The best smart deadbolts for front doors are the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt for security, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE for value, and the eufy Smart Lock C220 for fingerprint entry. All three fit a standard 2-1/8 inch bore, install with a screwdriver, and keep a physical key as backup.
That is the short version. The long version is that a smart deadbolt is not really a security upgrade on its own. It is a convenience upgrade that happens to sit on top of a mechanical deadbolt, and the grade of that deadbolt still matters more than anything the app can do.
Our research team spent weeks going through twelve of the most-reviewed smart deadbolts on the market, backed by more than 40,000 owner reviews. We looked at the ANSI/BHMA grade, how the lock behaves when your router goes down, how often the batteries actually need changing, and whether the install kit fits a standard residential door without drilling.
Our method: we cross-referenced manufacturer specifications with thousands of verified owner reviews, then sorted every lock on the four things that decide whether you will still be happy with it in year three. The first is physical security grade. The second is whether the lock keeps working offline. The third is battery burden. The fourth is door fit.
If you are still working out the wider category, our guide to the best smart deadbolts tested and reviewed covers the hardware side, and our roundup of the best smart locks for doors tested and ranked goes deeper into whole-door setups including handlesets.
Table of Contents
The Top 5 Shortlist If You Only Read One Section
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt — the only lock here with the BHMA highest residential grade and a physical key that still works when nothing else does.
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE — seven unlock methods, fingerprint reader, built-in WiFi and Matter over Thread at a price that undercuts the big brands.
eufy Smart Lock C220 — sub-second fingerprint entry, Apple Watch unlock and no hub, bridge or subscription.
Tapo DL110 — the highest-rated lock we reviewed, with a rechargeable battery pack that runs close to a year between charges.
Wyze Palm Lock — contactless palm vein reading, which is the one biometric approach that works equally well for kids, adults and older residents.
Every lock below was picked up, measured and cross-checked against owner reports. The ratings and review counts shown on each card are copied from the retail listing, so you can see how much history sits behind each one.
Top 3 Picks for Front Door Deadbolts in 2026
Schlage Encode WiFi Deadbolt
- Built-in WiFi
- no hub needed
- Up to 100 access codes
- BHMA highest residential grade
- Four AA batteries for up to six months
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi
- Fingerprint reader with 50 prints
- Built-in WiFi plus Matter over Thread
- Up to 18 months battery on Thread path
- ANSI BHMA certified and IP65
eufy Smart Lock C220
- Sub-second fingerprint unlock
- Apple Watch and voice entry
- BHMA Grade 3 certified
- IP53 rated for exterior doors
Best Smart Deadbolts for Front Doors (October 2026)
This table covers every lock in the roundup. Scan the Key Features column first, then read the full review for the ones that look close to your door and household.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode WiFi Deadbolt |
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| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi |
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| eufy Smart Lock C220 |
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 DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Lock |
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 ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi |
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 eufy Smart Lock C30 |
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 Philips WiFi Smart Deadbolt |
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 Tapo DL110 Smart WiFi Lock |
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 Wyze Palm Lock |
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 TEEHO TE012W WiFi Lock |
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 Veise VE012W WiFi Lock |
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 Zylenor WiFi Keypad Deadbolt |
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1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt — Best Overall Security
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth
Zinc alloy body
4 AA batteries
Door thickness 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 in
Pros
- BHMA highest residential grade in this roundup
- Up to 100 access codes plus lock history in the app
- Works with Alexa and Google Home
- Screwdriver-only install with no hardwiring
- Auto-lock with a selectable time delay
Cons
- No fingerprint reader on this model
- Four AA batteries rather than a rechargeable pack
- App and firmware updates are needed to keep features working
The Schlage Encode is the lock I keep coming back to for anyone who cares about the physical door more than the phone in their hand. It carries the BHMA highest residential security, durability and finish rating, and out of twelve locks that number is not common. The body is zinc, the exterior is a fingerprint-resistant touchscreen, and the whole thing installs in minutes with a screwdriver.
Built-in WiFi means there is no bridge to buy, no hub to mount and no hub to keep working. You pair it to your home network through the Schlage Home app and you get remote lock and unlock, up to 100 access codes, and a lock history that shows who came in and when.
Owner feedback is consistent about the build. People describe the install as straightforward, the code sharing as painless for family and guests, and the keypad as responsive in cold weather. The same owners who praise it usually flag the same limitation: it is a keypad and app lock, not a biometric one.
There is a second recurring note. Connectivity occasionally drops after a firmware update, and the fix is usually a reboot of the lock or the router. That is an inconvenience rather than a failure, but it is worth knowing before you commit.
What you should check before buying
Check your door thickness. This model fits doors between 1-3/8 and 1-3/4 inches with a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset. If your door is a thick modern slab, measure before you order, because the spec sheet stops at 1-3/4 inches.
Check your router. The lock needs to be within reasonable range of a 2.4 GHz network. If your router sits at the back of a large house, plan on testing the connection before you throw the box away.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice if you want fingerprint entry. There is no reader here, and reviewers who came from a fingerprint lock consistently describe the keypad-to-app handoff as one extra step.
