Schlage vs Kwikset – Which is the Best Deadbolt Lock? [Our DETAILED Comparison]

Deadbolts have earned the reputation for being the toughest door locks because they are robust and highly resistant from tampering.

But not all deadbolts are made equal! So if you’re a novice to home security or just wanted to upgrade your door locks, then you’ve come to the right place!

We’ll review the two titans in door deadbolt locks - Schlage vs Kwikset. While the two brands offer smart door locks too, we’ll only focus on the deadbolts and how one stacks up to the other. 

While both the Schlage and Kwikset deadbolts make you feel safe at home, each brand offers unique features you may want. 

Schlage is certified with an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 rating to protect your door from almost all kinds of forced entry attempts like kicking, lock picking, drilling, and bumping attacks. It’s made with robust and high-quality metal and satin nickel finish to provide an added layer of protection to any door. Some of the popular deadbolt models include the B60N, B660P and B560. But if you want a smart deadbolt to add to your smart home, then these models aren’t for you.

Kwikset is another popular brand you might want to consider to protect your home. Apart from being high-resistant to picking, drilling, and kicking, Kwikset also includes a technology that protects it from lock bumping (where burglars use a special key to unlock tumbler locks and traditional pins). Another feature that sets Kwikset apart is the Smart Key technology which allows you to re-key in a few steps without a locksmith.  

Schlage installation is easy and straightforward since it fits perfectly to the pre-drilled holes you can find in most standard-sized doors. The deadbolt’s adjustable latch can fit to a 2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″ size.

Kwikset, on the other hand, is designed with an adjustable latch so that you can easily install it to any standard door. All you need is a screwdriver and a few minutes to secure the exposed screws on its interior face to your door.

Winner: Schlage

The bolt helps prevent your door from being opened once it’s locked, even if an intruder kicks the door in. Unlike the Kwikset, Schlage bolt is longer and stronger with little space for your door to jiggle. So when it comes to the bolt size, Schlage is the winner.

One tactic that burglars use to gain access to your home is to drill the screws. When this happens, the lock easily falls off which gives the intruder an access to the bolt.

The Schlage deadbolt comes with a drill-resistant plate for added protection. The screws are also bigger and durable, making it difficult for entry through drilling.

On the other hand, Kwikset doesn’t come with a drill-resistant plate and the screws are thinner. This makes Schlage superior over Kwikset when it comes to protection against drilling.

The level of protection that a door deadbolt offers is generally graded based on the ANSI/BHMA standards. The three grade levels come with different tests to determine the performance, strength, and durability of the deadbolts. Among the grade levels 1, 2, and 3, grade level 1 is the highest.

Both the Schlage and Kwikset are certified with an ANSI/BHMA grade 1 rating for residential uses. This means that both the deadbolts offer the highest level of quality and protection for your door from any kind of brute-force attack that uses tools like a hammer, saw, wrench, lock pick, or a crowbar.

Both the Schlage and Kwikset offer a limited lifetime warranty on any forms of defects against the material and workmanship. However, this warranty is only for the original owner of the lock.

We’ve summarized some of the pros and cons that you might want to consider before buying a Schlage deadbolt lock:

Pros:

• Highly resistant from bumping, picking, and other forms of brute-force attacks
• Offers commercial-grade security
• Comes with an attractive satin nickel finish
• Easy to install
• Comes with a limited lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Lacks some key options
• Customers complain about poor customer service

Check out this video for more details about Schlage locks:

Below are some of the pros and cons with the Kwikset deadbolt lock:

Pros:

• Highly reliable deadbolt lock
• Comes with a SmartKey technology for re-keying
• Secure protection
• Comes with bump-proof technology
• Low cost

Cons:

• Customers complain that the re-key technology is sometimes not reliable (although we haven’t had problems with it)

Here’s a quick installation guide for Kwikset deadbolt lock:

The market has a lot to offer when it comes to deadbolts. However, not all of them are made equal. In this post, we have made a detailed comparison between the two most popular and trusted brands in the industry - Schlage and Kwikset. 

While both have their own unique features to offer, they also have their own pros and cons which you need to consider when choosing a deadbolt. With the features, level of protection, high-quality materials, and generous warranty, these deadbolt locks are definitely best value for your money.