lock to prevent break-ins. The model comes with features a reversible lever, one-time user code, and BHMA grade certification, and is easy to access.

2. Revolo RE001 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt – Best Keyless Entry Door Lock

The Revolo RE001 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt is our best keyless entry door lock and is the most effective locks to prevent burglaries. We feel that the model is ideal for homeowners, apartment owners, and property owners.  

Besides, we noticed that it offered a temporary code for one-time guests. It is the ideal solution for Airbnb, vacation rentals, or family homes. Its anti-peeking password feature ensured proper home security, automatic lock, or one-touch-locking avoiding an incomplete lock. 

It allowed us to set the automatic lock in 10-99 seconds. Otherwise, we could use the 1 touching motorized locking. There is no need to be concerned about leaving the door unlocked. The installation is quite simple, as it comes with an adjustable latch to fit standard door preparations.

The maker has also provided the necessary hardware components. We highly recommend that users install it with a Phillips head screwdriver. The design is elegant and stylish. It blends with any kind of surrounding, which was another of its strong points. 

Since it comes with a handle, we did not have to get one for the doors. It is produced from sturdy zinc alloy. We were glad to know that it has an IP65 rating that makes it weather-resistant to keep the front door protected.

The maker suggests that users check the door jamb and confirm that the dimensions of the door hole are compatible with the lock. The locks are intended for use with door holes that measure 54mm in diameter.

Bottom line:

The Revolo RE001 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt is our best keyless entry door lock, as the best electronic keypad deadbolt. It comes with several features including multiple user codes, auto lock, IP65 rating, one-time code, and Airbnb choice. 

3. Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock – Best Budget Lock

The Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock is our budget model on the list of the best door locks to prevent break-ins. Let us read, and find out more about this amazing lock, and how it can prevent break-ins.

The makers have ensured that the installation process is smooth and slick for users. We too, found the installation process quite pleasant as they have provided 3” hardened screws. Sadly, the screws appear to be somewhat weak in design.

The high-security door reinforcement lock can also be used for additional home security on swing-in doors. This helps the door not to be opened from the outside. We also noticed that the model has a spring-loaded design, that is both child-safe and tamper-resistant. 

The lock is pretty solid and can’t be picked and bumped in the locked position. All in all, we highly recommend this model to everyone. There are many ways to make a home more secure without spending a lot of money.

Please do that if the door doesn’t fit well in the frame, there will be trouble placing this lock. According to our tests, we were not able to open the door or bump it successfully, giving the occupants time to react and call 911. 

Bottom line:

The Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock is our budget model on the list of the best door locks to prevent break-ins. It has features including it can withstand 800 lbs. of force, comes with a satin nickel finish, a smooth installation process, and is used on swing-in doors.

4. TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock – Best Easy Installation Lock

We have another interesting model on our list of the best door locks to prevent break-ins in the form of the TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock. The Gerda G1000 High-Security Lock is our best commercial lock ensuring maximum security for commercial buildings and apartments. 

The lock has a one-time code that needs to be set once. We needed to set a one-time PIN code for opening the door and automatically deleted it after use. This provides the homeowner with maximum security.

The keyless entry is the most convenient, offering access for up to 20 family members with unique access codes & fingerprints. It also helps to create temporary codes for guests to use. There is also a secure fingerprint unlock feature, where users can unlock the door in 1 second. 

This is a 1 second with their biometric fingerprint identification technology that recognizes fingerprints in only 0.3 seconds. The automatic door lock can be set to lock in 10-99 seconds. Besides, the one-touch auto-lock feature can be used by pressing and holding any key on the keypad.

The model provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, free replacement within 1 year, and they also provide lifetime after-sales customer service. Their customer support is one of the best in the market, with online phone support from Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM PDT, and 24/7 online after-sales email service.

Bottom line:

The TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock is our best easy installation lock. The model comes with features like a one-time code, simple access & use, biometric fingerprint identification, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

5. Wyze Lock WiFi & Bluetooth Enabled Smart Door Lock – Best Bluetooth Electronic Digital Lock

Next on the list of the best door locks to prevent break-ins, we have the Wyze Lock WiFi & Bluetooth Enabled Smart Door Lock. This model is the best Bluetooth electronic digital lock. Let us find out more about it.

