Every year customers ask us: "What lock should I get for my front door?" Here’s our honest, current take from a working LA locksmith shop.
Best Overall: Schlage B60N (Grade 1 Deadbolt)
The Schlage B60N hits the sweet spot of price, security, and reliability. ANSI Grade 1 means it’s rated for commercial-level abuse. The keyway resists picking and bumping, parts are widely available, and it works with almost any door. Pair it with a 1-inch throw bolt and a reinforced strike plate and you’ve got a serious deterrent.
Best High-Security: Medeco Maxum
If you want top-tier protection, Medeco is the standard. The Maxum deadbolt uses angled rotating pins that defeat picking, drilling, and bumping. Keys are restricted — meaning they can only be duplicated by an authorized dealer with your written permission. Expensive, but worth it for high-value homes.
Best Smart Lock: Schlage Encode Plus
Smart locks have come a long way. The Schlage Encode Plus has built-in WiFi (no hub needed), supports Apple Home Key (tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock), keypad entry, and a physical key backup. ANSI Grade 1 rated — not all smart locks are. Battery life is solid (4–6 months on AA batteries).
Best Budget Pick: Kwikset SmartKey
For rentals, secondary doors, or budget-conscious upgrades, the Kwikset SmartKey deadbolt offers the convenience of rekeying yourself in seconds without a locksmith. Security is mid-tier — not for primary front doors of high-value homes — but it’s a real upgrade over a basic builder-grade lock.
What We Don’t Recommend
- Cheap home-center locks under $30. Easily picked, bumped, or kicked open.
- "Smart" locks without a physical key backup. Battery dies, you’re locked out.
- Internet-only smart locks with no security audits. If the brand isn’t known, the security probably isn’t either.
Hardware Is Half the Story
The best deadbolt in the world is only as strong as the door frame it’s bolted to. Always pair a quality lock with:
- A reinforced metal strike plate (not just the cardboard-thin one that comes with the lock).
- 3-inch screws that go into the wall stud, not just the door frame.
- A solid-core or metal door (not hollow-core).
Need help picking and installing the right lock for your home? Call Abe’s Lock & Key at 818-249-5128 — we’ll bring options out and install the same day.