Best Door Lock and Hardware Brands
Customer Ratings of Top Door Lock BRANDS in the 2025 America's Most Trusted Study
When it comes to securing our homes, the choice of door locks and hardware is critical. As consumers navigate the myriad options available, brand trust emerges as a central element in their decision-making process. Homeowners want to feel confident that the products they select will deliver on promises of safety, durability, and reliability. This is especially true for door locks, which protect what we value most.
Trust in a brand influences the initial purchase and long-term loyalty. When consumers are confident in a door lock brand, they are more likely to choose it over competitors, knowing it stands behind its products. Established brands with a reputation for quality often enjoy a competitive edge, as customers associate their names with safety and peace of mind.
We surveyed thousands of people to determine the best door hardware and lockset brands according to consumers. What are the most trusted brands?
The 2025 America’s Most Trusted Study
For over a decade, the America’s Most Trusted® study has been at the forefront of examining the complex relationship between consumer trust and product selection. This annual study, which will release its latest findings in January, has established itself as the definitive benchmark for assessing brand trust across various industries. Brands that recognize the significance of consumer trust understand its direct impact on business success.
At its core, brand trust reflects a customer's confidence that a brand will deliver on its promises. In the realm of door hardware and locksets, cultivating this trust is crucial for retaining customers. When consumers feel secure in their choice of a brand, they are more likely to make purchases and recommend those products to others. This trust not only drives sales but also fosters long-term loyalty, as customers are inclined to stick with brands that have proven themselves.
Lifestory Research, which conducts the America’s Most Trusted® study, gathers insights through over 75 targeted product studies each year. These studies involve surveying thousands of consumers about their experiences and perceptions of various brands. A key feature of this research is the Net Trust Quotient Score (NTQS), a validated metric that gauges how much trust individuals place in specific door hardware and lockset brands.
The NTQS measures brand trust against competitors, assessing whether a product meets or exceeds customer expectations. This approach utilizes rigorous social and opinion science research practices, ensuring that the insights generated reflect the true sentiments of consumers. As the door hardware market continues to evolve, understanding these trust dynamics will be essential for both consumers and manufacturers aiming for success in this critical area of home security.
2025 America’s Most Trusted Door Locks & Hardware
Schlage was rated the most trustworthy brand among people considering purchasing door locks & hardware in the Lifestory Research 2025 America's Most Trusted® Door Locks & Hardware Study. Among the most popular door lock and hardware brands, Schlage had the highest Net Trust Quotient Score of 116.0. Schlage has been rated as the most trusted door lock brand six years in a row in the annual study.
The Lifestory Research 2025 America’s Most Trusted® Door Locks & Hardware ranking is based on 4,687 opinions of people surveyed in the United States over the last 12 months. The most trusted door locks & hardware brands were Schlage, Stanley, Master Lock, Yale, Kwikset, Baldwin, and Emtek.
According to independent consumer ratings research, what are the most trustworthy brands in America? What are the top door lock brands people trust the most? The table below shows the door lock rankings among the top door lock and hardware brands in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® study.
TOP 7 Ranked door Lock Brands– 2025 Customer Ratings
| 1 | Schlage | 116.0 | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Stanley | 114.0 | ★★★★ |
| 3 | Master Lock | 112.5 | ☆☆☆ |
| 4 | Yale | 110.4 | ☆☆☆ |
| 5 | Kwikset | 107.4 | ☆☆ |
| 6 | Baldwin | 102.5 | ☆☆ |
| 7 | Emtek | 99.1 | ☆☆ |
No promotional use or advertising can be made of America's Most Trusted® survey results without the express prior written consent of Lifestory Research. America's Most Trusted® is a registered trademark of Lifestory with all rights reserved. Study results are based on survey responses and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Your experiences may vary.
Looking for quality customer ratings of products to make informed and trusted purchasing decisions? Discover genuine customer reviews that focus on various products' quality, reliability, and trustworthiness. Our independent research offers detailed product ratings, insights into quality, performance, durability, and overall value for money based on customer trust ratings. Explore the latest customer reviews to ensure you're making a purchase based on trustworthy ratings and superior quality, so you can buy with confidence! See the results of 75 different product studies here.
Brands Ranked in Study
The Lifestory Research America’s Most Trusted® research study actively surveys door lock shoppers throughout the year in the United States. The study is focused on measuring consumers' opinions of the most recognized door lock and hardware brands in the market. In the study, consumers rate the quality of the door lock brand, their likelihood of recommending the door lock to others, how favorable they feel about the brand behind the door lock, how they rate the reputation of the door lock, and their trust in the door lock brand.
Here, we provide information on the brands in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® study. The brands are presented in the order they ranked in the 2025 America’s Most Trusted® study.
Schlage
Schlage, operating under Allegion, has been in the door lock manufacturing business since 1920. The brand is headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. Notable products include the Schlage Encode and the Schlage Connect, both designed for residential security. Schlage has been selected by consumers six years in a row in the annual America’s Most Trusted® study as the most trusted brand.
