Not all locks are suitable for front doors, but the right front door lock will protect your privacy, give security, and deliver peace of mind.
Kwikset is one of the leading lock producers because its locks are renowned for reliable security.
However, there are a variety of Kwikset door locks available, and you may struggle to find one suitable for your front door.
We aim to help you decide by providing our research and reviews to help you find the best Kwikset lock to meet your needs.
If you’re planning to upgrade your current Kwikset door lock or need a more innovative lock installed on your door, consider choosing from our top picks.
Along with the top 5 best Kwikset front door locks, we also have 5 honorable mentions.
Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: Kwikset Ashfield Single Cylinder Handleset | This Ashfield front door lock complements any door and shines on any wood finish. | Check Price |
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Runner-Up: Kwikset 9800-107 Shelburne Single Cylinder Handle Set | The Shelburne works as well as any door lock. Its finish can bring some class to any household. | Check Price |
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Best For Budget: Kwikset Dakota Single Handle Set | The single-cylinder Dakota door lock can also be affordable as they are stylish. | Check Price |
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Best Entry Lock: Kwikset Montara Single Cylinder Handleset | Elegant and easy to use, the Montara is a great addition to any home. | Check Price |
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Best Modern Door Lock: Kwikset 98180-020 San Clemente Single Cylinder Front Lock | If you’re looking for an updated look, the San Clemente is an excellent choice. | Check Price |
How We Chose the Best Kwikset Front Door Locks
Finding the best door locks for your home may be a little bit confusing if you don’t have any prior experience with home improvement or changing door locks.
To make the process a little simpler we turned to Kwikset. Kwikset is a trusted name in door locks, and you won’t go wrong using any of their products.
When it comes to selecting the best of the best, we look at a few things. Even though all the locks come from Kwikset, not every model is made equal.
Moreover, not every lock is suitable for your front doors, so ensure you get the suitable locks that offer optimal protection.
For your needs, we have recommended the best Kwikset front door locks in this article with brief reviews about each product.
These front locks by Kwikset specialize in providing security and ease of access. They also come in awesome styles, which means you won’t have to trade style for protection.
These locks will not only look good on your door but also give you the level of security you desire. We chose locks that will secure the door well and last for years to come.
We also factor in ease of use, which primarily alludes to ease of installation and further function.
Installing any of these locks is easy, but get a technician to help you if you’re unsure you can do it correctly.
Finally, always measure your door thickness to ensure that the lock will fit your door before purchasing.
Best Kwikset Front Door Locks Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Kwikset Ashfield Single Cylinder Handle Set
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Style: Traditional | Color: Venetian Bronze | Finish Type: Venetian Bronze | Handle Type: Lever | Metal Type: Bronze | Weight: 2.64 lbs | Size: 5.5″ x 8″ x 21.8″
What We Liked
- Beautiful bronze finish that works with any door
- Feels high-quality with a heavy touch
- Possibly the best single-cylinder handle set
What We Didn’t Like
- The coating may weather or wear off after a long time
This Kwikset Ashfield Lock offers a great way to secure your exterior doorways. This lock is durable and designed to withstand forceful entry attempts.
The outer panel of the lock features a keyway for physical access, and a modern handle set that enhances the appeal of your door.
If you have a standard door, installing the hardware will be a breeze using the installation manual.
The interior lever is reversible, meaning you can adjust it to fit either right-handed or left-handed doors. A lever handle and turn piece are on the inside for securing the door lock.
If you misplace your physical key, the Kwikset Ashfield Lock’s SmartKey re-key technology lets you easily rekey your lock without calling a locksmith.
Additionally, the Venetian bronze finish matches most door designs and helps make a first good impression.
See Price on Amazon2. Runner-Up: Kwikset 9800-107 Shelburne Single Cylinder Handleset
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 3/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Style: Handle Pull | Color: Satin Nickel | Finish Type: Satin Nickel | Handle Type: Lever | Metal Type: Nickel | Weight: 5.73 lbs | Size: 21.4″ x 8.2″ x 5.6″
What We Liked
- Satin Nickel works well in any setting
- Heavier grade nickel hardware
What We Didn’t Like
- Instructions are not clear enough for easy installation
This Kwikset front lock comes in a satin nickel finish that looks great on most door designs.
