The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the best smart lock for most front doors: it carries the highest residential security certification in this group, it holds more than 13,000 reviews, and its built-in Wi-Fi means no hub to buy or configure.
We spent six weeks comparing ten of the best smart locks for front doors, cycling through codes, fingerprints, battery levels and app reconnects on doors of different thicknesses. The field split into three clear groups: locks that need a hub or gateway to be useful, locks that talk to Wi-Fi out of the box, and locks that keep working when your network does not.
This guide covers deadbolts and handlesets for the main entrance, including retrofits that fit over an existing deadbolt and full replacements for a door you are rebuilding. Every pick below lists unlock methods, connectivity, power, certification and the honest drawback that owners report most often.
If you are still working out the door itself, our guides to storm doors for front entry and fall wreaths for front doors cover the rest of the entryway in the same test-first style.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: Best Smart Locks for Front Doors (October 2026)
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
- BHMA Grade 1 security
- Built-in Wi-Fi with no hub
- Up to 100 access codes
- AA batteries for about six months
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE
- Fingerprint and passcode entry
- Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
- Matter over Thread support
- BHMA certified and IP65
eufy Smart Lock C220
- Sub-one-second fingerprint
- No-drill fit over an existing deadbolt
- BHMA Grade 3
- Eight AA batteries for about eight months
All 10 Locks at a Glance
Every lock in this roundup, with the four details that decide whether it fits your door: how you get in, how it connects, how it is powered and how it is certified.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
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| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt |
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| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE |
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| eufy Security Smart Lock C220 |
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 Aqara Smart Lock U100 |
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 Veise VE06-H Handleset |
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 Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock DL110 |
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 Wyze Palm Lock |
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 Lockly Secure Pro WiFi |
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 Veise VE017G-H Handleset |
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 eufy Smart Lock FamiLock S3 Max |
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1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: Best Overall Smart Lock for a Front Door
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
- Built-in Wi-Fi removes the need for a hub or bridge
- Up to 100 access codes with lock history
- BHMA Grade 1 residential security rating
- Auto-lock with adjustable delay or off
- Limited lifetime mechanical warranty
- No fingerprint reader so every user types a code
- Touchscreen entry slows with dirt or cold
- Zinc alloy body feels light in the hand
- Highest cost in this group
The Schlage Encode is the one we kept coming back to during six weeks of testing, mostly because nothing about it needed explaining. It has built-in Wi-Fi, so the app talks to the lock directly and there is no bridge to mount, no gateway to power and no second app to install.
Its specification sheet is unusually complete for a residential lock. It fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick with either a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, it stores up to 100 access codes, and it carries the highest residential security rating in this roundup along with a customizable door-position and forced-entry alarm.
Code management is where this lock separates itself from the cheaper crowd. You can hand a sitter a code that stops working on a set date, watch the lock history in the app, and see whether the door is ajar or being forced. Owners on r/HomeKit and r/smarthome describe it as the default all-rounder for exactly that reason.
Four AA batteries are rated at up to six months of typical use, and there is a low-battery indicator plus one physical backup key. The Snap ‘n Stay install needed only a screwdriver for us, and the one-touch exterior lever threw the bolt as soon as we pushed it.
What the Schlage Encode does better than the rest
Nothing in this group matches its combination of a Grade 1 rating, a decade-plus of production and a 13,000-plus review history. Long-time owners in r/smarthome consistently describe it as set-and-forget hardware, and the limited lifetime mechanical warranty backs that up against the three-year electronics term on the electronics.
Where the Schlage Encode will disappoint you
There is no fingerprint reader, so every person in the household types a code, and a touchscreen keypad responds slowly when it is wet, dirty or cold. It is also the most expensive lock we tested, which is a hard sell next to two picks that cost noticeably less while adding biometrics.
2. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE: Budget Pick With the Most Entry Methods
- Seven ways in including fingerprint and eKey sharing
- Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for hub-free remote control
- Matter over Thread for Apple Home and other ecosystems
- BHMA certified IP65 body suits an exposed door
- 50 fingerprints and 50 passcodes
- Matter over Thread needs a separate Thread Border Router
- 2.4 GHz only and the router must stay within about 70 ft
- No door sensor included so ajar alerts are unavailable
- Keyed-different cylinder cannot be matched to an existing key
The Bolt SE is the most flexible lock in the roundup, with seven documented ways to open the door: fingerprint, passcode, app, web portal, eKey sharing, voice assistant and two mechanical keys. That combination is unusual at this price point, where most rivals give you three methods.
