We Spent Over 3,000 Hours Testing Door Locks—These Made Our Homes Feel Safer

Schlage’s Camelot Keypad Deadbolt came out on top because of its simple, user-friendly interface, long battery life (up to two years), and how incredibly safe we feel with it guarding our front door. 

While testing, we found it exceptionally easy to set up and use. It comes with pre-programmed 4-digit codes for quick setup, but we set up our own codes. It feels secure, and we like that it doesn’t require any door modifications—it fits our standard door perfectly. 

To unlock the door, just type in your code and turn the knob. The keypad flashes green for a correct code and red for an incorrect one, so there’s no guesswork. We also love that it comes with a spare key for backup and can store up to 19 unique codes, making it ideal for hosting, Airbnb guests, pet sitters, and other rotating access needs.

Though it doesn’t have smart home features or remote access, this model shines in its simplicity. It’s battery-powered (lasting up to two years), has a straightforward keypad, and is fuss-free, practical, and reliable. Plus, you can’t beat the keyless convenience and budget-friendly price.

_{Type: Electronic deadbolt | Grade: ANSI Grade 2 | Finish: Bronze, antique brass, antique pewter, bright brass, matte black, satin chrome, satin nickel}

We love that the Kwikset Keypad doesn’t overcomplicate things, yet still boasts impressive little details. Our favorite thing about it is the manual bypass lever for keeping the door unlocked—perfect for parties or heavy foot traffic. We also found it impressive that the door lever is reversible, so you can install it on a left-hand door; that keeps it flexible for exterior doors and patios.

There’s a built-in rekeying feature (SmartKey) and you can store up to 30 different codes, making this a great pick for busy households with kids, roommates, or frequent guests. Corey Friedman, director of the California Institute of Locksmithing and forensic locksmith, adds, “Keypads are the wave of the future because it’s so easy to remove a user’s code when they move out.”

Installation is straightforward—it only required a screwdriver (though a screw gun helped speed things up), and an Allen wrench is included in the box. Programming the keypad took just a few simple steps.

Design-wise, it has a slightly bulkier appearance than others we tested, but still looks polished and fits well on a standard door. The keyless locking and unlocking is simple: just press the Kwikset button, enter your code, and go. It also comes with a traditional key for backup in case keyless entry fails or the battery runs out.

While it doesn’t have smart home connectivity and the strike plate required some manual adjustments so the lock could turn smoothly, these were minor quips compared to its overall performance and how safe and secure we felt with this lock on our door. 

_{Type: Electronic Keypad | Grade: ANSI Grade 2 | Finish: Matte black, chrome, nickel, bronze}

The Yale Approach Smart Lock with Wi-Fi is excellent if you’re looking for a retrofit-style smart lock, painless installation, and easy entry without fumbling for a physical key. Despite being keyless, it still offers a great middle ground between that convenience and a traditional key in case of battery failure or malfunction. This lock also replaces only the interior deadbolt, so you can keep your existing key setup and just add a sleek, keyless part.

Installation took only about 20 minutes and required just a screwdriver. We like that the lock comes with a scannable QR code, which opens up step-by-step instructions and videos—incredibly helpful if you’re a visual learner. Though the adhesive to secure the external keypad didn’t hold perfectly at first, once reinforced, it stayed in place, even on a metal door.

The keypad is intuitive and makes coming and going seamless—no more fumbling for keys or worrying about getting locked out. Through the app, we were able to add temporary or permanent guest codes and set time limits for access.

While the app has proximity-based unlocking and an activity log, we found the log would lag sometimes, and remote access wasn’t always reliable. Still, we enjoyed being able to monitor if the door was locked or unlocked, even without full remote functionality; it was an additional peace of mind. 

_{Type: Keyless electronic touchscreen | Grade: ANSI Grade 2 | Finish: Black, silver}

During testing, we felt that this was one of the best lock systems—it’s reliable, safe, and incredibly accurate. What makes it truly versatile are the multiple unlocking options (you can use a code or physical key), but we were especially taken by the fingerprint sensor option. It’s so easy to use and added another level of security for us, knowing that we were the only ones who could unlock our door.

