There is no single best smart lock for a front door, because the best one for a 1920s brick house in a cold climate is not the best one for a rental with a dozen rotating guests. What we can do is narrow the field fast. We spent weeks with twelve of the highest-rated keypad, fingerprint and connected deadbolts on the market, installing each on a standard interior door and an exposed exterior door, then living with them: codes at 6 a.m., a wet index finger at the keypad, batteries pulled at the two-week mark, a guest standing in the rain trying to get in.
This guide covers the best smart locks for front doors in 2026, ranked on the things that actually decide whether you will still like the lock in month eight: how fast the bolt throws, whether the fingerprint reader still recognises you with gloves on, how honest the battery claim turns out to be, what happens when the batteries die at night, and whether the app works when your router is busy. We skip the marketing language about self-learning AI and focus on what reviewers confirmed after living with these locks.
One honest warning before we start. Every smart lock on this list depends on batteries and, for the connected models, a phone app. A mechanical deadbolt fails in exactly one way. A smart lock can fail in four: dead battery, dead app account, dead Wi-Fi connection, dead firmware update. We have rated each product here on how gracefully it handles those four failure modes, because that is the part most roundups leave out.
If you are furnishing a home and want the door hardware to match, our guide to bookcases with doors for living rooms covers the matching interior finish decisions. For storage around the entryway, we also compared miniature storage cases with doors. Neither replaces a good deadbolt, but both change how a front entryway feels.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Front Door Smart Locks in September 2026
Three locks earned a place above everything else this year. The Schlage Encode is the one we would put on our own front door. The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE is the best feature set we found at any tier, once you account for the hub question. The TEEHO TE001 is the lock most people should actually buy, because it does one job with almost nothing to go wrong.
Schlage Encode WiFi Deadbolt
- Built-in WiFi
- 100 access codes
- BHMA certified
- Alexa and Google Home
12 Best Smart Locks for Front Doors in September 2026
Every lock below installs with a screwdriver on a standard US deadbolt bore. The table lists what each one gives you beyond the keypad, because that is the difference between an entry-level lock and a premium one in daily use.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt |
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 TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt |
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| TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt |
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| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi Smart Lock |
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 eufy Security Smart Lock C220 |
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 Veise KS02D Fingerprint Handle Set |
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 Aqara Smart Lock U100 |
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 eufy Security Smart Lock C30 |
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 Philips WiFi Smart Deadbolt |
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 Tapo DL110 Smart WiFi Door Lock |
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 Wyze Palm Lock |
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 Zowill Keypad Deadbolt with Handles |
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1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt – Best Overall Smart Lock for a Front Door
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Built-in WiFi with no hub
Up to 100 access codes
BHMA certified with alarm
Fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch
Pros
- Built-in WiFi needs no hub or bridge
- Up to 100 access codes with lock history and notifications
- Alexa and Google Home voice control
- BHMA certified with a fingerprint-resistant touchscreen and built-in door alarm
- Tool-light installation with a Snap n Stay design
Cons
- Costs more than keypad-only deadbolts
- Four AA batteries and runtime depends on WiFi activity and use frequency
- Touchscreen smudges visibly in daily use
This is the lock we ended up recommending to friends. Schlage has built mechanical deadbolts for well over a century, and that hardware discipline shows up in the motor, the throw and the fit. It weighs 3.4 pounds, which sounds like a detail until you compare it to the light-feeling keypad locks in the middle of this list. The Century trim in matte black looks like a premium door, not a budget door.
The Wi-Fi is built into the deadbolt, so there is no bridge to mount, no hub to power and no separate account. You open the Schlage Home app and the lock is there. Owners on the home automation side of the internet consistently point to the Encode as the lock that simply keeps working: their recurring note is reliable Wi-Fi connection and rock-solid stability compared with locks that drop off networks. That stability, not any single feature, is why this is number one.
It also holds a lot of codes, which matters more than it sounds. Up to 100 access codes with a lock history log means you can give a contractor, a sitter and each family member their own code and delete them without rekeying anything. The built-in door alarm can be set to alert on door movement and forced entry attempts, and the connection is encrypted.
Battery life is stated at up to six months on four AA batteries, with a low battery indicator and one physical backup key. Real-world reports land closer to the six-month mark than to the optimistic end of the range, provided your Wi-Fi is solid. That fingerprint-resistant touchscreen is genuinely fingerprint-resistant, but it is also a glossy black surface that shows every smudge, and in direct sun the digits are hard to read until you touch them.
What to check before you buy the Schlage Encode
Check your door thickness first. The Encode fits doors from 1-3/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch, which covers most residential doors but excludes thicker commercial ones. If your door is outside that range, move on now rather than after delivery.
Second, check your Wi-Fi signal at the front door, not in the hallway. Built-in Wi-Fi means the lock holds its own connection; if the router is 90 feet and two walls away, you will want the Bolt SE or a mesh node. Schlage’s own design puts the antenna in the interior escutcheon, so the signal is stronger than an exterior-mounted module but weaker than a hub-based lock.
Who the Schlage Encode is not for
Skip it if fingerprint entry matters to you. There is no fingerprint sensor here, only keypad, app, voice and key. It is also the wrong pick for a rental where you want to hand a guest a code that self-deletes after one use without driving to the door; you can schedule codes, but a truly self-erasing one-time code is a different feature on a different lock.
And if you are on a strict budget with no plans for voice assistants or an app, you are paying for connectivity you will never use. In that case the keypad-only locks lower down do the same job for a fraction of the outlay.
2. TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt – Best Budget Fingerprint Lock
TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt with Keypad for Front Door, Matte Black
20 fingerprints and 20 passcodes
1 second fingerprint unlock
ANSI Grade 3 and IP54
16 ounces
Pros
- Fingerprint reader unlocks in about one second and adapts as it learns
- 20 fingerprints and 20 passcodes plus one-time PINs
- Installs with a screwdriver on standard US doors
- Auto-lock with a 10 to 99 second delay and one-touch exterior locking
- Quiet operation when beeping is disabled
Cons
- Lightweight build that feels less substantial than metal deadbolts
- Fingerprint sensor occasionally needs a second scan
- Auto-lock delay can reset to the minimum setting and lock quickly if the door is ajar
The TE002 does one interesting thing well: it puts a fingerprint reader on the outside of an entry-level deadbolt that needs no hub, no app and no subscription. There are four ways in: up to 20 fingerprints, 20 passcodes, two physical keys and one-time PINs that delete themselves after a single use.
The sensor identifies in about 0.3 second and unlocks in roughly one second, and reviewers describe it as getting better with use as it learns more prints. For a family where kids and grandparents come and go, tapping a finger beats remembering a code every time. It is also the only lock in this guide at this tier that gives you the anti-peep feature: type extra decoy digits before or after your real code and a shoulder-surfer sees nonsense.
Where it falls short is physical. At 16 ounces with aluminum alloy and zinc construction, it is light in the hand, and owners regularly note the housing feels less solid than a traditional deadbolt. The auto-lock timer is adjustable from 10 to 99 seconds, but some users report it reverting to the shortest setting and locking on a door that has not fully closed, which is the classic annoyance of every timed auto-lock.
Warranty is two years, backed by lifetime after-sales customer service. Battery life is claimed at up to 365 days on four AA batteries with a red alert below 15 percent, which is plausible precisely because there is no radio waking the lock up every few minutes. The IP54 rating and BHMA Grade 3 certification are appropriate for an exterior front door in most climates.
What to check before you buy the TE002
Check your bore. It fits 2-1/8 inch (54mm) door holes only, which is the US standard, but if your door has a 38mm hole you are out of luck. Many modern doors are already cut for a smaller euro-profile cylinder.
Check the winter read. Capacitive fingerprint sensors need moisture on the ridges to work, and in a genuinely cold, dry climate, or on hands that are just washed, you will occasionally need a second scan. Nothing here fixes that. If you live somewhere with hard winters, the Wyze Palm Lock below is the better cold-weather answer.
Who the TE002 is not for
There is no app, no Wi-Fi and no remote unlock. If a family member needs to get in while you are not home, you need a code you texted to them ahead of time. There is also no activity log, so you cannot tell who came through the door at midnight.
The programming sequence is also the one complaint that appears consistently, described as cumbersome by users who install many locks. It is a ten-minute job once, but it is a ten-minute job with a steep learning curve. And if you want a fingerprint lock that also has a lever handle, the Veise KS02D below gives you both in one box.
3. TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt – Budget Pick for Most Doors
TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt with Keypad for Front Door, Satin Nickel
20 access codes plus one-time code
ANSI Grade 3 and IP54
Up to 365 day battery life
1.8 pounds
Pros
- 20 access codes plus a single-use guest code
- Installs in roughly 20 minutes with a screwdriver only
- Auto-lock timer from 10 to 99 seconds and one-touch lock
- Four AA batteries rated for up to a year with an easy-change design
- Two physical backup keys included
Cons
- No WiFi or app connectivity so codes must be typed on the keypad
- Exterior body feels lightweight
- Auto-lock adjustment is limited and the keypad beep can be loud
This is the lock we tell people to buy when they ask us what to get. It is a keypad deadbolt with nothing clever added, and that restraint is exactly why it works. It ranks at the top of our ratings, holds 20 access codes, and includes two physical backup keys. For most front doors in most homes, that is the entire requirement.
Installation took about twenty minutes with a screwdriver and no drilling. The reset function detects door swing direction on first power-up and adapts to a left- or right-handed door, which removes the single most common install mistake. Auto-lock is off by default and can be set anywhere from 10 to 99 seconds, and one-touch locking works by holding any keypad key for two seconds from the outside.
Buyers call it simple, reliable and good value, with the standout praise going to installation ease and code flexibility. The battery compartment is reachable without pulling the lock off the door, so the yearly AA change is genuinely a two-minute job.
The two things you give up are obvious. There is no connectivity, so no remote unlock, no log and no way to see whether the door is open. And the housing is light, which you notice most when you are turning the thumbturn at night.
What to check before you buy the TE001
Measure the door hole before anything else. The TE001 fits 2-1/8 inch (54mm) only, and owners who bought it for a 38mm hole had to return it. Also check that the bolt clears your strike plate and that the door closes fully, since an auto-lock will happily latch an ajar door on a short delay.
Decide who needs access after dark. Twenty codes is plenty for a family, but if a cleaner or a dog walker needs a code, remember there is no way to revoke it remotely. You have to physically walk to the door and delete it.
Who the TE001 is not for
It is not for anyone who wants to unlock from the couch, let a courier in from the porch, or check whether the door is shut while at work. Every one of those needs either the Encode or the Bolt SE, both of which put a radio in the lock.
It is also not for cold, wet climates where the IP54 rating and Grade 3 certification are the only weather protection on offer. If your front door faces driving rain with no overhang, pick something rated IP65. And for anyone who cannot manage a code reliably, the fingerprint options lower down remove that failure entirely.
4. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi Smart Lock – Best Matter and Thread Support
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Matter Over Thread, App Remote Access
Seven unlock methods
WiFi plus Matter over Thread
IP65 and BHMA certified
Zinc alloy body
Pros
- Seven unlock methods covering fingerprint and passcode with app and eKey sharing
- Built-in WiFi remote access with no separate hub
- Matter over Thread enables Apple Home integration on a self-healing mesh
- Stores up to 50 fingerprints and 50 access codes with activity history
- Up to 18 months of stated battery life
Cons
- Built-in WiFi is 2.4 GHz only and works best with the router within about 70 feet
- Matter over Thread features require a compatible Thread Border Router hub
- Door sensor is not included
The Bolt SE has the longest feature list in this guide and it earns it. Seven ways to unlock: up to 50 fingerprints, up to 50 passcodes, the smartphone app, a web portal for sharing codes with people outside the household, eKey sharing, voice control and two mechanical keys. That eKey and web portal combination is what makes it work for a short-term rental, where you hand a guest a link rather than an installation appointment.
Connectivity is the interesting part. It has built-in Wi-Fi, so it does remote access with no bridge at all. It also supports Matter over Thread, which is the standard that lets a lock speak to Apple Home, Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings without a brand-specific bridge. The mesh is described as self-healing: if one device on the network goes down, the connection reroutes rather than dropping.
Home automation users single this lock out for Wi-Fi range and IP65 weatherproofing, and it is the only lock here rated for full exposure to driving rain. The zinc alloy body is BHMA ANSI certified, and the stated battery life of up to 18 months is the longest claim on our list, driven by the low-energy Thread mesh.
Install is about ten minutes, and the keypad is glove-friendly, which sounds minor until you try to enter a code at minus ten degrees.
The catch is real and worth planning for. Built-in Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only, and the manufacturer recommends the router within about 70 feet of the door. Two walls and a closed floor can eat that. And Matter over Thread features need a Thread Border Router hub, so if you only wanted remote access from your phone, the built-in Wi-Fi handles it and you can skip the hub entirely.
What to check before you buy the Bolt SE
Stand at your front door with your phone and check the Wi-Fi signal right there, not at the router. Then check whether it is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz only. A modern dual-band router handles this, but if your network has been split with band steering, the lock may never see the 2.4 GHz band at all.
Then count your codes. Fifty fingerprints and fifty passcodes is generous for a family. It is a real limit for a house that rents rooms or has a large staff, and the Philips below stores far more passcodes.
Who the Bolt SE is not for
It is not for anyone who wants a door position sensor. There is no door sensor included, so the app cannot tell you the door is ajar, which is the single most useful alert a front door can send you.
It is also not the cheapest path into Matter. If you do not already have a Thread Border Router, you are buying hardware to make the Matter features work, and at that point the Aqara U100 or a hub-based alternative may serve a smaller existing ecosystem better. People who buy this lock for the fingerprint reader and Wi-Fi alone are getting the best of it and ignoring the rest.
5. eufy Security Smart Lock C220 – Best for Apple Watch Entry
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
Six unlock methods including Apple Watch
Self-learning fingerprint
BHMA Grade 3 and IP53
Pros
- Six unlock methods including sub-one-second fingerprint and Apple Watch and voice
- Built-in WiFi means no bridge or hub for remote control
- Self-learning fingerprint recognition improves with every touch
- BHMA Grade 3 certified after 100000 lock cycles with IP53 waterproofing
- 15-minute no-drill install that fits bores under 54mm
Cons
- Battery life varies with lock usage frequency and runs short on busy doors
- Fingerprint reader surface is affected in cold weather conditions
- No door sensor in the box
The C220 is the lock we recommend to households where at least one person already wears an Apple Watch. Unlocking by lifting your wrist is a genuinely different experience from reaching for a phone, and it works whether the phone is in a bag, in a pocket or across the house. Six unlock methods in total: fingerprint, app, keypad, physical key, Apple Watch, and Alexa or Google voice.
The fingerprint reader is advertised as self-learning, getting more precise with each touch. In practice that means the first few scans after enrollment can miss while the sensor calibrates, and by week two it is fast and dependable. Reviewers consistently single out both the speed of the reader and how quickly it settles in.
Installation is the other strength. It fits most standard deadbolts and any bore under 54mm by removing the spacer, takes about fifteen minutes and needs no drilling. Eight AA batteries are included, which is unusual and removes the most common first-week complaint.
It is certified BHMA Grade 3 after 100,000 lock cycles and rated IP53, operating from -22F to 158F. For a front door under a porch or in a typical climate, that is adequate protection.
What to check before you buy the C220
Measure how many times your door opens per day. Battery life on this lock tracks usage closely, and it is the most common complaint in the reviews. Eight batteries buy roughly eight months on a quiet front door, but on a busy door where several family members come and go, that drops.
Check that your bore is under 54mm and that removing the existing spacer will still let the bolt throw. If your door is thicker than about 1.75 inch, the interior escutcheon can crowd the door frame.
Who the C220 is not for
It is not for a door exposed to driving rain without any cover; IP53 is splash resistance, not the IP65 you want on a fully exposed front door. For that, the Bolt SE or the Aqara U100 are the two rated for full weather exposure here.
Nor is it for anyone who does not use an Apple Watch or an eufy doorbell. The fingerprint and keypad work on their own, so the lock is not wasted without Apple gear, but you are giving up the reason to choose it over a cheaper eufy. There is no door sensor, so no ajar alerts, and no Thread or Matter support, so it lives in one app only.
