Investing in a door security bar is a smart way to enhance your home’s safety. These devices are positioned behind a door to provide extra reinforcement for existing locks and deadbolts by bracing the entire door frame. You can find permanent options designed to withstand significant pressure, as well as portable models perfect for travel. While door jammers and wedges function differently, they share the same goal of protecting your home. The most effective products fit your door precisely, resist forced entry, and offer peace of mind.
We evaluated over two dozen top-rated security devices to develop these recommendations. After selecting our favorites, we installed and tested them to confirm they perform as promised under real-world conditions. The MSIC Global SecuraDoor Heavy-Duty Security Door Bar stood out as our top choice. It was not only easy to set up but also capable of resisting over 3,000 pounds of force. Continue reading to discover the factors we considered and review our findings to see why these devices are among the best options available.
BEST OVERALL: MSIC Global SecuraDoor Heavy-Duty Security Door Bar
BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Master Lock 20 Gauge Dual Function Door Security Bar
BEST FOR TRAVEL: DoorJammer Portable Door Lock Brace
BEST HORIZONTAL: Doorricade Standard 38-Inch Door Bar
BEST FOR SLIDING DOOR: Ideal Security Patio Door Bar with Anti-Lift Lock
BEST WEDGE WITH ALARM: Sabre Door Stop Alarm
BEST FLOOR MOUNT: Nightlock Original Door Brace Lock
BEST TWO-PACK: SecurityMan SecurityBar2 Adjustable Door Security Bar
Product | Type | Material | Length
MSIC Global SecuraDoor Heavy-Duty Security Door Bar | Door security bar | Heavy-duty aluminum alloy and durable thermoplastic elastomer | 34 to 48 inches
Master Lock 20 Gauge Dual Function Door Security Bar | Door security bar | 20-gauge steel | 30.5 to 45 inches (hinged doors), 27.5 to 42 inches (sliding doors)
DoorJammer Portable Door Lock Brace | Door jammer | Alloy steel | Requires 0.25 inches of clearance
Doorricade Standard 38-Inch Door Bar | Horizontal door bar | Aluminum | 38 inches
Ideal Security Patio Door Bar With Anti-Lift Lock | Door security bar | Aluminum | 25.75 to 47.5 inches
Sabre Door Stop Alarm | Door wedge | Plastic and metal | 6.5 inches
Nightlock Original Door Brace Lock | Door wedge | Aluminum | 9.5 inches
SecurityMan SecurityBar2 Adjustable Door Security Bar | Door security bar | Iron | 22.25 to 43.7 inches
We evaluated the following security devices based on their durability, strength, and ease of installation. If you are looking for improved protection, any of these options would be a great choice. Read on to see why we chose these as the best door security bars on the market.
MSIC Global SecuraDoor Heavy-Duty Security Door Bar
Withstands 3,000 pounds of pressure
Suitable for carpet, tile, hardwood, concrete, and vinyl flooring
Bulkier and heavier than other door security bars
Material: Heavy-duty aluminum alloy and durable thermoplastic elastomer
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Strength and Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Gain peace of mind with a security bar engineered to hold back more than 3,000 pounds of force. The SecuraDoor bar allows for one-handed installation on hinged doors. Simply hook the yoke under the door knob and set the bar at an angle of roughly 25 degrees; for a 36-inch-high knob, this places the base about 15 inches from the door.
The handle rotates to apply pressure, keeping the door firmly in place. If necessary, you can adjust the bar’s height using the collar by inserting the pin and sliding the inner tube to the desired setting. The device accommodates door knobs ranging from 34 to 48 inches in height.
The footplate features a material that adheres well to various surfaces, including tile, carpet, hardwood, vinyl, and concrete, while ensuring maximum contact. Constructed from heavy-duty aluminum alloy and durable thermoplastic elastomer, this security bar weighs 3.2 pounds.
The SecuraDoor impressed us immediately with its sturdy, 3-pound build. The two-piece rectangular aluminum shaft fit snugly and showed almost no wobble once pinned. The locking pin was simple to use and remained secure. The oversized foot and tilting bracket settled into a very stable angle, preventing the door from moving even when we pushed against it, regardless of the floor type.
What our tester says: “Though it is a bit pricey, I found that the SecuraDoor proved to be the easiest door security bar to install and offered the strongest hold.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the MSIC Global door security bar on Amazon or MSIC Global.
