Keeping yourself, your family and your possessions safe is one of the fundamentals of life. After food, water, clothing, and warmth, security is usually the next sought-after thing. It is important, and that’s why we have compiled this best keypad door lock review for you. In our easy-to-follow guide, you will find a wealth of information on the best keypad door lock for you, presented in an easy-to-understand manner.
Technology has changed how security works enormously recently, now you can see who is at your front door even when you’re 1000 miles away, just by looking at your phone. We discuss and weigh these technological marvels against the lower-tech alternatives and hopefully give you enough for you to make the best choice.
There’s a dizzying number of smart door locks to choose from out there (trust us, we’ve just been and looked!), so we decided to make it simple for you, while still giving you a wide range of choices.
We hope you find the following guide useful, if you do, please don’t hesitate to bookmark this site and like our social media pages.
AT A GLANCE
Why Should You Trust Us?
We think you should trust us because we’ve just done loads and loads of work on the best keypad door lock in the land and would be very sad to see it wasted. After looking at dozens, we narrowed it down to 21, then to the Top Ten.
We worked our team of friendly volunteers hard on this one, spending over 50 hours weighing up the many different factors that make the best keypad door lock. It was sort of concerning how serious things got, but it was all for a good cause.
With our testing community of volunteers and staff, we were able to put the products through their paces in a variety of situations, very helpful in establishing a good all round lock. There was lots of feedback and input, and everyone had their say on the final list. It’s a fine list.
Let us just reassure you that we’re not here to promote any one product, that’s just not how we roll. What we’re here for is to give you the best choices on the market. And we think we’ve done our job pretty well, thank you very much.
With all this in mind, we assembled for you lucky readers the following Top Ten best keypad door lock review!
What is a Keypad Door Lock?
That’s a very good question. A keypad door lock allows an individual to have their own unique passcode or word that enables them to gain access to whatever is behind that door.
Unlike a key, which, if lost, copied or stolen, requires the (very expensive) lock to be changed, a keypad can have its access codes changed (often remotely) immediately, meaning anyone with the old passcode no longer has access. You could change the passcode every hour if you wanted, but that’s a bit James Bond for what we’re talking about here.
Keypad door locks can’t be picked or forced either, unlike a traditional key lock; you can smash them to bits and they won’t give up their secrets, or let anyone in.
The door has to be physically dismantled with the lock in place in order to gain entry without the passcode. That’s a lot of time and smashing sounds, enough time for the police to arrive. They’re an excellent deterrent to potential thieves.
The computer that manages the lock is usually held inside the building that it is secured, no thief can get access to the database from the keypad alone, they’d need the passcode for the keyless door lock.
Neat, huh?
Types of Keypad Lock
There are two general types of keypad locks: those that are part of a greater security system, or individual, stand-alone systems. An individual keypad lock is self-contained and has the controller and hardware contained in itself, as well as its own power supply, usually batteries. A bigger security system will pull power from some other point in the building.
Any keypad lock needs a power supply to work, this is for the keypad itself and for the bolt in the lock, which needs a small current to lock or unlock. When the correct code is keyed into the pad, the keypad releases the required electrical current to lock/unlock the door.
Who Are Keypad Door Locks For?
Keypad door locks are not just for the paranoid, they’re for the well informed, the sensible and the safety conscious. They might look a bit like overkill but they’re a tried and tested way of keeping your house or business safe. Why else would they be all over big banks and government buildings?
If you’re forever losing your keys, it could be a safer option to have a keypad installed on your house. It would save on the key cutting bill anyway!
Are you a business owner concerned about some employee’s less-than-honest approach to doing business? Worried they might get a key cut and steal from you? Get a keypad, get automatic updates to your phone when anybody accesses it, and sleep well. If they take off with the waitress, no worries, you can just change the code.
Serious businesses, especially involving large sums of money, will often insist on using a high-quality keypad door lock system in the name of security. No expensive changes of locks are needed when one employee loses their keys, the company cycles passcodes regularly anyway, so it’s not a problem.
Sound like you? Keep reading for our best keypad door lock.
What to Look for in the Best Keypad Door Lock?
