10 Types of Door Handles and How to Choose

Door handles can be either knobs or levers, and often come in a range of aesthetic types, such as antique door knobs, rustic door handles, or modern door levers. Door handles also have a variety of locking mechanisms like keyed entry door handles, dummy door handles, privacy door handles, and more. Use this guide to learn more about these 10 types of door handles and how to choose the right type for your home.

01 of 10

Keyed Entry Door Handle

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Best for: Securing interior and exterior doors.

The main purpose of a keyed entry door handle is to provide a method for locking the door, so that only the owner or an individual with the correct key can open the door. This type of door handle is common for bathrooms, bedrooms, front doors, side doors, and back doors.

Depending on the style, it may have a lock built into the center of the door knob on both sides of the door, or it may be a door lever with a key cylinder located in the main body of the handle. If the door is locked, then the door knob or door level will be unable to rotate, but once a key is used to open the lock, the handle should function like a normal passage door handle.
02 of 10

Handleset

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Best for: Front, back, and side exterior doors.

A handleset consists of a door handle that is a knob on one side and a lever-style handle on the other side. The door handle also has a keyed lock that operates a deadbolt to help keep the house secure when you are asleep or simply away from home.

This type of door handle is common for the front door of residential locations, though handlesets can also be installed on side doors or back doors, depending on the type of door. Handlesets are relatively easy to install, making them a good choice for DIYers.
03 of 10

Rustic Door Handle

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Best for: Country homes and ranch-style aesthetics.

Rustic door handles are an excellent option for those that want a certain aesthetic throughout the home. These door handles can be knobs or levers, but should have an aged metal appearance, such as worn bronze, matte black, or a classic iron design.

These door handles are commonly seen in ranch-style homes, though they are growing in popularity in modern farmhouse homes. You can get rustic door handles with and without locking mechanisms, so they can be used for both the interior and exterior of the home.
04 of 10

Modern Door Handle

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Best for: Sleek, simple home aesthetics.

Modern door handles can be a knob or lever, though most tend to be lever-style products. The important factor that differentiates this type of door handle from other options is the appearance.

Modern door handles have simple lines and sleek finishes that are intended to give the house a clean, minimalist appeal. Similar to rustic door handles, modern door handles can also come with or without a locking mechanism, so you can choose whether to use the door handle for an interior or exterior door.

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05 of 10

Dummy Door Handle

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Best for: Pantries, cupboards, and small closets.

Dummy door handles look like normal passage door handles, but they don't actually have any working parts. Instead, the door handle consists of just the doorknob and is used by simply grabbing the knob and pulling the door open.

These door handles are typically seen on pantries, cupboards, and small closets, though they may also be used on interior French doors to complete the look without actually securing the doors in a closed position. Consider dummy door handles for storage spaces that you want to be easily accessible.
06 of 10

Antique Door Handle

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Best for: Older homes and antique aesthetics.

An antique door handle can be a knob or a lever, and it may or may not have a locking mechanism. This allows the homeowner to select antique door handles without locking mechanisms for interior doors, while choosing similar antique door handles with locking mechanisms for bathrooms, bedrooms, and exterior doors.

What sets antique door handles apart from other design options is the aged appearance of the knob or latch. Expect worn gold, silver, and even glass door knobs with ornate decorative designs that add a vintage feel to the home.
07 of 10

Smart Door Handle

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Best for: Wireless functionality, guest codes, and remote access.

A smart door handle is equipped with a locking mechanism that can be opened or locked with a variety of methods, depending on the specific design. Some smart door handles have a fingerprint scanner, while others may have a keypad to enter a security code or remote app functionality that allows the user to open the lock even if they aren't at home.

Smart door handles may also give the user the ability to regularly reset the security code or to provide guest codes for friends and family. Invest in a smart door handle for added security and convenient user control.
08 of 10

Passage Door Handle

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Best for: Closets, basements, and other interior doors.

The passage door handle is one of the most common types. This is a standard door handle with a knob or lock that can rotate to operate the latch and open the door, and are generally seen in residential homes.

Passage door handles do not have locking mechanisms, which is why they are typically used on closet doors, basement doors, and other interior doors that do not require a lock. Due to the popularity of passage door handles, they are available in a wide range of colors and styles.

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09 of 10

Fail-Safe Door Handle

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Best for: Commercial businesses, lobbies, and offices.

Electronic doors are useful for ensuring a building or business remains secure, however, if the power goes out, the door cannot function properly. In this situation, it's a good idea to have a fail-safe door handle, which will automatically unlock when the door is not powered.

This type of door handle requires electricity to lock, so when the power goes out, the door handle will unlock, allowing people to enter or exit the area. Typically, a door with this type of door handle will have a secondary lock that can be used to manually lock the door during a power outage.
10 of 10

Privacy Door Handle

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Best for: Bathrooms, bedrooms, and offices.

A privacy door handle can be a knob or a lever that has a twist or button lock on one side of the door. The purpose of this type of door handle is to lock it from the inside.

The other side of the door handle does not have a keyhole or access to the lock, except for a pin hole that can be used to open the lock in case of an emergency, such as a child locking themselves in a bathroom. Privacy door handles come in a variety of colors and styles due to their common use in residential buildings.

Choosing a Door Handle

To select a door handle for the home, consider which door the handle will be used with, the aesthetic style, and the door handle functionality. For instance, most interior doors have standard passage door knobs or door levers that don't lock, but will open the door and keep the door closed.

If you need an exterior door handle or a door handle for a private area, like a bedroom or bathroom, then you should invest in a door handle with a lock. Interior doors can be secured with a privacy door handle or a simple keyed entry door handle, while it's a good idea to put in an exterior door handle with a robust locking mechanism to keep the home secure, such as a full handleset or a smart door handle. Those with commercial locations that use electronic doors may prefer the safety features of a fail-safe door handle.

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