With hundreds of residential locks available on the market, choosing the right one for your home can feel like a guessing game. As licensed locksmiths who install, repair, and replace locks every day in San Diego, we've seen what works and what doesn't. Here are the top 5 residential locks we recommend, the same ones our own technicians trust for their homes.
How We Evaluated These Locks
We didn't just read spec sheets. Our rankings are based on hands-on experience installing and servicing thousands of locks across San Diego homes. We evaluated each lock on:
- Security rating: ANSI/BHMA grade and real-world resistance to picking, bumping, and forced entry
- Durability: how well the lock holds up over years of daily use, including in San Diego's coastal climate
- Ease of use: how intuitive the lock is for the whole family
- Value: security you get relative to the price
- Installation: compatibility with standard residential doors
1. Schlage B60N Single-Cylinder Deadbolt
Best overall for most San Diego homes
The Schlage B60N is our most-installed residential deadbolt, and for good reason. It carries an ANSI Grade 1 rating (the highest available), features a reinforced strike plate, and offers Schlage's anti-pick shield technology.
- Security: ANSI Grade 1, the same rating used on commercial buildings
- Anti-pick, anti-drill, anti-bump protection built in
- Adjustable backset fits most standard doors
- Price range: $35-$60
At this price point, you're getting commercial-level security for your home. It's the lock we recommend when customers ask us for a straightforward, reliable deadbolt during a lock change service.
Who it's best for
Homeowners who want maximum mechanical security without smart features. If you want a lock you can install and forget about for the next 15 years, this is it.
2. Schlage Encode Plus Smart Deadbolt
Best smart lock for Apple users
The Schlage Encode Plus brings Grade 1 security into the smart lock world. Built-in Wi-Fi means no extra hub required, and it's one of the only locks that supports Apple Home Key. Tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock your door.
- Security: ANSI Grade 1 with built-in alarm sensor
- Apple Home Key, Google Home, and Alexa compatible
- Built-in Wi-Fi: no separate hub needed
- Up to 100 access codes for family, guests, and service providers
- Price range: $250-$300
This is the lock we recommend for San Diego vacation rental hosts who need to create and manage temporary access codes remotely. The built-in Wi-Fi means you can monitor lock activity from anywhere.
Who it's best for
Tech-savvy homeowners, Airbnb/VRBO hosts, and anyone in the Apple ecosystem who wants to unlock with their phone or watch.
3. Kwikset 980 Single-Cylinder Deadbolt
Best budget-friendly high-security option
Kwikset's 980 is an excellent ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt that often costs less than the Schlage B60N. It also features Kwikset's SmartKey technology, which lets you rekey the lock yourself in seconds without removing it from the door.
- Security: ANSI Grade 1
- SmartKey rekeying: rekey in seconds without a locksmith
- BumpGuard technology for bump-pick resistance
- Price range: $25-$45
The SmartKey feature is genuinely useful. If you need to change who has access to your home, after a roommate moves out, for example, you can rekey the lock with the included tool and a functioning key. That said, some security professionals note that SmartKey locks can be more vulnerable to certain forced-entry techniques than traditional pin-tumbler locks.
Who it's best for
Budget-conscious homeowners who want Grade 1 security and the ability to rekey without calling a locksmith. Great for landlords managing multiple rental units.
4. Yale Assure Lock 2
Best-looking smart lock
If aesthetics matter to you (and they should, as your front door lock is one of the first things visitors see), the Yale Assure Lock 2 is the most attractive smart lock on the market. It comes in touchscreen and keypad versions, with multiple finishes to match your door hardware.
- Security: ANSI Grade 2 (residential heavy-duty)
- Works with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings
- Optional Wi-Fi or Bluetooth modules: choose your connectivity
- Auto-lock feature: never forget to lock up again
- Price range: $180-$260
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is slightly less secure than the Schlage Encode Plus (Grade 2 vs Grade 1), but it's sleeker, thinner, and offers broader smart home compatibility. For most residential applications, Grade 2 provides more than enough security.
Who it's best for
Homeowners who want a smart lock that looks as good as it performs. If your front door is a design statement, this is the lock to match.
5. Medeco Maxum Deadbolt
Best for maximum security
The Medeco Maxum is the lock we recommend when security is the absolute top priority. Medeco keys are virtually impossible to duplicate without authorization. You need a Medeco-authorized locksmith and a security card to get copies made. The lock itself is built to resist picking, drilling, bumping, and forced entry.
- Security: ANSI Grade 1, UL 437 listed (highest pick and drill resistance standard)
- Restricted keyway: keys cannot be copied at hardware stores
- Hardened steel inserts resist drilling attacks
- Lifetime mechanical warranty
- Price range: $200-$350
The Medeco Maxum isn't for everyone. It's significantly more expensive than a standard deadbolt, and getting extra keys made requires a trip to an authorized dealer. But if you live in a higher-risk area or simply want the highest level of mechanical security available, nothing else comes close.
Who it's best for
Security-conscious homeowners, high-value properties, and anyone who wants absolute key control (no unauthorized copies).
Quick Comparison
- Best overall: Schlage B60N ($35-$60, Grade 1)
- Best smart lock: Schlage Encode Plus ($250-$300, Grade 1)
- Best budget: Kwikset 980 ($25-$45, Grade 1)
- Best design: Yale Assure Lock 2 ($180-$260, Grade 2)
- Best maximum security: Medeco Maxum ($200-$350, Grade 1 + UL 437)
Need Help Choosing or Installing?
Every home is different, and the best lock for your neighbor might not be the best lock for you. Door thickness, existing hardware, smart home setup, and your specific security concerns all factor into the decision.
Our residential locksmith team can help you choose the right lock and install it properly, because even the best lock is only as good as its installation. Call (619) 416-2467 or text us for a free consultation.