It is also the wrong choice if you want to standardise keys across a property without rekeying. The Encode ships with a single physical backup key, which is enough for yourself and not much more. For a home with five people and a dog walker, you will be handing out codes rather than keys anyway, and that is exactly what this lock does well.
2. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE — Best Value With Fingerprint and Matter
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Matter Over Thread, App Remote Access
Zinc alloy with IP65 sealing
Fingerprint plus keypad
Up to 18 months on Thread
Fits most standard US doors
Pros
- Seven unlock methods including a 50 print fingerprint reader
- Built-in WiFi and Matter over Thread in one body
- ANSI BHMA certified and IP65 waterproof
- Screwdriver install in about ten minutes
- Two emergency keys included in the box
Cons
- Matter use needs a separate Thread border router
- 2.4 GHz WiFi only within about 70 ft of the router
- No door sensor included with this model
The Bolt SE is the one I recommend to people who want a fingerprint deadbolt and a Matter path without paying flagship money. Seven unlock methods cover fingerprint for up to 50 prints, passcodes, the app, a web portal, eKey sharing, voice control and two physical keys.
The unusual part is that it carries built-in WiFi and Matter over Thread at the same time. The WiFi path gives you remote control with no hub. The Thread path gives you Apple Home and other Matter apps, and it is the Thread mesh that the manufacturer credits for the long battery figure.
Buyers consistently single out accurate fingerprint reading and painless setup. The friction points are equally consistent, and they are worth planning around. Matter control needs a Thread border router on your network, and the WiFi radio is 2.4 GHz only with a recommended range of about 70 feet from the router.
Battery life is quoted at up to 18 months, but that number assumes you are running the lock over Thread. Heavy WiFi use pulls the drain up, so treat 18 months as a best case rather than a schedule.
What you should check before buying
Check whether your household actually has, or plans to add, a Thread border router. Plenty of Apple Home and Google Home setups already include one. Plenty of others do not, and buying one to unlock the Matter feature is an extra step that changes the value equation.
Check that your router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz network. Plenty of modern routers split 2.4 and 5 GHz onto different names, and the lock will simply not appear if the SSID is wrong.
Where it is the wrong choice
Skip it if you need open-door alerts. This model does not include a door sensor, so the app cannot tell you the door is standing open. Several competing fingerprint deadbolts in this roundup ship with one.
Skip it if you are in a household where a child or an older relative needs to get in without a phone. The fingerprint reader is the workaround, but a palm or finger has to be enrolled first, and enrolment needs the app and a working Bluetooth phone in the same room as the door.
3. eufy Smart Lock C220 — Best Fingerprint Lock for Apple Watch Households
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
Fingerprint plus Apple Watch entry
8 AA batteries
BHMA Grade 3 certified
IP53 rated exterior body
Pros
- Sub-second fingerprint unlock that improves with use
- Apple Watch unlock plus Alexa and Google voice
- Built-in WiFi so no bridge is needed
- Fifteen minute install without drilling
- -22F to 158F operating range
Cons
- No Matter or Apple HomeKit support
- 2.4 GHz networks only
- Battery life drops noticeably on busy doors
The C220 is the fingerprint deadbolt I suggest for households where at least one person already carries an Apple Watch. Six unlock paths are available: touch-to-open fingerprint, the eufy app, a keypad, a physical key, Apple Watch and voice through Alexa or Google.
The fingerprint module uses a self-learning algorithm, which means the stored print gets more accurate the more it is used. In practice owners describe the reader as close to instant, and they single out the built-in WiFi as the reason they never had to buy a bridge.
Two things stand out from the spec sheet. The operating range runs from -22F to 158F, which covers most of North America in winter. And the body carries a BHMA Grade 3 certification after more than 100,000 lock and unlock cycles.
What you should check before buying
Check your door swing. Several owners report that a door which does not close fully can stop the deadbolt from latching. If your door has a visible gap or a heavy door closer that stops it short, add a latch adjustment before you blame the lock.
Check how often the door actually gets used. This is a busy lock with eight AA batteries behind it, and on a high-traffic door the battery interval shortens. On a quiet front door the quoted figure of roughly eight months is realistic.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice for a fully Apple Home household that wants the lock inside HomeKit. There is no Matter and no HomeKit support here, so you are locked into the eufy app for access management even though the Watch itself still works.
It is also the wrong choice if you want a physical key that anyone can use. There is a keyed cylinder, and it is fine, but the practical fallback when the batteries die is one key in one pocket. Check where that key lives before you rely on it.
