The 10 Best Deadbolt Locks

Deadbolt locks are the single most cost-effective security upgrade you can make to a front door.

Unlike spring-latch locks that can be defeated with a credit card, a properly installed deadbolt throws a solid steel bolt deep into the door frame, resisting kick-ins, picking, and forced entry far better than any standard lockset.

Whether you are securing a family home, a rental property, or a garage entry, choosing the right deadbolt comes down to understanding grade ratings, cylinder quality, and how much rekeying flexibility you actually need.

Our research team at ProductFind analyzed specifications, expert review consensus across locksmith and home-security publications, and verified buyer feedback from thousands of confirmed purchasers to narrow the field to ten deadbolts spanning every budget and use case, from entry-level single-cylinder options to commercial-grade cylinders from Schlage and Kwikset.

If you are ready to see how the top picks stack up, scroll down to compare them all at a glance.

Deadbolt Locks Buying Guide

Picking a deadbolt is not as simple as grabbing whatever fits the hole in your door. Security grade, cylinder design, finish durability, and rekeying convenience all play a role in how well a lock performs over years of daily use.

Use the criteria below to match the right deadbolt to your specific situation before committing to a purchase.

ANSI/BHMA Grade Rating

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) certify residential and commercial locks on a three-tier scale. Grade 1 is the highest residential classification and must withstand 250,000 open-and-close cycles along with a 10-strike kick-in evaluation.

Grade 2 covers most quality residential deadbolts and still provides solid forced-entry resistance for the average homeowner. Grade 3 is the minimum residential standard and is generally considered adequate only for interior or secondary doors.

For a primary exterior entry, target Grade 1 or Grade 2 at minimum. The Schlage B60N and the Schlage B81 are among the Grade 1 picks in our list, reflecting the highest residential certification available.

If you are outfitting a rental or a commercial back office, the Schlage B560P steps up to a commercial-grade cylinder that exceeds typical residential requirements.

Spending a little more for certified hardware is almost always worthwhile compared to replacing a breached door frame later.

One practical note: grade ratings appear on the packaging and in product listings. If a listing does not state a grade, treat that as a red flag.

Budget options like the Forliggio and Veise locks in our lineup disclose Grade 3 compliance, which sets honest expectations about their place in a layered security plan.

Cylinder Type and Pick Resistance

A deadbolt is only as strong as its cylinder. Standard five-pin cylinders are vulnerable to lock-picking and bump-key attacks, both of which are widely documented in locksport communities and known to opportunistic burglars.

Higher-security cylinders add sidebar pins, rotating elements, or restricted keyways that dramatically raise the skill and time required to bypass them without a key.

Kwikset’s SmartKey cylinders, featured on the Kwikset 660 and Kwikset 816 models in our lineup, use a sidebar mechanism that resists picking and bumping while also allowing the homeowner to rekey the lock in seconds using a small tool included with the hardware.

This is particularly valuable when moving into a previously occupied home or when a key is lost. Schlage cylinders use a patented pin design that meets ANSI/BHMA pick-resistance requirements independently of the SmartKey system.

For doors you simply want secured from the inside, a non-keyed one-sided deadbolt like the Schlage B81 or the Kwikset 663 eliminates the exterior cylinder entirely, removing the picking attack surface.

These are ideal for interior garage-to-house doors or rooms where you want a thumbturn on one side only.

Pairing a quality deadbolt with a solid-core door and a reinforced strike plate completes a layered defense that significantly raises the difficulty of forced entry.

Single Cylinder vs. Double Cylinder

Single-cylinder deadbolts are keyed on the exterior and have a thumbturn on the interior. They are the most common residential choice and allow occupants to exit quickly in an emergency without fumbling for a key.

This matters enormously in a fire scenario. Double-cylinder deadbolts require a key on both sides and are sometimes installed on doors with adjacent glass panels, since breaking the glass would otherwise let an intruder reach in and turn the thumbturn.

Most fire codes and safety organizations advise against double-cylinder locks on primary exit doors precisely because of the egress hazard.

If your concern is a door with sidelights, a safer approach is laminated or tempered glass combined with a single-cylinder Grade 1 deadbolt, rather than a double-cylinder lock that could trap occupants.

All of the keyed options in our list are single-cylinder designs, consistent with mainstream residential safety guidance.

Rekeying Convenience

Traditional deadbolts require a locksmith visit to change the key combination, which costs time and money.

