Key takeaways
- Best for Apple households: Schlage Encode Plus. Home Key can make entry convenient with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch, while the keypad remains useful for visitors and when a phone is unavailable.
- Best for straightforward remote access: Schlage Encode. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you manage access remotely without buying a separate hub. It is a practical choice if you do not need the Plus model’s Apple-specific feature.
- Best for configuration flexibility: Yale Assure Lock 2. Yale sells different keypad, keyway, and connectivity configurations. This flexibility is useful, but it makes checking the exact package especially important: some versions need an additional module or bridge for remote access.
- Best for frequently used PINs: Lockly Secure Pro. Its PIN Genie keypad rearranges the displayed numbers, which can make PINs harder to infer from shoulder-surfing or smudge patterns. The changing layout may take regular users a little longer to learn.
- Best if you want fewer connected features: Choose a keypad deadbolt with local PIN storage and no required Wi-Fi. You give up some remote functions, but reduce dependence on a home network and may avoid a bridge or subscription.
Best Smart Door Locks With Keypads: The Right Pick for Your Door
The best smart door lock with a keypad for most homes is the Schlage Encode Plus: it combines a physical keypad, app control, built-in Wi-Fi, and Apple Home Key support without requiring a separate hub. Choose the simpler Schlage Encode if you do not need Home Key, the Yale Assure Lock 2 if you want more configuration options, or the Lockly Secure Pro if keypad privacy features matter most.
Those recommendations only work if the lock fits your door and matches how you plan to use it. A rental with frequent guest-code changes has different needs from a remote cabin where reliable local entry and long battery life matter more than smart-home integrations.
Quick comparison
Figures below are manufacturer-published specifications where available. Battery life is an estimate, not a guarantee; Wi-Fi signal, traffic, temperature, and how often the lock operates all affect it. Check the current model’s specifications before buying, since trim and connectivity options can vary.
| Lock | Keypad and connectivity | Power and estimated battery life | Notable fit or feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | Touchscreen; built-in Wi-Fi; Apple Home Key on compatible devices | 4 AA batteries; up to 6 months | About 5.5 × 3.0 × 0.9 in. exterior keypad assembly; physical key backup |
| Schlage Encode | Touchscreen; built-in Wi-Fi | 4 AA batteries; up to 6 months | About 5.5 × 3.0 × 0.9 in. exterior assembly; physical key backup |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi | Keypad; Wi-Fi varies by configuration | 4 AA batteries; typically several months, depending on use and connection | Keyed and key-free versions are available; check the exact model and module |
| Lockly Secure Pro | PIN Genie touchscreen; Wi-Fi bridge included in applicable Pro packages | 4 AA batteries; manufacturer estimates up to 1 year | Physical key backup; verify included bridge and door compatibility |
Measurements and battery estimates are not directly comparable across brands: exterior dimensions describe only part of the hardware, and each company may use different test conditions. Confirm backset, door thickness, borehole size, and included connectivity hardware before ordering.
Choose by situation
- Best for Apple households: Schlage Encode Plus. Home Key can make entry convenient with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch, while the keypad remains useful for visitors and when a phone is unavailable.
- Best for straightforward remote access: Schlage Encode. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you manage access remotely without buying a separate hub. It is a practical choice if you do not need the Plus model’s Apple-specific feature.
- Best for configuration flexibility: Yale Assure Lock 2. Yale sells different keypad, keyway, and connectivity configurations. This flexibility is useful, but it makes checking the exact package especially important: some versions need an additional module or bridge for remote access.
- Best for frequently used PINs: Lockly Secure Pro. Its PIN Genie keypad rearranges the displayed numbers, which can make PINs harder to infer from shoulder-surfing or smudge patterns. The changing layout may take regular users a little longer to learn.
- Best if you want fewer connected features: Choose a keypad deadbolt with local PIN storage and no required Wi-Fi. You give up some remote functions, but reduce dependence on a home network and may avoid a bridge or subscription.