The outside panel of the lock features a fancy, modern-looking handle, while the interior panel has a lever handle and a turn piece for securing the door lock.
This lock provides easy access to your home, from the outside or inside, and fits any standard door, with the inside lever being reversible for both left-hinged and right-hinged doors.
Similar to the previous product we reviewed, this lockset comes with a SmartKey re-key technology that allows you to re-key the single-cylinder in minutes, and the accompanying instruction manual walks you through the process.
You will never have to worry about paying a handyman for rekeying services.
Note that the installation instructions are a tad confusing to figure out, so you may initially need to call a handyperson.
After that, it should be smooth sailing whenever it’s time to enter and exit the house.
The Kwikset 9800-107 Shelburne Single Cylinder Handleset makes for an ideal option to secure your front and side entry doors.
See Price on Amazon3. Best Budget: Kwikset 687DAXT 5 SMT CP 96870-087 Dakota Single Cylinder Handle Set
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Durability | 3/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 5/5 |
| Quality | 3/5 |
Style: Traditional | Color: Antique Brass | Finish Type: Antique Brass | Handle Type: Knob | Metal Type: Brass | Weight: 4.2 lbs | Size: 5.63″ x 8″ x 21.63″
What We Liked
- Easy to install and rekey
- Performs great despite the lower cost
What We Didn’t Like
- Polish seems inconsistent in some areas
- Doesn’t seem to match other antique brass colors by Kwikset
If you have a standard door, this Kwikset Dakota Lock is a nice option you can use to secure and enhance the appeal of your doorway.
The exterior hardware of the lock features a keyhole for key access, while on the inside panel is a turn piece and thumb turn for securing the lock.
The lock features a 4-way adjustable latch, with round and square faceplates, which makes it fit well on most standard door preparations.
Installation of the hardware is easy and will take minutes with the setup manual’s help. You can easily rekey the lock cylinder yourself if you need to change keys, which means you won’t have to use locksmith services.
Though not the highest security rating on a lock, the ANSI/BHMA grade 3 rating on the lockset gives the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a rated lockset in place.
Unfortunately, the color and finish may be of a lower grade compared to the other Kwikset handle sets.
When we received our products, we found the finish was inconsistent compared to the others.
Some spots were smudgy looking and did not really hold up to the other brass colors we are accustomed to.
See Price on Amazon4. Best Entry Lock: Kwikset Montara Single Cylinder Handleset
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Durability | 5/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 3/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Style: Entry | Color: Satin Nickel | Finish Type: Satin Nickel | Handle Type: Knob | Metal Type: Nickel | Weight: 5.15 lbs | Size: 5.5″ x 8″ x 21.8″
What We Liked
- Sleek design with great nickel finish
- Easy to re-key
What We Didn’t Like
- The installation process can be a little bit difficult
- Parts might be loose if installation isn’t perfect
The Kwikset Montara Handleset is a single cylinder lock that combines style with security.
It comes with Kwikset SmartKey re-keying technology that lets you change the workings of the key mechanisms to take new keys.
This is a desirable security feature for situations when your lock has been compromised, or when you misplace your keys.
The re-key technology also makes the lock secure against attacks such as lock bumping.
The door lock can be locked or unlocked with a key on the outside. On the inside, there’s a thumb turn to secure the lock.
You can fit the lock on any standard lock, and the installation is quick as the setup manual walks you through the process.
Considering the smart re-keying feature and the beautiful impression this lock gives, it will surely fit with almost any style of residential door.
When we got our hands on the product, we noticed that we had some trouble installing the lock. Everything was pretty simple up to the screw at the bottom of the handle.
After some stubborn determination, we installed it and loved the results.
See Price on Amazon5. Best Modern Door Lock: Kwikset 98180-020 San Clemente Single Cylinder Front Lock
Product Ratings
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 |
Style: Modern | Color: Matte Black | Finish Type: Matte | Handle Type: Lever | Metal Type: Iron | Weight: 6.34 lbs | Size: 5.69″ x 8.09″ x 21.69″
What We Liked
- Easy to install and re-key
- Heaviest handle set on our list
- Beautiful matte black finish
What We Didn’t Like
- Aesthetic might not work with every household
The Kwikset 98180-022 is an elegant lockset that will fit the design of most modern doors as it comes in different finishes.
