Choosing a Digital Door Lock for Keyless Entry

Few household annoyances beat standing at the front door with a bag of groceries, a sleeping toddler, and keys buried at the bottom of a purse. A digital door lock replaces the key with a code, a fingerprint, a phone, or a mix of those, and it also lets you hand out entry to a dog walker or a relative without cutting copies. The trade-off is that a lock is a security device, so reliability and installation fit matter more than flashy features.

The six locks below cover keypad deadbolts, touchscreen models, and Wi-Fi smart versions. Each review sticks to what the product name tells you, so use the buying rules in this guide to confirm door fit, connectivity, and power before ordering. As of 2026, the most common mistakes are measurement mismatches and assuming every smart lock works with every home system, so those checks come first. Spend a few minutes measuring the door and noting your router’s location, and the shopping that follows becomes far easier and returns become rare.

Quick Picks

How to Choose

Confirm the Door and Bolt Fit

Most US residential doors are between 1 3/8 and 2 inches thick and have a 2 1/8 inch bore hole, with either a 2 3/8 or a 2 3/4 inch backset. Measure those numbers before you buy, since most locks fit standard doors but not unusual ones. Some retrofit models keep your existing deadbolt and replace only the interior part, which is helpful if you rent or want to keep your keyed exterior.

Decide How You Want to Unlock

Keypads work for guests and kids who have no phone, touchscreens and fingerprint readers are quicker but depend on clean contacts, and phone unlocking suits tech-comfortable households. Look for a lock that keeps a physical key backup or a way to power it from outside with a battery, so a dead battery never locks you out. A good rule of thumb is to enable at least two methods.

Check Connectivity and Smart Home Support

Wi-Fi locks connect directly to your router and allow remote control, while Bluetooth locks need to be near the door and Z-Wave or Zigbee models need a hub. If you use a voice assistant or a smart home platform, verify that the lock is listed as compatible. Wi-Fi locks drain batteries faster than Bluetooth-only models, so plan on checking them more often.

Look at Power, Security Ratings, and Alerts

Most digital locks run on four AA batteries and warn you when power is low. Look for an ANSI/BHMA grade, with Grade 1 the most robust and Grade 2 good for homes. Auto-lock, tamper alerts, and activity logs add real value, and so does a hardware backup such as a key. Avoid any lock that has no way to open the door after the batteries die.

Our Picks Reviewed

Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt

Schlage is a long-established lock maker, and this listing names Wi-Fi and deadbolt, so it combines a full replacement deadbolt with direct network connection and no separate hub in the name.

• Pro: Built-in Wi-Fi means you can control the lock remotely without buying a separate hub, which simplifies setup.
• Pro: A deadbolt format from a traditional lock maker is a familiar, solid choice for exterior doors.
• Con: Wi-Fi connection can use more battery than non-networked locks, so you will need to monitor the power level.

Skip it if your router coverage near the front door is weak, because remote features depend on a steady connection. Confirm the door fit before you buy. It is also worth checking that your Wi-Fi band is supported, since many smart locks connect only to the common 2.4 GHz band and will not join a network that is limited to a faster one.

Yale Assure Lock 2

Yale is another established lock brand, and Assure Lock 2 is the second generation of that line, suggesting an updated version of a proven design.

• Pro: A second-generation product from a lock specialist usually builds on feedback from the earlier model.
• Pro: The Assure line is known for offering different entry options such as keypads and touchscreens, giving buyers a choice.
• Con: The name does not state the connectivity or finish, so you must pick the right variant on the product page.

Skip it if you want a single fixed configuration and no choices. Variants differ, so read the listing carefully. Families with older relatives or young children often prefer the keypad variant, because nobody has to carry a phone or remember an app login to get inside.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

August makes smart locks that are known for fitting over an existing deadbolt, and this listing says Wi-Fi smart lock, so it combines that approach with a direct network connection.