The lock on your front door is not something worth skimping and saving on, so the first thing to look for in a good keypad door lock is build quality. The higher the quality, the more expensive, the longer-lasting. You don’t want to find yourself having to break the front door down because the keypad rusted out or just broke because it was badly made.
A good indication of quality is the warranty offered. Look for at least 10 years if you can.
Some keypad door locks are very simple, they have one code and open and close using it, others can be much more complex. Some will alert the owner whenever they are accessed, or will automatically lock for a given period if too many incorrect entries are keyed in.
Other systems will respond to a number of different codes, depending on the level of access. A good keypad door lock should ideally be able to store a number of codes and you should be able to change them either at set intervals or when the need arises. Backup codes and masters are very useful when things go wrong.
Many modern electronic door locks can integrate with your houses’ security and environment systems, making a house extra secure. If you run a Nest system or something similar, it would be worth checking for compatibility.
How We Picked and Tested
We called up our dedicated volunteers and put it to them: how about keypad door locks? Once they’d figured out what we were talking about, they were enthusiastic. There’s a lot of good and bad advice about some excellent and terrible products out there; our volunteers and staff took up the task of sorting through it for you!
They went out into the city and onto the internet to trawl through the endless offers and claims and brought back samples. Some of these didn’t even make it out of the box, they were clearly terrible and wouldn’t have made any list but the “never, ever buy this, people will steal your things” list. The rest were middling to excellent when we tested them.
After some exhaustive testing and fiddling, we found a set of factors that we could compare all of the products against, for example, code capacity, maintenance, programming ability, set up time, reset, build quality and price. That’s just a few. Our total was 41 factors. That was some fun spreadsheeting.
After comparing them, we assembled this list. None is perfect but they are the best we could find. And that means the best you can find too.
We’re confident the following list is the best of what you can get in today’s market, we talked to everybody we could, read more reviews than we would like to admit and spent inordinate amounts of time using and trying to break these things.
Our Top Ten Product List
For each and every product on our list, we analyzed 41 of the most important features and compared them against each other. You can read this research, it is open for readers, we just ask that you like any of our social media pages first, then you can look to your heart’s content.
Our Pick: Schlage BE365VPLY505 Plymouth Keypad Deadbolt, Bright Brass
Before we get to the proper review, you might want to know why we’ve chosen this product as our No.1 Pick. There was a very long testing process, we put this thing on the front door and tested it to bits. We even gave it a belt with a hammer, which did exactly nothing. Not even a scratch.
Why is this product our Pick?
- When we went through our
Top Pick
Schlage BE365VPLY505 Plymouth Keypad
Best Keypad Door Lock
Schlage BE365VPLY505 Plymouth Keypad
The Schlage Keypad Door Lock is a very high-quality keypad door lock that looks and feels sturdy, is made of quality materials with a nice brass finish, plus good customer service and warranty on parts.
- Not only was it cram-packed with high-quality features, but it can also be bought for under $100. Other keypad door locks with similar capabilities and builds quality was substantially more expensive.
- We analyze rating frequency here, and this product received positive ratings at a very high rate. In the first 2 days, it received 10 positive ratings, 10 more in the following 6 days and another 10 in the following 5 days. This compares very favorably with other keypad door locks in the price range and above.
- It was the combination of features that made this keypad stand out, it had all the important features we were looking for and when compared against the other keypads that came pre-programmed with 2 access codes for out of the box use, this was clearly the winner of our No.1 Pick and the best keypad door lock we tried.
Detailed Review
The first thing we noticed about this keypad door lock as we took it out of the (very sturdy) box was its brass finish. This is a very good looking lock, but not ostentatious, the pictures on Amazon don’t do it justice.
Then the reassuring weight of 4.5 pounds told us that this was a secure and well-made product. It didn’t disappoint our expectations. It was solid and had no loose buttons or lock.
The buttons all had a nice action and the backlight covered them all well while looking cool. The low battery indicator actually worked when we put some old batteries in there and the key barrel had a smooth action.
Schlager packed this thing with a meaty bolt, it will take a good long time and a lot of noise and sparks to get through that thing.
The Schlager gives the homeowner the option of gaining access either by key or by code. Forgetful people will love this (unless they forget the code too!). We have all left the house and let the front door close, only to realize the key is on the table just inside the front door. Intense frustration. Just punch in the key code and get back in, no worries. Aren’t combinations grand?