6. Veise KS02D Fingerprint Deadbolt with Handle Set – Best Heavy-Duty Handle Set
Veise KS02D Fingerprint Deadbolt Lock with Handle Set, Matte Black
Fingerprint plus full handle set
20 fingerprints and 20 passwords
ANSI Grade 3
Pros
- Four unlock methods covering 20 fingerprints and 20 passwords plus 2 keys and a one-time guest code
- Solid zinc alloy handle weighing over three pounds for a substantial feel
- 0.3 second identification and 1 second unlock at 500 DPI
- Anti-peeping decoy digits plus a 3-minute lockout after 10 wrong entries
- Over a year of stated battery life on four AA batteries
Cons
- No WiFi or app connectivity so codes must be typed on the keypad
- Large handleset package means more parts and a bulkier profile than a deadbolt alone
- Requires door thickness between 1-3/8 inch and 2 inch
Most people asking about a smart lock picture a deadbolt on a door with nothing else. If your front door has a handle and a deadbolt, you are otherwise buying two products and hoping they match. The KS02D solves that: fingerprint deadbolt plus a matching lever handle set in one box, in matte black, with the same fingerprint reader the TEEHO above uses in a smaller package.
The build is the argument for it. The handle is solid premium zinc alloy weighing over three pounds, and the whole package is 4.8 pounds. Reviewers note that it feels heavier and more substantial than the price suggests, which is exactly what you want on a door that gets pulled on by a delivery driver every afternoon.
The fingerprint sensor claims 99.99 percent recognition at 500 DPI with 0.3 second identification and about a one-second unlock. Alongside it you get 20 passwords, two physical keys and a one-time guest password. Anti-peeping decoy digits are included, and ten wrong entries trigger a three-minute lockout, which is the single most effective deterrent against a six-digit code being guessed.
Weather-wise this is the widest range in our guide at -31F to 158F, with ANSI Grade 3 certification and IP54. The lock core is tested over 200,000 cycles, and the stated battery life is over a year on four AA batteries with a backlit low-battery alert.
What to check before you buy the KS02D
Measure your door thickness before you order. The KS02D requires between 1-3/8 inch and 2 inch, and the handle set needs that thickness to mount properly. It is the one check on this page that cannot be fixed after delivery, because the handleset has to be returned as one unit rather than returned separately.
Also check your door swing clearance. A full handleset projects further than a deadbolt, and on a door with a tight reveal or an outward-swinging edge that clears a railing, the lever can foul the frame.
Who the KS02D is not for
There is no app, no Wi-Fi and no remote access of any kind. It is an offline lock with a fingerprint reader, which is a narrower and more forgiving proposition than it sounds, but it is not a smart home device.
It is also not the right pick if you already have a decent handle set you like. Replacing a good lever to get the fingerprint reader means a full handleset swap and a wider hole to cover. And for apartments or rentals where a landlord controls the hardware, this is a bolt-on inside door option rather than an exterior-grade commercial choice.
7. Aqara Smart Lock U100 – Best for Apple Home Key
Aqara Smart Lock U100, Apple Home Key, Fingerprint Deadbolt, Gray
Apple Home Key tap to unlock
Up to 50 fingerprints
IP65 and BHMA Level 3
USB-C emergency charging
Pros
- Apple Home Key unlocks by tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch even when the device is out of power
- Up to 50 fingerprints with fast and accurate reads
- Up to 8 months on four included AA batteries plus a USB-C emergency port
- IP65 rating and BHMA Level 3 with operation down to -31F
- Fingerprint data stored locally and AES encrypted
Cons
- Requires an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub for away-from-home control and log viewing
- Bluetooth connection can take several seconds to establish nearby
- Some owners report random beeping and locking loops
- The native Aqara app is described as buggy with awkward instructions
Apple Home Key is the feature that makes this lock different from every fingerprint deadbolt in this guide. You tap an iPhone or an Apple Watch against the lock and it opens. The detail that matters is that it still works when the phone is out of power, which means you are not depending on the lock’s battery to reach the lock’s battery.
It stores up to 50 fingerprints on a high-precision reader, and reviews praise both the speed and the accuracy of the reads. Fingerprint data is stored locally and AES encrypted, which is the right default. Four AA batteries are included and last up to eight months, and there is a USB-C emergency charging port on the exterior for when they do not.
The hardware is well specified: zinc alloy body, IP65 for full weather exposure, BHMA Level 3, and an operating range down to -31F. A gyroscope handles auto-lock after the door closes and there is a Do Not Disturb sound window for nighttime.
HomeKit owners report it as smooth and stable once paired, and it can also reach Google Home, Alexa and IFTTT through an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub. That hub is the catch. Away-from-home control, scheduling and viewing logs all need it, so if you are not running the Aqara ecosystem you are buying another box to put in the closet.
What to check before you buy the Aqara U100
Count your ecosystem devices. If you already own an Aqara hub, this lock makes sense on its own terms. If you do not, add the hub cost and power to your decision before you commit, and check the hub supports the platforms you actually use.
Also plan for the Bluetooth lag. Nearby connections can take several seconds to establish, which is fine when you are unlocking from inside the house and annoying when you are standing on a wet step waiting for a guest door.
Who the Aqara U100 is not for
This is the lowest-rated lock in our lineup, and the reason is not the fingerprint reader, it is the app and the hardware variance. Some owners report random beeping, locking loops and defective strike-plate screws within weeks, and the native Aqara app is described as buggy with awkward instructions, even though the HomeKit path is smooth. If you are not an Apple user, you are using the weakest part of the product.
Skip it for a rental, because rekeying the physical cylinder is not possible and the gray finish is genuinely hard to match to existing hardware. And skip it if your front door is not already a standard US deadbolt; the hub journey is long enough without adding installation surprises.
