9 Best Child Proof Cabinet Locks to Buy
As part of the child proofing process to make your home safe, you may need to buy some top-quality safety locks. These products can help keep your baby from getting into cabinets, drawers, and even appliances like the washing machine and microwave. Because your child’s safety is paramount, you’ll inevitably want the very best in safety locks. That’s why we surveyed Pampers Parents to find out which safety locks worked best for them.
All About Child Proof Locks
Child proof locks are those that are designed to be easy for you or another adult to open, but nearly impossible for your baby or toddler to unlock. Many of these are devices that you can either clip onto or stick onto cabinets, drawers, and appliances with doors like the refrigerator, washing machine, and microwave. Among the various kinds of child proof cabinet locks on the market are external or internal locks:
External Child Proof Cabinet Locks
Why You Need Child Proof Cabinet Locks
Long before your baby begins to crawl or walk, it’s a good idea to start child proofing your home. There are a number of baby proofing steps you can take, but one of them is child proofing your cabinets by adding child proof safety locks. Adding a safety lock to cabinets, drawers, and appliances can help prevent your curious child from grabbing or doing something dangerous or making a mess of something important you have tucked away. You’ll want to install these locks on low cabinets that your child could reach in your home, including any in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, laundry/utility room, basement, and garage. Experts advise blocking access to cabinets or drawers that contain any of the following items:
Cleaning products such as dishwashing liquid, toilet bowl cleaners, drain cleaners, furniture polish, bleach, and laundry detergents
Personal hygiene products such as cosmetics, nail polish removers, mouthwash, aftershave, cologne, and perfume
Automotive supplies such as gasoline, antifreeze, engine oil, and windshield wiper fluid
Gardening chemicals including fertilizer, insecticides, and pesticides
Medicinal items including prescription medicine, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, and supplements
Pantry items like spices, baking supplies, and glass bottles and jars
Small items that can become a choking hazard like buttons, coins, batteries, and jewelry
Cords such as charging cables or extension cords, or appliances with cords, such as a hairdryer or vacuum cleaner
Sharp or breakable items like knives, razor blades, scissors, nail clippers, glassware, and ceramics
Important items like your personal documents and valuables like jewelry.
Storing these items up high, completely out of your little one's reach, or in a different, inaccessible location in the house, is another good option. If you are unable to lock a particular cabinet for any reason, it makes sense to ensure that it doesn’t contain anything that could harm your little one.
9 Best Child Proof Cabinet Locks
Thousands of Pampers Parents voted on the best child proof cabinet locks. Check out these reviews to discover which is best for your home:
1. Safety 1st OutSmart Slide Lock
The lock works on cabinets with knobs or handles spaced up to 4.5 inches apart by holding paired doors together. This means it isn't an option for single cabinet doors or doors without hardware.
Some Pamper Parents complained that the lock rubbed on their cabinets, sometimes even damaging the wood. So that’s something to consider when making your decision.
Highlights: There’s no drilling or installation required for this lock, which Pampers Parents appreciated. Price*: about $5.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
2. Safety 1st Adhesive Magnetic Child Safety Lock System
Why pick this one? This child safety lock from Safety 1st uses adhesive to attach a magnet on the inside of your cabinet door, which means you don’t see it at all. One of two keys magnetically unlocks the lock so you can open the door. Keep in mind, you wouldn’t want the key getting in the wrong hands, such as your child’s, so make sure you keep both keys completely out of his reach. Although this system of locks is quite expensive when compared to some of the others on this list, you do get eight sets, which may be enough for all the lower cabinets in your kitchen, for example. And there’s no restriction as to what type of cabinet door you can use these locks on. One thing to watch out for is that the adhesive may not stick to every type of cabinet, particularly if it’s made from particle board, so you may need to use the included screws. If you do use the hardware to attach the lock, it will leave marks on the inner part of the door.
Highlights: If you’d like the safety locks to be disengaged for a longer period of time, there is a button that you can press on the lock itself that turns it off. There is also an indicator that lets you know if the lock is on or off in case you’ve forgotten how you left it. Price*: about $42.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
3. Adoric Child Safety Locks 4 Pack
The latch opens by pressing an easy-to-use release; however, although it’s easy for you, it’s difficult for toddlers, as Pampers Parents attested. You can use this four-pack system for drawers as well, but the locks won’t work for single cabinet doors or for doors spaced wider than one inch. Also, the adhesive only stays on flat, clean surfaces, so it may not work on certain textured cabinets or ones that may have grease splatter, etc. The manufacturer recommends installing the latch by heating the adhesive pad with your hairdryer for a maximum of three seconds, and then peeling off the backing and sticking it onto the cabinet door. Let it cure for 12 hours before using it.