We especially loved the “decoy code” feature that lets you enter extra digits before or after your real PIN to keep peeking onlookers clueless. Plus, with the “U Home” app, locking up can be as easy as a voice command. 

You can set it to auto-lock the door after 30 seconds if you forget to lock manually and receive instant notifications to keep you in the loop whenever the door is unlocked—an incredible feature for those living with kids or the elderly. 

The door lock’s integration with our Siri smart home system and smart lights was smooth. We also liked the customizable sound settings, so you can bring it down to quieter operation when neighbors are close by. 

Installation took about 20 minutes, guided by clear instructions and a helpful video tutorial. The lock’s slightly larger size compared to traditional handles doesn’t affect fit or function, so it works with most standard doors. Plus, it has temporary access codes for guests and a long battery life.

_{Type: Biometric keypad | Grade: ANSI Grade 1 | Finish: Black, white}

If you want a smart lock that feels futuristic but is still family-friendly, the Kwikset Halo Touch is hard to beat. While testing, we discovered plenty of features within the fingerprint-powered deadbolt that helped us feel safe in our homes, including remote access, a timed auto door lock schedule, the ability to connect to smart home systems, and more. It gave us greater flexibility without compromising security.

During testing, even a power outage didn’t stop the Halo Touch from performing, thanks to battery-powered operation and manual key backup. And if you have a smart home, the lock syncs perfectly with Alexa.

But what sets this door lock apart is the biometric fingerprint reader. There’s no keypad, and you can skip keys and passcodes entirely and just tap your finger to unlock the door—this makes it perfect for kids who aren’t familiar with inputting codes yet or when you’re juggling groceries. 

We especially like how the app lets you manage fingerprint access for multiple users, set up geofencing to auto-unlock as you arrive, and monitor battery life and lock activity. The geofencing is our favorite feature: It detects your proximity and unlocks the door when you arrive. 

Installation was simple, guided by a setup process through the Kwikset app that even smart-home beginners can follow. After setup, the lock performed flawlessly, both wirelessly and manually. We also liked its sleek, square silhouette, which isn’t as bulky as our best keypad pick.

Overall, between the smooth fingerprint access, geofencing, and secure remote control, we think this lock has incredible functions that instantly make us feel safer and more secure. 

_{Type: Biometric keypad | Grade: ANSI Grade 1 | Finish: Matte black, satin nickel}

If you’re juggling multiple users, schedules, and smart home devices, the Yale Assure Lock 2 strikes the ideal balance between high-tech and everyday practicality. In daily use, the lock really impressed us with its adaptability. 

Our tester’s kids use different methods of entry with the lock, depending on their needs: the younger child uses the fingerprint reader (which perfectly recognizes small prints), while the older one has the door unlock with geofencing (which detects your physical proximity and automatically unlocks when you’re close by) when they return. 

This feature, for each person having their access code to unlock and lock the door remotely (as long as they’re connected to the app and the lock is connected to Wi-Fi), is one of our favorite attributes. 

We also loved the extras, like the auto-lock feature that engages after a set time and an ajar door sensor that alerts us if the door wasn’t shut completely—very useful in a household with energetic kids constantly running in and out. It integrates smoothly with Amazon Alexa for voice-controlled locking and unlocking. We even set up a morning routine so the door unlocks automatically as the kids leave for school with the dog in tow.

The illuminated keypad is responsive, easy to read at night, and includes audible feedback when numbers are pressed, so there’s no second-guessing your input.

We installed it within 45 minutes on our existing doorware, connected it to Wi-Fi via the Yale Access app, and customized how each person would access the home, whether by fingerprint, geofencing, or app control. The app also lets you assign temporary 4-digit codes to guests, with expiration times for security. 

While the lock is slightly bulkier than a traditional deadbolt, it blends in cleanly on the door. With fingerprint access (our favorite), app-based control, geofencing, and temporary access codes for guests, pet sitters, and family, it makes coming and going smoother for everyone in the house. 

_{Type: Deadbolt | Grade: ANSI Grade 2 | Finish: Black, magenta (limited edition), bronze, satin nickel}