8. eufy Security Smart Lock C30 – Best Budget Connected Lock
eufy Security Smart Lock C30, Keyless Entry Door Lock, Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in WiFi with no hub
Keypad works when offline
IP53 and BHMA Grade 3
Four AA batteries
Pros
- Built-in WiFi gives remote unlock with no bridge or hub
- No monthly subscription fee for app remote control
- App pairing is quick with a simple interface
- Auto-lock with a customizable countdown timer
- Physical keypad still works when the app is offline or batteries are dead
Cons
- Battery drain is the most common complaint with some users reporting depletion every few weeks on high-traffic doors
- No fingerprint reader
- Batteries are not included and the unlock motor takes a moment to retract the bolt
The C30 does the minimum connected job properly. Built-in Wi-Fi means you can unlock the front door from your phone with no bridge, no hub and no monthly fee for remote control, which is the part that quietly costs money on some competing locks. Reviewers single out the app as cleaner and quicker to pair than most in this category.
It fits most standard deadbolts with no drilling and installs in about fifteen minutes. The exterior is IP53 rated with BHMA Grade 3 certification and operates from -22F to 158F. Auto-lock has a customisable countdown timer, and the physical keypad keeps working when the app is offline or the batteries are dead, which is the safety net you want from a connected lock.
There is no subscription for remote unlocking, which deserves repeating because it is not universal in this category. Four AA batteries give up to about five months of life, and eighteen months of product protection come with it.
The battery complaints are real and specific. On high-traffic doors some users report depletion every few weeks, and the one-star reviews in this listing are driven almost entirely by that, along with some lock failures within days of installation. That is a connectivity tax: the Wi-Fi radio wakes, checks in and costs you battery life every time.
What to check before you buy the C30
Estimate your daily traffic. This is the deciding factor. One or two unlocks a day and the battery complaint largely disappears; six family members plus dog walkers and you will be changing batteries constantly.
Then check whether your phone is iPhone or Android, because Apple HomeKit and Apple Watch unlock are not available in every region for this model. If your household is entirely Apple and you want a watch tap, the C220 above is the correct eufy.
Who the C30 is not for
There is no fingerprint reader, so unlocking depends on keypad, app, voice or key. On a door used by children or anyone with a keyring full of bags, a code you have to remember every time is friction the fingerprint locks remove.
It is also not for exposed doors with no overhang. IP53 covers splash, not a full winter storm driving rain sideways. And because it depends entirely on the eufy cloud, if you are running a local home automation system this lock will not appear in it. Pick the Bolt SE if interoperability matters more than outlay.
9. Philips WiFi Smart Deadbolt – Best for Large Code Storage
Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock, Keyless Entry Door Locks for Front Door
Up to 100 custom passcodes
Built-in WiFi with no hub
2.4GHz only
Fingerprint and voice
Pros
- Multiple unlock methods via app and passcode and fingerprint and key and voice
- Built-in Wi-Fi for remote access with no extra hub
- Up to 100 custom passcodes plus unlimited one-time and scheduled guest codes
- Real-time open and lock alerts with a full access history log
- Auto-lock delay configurable from 10 to 180 seconds
Cons
- Batteries are not included and only AA alkaline LR6 is supported
- Supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only and not 5GHz
- No door position sensor so ajar state is not reported
- No Matter or open API for third-party automation hubs
Where the Philips wins is volume. It stores up to 100 custom passcodes plus unlimited one-time and scheduled guest codes, and that matters in a house with a home office, a landlord unit, a cleaner, several contractors and a family. Almost no other lock at this tier gives you that many codes without moving up.
Unlocking works five ways: app, keypad code, fingerprint, physical key and voice through Alexa or Google Assistant. Built-in Wi-Fi handles remote access with no extra hub. Real-time open and lock alerts arrive as they happen, and the access history log records who came in and when, which is the feature most people discover they actually wanted.
Auto-lock delay is the widest adjustable range in our guide, from 10 to 180 seconds, so you can set it long enough that a trip to the bins does not trigger it. Away Mode disables every unlock method except the master code while you travel, which is a cleaner way to lock the house down than deleting codes one by one.
The fingerprint sensor is a one-touch reader that stores multiple prints. Installation is a screwdriver job on doors from 1-3/8 inch to 2 inch thick. Customer support runs from a US-based team with weekday and Saturday hours plus 24/7 email, which is worth noting when a lock is the thing standing between you and a locked-out evening.
What to check before you buy the Philips deadbolt
Buy your own batteries and buy the right ones. AA alkaline LR6 only, and they are not in the box. Rechargeable cells are a common cause of low-battery warnings that never resolve, so stick to alkaline.
Confirm your router is on 2.4GHz. This lock will not join a 5GHz-only network, and the manufacturer recommends keeping the router and lock within about 65 feet. That is a shorter working distance than the Schlage or the eufy, so check the signal at the door first.
Who the Philips deadbolt is not for
It is not for anyone running a local-first home automation system. There is no open API and no Matter support, so third-party hubs cannot talk to it and it lives inside the Philips app alone. That is a deliberate trade for code capacity.
There is also no door position sensor, so you will not get an ajar notification, which is the alert that stops a house being unlocked all day by someone who propped the door. For a rental where a guest is arriving while you are out, you have to message the code rather than wait for a door-open alert.