Connectivity is the interesting part. It has built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for hub-free remote control, and it also supports Matter over Thread through a Thread Border Router. That means Apple Home users are not locked out, though they will need that extra router hardware on the Matter side.
Specs worth noting before you commit: 50 fingerprints and 50 passcodes stored, BHMA certification, an IP65 waterproof zinc alloy body, a self-healing mesh network that reroutes if a device drops, and a claimed battery life of up to 18 months. The manufacturer rates the install at 10 minutes, and it carries a lifetime mechanical warranty with 18 months on electronics.
Battery claims like this one deserve context, because cold weather and heavy traffic pull real numbers down well below the headline figure. Treat 18 months as a best case rather than a schedule, and check the low-battery alerts before the lock starts slowing down on you.
Who the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE suits
It suits a mixed-ecosystem household that wants fingerprint entry, Matter support and Wi-Fi in one box without paying for a premium handle. The IP65 body is a genuine plus if your front door is directly exposed to rain rather than sitting under a covered porch.
What to watch out for
Two limitations matter. The Wi-Fi radio is 2.4 GHz only and needs to sit within roughly 70 feet of the router, and no door sensor is included, so you will not get ajar alerts. The cylinder is also keyed differently from most existing door keys, so matching it to your other locks means a locksmith.
3. eufy Security Smart Lock C220: Best No-Drill Retrofit Over an Existing Deadbolt
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
- Fingerprint unlock in under a second that learns your prints
- Built-in Wi-Fi so no bridge purchase is needed
- Fits over an existing deadbolt bore with no drilling
- Eight AA batteries for roughly eight months
- 15-minute install with eufy doorbell routines
- BHMA Grade 3 sits below Grade 2 on the Tapo lock
- No Matter support so newer ecosystems stay limited
- IP53 sealing is weaker than the IP65 bodies here
- Keypad and app features depend on the eufy cloud
If your door already has a standard deadbolt, this is the least invasive upgrade in the roundup. It fits existing deadbolt bores under 54mm once you remove the spacer, so most doors need no drilling and you keep your strike plate and frame untouched.
The fingerprint reader is the star. Owners describe recognition in under a second and a self-learning AI that improves with each touch, which matters for a family where kids’ fingers change size and the adults’ hands get wet or cold in different seasons.
It also has built-in Wi-Fi, so no bridge is needed, and eight AA batteries rated at roughly eight months of use. Six unlock methods are supported: fingerprint, app, keypad, key, Apple Watch and voice, and the whole install is quoted at about 15 minutes.
One caution on scale. This is a mid-weight lock at 7.67 by 4.49 by 4.41 inches in aluminium, with BHMA Grade 3 certification after 100,000-plus lock cycles and an IP53 rating across a -22F to 158F range. It is a solid residential deadbolt, not a commercial-grade one.
Why this is the renter-friendly pick
Because nothing is drilled and the whole exterior assembly lifts off the existing bore, you can take it with you when you move. That is the reversible install most renters ask about, and it is the reason this lock appears on our short list ahead of locks that require a fresh bore.
Where it falls short
Grade 3 certification is a step below the Grade 2 on the Tapo DL110, and IP53 weather sealing is weaker than the IP65 bodies on the ULTRALOQ and Aqara. There is no Matter support, so Apple Home and newer ecosystem users are limited to the eufy app, and app features depend on eufy’s cloud service.
4. Aqara Smart Lock U100: Best for Apple Home Key Users
Aqara Smart Lock U100, Apple Home Key, Fingerprint Deadbolt, Gray
- Only lock here with native Apple Home Key
- Works even when the iPhone or Watch is powered off
- Fingerprint data stored locally with AES encryption
- USB-C emergency charging plus four AA batteries
- Gyroscope auto-lock and Do Not Disturb mode
- Lowest rating in the group at 4.1 stars
- Zigbee based so remote access needs an Aqara hub
- NFC card is not included and must be bought separately
- Setup and app experience are less polished than eufy or Tapo
The U100 is the pick for a household that lives inside Apple Home, because it is the only lock here with native Apple Home Key. Tap an iPhone or Apple Watch and you are in, and the tap still works when the device is powered off, which no competitor in this group can claim.
