Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Best Door Security Bars and Devices

Smart security starts with sturdy locks, but even those can fail under the stress of a determined intruder. If you’re looking to beef up your home’s security, door security bars and devices are an easy-to-use, budget-friendly option for any home. 

Types of door security devices vary in style, construction materials, and price. The one you choose will depend on your lifestyle, your security needs, and your budget. For this guide we’ve gathered several different types of high-quality options to help you choose the best security device for you and your home.

Compare the Best Door Security Bars and Devices

buddybar door jammer
nightlock security lock door barricade
master lock security bar
Guard Dog Door Jammer
doorjammer door lock
ideal security patio door security bar
LineBacker Door Jammer
Buddybar Door Jammer Nightlock Security Lock Door Barricade Master Lock Security Bar Guard Dog Security Door Jammer DoorJammer Door Lock Ideal Security Patio Door Security Bar LineBacker High Strength Door Security
Best For Quality Security Budget Adjustability Travel Kids Older adults
Price View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Amazon View on Amazon
Length 36–51 9.5 27.5–42 25–41.5 4.8 24.75–47.5 24–48
Construction 16-gauge steel Anodized aluminum 20-gauge steel 20-gauge steel Aluminum Aluminum 16-gauge steel
Device Type Handle-to-floor bar jammer Floor doorstop barricade Handle-to-floor bar jammer Handle-to-floor bar jammer Adjustable angled floor doorstop Sliding door stopper bar Across-the-door barricade bar

Our Top 3 Picks for Best Door Security Bars and Devices

Buddybar Door Jammer

Best for quality
buddybar door jammer

When shopping for a door security bar, one of your first questions will probably be, How tough is it? We found the Buddybar Door Jammer to be one of the toughest devices out there, but it’s pricey and it can also be tough on your doors if you’re not careful.

Pros

Sturdy Construction

Made of 16-gauge steel, this door bar is one of the sturdiest we’ve found. It can hold up to 2,560 pounds of force, putting it miles ahead of its 350-pound competitors. (One video demonstrated the strength of Buddybar by using it to jack up a pickup truck. We don’t recommend it for that purpose.)

Easy-Lock Tension Lever

While you’ll have to fiddle with push-button adjustment on most other security bars, the Buddybar is designed with a lever lock, similar to what you might see on a tension-mounted baby gate. Lift the lever to release the tension and lengthen the bar, then lower it to ratchet the tension for a snug fit between your floor and door handle.

No Plastic Parts

The BuddyBar is made entirely of steel and rubber, so you won’t have to worry about pieces snapping off, like you might with some of the less expensive bars.

Cons

Heavy

At over 8 pounds, the Buddybar isn’t a security device for travel, and if you have trouble lifting, you might have a difficult time setting it up.

Expensive

A truly durable bar like this one will set you back over a hundred bucks, but we think its top-notch quality justifies the steep price tag.

Tough on Doors

Remember how this bar can jack up a one-ton truck? Well, if you’re not careful, it can also jack your door right off its hinges. Use caution when using the Buddybar, and make sure it’s not too tight or you might damage your hinges or your door handles.

Nightlock Security Lock Door Barricade

Best for security
nightlock security lock door barricade

The Nightlock Door Barricade works like a vertical doorstop near the base of your door. It’s made of solid aluminum, and it’s a great choice if you don’t want to mess around with trying to jam a bar under your doorknob. But it’s a more permanent door security solution, so it does require some installation.

Pros

Good for Hard Floors

Unlike traditional door security bars that can slip on a hard floor, the Nightlock Door Barricade base plate is screwed into the floor. The vertical barricade rail slides into the base plate, creating a barrier that prevents the door from opening.

Available in Multiple Finishes

We like the variety of color options available for the Nightlock, including bright brass, brushed nickel, and dark bronze.

Easy to Install

To install the Nightlock, you only need to screw in three screws. You can use the screws that come with it, or you can beef up security even more by purchasing three 3-inch #14 steel screws. You’ll probably want a power screwdriver to do the job.

Cons

Semi-Permanent

Because the base plate for the Nightlock has to be screwed into the floor, it’s not a good option for renters or travelers.

Only for Swing Doors

The barricade is designed to prevent your door from swinging open, so it won’t work on sliding patio doors.

Requires Clearance

Because of the Nightlock’s design, you need to make sure you have at least a half-inch of clearance between the bottom of the door and the floor. You might also have some trouble with the device if you have thick carpeting, because you’ll need enough clearance on either side of the base plate to slide the rail in and out.

Master Lock Security Bar

Best for your budget
master lock security bar

If you don’t have a ton of cash to spend on beefing up your home’s security but you still want an added layer of protection, the Master Lock Security Bar provides extra reinforcement at a low price. It doesn’t rank as high in quality as our other top picks, but it could be a deterrent and buy you some precious time in case of an attempted intrusion.