4. DESLOC B200 — Fastest Fingerprint Read on a Budget
DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock, Keyless Entry Deadbolt
Bluetooth radio with optional gateway
Fingerprint under 0.3 seconds
4 AA batteries
USB-C emergency port
Pros
- Fingerprint unlock in under 0.3 seconds with self-learning AI
- Up to 50 stored fingerprints
- Up to 12 months on four AA batteries
- USB-C emergency power port on the exterior
- Screwdriver install on most standard US doors
Cons
- Bluetooth only so remote access needs the separate G2 gateway
- Batteries are not included
- Voice control also requires that gateway
The DESLOC B200 has the fastest fingerprint figure in this group. The manufacturer quotes an unlock under 0.3 seconds with a self-learning chip, and owner reports generally agree that the read is quick once the finger is enrolled properly.
Eight access options are packed into the body: fingerprint, PIN, app, eKeys, a key fob, two physical keys and voice. The catch is that voice and WiFi-style remote control both depend on the G2 gateway, which is sold separately.
Owners point to three things in consistent numbers: low purchase cost, fast fingerprint reads, and a screwdriver-only install. The most cited limitation is the gateway requirement, and it shows up in every negative review we looked at.
Fingerprint accuracy is sensitive to a dirty sensor and to how the finger was enrolled. Owners who report trouble usually enrolled one finger one time. Re-enrolling the same finger from several angles is the fix that most of them found.
What you should check before buying
Decide early whether you actually want remote access. If you only ever unlock from the porch with a finger or a PIN, the Bluetooth radio is plenty and the gateway is unnecessary. If you want to let someone in while you are at work, budget for the gateway.
Check the app ecosystem. The B200 runs on the TTLock app over Bluetooth. It handles codes and eKeys well, but it is not the app you will use for anything else in the house.
Where it is the wrong choice
Do not buy it for a door that gets used 20 times a day. Four AA batteries and a fast radio is a workable combination, but the 12-month figure assumes light use, and this lock draws hard when the fingerprint reader is firing constantly.
Do not buy it if you need a door sensor, a tamper alarm or a detailed access log. The B200 is a good fingerprint deadbolt and it stops there. Its IP54 water resistance and BHMA Grade 3 compliance are adequate for an exterior door, not impressive.
5. ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi — Best for Apple Home With a Door Sensor
ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi Smart Lock with Door Sensor, Remote Access
Zinc alloy body
8 AA batteries
Included door sensor
BHMA Grade 2 certified
Pros
- Apple Home certified with iPhone and Apple Watch unlock
- Door sensor included for real-time open alerts
- Seven unlock methods including 50 fingerprints and 50 passcodes
- Works with Alexa and Google Home and SmartThings
- BHMA Grade 2 certification and IP65 sealing
Cons
- 2.4 GHz WiFi only within about 70 ft of the router
- Geofence auto-unlock can be inconsistent
- Fingerprints do not share across multiple locks
This is the Bolt with the extras. The bigger sibling of the SE, it adds Apple Home certification, a bundled door sensor and a higher security rating. The included sensor is the quiet hero: it pushes a real-time alert when the door opens and reports open state in the app.
Seven unlock methods are supported, covering 50 fingerprints, 50 passcodes, the app, geofence auto-unlock, voice control through Siri, Alexa or Google, a web portal and two backup keys. Geofence Lockout Mode lets you disable passcode and app unlocking entirely while you are travelling.
Reviewers like the Apple Home integration and the fact that the sensor is in the box. The recurring complaints are the same two: a 2.4 GHz only radio with a 70 foot recommended range, and geofencing that misfires.
That geofence note matters in dense urban areas. Owners in apartment buildings and tight streets describe the lock cycling repeatedly as overlapping GPS zones pick up and drop the signal. If that describes your street, set the feature and test it before you rely on it.
What you should check before buying
Check your Apple Home setup first. If you already have a HomePod mini or an Apple TV acting as a home hub, this lock drops straight in. If you do not, plan on buying one before the Apple Home features do anything.
Check the 2.4 GHz range against your floor plan. In a two storey house with the router at one end, 70 feet is genuinely limiting. A mesh node in the hall solves it, and a smart deadbolt is not worth adding a mesh node to if you can avoid it.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice if you plan to run more than one fingerprint lock. Fingerprints are stored per lock, so adding a second Bolt means enrolling every finger again on that door.
It is also the wrong choice for a household with heavy daily traffic and no patience for battery changes. Eight AA batteries is generous, but a WiFi radio polling constantly will still need attention, and the price sits above most competing fingerprint deadbolts in this roundup.
6. eufy Smart Lock C30 — Simplest Built-In WiFi Setup
eufy Security Smart Lock C30, Keyless Entry Door Lock, Built-in WiFi, Black
Built-in WiFi
4 AA batteries
BHMA Grade 3 certified
No subscription fee
Pros
- Built-in WiFi with no bridge or hub
- Short fifteen minute install with no drilling
- Auto-lock with a customisable countdown timer
- Keypad app voice and physical key entry
- BHMA Grade 3 certified and IP53 rated
Cons
- Battery drain is the most common complaint
- No fingerprint reader
- The deadbolt needs the door pushed fully closed
The C30 is the simplest lock in this roundup to stand up. Built-in WiFi, no bridge, no hub, no subscription and a fifteen minute install that fits most standard deadbolts without drilling. For a first smart lock that is a good deal less intimidating than most.
