Kwikset smartkey locks are certified Grade 1 security for residential use by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association and are advertised by Kwikset as being invulnerable to being hacked with wires, screwdrivers, or anything else inserted in the keyway.
Since Schlage locks are made of stronger materials, and provide far greater security than Kwikset locks, they also come with a higher price tag.
Kwikset's door products offer reasonable quality, superior lock bumping technology, and attractive style. It is one of the most common residential locks on the market. Kwikset is headquartered in Orange County, California. It is a part of the Hardware and Home Improvement division of Spectrum Brands.
Conclusion: If I have to choose one lock to declare as the winner, I would go with the Kwikset SmartKey. Kwikset's new technology in this lock is proving itself not only to be the most secure, but also giving an added value by allowing you to re-key the lock easily.
Even one of Kwikset's most vocal critics, Marc Weber Tobias (more on him in just a bit), told us that the SmartKey lock is virtually impossible to pick. Other videos criticizing Kwikset point out that the lock can be easily compromised using a specialized bypass tool used by locksmiths.
Can Kwikset locks be picked? Yes. Kwikset locks can be picked as highlighted above. On the other hand, in percentages, Kwikset's Smart Key was picked in less than 2 percent of attempts, while Schlage's Secure Key was picked in over 78 percent of lock-picking attempts.
To open a Kwikset lock with a dead battery, unlock the smart lock with the appropriate key. As a last resort, you may also force open the deadbolt to access your home. After unlocking your door, take apart the Kwikset lock per the manufacturer's instructions, and replace the batteries.
In comparison to other similar locks on the market, the Kwikset Kevo is reliable but expensive if you compare it to other locks in the same category. The Yale T1L, on the other hand, is a lot more competitively priced if you look at other similar types of smart door locks on the market.
Are electronic door locks safer than keyed door locks? Definitely not, but they are just as safe as keyed locks, and if a person is tech-savvy and wants ease of access instead of having to search around on their person for the keys to their home door, an electronic door lock is most definitely a good idea.
Kwikset currently has manufacturing facilities in Denison, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Mexicali, Mexico.
Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are usually used on a home's exterior door. Available in single- and double-cylinder styles, deadbolts are rated according to their strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A Grade 1 is the highest grade and provides the most security.
Kwikset®, a Black & Decker® company, has been a leader in the lockset industry for 60 years. Kwikset manufactures and markets several full lines of door hardware, including handlesets, knobs, levers, deadbolts, and pocket door accessories, for residential and light commercial markets.
Basically, you cannot re-key the lock from Schlage to Kwikset, but you can change the lock cylinder from Schlage to Kwikset. A locksmith will be able to do it for you. Changing the lock cylinder will still cost less from changing the lock itself.
Products with Kwikset SmartKey feature BumpGuard™ which uses a patented slide-locking bar mechanism inside of the lock to prevent lock bumping and other advanced home break-in techniques.
Kwikset is part of Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI), a major manufacturer and supplier of residential locksets, residential builders' hardware and faucets with a portfolio of renowned brands, including Kwikset®, Weiser®, Baldwin®, National Hardware®, Stanley®, FANAL®, Pfister™ and EZSET®.
Baldwin and Kwikset are part of Hardware and Home Improvement (HHI), a major manufacturer and supplier of residential locksets, residential builders' hardware and faucets with a portfolio of renowned brands, including Kwikset®, Weiser®, Baldwin®, National Hardware®, Stanley®, Pfister™ and EZSET®.
When it comes to quality, security and style, both brands go hand in hand. Their traditional lines of door hardware are equally secure and durable. Weiser has become more popular for its high-quality residential locks, whereas Schlage is more popular for its durable commercial door hardware.
Being at the very top of door lock brands, you can take both Schlage and Weiser locks in consideration when choosing a lock for your purposes. Just don't forget that you are probably not going to succeed in re-keying Schlage with Weiser keys and vice versa, since their keyways are different.
Typical battery life based on 10 entries per day is 10-12 months if the door is properly aligned and the lock does not encounter interference in lock/unlocking the door.
Your Smart Lock will give you low-battery warnings for multiple weeks before it loses power. However, if your Smart Lock dies entirely before you can replace your batteries, your key will still work. This is the same deadbolt key that you've always used - the Smart Lock doesn't change the key needed.
The recommended batteries to use in your Door Lock are AA alkaline, non-rechargeable batteries. Make sure there are no lithium NiCad batteries in use.