"Smart lock" covers a wider range of products than most people expect — some are just a keypad that replaces your key, others add full wifi and phone control, and a few add fingerprint unlock on top of that. The right one depends on how much tech you actually want at your front door.
What to look for
- Keypad-only vs. wifi-connected — a plain electronic keypad lets you ditch your keys; a wifi-connected lock also lets you lock/unlock remotely and see who came and went
- Battery life — most run on 4 AA batteries; wifi-connected locks drain faster than keypad-only ones since they're always online
- Install type — nearly all smart locks replace your existing deadbolt entirely rather than retrofitting onto it, so measure your door's backset before buying
- Ecosystem compatibility — check whether a lock works with the voice assistant/smart home system you already use before buying
Top picks
Best no-frills option — Kwikset SmartCode 260 Keypad Deadbolt
Worth being upfront about: this is an electronic keypad deadbolt, not an app-connected smart lock — there's no wifi, no hub, and no phone app. What it does do is let you ditch your keys entirely, with up to 50 custom user codes and auto-lock. It's the most reviewed lock in this guide by a wide margin — 4.4 stars across over 1,100 ratings — and the cheapest by far.
Check price on AmazonWho it's for: anyone who just wants to stop carrying keys, without paying for (or setting up) wifi connectivity they won't use.
Best for smart home integration — Schlage Encode Plus Wi-Fi Deadbolt
Built-in wifi means no separate hub, and it works directly with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home — plus Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock support if you're in the Apple ecosystem. The touchscreen keypad and remote lock/unlock through the app are the main upgrades over a keypad-only lock. It's the most expensive of the three here, and at 4.0 stars across 2,451 reviews, it's solidly reviewed rather than exceptional — a handful of owners report battery life closer to 3-4 months than Schlage's stated estimate under heavy wifi/app use.
Check price on AmazonWho it's for: households already using Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home who want the lock to plug directly into that ecosystem without a separate bridge device.
Best for fingerprint unlock — Kwikset Halo Touch
Adds a fingerprint reader (up to 100 fingerprints across 50 users) on top of built-in wifi and geofencing auto-unlock, meaning it can lock automatically as you walk away. No hub required, and it sits in the middle of this list on price — cheaper than the Schlage, pricier than the plain keypad option. It's rated 3.9 stars across 810 reviews; most reported friction is around occasional fingerprint misreads rather than the wifi/app side.
Check price on AmazonWho it's for: anyone who wants to unlock with a finger tap instead of a code or key, and doesn't mind an occasional misread in exchange for that convenience.
Buying guide
- Just want to stop carrying keys, nothing fancier — the Kwikset SmartCode 260 does that job at the lowest price and highest review count here
- Already deep in Alexa, Google, or Apple Home — the Schlage Encode Plus is built to plug directly into that ecosystem
- Want the fastest possible unlock, code-free — the Kwikset Halo Touch's fingerprint reader is built for exactly that
FAQs
Do these all replace my existing deadbolt? Yes — none of these retrofit onto an existing lock; you're removing your current deadbolt and installing the new one, which is a same-day DIY job with a screwdriver for most standard doors.
Does the Kwikset SmartCode 260 connect to an app at all? No — it's keypad-only with no wifi or app. If you want remote access or activity logs, you need the Schlage or the Halo Touch instead.
What happens if the battery dies? All three include external terminals or a backup key so you're not locked out — check the specific model's manual for the backup method before you need it, not after.
Bottom line
If you just want keys gone, the Kwikset SmartCode 260 is the cheapest and most-reviewed way to do that. If you want the lock talking to your existing smart home setup, the Schlage Encode Plus is built for it. If you want to unlock with a fingerprint instead of a code, the Kwikset Halo Touch is the pick.
