The 10 Best Exterior Door Handles

Families who want the toughest hardware on the front door should start with the Schlage Camelot Handleset. It carries the top Grade 1 rating for security, and its deadbolt adds anti-drill plates and a hardened steel pin to resist attack. A curved grip and thumb latch outside meet a swooping lever inside, all in satin nickel. Schlage covers the finish and mechanism for life. The drawback is the key: changing it usually means a locksmith visit.

Slim, square lines in matte black make the Kwikset San Clemente a fit for modern houses. The box holds a tall straight grip, a matching deadbolt and a lever for the inside that flips for either door swing. Kwikset's rekeying system lets you switch to a new key yourself in seconds, which helps after a move. The grip bolts through a second hole below the latch, so a door without one needs drilling first.

Swapping out a tired knob and deadbolt on a door that already has the usual two holes is the job for the Kwikset Tustin set. A curved lever and a matching deadbolt arrive in a dark Venetian bronze that hides smudges, and both locks rekey at home with the included tool. The lever reverses for left- or right-hand doors, and Kwikset backs the finish for life. Some inner parts are plastic, which can wear sooner than metal.

Pair the Schlage Century Latitude with a smart or keyed deadbolt you pick yourself. It's only the grip half of a handleset: a tall, flat grip with a thumb latch outside and a straight lever inside, in a matte black with a mid-century feel. Schlage rates it AAA, the best marks for security, durability and finish. Its latch doesn't lock, and no deadbolt comes in the box, so budget for one.

For a back or side door that already has a deadbolt, the Kwikset Casey adds a keyed lever for little money. Twin springs inside keep the flat black handle from drooping over the years, a common failing of cheap levers. It sits on a square plate that suits modern trim, and it rekeys at home with Kwikset's tool. It carries only the lightest Grade 3 rating, so pair it with a sturdy deadbolt.

Kids who lose keys and dog walkers who need a code are the reason to look at the Schlage Plymouth Keypad. The lever locks itself again a few seconds after each entry, and the coated buttons light up at night. A standard battery runs it for up to two years, with a low-battery warning and a key as backup. Its latch isn't a deadbolt, so keep a separate one for real security.

The Amazon Basics Shelby brings the full front-door look, with a grip, a deadbolt and a curved lever inside, at a budget price. Its satin nickel suits a traditional entry, and the latch adjusts to both common door setups, so most standard doors take it without fuss. The lever can wear out within a few years of daily use. It holds only a Grade 3 security rating, and the warranty lasts one year.

Rentals and busy side doors get more muscle from the Schlage Accent lever, which earns a Grade 2 rating. Its swooping shape opens with a push from an elbow or a closed fist, which helps anyone with stiff hands. The latch slides to fit either common door setup without tools, and two keys come with it. Schlage honors its lifetime warranty only on units sold by Amazon or Build.com, so check the seller.

Some homes still want a round knob, and the Kwikset Maven pairs one with a matching deadbolt in matte black for a low price. Both locks rekey at home with Kwikset's tool, and the latch comes with round or square faceplates to fit older and newer doors. A knob is hard to turn with wet hands, full arms or arthritis, and this set holds only a Grade 3 rating.

Short-term rentals and shared side doors are where the Kwikset SmartCode 955 fits. It holds dozens of user codes plus a one-time code for a guest, and repeated wrong guesses sound an alarm and freeze the keypad for a minute. Kwikset rates the battery for about three years, and the buttons light up with a tap. The lever can work loose on a busy door, and its latch is no substitute for a deadbolt.