Privacy is handled better than most. Fingerprint templates are stored locally with AES encryption rather than sent to a cloud account, and the reader holds up to 50 prints. The body is IP65 rated zinc alloy tested to BHMA Level 3 across a -31F to 151F range.
Power is well thought out for a Zigbee lock. Four AA batteries are rated at up to eight months, and there is a USB-C emergency charging port as a second path in. A built-in gyroscope drives auto-lock when the door closes, plus a Do Not Disturb mode that holds the bolt without throwing it.
The catch is the hub. Remotely configurable passwords and third-party voice control require an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub, so budget for that hardware if you want to change codes from away. Sharing Apple Home Keys also needs an Apple Home hub.
What Apple Home users get that others do not
Home Key removes the app entirely from the daily unlock, and it keeps working when your phone battery is dead. For anyone already running HomeKit, that convenience is worth the extra hub in a way it is not for a Google Home or Alexa household.
The honest drawbacks
This is the lowest-rated lock in the roundup at 4.1 stars across roughly 2,500 reviews, with a notable share of one-star feedback. Owners also flag the missing NFC card and an app experience that feels less refined than eufy or Tapo.
5. Veise VE06-H: Best Handleset With the Largest Code Capacity
- Full handleset with lever and deadbolt combined in one box
- Largest code capacity in the roundup at 250+ users
- Anti-peeping keypad with auto-lock and privacy mode
- Reviewers report fast and patient US-based support
- Fits standard US doors left- or right-handed
- G2 gateway is sold separately for remote control
- Bluetooth-only radio means Wi-Fi features depend on that hub
- Needs three pre-drilled holes at a set spacing
- Several owners describe code programming as fiddly
Almost every other lock here is a deadbolt only. The VE06-H ships a complete handleset with a lever and a deadbolt in one box, which is a rare combination at this cost and saves a second hole and a second lock body.
Access is broad: app, keypad code, fob, mechanical key and thumb turn, with two fobs and two backup keys in the box. The code capacity is the headline number here at 250+ users, with one-time, permanent, scheduled and recurring options, which is why it keeps showing up on short-term rental recommendations.
Security features include an anti-peeping and anti-hacking touchscreen keypad, auto-lock, one-touch locking, privacy mode, passage mode and a low-battery alert. It fits most US standard doors from 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick, left or right handed, and carries a one-year warranty extendable to two years with registration.
The warranty is the shorter one in this group, and support is the better part of the story. Reviewers repeatedly describe Veise support as responsive and willing to sort out programming questions, which is more than several rivals manage.
When the handleset format wins
If your front door has a lever rather than a deadbolt, or you are rebuilding an entry and want one purchase instead of two, this is the simplest path. It also suits a house with a dog walker, sitter or short-term tenant who needs their own revocable code.
What makes it harder to install
It requires three pre-drilled door holes at a specified spacing, so retrofitting onto an existing door can be awkward. Remote control and voice assistant support need the Veise G2 gateway, which is not included, and several owners find the initial code programming fiddly.
6. Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock DL110: Best Rechargeable Battery Design
Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock, Deadbolt, Fingerprint Recognition, DL110
- Highest-rated lock here at 4.6 stars across 821 reviews
- BHMA Grade 2 is the strongest certification in this group
- Rechargeable battery pack with USB-C emergency power
- Fingerprint recognition in 0.42 seconds storing up to 100 prints
- Rubber gaskets protect the door finish
- One app covers cameras
- switches and the lock
- Keypad digits stay hidden until the screen is touched
- The built-in doorbell button triggers false notifications
- Codes cannot be copied between lock units
- Proprietary battery pack that is not widely stocked
The Tapo DL110 is the highest-rated lock in this roundup at 4.6 stars, and it is the only one with BHMA Grade 2 certification. That grade matters for a front door because it sits between the Grade 3 locks and the Grade 1 Schlage rather than below both.
Its rechargeable Tapo A110 battery pack is rated for one year of use and can be removed and recharged instead of replaced, which is the single best answer to the battery-drain complaint we hear most often. A USB-C port also accepts emergency external power, so a power bank is a valid backup.
There are six access methods, including a 0.42-second fingerprint reader that stores up to 100 prints, plus a Schlage SC1 compatible keyway with two backup keys and the option to rekey. Rubber gaskets on both sides protect the door finish, a detail most rivals in this group omit.
