Entry Door Locks: Smart and Keyed Deadbolts for the Front Door

The front door is where security, convenience and daily routine collide. Kids lose keys, guests need temporary access, and a deadbolt that sticks in cold weather is a small daily irritation. The best entry door lock depends on whether you want a simple, dependable keyed deadbolt or a smart lock that adds codes, app control and a record of who came and went. Either way, the lock has to fit your door and stand up to a real attempt at forced entry.

The six models below mix classic keyed hardware with smart deadbolts from well-known lock makers. Each description sticks to what the name tells you and explains the category-level trade-offs. The buying rules cover grades, fit and power backup, so you can shortlist confidently before measuring your door.

Quick Picks

How to Choose

Look for a security grade

Grades are based on how many hits, cycles and force tests a lock must survive in a laboratory, so a higher grade means a sturdier bolt and housing. Most big-box deadbolts are Grade 2 or Grade 3, and the grade is usually printed on the box or the spec page, which makes it easy to compare.

The ANSI/BHMA grading system rates residential locks from Grade 3 to Grade 1, with Grade 1 being the most robust. A good rule of thumb is to choose Grade 2 or better for an exterior door. Pair the lock with a strike plate secured by three-inch screws that reach the wall stud.

Check the door prep and backset

Measure from the edge of the door to the center of the existing hole, and measure the thickness of the door as well. Most exterior doors are about 1-3/4 inches thick, and a lock that is made for that thickness will latch smoothly without binding.

Most residential doors use a standard 2-3/8 inch or 2-3/4 inch backset, and a bore hole of about 2-1/8 inches. Measure before you shop, and check whether the lock fits your door thickness. Smart locks are often retrofit-friendly, but some require a cutout for a keypad or handle set.

Decide how you want to unlock

Think about who uses the door every day. A household with children, a dog walker and a cleaner will probably value individual codes that can be deleted later, while a single adult may be perfectly happy with a mechanical deadbolt and a spare key under the care of a neighbor.

Keyed, keypad, fingerprint, app and voice control each trade convenience for complexity. Keypad entry avoids lost keys, while fingerprint readers are fast but depend on clean, dry fingers. Look for a model that keeps a physical key backup so a dead battery does not leave you stuck.

Consider power, connectivity and privacy

Battery life varies with how often the lock is used and how strong the wireless signal is. Replace batteries at the first low-power warning rather than waiting, and keep a spare set in a drawer inside the house, not in a car or an outdoor box.

Most smart locks run on four AA batteries and warn you when power is low. Wi-Fi models connect directly to your network, while others use Bluetooth or a hub. Make sure the app is well maintained and check whether the manufacturer explains how it handles account data.

Our Picks Reviewed

Schlage Encode Plus

Homeowners who want a smart upgrade from a name they already trust, and who value temporary guest codes, tend to start here.

Schlage is among the most recognized lock brands in the United States, and Encode Plus is a connected deadbolt line. The name points to a smart lock aimed at buyers who want app-based management without giving up a traditional deadbolt feel.

• Pro: Established brand heritage in residential locks suggests strong hardware credentials.
• Pro: A smart-lock line makes it easy to share temporary codes with guests.
• Con: Connected locks depend on batteries and apps, which adds maintenance.

Skip it if you do not want any electronics on your door. Buyers who dislike app-based control or have poor Wi-Fi signal near the entry should consider a keypad-only design.

Yale Assure Lock 2

Families who want to drop the key ring entirely, and let everyone use a code, are the typical audience for this kind of design.

Yale is a major lock brand, and Assure Lock 2 marks the second generation of its smart-lock series. The name suggests an updated design that builds on a familiar product line, ideal for anyone who wants a keypad or touchscreen-style smart lock.

• Pro: A second-generation model suggests refinements over the original design.
• Pro: Smart lock features reduce dependence on physical keys.
• Con: Smart locks add complexity compared with a basic deadbolt.

Skip it if you prefer purely mechanical hardware. Buyers who need a specific finish should check availability, because the name does not list finishes.

Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Those who dislike buying extra bridges and want to check the door from their phone will find a built-in connection appealing.