10. Tapo DL110 Smart WiFi Door Lock – Best BHMA Grade 2 Value
Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock, Deadbolt, Fingerprint Recognition, DL110
BHMA Grade 2 certified
0.42 second fingerprint
Rechargeable battery for about one year
USB-C emergency port
Pros
- Six access methods including fingerprint and keypad and WiFi remote and Bluetooth and assistant
- 0.42 second fingerprint recognition with up to 100 fingerprints stored
- Rechargeable battery lasts about a year with one owner reporting 26 percent charge remaining after 9 months
- USB-C port on the exterior gives emergency power when the battery is dead
- BHMA Grade 2 certification in an aluminum alloy body
Cons
- Keypad digits are invisible until the screen is woken by touch
- Doorbell button is hypersensitive and sends false notifications
- No open API and no Matter support so the lock depends on the Tapo cloud
- Proprietary battery pack and an inaccurate battery gauge
The Tapo DL110 is the only lock here with BHMA Grade 2 certification, which is a genuine step up from the Grade 3 on almost everything else in this guide. Grade 2 means the deadbolt is tested to resist hundreds of thousands of open and close cycles and brute-force attempts. If your front door is the single most exposed door in the house, that rating matters more than any app feature.
It also solves the battery problem in a way nothing else here does. Instead of AA cells, it runs on a removable and rechargeable battery pack rated for up to a year. One owner reported 26 percent charge remaining after nine months of heavy daily use. When the pack does run out, there is a USB-C port on the exterior of the lock for emergency power, plus two included Schlage SC1-compatible backup keys.
The fingerprint reader is the fastest in this guide by a clear margin, recognising in 0.42 seconds and storing up to 100 prints. Six access methods: fingerprint, keypad passcodes, Wi-Fi remote, close-range Bluetooth, smart home assistant and the physical keys. Resident profiles can carry permanent codes alongside one-time and scheduled guest codes. The rubber gaskets on both sides protect the door finish and damp the movement, and reviewers consistently note how quiet it is compared with other smart locks.
Installation takes ten to fifteen minutes with a Phillips screwdriver and it appears in the Tapo app automatically. The adjustable latch fits both standard deadbolt setbacks.
What to check before you buy the Tapo DL110
Decide how you feel about a blank keypad. The digits are invisible until the screen wakes to touch, which is invisible to guests standing in the dark and slow for anyone entering regularly. Some owners like the effect; others call it the most-cited drawback of the lock. Know which camp you are in before you order.
Also check your country hardware format. This is US-format hardware only and is not compatible with standard European doors.
Who the Tapo DL110 is not for
It is not for anyone who runs Home Assistant, HomeSeer or any local automation platform. There is no open API, no local network access and no Matter support, so the lock depends entirely on the Tapo cloud. That dependence also means the app widget on an Android home screen can show stale status until you open the app, and ads appear on launch.
The doorbell button is hypersensitive and sends false notifications; the app can disable the notification but not the button. And the proprietary battery pack is a harder part to source and replace, while the battery gauge is not accurate, so you will need to charge on a schedule rather than on the reading.
11. Wyze Palm Lock – Best Contactless Unlock
Wyze Palm Lock, Smart Door Lock with Palm Vein Recognition, Keyless Entry Smart Locks for Front Door, Keypad, Auto Lock, Dual Battery, Wi-Fi, Works with Alexa & Google, BHMA, IP53, Mechanical Key
Palm vein contactless recognition
Dual battery plus USB-C charging
Gyroscope auto-lock
IP53 and BHMA3
Pros
- Contactless palm vein recognition that is faster and more reliable than fingerprint readers
- Dual-battery system plus USB-C emergency charging from a power bank
- Built-in gyroscope delivers accurate auto-lock without false or jammed states
- Millimeter wave radar presence detection extends battery life
- Up to 50 guest codes with Anti-Peep Technology
Cons
- Does not support fingerprint entry and uses palm vein only on this model
- Requires the Wyze app and cloud with no stated local network access
- No open API or Matter support for third-party hubs
- Palm enrollment can be finicky with cold or very dry hands
The Wyze Palm Lock is the highest-rated lock we tested and it earns that on a single design decision: it reads the vein pattern under your palm with millimetre wave radar instead of reading a fingerprint. Nothing touches the sensor. For a household where hands are frequently wet, dirty, gloved or holding a toddler, this is the difference between a lock you use and a lock you work around.
It is also the best engineered for battery anxiety. There is a dual-battery system: a main battery rated at six months backed by a secondary battery that carries about two weeks, and an integrated USB-C port that accepts a power bank if both drain. Combined, that sequence of three fallbacks means lockout is effectively impossible, which is the single most common complaint in this entire category.
The gyroscope deserves attention. It senses door angle and movement, so auto-lock fires accurately without the false locks or jammed states that plague timer-based auto-lock. And instead of waking constantly, millimeter wave radar presence detection wakes the lock only when a person is actually there, which is why the battery claim holds up better than it does on the connected keypad locks.
Security features are unusually complete: up to 50 unique or one-time guest codes on an illuminated keypad, Anti-Peep Technology that allows extra digits before or after your real PIN, a tamper alarm after excessive incorrect attempts, and a configurable ajar alarm for a door propped open. IP53 and BHMA3 certification cover exterior doors, and mechanical keys are included under a sliding cover.
What to check before you buy the Wyze Palm Lock
Enrol your palm in person first if you can. Reviewers note that palm vein enrollment can be finicky for users with cold or very dry hands, and getting it right matters more here than with a fingerprint reader, where you can add several prints cheaply. If anyone in the household has very dry hands, test them before you commit.
Then check that everyone who needs entry can use a palm. Children growing fast and anyone with limited hand mobility can find a flat palm awkward, and for those people the keypad with Anti-Peep codes is the realistic fallback.
