The Best Cabinet Locks With Magnets, RFID and More

With cabinet lock options that range from a key to Alexa enabled smart locks there are plenty of ways to secure what’s inside your cabinet.

But choosing which cabinet lock is best comes down to:

How frequently you will use the door
Your skills
Type of cabinet
Contents such as liquor, pharmacy or other dangerous items
Ability to drill or alter the cabinet
And of course, your budget.

While a Siri-enabled smart lock is easily the most technologically advanced solution it is also the most costly. However, other locks require drilling holes in the face of the cabinet. In this guide learn what the best cabinet locks are for your doors and drawers, where to buy them and how tools you’ll need to install them.

Top Cabinet Locks

Smart lock for liquor or pharmacy:

› Yale Smart Lock at Amazon ($50.99)

Best magnetic for multiple doors:

› JamBini Magnetic Cabinet Lock at Amazon ($12.99)

RFID cabinet Lock:

› EtekJoy RFID Lock at Amazon ($13.50)

External strap locks:

› SKYLA Homes Baby Locks at Amazon ($9.99)

Traditional key lock:

› Defender Security Lock at Amazon ($6.97)

Last updated on 2022-09-25 at 05:32 // Source: Amazon Affiliates

Cabinet Lock Features to Consider

While typically easier to install than a cabinet hinge, handle or knob a cabinet lock may require some basic installation steps:

Make sure your lock will fit your cabinet style – which is either frameless or face fame.
Frameless cabinet locks are generally easiest to install
Meanwhile face frame cabinet locks may require attaching the lock to a backing block
For multiple doors consider buying a number of the same brand and style so you can use one key
And for RFID locks most can be re-programmed to have one card open multiple locks
Drawers can be locked and most locks simply require installation on the top edge of the drawer versus the side

TYpes of Cabinet Locks

With recent innovations you’ll find both old standard keys and magnets as well as now RFID and even WIFI equipped locks:

Keyed locks go back centuries and are inexpensive
Magnetic cam locks use a simple magnetic force to release an internal pin
RFID use a coded radio frequency to release the lock mechanism
Latch locks typically fit behind a drawer or door and the user pushes the latch free of the catch
Adhesive strap locks can be used on the exterior of a cabinet and do not require drilling into the wood
Handle locks use two door handles as a way to prevent the door from being opened

Smart Lock For Liquor or Medicine Cabinets

Bluetooth, Smart Device Enabled

Rather than just prevent a cabinet from opening, use a Bluetooth enabled device that can also track WHEN a cabinet is opened. Great for highly sensitive storage.

See on Amazon

Top Features

Easy to install
Works on frameless and face frame cabinets
Auto re-lock function to lock after opening
Open with Yale app on phone or a voice assistant

Overview

As a step-up from the still high-tech RFID locks, a smart lock lets you do more than just keep a cabinet locked. It lets you control the lock from anywhere (accessories required) and track the usage.

Concerned someone accesses the cabinet without your knowledge? Just track the history.

Worried you won’t have your phone with you and need access? Just connect the lock to your Apple HomeKit compatible system (eg. Siri).

Pros

Highly secure
Ease of install
Compact
Can be shared access
No key to lose
Auto-locks

Cons

Price for multiple cabinets

Best Magnetic Lock for Multiple Doors

Discreet, Multiple Cabinet Solution

As an upgrade to the lever-style locks that make you search and push a lever to free the door, a magnetic lock lets you quickly free the door without pinching fingers.

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Top Features

Simple installation
Works on almost all style of doors and drawers
No screws – leverages 3M adhesive
Invisible to outside of door
Easy to remove

Overview

An adhesive magnetic cabinet lock is arguably the easiest solution to lock a cabinet door without installing a screw.

By simply adhering to the door and inside of the cabinet a magnetic lock uses the magnet to free the catch and allow the door to open.

Don’t need the locks on all of the time? Simply flip a switch to dis-engage the lock and re-engage when security is needed.