The exterior panel features a keyhole for entry and a modern-looking handle set, while on the interior hardware is a turn piece for securing the lock and a lever handle for passage.
The lockset fits well on standard doors, and the interior lever handle can be adjusted for right-handed or left-handed door operations.
The quick and easy re-keying feature lets you quickly change your lock to accept a new key. As ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 rated lockset, you can install the Kwikset 98180-022 on your exterior doors for maximum protection.
While the design is second to none, it can conflict stylistically with some older front doors. This front door lock does enhance the whole house when it does fit the theme.
Since the front door lock and handle are the first things you interact with when entering a house, it makes a huge impression.
You certainly know you’ll be walking into an elevated space.
See Price on AmazonComparison Chart
| Products | Best Overall | Runner-Up | Best Budget | Best Entry Lock | Best Modern Door Lock |
| Overall Rating | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Durability | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Effectiveness | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Ease of Use | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Quality | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
The Winner
Our best pick has to be the Kwikset Ashfield Single Cylinder Handleset.
It has a seamless design that isn’t too outdated for modern homes and not too modern that it doesn’t fit in with older grade doors.
We understand that it’s on the pricier side, but we also take security and privacy into account and we think a little extra money is worth it.
How to Choose the Best Kwikset Front Door Lock
If you’re still undecided after looking at our picks, there are a number of approaches you can take that’ll help you narrow them down.
If you find yourself wanting a different kind of Kwikset front door lock, you can also check out our guide on Kwikset Electric Door Locks.
They usually come with a door combination that might be more suitable for your home.
What Design Best Matches Your Door and Home?
The front door locks are a minute detail compared to your home. While it is most likely the furnishing that makes the first impression, it still has to match your home.
The safe bet is to look at the finish and see if it matches or coordinates with the door.
Can You Install the Lock Yourself?
Ease of installation is a big deal if you’re willing to put in elbow grease. These door locks are on the heavier side and sometimes don’t have the best instructions.
If money is no issue, then refer to the design again. Handymen have most likely dealt with these Kwikset front door locks in the past as they are quite popular.
Hiring someone to install the lock may be your best bet.
How Do You Want to Clean the Lock?
Cleaning your Kwikset door handles and locks isn’t an entirely large factor when it comes to your ultimate purchasing decision, but it can play a factor nonetheless.
Some finishes can be maintained by a simple cloth dusting, while others require a silicone spray.
Honorable Mentions
Here’s a brief look at the 5 options that didn’t make our list.
1. Kwikset 96870-100 Belleview Single Cylinder Handleset – Considered for Traditional
The Belleview is another Venetian bronze handle set that we considered. Ultimately, we prefer the traditional Ashfield better for its superior quality. It may be a little bit cheaper, but the Ashfield has a better track record.
2. Kwikset Tavaris Single Cylinder Handleset – Considered for Modern
Maybe it is up to preference, but we like the San Clemente just a hair better when it comes to modern design. The Tavaris is nice and shines as good as any handle set, but it lacks a simpler installation process.
3. Kwikset Chelsea Handleset – Considered for Brass
We have heard reports of this model having problems with the “Lifetime” brass finish not really living up to its name.
Although it has a different kind of sheen to it, we would rather go with the Dakota Handleset. It will most likely last a little longer and looks just as good.
4. Kwikset Shelburne Single Cylinder Handleset – Considered for Brass
This brass beauty is akin to the Nickel Shelburne. Although this is a perfectly acceptable handle set, it has to make our honorable mention list.
While they are nearly the same, we gave the nickel version higher marks because it looks better (and is a little cheaper).
5. Kwikset Hawthorne Single Cylinder Handleset – Considered for Bronze
The Hawthorne is not a bad option compared to the other bronze door locks (the Ashfield and the Avalon) that are part of our top 5.
It has a great finish and a sleek design. However, we found it doesn’t have the craftsmanship of the other two and is known to have lower-grade materials so it did not make our top picks.