Save yourself the extra charges of hiring a locksmith every time you need to re-key a lock. Our Schlage vs. Kwikset SmartKey comparison will give you a long-lasting solution to this problem.
Being a landlord is a dream that has now become a reality for me. I am contented from knowing that I never have to pay rent to anyone ever again. I did not, however, think that managing tenants would be this stressful. Despite instilling the necessary security measures in my plot, tenants keep on knocking on my door with different demands. Some keep on losing their keys, and I have been forced to purchase new locks occasionally. This is what led me to consider getting SmartKey deadbolts to reduce expenses and boost security. My confusion between choosing Schlage or Kwikset Smartkey is what made me form this table.
What are the differences between Schlage and Kwikset smartkey? How do they compare
| Name | Schlage | Kwikset |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds | 1 pound |
| Dimensions | 1×2.5×2.5 pounds | 2×3×3 inches |
| Housing | Strong and sturdy | Light |
| Call to action | Check here | Check here |
Schlage vs. Kwikset SmartKey-What are the main differences?
Housing
Every smart key has a metal part which surrounds its cylinder. Schlage smart key has a sturdier and stronger housing compared to Kwikset Smartkey. The solid house of Schlage SmartKey deadbolts gets rid of any hollow regions to give the cylinder maximum protection. This is not the case with Kwikset SmartKey locks since they are somehow hollow, increasing the risk of drilling the lock through. The housing of Schlage Smartkey is also heavier than that of Kwikset making it more resistant to attacks compared to its counterpart.
Cylinder tolerance
Intruders sometimes find access to homes without necessary breaking in. Though smart key mechanism prevents lock picking, the cylindrical tolerance of your lock determines how easy or difficult it is to pick. The cylinder rotates slightly on every lock. This rotation is what is referred to as cylinder tolerance. Kwikset SmartKey locks have a bigger cylinder tolerance than Schlage making them easier to pick.
The size of the bolt
Another crucial part of a Smartkey lock that enhances security is the bolt. It secures the door and prevents it from opening once you have locked it. Some intruders gain access to houses by kicking the door in. The bolt is what determines if someone can use this method to access your home. Schlage SmartKey comes with longer and stronger bolts compared to Kwikset. The bolt size of Schlage SmartKey gives it minimal space for your door to jiggle.
Screw size
Some people also drill the screws of a lock to gain entry into a house. When a person drills the screws, the lock falls off and gives them direct access to the bolt. Schlage Smartkey locks have a drill resistant plate which adds an extra layer of protection. If an intruder compromises the plate, they still have to drill the screws for them to gain entry.
That is why Schlage Smartkey deadbolts are equipped with robust and big screws which prevent entry through drilling. Kwikset, on the other hand, does not include drill resistant plate in their SmartKey deadbolts. They also use thin screws which can easily be drilled making them less secure compared to Schlage.
Schlage smart key
This company makes re-keyable locks that increase convenience for users. Schlage smart key has five sliders and a sidebar that protect your door from key bumping of even lock picking. For it to work, the sliders must be aligned appropriately so that the single side-bar can retract easily.
Users can rekey this SmartKey without needing any special skills or disassembling the entire unit. Unlike conventional locks, Schlage Smartkey has sliders that come with a two-part design which contains a guide pin. The cylinder’s design prevents the plug from rotating when you position the sliders a bit high.
Pros
- They prevent you from using excess keys on your locks
- Contain a bump guard which make them bump-proof
Cons
- They lack some key options
Kwikset smart key
Kwikset came up with yet another type of lock which offers enhanced security known as Smartkey. Though it has a similar look as the regular lock, Kwikset Smartkey comes in a deadbolt and doorknob form. Kwikset Smartkey comes with a small hole on the left part of the keyhole. Its cylinder has a unique internal design which makes it difficult to pick or bump.
Kwikset SmartKey makes use of five wafers which get into contact with a sidebar to prevent your home from forced entry. You can set the wafers to six different positions. The wafers of the Kwikset smart key interact with guide pins at various levels to raise and secure them in the right position. Unlike the regular locks, this does not use the pin tumbler design.
Pros
- Installation is easy
- The rekey technology lets you control who has access to your home
Cons
- The rekey mechanism can sometimes be unreliable
Conclusion
Keep your home safe by upgrading your security system with the use of SmartKey mechanism. This can protect your home from attacks. It also allows you to rekey your lock within a few seconds so that you can deny access to obsolete keys. Both Schlage and Kwikset key companies have adapted this technology to increase convenience for their customers.
By comparing Schlage vs. Kwikset SmartKey, we do not doubt that Schlage is better than Kwikset. Though a Kwikset SmartKey is more difficult to kick in, the housing, bolt size, and screws are weaker compared to Schlage Smartkey making it susceptible to forced entry techniques. Even though purchasing locks comes down to preference, buying Schlage SmartKey can help you solve different things at the same time. You can use one key for all your locks and control access to your home.
FAQ
Can I use any key to unlock Kwikset smartkey?
No. You can only unlock Kwikset smartkey using a Kwikset key. Locks and keys are different and not any key can unlock any door.
How does Kwikset smartkey operate?
It allows you to rekey your lock easily without the need of a locksmith. Just rotate the plug in a certain angle then insert the special tool known as smartkey to the keyway.
What does the bump guard do?
Locks that have this feature are not easily bumped since the feature prevents an intruder from accessing your home through bumping. Schlage smartkey also includes a side bar which also prevents bumping.
How do I get rid of an old schlage lock?
You need to turn the knob completely and hold it as you insert a stiff object to the hole. This depresses the knob retention tab so that you can easily pull the knob outward and let it slide off easily.