Fumbling for keys in the dark, hiding spares under doormats, and rekeying locks every time someone loses a copy — traditional deadbolts create problems that technology solved years ago. The best keyless door lock lets you unlock your front door with a code, fingerprint, phone app, or voice command, while giving you complete control over who enters your home and when. Prices range from $50 for basic keypads to $350 for fully connected smart locks, and installation takes most homeowners under 30 minutes.
- Types of Keyless Door Locks
- Top 6 Keyless Door Locks
- Schlage Encode Plus — Best Overall
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — Best Retrofit
- Kwikset Halo Touchscreen — Best Mid-Range
- Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi — Best Fingerprint Lock
- Yale Assure Lock 2 — Best for Smart Home Integration
- Schlage Keypad Deadbolt BE365 — Best Budget
- Security Features That Matter
- Installation Guide
- Battery Life and Backup Plans
- Smart Home Integration
Types of Keyless Door Locks
Keyless locks fall into four categories, each with distinct advantages depending on your household needs and tech comfort level:
- Keypad deadbolts: Enter a 4 to 8-digit code on a physical button or touchscreen pad. No smartphone required. Battery-powered, lasting 6 to 12 months on standard AA or CR2 batteries. Simplest option for families and rental properties.
- Smart locks with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: Connect to your phone for remote locking, activity logs, guest codes, and voice assistant integration. Require a smartphone and usually a Wi-Fi hub or bridge for remote access.
- Fingerprint/biometric locks: Unlock with a registered fingerprint in under one second. Store 50 to 100 fingerprints on most models. No codes to remember or share.
- Retrofit smart locks: Replace only the interior thumb-turn of your existing deadbolt, keeping your current key as backup. Easiest upgrade path for renters or those who want minimal changes.
Top 6 Keyless Door Locks
These models represent the best combination of security, features, reliability, and value across different price points and use cases:
Schlage Encode Plus — Best Overall
Price: $280 to $330. Built-in Wi-Fi eliminates the need for a separate hub. Apple Home Key support lets iPhone users tap to unlock. ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 security rating (the highest residential grade). Stores up to 100 access codes with individual scheduling. The touchscreen keypad is responsive even in cold weather with gloves.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — Best Retrofit
Price: $200 to $250. Installs over your existing deadbolt in 10 minutes. Your original key still works as backup. Built-in Wi-Fi, auto-lock, auto-unlock based on phone proximity, and integration with Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit. Compact design that looks unobtrusive on the interior side of the door.
Kwikset Halo Touchscreen — Best Mid-Range
Price: $170 to $220. Built-in Wi-Fi with the Kwikset app for remote access. SmartKey Security allows rekeying in seconds if you ever need a physical key backup. ANSI Grade 2 security. Holds 250 user codes — ideal for Airbnb hosts or large families.
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi — Best Fingerprint Lock
Price: $180 to $240. Six unlock methods: fingerprint, keypad code, app, auto-unlock, shake to open, and mechanical key. Fingerprint sensor reads in 0.3 seconds with a false rejection rate under 1%. ANSI Grade 2 certified.
Yale Assure Lock 2 — Best for Smart Home Integration
Price: $200 to $280 depending on module. Modular design lets you choose Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Matter/Thread connectivity. Works with every major smart home platform. ANSI Grade 2 with a sleek, minimalist design available in five finishes.
Schlage Keypad Deadbolt BE365 — Best Budget
Price: $80 to $110. No smart features, no app, no Wi-Fi — just a reliable keypad deadbolt with 19 user codes. ANSI Grade 2 security. Runs on one 9V battery lasting up to 12 months. Perfect for homeowners who want keyless convenience without the complexity of a connected device.
Security Features That Matter
A keyless lock is only as secure as its weakest feature. Look for these protections when comparing models:
- ANSI/BHMA grading: Grade 1 is the highest (250,000 cycle rating, 10 strikes resistance). Grade 2 (400,000 cycles, 5 strikes) covers most residential needs. Avoid ungraded imports.
- Anti-tamper alarms: Built-in sensors detect forced entry attempts and trigger an 80+ decibel alarm.
- Wrong code lockout: The keypad disables for 30 to 60 seconds after 3 to 5 incorrect entries, preventing code-guessing attacks.
- Encryption: Smart locks should use AES-128 or AES-256 encryption for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication. Ask the manufacturer if this is not stated clearly in specs.
- Physical key backup: Most keyless locks include a keyhole for emergencies when batteries die. Models without a key backup should have an external 9V battery contact for emergency power.
Installation Guide
Nearly every keyless door lock fits a standard door prep — the same hole pattern as a traditional deadbolt. You need a Phillips screwdriver and about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Remove your existing deadbolt by unscrewing the interior cover plate and sliding out both sides.
- Insert the new latch assembly through the edge of the door. Ensure the latch face is flush with the door edge.
- Feed the cable connector (smart locks) or spindle (mechanical keypads) through the latch tailpiece from the exterior side.
- Mount the interior assembly, connect the cable, and tighten mounting screws until snug but not overtightened.
- Install batteries, test the locking mechanism several times with the door open, then program your first user code or fingerprint.
Battery Life and Backup Plans
Dead batteries are the number one concern with keyless locks. Most models use four AA batteries and last 6 to 12 months with normal use. Wi-Fi-connected locks drain batteries faster (4 to 6 months) than Bluetooth-only or offline keypad models (10 to 14 months).
Every quality keyless lock warns you when batteries are low — typically 2 to 4 weeks before they die. Some smart locks send push notifications to your phone. The best keyless door lock for forgetful homeowners includes both a low-battery warning and a 9V emergency terminal on the exterior, which lets you touch a battery to the contacts and enter your code even after internal batteries are completely dead.
Smart Home Integration
If you already use Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit, choose a lock that connects natively to your ecosystem. Voice commands like “Alexa, lock the front door” add genuine daily convenience. Automation routines can lock the door automatically at 10 PM, turn on porch lights when the door unlocks after sunset, or send alerts when specific user codes are entered — useful for knowing when kids arrive home from school.