Master Lock 20 Gauge Dual Function Door Security Bar
Suitable for hinged or sliding doors
Door knob bracket angle is not adjustable
Slight wobble in the 2-piece shaft
Length: 30.5 to 45 inches (hinged doors), 27.5 to 42 inches (sliding doors)
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Strength and Durability 5/5; Value 4.3/5
Enhancing home security doesn’t have to be expensive. This affordable bar from Master Lock is designed to secure both sliding and hinged doors. It adjusts from 30.5 to 45 inches for hinged doors and from 27.5 to 42 inches for sliding models.
To secure a hinged door, adjust the bar to the correct height, position the padded base 15 to 18 inches from the door, place the yoke under the handle, and slide the bottom toward the door until it is tight. For sliding doors, remove the yoke pin, position the bar along the door’s bottom, and adjust the length until the silver button clicks into the appropriate hole.
When used on a hinged door, the pivoting ball joint ensures full floor contact, while the padded foot provides a firm grip without damaging surfaces. Made from 20-gauge steel, this compact, portable bar is excellent for home use or travel.
We appreciated that the Master Lock bar is convertible for different door types. Although the detachable bracket lacks angle adjustment, the swivel foot and spring-button height settings—which adjust in 1-centimeter increments—made it easy to position. The rubber pad on the foot held firm during our forced-entry tests. The only drawback was the slight wobble between the telescoping segments when the bar was extended to its maximum height; it felt most stable at about three-quarters of its length.
Get the Master Lock door security bar at Amazon or Tractor Supply Co.
DoorJammer Portable Door Lock Brace
Suitable for hotel rooms, dorm rooms, and offices
Setup may take several minutes
Length: Requires 0.25 inches of clearance
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Strength and Durability 4/5; Value 4.3/5
Perfect for travelers, this DoorJammer brace measures 4.25 inches tall, 1.57 inches wide, and 2.76 inches deep, making it easy to pack in a backpack, suitcase, or laptop bag. It provides security for offices, dorms, or hotel rooms. Simply insert the base into the gap between the floor and the door, then tighten the screw.
It requires at least 0.25 inches of clearance but can be adapted for doors with higher thresholds. If there is a large gap at the bottom of the door, use the included extension foot.
The device also comes with four spacers for the top of the door, which can provide extra stability in frames with larger gaps, though they are optional. In an emergency, a quick-release feature allows you to remove the lock without unscrewing it. Crafted from steel and weighing 8 ounces, this lock works on laminate, tile, and carpeted floors.
During testing, our exterior doors were too tight at the floor for the DoorJammer to fit. However, it worked perfectly on our bedroom and bathroom doors, which had 0.25 to 0.5 inches of clearance. When we tried to force the door open, the door flexed due to the leverage, but the device remained firmly in place.
What our tester says: “It takes a minute to install and adjust the DoorJammer, but I found the unit to be surprisingly strong, easy to pack, and inexpensive.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester & writer
Get the DoorJammer door security bar at Amazon or DoorJammer.
Doorricade Standard 38-Inch Door Bar
Hardware mounts to the existing door frame
Requires permanently installed hardware
Unsightly installation brackets
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 2.5/5; Strength and Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
This horizontal security bar from Doorricade offers a robust defense against home invasion without creating a trip hazard. Instead of a diagonal brace between the floor and the knob, this system mounts flush across the door’s width. The solid aluminum bar locks into heavy-duty brackets attached to the door frame. It is tamperproof from the outside, durable, and straightforward to install.
To set up the Doorricade, mount the paintable hinge brackets at your preferred height within the door jamb, then install studs on both sides. The hinge allows the bar to swing out of the way when not in use. To secure the door, simply position the hinges and place the bar inside.
For doors with nearby windows, the kit includes cable locks to keep the bar in place, preventing intruders from breaking the glass to remove it. A spacer is also included to fill the gap between the bar and the door; place this wedge on the opening side near the handle. This 38-inch bar is designed for standard 36-inch-wide doors.
In our tests, the Doorricade provided the most robust security of all models, though its application is somewhat limited. Our test door lacked sufficient space between the door edge and the frame for the mounting hardware. Additionally, while the brackets swing away, the hardware is very utilitarian and may not be aesthetically pleasing for a main entryway.
