There’s a unique frustration that comes with a keychain overflowing with slightly different keys for your own home. I remember standing in the pouring rain, fumbling through a jumble of brass and silver, trying to find the one key for the front door, knowing the back door key looked almost identical. It’s a small, daily annoyance, but it speaks to a larger issue of disjointed home hardware. Beyond the inconvenience, having mismatched locks—a shiny brass knob on the front and a weathered silver deadbolt on the back—can detract from a home’s curb appeal and overall aesthetic. The goal for many homeowners, including myself, is to find a solution that offers streamlined security, modern style, and the simple, elegant convenience of a single key for every entrance. This search for a unified, secure, and stylish solution is precisely what leads many to consider a product like the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set.
- EASY TO INSTALLATION---All you need is a door and a set of tools! One person can complete the installation in 20mins including all accessories.
- RODUCT INCLUDED---2 sets entry door knob and single cylinder deadbolt.The deadbolt and door knob are keyed outside and with thumb turn button...
What to Consider Before Upgrading Your Exterior Door Locks
A deadbolt and knob set is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for enhancing your home’s first line of defense and its aesthetic appeal. The primary problem this product category solves is security fragmentation and visual inconsistency. By providing multiple locksets that operate with a single key (keyed alike), it eliminates the need for a bulky, confusing keychain. This is a massive quality-of-life improvement for families, landlords, or anyone with multiple exterior doors. Furthermore, upgrading to a matching set, particularly one with a modern finish like matte black, can instantly modernize a home’s exterior, boosting curb appeal and creating a cohesive design language from the moment a guest arrives.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone undertaking a home renovation, a new homeowner looking to re-key their property for security, or anyone simply tired of outdated, mismatched hardware. It’s perfect for the DIY enthusiast who wants an affordable yet impactful weekend project. However, it might not be the best fit for those seeking the highest level of certified security, like a Grade 1 commercial-rated deadbolt, or for individuals who desire smart home integration with features like keyless entry, fingerprint access, or remote locking. For those users, a more advanced electronic or smart lock system would be a more suitable, albeit more expensive, alternative.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: A lock set must fit your existing door. Measure your door’s thickness and the backset (the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the borehole). The Cielsa Dawn set is designed for standard door thicknesses of 1-3/8″ to 1-3/4″ and has an adjustable latch for backsets of 2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″, making it compatible with the vast majority of residential doors.
- Capacity/Performance: For a mechanical lock, performance is about smoothness of operation and durability. Does the key turn without a fight? Does the deadbolt throw extend fully and retract cleanly? Consider the single-cylinder design, which features a keyhole on the exterior and a simple thumb-turn on the interior for quick locking and unlocking, a standard for residential security.
- Materials & Durability: The material dictates the lock’s lifespan and resistance to tampering. This set is constructed from zinc alloy, a common and cost-effective material that offers good durability for residential use. The matte black finish provides a modern look, but you should consider its resistance to scratching and weathering over time, especially in harsh climates.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A key benefit is the “keyed alike” system—one key for all locks. This set comes with eight keys, which is a generous amount for a family. Installation should be straightforward for someone with basic tools. Long-term maintenance is minimal, perhaps requiring a bit of graphite lubricant in the keyway annually to ensure smooth operation.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set stands out in several areas, particularly for its value and style. You can explore its detailed specifications and features here.
While the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set is an excellent choice for a stylish and convenient upgrade, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition, especially those with higher security ratings. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- KEYED DEADBOLT: Use on doors requiring a high level of security, turn piece interior locking, exterior locking using a key. Recommended for exterior-facing...
- ANYWHERE ACCESS: With built-in WiFi compatibility, you can easily and securely connect your Schlage Encode Deadbolt to your home WiFi network to control...
- Ansi Grade-3 Security Single Cylinder Deadbolt With Decorative Turn-Piece.Note: Measure your door's backset, cross bore and thickness to ensure you find...
Unboxing the Cielsa Dawn: First Impressions and What’s Inside
Upon receiving the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set, the packaging was straightforward and utilitarian. Inside, each lock set (one knob, one deadbolt) was neatly compartmentalized. My first impression was of the finish. The matte black is deep, consistent, and has a slightly textured feel that resists fingerprints well, a definite plus for a high-touch surface. Picking up the deadbolt and knob, they had a decent heft to them—not as heavy as a high-end solid brass lock, but the zinc alloy construction felt substantial enough to inspire confidence for residential use. Each component was protected by a thin plastic film to prevent scratches during shipping, a thoughtful touch that some users noted helped the product arrive in pristine condition.
The box contains everything needed for a two-door installation: two knobs, two deadbolts, all the necessary latches and strike plates, and a single bag of eight keyed-alike keys. However, it also contained the source of what appears to be the single most common issue reported by users: the hardware packet. We’ll dive into this deeper, but our immediate inventory check confirmed what many have found—a seeming discrepancy in the number of long screws provided.
