7 Keypad Door Locks Worth Installing This Year
The Schlage Encode Plus leads thanks to built in Wi-Fi, an ANSI Grade 1 body and no extra bridge. The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touchscreen suits homes that want a slim, key free face. The Kwikset Halo delivers similar app control for less outlay.
The Schlage Encode Plus is the keypad lock worth fitting first, with the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touchscreen close behind for a cleaner keyless look. The Kwikset Halo covers the value end. All three unlock by code, connect to a phone app and fit a standard door prep.
Choosing gets tricky because the keypad is only half the story: a lock can pair a great app with a weak bolt, or a strong bolt with a battery that drains in a season. We ranked these picks by published ANSI security grade, connectivity method, keypad style, stated battery life and what owners report about backset and door thickness fit.
Our top picks
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
A physical push button keypad pairs with Wi-Fi and a tap to unlock chip, so no hub or bridge needs buying separately. Schlage rates the body ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, the strongest residential category. Owners report the raised buttons stay readable in the dark and in gloves.
Pros
- Wi-Fi built in with no separate bridge
- Highest residential security grade available
- Tap to unlock works alongside code entry
Cons
- Larger interior housing than slimmer rivals
- Wi-Fi use shortens battery replacement intervals
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touchscreen
A flat capacitive touchscreen replaces buttons, and a key free version drops the cylinder entirely for the cleanest exterior here. Module bays add Wi-Fi, Z-Wave or Matter connectivity later instead of forcing a new lock purchase. Owners report the compact interior escutcheon suits narrow door stiles.
Pros
- Smallest exterior footprint in the group
- Connectivity module upgrades later without a new lock
- Key free option removes lock picking as a risk
Cons
- Touchscreen needs wiping in rain and dust
- Wi-Fi module is a separate purchase
Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Wi-Fi sits directly in the lock, paired with Kwikset SmartKey rekeying that resets the cylinder to a new key in under a minute. Code management, lock history and remote unlock all run from the Kwikset app without a hub. Based on specifications it covers most of what the premium picks offer at a lower outlay.
Pros
- SmartKey rekeying skips a locksmith visit
- No bridge or hub needed for remote access
- Backlit keypad stays easy to read at night
Cons
- Bulkier interior unit than slimmer rivals
- Owners report occasional Wi-Fi re-pairing
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro
A fingerprint reader joins the keypad, so family members who forget codes still get in with a thumb. App unlock, shared eKeys, a physical key and geofence auto unlock round out the entry methods. Owners report the reader is fast when dry but can need a second try with wet fingers.
Pros
- Fingerprint entry suits kids and guests
- Six separate access methods cover most situations
- Anti peep code entry blocks onlookers
Cons
- Wi-Fi requires buying the separate bridge model
- Reader accuracy drops when fingers are wet
Schlage BE365 Camelot Keypad Deadbolt
No radio, no app and no account define this code only deadbolt, exactly what some households want on a rental, shed or side door. It carries the same Grade 1 rating as Schlage’s connected flagship. One 9V battery runs it for a long stretch, and owners report it as the least fussy lock to live with.
Pros
- Nothing to update, pair or subscribe to
- Grade 1 body at a modest outlay
- Long battery intervals on a single 9V cell
Cons
- No remote access or usage history
- Codes must be programmed at the door itself
eufy Security Smart Lock C210
Keypad codes, a fingerprint sensor on some variants, Bluetooth app control and no monthly charge for stored access logs cover the basics well. It suits a first smart lock where remote unlocking is a nice extra rather than a requirement. Based on specifications, battery life ranks among the longest here.
Pros
- Low cost of entry with no subscription fees
- Long stated battery life
- Straightforward retrofit onto an existing bore
Cons
- Lowest security grade in this group
- Remote features need the separate bridge
Wyze Lock Bolt
A screwdriver is all this compact fingerprint and keypad deadbolt needs for install, leaving no wiring behind to remove at lease end. Bluetooth only connectivity means codes and prints get managed at the door or from a nearby phone. Owners report the small body suits doors with limited edge clearance.