• Pro: A smart lock that works with the deadbolt you already have means less drilling and a quicker install for many doors.
• Pro: Wi-Fi support means remote lock and unlock without an additional bridge.
• Con: A retrofit design relies on your existing deadbolt, so a worn or stiff lock will not improve with this device.

Skip it if you want a keypad on the outside of the door. A keypad lock replaces the entire deadbolt for that purpose. Renters should still ask the landlord before changing anything on an exterior door, even when the install is reversible.

Kwikset Halo Touchscreen

Kwikset is a widely known lock maker, and this listing is the Halo line with a touchscreen, so you enter your code on a screen rather than physical buttons.

• Pro: A touchscreen keypad can look cleaner and more modern than a button keypad.
• Pro: Code entry works for guests and family who do not have a phone, which keeps everyone able to get inside.
• Con: Touchscreens can be harder to use with wet or gloved hands, and screens may show smudges over time.

Skip it if you live in a very wet or cold climate where touchscreens are awkward. A physical button keypad may serve better. Rinse off any salt, dust, or sunscreen residue now and then, since a dirty screen can register touches poorly, and keep a spare key in a safe place.

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro

Ultraloq makes smart locks that often combine multiple entry methods, and the U-Bolt Pro name suggests a bolt-style lock in a higher tier of the lineup.

• Pro: A lock that offers several unlocking methods gives a household flexibility for children, guests, and tech-comfortable adults.
• Pro: A Pro tier suggests more features than a basic model, which appeals to buyers who want more options.
• Con: More features mean more setup, and you may need to configure several unlock methods during installation.

Skip it if you want a lock you can simply screw on and ignore. Simple models are easier to set up and maintain. It helps to test each unlock method from outside with the door open before you rely on it, then close the door and test again.

Wyze Lock

Wyze makes connected smart home gear, and this listing is simply named Wyze Lock, which signals a straightforward smart lock for the Wyze ecosystem.

• Pro: A plainly named smart lock from a smart-home brand fits easily into a household that already uses that brand’s devices.
• Pro: A simple product line usually means a clear setup path and fewer options to confuse a first-time buyer.
• Con: A basic smart lock may lack some of the extra options that dedicated lock manufacturers offer.

Skip it if you want a traditional lock brand with a long keyed-hardware history and many finish options. Homeowners who want the lock to match existing door hardware, such as hinges and handles, should check which finishes are offered before choosing.

Which One Fits

• Remote control with no hub: Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt or August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
• Keypad entry for family and guests: Yale Assure Lock 2 or Kwikset Halo Touchscreen.
• Multiple unlock methods: Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro.
• Renters and keep-your-deadbolt buyers: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
• Existing smart-home brand fans: Wyze Lock, especially if other devices from the same maker already live in the house.
• Households with kids and guests: any keypad-first model, so nobody needs a phone to get inside.

Common Mistakes

1. Skipping door measurements, then discovering the lock does not fit the bore or backset.
2. Relying on Wi-Fi alone with no keypad or key backup.
3. Ignoring battery warnings until the lock stops responding.
4. Giving out a permanent code to a short-term guest and never changing it, which leaves a forgotten code active for months.
5. Buying a lock that does not work with the smart home system you already use.

FAQ

Are digital door locks secure?

Good ones are, particularly those with a solid bolt and a strong rating. The weak point is often the door frame, so check that too. A long strike plate with 3-inch screws that reach the wall stud does more against forced entry than most electronic features, and it costs very little.

What happens when the batteries die?

Most locks warn you early and offer a backup key or an external battery contact. Never buy a lock without one of these. Replace the batteries as soon as the low-power warning appears, and keep a spare set in a drawer so you are never caught without them.

Can I install one myself?

Many are designed for DIY installation with a screwdriver. A little prep helps, such as measuring the door first.

Will a smart lock help with package and visitor security?

It gives you activity logs and guest codes. For a full home setup, you might also look at the best curtains for privacy and the best digital frame for grandparents for a family-friendly addition.

Should I keep a spare key?

Yes, keep one with a trusted neighbor or relative. Pair that with a backup of important home documents, using the guide to data storage devices.