If your friend was coming round and you were out, you could tell them the code and they could let them in. And if you don’t quite trust a guest, just change the code when they’re gone. Simple security.
The electronics are guaranteed for 3 years and there is a limited warranty on the mechanical bits and finish, a reassuring sign of quality.
Schlage have locks on 40 million doors, so you’re in good company if you have one of these locks. They have a good reputation and their customer service is generally good, though some people have had issues with them.
We took a good look at what the reviews were saying and they were very positive. Several people who had lost both the code and keys and let the batteries go down had to resort to enormous lengths to get these things open. They are very well designed, even locksmiths can’t get into them apparently.
Pros:
- Very well made
- Low price
- Quality materials
- Keypad and key
- Excellent reviews
- Nice finish
- Helpful customer service
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Brass finish may not be to some people’s taste
Verdict:
A very high-quality keypad door lock that offers keyed or keyless access. Great construction and materials, good warranty, looks very good, tough as old boots and easy to install. We would be happy with one on our family home.
Budget Pick: SoHoMiLL YL 99 Keyless Electronic Keypad Lock
Why is this product our Budget Pick?
Budget Pick
SoHoMiLL YL 99 Keyless Electronic Keypad
Desirable Features at Affordable Cost
SoHoMiLL YL 99 Keyless Electronic Keypad
This door lock is a budget, standalone, battery-powered keypad door lock that actually provides security with its keyed and keyless entry, plus it automatically locks from the outside in three seconds upon entry.
Having compared a great number of these keypads, and after some debate amongst our devoted volunteers, who can get quite passionate about their product of choice, we picked this one.
The SoHoMiLL came in at under 50 bucks and we couldn’t find anything that was close to that price with the same features. Coming with a master code, a passage code and the space for another 8 user codes, all controlled by the master. This is a great deal of versatility for a low priced keypad door lock.
Having a look at the rating frequency, we found this SoHoMiLL electronic door lock had a very favorable profile. In the first ten days, it got on average a good rating a day, the same for the next ten and one every two days for the next twenty. This is alongside a very small number of negative reviews.
One feature that we hadn’t expected was the ability to automatically lock from the outside in three seconds after the entry for maximum security. You can just let the door click behind you and know you are safe and sound. This is usually featured on more expensive models.
Detailed Review
This budget, standalone, battery-powered keypad door lock really ticked our boxes. Literally. You can see our boxes and how they were ticked on our review document (see above). It wasn’t the most budget of the budget locks but it was the most budget one we felt would actually stop someone entering. Some were worryingly flimsy. How do people get away with selling this stuff?
Anyway, this product was excellent, and what is more, lots of other people thought so too. Amazon reviews are overwhelmingly positive, other than some people who had difficulty installing them, or who found that the outside corroded quickly. We weren’t able to test the corrosion resistance, but the brushed-nickel surface looked good to us.
It came out of the box and felt sturdy and well made. This is what we were looking for. It installed with no problems and took a good hard bang with a hammer in its stride.
Especially good for us was the 8 user codes that can be programmed into it, alongside the passage and master codes, so a small business, laboratory, office or hotel could use this very successfully. At less than $50 this is a great choice for someone setting up in business who needs to invest in security but can’t quite stretch to the capital for more expensive locks.
Taking 4 AAA batteries, it should last a long time – 15,000 hours or 625 days to be exact, according to the manufacturer. Users should pick a day of the year to change the battery (not a birthday, nobody wants to change batteries on their birthday) and put it on their calendars. Then there won’t be the difficulty of your lock being very locked and inaccessible.
Overall, this was a well-made lock constructed with high-quality materials that had a surprising number of positive features for the price. Well recommended for the budget shopper.
Pros:
- Very reasonable price
- Well built
- Good materials
- 8 user codes
- Good reviews
- Stand-alone system
- Easy installation
- Great for start-up businesses
Cons:
- Not got all the features of a more expensive option
- Some complaints about corrosion
- No backlight
- The interior handle can be tricky
Verdict:
A great pick for someone on a budget who still wants the reassurance of a good lock. No backlight, but it did allow keyless and keyed entry and the batteries lasted a long time. Good security rating.