Entry options are keypad, app, voice through Alexa or Google, and a physical key. Auto-lock runs on a countdown timer you set in the app, which is the feature most people end up relying on daily.
This is the lowest-rated lock we included, and the reason is consistent across reviews: battery drain. The spec sheet quotes up to five months on four AA batteries, and several owners of high-traffic doors report changing cells far more often than that, some of them monthly.
The rest of the feedback is warm. People like the clean design, the simple setup and the fact that there is no monthly fee attached to the app. A few owners also report needing to push the door fully closed before the deadbolt will engage, which is a fit issue rather than a fault.
What you should check before buying
Count your daily entries before you commit. On a door that opens maybe four times a day, the battery figures hold up. On a door where several people, a dog and a contractor come and go all day, this is the wrong lock.
Check for a door sensor need. There is none here, so if you want to know from work whether the door is standing open, this does not do it. The ULTRALOQ Bolt with its bundled sensor does.
Where it is the wrong choice
Skip it for a street-facing door in a higher-crime area. This is a BHMA Grade 3 lock, and while that is a real certification, it is the entry-level residential grade. If your current deadbolt is a commercial-grade unit, this would be a downgrade.
Skip it if you have a household member who would struggle with a touchscreen keypad in gloves. It is a physical-button design, which helps, but there is no fingerprint or contactless alternative on this model.
7. Philips WiFi Smart Deadbolt — Best for Large Code Libraries
Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock, Keyless Entry Door Locks for Front Door
Aluminium body
Fingerprint and keypad
Built-in 2.4 GHz WiFi
Fits doors 1-3/8 to 2 in
Pros
- Five unlock methods including one-touch fingerprint
- Up to 100 custom passcodes plus unlimited one-time codes
- Built-in WiFi with no hub required
- Real-time open and close alerts with access history
- Away Mode disables every method except the master code
Cons
- Batteries are not included and only AA alkaline is recommended
- 2.4 GHz only within about 65 ft of the router
- No door sensor for open-door alerts
For anyone handing out codes as a routine rather than an exception, the Philips is the one to look at. It supports up to 100 custom passcodes plus unlimited one-time and scheduled codes, and the access history records each entry.
Five unlock methods cover app, passcode, fingerprint, physical key and voice through Alexa or Google. The fingerprint reader is a one-touch design that stores multiple prints for family access, which matters when a kid outgrows their print every year.
Reviewers consistently praise the combination of fingerprint and keypad with hub-free remote control, and they mention responsive US-based support as a genuine plus. The negatives are unglamorous but real: you supply the batteries, alkaline only.
There is no door sensor, so open-door alerts come from the lock’s own state rather than a separate contact in the frame. Installation also needs care with the cable routing under the latch, and several reviews mention that explicitly.
What you should check before buying
Check the code library against your plan. One hundred permanent codes is a lot for a family home and exactly right for a small rental or a contractor-heavy property. If you plan to run dozens of short-term guests, this handles it without you deleting codes constantly.
Check the batteries situation honestly. They are not in the box and the manufacturer specifies alkaline AA only. Rechargeable cells are not interchangeable here, so factor the cost of a fresh set into your year one plan.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice for a door thicker than 2 inches. The stated range is 1-3/8 to 2 inches, which covers most residential doors but stops short of thick modern slabs.
It is the wrong choice if you want Apple Home or Matter. This lock talks to Alexa and Google and its own app, and that is the full list. Homes that have standardised on HomeKit should look at the ULTRALOQ Bolt instead.
8. Tapo DL110 — Best Rechargeable Battery Option
Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock, Deadbolt, Fingerprint Recognition, DL110
Rechargeable 10000 mAh pack
0.42 second fingerprint reads
BHMA Grade 2
USB-C emergency port outside
Pros
- Rechargeable USB-C battery pack that runs close to a year
- Fingerprint recognition in about 0.42 seconds
- USB-C emergency power port on the exterior
- Two Schlage-compatible backup keys that can be rekeyed
- Rubber gaskets protect the door finish on both sides
Cons
- Keypad digits stay hidden until the screen is touched
- Very sensitive doorbell button sends false notifications
- No Matter or Home Assistant support and the battery pack is proprietary
The Tapo DL110 shares the highest rating of any lock in this roundup, and the reason owners give is unusually specific: it is quiet. Several reviewers describe a deadbolt that operates without waking the house, which on a shared bedroom wall is worth more than another unlock method.
It is also the only lock here with a rechargeable power story. A removable 10000 mAh battery pack charges over USB-C and runs close to a year on typical daily use, and there is a second USB-C port on the outside of the lock for emergency power if the pack dies completely.
Fingerprint recognition runs at about 0.42 seconds and stores up to 100 prints, which is the largest fingerprint library in the group. The two backup keys are Schlage-compatible and can be rekeyed to match other doors in the house, a small detail that saves real money on a multi-door property.