Pros

No screws
Economical for an entire kitchen
Can be dis-engaged when locks aren’t needed
One key can operate dozens of doors
Hidden

Cons

Magnetic key may need a thin pad to prevent scratching the cabinet face over repeated use
Doesn’t prevent un-wanted access by adults

RFID Cabinet Lock

Discreet, Secure Solution

While magnets are a great lock, they don’t prevent un-wanted adult access. An RFID lock offers both invisible protection plus a secure key that can’t be easily copied.

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Top Features

Secure
Easy to install
One key can be made for multiple doors and drawers
Invisible to outside of cabinet

Overview

An RFID lock is about the closest to a standard key and lock as you can find.

By maintaining a high level of security with a RFID tag that is programmed to the base you can ensure un-wanted access is prevented. And with a technology that allows for programmable keys you can have multiple cabinets work with one key.

Or, if you prefer, keys coded to separate cabinet openings.

This option from Yale is one of many in their line of smart locks for the home.

Pros

Highly secure
Auto-opens if batteries run out
Programmable keys
Hidden from outside

Cons

More expensive than magnetic options
Batteries require changing

External Strap Lock for Cabinets

Flexible + Adaptable

Not all cabinets are made the same, and if you can’t lock your cabinet with a traditional lock these flexible straps will simply adhere to the cabinet edge.

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Top Features

Universal fit
Easy to install with 3M adhesive
Adjustable length
Press and slide to dis-engage
Fits hard-to-latch items like refrigerators and toilet seats

Overview

Not every cabinet can be locked using an invisible lock.

Which means using an exterior lock to secure the contents of the cabinet. And, while clearly visible, these simple locks are adjustable and can flex to just about any cabinet with an accessible edge.

Pros

Easy to install
Simple to operate
Can use on cabinets, toilet seats, refrigerators and more
Adjustable length

Cons

Lack security for adults
Visible from outside of cabinet

Traditional Keyed Cabinet Lock

Simple and Inexpensive

If security and old-fashioned simplicity is what you need, then a traditional keyed lock has been keeping cabinets secure for thousands of years.

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Top Features

Secure
Fits most cabinet doors and drawers
Available in bulk with same key

Overview

There’s not much to say about a keyed lock other than it just works.

But, it requires a hole to be drilled in the face of the cabinet and can require some alignment back-and-forth inside the cabinet. However, once installed, this mechanism provides a secure lock that prevents access by everyone except, well, the holder of the key.

Pros

Inexpensive
Low-tech
Easy to use

Cons

Visible from outside the cabinet
Requires drilling a hole in the cabinet drawer or door

Cabinet Lock for Glass Doors

Easy to Use and Install

From pawn shops to jewelry stores, almost everyone has seen this style of simple glass lock. And they are simple to install and no holes required.

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Top Features

Secure
Easy to install
Fits glass up to 0.47″
No need to drill a hole in glass

Overview

For sliding glass doors its challenging to drill a hole in the glass, or use a traditional cabinet lock.

The solution? Use a simple lock that grabs the edge of one piece of glass, and then uses the other to firm up a keyed lock barrel. And while visible, on a glass cabinet there aren’t too many other options.

Pros

Inexpensive
Doesn’t require drilling glass
Can be bought in bulk for a single-key solution
Easy to use

Cons

Requires re-assembly of barrel to lock mechanism
Traditional key solution

Frequently Asked Questions

Do magnetic cabinet locks work on drawers?

Yes – you can install a magnetic cabinet lock on a drawer. Most magnetic latches install directly to the face frame or edge of the frameless cabinet. The only requirement is enough height (usually on top of the drawer) to support height of the inside magnetic catch.

How do I lock my kitchen cabinets?

Kitchen cabinets can be locked by a wide variety of locks. While many child locks use exterior door or handle locks, magnetic locks, RFID and now even smart locks are viable options for cabinets.

How do I lock a liquor or medicine cabinet securely?

Similar to exterior doors that use smart locks, there are now smart locks for cabinet doors that use Bluetooth, mobile applications and even home assistants like Siri or Alexa.

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