The smart lock is quite simple to use, and the setup with Alexa is simple. Wyze Lock allowed us to easily share access to our home with friends, family, contractors, and anybody that we wanted. Besides, we were able to see a history of lock and unlock events. 

It gave us complete control of who has access to our home. With the door position detection system, the model informs about the lock status, but also if the door is open or closed. The model also has a built-in gyroscope to know the position of the door. 

There is no need for placing separate sensors. It also comes with a keyless door entry, where one needs to simply walk up to the door, and then have it unlock automatically. We can lock behind, once we got home inside. 

We may want to mention that the installation was a breeze. This is for those who have installed a deadbolt before can install this. Otherwise, we found the Wyze video that breaks everything down, and everything else is provided in the package, including the screwdriver. 

The Wyze Lock Keypad and Wyze Cam have to be purchased separately to make this lock a deadly combination for added security and surveillance. Overall, it is a fantastic model that came with everything that we wanted it to have in it.

Bottom line:

The Wyze Lock WiFi & Bluetooth Enabled Smart Door Lock is the best Bluetooth electronic digital lock with a reversible handle. The lock has incredible features including a fingerprint passcode, auto-lock, keys, IC card, and the TTLock app.

Buying Guide – Factors to consider for the best door locks to prevent break-ins.

Below are some of the features that we saw before choosing the best door locks to prevent break-ins. We have discussed them briefly: 

• Ease of installation & compatibility

The door locks should be easy to use and compatible with your software (in the case of a smart lock). This is a crucial factor in deciding the model. The installation also includes replacing the door frame, if you have to. 

We concentrated on the looks of the locks as well. They need to blend with the door frame and the décor of your home. Most of the locks and smart locks are compatible with the standard doors in America, as they are designed, either as deadbolt or latch-and-lever construction.

In this case, the Kwikset 99170-001 SmartCode 917 Keypad Keyless Entry model was apt.

• Design & construction 

The design & construction of the lock is another factor for our decision. The design of the lock refers to the elegance, style, and tone used. It should blend with your door frame and the exterior of your home, apartment, or building. 

Likewise, the construction of the lock was another crucial factor that we insisted on having on the lock. We found that the smart locks did better than the traditional locks in terms of design & construction. 

But it is a personal choice, and one can use the lock of their liking. Here, we felt that the Revolo RE001 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt model did well. 

• Traditional lock or smart lock

Personally, we would recommend you go with the smart lock because they are robust in design and come in impenetrable qualities. After all, that is the main purpose of installing a lock in the first place at home, office, or your apartment.

However, the traditional locks can be a good choice as well. We found the Grade 3 to Grade 1 locks quite sturdy and good. Besides, they are priced quite cheaply & affordable. At the end of the day, it is a personal choice.  

We felt that the Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock model did well for a traditional lock. Likewise, the Wyze Lock WiFi & Bluetooth Enabled Smart Door Lock model was a sublime choice for a smart lock.

• Customer support 

The customer support for both traditional locks & smart locks is crucial. We have read several times, how customers get stuck with the instructions or the installation process. During these trying times, it is vital that the manufacturer offers you with professional customer support.

However, during our research, we found that customer support for the traditional lock did not fare as well as the smart lock. This is what makes us opt for smart locks as they come with infused with tremendous features, including good customer care. 

The TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock model provides you with decent customer care.

Who is this for?

Door locks to prevent break-ins are for any responsible homeowner or property owner. When you want your home, apartment, or property, to remain safe from unwanted hands & eyes, then it would be best to use a sturdy, feature-filled lock. 

Perhaps, you are living in an area, where there have too many thefts, robberies, and intrusions happening. You want to do something about it. Then the best way to go about things would be to use locks that can actually help prevent break-ins. 

Based on our experience in researching door locks, we have concluded that appearances can be deceptive to thieves. It is normal human nature that when we see something quite robust, sturdy, and elegantly designed, we avoid tampering with it. 

Perhaps, thieves feel that they won’t be able to get through the lock and are most likely wasting their time. However, a determined thief might see the day of light, if he persists with the tampering, but most of the locks that we have provided on the list are not easy to break. 