Key Benefits
- Keyed-Alike Convenience: A single key operates all four locks (two knobs, two deadbolts), and the inclusion of eight keys is generous.
- Modern Aesthetic: The round style and matte black finish offer a significant and stylish upgrade for any modern or transitional home.
- Straightforward Installation: The design is familiar and compatible with standard doors, making it a great DIY project.
- Excellent Value: Getting two complete entry sets for the price makes this a highly affordable option for re-locking multiple doors.
Potential Drawbacks
- Quality Control on Hardware: Numerous reports of missing long screws for installation create a significant potential for frustration.
- Mechanical Stickiness: Some units exhibit stiffness in the knob-turning or key-turning mechanism that may require force or lubrication to resolve.
Putting the Cielsa Dawn Lock Set to the Test: A Performance Breakdown
A door lock set is judged on three primary fronts: how easy it is to install, how it looks and feels on the door, and most importantly, how it performs its core function of securing your home day after day. We put the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set through its paces in each of these categories, blending our hands-on experience with the collective feedback of other users.
From Box to Door: A Step-by-Step Installation Experience
Cielsa Dawn advertises an installation time of about 20 minutes for one person, and for the most part, we found this to be accurate. If you are replacing an existing lock set, the process is incredibly simple. The first step involves removing the old hardware, which usually just requires a Phillips head screwdriver. Once the old locks are out, the Cielsa Dawn set slots right into the standard boreholes.
The adjustable latch is a key feature here, easily switching between 2-3/8″ and 2-3/4″ backsets with a simple twist, which saved us the headache of needing a specific size. The strike plates for both the deadbolt and the latch were also standard, and we appreciated the inclusion of a plastic dust box for the door frame, which gives the installation a cleaner, more professional finish.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the screws. As we opened the small, sealed bag of hardware, we found three long screws. The deadbolt requires two of these to mount. This leaves one extra screw. The confusion, as many users have pointed out, is that the doorknob also needs two long screws. We spent a moment looking for them before realizing the trick: the doorknob screws are already partially threaded into the exterior knob’s posts. You simply have to back them out before you can mount the knob. The instructions don’t make this crystal clear, leading to a wave of user reports about “missing screws.” While in our case the screws were present, just pre-installed, it’s clear from feedback that many other kits were genuinely shipped missing one or more of these crucial screws. This quality control lapse is the product’s single biggest flaw. If you’re lucky enough to get a complete kit, installation is a breeze. If not, what should be a 20-minute job turns into a frustrating trip to the hardware store.
The Modern Appeal of Matte Black: Style and Finish
Once installed, the aesthetic value of the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set is undeniable. We replaced an old, tarnished brass set on a freshly painted door, and the transformation was immediate and striking. The matte black finish is bold and contemporary, pairing exceptionally well with a wide range of door colors from stark white to deep navy blue. The round, minimalist design of both the knob and the deadbolt trim is clean and unobtrusive, contributing to a modern look without being overly trendy.
In terms of durability, the zinc alloy body feels solid on the door. There’s no wiggle or play in the housing once it’s tightened down. The finish held up well to the installation process, though we did take care to avoid scratching it with our tools. This aligns with feedback from one user who noted the paint scratched off in one spot on their deadbolt, so it’s wise to be careful during setup. The knob itself has a smooth, comfortable feel in the hand. It doesn’t feel cheap or hollow. For homeowners looking to make a significant visual impact on a tight budget, the style and finish of this set are its strongest selling points. As one user eloquently put it, “Excelente producto… hará ver mi casa elegante” (“Excellent product… it will make my house look elegant”).
Everyday Use: Smoothness, Security, and Long-Term Reliability
For weeks, we used the Cielsa Dawn lock set on a high-traffic back door to evaluate its daily performance. The deadbolt operation was consistently smooth. The thumb-turn on the interior has a positive action, moving with a satisfying, solid click to lock and unlock. The single-cylinder deadbolt engages the strike plate securely, and the 1-inch throw provides a standard level of security for a residential property. This set is, as one user accurately described it, for “simple protection.” It’s perfectly adequate for a typical home but isn’t designed to be a high-security, anti-pick, or anti-bump solution like a certified Grade 1 deadbolt.
The knob’s performance, however, was where we found some inconsistency, echoing the mixed feedback from other users. Our primary test unit worked flawlessly. The knob turned smoothly, and the latch retracted and extended with sufficient spring force every time. However, some users reported issues with the mechanism sticking, especially when turned in one direction, or the latch failing to fully return without a jiggle. One user even had to use force to get the key into the deadbolt initially, suggesting some internal burrs or mechanism blockage from manufacturing. This indicates that while a good unit performs well, there’s a degree of manufacturing tolerance variance. This inconsistency, combined with the screw issue, points to a need for better quality control. If you get a good set, the value and performance are hard to beat for the price point.