Stanley
Stanley is a brand under Stanley Black & Decker, based in New Britain, Connecticut. Known for its broad range of products, Stanley offers door locks such as the Stanley 90 Series Deadbolt and the Stanley Sargent 5000 Series, which cater to both residential and commercial markets.
Master Lock
Established in 1921, Master Lock Company LLC is located in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The brand is recognized for various locking solutions, including the Master Lock 40DBLKF and the Master Lock 5KALF, which are used in residential applications.
Yale
Yale is a brand under the ASSA ABLOY Group, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The brand has a long history in the locking industry and offers products such as the Yale Assure Lock SL and the Yale Real Living Keyless Entry Lock, both focused on residential security.
Kwikset
Kwikset, part of Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., has been manufacturing door locks since 1946 and is headquartered in Middleton, Wisconsin. Its popular products include the Kwikset SmartCode 888 and the Kwikset 980 Single Cylinder Deadbolt, designed for residential use.
Baldwin
Also under Spectrum Brands, Baldwin focuses on high-end door hardware. Founded in 1946, the brand produces products like the Baldwin Prestige Series and Baldwin Reserve Series locks, catering to consumers seeking premium locking options.
Emtek
Emtek operates under the ASSA ABLOY Group and specializes in customizable door hardware. The brand offers products such as the Emtek Deadbolt and the Emtek Mortise Lock, providing options for both functionality and design.
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Foundational Principles
At Lifestory Research, we pride ourselves on being an independent research company committed to delivering unbiased and accurate insights into consumer behavior. Unlike many studies that lean on expert opinions or committees, our approach is rooted firmly in the voices of consumers themselves. This commitment ensures that our findings seek to reflect public sentiment.
By prioritizing consumer opinions, we effectively eliminate the biases that can come from personal agendas or industry affiliations. Our research methodology captures a wide array of perspectives, allowing our results to be representative of the broader population.
Core Principles of Quality Research
We uphold several foundational principles that define top-tier consumer research:
Reliability: We ensure our research consistently produces accurate results.
Validity: Our methods guarantee we measure what we intend to measure.
Objectivity: We take great care to avoid bias throughout the research process.
Generalizability: Our findings can be applied to the larger population.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Lifestory Research adheres to these principles through a series of rigorous practices:
Rigorous Sampling Methods: We carefully select representative samples to generalize our findings to the broader population.
Standardized Survey Instruments: These ensure consistency and reliability in data collection.
Quality Control Measures: Our team meticulously reviews and analyzes data to identify and rectify inconsistencies.
Ethical Standards: We prioritize the well-being of our participants and uphold their privacy throughout the research process.
When you explore our findings, you can trust that they are grounded in the authentic opinions of real people. This dedication to integrity makes our research a valuable resource for businesses and consumers.
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What Is the America’s Most Trusted® Study?
The America’s Most Trusted® study focuses on evaluating brands that offer products or services to consumers in their homes, particularly in the residential new home industry. Instead of attempting to survey every brand, the study specifically targets the largest and most impactful brands in this sector.
How Does the Survey Work?
Conducted throughout the year, the America’s Most Trusted® survey aims to gather consumer opinions while minimizing biases that might arise from external events or trends. This year-long approach helps capture a more accurate snapshot of consumer sentiments.
Participants are surveyed based on specific criteria, such as whether they are actively considering a purchase in a relevant category—like buying a home, faucet, HVAC. Only those who express familiarity with a brand are invited to share their opinions on its trustworthiness, ensuring that the study reflects genuine consumer insights.
The Importance of Brand Awareness
An essential component of the study is brand awareness. Participants are first asked to identify brands they recognize. Only those who are familiar with a brand proceed to answer questions about it. This criterion ensures that only brands with sufficient public recognition are included in the final trust rankings.
Sampling Methodology
The study employs a non-probability sampling design, relying on online panels to recruit participants. Online panels are organizations that have an established relationship with consumers who agree to complete opinion surveys. Lifestory randomly ask consumers questions that identify consumers shopping for a specific product. Qualified consumers complete an online survey in which they are asked a set of questions about specific product brands.
The number of people completing a survey is referred to as the sample size. Each of the America’s Most Trusted studies seek to obtain a sample size that is large enough to be representative. The sample size is also designed to collect a large number of consumer opinions to minimize error and to assure the study results reflect the majority of consumers sentiment about a brand.
Calculating Trust Scores
At the heart of the America’s Most Trusted® study is the Net Trust Quotient Score. Participants evaluate brands based on their trustworthiness through a series of targeted questions. The responses are then categorized into three groups:
Advocates: Consumers who express strong trust in the brand.
Neutrals: Those who trust the brand but do not consider it superior to others.
Antagonists: Consumers with little to no trust in the brand.
These evaluations are quantified using a statistical method called a z-score, which standardizes the responses, allowing for easy comparison across brands. The results are ultimately transformed into T scores, which are more intuitive for understanding how each brand ranks relative to the mean score of all brands surveyed.
Additional information about the study can be found on the survey methodology page of this website.
Additional insights and questions about the America’s Most Trusted® study can be found in the frequently asked questions section of this website.