Traditional locks are the best way to go about things. However, the same was not with the smart locks. Smart locks seem indestructible for the moment. They work quite well and come infused with amazing features in them. 

They have a wide range of features that make them better than the traditional locking system. Smart locks can be used and operated through your smartphone or tablet. Moreover, they are compatible with Android and iOS devices as well. 

Smart locks make it simpler for outsiders who need to show up in front of your home, office, or property weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. It could be the mailman, the milkman, the deliveryman, and so on. 

Besides, they can help you live conveniently, by enabling you to use them for activating other devices as well. They also come with a feature called as code creation for guests. It can be used for giving passwords to guests, visitors, and tenants. 

If you are living in a vintage property, then please do consider getting your entire door frame replaced. This would be the best way to install the door lock on your property. Though it is a small investment, it needs to be done, just once.

Tips to Prevent Break-ins

During our research, we found that deadbolt locks were a popular choice among many American homeowners in the 1960s itself. This caused a massive decline in the number of residential burglaries.

Not surprisingly, many more homes, offices, and buildings, started installing them. However, with the advent of technology, today, one can find more than 20% of American homes installed with smart locks. 

Besides, they also come with superior lock technology, reinforced glass, and a wide range of private security firms that are monitoring private properties. In 2006, close to 1.5 million American homes were intruded successfully. 

We can’t blame law enforcement agents when they can’t track down the thieves and burglars, who are pretty adept at this profession. This is when homeowners might want to ponder on how they can reduce the break-ins or prevent them altogether. 

That is what we strived for when researching about the best door locks for preventing break-ins. We have provided our readers with a few exceptional pointers that can help them protect their homes and give a chance for burglars to strike there. 

Thieves or robbers usually break into homes or properties, when the owners are out, gone for work, or on vacation. It makes their job much easier. Gone are the days, when they used to strike at night only, because daytime, gives them ample time to analyze, think, and take what they want to. 

Closed to 40% of home break-ins in the United States are not forced entries. It is unfortunate because, the thieves were able to make their way into the house, without having to break a lock or cause any damage to the doors & windows. 

This is similar to leaving the door unlocked. That is why, homeowners might want to make their home tamper-proof, like a fort. Based on that, we have provided some simple tips and ideas that do not require money or investment.

1. Keep it simple outside.

The outside area of any property leaves a massive sign or lasting impression on visitors or outsiders. The occupants of the home might want to ensure that nothing is left untoward outside. 

For example, if they leave a bicycle or unlocked bike, then it is automatically an invitation for intruders. There is no need to lure thieves or robbers to a property. Besides, when one has made an expensive purchase, then please avoid leaving the empty package outside. 

2. Trick burglars

This is an age-old technique that does work in remote areas, towns, and cities. The homeowner may leave one light on inside the living room or hall. This way, the intruder or thief is discouraged from break-in because they know that somebody is inside. 

It could be anybody. When one has to leave the house for several hours for work or go on a small vacation, then it is best to leave a light on in the living room and upstairs as well. This is when one can consider using power-saving lights.

3. Secure doors and windows.

Make sure that all the doors and windows in the home or property are secured and safely done. Homeowners do not want to give an invitation to outsiders by leaving a door ajar or window unlocked. 

It is best to have some safety precautions like double bars on the front door, and the back doors as well. It pays to have some kind of an additional layer of security just in case someone decides to drop inside. 

4. Remain vigilant about the surroundings.

When one has the option to work from home or work remotely, then they might want to remain vigilant about the surroundings. This is especially when one has moved into a new neighborhood. 

It is always good to watch out for oneself. Perhaps, you might want to make friends or introduce yourself to the neighbors. Find out more at the local police station or befriend somebody who is working in law enforcement, as it always pays. 

5. Always lock up with a secure model.

It goes without saying that locking up with a safe model always pays. We mentioned earlier in one of our pointers that more than 40% of burglaries have happened without using any force, which is a shame, as people are literally leaving homes as simple targets. 

This has to be avoided if you are to ensure that your home or property is safe. We recommend that you use a deadbolt lock or a smart lock. Most of the models that we have provided on this list are secure and come with top-notch features in them. 

So, when leaving the home, apartment, property, or building, always make sure to lock the front door. Please see to it that the windows, patios, garage doors, and sliding doors are locked well or come with a security mechanism in place. 