Advanced Pick: Schlage Connect BE469NX CAM 619 Touchscreen Deadbolt with alarm with Camelot Trim
Why is this product our Advanced Pick?
Advanced Pick
Schlage Connect BE469NX CAM 619
More Expensive, More Features
Schlage Connect BE469NX CAM 619
This keypad lock boasts of an amazing Z wave technology so that you can integrate it seamlessly with your home security system, plus a fingerprint-proof touchpad for maximum security against intruders.
From all the products we looked at, this had the most advanced features while remaining a high-quality and affordable product. It can be purchased for less than $180, which is pretty reasonable. You can have as many as 30 user codes at any time, so even larger businesses would want to give this a try.
A fingerprint-proof touchscreen is a really effective and useful feature: in the past thieves have been able to enter premises because repeated inputting of the same code leaves visible marks on the touchpad. The thief then tries a few combinations and they’re in. Not so with this keypad.
While this product is more expensive than many options, it is still in what we consider the affordable range.
We had a look at the reviews online and found that the rating frequency for this product was impressively high; in the first 3 days, it received its first 10 positive reviews, another 3 days for the next 10 and only 2 for the 10 that followed. Overall, the reviews were extremely positive.
The advanced Z-wave technology that lets your phone or laptop connect and let people in from any distance also connects to your wireless home automation system, integrating into your other security and environmental controls. Truly an advanced pick.
Detailed Review
This keypad has everything. When it came out of the box (which was nice in itself) we were quite excited. Honestly, grown-ups getting excited about locks. But we were, it was a cool looking piece of kit.
We believe keypad door locks like this are the future. Technologies like the wireless Z-wave system in combination with reassuring steel bolts are how we are all going to keep ourselves safe, very soon. Connect to the lock via your phone or laptop and let the delivery man or relative, or wet offspring who lost her key on the way home and is stuck outside, in. Enormously convenient wireless technology.
If your house already has a Z-wave security and/or environment system, this lock will seamlessly integrate. We found the wireless connection process hassle free and fast. It might look like intimidating technology to some, but don’t be put off, it is an easy process helped by a well designed and clear manual.
With Grade 1 BHMA/ANSI certification, the very highest, no thief is getting through here without some serious brute force. Locks like this are one of the reasons for falling home burglary rates, potential thieves see them and know they are not getting through, so they go elsewhere.
The Schlage comes with three alert modes: activity, tamper and forced entry. The keypad can detect what is happening to it and sends a message to your phone immediately. You can know every time your house was accessed using which code, and whether anyone tried to tamper with the device or force it. You can change what alerts it sends to you easily.
Construction was very solid and the materials were top notch, as was to be expected. We tried to leave fingerprints on this thing but failed. This is a great feature, nobody will be guessing your code from the fingerprints you left on the keypad anymore!
If you have children, you can assign a simple 4 digit code for them that is easy to remember, so they can come and go as they please and not leave their keys at school or down a drain, as they tend to do. A low battery light is very helpful, the batteries should last a year but depending on use and the wireless, this might be more or less.
Pros:
- Z-wave technology integrates with a security system
- Solid construction
- High-quality materials
- Fingerprint-proof touchpad
- Grade 1 BHMA/ANSI certification
- Three alert modes
- Low battery light
- Wireless
- High positive review rates
Cons:
- Could be too expensive for some
- Connecting a lock to the internet is not everybody’s idea of safety
Verdict:
Very impressive with lots of features and grade 1 safety certification. Definitely worth the extra hundred bucks. Z-wave system is the future. Great looking too. High positive review rates.
A List of 7 Other Products We Reviewed
No 4: Schlage BE365VCAM619 Camelot Keypad Deadbolt Review
Dependable Pick
Schlage BE365VCAM716 Camelot
Well-built & Secure Lock
Schlage BE365VCAM716 Camelot
This keypad lock boasts of a Grade 2 Higher Residential Security Rating with its durable, high quality materials, 19 programmable codes, low battery indicator, and combination key and keypad access.
This keypad door lock looks great and feels good too. The buttons weren’t some cheap plastic that will drop off in a year or two, they felt durable and worked very well. The backlight was clear, potentially saving a lot of fumbling in the dark and possible mistaken lock-outs.