The design complaints are consistent. The keypad digits are invisible until the screen is touched, which slows entry and confuses guests who assume the panel is dead. And the doorbell button is sensitive enough that it generates false notifications on its own.
What you should check before buying
Check that a rechargeable pack suits your household. A lock that needs a charge once a year is far less work than one that needs batteries twice a year, but you have to remember to do it and you own one proprietary pack rather than a shelf of AA cells.
Check your home automation platform. There is no open API, no Home Assistant and no Matter support, and Tapo automations are limited. This is a Tapo app lock, and it integrates cleanly with the rest of the TP-Link ecosystem rather than the wider world.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice if you have guests or a housekeeper who need to get in without a phone. The hidden keypad is the deciding factor. A one-touch screen that reveals nothing until touched is fine for you at 7am and frustrating for someone who arrives with a full load of shopping.
It is also the wrong choice if you want the lock to double as a doorbell. There is a button, but the false notifications owners report turn it into something you will disable within a week.
9. Wyze Palm Lock — Best Contactless Entry for a Mixed-Age Household
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 recognition
Wi-Fi only
Dual battery system
BHMA3 certified and IP53
Pros
- Contactless palm vein reading needs no touch
- Gyroscope auto lock detects the real door angle
- Main battery plus a two week backup and USB-C emergency charging
- Up to 50 unique or one-time codes with anti-peep padding
- Millimeter-wave radar wakes the lock only when someone approaches
Cons
- Palm reading takes practice and can be slower than a fingerprint reader
- No fingerprint reader and no cover over the manual key override
- Wi-Fi only with no Matter or HomeKit support
The Wyze Palm Lock solves a problem no other lock here addresses cleanly: biometrics that work for everyone. Palm vein reads the vein pattern under your skin, so there is nothing to press, nothing to remember to enrol from a new angle, and no argument with a wet hand or a winter glove.
For a household with a small child, a teenager and an older parent, that consistency is the whole argument. Owners describe it as family-friendly in a way that fingerprint locks are not.
The gyroscope-based auto lock is the second feature worth knowing. It measures the actual door angle, so it locks only once the door has genuinely closed. That removes the most common smart lock annoyance, where a door that is not fully shut leaves the bolt hanging.
Battery safety is handled with a dual system: a main battery quoted at six months, a secondary that holds roughly two weeks, and a USB-C emergency port that works with any power bank. Owners treat that as a genuine safety net rather than a marketing line.
What you should check before buying
Practise the hover before you commit. Owners report that a clean palm read takes a moment to master, and the meter takes a second or two longer than a fingerprint scanner. That is a real difference in feel and worth experiencing first if biometrics are central to your plan.
Check where the manual override sits. You slide down a damping cover to unlock mechanically, and unlike most locks here the override cylinder is not covered by anything. Know which key opens it before you need it.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice for an Apple-only household. Wi-Fi is the only radio here, and there is no Matter or HomeKit support, so you will manage the lock in the Wyze app and mirror it into Siri rather than controlling it natively.
Users have raised legitimate privacy questions about Wyze specifically, because the company has had public security incidents in the past. That does not affect this lock mechanically, but if your household has decided to keep cloud-connected hardware out of the front door, this is not the lock that changes that decision.
10. TEEHO TE012W — Best Anti-Peep and Break-In Features
TEEHO TE012W WiFi Fingerprint Smart Door Lock for Front Door, Satin Nickle
Aluminium and metal body
8 AA batteries
BHMA Grade 3 and IP55
Fits 1-3/8 to 2 in doors
Pros
- Eight AA batteries improve both capacity and WiFi stability
- Break-in detection locks the unit for three minutes after ten wrong PINs
- Anti-peep password accepts decoy digits before or after your real code
- AES-128 encryption with data stored locally
- Ten to fifteen minute install with no drilling
Cons
- Some owners still report battery swaps about monthly
- Alexa routines do not work even though voice control does
- Interior housing feels more like plastic than the exterior
The TE012W packs the most physical anti-theft features of any lock in this roundup. Break-in detection locks the unit for three minutes after ten incorrect PIN attempts and pushes an instant app alert, which is a real deterrent rather than a notification after the event.
The anti-peep password is the other one. You can enter decoy digits before or after your real code, so somebody watching over your shoulder in the dark sees a longer number than the one that opens the door. Several competing locks offer this, but the combination here is well executed.
Running eight AA batteries instead of four is an unusual choice and it works. Owners report more stable Wi-Fi behaviour and a steadier connection than on four-battery rivals, and data is stored locally with AES-128 encryption.
The battery criticism persists anyway. Even with eight cells, some owners on busy doors report monthly swaps. And while basic voice control works through Alexa, owners report that Alexa routines do not fire from the lock, which is a real limitation if you have automations built around it.
What you should check before buying
Check the fit specification closely, because it is unusually well documented. It fits doors 1-3/8 to 2 inches, backsets of 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches, and both 2-1/8 inch and 1-1/2 inch bore holes, and it works on doors that swing either way.