How have we tested for the best door locks to prevent break-ins?

We tested all the lock models based on the above criteria. We took the help of our team members and participants. To get a complete idea of the working and mechanisms of the door lock, we put them to work in homes and other real-life situations. 

We check for the packaging of the door lock models as it arrives to us. We are delighted to inform you that most of them came with solid packaging. It ensures that the model does not get damaged during transportation. 

Besides, it also helps in making sure that the door lock is stable and can work efficiently when installed on the doors. Like we said, we saw the ease of installation & compatibility. Most of the locks, including the traditional door locks were quite simple to install. 

They did not take more than 30 minutes. However, smart locks can be time-consuming for new users. Besides, when the door frame needs to be replaced then it can take some time to do that. 

However, most of the door lock models were quite simple to install and the smart lock worked pretty well. Next, we saw the design & construction of the door locks. The door lock design blends with the exterior & interior of the home or apartment. 

This is a crucial aspect of any door lock. We do not want to install a model that does not blend with the home décor. Is it not? The lock would make the door look very odd and create décor issues. 

We personally, prefer using the smart lock. Like we said, it does take some time for installation when you are a first-timer. But once you have installed it in your home, apartment, or property, then it ensures that your area is safe & secure. 

This is a personal preference, and users can decide likewise. Then comes customer support. Customer care for any lock model is crucial for ensuring that consumers can depend on the maker for professional customer support. 

Sometimes, they can find themselves stuck up in the installation process or find issues with the compatibility. A similar thing happened with us during the compatibility. We tried pretty hard for a few hours. 

Then we communicated with customer support, and they were able to provide us with a proper solution. Though they did respond a few hours later, we were able to work it out. Drawing from experience, most of the customer support is quite good enough. 

We also communicated with a few real users and took their feedback to understand and learn more about the product. We interviewed experts with specialized knowledge about door locks and took their advice on security practices at home and apartment.

Our editors also attended safety, security, and smart home workshops, trade shows, and conventions to get a better idea of the door locks. It enabled us to keep up with the latest industry standards, and then recommend them to our readers.

Why should you trust us? 

We strongly believe in the saying, “Trust is the foundation of a strong relationship.” Likewise, we want to always ensure that our readers get only the best, most reliable, and most accurate information on the internet, through us. 

Our editors have more than 50 years in the door locks to prevent break-ins. Moreover, our main editor has close to 20 years of experience in reviewing about locks. He is intrigued about the working of the locks, and mechanisms, and wonders about the mystery of locking & unlocking. 

Our main editors also have good connections with popular door lock manufacturers. We have been testing deadlocks, and smart locks as well. We have also been going through the different technology trends in several national online publications. 

We have more than a dozen locks in our homes & offices as well. One of our team members also worked in the lock industry for 15 years. He is amazed at the toughness & sturdiness of the locks on apartments and homes. 

We communicate with many lock experts for suggestions and get their ideas when searching, researching, and analyzing locks. We reviewed, analyzed, and researched about the locks, especially for break-ins, and also ensured that they came with warranties and replacements. 

Our editors, team members, and participants tested these locks in their homes, offices, and elsewhere to give their feedback. We are happy to say that the feedback was quite good, and hence we have listed them here. 

We can assure our readers that the data provided here is to the best of our knowledge, based on our testing and reviewing. If at all, there are updates, then we will tell you about them. We took the suggestions of our editors, team members, and participants.

FAQs

Conclusion

We have ended our review & analysis on the best door locks to prevent break-ins. Getting secure entry door locks helps in ensuring that your home is a safe place for you. Intruders and burglars do not attack homes that are locked with invincible, durable, and powerful locks. 

When you combine them with a high-quality entry door, then your home or apartment becomes impenetrable. The Kwikset 99170-001 SmartCode 917 Keypad Keyless Entry provides you with incredible durability and a Tustin door handle and smart key security, which makes it difficult to pick. 

You can keep your home safer with a lock like the Revolo RE001 Electronic Keypad Deadbolt that provides 20 access codes for family members and a temporary code for one-time guests. We also found the Defender Security U 10827 Door Reinforcement Lock designed to withstand 800 lbs. as our budget pick.