Pros
- Simple to install and just as simple to reverse
- Fingerprint unlock at a low outlay
- Small footprint suits narrow doors
Cons
- No remote access of any kind
- No physical key override available
Before you buy
Measure your door before comparing keypad locks Nearly every failed keypad lock install comes down to fit, not electronics. Door thickness, the backset from edge to bore center and the bore diameter all need checking against the listing. Most picks here handle standard one and three eighths to one and three quarter inch doors with a 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inch backset, though thick storm doors and metal gates often need a specific model.
How much connectivity does a keypad lock actually need A code only lock like the Schlage BE365 never drops off the network, since it was never on one. Bluetooth locks let you manage codes from a phone at the door. Wi-Fi locks add remote unlock, guest codes on demand and an access log readable from work. Each step up costs battery life, so the lowest tier that solves the real problem is usually the right pick.
What ANSI security grade means for a front door ANSI/BHMA grades run from 3 up to 1, with Grade 1 taking the most force and cycles in standardized testing. Grade 1 bodies use longer bolts and heavier internals, which matters more than code count. Main entry doors on an occupied home deserve Grade 1 or a strong Grade 2, reinforced with three inch strike plate screws.
What happens when the batteries die Every pick here warns before power runs out, though people miss the beeps often enough. A physical key cylinder guarantees a way in when a lock has one. Key free models like the Yale variant and the Wyze Lock Bolt rely on external jump terminals or a spare key stored elsewhere, so deciding that fallback before install beats discovering it on a cold doorstep.
Side by side
| # | Model | Security grade | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Yale Assure Lock 2 Touchscreen | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 | Best for a key-free look | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 | Best value | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 | Best for fingerprint entry | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Schlage BE365 Camelot Keypad Deadbolt | ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 | Best for no app at all | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | eufy Security Smart Lock C210 | ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Wyze Lock Bolt | ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 | Best for renters | 8.0 | Check price |
Good to know
Are keypad door locks less secure than a normal deadbolt?
Not inherently. Security comes from the bolt, strike and door frame, the same parts a keyed deadbolt relies on. A Grade 1 keypad deadbolt resists force as well as its keyed equivalent, and a key free model removes lock picking as an attack route entirely.
How long do keypad lock batteries last?
Owners commonly report six to twelve months on a code only or Bluetooth lock, three to eight months on a Wi-Fi lock with frequent remote checks. Cold weather shortens this further, so a spare set of AA cells is worth keeping nearby.
Can I install a keypad lock myself?
Yes, when replacing an existing deadbolt, using only a Phillips screwdriver and twenty to thirty minutes. Cutting a fresh bore into a door that never had a deadbolt needs a hole saw and installation jig, or a locksmith.
Do keypad codes wear a visible pattern into the buttons?
Heavily used buttons can show wear over years that hints at the digits pressed most. Changing the code periodically and using a model with anti peep scrambling fixes both problems at once.
Will these locks work with Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home?
Support varies by connectivity tier. Wi-Fi models like the Schlage Encode Plus and Kwikset Halo generally integrate with voice assistants directly, while Bluetooth only locks usually need a bridge first.
Can I give a cleaner or dog walker a temporary code?
Yes, on any connected pick, setting a code active only on chosen days or one that expires after a date. Code only locks like the Schlage BE365 support extra user codes too, added and deleted at the keypad itself.
Do keypad locks still work when the internet goes down?
The keypad keeps working, since codes are stored on the lock itself rather than in the cloud. What stops is remote unlocking, notifications and the access log syncing until the connection returns.
Is a fingerprint reader worth paying extra for?
It helps most in households with children, older relatives or anyone who forgets codes. Readers work best with dry hands and grow less reliable when wet or cold, so treat fingerprint as a convenience layer on top of a code.
Best keypad lock for a rental where drilling isn’t allowed?
The Wyze Lock Bolt retrofits onto an existing deadbolt bore with just a screwdriver and reverses cleanly at lease end, leaving no wiring or extra holes behind.
Our take
The Schlage Encode Plus remains the safest pick for most front doors, pairing a Grade 1 body with Wi-Fi that skips the bridge. Choose the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touchscreen when a slim key free face matters more than raw grade, or the Kwikset Halo for app control without the flagship price. Households that never want an account at all should look straight at the Schlage BE365.
Marcus Chen
Marcus covered consumer electronics for enthusiast tech publications for six years before joining ChoiceCrest. He specializes in translating manufacturer spec sheets into plain-language buying advice, with a focus on audio, computing accessories and smart-home gear.
