Original SafeWise safety & security research featured in:
Best Door Locks for Apartments and Renters in 2024
For over 11 years, SafeWise experts have conducted independent research and testing to create unbiased, human reviews. Learn how we test and review.
With 9 years in journalism, John focuses on smart home tech, previously writing for ASecureLife and serving as Smart Home Editor at Top Ten Reviews.
It's essential to have apartment locks you can trust. The Defender Security Lock boasts an affordable price and strikes the perfect balance between temporary and permanent use. You install it with just four screws, which means removing it leaves only tiny holes behind that are easy to fill. Even better, it can withstand up to 800 lbs. of force, and there are no keyholes to pick.
We reviewed the top locks on the market, keeping your varied security needs in mind. The Defender Security Lock may be the best overall pick, but read on for insight on specific needs like portability, keyless entry, smart locks, and deadbolts.
Top 5 apartment door locks
- : Best overall
- : Best smart lock
- : Best for budgets
- : Best deadbolt
- : Best for interior doors
If you want to feel safer in your flat, adding a lock to your apartment door that works like a door jammer will do the job. If you're worried about people using old keys to get in while you're out, a complete lock replacement might be in order.
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1. Defender Security U 10827: Best overall
Small, discreet, and effective—the Defender Security Lock physically blocks the door from opening. It's simple to lock since you swing it toward your door until it snaps into a slot on the lock's bottom. We like that it's an easy installation in most cases—though it leaves a few holes behind.
Defender rests against your door when locked, which is a huge advantage—and it can withstand up to 800 pounds of force. There are no keyholes to pick, and unlike a traditional swing latch or chain lock, it doesn't allow your door to open even a crack, so it's virtually impossible to tamper with from the outside.
While it fits most exterior doors, it's less than ideal if your apartment door fits snugly in its frame, as you might have to chisel out some wood to get the security lock to fit. The included screws sometimes break during installation, so it's not uncommon for users to buy extras.
Although the lock is effective, some users report a loss of functionality over time and say that Defender can be challenging to unlock. This is especially true if you find the sharp edges uncomfortable to hold. (Some customers even went as far as filing the edges down. Oof.)
Despite its occasional drawbacks, most customers love Defender as much as we do.
2. Wyze Lock Bolt: Best smart lock
The Wyze Lock Bolt isn't technically a smart lock, but don't judge too quickly. Instead of a Wi-Fi connection, it uses Bluetooth to connect to the Wyze app, where you can set up schedules, temporary codes, and create routines with other Wyze gear.
The lock is made of tough, weather-resistant brushed nickel and, without the drain of a Wi-Fi connection, a battery life of up to a year. The Wyze Lock Bolt has multiple entry methods, including a fingerprint scanner and a backlit keypad for multiple users.
Installing the Wyze Lock Bolt only takes a few minutes (and maybe an extra pair of hands) and fits in most standard doors. While it doesn't connect to Wi-Fi, you can still control it with the app when you're nearby. Within the app, you can set locking and unlocking schedules for when you get home or let the kids in, for example.
In our tests, the fingerprint scanner was our favorite feature by far. With an arm full of groceries or an eager dog on a leash, it's hard to fumble around with keys. With a simple touch of a finger, you can lock and unlock your apartment door without dropping a thing.
Check out our list of the Best Smart Locks to see some of our favorite picks.
3. Addalock: Best for budgets
Known as the "Original Portable Door Lock," the Addalock is the easiest, lowest impact item on our list. It works as a door blocker, hooking onto the existing strike plate on your door, so there's no drilling or changing out the hardware.
Like the Defender Security Lock, you need to ensure there’s enough room between the strike plate on the door frame and the edge of the door itself for the Addalock to slide through. It's even a good travel option for Airbnb and some motels that may not have a chain or swing bar to secure the room while you're inside.
Don't let the $32 list price deter you—the Addalock portable door lock usually costs about $18 on Amazon. You can even score an Addalock two-pack for around $30.
Most complaints from customers are about this lock not fitting their entrance doors, so it's worth the extra time to ensure a good fit. If your latch doesn't match the shape on Addalock, consider AceMining instead—a similar product in our honorable mentions.
4. Kwikset 660: Best deadbolt
The Kwikset Deadbolt 660 fits most doors (and budgets) and installs quickly. While it helps to measure your door before installation, this Kwikset fits doors 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" thick or twists to fit larger doors 2-3/8" to 2-3/4".
While it may look like a simple deadbolt on the outside, the 660 comes with Kwikset's SmartKey technology, which resists advanced picking techniques and allows you to rekey your door with a special tool included with the lock. So, if you're less worried about careless roommates losing their keys than intruders, this can come in handy for giving everyone (who needs it) access.