Who the Wyze Palm Lock is not for
There is no fingerprint sensor on this model, palm vein only. If you need a fingerprint option as a backup or as the primary method, choose the eufy C220 or the Tapo DL110 instead.
It is also not for anyone who wants local control or third-party integration. It requires the Wyze app and cloud for setup and control, with no stated local network access, no open API and no Matter support, so it does not appear in Home Assistant or similar systems. It does integrate with the live feed of Wyze video doorbells, which is the sensible way to pair it. And the secondary battery only covers about two weeks if the main battery is fully drained, so treat it as a bridge to the USB-C port rather than a permanent solution.
12. Zowill Keypad Deadbolt with Handles – Best for Short-Term Rentals
Zowill Keyless Entry Keypad Deadbolt Lock with Handles, Matte Black
Complete set with two lever handles
20 user codes plus one-time codes
ANSI Grade 3
Pros
- 20 user codes plus one-time codes and 2 backup keys cover family and cleaners and rental guests
- Installation takes about 20 minutes with all hardware included
- Simple and intuitive code programming
- ANSI Grade 3 certified and tested to 100000 use cycles
- Complete set: keypad deadbolt plus 2 matching lever handles
Cons
- Locking requires holding the button for about 2 seconds
- The bolt runs a short circuit of movement before actuating which adds a delay
- No Wi-Fi and no app connectivity
- The four AA batteries are not included
The Zowill package solves a specific problem: a short-term rental where you need both a deadbolt and a working handle, and you need to issue codes to guests who change every few days. It arrives as a keypad deadbolt together with two matching lever handles, the latch, the strike plate and two keys, so you cover a full front or back door set in one purchase.
It supports 20 user codes plus one-time codes, and one-time codes are the point for rentals: you hand a guest a code, it works once, and there is no ledger to reconcile at checkout. Vacation mode disables temporary access while you are away, mute mode handles late-night arrivals, and anti-peeping passwords work the same way as on the other keypad locks here.
Owners rate it highly for install time of around twenty minutes, simple programming, a solid and quiet deadbolt throw, and a metal handle that feels more substantial than the price suggests. It is ANSI Grade 3 certified and tested to 100,000 use cycles with 2000N appearance pressure resistance, and IP54 rated for weather. Four AA batteries give more than a year per the manufacturer with a low battery alert.
Two things about the feel will annoy you at first. Locking requires holding the button for about two seconds, and the bolt runs a short circuit of movement before it actuates, which adds a noticeable delay to both lock and unlock. Reviewers describe it as something you get used to rather than a defect.
What to check before you buy the Zowill handleset
Check your door thickness and bore the same way as with the Veise, since it is another full handleset. And count the people who will need permanent codes: twenty is plenty for a rental turnover, but not enough for a house shared by a dozen tenants plus staff.
Buy batteries before you install. The four AAs are not included, and having the lock powered up during programming with no cells is a frustrating half hour. Alkaline only, same as the Philips.
Who the Zowill handleset is not for
There is no Wi-Fi, no app and no smart home connectivity, so this is a standalone keypad lock. You cannot remotely check whether the door is locked, revoke a code from your phone or see who came in. For a landlord with several properties that is a real limitation.
It is also not fingerprint-capable despite some listings suggesting smart recognition features, so anyone who struggles to remember a code is no better served here. And the two-second hold to lock is slow enough that it will frustrate anyone in a hurry, including the guests you are trying to impress.
How to Choose a Smart Lock for Your Front Door
Every lock above installs on a standard US deadbolt bore with a screwdriver, so the decision is not about hardware fitting. It is about three questions: how people get in, what happens when things go wrong, and how your house connects. Answer those in order and the list above narrows to two or three options. If you are also planning the rooms beyond the entryway, our picks for front-facing bookshelves for kids and front-facing bookshelves for toddlers cover the open-display question that tends to follow a hallway re-think.
Decide how people get in first
Keypad only is the simplest and the most reliable. No radio, no cloud, no firmware, and the battery claim is close to real because nothing wakes the lock up on a schedule. If your household is two adults and the codes change when someone changes, the TEEHO TE001 does everything a front door needs.
Biometric entry removes the memory problem entirely. Fingerprint sensors need about one second and improve with use; the palm vein on the Wyze needs no contact at all. The trade is that biometrics are tied to a physical fingerprint or palm, so think about how that changes if you injure a finger or a family member is away at university for a term.
Remote access is where the compromises live. Built-in Wi-Fi gives you an app with no extra hardware, which is why the Encode and the eufy C30 rank where they do. A hub or Thread Border Router gives you better long-term interoperability and lower power draw, which is why the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE claims 18 months of battery life on a Thread mesh.
Understand what the ANSI and BHMA grade actually means
ANSI and BHMA Grade 1 is the highest residential rating: tested for forced-entry resistance, durability and security on top of the standard cycles. Grade 2 is a meaningful step above Grade 3 and is what most residential codes require. Grade 3 is basic deadbolt security, which is what the majority of locks in this guide carry. Anything labelled BHMA certified without a number is worth asking about.
Real-world relevance: Grade 1 or 2 matters most if your door is the only ground-floor entrance, faces a street or parking area, or has a mail slot or window that would let someone reach the hardware. For a front door on a fenced property behind a gate, Grade 3 with a good solid door is plenty.
Also check IP ratings honestly. IP53 covers splash and dust ingress, which suits a door under a porch or a covered entry. IP65 covers water jets, which suits a door with no overhang in a rainy climate. On this list the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE and the Aqara U100 are IP65; the rest are IP53 or IP54.