Kwikset is another well-known residential lock brand, and the Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock name highlights direct Wi-Fi connectivity. That means the lock is designed to connect to your home network without an extra hub.

• Pro: Built-in Wi-Fi reduces the need for a separate bridge or hub.
• Pro: Familiar brand name suggests widely available parts and support.
• Con: Wi-Fi connections can drain batteries faster than Bluetooth-only locks.

Skip it if your entry is far from your router or if you dislike connected devices. Anyone with a smart-home setup built around a hub may prefer a protocol-based lock.

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro

Short-term rental hosts and busy families with many comings and goings often value a lock that offers several ways in.

Ultraloq focuses on smart locks with multiple unlock methods, and the U-Bolt Pro name suggests a higher-tier deadbolt. It appeals to households that want flexibility, such as codes for visitors and app control for family.

• Pro: Multiple entry options reduce reliance on a single method.
• Pro: Pro naming suggests a more complete feature set than a base version.
• Con: More features means more settings to configure and more to troubleshoot.

Skip it if you want a simple lock that needs no setup. Buyers who prefer a long-established lock heritage may favor a traditional brand.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Renters and owners who like their current door hardware but want phone control will find the retrofit approach practical.

August is a smart-home brand known for retrofit-friendly locks, and the Wi-Fi Smart Lock name points to a model with built-in network connectivity. It suits renters and homeowners who want to upgrade without replacing the exterior hardware.

• Pro: Retrofit-style smart locks can keep your existing exterior look.
• Pro: Wi-Fi in the name suggests remote control without a separate bridge.
• Con: Retrofit designs still depend on the original deadbolt being sound.

Skip it if your existing deadbolt is worn or low-grade, since the smart lock will not fix a weak lock body. Households wanting a keypad on the door should check the model’s unlock methods.

Schlage B60 Deadbolt

Buyers who want dependable, low-maintenance security for a side door, a rental unit or a backup entry often choose mechanical hardware.

The B60 is a traditional keyed deadbolt from Schlage, a brand known for residential security hardware. The name points to a mechanical lock with no electronics, which means no batteries to replace and no apps to update.

• Pro: Purely mechanical operation works during power and network outages.
• Pro: Simple hardware is easy to install and service.
• Con: Keyed locks require you to carry and manage physical keys.

Skip it if you want guest codes, remote access or an activity log. Families that frequently lose keys should consider a keypad or smart lock.

Which One Fits

Decide first whether you want electronics on the door at all, then choose within that group. The six picks sort like this.

• Connected deadbolt from a traditional lock brand: Schlage Encode Plus.
• Second-generation smart entry: Yale Assure Lock 2.
• Wi-Fi without a hub: Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
• Multiple unlock methods: Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro.
• Retrofit smart upgrade: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
• Mechanical reliability: Schlage B60 Deadbolt.

Common Mistakes

Door security is only as strong as its weakest part. These five errors undermine otherwise good hardware.

• Buying a smart lock without measuring backset and door thickness.
• Skipping the strike plate and screws, which are often the weak point in a break-in.
• Ignoring a physical key backup for a dead-battery situation.
• Choosing a lock based on app features alone and overlooking the grade of the hardware.
• Leaving default codes or sharing permanent codes with visitors.

FAQ

Are smart locks secure?

They can be when paired with solid hardware, a strong password and regular firmware updates. A Grade 1 or 2 lock body matters more than the app. Turn on two-step sign-in for the account, remove old users promptly and avoid sharing the main code in text messages that sit on phones for years.

What happens if the batteries die?

Most smart locks warn you early and keep a key cylinder or a terminal for a temporary battery boost.

Can I install a lock myself?

Many deadbolts and retrofit locks install with a screwdriver in under an hour, as of 2026 more so with app-guided setup.

Will an outage affect my lock?

Battery-powered locks keep working, but pairing them with emergency LED lights keeps the entry visible. A power outage lighting kit adds layered coverage.

Should I upgrade other door hardware too?

Yes. Reinforced strike plates and longer screws add real strength without much cost. A door that is solid wood, fiberglass or steel, with a sturdy frame and three well-fitted hinges, resists forced entry far better than the lock alone ever could.