Very well reviewed, it gets a lot of 5*s and positive comments on a number of sites. People were finding installation easy and that it lasted for a long time with no faults. Not many 1* reviews for anything but the seller’s mistakes. For $80, this is a good deal, its construction and durability were hard to match, as was the look.
The combination key/keypad is a very useful feature, meaning that either keys or codes can be used, or a master key for the boss and codes for workers could be used. There are plenty of possibilities with this lock and the 19 possible codes you can program it with.
Coming already programmed with two access codes for instant use was a great touch, it meant you could attach it and go. Installation was easy, it fitted to any standard fitting we could find.
At this price, a Grade 2 Higher Residential Security Rating is impressive and will keep your peace of mind and your family or business safe.
The battery should last a year, which is long enough we thought A low battery indicator helpfully tells you when it is running low. Not one to ignore.
All together with a three-year limited warranty for the electrics and a limited lifetime warranty for the mechanics and finish, this is a well built, solid, dependable and secure lock. It didn’t make our top picks because of the lack of features, it is pretty low-tech, but that doesn’t make it any less of a lock. It does what it needs to with minimum effort from you.
Pros:
- Combination key/keypad
- 19 programmable codes
- Grade 2 Higher Residential Security Rating
- Low battery indicator
- Solidly built
- Good review rates
- Quality materials
Cons:
- Other options offer more features
Verdict:
Keyless and keyed entry, with 19 codes this is a versatile choice with a good residential security rating of 2. A low battery indicator and solid construction add to the appeal.
No 5: Schlage FE595 CAM 619 ACC Camelot Keypad Entry with Flex-Lock Review
Elegant Pick
Schlage FE595 CAM 619 ACC
Well-constructed with Stylish Design
Schlage FE595 CAM 619 ACC
This model from Schlage will instantly impress with its elegant design and impressive construction, featuring a flex-lock system, dual key and keypad access, backlight, and satin nickel finish.
We liked this keypad door lock set, it had a nice, simple look to it and was made to a very high standard. It is recommended to be used in residential settings for single and multi-use doors but a small business could fit one perfectly well.
When we were installing it we had no problems, preferring that we could reverse the lever to fit it on different doors. The satin nickel finish felt well bonded and there were no missing patches. This is the route for corrosion, so is always worth a check to see if the coat is complete.
The manual was clearly written and illustrative, we had no problems following the instructions to successful keypad installation. The keypad had backlit keys that felt high quality and didn’t double tap or any other common bug with keypads. The backlight is an LED, meaning it is low power and long-lasting, extending the usable life of your lock substantially.
The backset (the handle on the back of the door) can be adjusted easily and the manual lock is an essential part of safety. Lock it yourself, don’t just rely on the lock on the outside doing it. And if you’re going out, no need to punch in a code. This is the Flex-lock, which allows you to change between unlocked and automatic locking just by turning the dial.
When we went online to check the reviews, we were pleased with the rates. Other people had success with this lock too, revealed in the high number and frequency of 5* ratings. We were also pleased that the 4 AA batteries that this lock requires were included. A nice touch that makes us think fondly of the manufacturer. Going back out to the shops for more batteries is endlessly annoying.
At under $110 it is a little more expensive than some rivals but we felt it was priced fairly.
Pros:
- Fair price
- Excellent construction
- Elegant design
- Well reviewed online, high positive rates
- Flex-lock system
- Dual key and keypad
- Clear manual
- Good finish
Cons:
- More expensive than some rivals
Verdict:
While quite expensive, it was a decent price. Very elegant and well constructed. Keyless and keyed access and a backlight are all worth considering. It looked to us like it would last and be secure for a long time.
No 6: Schlage FE575 CAM 619 ACC Camelot Keypad Entry with Auto-Lock Review
Solid Pick
Schlage FE575 CAM 626 ACC
Sturdy and Well-Designed Lock
Schlage FE575 CAM 626 ACC
This dual keypad lock has a range of features that make it stand out, such as a clear keypad with LED backlight, an auto-lock system that automatically locks itself after 5 seconds, and a 3-year warranty on electronics.
