Keypad Door Locks That Make Spare Keys Obsolete

The spare key under the flowerpot is the weakest part of most front doors, and a keypad lock exists to retire it. Instead of carrying metal, you enter a code, and you can give the dog walker, a cleaner, or a relative a code of their own without cutting a copy. The trade-off is that you are now responsible for batteries, firmware, and a lock that must keep working when the power or Wi-Fi does not.

This guide compares six keypad and touchscreen deadbolts by what their names say, then explains how to check door fit, battery life, and security grading. As of 2026, the choice is mostly between a basic keypad deadbolt and a connected smart lock. The picks below add category-level pros and cons without inventing specifications that the names do not state.

Quick Picks

How to Choose

Confirm door and bore compatibility

Most residential doors have a 2-1/8 inch bore hole, a 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thickness, and a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset. Measure all three before you buy. Some smart locks replace only the deadbolt and keep your existing handle, while others replace the full handleset. Fit matters more than features, because a lock that sits crooked will bind and fail early. Also check that the door closes squarely: if you have to lift or push the door to throw the bolt, fix the hinges and strike alignment first, since a smart motor will strain against that friction and drain batteries quickly.

Look at security grading

The ANSI/BHMA grading scale runs from Grade 3 to Grade 1, with Grade 1 the most robust and Grade 2 enough for most homes. Check the box or listing for the grade, along with the bolt throw and strike plate. A keypad does not replace a strong strike plate, so upgrade it with long screws that reach the wall stud.

Plan for power, backup, and connectivity

Battery-powered locks typically use four AA batteries and warn you when they run low. Look for a backup such as a physical key or a terminal for a nine-volt battery to wake the keypad when batteries die. Wi-Fi locks let you check status remotely but add a dependency on your network, while Bluetooth-only locks are simpler and reach only nearby phones.

Think about access codes and logs

The more users you have, the more you need multiple codes. A good rule of thumb is a lock that stores at least 30 codes and lets you set temporary or scheduled codes for guests. Activity logs help you see who arrived, but check whether they require a hub or subscription. Choose codes that avoid birthdays and sequences. Longer codes of six digits or more are harder to guess, and a lock with an anti-peek feature that lets you add extra digits around the real code helps if someone watches you enter it from behind.

Our Picks Reviewed

Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt

Smart, WiFi, and Deadbolt in one name tell you the form factor and the connectivity.

• Pro: Wi-Fi in the name suggests you can manage codes and check lock status without a separate hub.
• Pro: a deadbolt format from a long-established lock brand means the core mechanism is a familiar type.
• Con: network-connected locks depend on a stable home Wi-Fi signal near the door, and they draw more battery than offline models.

Skip it if your router is far from the front door or you do not want any connected device guarding your home. It suits households that share access with several people and like to manage codes from a phone. Test the signal at the door before installing. Stand outside with your phone and check that the connection holds with the door closed, since metal doors and thick walls can weaken Wi-Fi, and consider a range extender if the signal drops.

Yale Assure Lock 2

The 2 in the name implies an updated model within a lock family.

• Pro: a refreshed model from a lock specialist suggests the design has been revised from the earlier generation.
• Pro: a dedicated lock brand usually offers several finishes and keypad or touchscreen options, which helps match door hardware.
• Con: the name alone does not specify connectivity, so you need to confirm which version you are buying.

Skip it if you want a name that clearly states Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, since you will need to check the version. It suits homeowners who want a smart-lock family with several finishes. Compare the finish to your existing handles and confirm bore sizes. Because model names that end in a number often hide several variants, read the listing for the exact connectivity and keypad style, and confirm that the variant you pick works with the assistant or app you already use.

Kwikset Halo Touchscreen Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Touchscreen and Wi-Fi are both stated, so this is a connected lock with a screen instead of buttons.

• Pro: a touchscreen keypad can look sleek and removes physical buttons that wear down over time.
• Pro: Wi-Fi in the name suggests remote status checks and code management through an app.
• Con: touchscreens can be harder to use with wet or gloved hands, and screens may show fingerprints.

Skip it if you live somewhere with heavy rain or cold winters and want large, tactile buttons. It suits people who like a modern look and want app control. Keep spare batteries on hand and learn the backup key location before relying on it. In cold climates, check how the screen behaves with gloves and in freezing temperatures, and think about whether a covered entry will keep rain off the display during storms.

Schlage BE365 Camelot Keypad Deadbolt

Keypad and deadbolt are the two key words, with no smart label in the name.

• Pro: a plain keypad deadbolt avoids the network setup and works with codes you enter at the door.
• Pro: a simpler design has fewer features that can fail, which suits people who value straightforward operation.
• Con: without smart features, you cannot check or change codes from your phone, so you must be at the door.

Skip it if you want remote access or guest codes set from a distance. It suits a rental, a back door, or a home where the owner wants an uncomplicated lock. Choose a finish that matches the handle, and change the default programming code on day one. Write the new code on a card kept somewhere secure inside, not on the lock, and plan to test the deadbolt from both sides several times before shutting the door behind you for the first time.

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock

Pro and Smart tell you it sits in a higher tier of a smart lock line.

• Pro: a Pro tier from a smart-lock brand suggests more entry options than a basic keypad lock.
• Pro: smart connectivity supports code management and sharing with other users.
• Con: a feature-rich lock has more settings to learn, and the name does not specify which entry methods are included.

Skip it if you want a single, simple way to open the door. It suits households with several users and a taste for gadgets. Read the specification sheet to confirm which entry methods are included before ordering. Disable entry methods you will not use, since each one is another way in, and review who has been given access every few months so old guest codes do not linger.

eufy Security Smart Lock Touch

Touch and Smart together point to a connected lock with touch-based entry.

• Pro: a security-camera brand entering locks often designs for integration with its own ecosystem, which can simplify setup if you already use it.
• Pro: touch entry means you can open the door without a key or a phone.
• Con: ecosystem-focused products tie you to the brand’s app, and the name does not say how it works without the app.

Skip it if you want to avoid brand ecosystems or prefer to mix devices from different makers. It suits people who already use the brand’s cameras or doorbell. Check compatibility with your assistant and test the lock several times before locking the spare key away. Keep the app updated, since firmware patches are a main way a connected lock stays secure, and decide beforehand what you will do if the brand’s servers are ever unavailable.

Which One Fits

• Remote code management: Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt or Kwikset Halo Touchscreen Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
• Simple, no-network door: Schlage BE365 Camelot Keypad Deadbolt.
• Many users and entry options: Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock.
• Already in a brand’s camera ecosystem: eufy Security Smart Lock Touch.
• A newer-generation lock family: Yale Assure Lock 2.

Common Mistakes

1. Not measuring the bore, backset, and door thickness before ordering.
2. Leaving the default programming code in place after setup.
3. Using a short strike plate screw that never reaches the stud.
4. Ignoring low-battery warnings until the keypad dies.
5. Choosing predictable codes such as birthdays or 1234.

FAQ

What happens if the batteries die?

Most keypad locks give weeks of low-battery warning. If they die, a backup key or a nine-volt contact can power the keypad temporarily.

Are keypad locks secure?

A properly graded lock with a strong strike plate is secure for most homes. Pair it with lighting, such as a smart lighting system that turns on when the door opens.

Can I use a keypad lock on a rental?

Many models replace only the deadbolt and can be swapped back. Ask the landlord and keep the original hardware.

How often should I change codes?

Change them after a contractor or guest finishes, and review the code list a few times a year.

Does a keypad lock help during the holidays?

It helps with delivery and guest access while you are out decorating, and a porch display from our icicle lights guide makes the entry easy to find after dark.