Cabinet lock types explained: five mechanisms, what each needs from the door, and how a toddler beats it

1. Magnetic locks

How it works: a spring-loaded latch on the inside of the cabinet frame catches a striker plate on the inside of the door; a magnet held against the outside pulls the latch open. Needs: a non-metal door thin enough for the magnet to reach through (makers state 1 to 2 inches), a clean interior surface for the adhesive, or screws. How it fails: metal doors, thick doors, a lost key, or a strong toy magnet. Who it is for: most wood kitchens, and anyone who wants nothing visible. Safety 1st states JPMA certification for its set, the only certification claim in the category we could find. Ranking: best magnetic cabinet locks.

2. Adhesive exterior latches

How it works: a latch body sticks to the cabinet face and a catch sticks to the door; a button or a lift releases it. Needs: a smooth sealed surface, alcohol cleaning, and a cure time (Baby Proof Me publishes 24 hours). How it fails: textured or oiled finishes, grease, and a toddler who has watched the button pressed. Who it is for: renters, grandparents, and doors magnets cannot handle. Safety 1st's version ships with a template and an unlock mode. The head- to-head with magnetic is magnetic vs adhesive cabinet locks.

3. Strap locks

How it works: the same adhesive latch, with a flexible strap between the two halves. Needs: two flat surfaces within the strap's reach (Wappa's adjusts 4.5 to 7.5 inches). How it fails: like any adhesive, plus a single-button strap is the first latch most toddlers learn; buy one with a double-lock switch. Who it is for: the oven, the fridge, the dishwasher, the trash can, the toilet lid, and any gap a rigid latch cannot bridge.

4. Spring latches

How it works: a hooked plastic arm screws inside the cabinet; the door opens about an inch, the arm catches, and pressing it down releases the door. Needs: a drill and a cabinet you own. How it fails: rarely, mechanically; the gap the door opens to can pinch fingers, and the two-handed open annoys adults into leaving doors ajar. Who it is for: homeowners doing a whole kitchen for the price of one magnetic set. Prince Lionheart's flips down and out of the way between children.

5. Slide locks

How it works: a U-shaped piece loops over two adjacent knobs or handles and latches. Needs: paired doors with hardware within about 5 inches. How it fails: it only fits paired doors, it lives in full view, and an older toddler learns the release. Who it is for: everyone, on the doors it fits, because nothing is cheaper or faster. The hardware sorting is in cabinet locks for knobs, handles and no hardware.

The standard, and who states it

ASTM F3492-21 is the consumer safety specification for child safety locks and latches for cabinet doors and drawers. It is voluntary, and no maker in our registry states compliance with it on its product page. The closest statement is Safety 1st's JPMA certification for its magnetic set, and Perma's published 44- pound pull-force figure. We score what is stated, and the whole scoring method is on how we choose. Until F3492 appears on boxes, the mechanism and the door decide, which is why this page exists.

One of each