The deadbolts, electronic locks, and smart locks that enter CR’s labs get kicked, picked, and drilled into oblivion.

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For the kick-in tests, CR’s test engineers built a custom jig that allows them to swing a 100-pound steel battering ram at a replaceable section of a door with the deadbolt installed. They repeat the test eight times, dropping the weight from increasing heights or until the lock fails. The models that fail—and at least half do—then go through another test round with a reinforced box strike plate installed on a new lock sample. Again and again, CR’s experts have found that this basic do-it-yourself upgrade improves security for any lock (more on that later).

For the drilling test, we evaluate how well each lock can withstand an attack from a cordless drill. And for the picking test, we assess the internal mechanisms of each lock to see how easily it can be picked.

All models, including smart locks, receive a score in each of the four break-in tests, allowing you to easily compare a lock’s strengths and weaknesses in the face of a physical assault. The only exception is with retrofit smart locks. These locks replace only the interior side of your existing deadbolt, essentially adding smarts to the lock you already use. As a result, a retrofit smart lock’s resistance to kicking, picking, and drilling is entirely dependent on the deadbolt it’s paired with.

Both types of smart locks also get additional testing. We investigate features such as smartphone alerts, remote locking and unlocking, geofencing (the ability to automatically lock or unlock the door based on your ’s location), third-party app and voice control (via Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Assistant, and Apple Home and Siri), shareable electronic keys, access logs of who comes and goes, and even tamper alarms. Our testers factor these features into our ratings under headings that include ease of remote access, convenience, and security add-ons. We also run through the wireless setup process to see how difficult it is to connect the locks to a smartphone and other smart-home devices (such as smart speakers), putting ourselves in your shoes. For details on how well each door lock performs in these tests, see the results in our door lock ratings. 

The price alone might be enough to make you scoff at buying a smart lock, but before you dismiss it, consider the convenience it delivers. A smart lock can be very helpful if you often forget to lock your door or need to let in a contractor, cleaner, or dog walker when you’re not home. They’re also a great way to know when kids get home from school.

Smart locks solve those problems by way of smartphone apps and optional remote locking and unlocking features. Just know that remote access sometimes requires some sort of WiFi bridge at an additional cost. (Many smart locks now have WiFi built-in because the technology has become more power-efficient over the years.) And if you’re considering a smart lock but don’t want to pay extra for WiFi access, an electronic lock might serve your needs. This type offers keypad access and the ability to program and distribute PINs to various guests, but it can’t talk to your smartphone.

Weak doors—in particular, hollow-core doors—may give way before the lock does. Whichever type of lock you buy, be sure to use a box strike made of heavy-duty metal and install it with the screws provided. Another option is to install 3-inch screws on your existing strike plate. Hinges should also be secured with 3-inch screws.

You might not want to spring for a double-sided lock, though. Many municipalities consider them to be a fire hazard because you need a key to unlock the door from inside, which creates the possibility of being trapped. But they can offer peace of mind if installed on a door adjacent to glass sidelites by denying a would-be burglar the ability to break the glass and reach in to unlock the thumb-turn.

Some smart locks will soon adopt a new wireless technology called UWB (which stands for ultra-wideband) that can accurately determine a device’s location within centimeters. It’s the same technology used in Apple AirTags. Smart locks can use UWB to track your ’s precise location to unlock a door as you approach it and lock it when you leave, all hands-free without you needing to take your out of your pocket or bag.

Smart locks with this technology will hit the market later in . This technology is part of yet another new industry standard called Aliro, which is being created by many of the same companies behind Matter. You will likely see Aliro branding on smart locks with hands-free unlocking in the near future.

Your Guide To Select Lock Cylinder in

The significance of security is always a concern; no matter where you live and how secure the city is, your security measures play a vital role. These days, there are various ways people keep their homes secure. However, the most common and traditional one is with the help of a lock.

The installation of locks has been in the league for many years and is still opted as the means of security even though automation has taken a toll. If you are looking forward to learning about the traditional lock cylinder that will be applicable to offer security in the year , this guide is the right choice for you. So, let’s read below.

Trends in the Home security market

The size of the global home security market in turned out to be USD 51.9 billion, and by , it is set to increase to 106.2 billion. The growth is around 8.6 percent CAGR from to .

If you specifically consider the market of the cylinder lock, it is valued at .1 million dollars in , and by the end of , it is expected to reach 10,426.9 billion dollars, which sees an advanced CAGR of 3.9 percent.