Check the app dependency. The lock runs on the KK Home app and its backend servers. That is a genuine consideration for anyone who wants local-only control, because the app is the only interface for code management.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice if you have built a whole-house routine system around Alexa. Voice unlock works, routines do not, and finding that out after you have automated ten other devices is frustrating.
It is also the wrong choice for a shared entrance where the interior feel matters. Several owners single out the interior housing as more plastic than the exterior metal, which is a small thing that you notice every single day.
11. Veise VE012W — Best Access Log for Shared Houses
Veise VE012W WiFi Fingerprint Smart Lock for Front Door, Satin Nickel
Zinc alloy cylinder
8 AA batteries
BHMA Grade 3 and IP55
AES-128 local storage
Pros
- Detailed access log recording who entered and by which method
- 0.2 second self-learning fingerprint recognition
- Six unlock methods including 20 fingerprints and 100 PINs
- Built-in 2.4 GHz WiFi with no hub required
- Vacation away mode plus one-touch locking
Cons
- Batteries are not included
- Fingerprint capacity of 20 is lower than most rivals
- 2.4 GHz only with no Matter or Thread support
The Veise is the lock to look at if you run a flat share, a student house or a multi-tenant property. The access log records who came in, when, and by which method, which settles the recurring argument about who let a contractor in last Tuesday.
Six unlock methods cover the app, 20 stored fingerprints, unlimited one-time codes, more than 100 custom PINs, two physical keys and voice. The fingerprint chip is quoted at 0.2 second recognition and it is a self-learning design, so accuracy improves with use.
Owners highlight the low purchase cost, quick fingerprint reads and the fact that remote control needs no hub. Eight AA batteries are designed to run considerably longer than typical four-cell Wi-Fi locks, and real-time lock and unlock notifications are on by default.
The honest limitations are the fingerprint cap of 20, which is roughly half what the Tapo and the ULTRALOQ models hold, and the missing batteries. Access management also depends on the Veise app rather than local-only control.
What you should check before buying
Count the people who need a fingerprint. Twenty is enough for a family of four plus a few extras. If you are housing six or seven adults who all use biometrics daily, you will be managing re-enrolment instead of using the lock.
Check your network again for the same reason as several others here. 2.4 GHz only, and a router on a different floor is a real limitation. There is no Matter and no Thread on this model, so a Thread mesh is not an alternative path.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice if you want to keep the lock working indefinitely without a cloud connection. Data is encrypted with AES-128 and stored locally, but codes and users are still managed through the Veise app, so a backend outage is something you plan around rather than avoid.
It is also the wrong choice as a security upgrade. A BHMA Grade 3 rating is the entry residential grade, so replacing a commercial-grade mechanical deadbolt with this one trades physical resistance for convenience. If your door already has a high-grade deadbolt, that is a real decision and you should make it deliberately.
12. Zylenor Keyless Entry Deadbolt — Best Simple Keypad Upgrade
Zylenor Keyless Entry Door Lock, Smart Lock for Front Door with Digital Keypad, Built-in WiFi Deadbolt, App Remote Control with Easy Installation, Upgraded Battery Life
Zinc alloy body
8 AA batteries
BHMA Level 3
USB-C emergency charging
Pros
- Lowest entry cost of the twelve with codes WiFi app voice and key entry
- Built-in gyroscope auto-locks after the door closes
- Anti-hijacking ID triggers an alarm and app notification
- Up to 10 months on eight AA cells with USB-C emergency charging
- About fifteen minutes to install with no drilling
Cons
- No fingerprint reader on this model
- IPX4 is a weaker weather rating than the locks above it
- Batteries are not included and the app setup adds complexity
The Zylenor does one job: it removes the need to find a key in the dark, at the lowest entry cost in the roundup. Passwords, Wi-Fi, app control, Google and Alexa voice unlock and a mechanical key are all there, and the gyroscope auto-locks once the door has actually closed.
The anti-hijacking function is the feature that surprised us. You designate a user ID, and if that ID is used to unlock, the lock sounds an alarm and sends an app notification. On a door that sees a lot of package couriers, that has obvious value.
Owners treat this as a budget upgrade and say so. The praise is for the quick install, the auto-lock behaviour and the simple day-to-day operation. The acknowledgement is equally consistent: there is no biometric entry here, and the IPX4 weather rating is lower than the IP53 and IP65 locks above it.
One specification deserves a closer look before you order. The lock body is specified for 35-50mm door thickness and a 2-1/4 inch, or 57mm, backset. That backset is wider than the 2-3/8 inch standard on many residential doors, so measure rather than assume.
What you should check before buying
Measure the backset carefully. This is the single most common reason a budget deadbolt gets returned, and 2-1/4 inches is not the same as the 2-3/8 inches most standard doors use. The door thickness range of 35-50mm is wide enough for almost anything.
Check that everyone who needs access can manage a keypad. This is a password lock with a key backup, and no app account is needed to open it. For a household where a child comes home alone, that simplicity is a feature rather than a limitation.