Once installed, the aluminum bar was incredibly solid, showing no movement during our attempts to open the door. It was easy to secure, remove, and store. This would be an ideal choice for a workshop or garage door that might otherwise be vulnerable.
Get the Doorricade door security bar at Amazon or Doorricade.
Ideal Security Patio Door Bar With Anti-Lift Lock
Easy to install, adjust, or remove
Lightweight aluminum construction
Anyone seeking a versatile security bar for a patio door should consider this model from Ideal Security. The aluminum design eliminates the need to bend down to remove the device, and it allows for security even when the door is left slightly open for ventilation. It also features a childproof lock for added safety.
The bar adjusts from 25.75 to 47.5 inches and is installed with screws in the middle of the door rather than at the bottom. Because it is screwed into the frame, it cannot be easily jarred loose. The childproof lock prevents the bar from being lifted until the lock is released. When not needed, the bar swings up to stay out of the way.
In our tests, this lightweight bar was easy to install and offered great strength for its weight. Basic installation required only two screws. The telescoping adjustment uses friction rather than pins, allowing for infinite positioning between the minimum and maximum lengths. The childproof latch is simple to operate with one hand, and we liked how the bar folds into an unobtrusive position parallel to the frame.
This is an excellent choice for sliding patio doors. Just be careful not to apply heavy downward pressure when the bar is horizontal. While the aluminum construction resists linear pressure from an attempted break-in, it can bend under sideways force, which could damage the hinges and screws.
Get the Ideal Security door bar at Amazon or Ideal Security.
120-decibel alarm system; can be heard from 1,500 feet away
Battery status and low-battery indicators included
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Strength and Durability 5/5; Value 5/5
The Sabre door wedge slides under an inward-opening door and emits a 120-decibel siren if someone tries to force the door open. The alarm is audible from up to 1,500 feet away. The device requires a 9-volt battery and includes a low-battery indicator.
The wedge features a nonskid pad that helps prevent entry and works on most floor surfaces, including carpet. It is also portable, making it a great option for alarmed security while traveling.
The Sabre alarm’s dual-protection approach was highly effective in our tests. After turning it on and placing it tightly against the door, we attempted to open it. The alarm triggered immediately—even before the door stopped moving—and was painfully loud. The wedge halted the door almost instantly, with less than 2 inches of movement.
Note that this wedge is most effective on doors with less than 1 inch of floor clearance. Doors with larger gaps may not trigger the pressure plate as effectively, and the 1.5-inch-tall wedge might not stop them as easily.
Get the Sabre door security wedge at Amazon or Ace Hardware.
Nightlock Original Door Brace Lock
Can be placed on or drilled into floors
Works on ceramic tiles, marble, and concrete
Permanent hardware installation required
Requires 0.5- to 2-inch under-door clearance
May not be suitable for wood floors
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4/5; Strength and Durability 5/5; Value 4/5
This low-profile floor brace secures French, double, or standard doors without being overly conspicuous. The brace stands only 3 inches high, and the mounting bracket is relatively subtle when the device is removed.
The aluminum brace includes 2-inch screws for floor mounting and plastic anchors for concrete, marble, or ceramic tile. Simply drill it into the floor and slide the locking mechanism into position.
The base plate requires between 0.5 and 2 inches of clearance beneath the door. Once locked, the barricade uses the strength of the floor to resist forced entry, such as someone trying to kick the door in.
We installed the Nightlock on a laminate floor over a wood subfloor in under 5 minutes. It was simple to operate and extremely secure; the door did not budge when the brace was engaged. This is an outstanding security option for double or French doors, as it can be aligned to hold both doors simultaneously, despite its compact 9.5-inch length.
However, we were less fond of the permanently installed base plate in the middle of a walkway, which could be a trip hazard. That said, we believe it is much more convenient to slide this device into place nightly than to deal with a bulky door bar.
Get the Nightlock door security bar at Nightlock.
SecurityMan SecurityBar2 Adjustable Door Security Bar
Works on doors or windows; suitable for hinged and sliding doors
Adjustable angled rubber bottom
Fixed angle at the door knob bracket and foot
Longer increments between length settings
Not suitable for use on carpets
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Strength and Durability 3.3/5; Value 3.3/5
If you need to secure multiple windows or entrances, consider this SecurityMan model, which is compatible with sliding doors, hinged doors, and windows. It adjusts from 22.25 to 43.7 inches for hinged doors, and from 22.25 to 39.25 inches for sliding doors or windows, using 15 notched holes for length adjustment.