The Evolution of Lock

The locks are a part of modern civilization to keep possessions secured; however, initially, the way to keep possessions safe was not through locks but by tying ropes. However, as time passed, safety methods evolved.

The evolvement of locks started in the form of metal and wood; the evolution of all such locks that took place in ancient times is described in detail below:

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Wooden Pin Lock

Egyptian civilization came up with the idea of developing an Egyptian wooden pin lock. This book consists of a door attachment key and a bolt. The fixture in the block consisted of pins, and upon inserting the key, these pins came out of the holes in the bolt that let the movement of the bolt take place. Upon removing the key, the pins took their actual position back and restricted the movement of the bolt.

Mechanical Lock

After the wooden locks, the Egyptian locksmith explored mechanical locks; mechanical locks came into being after the creation of pin tumbler locks, the simplest version of locks made completely using wood.

However, the Roman Empire then brought metal locks in the league that were quite strong compared to the wooden ones. These mechanical metal locks were equipped with bolts, which were a more secure form because they could only be opened using the right key. The pins could only be pushed when the direct key was entered into the lock; otherwise, the bolt wouldn’t rotate.

Lever-Tumbler Lock

In the year , a new advancement among locks was seen. A tumbler lever lock was discovered, and as the name suggests, this lock worked by lifting the lever to a particular height. A slot cut in the lever allowed the lock to open as the lever reached that height.

This lock kept on gaining more and more improvements; a Chubb detector lock was designed in which there was a re-locker in case any unauthorized attempts were made, and the lock would get jammed. The lock could be returned to actual state only by inserting the key; hence, no authorized access was allowed into the properties.

Pin-Tumbler Lock

Linus Yale, in , discovered the pin-tumbler lock. This lock has pins of different lengths, and only the correct key can open it. The pin-tumbler locks today also use the same mechanical and consist of a flat and minor key with serrated edges.

Key factors when choosing a Security Lock Cylinders

The main aim of choosing security lock cylinders is to ensure the safety of the properties and other assets. Hence, it is essential to choose adequate security lock cylinders; the below-suggested feathers are essential to consider.

Anti-Drill

The lock cylinders that you choose must have anti-drill features. Such lock cylinders comprise pins made of hard steel; hence, the drill cannot easily penetrate into the lock to unlock it. Hence, the safety and durability of the lock increase.

Anti-Pick

Lock picking is a widespread technique to break the locks and enter unauthorized places. Hence, a lock cylinder that comprises pins that are uniquely designed makes it difficult to allow lock-picking. Therefore, the lock that you chose must have anti-pick features incorporated into it.

Anti-Bump

An intruder may use the bumping technique to get inside the house, and for this, they usually have a master key that bumps the pins inside the lock, and the lock opens. If the quality of the security lock cylinder is up to the mark, the lock will have anti-bump features that will resist bumping.

Anti-Snap/Break

Snapping the lock cylinder is a common practice of intruders breaking the lock cylinder and entering the property. However, lock cylinders with anti-snap features stay functional even when someone breaks them; hence, the attempt to open it and enter the property can be resisted.

Anti-3D-Printed-Copy

Due to the evolving 3D technology, creating a duplicate key and opening the lock has become much easier. A lock cylinder that resists 3D-printed duplicate keys must be opted so that the intruders may not get a copy of the key. This can be done by creating key shapes that are very intricate and unique.

Common Kinds of Door Cylinder Locks

The door cylinder locks that are most commonly opted for can be categorized into two types, and depending on the security requirement, you can make your selection. The two of these are as follows:

Single Door Cylinder Lock

The single-door cylinder lock has a keyhole on one side and a lever on the other. These are widely used for exterior doors, allowing quick entry and exit. However, if the lever or thumbturn side is accessible through a window, it can easily be susceptible to breaking in.

Double-cylinder Lock

Double door cylinder lock has locks with keys on both sides, and it offers added security. These are ideal for doors that have windows nearby or doors that comprise glass panels. To open the door with the double door cylinder lock, the key has to be inserted from both sides to unlock the door.

Maintenance of the Door Lock Cylinder

To ensure that the door lock cylinder works perfectly, it is essential to maintain it and keep a check on it. Some of the ways you can carry out the door lock cylinder maintenance are as follows:

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• Make sure to lubricate the lock after every few days so that it functions smoothly.
• Keep an eye on the wear and tear signs the lock may have and, if needed, replace it.
• Keep a check on the screws of the lock, and in case they get loose, tighten them back again to ensure that the lock stays in its place and offers functionality.