9 Best Child Proof Cabinet Locks to Buy

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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.