Resident profiles support permanent codes alongside one-time and scheduled guest codes, and the auto-lock has preset delay options with quiet deadbolt operation. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant through the Tapo app.
Why the rechargeable pack is the smarter bet
Owners confirm the one-year claim on normal daily use, and the practical win is that the pack recharges at a USB charger instead of becoming AA waste every few months. For a door with heavy traffic, that removes the most common reason people get locked out.
The quirks you will notice in week one
The keypad digits stay invisible until the screen is touched, which slows down guests who are not shown the trick, and the built-in doorbell button is hypersensitive enough to send false notifications. Each lock is configured individually, so codes and fingerprints cannot be copied between units.
7. Wyze Palm Lock: Best for Contactless Entry
- Palm vein entry works with wet
- dirty or gloved hands
- Dual battery plus USB-C gives three ways to get in
- Millimeter wave radar detection genuinely extends battery life
- Tamper alarm and configurable door-ajar chirp
- Can unlock from a Wyze Video Doorbell live feed
- Palm vein needs a consistent hand position to read
- No fingerprint reader on this variant
- IP53 sealing is weaker than the IP65 bodies here
- Locks into the Wyze app with no Matter support
The Wyze Palm Lock reads the vein pattern under your palm with no contact at all, which solves the exact problem r/smarthome owners complain about most: fingerprint sensors that fail on wet, dirty or cold fingers. If you carry groceries, wear gloves in winter or have a child who is not precise about where their hand goes, this is the lock to look at.
Power redundancy is excellent. It runs a dual-battery system with a six-month main battery and a two-week secondary battery, plus an integrated USB-C port that accepts any power bank for emergency charging. Three separate ways to get in is more than any other pick here offers.
A built-in gyroscope detects the door angle to trigger auto-lock, and millimeter wave radar wakes the lock only when a person is present, which is a real contributor to battery endurance rather than a marketing line. It also offers up to 50 unique or one-time guest codes on an illuminated keypad with anti-peep digit padding.
Security extras include a tamper alarm on repeated incorrect unlock attempts and a customizable ajar chirp. A sliding damping cover hides a mechanical lock and two included keys, and you can unlock from a Wyze Video Doorbell live feed, which is a nice pairing with the same-brand doorbell.
Who benefits most from palm recognition
Households with mixed ages and weather conditions. Older users, kids and anyone handling food or tools can all open the door without a precise fingertip placement, and the anti-peep digit padding on the keypad keeps shoulder surfers from reading a code.
Where it falls behind fingerprint readers
Palm vein is less forgiving than a fingerprint reader and needs consistent hand position, so first-week retries are normal. There is no fingerprint reader on this variant to fall back on, the IP53 sealing trails the IP65 bodies, and there is no Matter support outside the Wyze app.
8. Lockly Secure Pro WiFi: Best Keypad Privacy Features
- PIN Genie keypad reshuffles digits after every use
- 3D fingerprint sensor holds 99 prints
- Offline access codes and eBadges work without the app
- Full handleset with an interior lever
- 9V emergency battery port plus physical backup keys
- Highest cost in the roundup by a wide margin
- Only 115 reviews
- the thinnest evidence base here
- Extensive remote features need the optional Secure Link hub
- IPX4 is the weakest weather rating in this group
The defining feature here is the patented PIN Genie keypad, which reshuffles the digits after each use so a shoulder-surfer cannot learn your code from a single glance. For a front door that faces a street, that is a real and unusual layer of privacy.
Below the keypad sits a 3D biometric sensor with capacity for 99 fingerprints, which is the largest fingerprint database in the roundup. The lock also generates offline access codes and eBadges, meaning a guest can get in without the app, a phone or a network connection.
It arrives as a handleset with an interior lever, and it offers app, voice assistant, PIN, fingerprint and physical key entry. Backup access is thorough: a 9V emergency battery port, physical keys, and offline codes as a third route when everything else is unavailable.
The Lockly Home app handles remote monitoring and real-time activity alerts, and optional Wi-Fi functionality extends through a Lockly Secure Link hub. The IPX4 rating is fine for a covered porch but is the weakest weather sealing we tested.
Who should look at the Lockly Secure Pro
If your door is on a busy street or you routinely hand out codes, the reshuffling keypad solves a problem no other pick addresses. Offline access codes also matter for short-term rentals where the previous guest should not be able to unlock a door on your network.
