I recently took the AceMining Portable Door Lock on a solo trip to Mexico, and it quickly became my go-to security gadget. Sliding it into the door latch took seconds, and suddenly, my Airbnb felt like Fort Knox. The peace of mind it gave me—knowing no one could barge in, even with a key—was priceless. It’s lightweight (fits in my jeans pocket!) and works on most standard doors, though I did struggle once when the door frame was too close to the wall.

The Good: This thing is *sturdy*. The stainless steel construction feels premium, and the ABS plastic cover prevents door damage. I tested it with a friend pretending to be an intruder—zero budging. It’s also idiot-proof to use (no tools needed!), making it perfect for late-night arrivals when you’re half-asleep.

The Not-So-Good: Not all doors are compatible. At a Hilton last month, the latch design rendered it useless. Also, one reviewer’s horror story about getting trapped in their bathroom (due to a weak latch spring) had me side-eyeing my own bathroom door. Pro tip: Test it during daylight first!

Verdict: For $15, this is a no-brainer for travelers or renters craving extra security—*if* your door cooperates. Just pack a backup plan (and maybe a multitool) for stubborn latches.