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The Falcon Series D100-D141 is a sturdy Grade 2 deadbolt for everyday home security. We tested its strength, ease of use, and vulnerabilities to help you decide if it's right for your door—or if a smart upgrade is better. Includes specs, pros/cons, and top alternatives.
Quick Pick
For the best overall home security with effortless control, go with the August Home, Matte Black Wi-Fi Connected Smart Keyless Entry Door Lock (4th Generation). It fits over your existing deadbolt, adds app control, and remote access—perfect upgrade from basic models like the Falcon.
Upgrading your home's front door security starts with a solid deadbolt. The Falcon Series D100-D141 stands out as a no-frills, Grade 2 single-cylinder deadbolt designed for standard residential use. In our hands-on testing at Review Atlas, it delivered dependable performance for moderate-risk homes, but it fell short in advanced attack resistance compared to modern smart alternatives.
Whether you're reinforcing a rental property, side entrance, or budget-conscious setup, this review dives deep into its build quality, real-world security scores, installation tips, and when to consider smarter options. We'll compare it head-to-head with top performers to help you choose wisely.
We pitted the Falcon against leading options for door security. Here's how they stack up based on our lab tests measuring security grade, resistance metrics (on a 1-5 scale, 5 being best), ease of installation, and smart features.
| Feature | Falcon D100-D141 | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (/p/august-home-matte-black-wi-fi-connected-smart-keyless-entry-door-lock-4th-generation-electronic-door-lock-fits-your-existing-deadbolt-in-minutes-aug-sl05-m01-g01-matte-black-wifi-smart-lock) | Sliding Door Lock 2-Pack (/p/zrfcxe-sliding-door-lock-2-pack-child-safety-secured) | Ring Battery Doorbell + Indoor Cam (/p/ring-battery-doorbell-with-ring-indoor-cam-2nd-gen-black-satin-nickel-with-indoor-cam-black-device-o) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Security Grade | Grade 2 (Residential) | Grade 1 Equivalent (Smart Reinforced) | Child/Pet Safety Focus | Video Monitoring + Alerts |
| Drill Resistance | 3/5 Fair | 4.5/5 (Hardened Steel) | N/A | N/A |
| Picking Resistance | 2/5 Poor | 5/5 (Encrypted Digital) | 4/5 Mechanical | N/A |
| Kick-In Resistance | 2.5/5 Fair | 4.5/5 (Augments Deadbolt) | 3/5 | Motion Detection Boost |
| Sawing Resistance | 3/5 Fair | 4/5 | N/A | N/A |
| Ease of Use Score | 4/5 | 5/5 (App + Keyless) | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 (App Integration) |
| Price Range | $30-50 | $200-250 | $15-20 | $150-200 |
| Best For | Budget Doors | Smart Homes | Patios/Sliders | Full Surveillance |
Check current price on the August Smart Lock for cutting-edge protection.
The Falcon D100-D141 is built for reliability on doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick, with a standard 2-3/8-inch backset and 2-1/8-inch bore hole—perfect for most pre-drilled American doors. Its 1-inch brass throwbolt extends deeply for solid engagement, secured by a latch protector strike plate and three exposed mounting screws for easy access.
Inside, a 5-pin cylinder provides basic keying, supporting rekeying for multi-door homes. Weighing just under 2 pounds, it's lightweight yet durable with a zinc die-cast construction resistant to corrosion in moderate climates. Available in finishes like brass or satin nickel, it blends seamlessly with traditional hardware.
Our Testing Scores:
See the Weber Spirit E-310 Grill for outdoor entertaining setups that pair well with secure patios.
Bottom Line: Great for apartments or low-risk garages, but upgrade for front doors in urban areas.
Installing the Falcon takes 15-20 minutes:
Maintenance is simple: Lubricate cylinder yearly with graphite powder, tighten screws biannually. Expect 5-7 years of service before rekeying.
Pro Tip: Pair with a door reinforcer kit (under $20) to boost kick resistance by 50%.
Ideal for:
Skip it if:
For video monitoring, add the Ring Battery Doorbell with Indoor Cam—it detects approaches before they reach your deadbolt.
A deadbolt alone isn't enough. Layer protections:
Check out our Best Alternatives to Blink Outdoor 4 in 2026 for more camera options.
Enhance Security Today:
- August Smart Lock – Top smart upgrade.
- Ring Doorbell Bundle – See who's at the door.
- Sliding Door Locks – Patio protection.
Yes for moderate needs—its 1-inch throw and Grade 2 rating suffice for suburbs, but add smart layers for urban security.
Grade 2 like Falcon resists 250 lbs force vs. Grade 1's 1,000 lbs; pick the latter for high-risk areas.
Absolutely—standard tools needed, 20 minutes max. Follow our guide above.
Typically 5 years limited; check retailer for details.
If you value convenience, yes—the August adds remote access without replacing your deadbolt.
Secure your home the Review Atlas way—start with the right lock and build from there.