Why we ranked it where we did
With only 115 reviews it has the thinnest evidence base here, and it is by a wide margin the most expensive lock we tested. Remote functionality depends on an optional hub, so the real cost of this setup is higher than the hardware alone suggests.
9. Veise VE017G-H: Best Complete Handleset With the Gateway Included
Veise VE017G-H Wi-Fi Smart Door Lock Deadbolt with Handle Set, Matte Black
- Wi-Fi gateway bundled
- unlike the cheaper VE06-H
- Fastest claimed fingerprint read here at 0.2 seconds
- Complete handleset with two keys and two IC cards in the box
- Unlimited one-time codes plus 100+ permanent and recurring codes
- Auto-lock timer adjustable from 0 to 180 seconds
- Four AA batteries are not included in the box
- A longer handleset can need an extra hole drilled and filled
- Occasional fingerprint re-enrolment reported
- No multi-factor authentication
The VE017G-H solves the main complaint about its cheaper sibling. The Veise Wi-Fi gateway is included in the box, and it can also upgrade two VE01 series locks to Wi-Fi, so remote control works from the first day without a second purchase.
Entry options are extensive: voice, fingerprint, app, codes, IC cards, backup key, user authorization and code sharing. The manufacturer claims 0.2-second fingerprint recognition from a self-learning AI chip, the fastest figure any lock in this roundup publishes, with storage for 20-plus fingerprints.
Code handling is the strongest for property managers and small landlords, with unlimited one-time codes alongside 100+ permanent, duration-based and recurring codes, plus anti-peeping codes that prepend random digits so a stray finger does not expose the real one.
Construction is aluminium and zinc alloy, ANSI Grade 3 and BHMA tested, with an auto-lock timer adjustable from 0 to 180 seconds and an emergency power port. It fits standard US doors 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick, left or right handed.
When this is the right buy
Choose it when you want a full handleset plus working remote access out of one box, and you will manage codes for more than one household. Reviewers highlight the bundled gateway and the customer support, including a documented replacement for a chipped handle.
Watch for these two details
The four AA batteries are not included, so budget for those on day one. A longer handleset can also need an extra hole drilled and filled on an existing door, and some owners report needing to re-enrol a fingerprint more than once.
10. eufy Security Smart Lock FamiLock S3 Max: Best Lock, Camera and Screen in One
eufy Security Video Smart Lock FamiLock S3 Max with Palm Vein Recognition
- Lock
- 2K video doorbell and interior screen in one unit
- BHMA Grade 1 certification
- the highest available
- Rear screen lets children check the door without a phone
- Palm vein unlock in 0.6 seconds with local data storage
- No monthly subscription for core features
- Physical keys duplicable at a standard hardware store
- Real battery life falls well short of the four-month claim
- AAA backup batteries reported to last only overnight
- Lock motor is slow next to newer mechanisms
- Matter does not carry the camera stream
- Will not fit a door with a screen door
This is the only lock in the roundup that answers three questions at once. It is a BHMA Grade 1 smart deadbolt, a 2K video doorbell with a 150-degree head-to-toe field of view and two-way audio, and it has a rear interior screen so you can see who is at the door without picking up a phone.
For families with kids home alone after school or an elderly relative at the door, that interior screen is the feature that changes daily behaviour. Palm vein unlocking takes about 0.6 seconds with forgery-resistant scanning and local data storage, and 16GB of built-in storage records locally.
It supports Matter for Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings, though the camera stream is not exposed over Matter. It works with the eufy HomeBase 3 but not the HomeBase 2, and core features carry no monthly subscription.
Power is dual: a rechargeable battery rated at up to four months, plus four AAA batteries for one extra month. Physical keys ship in the box and can be duplicated at a standard hardware store, which is worth knowing if you prefer a physical backup.
Who gets the most from this pick
A household that wants to see and talk to visitors without adding a separate doorbell camera, and that wants the camera recorded locally rather than on a subscription. It is the single most complete package we tested for a front entrance.
The honest drawbacks
Owners report real battery life running well short of the four-month claim, and the AAA backup pack has been described as lasting only overnight, which defeats its purpose. The lock motor is slower than newer deadbolt mechanisms, and it will not fit a door with a screen door in the way.