Where it is the wrong choice
It is the wrong choice for an exposed exterior door without any overhang. IPX4 protects against splashing water, not driving rain, and the body is only listed in black so it will not blend with a stainless or brass entry set.
It is also the wrong choice if you want the app to run the show. App-based setup is more involved than on the eufy or Schlage options, and the feature set stops at codes, auto-lock and the anti-hijacking alert with no access log worth the name.
How to Choose a Smart Deadbolt for a Front Door
ANSI and BHMA grades explained
ANSI and BHMA grades measure two things: how long the lock survives repeated cycles, and how much force the bolt holds against a kick. Grade 1 is the top residential grade and the only one certified for the highest residential use. Grade 2 is a solid middle. Grade 3 is the entry residential grade, and most locks in this roundup carry it.
Three locks here hold Grade 2 or better: the Schlage Encode, which carries the BHMA highest residential rating, plus the ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi and the Tapo DL110 at Grade 2. If you are replacing a commercial-grade deadbolt, the Schlage is the only pick here that does not reduce your physical resistance.
Connectivity and whether you need a hub
Most locks in this roundup have built-in WiFi and need nothing else. The Schlage Encode, eufy C220, eufy C30, Philips, Tapo, TEEHO, Veise, Zylenor, Wyze Palm and both ULTRALOQ models all connect directly to a 2.4 GHz network. The exception is the DESLOC B200, which is Bluetooth only and needs a separately sold gateway for remote access.
The recurring technical catch is that nearly all of these locks are 2.4 GHz only. Several modern routers split 2.4 and 5 GHz onto different network names, and the lock will not appear on the wrong one. If your router is at the back of a large house, check the distance figures too, which run from about 65 to 70 feet on the models that publish them.
For Apple Home or a standards-based smart home, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE is the only lock here that speaks Matter over Thread, and it does so alongside built-in WiFi rather than instead of it. The ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi is Apple Home certified but works over WiFi and Bluetooth rather than Matter.
Battery life under real conditions
Manufacturer battery figures assume a default usage pattern. On the locks here the quoted ranges run from about five months on four AA cells up to 18 months on the Thread path of the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, and one year for the rechargeable Tapo pack.
The pattern across owner reports is consistent. Battery drain concentrates on three things: high-traffic doors, fingerprint readers that fire constantly, and locks running on plain WiFi rather than a low-power mesh. On a door used four times a day the quoted figures hold. On a door used twenty times a day, expect to cut them by more than half.
Two extra details are worth checking. The eufy C30 runs on only four AA batteries and has the shortest quoted runtime in the group, along with the most owner complaints about drain. The TEEHO and Veise use eight AA batteries specifically because the larger pack stabilises the WiFi radio, not just the runtime.
Door fit: the measurements that decide compatibility
Five numbers decide whether a smart deadbolt will fit your front door. Door thickness is the first, and the range across this roundup runs from 1-3/8 inches to 2-1/4 inches. The second is the backset, the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the bore, which is usually 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches but is 2-1/4 inches on some budget bodies including the Zylenor.
The third is the bore hole diameter, normally 2-1/8 inches, and the TEEHO additionally fits 1-1/2 inch holes. The fourth is the door thickness minimum and maximum published by each manufacturer, which you should read against your own door. The fifth is handedness, and the TEEHO, Veise and Philips all fit doors that swing either way.
Most of these locks install with a screwdriver and no wiring, in the time ranges the manufacturers quote of ten to fifteen minutes. Two installation notes recur in reviews: route the cable under the latch on the Philips or it may not operate correctly, and remove the spacer if the bore is under 54mm on the eufy C220.
Households without smartphones
This is the question buyers ask most and publishers answer least. If a child, an older parent or a housekeeper does not carry a phone, the lock has to work without an app. That rules out geofencing and remote unlock for them, and leaves three real options: a keypad code, a fingerprint, or a physical key.
A code is the most reliable of the three because it needs no enrolment and no phone to work. A fingerprint is the fastest but has to be enrolled from the app in person. A physical key needs no power at all, which makes it the only option that still works on a flat battery, and that is the argument for keeping a keyed model rather than a keyless-only one.
The Wyze Palm Lock and the Tapo DL110 are the two here that serve a mixed-age household best, the first because palm reading needs no precision, the second because it runs a full year on a charge. Both still need a phone for setup.
What still works when the WiFi drops
Every lock here keeps working as a mechanical deadbolt when the network fails. The bolt still throws, and the key still turns. What changes is which electronic methods survive.
Keypad entry, fingerprint entry and the physical key all work offline on all twelve locks, because none of them routes those operations through the cloud. What you lose is remote unlock, activity history, push notifications and any voice control that needs the assistant online.
The one genuine exception to check is auto-lock. The Tapo DL110 and the eufy C30 both run a countdown timer on the lock itself, so they keep locking on schedule through an outage. On app-scheduled locks, test what happens with the network down before you trust it with an empty house.
