Published January 25, 2023. Updated October 11, 2026
Our 2023 version of this page recommended three smart locks, and one of them has since lost its app entirely, so this update ranks what actually keeps a door closed.
- Grade 2 or better outsideEvery exterior door, including the door from the garage into the house, should have at least an ANSI Grade 2 deadbolt.
- Reinforce the strike plateSeattle police say 3 to 4 inch screws in the strike plate prevent most forced entries through a door.
- A full inch of boltThe deadbolt should extend at least 1 inch into the door frame when it locks.
- Smart locks carry grades tooA smart deadbolt is only as strong as its security grade, so read the packaging carefully.
- Kevo is finishedThe Kwikset Kevo app and web portal stopped working after November 14, 2025.
What Actually Stops a Break In
Most forced entries do not beat the lock. They beat the wood around it. The Seattle Police Department says the most common way to force a door with a wooden frame is to kick it open. The weakest point is almost always the strike plate, the metal plate on the frame that the bolt slides into.
The reason is simple once you see it. The stock strike plate is often held only by short screws in thin trim, so a firm kick tears it away. The repair costs a few dollars. You replace those short screws with 3 to 4 inch wood screws that reach the stud behind the frame and add at least one long screw to each hinge. The police bulletin says this single step will prevent most forced entries through a door.
Seattle police also report that more burglars are using pry bars on doors. They advise a deadbolt on every outside door and a latch guard, a metal plate over the gap beside the lock, which they price at about $12. Our residential locksmith visits can install longer screws and a heavy duty strike plate during the same appointment as a new lock.
ANSI Grades in Plain Terms
Lock strength in the United States is graded under ANSI/BHMA standards, and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association lists Grade 1 as its highest level. Each grade comes from laboratory tests that measure both everyday durability and resistance to physical force.
ACME Locksmith, which updated its grade guide on October 2, 2026, lists the deadbolt test minimums. A Grade 1 deadbolt must survive 250,000 opening and closing cycles and 10 hammer strikes. Grade 2 must pass 150,000 cycles and 5 strikes, and Grade 3 must pass 100,000 cycles and only 2 strikes.
Our recommendation matches theirs. Use Grade 2 at a minimum on every exterior door and Grade 1 on the front door if the budget allows, and keep Grade 3 hardware for closets and bedrooms. If you are not certain which grade you already have, check the original packaging or ask the technician to identify it during a visit.
| Grade | Opening and closing cycles | Hammer strikes | Where it belongs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 250,000 | 10 | Front door and any door you worry about |
| Grade 2 | 150,000 | 5 | Every other exterior door |
| Grade 3 | 100,000 | 2 | Interior doors only |
Keyed, Keypad or Smart Compared
Choosing a lock type is really about how your household comes and goes, not about strength. A smart deadbolt with a Grade 1 rating resists force as well as a keyed Grade 1 deadbolt, and an inexpensive smart lock is exactly as vulnerable as any inexpensive lock.
Compare hardware prices first. Seattle police say a decent deadbolt costs about $30 at retail, with heavier models running up to $200, while Fixr, in a cost guide updated January 31, 2025, lists smart locks at $100 to $450 and keypad locks at $100 to $250 for the hardware alone.
Retrofit smart locks clamp over the inside of your old deadbolt, so the old bolt still does all the work. That makes them only as strong as the deadbolt you already own. If that deadbolt is Grade 3, the app on your phone does not change it.
| Lock type | Best for | Watch out for | Hardware cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyed deadbolt | Lowest cost and no batteries | Lost keys mean a rekey | About $30 to $200 |
| Keypad deadbolt | Children, guests and no keys to lose | Codes that never get changed | About $100 to $250 |
| WiFi smart deadbolt | Remote access, entry history and guest codes | Batteries and ongoing app support | About $100 to $450 |
| Retrofit smart lock | Renters keeping the original key | Only as strong as the old bolt | Varies by model |
What Happened to the 2023 Picks
The original version of this page recommended the Schlage Encode, the Kwikset Kevo and the August Smart Lock Pro. Three years later, the Kevo is the warning. Weiser's support page says the Kevo app and web portal were no longer available after November 14, 2025. The physical key and the key fob still work the deadbolt, but remote control is gone.
That is the most important lesson for 2026. A smart lock is a piece of hardware plus a software service, and the service can disappear. Buy one with a real key cylinder or a keypad that works with no phone. Keep a physical key for the day the application stops working.
Schlage still sells the Encode family, and its current Encode Plus lists built in WiFi and tap to unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch, along with what Schlage calls a best in class BHMA rating for security. Read the exact model number on the box, because grades can differ between a deadbolt and a lever sold in the same product line.
Glass Doors, Rentals and Getting It Done
If there is glass within reach of the lock, a burglar can break it and turn the thumb latch. Seattle police suggest a double cylinder deadbolt there, keyed on both sides. They also warn it can be a fire hazard, so keep the interior key near the door while you are home and confirm the building rules before installing one in a rental.
Just moved into a new place? Rekey before you upgrade anything. Our move in rekey checklist covers every door, and our guide on rekeying versus replacing explains when new hardware is genuinely worth the money.
In Las Vegas, a new deadbolt installed typically runs $100 to $300, home rekeys with us start at $79.99, and veterans receive 10% off new locks. You hear the price before any work starts, and our Las Vegas locksmith cost guide lists the other typical prices. Locked out instead? Our house lockout service operates 24/7, with a technician usually arriving in 20 to 30 minutes across most of the valley.
Watch Us Work
Installing a Schlage Encode Smart Lock
Questions We Get Asked
Is a Grade 1 deadbolt worth it over Grade 2 for a house?
On the front door, usually yes. Grade 1 passes 250,000 cycles and 10 hammer strikes, compared with 150,000 cycles and 5 strikes for Grade 2, and the price difference is small next to a broken door. Still, a Grade 1 lock in a frame held by short screws loses to a determined kick.
Are smart locks easier to break into than regular locks?
Not if the deadbolt inside is well built. Most break ins force the door frame instead of hacking the electronics. The real risks with smart locks are weak hardware sold on features, dead batteries, and applications that lose support, so choose a graded lock with a key or keypad backup.
What is the cheapest way to make a front door stronger?
Replace the short strike plate screws with 3 to 4 inch wood screws that reach the stud, and add one long screw to each hinge. Seattle police say this alone prevents most forced entries through a door, and a heavy duty strike plate plus a latch guard add more protection for little money.
Should I rekey or install new locks after moving in?
Rekey first if the locks work properly and are Grade 2 or better, since rekeying costs less and disables every old key. Replace any lock that sticks, was forced, or is Grade 3 on an exterior door. Many homeowners handle both in a single visit and avoid paying for a second trip.
Ready for stronger locks? See our residential locksmith services, our rekey or replace cost guide and our guide to choosing a safe, or call (725) 280-5051 any hour and we will quote the job before we drive out.
Sources
- Seattle Police Department, Crime Prevention Bulletin, Home Security, Door Security
- ACME Locksmith, ANSI Lock Grades Explained (updated October 2, 2026)
- Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association, Product Grade Levels
- Fixr, Locksmith Prices and Cost to Rekey Locks (updated January 31, 2025)
- Weiser, Kevo App Shutdown
- Schlage, Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
Locked Out? We Can Help, Day or Night
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