This is a well-functioning dual keypad lock. Not the best keypad door lock we have seen but it is not meant to be. It is meant to be solid, dependable and simple. It is all of that, and at a decent price too.
$110 could seem like a lot but there isn’t anything else of this quality around for the price. Others might have more functions but this was a very sturdy, well-designed lock. We subjected it to a lot of testing and it withstood everything we could throw at it.
A clear keypad with a strong LED backlight looked and felt very functional, we could see all the keys and the numbers didn’t rub off easily at all (in fact, quite a lot of sandpaper was applied before it came off. We like thorough testing, what can I say?). The LED should last a very long time before you need to replace it, as with everything else on this lock.
This is the auto-lock version of this lock, which means that it automatically locks itself after a 5-second grace period. Really useful to some, but not to all, there are some who might like the option of choice on the interior handle. This will unlock when you go through it, but won’t stay open if you want it to.
As with all Schlage locks, this came very well reviewed, with the majority being for 5* reviews. Only the occasionally temperamental batteries (buy some better batteries) or customer service (usually good, as far as we can tell) let them down.
There’s a 3-year limited electronics warranty that comes with this thing, and a lifetime’s for the finish and mechanics. Nice.
It works straight out of the box, 2 access codes are already installed.
Pros:
- Well designed
- Strongly made
- Quality choice of materials
- 5-second auto-lock
- LED backlight
- Choice of key or code
- 3 year/lifetime warranty
- Great reviews
Cons:
- $110 could be too much
- Appears to be some issue with batteries
- No interior handle
Verdict:
This is a well-recommended keypad, while there are other options and some for less money, this had a range of features that made it stand out. Well made and designed, we felt this was a good choice.
No 7: Kwikset 909 SmartCode Electronic Deadbolt featuring SmartKey in Satin Nickel Review
Traditional Pick
Kwikset 909 Electronic Deadbolt
Modern Lock for Old Homes
Kwikset 909 Electronic Deadbolt
The old-school design on this Kwikset keypad door lock will blend in with the traditional look of older homes. Features include 8 programmable codes, one-touch locking, and Smart Learn System.
For a more traditional look to a keypad door lock, this is where to look. This would suit an older house that is being renovated or having its security brought into the 21st century. A very classy looking set for the more style conscious.
That is not to say that it skimps on security, this is ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certified and carries a lifetime warranty for the mechanical parts. Only a 1-year warranty for the electronics, which makes us wonder if they know something we don’t about the quality of them there ‘lectronic bits.
Well, we didn’t detect any faults, it worked well with us. You can set it to auto-lock after 30 seconds if you are the kind to run out late in the morning, toast gripped between teeth, forgetting to put the latch on behind you. No worries with this thing.
Our team was pleased with the ease of locking with this. Just press the lock button. Simples. Programmable with up to 8 user codes – not as many as some in the price range but still ample for a regular house – it is versatile enough for a lot of applications.
What we all thought really cool was the Smartkey learning system. Stick your functioning key in, turn a quarter turn, pull it out, stick your new key in with the learn tool, turn it a half turn counter-clockwise and there you have it, new key. That is very smart and very useful.
The finish was a satin nickel of high quality, this won’t be letting the rain through any time soon. It takes 4 AA batteries that should last a while, even with the backlight on the keys. Some reviewers had trouble with it running out of juice and them not being able to tell until it was too late, so replace them regularly.
It was quite loud as well, with a fairly unpleasant noise when it opened.
Pros:
- Good looking, suits older buildings
- Well made
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certified
- Lifetime warranty on the mechanical parts and finish
- Smartlock system is marvelous
- 8 programmable codes
- Adjustable to all standard sizes
- One touch locking
- $100 is fair
- Interior handle
- Digital and key system
Cons:
- Loud action
- Only 8 codes
- 1-year warranty for electronics
Verdict:
A strong, secure lock with nice touches like one-touch locking, this lock is ideal for bringing an old house into the 21st century without ruining the looks of the place.
No 8: Kwikset 92640-001 Contemporary Electronic Keypad Single Cylinder Deadbolt Review
Modern Pick
Kwikset 92640-001 Electronic Keypad
Compact Lock with Contemporary Look
Kwikset 92640-001 Electronic Keypad
This compact Kwikset has a clean and contemporary look to it, is easy to install, and comes with amazing features such as adjustable auto-lock time, digital system, low battery indicator, and more.