Check out these other Kwikset locks with advanced security features:
- Kwikset 985 is a double-cylinder lock that swaps the indoor thumbturn for another keyway. This secures doors a burglar might unlock by hand through a nearby broken window.
- Kwikset 980S is a version without SmartKey—you can't rekey it without a locksmith.
To swap out a doorknob for extra security at the front door or a private room in a co-living space, consider the Kwikset Tylo 400T (about $20). It boasts SmartKey features, so you can use the same key as your deadbolt. It's easier to lock yourself out, so keep a spare key with a trusted neighbor.
5. Schlage B81626: Best for interior doors (non-keyed lock)
The Schlage B81626 is a non-keyed lock, that combines a deadbolt's ease of use with a door jammer's lockout ability. It has a thumbturn on the inside for you—and a solidly blank plate for everyone on the other side. It signals to intruders that there's no picking your lock since there's no keyhole to pick.
This Schlage lock even comes with an ANSI Grade 2 rating, which means it’s incredibly durable against forced entry when properly installed. It isn't the highest quality—but it works with most standard strike plates.
We love this lock for partitioning private living spaces for tenants in a shared apartment. It's an excellent supplement to a locking doorknob or deadbolt in a dorm because you can use it to secure your door while sleeping.
Still, remember that not having a keyhole on the Schlage B81626 is a two-edged blade. For one, it's almost impossible to lock yourself out of an empty room—but it's just as easy for someone else to sequester themselves without your permission. We recommend using it alongside a traditional doorknob lock or deadbolt when you leave for the day.
More apartment locks we considered
AceMining
The AceMining portable door lock (about $14) is a solid alternative to the Addalock for about $4 less but comes with two slots for different latch styles. One slot is for standard US door latches, while the other supports larger, rectangular latches. It's not as well-reviewed as the Addalock, but the expanded latch compatibility is still worth considering if you travel frequently.
August Smart Lock
The August Smart Lock (3rd Gen) (about $150) doesn't come with a Wi-Fi bridge like the Wyze Lock. Instead, you need to shell out another $80 for remote access—or you can upgrade to an August Wi-Fi (about $230) for around the same price. August locks are worth a look if you have the budget, but Wyze's lower price is more appropriate for cash-strapped renters.
Eufy Video Smart Lock
The Eufy S330 Video Smart Lock (about $350) is a video doorbell and smart door lock in the same device. There's even a keypad and fingerprint sensor for easy guest access. Unfortunately, it doesn't retrofit your existing lock, so you'd need to give a key to the property manager. Plus, the exterior keypad may catch the attention of landlords who don't want you messing with the locks.
Level Bolt
We like the Level Bolt (about $200) for its stealthy approach to smart locks. Instead of slapping a large unit on the back of your existing deadbolt, it slips into the borehole between your lock's two halves. The Bolt's biggest drawback is its limited smart home options and lack of Wi-Fi, but at least it works with Apple HomeKit—unlike the Wyze Smart Lock.
Door locks for apartments final word
Keeping your apartment safe is surprisingly easy with a lock like Defender. Once mounted with some long screws, it locks your door in place, making it much harder to pry the door open from the outside. It has some design quirks like sharp edges, but it’s an excellent apartment door lock overall.
If you want a high-tech lock, we recommend going with Wyze Lock or heading over to our full smart lock comparison to explore your options. For a temporary option, consider a door security bar.
Door locks for apartments FAQ
Getting permission to change the locks on your apartment depends on your lease. Some leases allow it, as long as it doesn't cause damage, while others don't. Before making a lock change, check with your landlord or local tenant resource center.
It depends on the types of locks you have in your apartment building. Most doorknob locks and deadbolts are easy to change as a DIY project, but a mortise lock or electronic lock with manual programming may be more complex and require a professional.
The type of lock affects the cost. Smart locks involve more time, labor, and money, while simple knob locks are easier on every front. Expect to pay a locksmith service anywhere from $30 to $300 for a new lock.
You can purchase various sliding door lock and door security bar options to secure your sliding door, and many don't require drilling holes.
If you're locked out, check all possible entry points first for something you possibly left unlocked. If you can't open the door or a window, ask for help from a neighbor or landlord, or call a locksmith.
Our favorite method for avoiding this scenario is hiding a key outside a neighbor's home or apartment. Then you can always get it, but anyone who finds it won't know what it opens.
How we reviewed the best locks for apartments
Most apartment building dwellers want to avoid upsetting their landlords, so we looked for door locks that are easy to install and remove with little to no trace. While we have experience testing smart door locks for other reviews, we have yet to use most of the simple locks above as of this update.
To fill in the gaps, we watched over a dozen installation videos to ensure our apartment security picks are easy to install. We read more than 100 customer reviews to confirm these locks are secure and durable.
Check out our full methodology for more about how we review products.
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