The bar includes interchangeable caps for different uses. For hinged doors, one end fits under the handle, while the other features an adjustable angled rubber foot for a secure, non-slip grip that won’t scratch floors. For windows or sliding doors, the ends use rubberized caps that fit over the bar.
Constructed from high-grade iron, this bar works on various surfaces, including linoleum, marble, concrete, wood, and tile. It can withstand 350 pounds of pressure while weighing only 3 pounds.
We tested the SecurityMan bars on both sliding and hinged doors, and they performed adequately but not perfectly. The telescoping adjustment uses spring-button notches spaced about 3.25 centimeters apart. On our sliding door, the tightest setting still allowed about 1.5 centimeters of movement. It held the hinged door firmly, but we had to experiment with the height because of the fixed angle of the bracket and foot. While we appreciated the simple, adaptable design, the multipurpose nature made it slightly less ideal for any single application.
Get the SecurityMan door security bar at Amazon or Wayfair (1-pack).
We researched and vetted 26 of the most popular door security bars, door jammers, and door wedges to create this guide. Our findings indicated that the models with the best user reviews included several similar designs that were lightweight, easy to use, and worked with different flooring types. Sturdy, versatile door security bars were most popular for back-, side-, and front-door applications, while reliable portable wedges and jammers were frequent picks for travelers. Our final lineup included a mix of the different types.
We spent more than 8 hours installing and testing each of the door security devices in this guide according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Our test home offered a sliding patio door, a hinged exterior door adjacent to laminate flooring, and a hinged exterior door adjacent to a carpeted floor. After installing each device, noting the time and difficulty of installation as well as the interior stability, we attempted to open the door from the outside. We noted any movement of the door or of the device itself.
The products included in our list of the best door security bars all held securely. Some may have been more or less difficult to install, or may have a few drawbacks that hinder some applications, but any of them could make a good choice for upgrading home security.
Product | Ease of Use | Strength and Durability | Value
MSIC Global SecuraDoor Heavy-Duty Security Door Bar | 5 | 5 | 4.3
Master Lock 20 Gauge Dual Function Door Security Bar | 4 | 5 | 4.3
DoorJammer Portable Door Lock Brace | 4 | 4 | 4.3
Doorricade Standard 38-Inch Door Bar | 2.5 | 5 | 4
Ideal Security Patio Door Bar With Anti-Lift Lock | 4 | 5 | 4.3
Sabre Door Stop Alarm | 5 | 5 | 5
Nightlock Original Door Brace Lock | 4 | 5 | 4
SecurityMan SecurityBar2 Adjustable Door Security Bar | 5 | 3.3 | 3.3
Choosing the right security device depends on your specific needs. Beyond the amount of force a device can resist, you should consider the type of product, the materials used, the length, the installation method, and its adjustability.
When looking for the right device, it helps to understand the different categories available, such as security bars, door jammers, door-lock reinforcers, and wedges.
Door security bars are placed beneath the handle of a hinged door and are usually held in place by pressure. For sliding doors, they are placed between the door and the wall. Some bars are hardware-mounted, particularly those that span the width of a hinged door; these use hinges mounted to the frame, allowing the bar to be lifted quickly in an emergency. If you use cable ties to prevent an intruder from lifting the bar after breaking a window, remember that you will need to remove those ties before you can exit.
Door jammers prevent entry by “jamming” the door. They sit at an angle on the floor about an inch away from the door. Some latch onto the door knob, while others use a base and a tightening screw to create pressure. These are excellent for travel, and some offer a quick-release feature that allows for a fast exit.
Door-lock reinforcers strengthen your existing hardware. They clip onto or surround current locks to protect against picking, force, or tampering. While they are useful for travel, check compatibility with horizontal or smart locks before purchasing.
Door wedges are placed under the door. Often made of plastic or steel, they grip the floor when pressure is applied, helping to block entry.
The material of a security bar is vital to its strength and durability. Common materials include aluminum, steel, iron, and plastic.
Steel and aluminum bars offer high strength and can resist significant force, such as a kick-in attempt. Iron bars generally cannot handle as much pressure. Aluminum is lightweight and rust-resistant. Always check the product specifications to see how much force a bar can withstand; higher ratings generally mean better protection.