Battery life and emergency power are two separate questions
Stated battery life assumes moderate use. A door that opens five times a day will drain a Wi-Fi lock far faster than a door that opens twice, and the eufy C30’s battery complaints trace entirely to high-traffic doors. Treat the claim as a ceiling and check whether the low-battery warning is reliable, because an unreliable warning is what turns into a 2 a.m. lockout.
Emergency power is the part people discover too late. Three backup routes exist: a USB-C emergency port on the exterior that accepts a power bank, a 9V battery contact for a one-off jump, and the physical key. The Aqara U100 and the Tapo DL110 have USB-C exterior ports. The Wyze Palm Lock adds a secondary internal battery. Every lock here includes at least one physical key, but on some models the key is hidden under a cover that is awkward to find in the dark.
One pattern worth knowing from owner reports: the fingerprint reader itself is often what fails first in cold, dry conditions, not the keypad. If you live where winters are severe, test the reader with cold hands before committing to a biometric-only workflow.
Measure your Wi-Fi at the door, not at the router
Take your phone to the front door, open a speed test and check the signal. If the lock needs 2.4GHz and your router splits bands, confirm the 2.4GHz network actually reaches the door. The Philips recommends the router within about 65 feet and the ULTRALOQ within about 70 feet; both are tighter than the Encode, which holds its own connection on the interior escutcheon.
If you run twenty or more Wi-Fi devices, congestion is real. Moving the lock onto a mesh node, or choosing a Thread-based lock that joins a low-energy mesh alongside your other devices, tends to solve it more reliably than changing the lock. A separate 2.4GHz network for smart home devices is the other common fix.
Check the boring specs before you order
Door thickness and bore diameter catch more returns than any other detail. The Schlage Encode fits 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch; the Tapo and Veise handle sets need up to 2 inch; the TEEHO locks fit 2-1/8 inch (54mm) bores only; the Philips fits 1-3/8 to 2 inch. A tape measure takes thirty seconds and saves a return.
Then confirm three operational details: whether you need a door position sensor for ajar alerts, whether a physical key is required by your insurance or landlord, and whether the lock needs to report to a local automation system or is fine living in one vendor’s cloud. Those three answers eliminate half the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which smart door lock brand is best?
For most front doors, Schlage is the strongest all-round brand because the hardware is built like a mechanical deadbolt and the built-in Wi-Fi needs no hub. TEEHO leads on value if you only need codes, ULTRALOQ has the widest feature set including Matter over Thread, and Aqara is the pick if you unlock by Apple Home Key.
Which smart door lock is the best overall?
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the best overall for a front door. It has built-in Wi-Fi with no bridge, holds up to 100 access codes with a lock history, is BHMA certified with a built-in door alarm, and works with Alexa and Google Home. It fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thick.
What are the downsides of smart door locks?
The main downsides are battery drain, dependence on an app or cloud, and firmware updates that can go wrong. High-traffic doors drain connected locks quickly. If the app account is lost or the network goes down, you depend on the keypad and the physical key. Auto-lock timers can also latch an ajar door. Buyers who want to avoid these trade-offs should choose a keypad-only lock with a physical key.
Are smart locks safe for the front door?
A certified smart lock is safe for a front door when it carries a recognised ANSI and BHMA grade and a physical key override. The Tapo DL110 holds BHMA Grade 2, which is above the Grade 3 on most residential locks, and the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE and Schlage Encode are BHMA certified. Many insurers also offer a discount for a certified lock, so check with your provider.
Can my smart lock be hacked?
Risk is real but low, and it comes down to account security rather than the lock itself. Use a unique app password, turn on two-factor authentication, and never share your primary credentials with a guest, since sharing codes is how most break-ins happen. Locks that store biometrics locally with AES encryption, such as the Aqara U100, keep fingerprint data off the cloud. A physical key remains the fallback if a device is compromised.
Do smart locks work without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Keypad-only locks such as the TEEHO TE001, the TEEHO TE002 and the Zowill handleset work entirely offline, and their keypad keeps operating when there is no connection at all. Connected locks with built-in Wi-Fi still accept codes and fingerprints offline, but you lose remote unlock and access history until the connection returns.
How long do smart lock batteries last?
Keypad-only locks routinely reach a year on four AA batteries. Connected locks with built-in Wi-Fi last between five and eight months on ordinary use, and drop to weeks on a high-traffic door. Thread-based locks claim the longest run, with the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE rated at up to 18 months. The Tapo DL110 uses a rechargeable pack rated for about a year.
What should I look for in a smart lock for elderly parents?
Avoid fingerprint-only designs, since an ageing hand can be unreliable on a capacitive sensor. A keypad-only model such as the TEEHO TE001 needs no app and no learning curve, and its auto-lock means nobody has to remember to lock up behind them. If you want remote oversight, pair a keypad lock with a door sensor elsewhere in the house, or choose a model with a physical key on the inside for a carer.
The Bottom Line
The Schlage Encode is the best smart lock for front doors in 2026 for the simple reason that it is the one we would put on our own door: solid mechanical hardware, built-in Wi-Fi with nothing extra to buy, and an app that keeps working. Buy the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE instead if you want fingerprint entry, Matter over Thread and full weather rating in the same lock, and accept that Matter features need a Thread Border Router.
If neither of those fits how you actually live, buy a keypad lock. The TEEHO TE001 for code-only households, the TEEHO TE002 if you want a fingerprint reader, and the Zowill handleset if you need a matching lever handle in the same box. In every case, measure your door and check the signal at the door before you order, because those two checks prevent nearly every return.