Modern rekeying systems like Kwikset’s SmartKey technology let you rekey a lock yourself in under two minutes using a small reset tool and a new key.

This is a meaningful practical advantage for landlords, property managers, and anyone who has just moved into a new home and wants fresh key control without replacing the entire lockset.

The Kwikset 816 Key Control Deadbolt goes one step further: it ships with a key control card that restricts duplication at hardware stores, so you know exactly how many copies of your key exist.

This is a low-tech alternative to restricted keyways at a much lower price point.

If rekeying is a priority for your situation, the Kwikset 660 and Kwikset 816 are the two SmartKey-equipped picks in our roundup and both carry strong verified buyer satisfaction scores for ease of rekeying.

Finish and Weather Durability

Deadbolt finishes are more than cosmetic. Exterior locks face UV exposure, rain, salt air, and temperature swings that can cause cheaper finishes to pit, flake, or corrode within a few years.

Satin nickel and satin stainless are generally more corrosion-resistant than polished brass in humid climates. Matte black finishes have become popular for modern door hardware and, when applied over a quality substrate, hold up well outdoors.

Commercial-grade finishes on Schlage products carry ANSI finish designations that specify the number of salt-spray hours the coating must withstand.

For coastal or high-humidity installations, prioritize locks that list a specific ANSI finish code or carry a manufacturer warranty on finish durability.

The Copper Creek DB2410SS uses a satin stainless finish that resists corrosion better than plated alternatives, which partially explains its niche appeal despite the lower overall PF Score.

Installation and Door Compatibility

Most residential deadbolts are designed to fit the standard 2-1/8-inch cross-bore on doors between 1-3/8 and 1-3/4 inches thick with a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset.

Before purchasing, measure your door’s backset (the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the bore hole) because choosing the wrong backset means the deadbolt will not align with the strike plate.

Many deadbolts include an adjustable latch that accommodates both common backsets, which simplifies replacement.

Installation difficulty varies. Single-cylinder deadbolts from Kwikset and Schlage typically take 15 to 30 minutes with a screwdriver and are genuinely DIY-friendly.

The Veise and Forliggio budget picks market themselves on easy installation, and verified buyers generally confirm this, though the trade-off is thinner metal components compared to premium brands.

If you are already comfortable with basic home improvement tasks like using a caulking gun around door frames for weatherproofing, swapping a deadbolt is a similarly approachable weekend project.

For commercial-grade cylinders like the Schlage B560P, professional installation is worth considering to ensure proper alignment with heavy-duty strike plates.

Why You Should Trust Us

ProductFind is an independent review publication. We do not sell locks, take manufacturer commissions, or accept product samples in exchange for coverage.

Every lock in this article was assessed through our structured research process: we analyze published specifications, draw on expert review consensus from locksmiths, home-security researchers, and hardware trade publications, and weigh verified buyer feedback from confirmed purchasers across major retail platforms.

We do not conduct our own product trials; our evaluations are grounded in research, published data, expert review consensus, and verified buyer feedback.

Each product receives a PF Score on a 0 to 10 scale reflecting consistent criteria applied across the entire category: security grade certification, cylinder quality and pick resistance, rekeying flexibility, finish durability, installation ease, and overall value relative to price.

The Schlage B60N leads our list with a PF Score of 8.3, reflecting its Grade 1 certification, Schlage’s independently verified cylinder security, and broad expert endorsement as a residential standard.

Lower-scored options like the Kwikset 663 (4.8) and Veise deadbolt (5.1) serve legitimate but narrower use cases, and our scoring reflects that honestly.

ProductFind may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through links in this article. That relationship has no influence on PF Scores, rankings, or product selection. Our recommendations are driven entirely by research quality, not by commission rates.

Final Thoughts

After a thorough review of the deadbolt landscape, a few standout picks emerged for different needs and budgets. Here are our key recommendations from this lineup:

• Best Overall: Schlage B60N Deadbolt, Matte Black earns the top PF Score in this roundup thanks to its ANSI Grade 1 certification, Schlage’s pick-resistant cylinder design, and consistent expert endorsement as the residential deadbolt benchmark. It covers the vast majority of exterior door scenarios reliably and at a reasonable price point for the security level delivered.
• Best Commercial-Grade Pick: Schlage B560P Commercial Single Cylinder Deadbolt steps beyond residential certification with a commercial-grade cylinder and C keyway, making it the right choice for rental properties, small offices, or any application that demands a higher-durability specification. Its PF Score of 8.1 reflects the premium build quality and broader lock ecosystem compatibility.
• Best Non-Keyed Deadbolt: Schlage B81 One-Sided Deadbolt, Satin Nickel is the cleanest solution for interior doors, garage entries, or any passage that only needs to be secured from one side. Eliminating the exterior cylinder removes a potential attack surface entirely, and the Grade 1 certification (PF Score 7.8) keeps it credible for serious applications.
• Best for Easy Rekeying: Kwikset 660 Deadbolt, Matte Black brings SmartKey rekeying technology to a modern finish at a mid-range price. A PF Score of 7.7 and strong verified buyer ratings for ease of rekeying make it the go-to for landlords and anyone who has just moved into a new home.
• Best Budget Upgrade: Kwikset 660 Deadbolt, Satin Nickel delivers the same SmartKey cylinder and Microban antimicrobial protection at an entry-level price, earning a PF Score of 7.6 that punches well above what its cost suggests. It is the most accessible path to pick-resistant rekeying convenience for price-conscious homeowners.

For most homeowners, the Schlage B60N remains the clearest recommendation. If rekeying is your primary concern, either Kwikset 660 variant is an excellent value.

And if you are working on a broader home improvement project, pairing your new deadbolt with reinforced framing and proper weatherstripping keeps your door performing like a complete system.

You might also find our coverage of garage and workshop workbenches useful if you are setting up a dedicated space for home maintenance tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Grade 1 and Grade 2 deadbolt?

ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts must pass more demanding cycle and forced-entry evaluations than Grade 2 models, including a higher number of strike attacks before the lock fails. For a primary exterior door, Grade 1 is the preferred standard.

Grade 2 is still considered solid residential security and is appropriate for secondary exterior doors or situations where budget is a constraint. Both grades significantly outperform unrated hardware found on older or budget-priced doors.

Can I install a deadbolt myself, or do I need a locksmith?

Most single-cylinder residential deadbolts from Kwikset and Schlage are designed for DIY installation and require only a screwdriver in most cases. Installation typically takes under 30 minutes on a pre-bored door.

The main variables to check beforehand are door thickness (most deadbolts fit doors between 1-3/8 and 1-3/4 inches) and backset distance (either 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches).

Commercial-grade or specialty cylinders may benefit from professional fitting to ensure the strike plate aligns correctly under load.

How does SmartKey rekeying actually work?

Kwikset’s SmartKey system lets you change the key combination of a compatible lock in about 30 seconds using a small reset tool and a new Kwikset-compatible key.

You insert the current working key, turn it slightly, insert the reset tool, remove the current key, insert the new key, and turn it back. The lock is now set to the new key.

No disassembly or locksmith visit is required. This process works on all SmartKey-equipped Kwikset deadbolts, including the 660 and 816 models in our list.

Is a deadbolt enough security on its own, or do I need additional measures?

A quality deadbolt is the foundation of door security, but its effectiveness depends heavily on the surrounding hardware. Even a Grade 1 cylinder can fail quickly if it is set into a weak door frame or secured with short screws.

Security professionals consistently recommend pairing a good deadbolt with a reinforced strike plate using 3-inch screws that reach the structural framing, a solid-core or metal door, and door frame reinforcement if the existing jamb is thin or damaged.

Additional layers such as door-frame armor, security cameras, and alarm sensors complement the mechanical lock rather than replace it.

What does “single cylinder” vs. “one-sided” mean on a deadbolt listing?

“Single cylinder” means the lock is keyed on the exterior and has a manual thumbturn on the interior. This is the standard residential configuration.

“One-sided” or “non-keyed” deadbolts (like the Schlage B81 or Kwikset 663 in our lineup) have a thumbturn on one side only and no keyed cylinder at all on the other.

They are designed for doors where you want to bolt from the inside but do not need key access from the outside, such as an interior door between a garage and a living space or a utility room door.

How long should a quality deadbolt last?

ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts are rated to 250,000 operational cycles, which translates to decades of typical residential use assuming several open-and-close operations per day. Real-world longevity depends on exposure conditions: coastal salt air, extreme temperature swings, and heavy-handed operation all accelerate wear.

Schlage and Kwikset both back their residential deadbolts with lifetime mechanical and finish warranties, which provides meaningful assurance over the product’s lifespan.

Budget-tier options typically carry shorter or more limited warranty coverage, which is worth factoring into the total cost of ownership when comparing price points.

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