Pros

Adjustable for Sliding or Swing Doors

You can easily remove the Y-shaped yoke on the Master Lock bar to make it fit securely into the track of a sliding patio door, and vice versa—no tools required.

Easy to Use

The pivoting ball joint on the Master Lock ensures the device has full contact with the floor even if you don’t line it up perfectly.

Inexpensive

At less than twenty bucks, the Master Lock is a great option if you’re on a tight budget or you just need an inexpensive, temporary solution.

Lightweight

The Master Lock only weighs about 2.5 pounds, making it easy to handle and store when not in use.

Cons

Reports of a Loose Pin

Some users say that the metal spring-loaded pin used to adjust the length of the bar may loosen and allow the bar to collapse and fail.

Plastic Problems

While the bar itself can withstand up to 350 pounds of pressure, the most common complaints we heard were about the hard plastic yoke and foot. Users say these pieces can fail under pressure or break if dropped.

Some Missing Foot Pads

The Master Lock is advertised to have a padded foot, but several reviewers said their product didn’t come with a cover for the hard plastic foot. The hard plastic can scratch and damage floors, so we recommend contacting the company if you receive a product without padding.

Honorable Mentions

Guard Dog Door Jammer

Guard Dog Security Door Jammer

Best for adjustability

View on Amazon

If you want a door jammer that will fit snugly to virtually any size sliding or hinged door, the Guard Dog does double duty. It adjusts between 25 inches and 41.5 inches, with forty different height settings at quarter-inch intervals in between. Its design is similar to the Master Lock, with a pivoting foot and a plastic, Y-shaped yoke at the top, but it is significantly more expensive.

doorjammer door lock

DoorJammer Door Lock

Best for travel

View on Amazon

The DoorJammer Portable Door Security Device is made of lightweight aluminum and it’s compact, making it ideal for travelers. It’s easy to use—just slide the lip under the door, then screw the foot down until it makes snug contact with the floor.

ideal security patio door security bar

Ideal Security Patio Door Security Bar

Best for kids

View on Amazon

When it comes to kids, security is just as much about keeping them in as it is about keeping bad folks out. Unlike other devices that can be easily pushed aside by a curious toddler, the Ideal Security Patio Door Security Bar has a child safety lock that prevents a child from lifting it and getting out. The bar is designed specifically for sliding patio doors, but be careful when using it—users say it can accidentally fall down into a locked position and lock you out.

LineBacker Door Jammer

LineBacker High Strength Door Security

Best for older adults

View on Amazon

Many door security devices require you to stoop and bend to get a good fit, so they can be harder to manage as you get older. The LineBacker Door Bar installs across your door at waist level, so it’s perfect if you have difficulty kneeling. With 16-gauge steel, the bar is one of the strongest on our list, but at only 6 pounds, it’s still light enough to manage. Keep in mind that the Door Bar Pro is a slightly more expensive option, and it requires installation.

FAQs

Can I use door security bars on my windows?

It depends on the size and type of window. If you have a wide window that slides horizontally, then a sliding door bar jammer will work as long as it fits. We don’t recommend using a bar jammer on a window that lifts vertically, because the bar will be standing on end and could fall out easily.

Can I use door security bars to secure my doors when I’m not home?

Door security bars are designed to be locked from the inside. You can secure them before you leave the house, but you’ll have to exit through a door that doesn’t have a security bar, like your garage door.

How do I prevent my door jammer from sliding on my floor?

Make sure that both the foot of the door jammer and the floor are clean and free from debris. This will create more friction between the surfaces and keep the foot from sliding. Double-check the bar’s positioning to ensure the foot is in full contact with the floor and the yoke is placed firmly under the door’s handle.

Why do I need security bars if I already have good door locks?

If you’ve lived in your home for a while, chances are good that you’ve probably given out some keys for babysitters, housekeepers, house-sitters, or dog walkers. Landlords and handymen also have keys to apartments and rentals. Using a door security bar guarantees that when you’re home, the only people coming through the door are people you choose to allow in, even if they have keys. A security bar is also just a good way to add an extra layer of protection to exterior doors.

Are there other ways to give my entry doors more security?

One of the weakest points on any exterior doorframe is the strike plate, or the place where the deadbolt goes into the frame. Replacing the screws in your strike plates with 3-inch screws is a great way to increase your door’s security. Another smart option is to install a reinforcing kit like the Strikemaster II to prevent kick-ins and forced entry.

How We Chose the Best Door Security Bars

To evaluate the best door security bars and devices, we studied the best products available, weighed user reviews, and compared each device. To learn more about how we write reviews, check out our methodology.

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