Best Door Security Bars and Devices

For renters, homes without deadbolts, or sliding doors, traditional locks aren't always the best solution. Door security bars like the Buddybar Door Jammer are a non-invasive way to prevent invaders. 

In addition to a deadbolt lock or sliding door lock, door security bars and devices are an easy-to-use, budget-friendly option for any home to beef up security. 

The right door security devices depend on your security needs and budget. Find the best security device for you and your home in this guide.

Made of 16-gauge steel without plastic pieces that can easily snap, this door bar is one of the sturdiest we've found.

It can hold up to 2,560 pounds of force, putting it miles ahead of its 350-pound competitors. One video demonstrated the strength of Buddybar by using it to jack up a pickup truck. (We don't recommend it for that purpose.)

While you'll have to fiddle with push-button adjustment on most other security bars, the Buddybar is designed with a lever lock, similar to what you might see on a tension-mounted baby gate. Lift the lever to release the tension and lengthen the bar, then lower it to ratchet the tension for a snug fit between your floor and door handle.

The downside? At over 8 pounds, the Buddybar isn't a security device for travel, and if you have trouble lifting, you might have a difficult time setting it up. It can also be hard on your door if you're not careful with the tension.

A truly durable bar like this one will set you back over a hundred bucks, but we think its top-notch quality justifies the steep price tag.

Unlike traditional door security bars that are only temporary or that can slip on a hard floor, the Nightlock Door Barricade base plate is screwed into the floor. The vertical barricade rail slides into the base plate, creating a barrier that prevents the door from opening.

Since it is more permanent, we like that it comes in a variety of color options, including bright brass, brushed nickel, and dark bronze.

To install the Nightlock, you only need to screw in three screws. You can use the screws that come with it, or you can beef up security even more by purchasing three 3-inch #14 steel screws. You'll probably want a power screwdriver to do the job.

Because of the Nightlock's design, you need to make sure you have at least a half-inch of clearance between the bottom of the door and the floor. You might also have some trouble with the device if you have thick carpeting, because you'll need enough clearance on either side of the base plate to slide the rail in and out.

The Nightlock isn't a good travel option and may not work for renters either. It's also designed for swinging doors, so you'll have to find another solution for sliding glass doors.

Because the base plate for the Nightlock has to be screwed into the floor, it's not a good option for renters or travelers.

The Master Lock Security Bar wins major points for affordability, versatility, and ease of use.

At less than twenty bucks, it's a great option if you're on a tight budget or you just need an inexpensive, temporary solution.

You can easily remove the Y-shaped yoke on to make it fit securely into the track of a sliding patio door, and vice versa—no tools required. And the pivoting ball joint on the Master Lock ensures the device has full contact with the floor even if you don't line it up perfectly.

While we like that Master Lock only weighs about 2.5 pounds, its inexpensive and lightweight construction seems to cause problems for some people. Some users say that the metal spring-loaded pin used to adjust the length of the bar may loosen and allow the bar to collapse and fail. Plus, the plastic yoke can break under pressure or if dropped.

Finally, the Master Lock is advertised to have a padded foot, but several reviewers said their product didn't come with a cover for the hard plastic foot. The hard plastic can scratch and damage floors, so we recommend contacting the company if you receive a product without padding.

The Securityman 2-in-1 also has the largest adjustment range of all the door jammers on our list, adjusting from a height of 22.25 inches to a full 43.7 inches.  Its design is similar to the Master Lock, with a pivoting foot and a plastic, Y-shaped yoke at the top, but it's a little more expensive.

If you rent and can't make adjustments to your home, door jams like the Buddybar are easy solutions for additional burglar proofing. Parents can also use these security devices to reinforce childproofing. 

Whatever you want to keep in or out, adding a door security bar, door jammer, or patio door lock is an affordable way to reinforce your entrances. 

To evaluate the best door security bars and devices, we studied the best products available, weighed user reviews, and compared each device.

To learn more about how we write reviews, check out our methodology.

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