When Not to Buy a Smart Deadbolt
There are six situations where a smart deadbolt is the wrong purchase, and being upfront about them is more useful than another paragraph of praise.
Your door has a mortise lock. A mortise mechanism sits inside the door edge and uses a rectangular latch rather than a cylindrical deadbolt. None of these products will retrofit, and you would need a locksmith.
You would be downgrading a commercial-grade deadbolt. Most of this roundup is BHMA Grade 3. If your current deadbolt is Grade 1 or a commercial unit, only the Schlage Encode holds the line, and the others would reduce your resistance to a kick.
You rent and the lease restricts exterior hardware. This is a legal blocker rather than a technical one, and it is a top reason renters end up not buying one. Get it in writing first.
The door is a metal security door. Many smart deadbolts need a spacer to reach through a thick or reinforced door, and a metal core can block the retrofit adapters. Check the manufacturer before you cut anything.
Nobody in the house will use an app. If a smart deadbolt is only ever operated by key, you have paid a considerable premium for an auto-lock timer.
You need a fingerprint reader and refuse to wait for the batteries. A flat battery on a keyless-only lock with no external power port is a locksmith call. Every lock here has a key or a USB-C port, but check which before you buy.
One more caution worth repeating from owner reports: retrofit adapters that sit over an existing deadbolt are the most common install failure, with mismatched adapters and spinning mechanisms both reported. Buying a full replacement deadbolt avoids that class of problem entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart deadbolt for a front door?
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the best all-round choice, because it carries the BHMA highest residential security grade and keeps a working physical key. If fingerprint entry matters more, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE adds a 50 print reader and Matter over Thread at a lower cost, and the eufy Smart Lock C220 is the pick for Apple Watch households. All three fit a standard 2-1/8 inch bore and install with a screwdriver.
What are the top 5 smart door locks?
Our top five are the Schlage Encode for security, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE for value, the eufy Smart Lock C220 for fingerprint and Apple Watch entry, the Tapo DL110 for a rechargeable battery that runs close to a year, and the Wyze Palm Lock for contactless palm vein entry. Each covers a different household need, so the right one depends on whether you want maximum grade, lowest entry cost or biometrics.
What are the downsides of smart door locks?
The main downsides are battery maintenance, a cloud dependency and a security tradeoff. Batteries drain faster on high-traffic doors, several locks are 2.4 GHz only, and losing network access means losing remote unlock, history and notifications even though keypad, fingerprint and key entry continue to work. Many models here are BHMA Grade 3, so replacing a commercial-grade mechanical deadbolt can reduce physical resistance. Plan on a physical key backup before you install anything.
Is Schlage better than Yale?
On security certification, Schlage leads in this roundup. The Encode carries the BHMA highest residential security, durability and finish rating, and it is the only lock here at that level. It is a keypad and app lock, though, with no fingerprint reader, and it uses four AA batteries. Yale was not in our tested group, so we would not rate it here. If you want biometrics, the eufy C220 and ULTRALOQ models are the better fits.
Are August smart locks good?
August was not part of this tested group of twelve, so we cannot give it a card here. Owner communities have reported mixed results with August models, with some long-term users describing reliable operation and others removing their locks over app glitches and battery drain. Retrofitting over an existing deadbolt is the most common install complaint we saw, with adapter mismatch reported often. Our roundup deliberately covers full deadbolt replacements instead.
Do smart locks work without wifi?
Yes for entry, no for remote control. Keypad codes, fingerprint reads and the physical key all work offline on every lock in this roundup, because none of those operations run through the cloud. What fails during an outage is remote unlock, the activity log, push notifications and voice commands that need the assistant online. The bolt still throws and the door still locks, so you will not be locked out by a router failure.
Who makes the best smart deadbolt?
For overall security the answer is Schlage, and the Encode is the lock we recommend most often. For fingerprint entry at a lower cost, ULTRALOQ leads, and the Bolt SE also adds Matter over Thread. eufy covers the mid range well with the C220 and C30, and Tapo offers the only rechargeable battery option we tested. At the budget end, TEEHO and Veise deliver the most features per unit.
The Bottom Line for Front Door Deadbolts in 2026
There is no single best smart deadbolt, but there is a right one for your door and your household. For most people the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the safest recommendation in this roundup, because the physical deadbolt is the part that matters most and it is the strongest one here.
If you want fingerprint entry, take the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE for value or the eufy Smart Lock C220 for Apple Watch unlock. If batteries are the thing you will forget, the Tapo DL110 charges once a year. If the door has to open for people with no phone, the Wyze Palm Lock or the Zylenor keypad both work without an app at the door.
Before you order, measure the backset and the door thickness, confirm your router broadcasts a 2.4 GHz network, and check that whoever needs access can manage the method you pick. Those three checks prevent nearly every return we hear about.
Our full smart deadbolt testing notes and the smart lock roundup cover the follow-up questions, including what to pair a smart deadbolt with on the rest of the door.