Smart locks: keypad, fingerprint or app control?

Retrofit or full replacement

A retrofit lock keeps your existing deadbolt and turns the inside thumbturn. It takes minutes to fit and suits rentals. A full replacement swaps the deadbolt itself, which lets you pick the build grade of the lock, but it needs to match the door's bore and backset.

Entry methods and who needs them

Keypads suit shared access, since you can give a code to a visitor and change it afterwards. Fingerprint readers are fast for the people who live there, though wet hands, gloves or worn fingertips change the result. An app is convenient for remote access, but it is the slowest way through the door in the rain. Most locks combine two of these, and the physical keyway still matters as a fallback.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi models connect directly and let you control them from anywhere, but radios that stay awake drain batteries faster. Bluetooth, Thread and hub-based locks save power and usually need a bridge or a compatible hub for remote access. Check what your home already has before choosing.

Power and failure modes

Look for the rated battery life, a low-battery warning, and a mechanical key override or external power contacts so a flat battery does not lock you out. Confirm the lock's security grade, since the electronic side does not compensate for a weak bolt.

How we compare them

Our comparison rows cover installation type, entry methods, connectivity and battery. See the smart lock comparison.