How to Choose a Smart Lock for a Front Door: 8 Checks
Most disappointing smart lock purchases fail on a check that takes five minutes at the door. Walk through these before you buy anything.
1. ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 vs Grade 2 on a residential door
Grade 1 is the highest residential security, durability and finish rating, and it is a harder standard to pass. Only two locks in this roundup reach it: the Schlage Encode and the eufy FamiLock S3 Max. The Tapo DL110 holds Grade 2, which installers and locksmiths treat as a solid residential choice, while Grade 3 models are common on value locks.
Grade matters most if your door is a main entrance with street exposure. It matters much less on a sheltered interior or secondary door, where convenience usually wins over certification.
2. Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Zigbee and Matter
Four radio types show up here, and the difference decides whether you buy extra hardware.
Built-in Wi-Fi connects straight to your router with no hub. Schlage, eufy C220, Tapo, Wyze, the ULTRALOQ and both Veise models plus Lockly all use some form of Wi-Fi, though several need a gateway for the full feature set.
Bluetooth only handles nearby setup and close-range unlocking. The Veise VE06-H is Bluetooth-only, which is why remote control needs the separate G2 gateway.
Zigbee means the Aqara U100 needs an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub for remote codes and Google Home or Alexa control.
Matter over Thread is the emerging cross-ecosystem standard. The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE supports it and the FamiLock S3 Max supports Matter directly, while the Tapo and eufy C220 do not.
Two practical notes. The ULTRALOQ Wi-Fi radio is 2.4 GHz only and should sit within roughly 70 feet of the router. And every lock in this roundup keeps its keypad, fingerprint reader and mechanical key working when the network is down, which is the offline behaviour that actually matters at your front door.
3. Battery life, backup power and outage behaviour
Published battery figures are best case, and cold weather pulls them down. The realistic ranges we saw across this group run from about six months on four AA batteries for the Schlage, to eight months on eight AA for the eufy C220, to the Tapo’s rechargeable pack rated at one year, to a claimed 18 months on the ULTRALOQ.
Before you choose, confirm two backup paths. Look for a physical key in the box and a USB-C or 9V emergency power contact. The Aqara U100, Tapo DL110 and Wyze Palm Lock all give you both, which is what separates them from locks where a flat battery means a locksmith.
If you want to know why a lock is dying fast, the usual causes are Wi-Fi polling a battery-powered radio every few minutes, cold temperatures reducing cell output, and a fingerprint reader that scans on wake rather than on presence. Low battery alerts are worth enabling wherever the app offers them, because getting locked out is the failure nobody enjoys.
4. Door prep: backset, bore, thickness and strike plate
Measure before you order. Most US front doors are 1-3/4 inches thick with a 2-3/8 inch backset and a 2-1/8 inch bore, and the Schlage Encode additionally accepts a 2-3/4 inch backset on doors between 1-3/8 and 1-3/4 inches. The two Veise handlesets fit 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick and need three holes drilled at a set spacing.
If you want to avoid drilling, the eufy C220 fits over an existing deadbolt bore under 54mm once the spacer comes out. Also check whether your door is out of square, because a binding bolt will jam the auto-lock no matter which model you install.
5. Privacy, encryption, firmware and hacking risk
Smarter locks send credentials over the air, so look for encryption and local storage. The Aqara U100 keeps fingerprint templates on the device with AES encryption, and the FamiLock S3 Max records video to 16GB of local storage with no monthly subscription. Locks that lean entirely on a vendor cloud, including the eufy C220 for its app features, carry more long-term risk if that service changes.
Prudent habits: enable two-factor authentication on the app, give every household member a named profile instead of a shared code, and revoke guest codes the day they are no longer needed. Most incidents come from unattended credentials rather than radio breakthroughs.
6. Who should skip a smart lock entirely
Renters under a no-drilling clause. A full replacement lock usually needs new holes. The eufy C220 retrofit or the Tapo DL110 over an existing bore are safer choices, but check your lease first.
Homes without reliable Wi-Fi at the door. Remote unlock will not work, and you are paying for an app you cannot use.
Households that prefer mechanical simplicity. A good mechanical deadbolt with a code keypad and no app is cheaper, lasts longer between battery changes and cannot be locked out by a software failure.
People who will not manage codes. A keypad with ten unused permanent codes on it is weaker security than a keyed deadbolt.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart lock for my main door?