What Other Users Are Saying
After compiling and analyzing dozens of user experiences, a very clear picture of the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set emerges. The sentiment is broadly positive, particularly regarding the product’s value and aesthetics. Many users, even self-proclaimed “beginners,” praise the simple installation process, with one stating, “This was SUPER simple to install! I didn’t even need to look at the instructions.” The visual upgrade is another common theme, with comments like, “Added all new black door knobs… Adds such a nice clean touch!”
However, the praise is consistently tempered by a single, glaring issue: missing hardware. An overwhelming number of critical reviews cite receiving only three long screws when four are required to install both sets. One frustrated user wrote, “Only comes with 3 long screws but needs 4. Ordered a pair of locks and they both came that way… Extremely annoying.” While some of this is due to the confusion over the pre-installed knob screws, many reports seem to describe genuinely incomplete packages. Beyond that, a smaller but significant number of users report mechanical flaws, such as a knob that sticks or a latch with a weak return spring. One said, “Both of them when rotated right, stick and you have to jiggle it to free it.” This feedback confirms our assessment: it’s a great-looking, budget-friendly product hampered by inconsistent quality control.
How Does the Cielsa Dawn Compare to the Competition?
The Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set occupies a specific niche: stylish, affordable, traditional mechanical security. For those with different priorities, such as smart home integration and keyless convenience, the market offers compelling alternatives. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular smart lock options.
1. Yamiry Keyless Smart Door Lock with Handle Fingerprint Electronic Knob
- More Secure：The lock is made of aluminum as a material with high hardness and corrosion resistance, which can effectively prevent others from damaging...
- Easy to Use: This lock is compatible with most American standard doors and can be easily installed with just a screwdriver. It also comes with a simple app...
The Yamiry smart lock is a significant leap forward in technology compared to the Cielsa Dawn set. It offers multiple ways to unlock your door, including fingerprint, keypad code, and remote access via an app. This is the ideal choice for the tech-savvy homeowner who wants to eliminate keys entirely and have the ability to grant temporary access to guests or service providers remotely. While it provides immense convenience, it comes at a substantially higher price point for a single lock and requires battery power. If your priority is advanced features and keyless living over budget and simplicity, the Yamiry is a superior option.
2. Veise Keyless Entry Door Lock with Handle Set
- Keyless Entry: With 20 passcodes + 2 spare keys + one-time password for temporary visitors, the one-time code will automatically delete after use
- 3 in 1 Unlock: Codes, one-time codes, and keys can all be used to unlock
The Veise lock set strikes a middle ground. It’s a keyless solution centered around a backlit keypad, offering features like auto-lock and one-time codes. It’s less complex than a fingerprint or full app-controlled model but still removes the need for a physical key in most situations. This is a great choice for families with children (no lost keys) or for rental properties. Compared to the Cielsa Dawn, you’re trading the simplicity and affordability of a mechanical two-pack for the convenience and security features of a single electronic deadbolt. The choice comes down to budget and your preference for traditional keys versus keypad codes.
3. Ulecoce Keyless Entry Deadbolt with Handle Set
- Fingerprint Smart Door Lock: Experience an ultra-fast and effortless unlocking process. Identify your fingerprint within 0.3 seconds, and unlocks your door...
- App Control: Keyless entry door lock deadbolt with handle set provides you with a better control experience. You can generate temporary passwords through...
The Ulecoce set is another feature-rich smart lock, combining fingerprint access, a keypad, and app control into one package. It directly competes with the Yamiry, offering a full suite of smart features designed for ultimate convenience and control. For someone building a fully integrated smart home, the Ulecoce is a compelling choice. However, like the other smart alternatives, it represents a completely different philosophy than the Cielsa Dawn. The Cielsa Dawn is about affordable, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing mechanical security for multiple doors. The Ulecoce is about feature-dense, single-door convenience at a premium price.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Cielsa Dawn Lock Set the Right Choice for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set is one of conditional recommendation. For the right buyer, this set offers incredible value. If your primary goal is to affordably re-key two doors with a single key and give your home a sharp, modern facelift, this product is one of the most cost-effective ways to do it. The matte black finish is excellent, the keyed-alike system with eight keys is wonderfully convenient, and when you receive a complete and mechanically sound unit, it installs easily and performs its job well.
However, the purchase comes with a notable risk due to inconsistent quality control. The widespread issue of missing screws and the occasional reports of sticky mechanisms mean that you might face some initial frustration. If you are a patient DIYer who doesn’t mind a potential trip to the hardware store for a screw, the value proposition remains strong. But if you demand perfection out of the box, you may want to look at more established brands. Ultimately, this is a budget-friendly style upgrade that gets the job done, provided you get a good batch.
If you’ve decided the Cielsa Dawn 2-Pack Keyed Alike Exterior Door Lock Set is the right fit for your home improvement project, you can check its current price and purchase it here.
Last update on 2025-10-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API