5 Security Upgrades Under $100 That Actually Work

TL;DR: The five security upgrades that actually reduce break-in risk under $100 are a reinforced strike plate ($15-25), a smart deadbolt ($60-90), motion-activated lights ($20-35 per fixture), window pin locks ($5-10 per window), and a video doorbell ($50-100). Most burglars decide within 60 seconds whether a house is worth the effort, and these five upgrades target exactly that decision window.

_Last reviewed: July 2026 · 7 min read_

You don't need a $2,000 alarm contract to make your house a harder target. Most break-ins are opportunistic, someone tries a door, checks for open windows, looks for a dark porch, and moves on if it takes too long. Here's what actually changes that math, and what's mostly for show.

Okoniq Property Hub tracks each upgrade you make with the date and cost, so you have a maintenance record if you ever need it for insurance or a home sale.

Does a reinforced strike plate really stop kick-ins?

Yes, and it's the cheapest fix on this list. The factory strike plate on most exterior doors is held in with two 3/4-inch screws that barely reach the door jamb's framing. A security strike plate with 3-inch screws that bite into the actual stud behind the trim can turn a door that fails on the first kick into one that holds through several attempts.

A kit runs $15-25 at any hardware store and takes about 20 minutes with a drill. Look for a plate rated for at least 1,000 pounds of force, most name-brand security kits list this on the box. Pair it with a longer strike plate for the deadbolt too, not just the doorknob latch, since that's the weak point on many older installs.

If your door frame itself is soft or rotted where the screws need to bite, no strike plate upgrade will hold. Check for that before you buy.

Are smart locks worth it over a regular deadbolt?

For most owner-operators, yes, if you pick one with a physical key backup and a battery life over 6 months. A smart deadbolt in the $60-90 range gives you code-based entry so you're not rekeying between tenants, plus a log of who came and went and when. That log matters more than people expect. If a lockout dispute or a "someone let themselves in" question comes up, you have a timestamp instead of a guess.

Skip locks that rely only on Bluetooth with no keypad backup, dead phone batteries turn those into a locked-out tenant at 11pm. And if your home still has older wiring near the entry point, it's worth checking whether you have knob-and-tube wiring before you add any hardwired smart lock component, since some models tap into existing doorbell or transformer wiring.

Do motion-activated lights actually deter burglars?

Yes, more than static porch lights. A dark side yard or back door is where most break-ins happen, not the well-lit front. A motion light in the $20-35 range covering that blind spot removes the cover of darkness right when someone's deciding whether to try a window or a back door.

Install two: one covering the driveway or side gate, one over the back entry. Solar-powered units skip the wiring question entirely and cost about the same. If you're running hardwired fixtures, make sure your outdoor circuit can handle the load, especially in an older home. This is a good moment to check whether your panel has 100 or 200 amp service, since stacking smart locks, cameras, and lighting on an undersized panel adds up faster than people expect.

Are window locks worth it if I already have a security system?

Yes, because most alarm systems only trigger after entry, not before. A simple pin lock or sash lock, $5-10 per window, physically stops a window from sliding open more than a few inches even if the latch is picked or forced. This matters most on ground-floor windows and any window near a fence, tree, or shed that offers an easy climb.

Double-hung windows are especially vulnerable since the factory latch is often just a thin metal hook. A $6 pin lock kit installed in five minutes per window closes that gap. If you're doing broader window work at the same time, it's worth a look at your attic ventilation too, since window and vent upgrades often get bundled into the same weekend project.

| Upgrade | Cost | Install Time | Best For | |---|---|---|---| | Strike plate reinforcement | $15-25 | 20 min | Front and back exterior doors | | Smart deadbolt | $60-90 | 30-45 min | Rental turnover, entry logging | | Motion lights | $20-35/fixture | 15-30 min | Dark side yards, back entries | | Window pin locks | $5-10/window | 5 min/window | Ground-floor, climbable windows | | Video doorbell | $50-100 | 30-60 min | Package theft, front-door ID |

Is a video doorbell better than a full camera system?

For most single-family homes, yes, because it covers the point of entry burglars check first. A $50-100 video doorbell records who approaches your front door and sends an alert to your phone in real time. That's the footage most useful after an incident, not a wide-angle backyard view nobody reviews.

Skip the multi-camera package if your budget caps at $100. One doorbell camera covering the front door does more than three cheap cameras covering angles nobody watches. If you already have outlet issues near your entry, check whether 2-prong outlets need upgrading before you plug in a hardwired doorbell transformer, since older 2-prong circuits aren't grounded the way most doorbell kits expect.

FAQ

What's the single best security upgrade under $100?

A reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws, $15-25 installed, since it directly stops the most common break-in method: kicking in the door near the lock.

Do fake security signs and cameras actually work?

They provide minor deterrence but no protection once someone tests them, real burglars often check for a blinking light or working lens before deciding a camera is fake.

How much should a full $100 security upgrade budget cover?

A strike plate ($20) plus two window pin locks ($15) plus one motion light ($30) covers the three most common entry points for under $65, leaving room for a smart lock upgrade later.

Are smart locks a security risk if hacked?

Bluetooth-only locks without a keypad backup carry more risk from dead batteries than hacking, choose a model with a physical key override for reliability.

Does homeowners insurance ever discount for these upgrades?

Some insurers offer 2-5% discounts for monitored alarm systems or smart locks, check with your carrier directly since discount policies vary by state and provider.

This is educational information, not security or insurance advice. Consult a licensed locksmith for door hardware installation and your insurance carrier about any discounts these upgrades may qualify for.