We got ours for less than $60 dollars and were pretty impressed. It has a clean, modern look to it and is one of the smallest keypad locks we have reviewed. It comes with a lot of features, the first we appreciated being the ease of installation.
It said in the manual we would only need a screwdriver to install but we never believe stuff like that so had our toolkit to hand. Turns out you do only need a screwdriver. Cool.
This Kwikset came with a low battery indicator, a total must for an electronic lock. When they run out of power they just stay locked and you have to resort to some pretty brutal tactics to get them open, usually destroying the lock, the door and the frame in the process.
Quite nice was the ability for the user to customize how quickly the door locked itself after closing, between 10 and 99 seconds. If you’re just nipping out to the car, this could be handy.
There are only 6 codes you can program into this lock at any time, but that is plenty if you ask us. Some have dozens. Why? The neat trick with this lock is that it can be given a temporary code that a visitor or whoever can use only once. Stop that delivery man coming back later with an empty van and filling it with all your stuff. Not that we’re paranoid.
This certified at level 3 ANSI/BHMA.
The deadbolt is electrically powered and solid, and can be operated by the key or the digital passcode of your choice. We thought the latch handle on the backset was a little small and was annoying to grip.
This lock came well reviewed in general, but there was an issue. If a small number of people having problems with it, like the batteries shaking loose when the door slams, that could lock you out.
Pros:
- Nice modern look
- Low battery indicator
- Temporary code feature
- Easy installation
- Adjustable auto-lock time
- Less than $60 is a great price
- Digital system
Cons:
- Batteries fall out
- Latch handle too small
- Only 6 codes
- Level 3 ANSI/BHMA
- No interior handle
Verdict:
The batteries fell out when we slammed the door, but otherwise, this was a very good lock. It had a very good modern look and being adjustable in the lock time was handy. For less than $60 it’s a good deal.
No 9: Signstek Keyless Digital Electronic Entry Security Safety Door Lock Locker Review
Neat Pick
Signstek Keyless Digital Locker
Great Value for Money
Signstek Keyless Digital Locker
The Signstek keypad door lock is very easy to use and features an integrated keypad design, with backlight, anti-spy lock encryption, and has a quality feel and construction at a very affordable price of $50.
This is a neat design meant to be as minimal as possible. The keypad is built into the handle for an unobtrusive looking keypad lock. It looks good and seemed made well, the construction materials were solid and of good quality, as far as we could tell.
Often with these integrated keypads there is an ominous rattle when you give it a shake, this felt very secure. It installed straight into a standard lock hole with no issues, this was a very easy installation.
The bumf on the package said it had an “anti-spy code encryption” but not much more about it. We couldn’t figure out what this meant, maybe the code inside the machine is encrypted. Well, good, but anybody who wanted to take the lock apart to get the code could probably just break the door down. We don’t know, it looks good but as far as we could tell, it is just a keypad door lock. A good one.
It stores a handy 10 passwords, including the master, all of which can be changed at will. Great for when one of your employees runs off with the cash register and you don’t want him coming back for the safe.
A clear backlight worked well in even half-light and the low battery function functioned. If you change the batteries, it won’t reset the passwords, which happens with some locks.
This isn’t a deadbolt lock, so it doesn’t have a very high-security rating, but it wasn’t designed for applications like that. It is tough and well made but the door could be forced more easily than if there was a bolt.
Reviews on the internet were generally very positive, 66% of 473 people (at the time of writing) gave it 5*, a very good proportion. Some users reported it not lasting much longer than a year, but for $50 you can’t expect a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Cheap
- Looks good
- Quality feel and construction
- Good reviews
- Integrated design
- “Anti Spy Lock Encryption”, whatever that is
- Backlight
- Easy to use
- Digital
Cons:
- No deadbolt
- Can be annoying to key in at door handle height
- Some users reported it failing after a year
Verdict:
For the price, it was a good deal. It was well made and had a good finish, with features like a backlight and “Anti Spy Lock Encryption” adding to the appeal. It isn’t as secure as some other choices, but is very easy to install.