What matters more than the feature list
Keypad access and guest management
Look for individual codes, temporary or scheduled access, and a clear way to remove a code when a guest, cleaner, or contractor no longer needs it. A keypad lets someone enter without installing an app, but app-based code management may still be needed to create and schedule codes. Check whether the lock supports those functions locally or only through an internet connection.
App, Wi-Fi, and hub requirements
Built-in Wi-Fi is convenient for remote locking, alerts, and code changes, but it can use more battery than a lock communicating over Bluetooth or a low-power hub. Bluetooth-only models may work well when you are nearby but usually need a separate bridge for remote control. A hub can improve smart-home integration, yet adds another device to configure and keep powered.
Before buying, answer two questions: Do you need to control the lock away from home? And do you need it to work with a particular smart-home system? “Smart lock” does not guarantee compatibility with every platform, or mean remote features work without an internet connection.
Battery life and weather exposure
Most keypad deadbolts use replaceable AA batteries. Manufacturer estimates can range from several months to around a year, but frequent operation, weak wireless signal, extreme cold, and repeated motor retries can shorten runtime. Turn on low-battery notifications where available, and keep the right replacement batteries at home.
For a covered entry, confirm the exterior keypad’s weather rating and the temperature range in the installation manual. Do not assume that a lock is suitable for direct rain or coastal salt exposure just because it is installed outside. Keep the interior battery compartment dry, and wipe the keypad with a soft, lightly damp cloth rather than spraying cleaner into its seams.
Auto-lock: useful, but check the details
Auto-lock can secure the door after a set delay, but it may lock while someone is stepping outside or while the door is not fully closed. A deadbolt that extends into the frame can jam or strain its motor if the door is misaligned. Some systems offer door-position sensing; others simply run the bolt after a timer. If the lock has no door sensor, test the delay with everyone in the household and keep a key or another entry method available.
Emergency entry and ownership costs
A physical key is a valuable fallback if batteries die or electronics fail. Some keypad models are key-free, so check how emergency power works and whether it requires a compatible battery or contacts on the outside. Do not assume a phone app can unlock a dead lock: app access depends on the lock having power and, for remote commands, a working connection.
Replace batteries before they are fully depleted, keep the mechanical key somewhere accessible but secure, and periodically test every access method. The most common ownership nuisance is not a failed app; it is a door that has shifted slightly and makes the motor work harder. If the bolt rubs against the strike plate, correct the alignment instead of relying on the motor to force it.
Fit and installation: check before checkout
Smart deadbolts generally replace an existing deadbolt rather than the handle or latch below it. Measure the door thickness and the distance from the door edge to the center of the deadbolt hole (the backset). Check that the hole and edge bore match the lock’s installation requirements, and make sure the interior assembly will clear nearby trim or a storm-door frame.
Installation is usually a screwdriver job, but alignment matters more than speed. With the door open, install the lock and operate the bolt using the keypad and app. Then close the door and try again. If the bolt moves freely when open but binds when closed, adjust the strike plate or door alignment before enabling auto-lock. A motor should not have to pull a misaligned door into place.
A simple decision rule
| Your priority | What to choose | Trade-off to accept |
|---|---|---|
| Remote access with minimal extra hardware | Model with built-in Wi-Fi, such as Schlage Encode | More frequent battery checks may be needed |
| Apple Watch or iPhone tap-to-unlock | Schlage Encode Plus | Home Key features depend on compatible Apple devices and setup |
| Different needs for keypad, keyway, or smart-home setup | Yale Assure Lock 2 configuration that matches your system | Connectivity and included hardware vary by package |
| Changing PIN display for frequent code entry | Lockly Secure Pro | Changing keypad layout can slow entry at first |
| Fewer connected features and less network dependence | Local keypad deadbolt with replaceable batteries | Limited or no remote control and notifications |
For most connected homes, start with the Schlage Encode or Encode Plus, depending on whether Apple Home Key is important. Choose Yale when its available configurations better match your door or smart-home setup, and Lockly when its keypad approach fits your household. Whichever you pick, a correct fit, easy battery replacement, and a dependable backup-entry plan matter more than adding one more app feature.
