NCSEN Front Door Locksets with Deadbolt, Black Door Handles, Combination Door Lock, Exterior Door Lever (Matte Black)…

I swapped the hardware on my front door for the NCSEN lockset to see if a budget-friendly, modern set could hold up to daily use. After several weeks of opening, closing, and the occasional armload-of-groceries fumble, I came away with a solid sense of what it does well and where it demands a little attention.

Design and build

The NCSEN lockset pairs a keyed single-cylinder deadbolt with a non-locking, passage-style lever. That combination is common on modern entry doors: the lever always turns freely, while the deadbolt provides the security. If you’re used to a locking knob or lever, this is a shift in habit—you must throw the deadbolt to lock the door. The upside is convenience inside the home: no fumbling with a privacy button, and the lever operates smoothly in both directions.

Build-wise, the set is zinc alloy, and the pieces feel reassuringly weighty in hand. The square rosette and clean geometry lean contemporary without being fussy, and the matte black finish tied my entry together nicely with other black fixtures. If black isn’t your thing, NCSEN offers other finishes, but I focused my testing on matte black.

Machining on the parts I received was tidy. Screw heads sat flush, tolerances around the spindle and latch felt consistent, and I didn’t see the kind of sharp edges or thin plating that often betray lower-cost sets.

Installation

This is a straightforward afternoon project if your door is already bored for a standard entry set. The lockset supports 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch door thicknesses, and it worked perfectly on my 1-3/4 inch slab. Backset compatibility is flexible: the latches adjust between 2-3/8 and 2-3/4 inches. On mine, that adjustment required a simple twist to extend the latch body to the longer size—no parts swapping, which is a small but welcome touch.

A few practical notes from the install:

• Tools: I used a Phillips screwdriver, a tape measure, and a small level. A drill made the job faster for screws but isn’t essential.
• Latch plates: If your existing mortises are rounded and the included faceplates are square (as mine were), you may need to square up the corners with a sharp chisel. It’s a five-minute task if you take it slowly.
• Alignment: Take a moment to make sure the deadbolt throws cleanly into the strike without dragging. Minor adjustments to the strike plate position can make the difference between “smooth” and “sticky.”
• Door swing: The lever worked on my right-hand inswing door without issue. If your door orientation is different, check the instructions for lever orientation—on my unit, the process was simple.

Overall, the hardware went together cleanly. The interior thumb turn engaged the deadbolt positively, and both the lever and deadbolt sat square and tight after installation.

Day-to-day operation

In use, the lockset feels solid. The lever has a light but definite spring return; it doesn’t flop or rattle. The deadbolt throw was smooth and consistent, with just enough resistance to feel secure when it seats. The key cylinder turned without gritty feedback in my testing.

Because the lever is passage-only, your routine matters. If you’re the type who closes the door and expects it to be locked, you’ll need to retrain the muscle memory to throw the deadbolt each time. I appreciated the convenience of always being able to open the door from inside without unlocking anything, but I can imagine some households preferring a secondary lock on the lever for peace of mind or for rental properties. This set doesn’t offer that, by design.

Finish and durability

Matte black finishes are notoriously finicky across brands—fingerprints, dust, and micro-abrasions tend to show more than they do on satin nickel. On this set, the finish arrived even and consistent, and it looked great out of the box. After a few weeks of typical use, I noticed light marks where rings and keys grazed the lever, but they wiped down with a damp microfiber cloth. No flaking or bubbling appeared during my test window.

Longer term, the two main factors that affect finish life are sun and salt. If your door bakes in direct sunlight or you live in a coastal climate, any painted or plated matte finish will be under more stress. NCSEN backs the finish for two years and the mechanicals for three. My advice: clean with mild soap and water only, avoid abrasive pads or ammonia-based cleaners, and snug screws periodically to prevent micro-movement that can wear the finish.

Security considerations

This is a single-cylinder deadbolt with an interior thumb turn. For most residential use, that’s the right balance of security and egress. The key point with this particular combination is that all security is provided by the deadbolt; the lever doesn’t lock. In practice, that means:

• It’s quick to exit in an emergency—just turn the lever.
• You must consciously lock the deadbolt when leaving.
• Families with curious kids may appreciate that a lever with no privacy lock avoids accidental lockouts; the deadbolt sits higher and is less tempting.

As always, the door and frame matter as much as the lock. A properly installed strike plate with long screws into the studs will do more for your security than any single hardware upgrade. The included strike on my setup seated well, and the bolt throw engaged fully without play.

What I liked

• Clean, modern look with a square rosette and a finish that presents well
• Solid zinc alloy build with a weighty, confident feel
• Simple installation and genuinely adjustable latches for common backsets
• Smooth lever return and a deadbolt that engages positively
• Passage lever convenience for families and high-traffic entryways
• Clear division of function: lever for operation, deadbolt for security

What could be better

• Finish care matters; matte black can show marks more readily and may age faster in harsh environments
• No locking function on the lever; those who want a secondary lock will need a different style
• Not ideal for non-standard door thicknesses beyond 1-3/4 inches
• As with many budget sets, long-term serviceability (replacement parts, finish touch-up) is less certain than with premium brands, though the stated warranties help

Who it’s for

The NCSEN lockset suits homeowners who want a quick aesthetic refresh and reliable function without chasing high-end hardware. It’s a strong match for contemporary or transitional exteriors where square lines and a matte finish make sense. If your household prefers the simplicity of a free-turning lever and you’re diligent about using the deadbolt, it fits right in.

If you manage short-term rentals or need a lever that locks (for example, to reduce the chance of someone forgetting to throw the deadbolt), this isn’t the right configuration. Likewise, if your door is thicker than standard or heavily exposed to coastal weather, you may want to consider a finish and form factor optimized for those conditions.

Bottom line

The NCSEN lockset does the fundamentals right: the metalwork feels solid, the action is smooth, and installation is friendly to typical doors with either common backset. The design is clean and modern without being flashy, and the passage lever/deadbolt pairing keeps everyday operation quick and intuitive, provided you’re comfortable relying solely on the deadbolt for security.

Recommendation: I recommend this lockset for most standard residential entries where a modern look, straightforward installation, and deadbolt-first security are the priorities. It’s a sensible, good-value upgrade. If you want a locking lever or need hardware for non-standard door thicknesses or harsh coastal exposure, look elsewhere; for everyone else, this is an easy piece of hardware to live with and like.