No 10: Kwikset 99130-002 SmartCode 913 UL Electronic Deadbolt Review
Smart Pick
Kwikset 99130-002 Electronic Deadbolt
Sturdily Build with Classic Design
Kwikset 99130-002 Electronic Deadbolt
This smart keypad door lock allows for keypad and keyless entry, can be programmed with 16 access codes, with Smartkey change system, and boasts of a 20 minute UL Protection and Grade 2 BHMA certification.
This is a very smart keypad door lock, it has a plain, classic look that would go with a lot of surroundings. It allows for keyless and keypad entry and can be programmed with up to 16 access codes for a high level of security.
We’re always reassured by a BHMA certification, and this comes to Grade 2, the second highest. Easily suitable for any regular house, this will stop a lot of potential thieves in their tracks. An excellent feature of this lock is the UL certification for 20 minutes fire protection, giving you and your family time ample to get out of a fire before the lock stops working. A lock for peace of mind.
The Smartkey technology Kwikset have come up with is a seriously great innovation. Just add the key you are already using, turn it a quarter turn, take it out, add the new key with the Smartkey learn tool, turn a half turn counter-clockwise and your new key has been added! It’s easy and we couldn’t break it.
Fully “Bump Proof”, this thing can take a knock or two. Locksmiths can’t get into them, they’re very well made and designed. This is a deadbolt lock, it is tough.
We took a good look at reviews on the internet and found that this was a consistently well-reviewed lock. People have used it for a number of years on a daily basis and never had any issues. Lots of 5* and 4* reviews. The battery seems to last a very long time, which considering it has an audible, backlit keypad, is reassuring.
Pros:
- Bump-proof (tough as hell)
- Good reviews
- Smartkey change system
- Keyless and keyed entry
- Smart appearance
- Under $100
- Backlit audible keys
- BHMA Grade 2 certified
- UL 20 minutes certified
- One touch locking
- Long lasting batteries
Cons:
- Alternatives can be cheaper
- Interior handle can be tricky
Verdict:
This is a very workable keypad lock system, it looks smart and is very sturdily built. We like the Smartkey technology, it works very smoothly and is a real asset. The high-security grade and good build quality were attractive.
A List of Other Products We Tested
- Schlage FE595 CAM 716 ACC Camelot Keypad Entry with Flex-Lock and Accent Levers>>>13 Positive Features as seen on our research report
- MiLocks DKK-02SN Indoor Electronic Touchpad Keyless Entry Door Lock>>>8 Positive Features as seen on our research report
- Schlage Z-Wave Connect Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt , FE469NX ACC 716 CAM LH>>>10 Positive Features as seen on our research report
- Schlage FE595 CAM 609 GEO Camelot Keypad Entry with Flex-Lock and Georgian Style Knobs>>>10 Positive Features as seen on our research report
- Schlage FE575 PLY 626 ELA Plymouth Keypad Entry with Auto-Lock>>>9 Positive Features as seen on our research report
- Kwikset 907 Powerbolt 2.0 Electronic Deadbolt>>>10 Positive Features as seen on our research report
Maintenance Tips
Keeping your keypad in the top order is very important because if it stops working, you could leave your house or business vulnerable. The first and foremost item in a maintenance list is replacing the batteries. Pick a day of the year to replace them and make it a definite thing you have to do. Some of these locks will seal the door when they run out of batteries, meaning you can’t get in without a steel saw. Keep them fresh.
A regular clean to remove corrosive rainwater residue is a must, as is a check to see if the coating is still complete. Any patches need to be covered with the recommended paint, otherwise, the corrosion could reach the inside of the lock and result in you having to replace the whole unit or door as the case may be.
Wrapping it Up
Keypad door locks are the future, we think. They allow a greater level of control than a simple lock while being more secure. Set temporary passwords, change them regularly, ensure only some people have access to some areas, all without giving out keys unless you need to. A manager or boss can be more secure in his business investments with this upgrade in locking technology.
We like to look for a high BHMA rating, a UL certificate and a strong deadbolt. Keypad locks are usually stronger than the door themselves. So keep them in good condition, keep an eye out for problems, and enjoy the safety and security your best keypad door lock offers.