You may also want a device that won’t damage your floors or doors. Most bars feature rubberized feet and yokes to prevent scratches on wood floors or damage to door handles.
Other components, such as endcaps and bases, may also be rubber-coated to provide better grip and protection. Some devices, like wedges, may use a combination of steel and plastic.
Most security bars are adjustable to fit standard door knob heights. According to the International Building Code, knobs are typically between 34 and 48 inches high. Measure your door knob height from the floor and verify that the product you are considering is compatible.
For sliding glass doors, measure the distance from the wall to the door. While standard glass doors are 60 to 72 inches wide, some two-panel doors can reach up to 96 inches.
If you choose a wedge or jammer, measure the gap between the floor and the bottom of the door to ensure it fits the product’s requirements.
Installation methods vary from simple pressure-based setups to those requiring fasteners.
More permanent bars are usually screwed into place. Some systems use hinges attached to the door frame, while others use floor plates or horizontal brackets. Sliding door bars often require brackets screwed into the wall and the door frame. These setups are very secure and do not shift easily.
Other devices, such as wedges or jammers, rely on pressure to resist forced entry. Pressure-based bars are installed under the knob with a rubber-padded base on the floor.
For sliding doors and windows, it is best to avoid using these bars on top of loose rugs or floor mats. If the bar cannot maintain continuous pressure against the floor, a mat might allow it to slide out of position, potentially granting an intruder access.
Choosing an adjustable bar is helpful because not all doors follow standard measurements. Perhaps your door knob is higher than average, or your sliding door is an unusual size.
Most bars adjust between 22.25 and 51 inches for hinged doors, and up to 47.5 inches for sliding doors. Adjustments are typically made by pushing a button, sliding the bar, and letting the button click into a new hole. Some jammers also allow for height extensions if the door gap is unusually large.
Some bars are designed for both hinged and sliding doors, with adjustable configurations. Note that the maximum length may differ depending on whether you are using the base and yoke for a hinged door or removing them for a sliding door.
Always check the product details to ensure the size range is compatible with your specific door.
For more information about door security bars, check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If additional concerns arise, contact the manufacturer for more specific information about a particular product.
Q. Are security bars effective for doors?
Yes, security bars are quite effective for doors. There are many options to choose from that can perform well with the doors in your home. Not only can they work as physical barriers to protect your home against unwanted entry, but they can also serve as a visual deterrent to stop break-ins before they even start.
Q. How can I make my front door more secure?
To reinforce the front door where the deadbolt goes into the door frame, you can replace the screws in the strike plate with 3-inch screws. You also can use a security bar or device to help increase the security on a door.
Q. How can I make my apartment door more secure?
A security bar that uses pressure or a door jammer can be added on an apartment door. Finding one of these that includes an alarm would also bolster security, as it would deter the intruder as well as alert you and even neighbors in the event of an attempted break-in.
Q. Can I use door security bars on my windows?
Yes, some security bars can be used on windows as well as doors. The interchangeable ends make it possible to fit the bar in a window or door frame and provide security for sliding windows.
Q. Can I use door security bars to secure my doors when I’m not home?
Security bars and devices require someone inside the house to unlock them. You can secure all entrances but one with security bars when you are not at home. Choose to secure the doors you feel are more susceptible to break-ins. If you have a door that connects to the garage, you could secure every door of the house but that one.
Q. How are security bars installed on a sliding door?
There are bars made specifically for sliding doors. A bracket is drilled into the wall door frame and another bracket is drilled into the door. The bar is then placed inside both brackets, preventing the door from being opened.
Some bars use double-sided tape instead of screws and pressure. Installing a regular security bar on a sliding door can involve removing one end. Sometimes both ends are interchangeable with different endcaps, so the bar can fit inside the bottom of the door.
Q. Are expensive locks more secure?
Not necessarily. You might find that the combination of a lock plus a security bar or double door locks are the way to go. If a would-be intruder, say, drills into one lock, the security bar or other lock is there as an added layer of protection.
Q. What is the best type of door lock security?
A deadbolt is typically more secure than just a simple door knob with a built-in lock. Manufacturers also make high-security front-door locks and other locks for doors that are more resistant to destruction.
One thought on “The Best Door Security Bars of 2026, Tested and Reviewed”