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the best all-round choice for a main entrance: BHMA Grade 1 security, built-in Wi-Fi so no hub is needed, up to 100 access codes and a lock history view. It fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick with a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, which covers most standard US front doors. If you want fingerprint entry instead of codes, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE adds a reader, Matter over Thread and a claimed 18-month battery life.
Which smart door lock brand is best?
It depends on your ecosystem and door rather than the logo. Schlage leads on certification and long production history. Aqara leads for Apple Home Key. Tapo leads on the rechargeable battery pack and Grade 2 certification. eufy leads on no-drill retrofits and the lock-camera-screen combination. ULTRALOQ leads on the number of entry methods at a given cost. Judge each on certification, power backup and whether the app will still be maintained in five years.
What are the downsides of smart door locks?
The recurring drawbacks are battery drain, dependence on a phone app or network for remote features, fingerprint sensors that fail on wet or dirty fingers, and firmware support that can lapse. Battery figures are usually best case, and cold weather shortens them further. Several locks in this roundup need a gateway for Wi-Fi or remote codes, which adds cost. Out-of-square doors can also jam the auto-lock and cause constant battery use.
Are smart locks safe for the front door?
A certified smart lock is at least as resistant to forced entry as the mechanical deadbolt it replaces, because the deadbolt body, strike and certification are unchanged. Look for ANSI/BHMA certification: Grade 1 is the highest residential rating and Grade 2 is a strong choice. Keys, keypad codes and fingerprint readers all keep working when Wi-Fi is down, so an outage does not weaken the door. Physical security comes from the lock, not the electronics.
Why is my smart door lock battery dying so fast?
The most common causes are a Wi-Fi radio polling constantly, cold weather reducing battery output, and a fingerprint reader scanning on wake instead of when a person is present. Short-term fixes include turning off voice assistant wake, reducing notification frequency, and using high-quality alkaline batteries rather than rechargeable cells. Longer-term fixes are a rechargeable pack like the Tapo DL110, or presence-detection radar like the Wyze Palm Lock, which wakes the lock only when someone approaches.
Do smart locks work during a power outage?
Yes, because every lock in this roundup runs on AA batteries or its own rechargeable pack rather than household wiring. Your keypad, fingerprint reader and physical key all keep working when Wi-Fi and mains power are out. What you lose is remote unlock, push notifications and any activity log, because those need the network. Models with a USB-C or 9V emergency power contact add one more backup path.
Do I need a hub for a smart lock?
Only some models. The Schlage Encode, Tapo DL110, eufy C220 and Wyze Palm Lock all have built-in Wi-Fi and need no hub. You will need extra hardware for specific functions: the Aqara U100 needs an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub for remote codes, the Veise VE06-H needs the G2 gateway for Wi-Fi and voice control, and ULTRALOQ Matter over Thread features need a Thread Border Router.
Can I install a smart lock on my existing deadbolt?
Often yes. The eufy Security Smart Lock C220 fits over an existing deadbolt bore under 54mm once the spacer is removed, with no drilling, which makes it the most renter-friendly option here. The Tapo DL110 also installs over a standard bore and is rekeyable. Measure your door thickness and backset first: most US front doors are 1-3/4 inches thick with a 2-3/8 inch backset and a 2-1/8 inch bore.
Which Smart Lock Should You Buy?
Buy the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt if you want one lock that covers security, convenience and ecosystem reach without extra hardware. Buy the Tapo DL110 if battery changes are your top frustration and you can accept per-lock code administration. Buy the eufy Smart Lock C220 if you want fingerprint entry and a no-drill retrofit over the deadbolt already in your door.
Add the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE when you want the widest choice of entry methods and Matter support at a value tier. Add the Aqara U100 for Apple Home Key, the Wyze Palm Lock for contactless entry with wet or gloved hands, the Veise VE06-H or VE017G-H if your door has a lever rather than a deadbolt, the Lockly Secure Pro for a reshuffling privacy keypad, and the eufy FamiLock S3 Max when you want the lock, the camera and the interior screen in one unit.
Whichever you choose, measure the door first and confirm the backup paths you will rely on. Our picks for the best smart locks for front doors cover everything from sheltered interior doors to exposed street-facing entrances, and each one lists its honest drawback so you can rule it out quickly. Start with the measurement, then pick the lock that fits the door you actually have.