Electronic keypads, video doorbells, and other innovations are changing the way consumers get in and out of their homes. But an old-fashioned lock-and-key deadbolt still works as a terrific defense against break-ins.
If you need to upgrade your locks—or add new ones—you’ll need a quality locksmith. Here are key pointers and ratings for finding the best locks and help installing them.
All your home’s exterior hinged doors, including doors leading to a garage, should be equipped with good deadbolt locks. Unfortunately, most locks—including many high-tech models—don’t provide good security. In its most recent evaluation of 145 models, Consumer Reports warns many “lack the level of protection you might want or expect. In our labs, a few well-placed kicks or a couple of minutes under assault from a cordless drill are all it takes to defeat almost every lock in our ratings.
Conventional models remain best sellers and affordable; electronic and smart locks are gaining in popularity, but while smart locks offer several helpful features, in the end what matters most is whether they provide sufficient security. Unfortunately, in its most recent tests, Consumer Reports found most electronic locks failed.
Unfortunately, you can’t test the fortitude of your existing locks without possibly breaking them or your doors. But there are ways to spot signs of quality and steps you can take to beef up lousy locks.
Begin by assessing what you already have. Not sure if your locks are up to snuff? Ask a locksmith to check them (most will charge $75 or less for a quick inspection). Fortunately, with modest effort you or a locksmith can reinforce most deadbolts.
Since our ratings of locksmith services turned up many that provide excellent work, shop around to make sure you don’t pay too much. You’ll find that fees vary dramatically, with some outfits charging more than twice as much as their competitors for the same work. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay more for the best service: We found that several of the highest rated locksmiths also charge low fees.
If you can, pay for locks and locksmithing work with a credit card. The Fair Credit Billing Act and the dispute-resolution policies of credit card issuers allow consumers to refuse payment for faulty products and services.
