RELIABILT vs Kwikset
Which door hardware brand is right for your home? Budget vs features, security grades, smart locks, and the real cost of outfitting an entire house.
RELIABILT costs 20-40% less than Kwikset for comparable interior hardware. Kwikset offers higher security grades, smart locks, and wider availability. For a 10-door house of interior passage and privacy knobs, RELIABILT saves $100-200 over Kwikset. For front door deadbolts and smart locks, Kwikset is the only real option between these two brands. Most homeowners benefit from mixing both: RELIABILT interior, Kwikset exterior.
Full Comparison
| Feature | RELIABILT | Kwikset |
|---|---|---|
| Sold At | Lowe's only | Lowe's, Home Depot, Amazon, hardware stores |
| Price (passage knob) | $8 - $15 | $15 - $25 |
| Price (deadbolt) | $15 - $30 | $20 - $50 |
| Multi-pack 10-knob | $50 - $80 ($5-8/knob) | Limited packs, ~$12-15/knob |
| Security Grade | Grade 3 only | Grade 1, 2, and 3 |
| SmartKey Re-key | No | Yes (re-key in seconds, no locksmith) |
| Smart Locks | Not available | Halo WiFi, Aura Bluetooth, Premis Apple HomeKit |
| Finishes | 3 (satin nickel, matte black, aged bronze) | 7+ (adds polished brass, venetian bronze, iron black) |
| Entry Handlesets | Basic, limited selection | 20+ designs, decorative options |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime mechanical | Limited lifetime mechanical |
| Cycle Life (Grade 3) | 200,000+ cycles | 200,000+ cycles (same at Grade 3) |
| Best For | Budget whole-house interior hardware | Entry security, smart home, curb appeal |
When RELIABILT is the Right Call
Choose RELIABILT when you are replacing interior hardware throughout a house and budget is the priority. The contractor multi-packs (4, 6, or 10 knobs) bring per-unit cost down to $5-8. That is half the price of buying individual Kwikset knobs for the same function.
For interior passage knobs (hallways, closets) and privacy knobs (bedrooms, bathrooms), the functional difference between RELIABILT and Kwikset is negligible. Both turn, both latch, both come in overlapping finishes. The internal mechanism is the same Grade 3 residential standard. You are paying more with Kwikset primarily for brand name and finish variety.
Cost Example: 10-Door House
| RELIABILT 10-pack | $50 - $80 total ($5-8 per knob) |
| Kwikset individual x10 | $150 - $250 total ($15-25 per knob) |
| Savings | $70 - $170 by choosing RELIABILT |
When Kwikset is Worth the Premium
Choose Kwikset for exterior entry doors and any application where security matters. Three specific Kwikset features justify the higher price:
SmartKey Re-key Technology
Kwikset SmartKey lets you change the lock's key in about 15 seconds using a special tool (included with the lock). No locksmith needed. This is valuable when moving into a new home, after giving out spare keys, or if a key is lost. RELIABILT deadbolts require a locksmith ($50-100) to re-key.
Smart Lock Options
Kwikset offers three smart lock lines: Halo (WiFi, no hub needed), Aura (Bluetooth, works with Z-Wave hub), and Premis (Apple HomeKit). These allow keyless entry, remote locking via phone, temporary access codes for guests, and activity logging. RELIABILT has no smart lock product at all.
Higher Security Grades
Kwikset offers Grade 1 (commercial, 800,000+ cycles) and Grade 2 (heavy-duty residential, 400,000+ cycles) deadbolts. RELIABILT only offers Grade 3 (standard residential, 200,000+ cycles). For a primary front door where forced-entry resistance matters, the higher grade provides measurably more protection. Grade 3 is adequate for secondary doors and interior applications.
Can You Mix Both Brands?
Yes, and most homeowners should. The practical approach:
| Interior doors | RELIABILT 10-pack passage/privacy knobs. Covers bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, pantry. |
| Front door | Kwikset SmartKey deadbolt + decorative handleset. Re-keyable, Grade 2 security. |
| Back/garage door | Kwikset SmartKey deadbolt + basic knob. Same key as front door. |
| Finish matching | Both brands offer satin nickel and matte black. These are close enough to match visually across a home. |
This mixed approach gives you Grade 2+ security on exterior doors, SmartKey convenience for re-keying, and budget hardware on the 8-10 interior doors where security does not matter. Total cost for a 10-door house with 2 exterior locks: roughly $130-200 vs $300-500 all-Kwikset.
What About Schlage, Defiant, and Others?
| Schlage | Premium competitor to Kwikset. Stronger bump-resistance. Grade 1 residential available. Pricier than Kwikset. Available at Lowe's and Home Depot. |
| Defiant | Home Depot's private label (equivalent to RELIABILT at Lowe's). Similar pricing and Grade 3 security. Not available at Lowe's. |
| Baldwin | Luxury hardware. $100-400+ per knob. Solid forged brass. For high-end homes and architectural projects. Overkill for standard residential. |
| Emtek | Designer hardware. Wide style range. $80-300+ per knob. Good middle ground between Kwikset and Baldwin for style-conscious buyers. |
Common Questions
Are RELIABILT and Kwikset knobs interchangeable?
Yes. Both use the standard 2-1/8" face bore and fit doors 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" thick. You can replace a RELIABILT knob with a Kwikset (or vice versa) without any drilling or modification.
Can I key RELIABILT and Kwikset locks to the same key?
Not directly. They use different keyways. To key them alike, you would need a locksmith to re-pin one brand to match the other, which costs $15-25 per lock. The simpler approach: use Kwikset SmartKey on all exterior doors (keyed alike from the box) and leave RELIABILT interior knobs as passage (no key needed).
Is Grade 3 security enough for a front door?
Grade 3 provides basic residential security and meets building code for all residential applications. It will stop casual attempts. However, Grade 2 and Grade 1 deadbolts have significantly longer bolt throw, stronger strike plates, and higher kick-in resistance. For a primary front door, especially ground-floor in an urban area, the $10-20 upgrade to Grade 2 is worthwhile.
Browse all RELIABILT knobs and levers or door hardware accessories. See how the full product line performs in our customer review roundup, or explore doors, windows, and cabinets.