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6 min read
Reviewed ByRebecca EdwardsA 12-year multimedia reporter, Katie tests and reviews security and smart home tech. She’s also featured on outlets like AARP, Forbes, and TechGuySmartBuy.
Sometimes the standard mortise locks on sliding glass patio doors aren’t enough to withstand a home invader.
For about $40, the Toledo Sliding Door Lock makes your sliding glass door a seriously tough nut to crack. It's resistant to bolt cutters and hacksaws, and it comes with keys to lock the bolt for additional security.
To prevent intruders from damaging your sliding glass door lock or taking the door off the track, check out Toledo’s specs alongside the rest of our top picks.
Brand | Best for | Price* | Tools required | Placement | Learn more |
| Best overall | $44.95 |  Yes | Door track | View on Amazon | |
| Budget pick | $15.99 |  No | Door track | View on Amazon | |
| Best for baby-proofing | $21.99 | No | On glass | View on Amazon | |
| Best security bar | $35.00 | Yes | Doorframe | View on Amazon | |
| Best secondary lock | $29.97 | Yes | Doorframe | View on Home Depot |
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Hardened steel bolt
Adaptable to many sliding door types *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
How do you keep burglars from breaking in through your patio door? Simple. Make your patio door stronger than the burglars.
The Toledo Sliding Door Lock’s bolt is made of 1 ¾-inch hardened steel and contains concealed screws. These features keep the bolt tamper resistant and in place.
Keys included
Boltcutter- and hacksaw-resistant metal
Additional concealed screws for anti-theft design 
More advanced installation
No additional installation help Its anti-theft design also includes two hidden screws that prevent tampering. This level of security requires a more involved installation, but the instructions are clear and easy to follow.
The only way to lock and unlock the Toledo sliding glass door lock is with the keys that come with it. This set of keys is especially helpful if you want to keep curious toddlers safely inside and away from pools or balconies.
Whether you’re looking to keep your family safe or prevent uninvited guests from getting inside, the Toledo is the best sliding glass door security lock we found.
Inner lining prevents scratching damage
No tools required *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
It takes only seconds to install a Lion Lock on your sliding glass door. There are no moving parts, no tools required, and no holes to drill. Its easy installation makes the Lion Lock an excellent choice for renters or anyone in a temporary living situation.
Affordable
Easy to install
Available in packs of 10
Removable from the inside
Not suitable for heavy windows The Lion Lock fastens tightly with two simple thumbscrews and a secure rubber grip that clings tightly onto your door’s track. This prevents the door from sliding back far enough for someone to slip in or out.
We found one design flaw with the Lion Lock. It blocks access for those trying to get in by stopping the sliding door, but it’s easy to undo from the inside. So kids, teens, or other adults might be able to loosen the thumbscrews and open the door to go outside.
Lion Locks come in packs of ten, so you can secure your windows too. They can hold up stubborn windows or keep others closed, depending on your needs.
Kid-friendly plastic materials
Peel-and-stick design *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
If you live in a home with a pool or balcony on the other side of a sliding door, your child might be tempted to explore without you around. That’s why babyproofing your home is so important. Items like the OKEFAN Baby Safety Window Lock are a smart way to keep littles safe without restricting your access to areas outside.
Easily installed
Available in multiple colors
Easy for parents, hard for kids
Too big for some sliding doors
Less secure than other picks The OKEFAN Baby Safety sliding door lock is a simple peel-and-stick device that works with sliding glass doors, cabinets, and more. Stick it on the glass panel to block the sliding door. Then, when you want to open the door, press down the pedal and slide back the door. We suggest installing the OKEFAN out of reach of your kiddos to avoid any accidents.
Because it’s made of plastic, this sliding glass door lock is designed to keep people in more than out. If you want to boost security, the OKEFAN lock can help, but it’s not as tough as our other picks.
Comfortable mid-door mounting height
Visual deterrent *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
While the BK110 Security Bar requires some installation, it’s something you can finish before the commercial break’s over. The SK110 sits horizontally on your doorframe to block the sliding portion of your patio door. When you want to open the door, lift the bar and set it vertically on the other side of the door.
*Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Affordable
Childproof design
Adjustable build
Sometimes loosens when jostled The BK110 also comes with an optional childproofing tab that makes lifting the bar difficult for little fingers. It can’t keep everyone inside though. Adults and teenagers can use this bar pretty easily, which is good and bad.
So while the BK110 won’t stop any teenagers from sneaking out of your home, it will block intruders from entering your sliding patio door or taking it off the track.
High-grade metal
Adjustable height options *Amazon.com price as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
Most patio doors have a handle with an attached lock. While this provides some security, these locks can be bypassed by someone trying to get in or out. For anyone looking to boost security to their existing lock, the LockiT Double Bolt Sliding Door Lock is our choice.
Installation hardware included
Can be installed at any height
Requires a drill Plus, you can place the bolt as far up or down the doorframe as you like, making it suitable for homes with small children.
The LockiT sliding door lock requires a drill and a little bit of know-how, but all its parts come in the package. Start by fastening the latch onto the door frame and lining up the lock to match it. We found in-depth video instructions as well as a user manual to help you through the process.
Adding a security lock can help you protect the door, but you also need to protect the glass. If you’re concerned about intruders, strengthening the glass is a smart second line of defense.
Start by adding security window film. Much like the stick-on glass protectors for your phone screen, this film keeps your glass door from shattering. You can also find window film that mimics frosted glass to lower visibility into your home.
You should also add curtains and keep your blinds and shades closed when your door isn’t in use. Otherwise, unwanted guests can see inside your home.
While they’re a last line of defense, glass break sensors are helpful during a home invasion. When an intruder shatters your glass door, the glass break sensor will notify your home security system and you. This alert tells you exactly when your glass door was broken and connects you to the right authorities to get rid of the intruder.
Finally, make sure you come up with a game plan for what to do when you're locked out that doesn't involve trying to break in through the patio door. Try a smart door lock on a traditional deadbolt-style door to prevent these predicaments.
Your sliding glass door offers convenience and natural light, but it also presents security risks. We recommend the Toledo Sliding Door Lock to ward off intruders. Its hardened-steel bolt, hidden screws, and keys make it a tough match for burglars and bolt cutters alike.
Still open to other options?
Mortise locks are the most common type of outdoor or indoor patio lock. These locks are secure, but they’re also prone to breaking and bending after time. If your sliding glass door lock breaks, the best solution is usually to replace it.
Start by removing the mortise lock and handle from your patio door. There are often small screws inside holding the lock and handle to the door. Once the lock is off, look for bends or damage in the latch to determine where the problem is. If the latch is too bent, you might have to replace it with a new mortise lock.
While we chose the locks in our lineup to fit different situations, the best lock for your sliding door depends on your situation. Keep your kids and pets out of trouble by installing your new lock out of their reach high up on the doorframe.
If you want to keep intruders out, look for locks that can resist tampering and lock picking. Locks with keys are often the most secure and hardest to break. Adding multiple locks can provide further security.
Aside from investing in quality locks, you can protect your sliding glass door with shatterproof film, a glass break sensor, or a door brace. And old hinges are easy to tamper with, so replace seasoned hinges and consider adding additional ones.
Front porch camera surveillance is often a no-brainer, but in order to avoid overlooking major home security weaknesses out back, consider installing a backyard security camera system for added security.
It’s generally best to keep locks for sliding glass doors on the inside. But if you want to install one on the outside, get a lock that opens only with a key. There are plenty of ways to secure a sliding glass door from the outside and inside.
Yes, but they’re expensive and require much more installation expertise. The Padiolok, for example, uses keyless entry through a keypad and a passcode. If you’re willing to drop the near $200 for this lock, we recommend it.
We didn’t include this smart lock in our main lineup because of the vast price difference.
We narrowed down the best sliding glass door locks by reading customer reviews and watching installation videos. We checked some of the web’s most popular hardware sites for the highest-rated products with plenty of reviews and highly regarded name brands. Learn more about how we rank this and all our other best-of lists by reading our full methodology.
*Amazon.com list price as of post date. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise.com utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content that appears on this site comes from Amazon. This content is provided “as is” and is subject to change or removal at any time.
†Google, Google Nest, Google Assistant, and other related marks are trademarks of Google LLC.
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