Written by Level Home Staff | Fact Checked by Eric Schoneberger
There are a lot of door locks available on the market, but it can be hard to decide which is right for your unique needs. Each type of door lock serves a different purpose and offers a varying level of security. Read on to learn more about common door locks to help you make an informed decision when it’s time to purchase.
Very common in residential properties, the cylinder lock is just that – a lock where the tumblr mechanism is contained inside a cylinder. This type of lock has a keyhole and can be operated with a traditional key. Inside of the cylinder there are various shapes and sizes of pins that need to be moved into place to operate the lock.
Easy to use
Can have duplicate keys
Can be slow to unlock
Have to remember where you put your keys
Keys can break, bend, and wear out
This type of lock is also very common in residential properties, on both interior and exterior doors as it is the locking component featured in privacy knobs/levers. In this case, the lock is part of the door knob itself. On exterior doors, knob locks are often used in combination with more secure lock types such as a deadbolt, chain, or barrel bolt.
Easy to use
Low security/easily picked
There are many kinds of keyless entry locks on the market, from fingerprint locks to keypads. While usually associated with smart locks, keyless entry lock systems are not necessarily smart and include any type of locking mechanism that enables entry without a key, like the tap-your-card-to-open locks at many hotels today.
Don’t have to worry about copied keys
Depending on the kind of keyless entry system, users may encounter challenges with software or electronic parts
If you get locked out, there may not be an easy backup option
Deadbolts are typically used to add a second layer of security to lockable handlesets and knobs since they can’t be used to open and close doors themselves. This type of lock is generally considered to be very secure, as they operate by extending a sturdy piece of metal from the door into the door frame.
Very secure; once locked they can’t be opened except by rotating the cylinder
Can be slow to lock and unlock
Usually manual operation (though with Bolt, you can make your deadbolt smart!)
Improper door alignment may make it difficult to operate
Hand lever locks are commonly equipped with levers on the outer side of the door and a twistable handleset on the inside. These locks are easier to open with one hand but don't offer the same security as a deadbolt, making them convenient for doors inside a house.
Easy to open
Lower security than other lock options
Mortise locks are similar to a hand lever with an added pocket — or mortise — cut into the edge of the door to place a lock. Instead of the typical tubular mechanism, a large metal box slides in and stays rooted in the door. This type of lock typically requires special door preparation to install.
Offered in light-duty and heavy-duty models
Can have knobs or lever-type handles
Bulky design
Often used in cabinets and mailboxes, cam locks have a rotating bar (the cam) that is locked or unlocked with a key. This lock works because once engaged, the cam blocks the door from opening.
Easy to install
Simple to use
Can be used in small spaces
Not very secure
Have to keep track of small keys
Not permanently attached to anything, padlocks come in a variety of sizes and are portable. They can be key-operated or combination-operated and work by opening and closing a loop of metal that gets latched into the body of the lock. Pad locks are popular for lockers and storage units, but rarely used for securing front doors.
Portable
Easy to use
Small
Limited usage
Have to remember keys or combination to lock
Can be cut with bolt cutters
Electronic locks can sometimes be smart, keyless, or operated via wifi, but primarily this terminology is simply used to describe a lock that is operated by an electrical current. Depending on the variety, operating an electronic lock can range from flipping a switch to biometric scans.
Versatile
Can be easy to use
May be difficult to install or require a security professional to install
Not operational without power
The most convenient type of lock on this list, smart locks generally work over WiFi or Bluetooth, eliminating the need for a physical key. You won’t have to worry about making copies of your key or hiding one under the mat. Instead, you can share access to your home with people you trust via digital keys, often through a phone app.
No need to worry about keys
Can be operated remotely
Can be set up to automatically unlock
Usually more expensive than other types of locks
Require a battery to be operational
Can be bulky (if you’re looking for a smart lock that looks like a regular lock, check out our collection)
Barrel bolt locks are also called sliding bolt locks. They are considered precautionary as they are typically installed inside to add security alongside other locks on the door. This type of lock is installed with one part attached to the door frame, while the other part is secured to the door.
The operation of a barrel bolt lock is simple – sliding a pin in place.
Easy to use
Easy to install
Not as secure as other types of locks
Can be difficult to operate if door is misaligned
Can be slow to unlock in an emergency
Similar to barrel locks, chain locks are installed on the inside of a door as a secondary precaution. This type of lock has a chain with a catch attached to the door frame and another piece bolted onto the door for the catch to slide into.
A chain lock allows the person inside to open the door just enough to see who is there without allowing the visitor inside. The visitor can enter only when the chain is released from the catch, though the chain can be broken with enough force.
Can open door slightly to see outside
Easy to install and use
Less secure than other types of door locks
Handleset locks include a deadbolt and a handle coupled with a thumb-operated latch on the external side of the door and a handleset that locks on the other side. The aesthetic design of these locks make them an appealing choice for front doors.
Variety of aesthetic designs
Can be difficult for some to operate the thumb latch
Magnetic door locks, also known as maglocks, utilize electromagnetism to prevent the door from opening. This type of lock is more typical to see in commercial and non-residential settings like at an office, store, or school.
Very secure when locked
Highly durable and wear-resistant
Easy to install and use
Require power supply
May be more susceptible to tampering than other types of locks
A wifi lock is usually another way of referring to a smart lock, which can be operated via wifi or bluetooth technology. They can be keyed or keyless, and some keyed versions can offer keyless entry as well.
This type of lock is used to secure sliding doors and the way it works is by sliding into place itself. There are a few versions of this type of lock on the market, but generally they function by a piece of metal sliding out from the door into the door frame at the top and bottom of the door.
Easy to use
Sometimes pre-installed in new doors
Not as secure as other types of locks
If you’re in the market for a new door lock, check out our selection of smart deadbolts.
