Best Door Locks for Apartments and Renters

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.

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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.

This is a retrofit-style smart lock, which attaches to your existing deadbolt instead of replacing it. On the outside, your lock looks as it always has and still works with your existing keys. But inside, you swap the standard thumbturn with a battery-operated smart device.

Installation is easy—it requires only a screwdriver and a smartphone and takes less than 20 minutes for most folks. You'll need to swap the batteries a couple of times a year—the Wyze app keeps you in the loop when it's time.

After setup, you can use the Wyze app to control the lock, set schedules, and link it to smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.^†  For even more guest access flexibility, you can snag a Wyze Lock Keypad (about $30) to add access codes for kids without smartphones.

We love how discreet Wyze Lock is and how it still allows your property manager to access your flat for maintenance.

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.

The 980's SmartKey feature is incredibly helpful since you can rekey your own lock. Now you can upgrade your apartment's deadbolt without giving your landlord another key—just rekey to your existing keys, and you're good to go. There's also a SmartKey Re-keying Kit for easy key swaps.

Keep in mind that SmartKey works only with KW1-type keys, which are common to many locks. You can't use Yale, Schlage, or specialized keys with this feature.

This deadbolt lock typically retails for around $60, though it's often available for less. It's a little pricier than standard deadbolts, but it's worth the investment.

Of course, the base Kwikset 980 is only the tip of the iceberg. Here are a few other highlights from the Kwikset 980 Series:

• Kwikset 981 is a key-control deadbolt with separate locks for tenants and landlords. It's great for owners wanting a master key while allowing tenants to rekey the primary lock.
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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• Best Door Security Bars and Devices
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• The Apartment Security Guide for Renters
• I Rent an Apartment. Should I Still Consider a Home Security System?