BuddyBar Door Jammer Review: Does This Door Security Bar Work?

The BuddyBar door jammer is one of the strongest home security door bars I’ve used. It is simple, substantial, and designed to brace an inward-opening door from the inside. Here’s my BuddyBar Door Jammer review, with pictures, pros and cons, and a real-world look at how it works.

(Read a BuddyBar review from a police officer – below)

I’ve had the Buddy Bar for many years. I also have a less expensive ‘Master Lock’ Security Bar (linked at the bottom) which also works quite well. However, there’s one especially big difference between the two:

The first difference that I immediately noticed with the BuddyBar door jammer is its heft and weight. It is heavy duty!

BuddyBar Door Jammer Review: My Quick Take

Best for: Homeowners, renters, bedrooms, apartments, and inward-opening entry doors
Main advantage: Heavy steel construction, strong floor grip, no plastic weak points
Biggest caution: Do not overtighten it under the doorknob, because too much pressure can stress the door hardware
Bottom line: The BuddyBar is more expensive than lighter door security bars, but it is one of the stronger no-drill options for slowing or stopping a forced entry attempt.

BuddyBar Door Jammer Pros and Cons

Pros

• Heavy steel construction
• No plastic weak points
• Large rubber floor pad
• Stronger and heavier than many cheaper door security bars
• No drilling or permanent installation
• Good for homes, apartments, bedrooms, and nighttime security

Cons

• More expensive than lighter-duty door bars
• Heavy for travel
• Only works on inward-opening doors
• Can stress the doorknob or hardware if overtightened
• Still depends on the strength of the door, frame, and lock area

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→ Check current price & availability for the BuddyBar door jammer(Amazon)

What Is a Door Jammer?

A door jammer (sometimes called a door security bar) is a simple mechanical device that braces a door from the inside. It wedges under the doorknob or handle and presses firmly against the floor, creating resistance when force is applied from outside.

Instead of relying on locks alone, a door jammer works by turning pushing force into downward pressure, making the door harder to open the harder it’s pushed.

Do Door Jammers Work?

Yes, door jammers do work, but with important caveats.

A quality door jammer like the BuddyBar can significantly slow or stop a forced entry by:

• Preventing the door from swinging inward
• Increasing resistance as force increases
• Buying time rather than guaranteeing absolute security

However, door jammers are not magic devices. Their effectiveness depends on:

• The strength of the door itself
• The durability of the doorknob or handle
• Proper installation and adjustment

In real-world terms, a “heavy-duty steel door jammer can turn a quick kick-in attempt into a noisy, time-consuming effort, often enough to make an intruder abandon the attempt.

BuddyBar Door Jammer (heavy-duty steel construction)

BuddyBar Specifications

BuddyBar Feature	Why It Matters
Steel construction	Less flex than lightweight aluminum bars
No plastic parts	Fewer weak points under pressure
Large rubber floor pad	Better grip on hard floors and carpet
Adjustable 36-51 inches	Fits most standard inward-opening doors
Heavy weight	Less likely to shift compared with lighter bars
Tested up to 2,560 lbs	Strong manufacturer claim, but still dependent on door/frame/knob strength

How to Use a Door Jammer Correctly

Using a door jammer properly matters more than most people realize.

Basic steps:

1. Adjust the bar length so it fits snugly between the doorknob and the floor.
2. Place the top cradle under the knob or handle.
3. Angle the bottom pad slightly away from the door to improve grip.
4. Apply firm pressure — but do not overtighten.

Important tip:
Over-tightening can stress the doorknob or hardware. A snug fit that allows the bar to “settle” under pressure is ideal.

BuddyBar vs Cheaper Door Security Bars

Not all door jammers are created equal.

The biggest differences I’ve observed between the BuddyBar and cheaper alternatives:

• Material: heavy-gauge steel vs lighter aluminum
• Weight: significantly heavier, which improves resistance
• Floor pad: larger rubber base reduces slippage
• Adjustment mechanism: less prone to slipping under load

In a forced-entry scenario, mass and rigidity matter. A lighter bar may bend, slip, or shift under sudden impact — while a heavier bar resists movement more effectively.

Feature	BuddyBar	Cheaper Door Security Bar
Best for	Primary home security use	Budget backup
Build	Heavy steel	Often lighter metal or mixed materials
Floor grip	Larger, heavier pad	Smaller pad, more likely to slip
Weight	Heavy	Easier to move, but less substantial
Travel use	Possible, but heavy	Better for travel
Price	Higher	Lower
My take	Better for serious door reinforcement	Fine as a secondary or budget option

Limitations of Door Jammers (What They Don’t Do)

A door jammer:

• Does not reinforce weak door frames
• Does not replace quality locks or deadbolts
• Does not work well on outward-opening doors

Door jammers are best used as one layer in a layered home security approach, especially for bedrooms, apartments, or nighttime use.

My Hands-On BuddyBar Observations

EXCEPTIONALLY HEAVY DUTY!

The Buddy Bar is made of heavy gauge steel (rather than aluminum) and weighs more. I weighed it to be 7 pounds, 12 ounces. Whereas my other door security bar weighs 2 pounds. So the Buddy Bar is four times heavier! When someone is trying to bash in your door, it matters…

Large Footprint Floor Pad

A heavy duty rubber pad ‘sticks’ (wedges) strongly to the floor. It has a significant and a much larger footprint that eliminates slippage on the floor.

Heavy Duty Bar Adjuster

Very heavy duty adjustable length / latch. Although competing door security bars do adjust to an extent, the Buddy Bar method utilizes a very heavy duty mechanism which simply will not slip.

BuddyBar Door Jammer Real World Use

1. When using the adjustment lever for the first time and setting the initial length to wedge between doorknob and floor, don’t force it too tight under the handle. Too much force could actually damage your doorknob.

2. To set the length, I simply approximated the distance between the doorknob and about a foot away from the door at the bottom. Then I set it (latched it) without being under the doorknob. From that point on when I wish to use it – I lightly slip it underneath the doorknob (snug, but not too tight) and let it find its natural (pre-adjusted) distance to the floor.

So with that said, this door security bar is a simple but effective home security tool which will deter or prevent your door from being opened. Short of using a battering ram, it will help keep a potential intruder from quickly forcing the door open.

 
A few pictures:

The ‘wedge’ that fits underneath the doorknob has about 1/2 inch of spring to it – which allows some ‘give’ while you wedge it under the knob. Makes it easier to set it.

The substantial rubber floor pad of the BuddyBar Door Jammer grips very well. Even on shiny smooth surfaces, hardwood floors, tile, and carpets too.

 The heavy duty adjustment mechanism for height.

Side view of lever / height adjustment mechanism.

BuddyBar Door Jammer Review from a Police Officer

→ Check current price & availability for the BuddyBar door jammer(Amazon)

Frequently Asked Questions About Door Jammers and Door Security Bars

A less expensive, lighter-duty alternative to consider:
→ Master Lock adjustable door security bar(Amazon)

 
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