We could write a thousand words about the Schlage B60N's anti-pick shield, its spinning anti-saw pin, its bolt diameter that's 10% larger than the industry standard. And we will, because that's what a review is for. But the real reason the B60N is the most recommended deadbolt in North America has nothing to do with any single feature. It's the combination: ANSI Grade 1 certification — the highest residential rating — at a price that's competitive with Grade 3 locks from lesser brands. The B60N gives you commercial-level security testing at a price that doesn't require a second thought.
That's the whole pitch. Grade 1 for the price of Grade 3. Everything else is details.
What Grade 1 Actually Means
ANSI/BHMA grades are the standardized ratings for how much abuse a lock can withstand. Grade 3 is the minimum for residential use — it'll survive basic use and light attacks. Grade 2 is a step up, suitable for light commercial. Grade 1 is the top tier, originally designed for commercial and institutional applications where locks take a beating from heavy daily use and need to resist serious forced entry attempts.
To earn Grade 1, a deadbolt has to survive 800,000 open/close cycles (Grade 2 is 400,000). It has to withstand 10 strikes from a 75-pound force (Grade 2 is 5 strikes). It has to pass standardized tests for pick resistance, bolt strength, and cylinder security. The B60N also holds a AAA rating from BHMA across all three categories — security, durability, and finish — which is the highest possible mark in each.
Most deadbolts you'll find at Home Depot or Lowe's in the $15–$25 range are Grade 3. The Defiant brand deadbolt — Home Depot's house brand — is Grade 3. The Kwikset 660 is Grade 3. The Schlage B60N sits on the same shelf, often only $10–$15 more expensive, and it's Grade 1. That gap in price buys you roughly double the tested durability and meaningfully better security. It's one of the best value propositions in residential hardware.
The B60N costs $15 more than the cheapest deadbolt on the shelf and provides roughly twice the tested security and durability. That's the most efficient upgrade in home security.
The Anti-Kick Package
Remember — most break-ins happen through the front door, and most of those happen by kicking it in. The B60N addresses this with a few specific features that work together as a system.
The bolt itself is 1" throw and 10% larger in diameter than the standard deadbolt bolt. Inside the bolt is a hardened steel pin that spins freely — if someone tries to saw through the bolt, the pin rotates instead of allowing the saw blade to bite, preventing a through-cut. The bolt is solid zinc around that spinning pin, not hollow or stamped.
The strike plate comes with an integrated reinforcer and 3" screws. Those 3" screws are the unsung heroes of this whole setup — they reach past the door frame and into the structural studs behind it, which means a kick-in attack has to break through the stud, not just the frame. Standard deadbolts ship with 3/4" screws that only reach the frame itself, which is often soft pine that splinters easily. Swapping to 3" screws alone (even on a cheaper deadbolt) dramatically improves kick-in resistance. The B60N includes them from the factory.
ANSI Grade 1 / AAA certification. 1" bolt, 10% larger diameter than standard. Hardened steel spinning anti-saw pin. Anti-pick shield. Anti-pick pins. Bump resistant. Integrated strike reinforcer with 3" screws into studs. Snap & Stay one-person installation. All-metal construction. SC1 keyway (universal, easy to rekey). Adjustable backset (2-3/8" or 2-3/4"). Fits doors 1-3/8" to 1-7/8". Multiple trim styles and finish options. Lifetime mechanical and finish warranty.
The Picking Question
Is the B60N pickable? Yes. It uses a 5-pin SC1 keyway — one of the most common residential keyways in North America — with anti-pick pins and an anti-pick shield. An experienced picker can open it. It's not a Medeco. It's not designed to be.
But here's the thing NoPryZone keeps coming back to in every review: almost no residential burglaries involve lock picking. The real-world attack is kicking, prying, or breaking glass. The B60N's security features are aimed at those threats — the reinforced strike, the 3" screws, the oversized bolt, the spinning anti-saw pin. Against the attacks that actually happen to real homes, the B60N performs extremely well for its price class.
If picking resistance is your primary concern because you have a specific threat model that includes skilled attackers, you need to step up to the Medeco Maxum. For everyone else — and that's the vast majority of homeowners — the B60N's pick resistance is more than adequate.
Not UL 437 listed — pick and drill resistance isn't independently verified to that standard. SC1 keyway has no key control — anyone can duplicate your key at any hardware store. 5-pin cylinder is pickable by experienced hobbyists. No hardened steel inserts for drill resistance (just an anti-drill plate). 2-year warranty would be better for this price — oh wait, it's actually lifetime. Never mind. Honestly, the only real complaint is the lack of key control.
Installation: One Person, One Screwdriver
Schlage's Snap & Stay design deserves a mention because it solves a genuinely annoying problem. When you're installing a deadbolt by yourself, you typically have to hold the exterior assembly against the door with one hand while trying to align and tighten screws from the interior side with the other. It's awkward and often requires a second person.
The B60N's exterior assembly snaps onto the mounting plate and stays put without being held, freeing both hands to set the screws from inside. The universal latch adjusts to fit both 2-3/8" and 2-3/4" backsets without tools. The whole installation takes about 15 minutes with a screwdriver. No drilling required if your door already has the standard deadbolt prep (which almost every exterior door does).
The Spec Sheet
| Category | Schlage B60N |
|---|---|
| ANSI Grade | Grade 1 / AAA |
| Bolt | 1" throw, 10% larger diameter, spinning anti-saw pin |
| Cylinder | 5-pin, SC1 keyway |
| Anti-Pick | Anti-pick shield + anti-pick pins |
| Anti-Drill | Anti-drill plate |
| Bump Resistance | Yes |
| Strike Plate | Integrated reinforcer, 3" screws |
| Key Control | None — SC1, duplicated anywhere |
| Installation | Snap & Stay, one-person, screwdriver only |
| Door Thickness | 1-3/8" to 1-7/8" |
| Backset | Adjustable 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" |
| Origin | USA (Schlage / Allegion) |
| Price | ~$35–$85 (trim dependent) |
| Warranty | Lifetime mechanical and finish |
| NoPryZone Score | 7.5 / 10 |
The Boring Answer That's Almost Always Right
The Schlage B60N is not the most secure deadbolt you can buy. That's the Medeco Maxum, and it costs five to eight times as much. The B60N is the most secure deadbolt you can buy at a price that makes sense for the vast majority of homes in the vast majority of neighborhoods. Grade 1 at $40 is an absurdly good deal. The reinforced strike with 3" screws addresses the actual threat (kicking). The all-metal construction and spinning anti-saw bolt handle the secondary threats. And the lifetime warranty means Schlage stands behind it permanently.
We've tested fancier deadbolts. We've reviewed more expensive ones. We've written about locks with exotic mechanisms and patented key control and UL 437 certifications. And when someone who isn't a security professional asks us what deadbolt to buy for their house, we tell them the same thing every locksmith, every security forum, and Consumer Reports tells them: the Schlage B60N.
It's not exciting. It's just the right answer.