Highlights: If you have any problems with the safety lock, the manufacturer offers a customer service line that you can call for assistance. Price*: about $8.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
4. Munchkin Xtraguard Dual Action Multi-Use Latches
The flexible latch also makes it possible to attach around corners—for example, latching a single cabinet door to the side of the cabinet, or latching the microwave door to the top of the microwave. Despite the manufacturer’s claims that the adhesive removes without damaging surfaces, many Pampers Parents found the opposite to be true.
Highlights: The great thing about these latches is that they’re versatile and not just for cabinets. Use them to secure drawers, appliances, toilet seats, and more. Price*: about $6.96 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
5. Eco-Baby Child Safety Magnetic Cabinet and Drawer Locks
There’s no drilling or difficult installation involved. Simply use the installation cradle to place the locks using the provided adhesive tape. Then stick on the striker plate. If the adhesive doesn’t work, you could use screws, but the manufacturer claims the adhesive is strong enough to attach to almost any surface. With the help of a magnetic key (two are included), you can lock your cabinet doors or drawers. The magnetic key is powerful enough to work through surfaces up to two inches thick. But make sure the keys don’t get into your child’s hands—keep them hidden.
Highlights: The kit includes lock-locator stickers, which come in handy if you would like to label the doors and drawers on which you’ve used the safety locks. Price*: about $30.00 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
6. Jambini Magnetic Cabinet Locks
Why pick this one? Like many other safety locks on this list, Jambini safety locks won't be visible when they are installed in your cabinets. Each safety lock is secured with adhesive to the inside of your cabinet. You open the lock with a magnetic key; however, only one key is provided, which may be a problem if you lose it or if it ends up in your child’s possession. The manufacturer claims the safety locks can fit any cabinet, but Pampers Parents found that the locks did not work well on thicker doors. With your purchase you get four safety locks. However, you may get more bang for your buck by purchasing another set on our list that comes with more safety locks and provides a better value per lock. That’s something to think about.
Highlights: The manufacturer offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re not completely satisfied. Price*: about $14.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
7. BabyKeeps Child Safety Locks
Why pick this one? The BabyKeeps safety locks are shaped like tabs so they can wrap around corners, such as on a chest of drawers or a toilet lid. But if you would rather have safety locks that aren’t as obviously big and bulky, these might not be for you. The safety locks attach to almost any surface securely with adhesive. Although the manufacturer claims that the locks won’t damage the surface, keep in mind that they mount on the outside, so if any paint or varnish comes off when the lock is removed, this will be visible. Pampers Parents point out that the locks are not easy to reuse or reposition, and that it’s important to make sure you’ve put the lock in just the right spot the first time round.
Highlights: The product is available in three colors to better match your furniture: black, brown, and white. Price*: about $17.95 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
8. Vmaisi Child Safety Cabinet Locks
With your purchase you’re getting 12 sets of locks, which is a great value and may provide nearly enough locks for an entire kitchen, for example. There are some downsides with these safety locks: They don’t work on full overlay cabinets or drawers with interior lips, the manufacturer doesn’t recommend using them once your toddler is over 15 months old, and the adhesive may damage the finish of older painted furniture.
Highlights: Available in black or white. Price*: about $16.97 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
9. DB Daily Best Cabinet Locks Child Safety Latches
Why pick this one? Similar to the Vmaisi safety lock, the DB Daily Best lock also features a spring-loaded function. This means all you have to do is press the spring-loaded button to open the lock rather than using a magnetic key. The cabinet locks are easy to install as they use adhesive, but some Pampers Parents complained that the adhesive didn’t hold and they had to screw the locks into their cabinetry. Although the locks are invisible from the outside, this may be a deal breaker for you as you may not want to damage the interior of your cabinets. This set includes 10 cabinet locks, 1 door finger guard, 4 corner guards, and 4 socket covers. Packaged this way, it would make a great child-proofing starter kit, or one that you can give to your baby’s grandparents for their use.
Highlights: Available in black or white. Price*: about $24.99 on Amazon.com
Pampers Parents pros and cons:
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best cabinet lock is an important step in ensuring your baby’s safety and child proofing your home. The child safety locks on this list were selected by Pampers Parents, so you can feel confident that no matter which one you choose, you’ll be getting one that helps keep your baby or toddler away from dangerous items.
Recall Notice
Before buying a product, always check that it’s approved and hasn’t been recalled on sites like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). *Prices are correct at the time of writing.
How We Got These Results
We surveyed thousands of parents in the Pampers Community and asked them to choose the products they love the most, and to share their views on specific products and product categories. Based on the survey responses, we have taken the top product picks and added our own research to create this article. The aim is to help you choose the right product for you and your family. We might receive commissions on purchases made from the links in this article, but the products featured are the Pampers Community’s top choices.
Read more about Best Baby Products
Join a World of Support
through Pregnancy and Parenthood.
TRACK WITH TOOLS
LEARN WITH EXPERTS
GET REWARDED
Where You Already Belong