6 Best Electronic Deadbolts (2023 Review)

Have you ever lost your house keys and had to call a locksmith for help? If you don’t like paying to get back into your home or hiding a spare key under a doormat or flowerpot, an electronic deadbolt lock may be the solution you’re looking for.

Many of these smart locks have access codes along with a traditional key, giving you peace of mind that you won’t get locked out of your home again. Besides two access options, smart locks have several other features to offer, including voice commands, wireless connectivity, custom codes, smart lights, fingerprint readers, and burglar alarms.

We compared the best electronic deadbolts on the market and synthesized their customer reviews to help you select the right lock for your home. Learn more about your options below.

Top 6 Electronic Deadbolts

• Most Customizable: Schlage Touch Century Lock
• Easiest To Rekey: Kwikset Signature Series Deadbolt
• Best Device Compatibility: Yale Security Touchscreen Deadbolt
• Best Safety Features: Samsung Digital Door Lock
• Best No-Frills Deadbolt: MiLocks Electronic Touchpad Deadbolt
• Best Basic Lever: Amazon Basics Electronic Keypad Deadbolt

Most Customizable: Schlage Touch Century Lock

Pros and Cons

✔ Lack of manual keyhole eliminates lockpick risk
✔ Features fingerprint-resistant touchscreen
✔ Battery life rated for 2 years

✘ Dead battery causes lock out
✘ Only stores 19 codes

What Customers Are Saying

Customers liked that they could use this deadbolt at night with the built-in light. They also said that it had easy installation. However, some homeowners found it difficult to push the numbers, especially in the rain.

Easiest To Rekey: Kwikset Signature Series Deadbolt

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers single-touch locking
✔ Features a backlit keypad
✔ Auto-lock setting secures door 30 seconds after code entry

✘ Only stores up to eight codes
✘ Basic, utilitarian design

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who left positive reviews for this deadbolt said that it was easy to set up and lock. The finish on the lock deteriorated for some users, though this was eligible for repairs under the manufacturer’s lifetime finish warranty.

Best Device Compatibility: Yale Security Touchscreen Deadbolt

Pros and Cons

✔ Installs in minutes using just a screwdriver
✔ Comes with two physical keys
✔ Stores up to 250 codes

✘ Needs a Z-Wave hub for its smart features
✘ May need to download the BILT app to install and program it

What Customers Are Saying

Users were pleased with all of the smart features that this deadbolt offered at an affordable price. They also said that it responded quickly to commands on the keypad or through a smart device. However, dissatisfied reviewers said that it was prone to seizing or jamming and making distracting mechanical noises.

Best Safety Features: Samsung Digital Door Lock

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers silent and away modes
✔ Includes a power alarm to signal low battery
✔ Durable touchscreen withstands exposure and years of use

✘ Comes with a short 2-year warranty
✘ Only offered in one finish

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon customers said that this attractive deadbolt was installed on their front door within minutes. They also called out its numerous safety features, including the fire sensor, attempted break-in alarm, and low-battery alarm. For some customers, it cracked after being exposed to direct sunlight. For others, its touchscreen didn’t work consistently.

Best No-Frills Deadbolt: MiLocks Electronic Keyless Entry Touchpad Deadbolt

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers code deactivation and deletion
✔ Finish comes with a lifetime warranty
✔ Includes several types of mounting hardware to fit on various doors

✘ Stores only up to six codes
✘ Button numbers can degrade after extensive use

What Customers Are Saying

Customers were surprised by how durable this lock was for the price. Because of its basic design, they were also able to use it easily. Some customers did struggle to unlock it with the included manual keys, though. Other dissatisfied reviewers said that its battery life drained quickly.

Best Basic Lever: Amazon Basics Electronic Keypad Deadbolt

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes all necessary hardware components
✔ Offers both right- and left-side door installation
✔ Available in a variety of finishes

✘ Doesn’t list how many codes or lock combinations are stored
✘ Didn’t work for some customers with a pre-drilled door and single cylinder

What Customers Are Saying

Overall, customers reported that this electronic deadbolt, keypad, and door lever were excellent value for the money. Positively, they stated that it was quick and easy to install, felt sturdy and secure once installed, and that the keyhole worked smoothly. Critically, some users said that the buttons on the keypad were too close together and that programming different codes was a little confusing.

Buyer’s Guide

From connectivity options to security features, here are a few factors you should consider when you’re determining the best smart lock options for your home.

Connectivity

Some deadbolts can connect to smart devices using Z-Wave, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi technology, allowing you to have remote access to your device.

Z-Wave

Z-Wave technology connects the lock to a compatible hub, such as Wink, SmartThings, or Iris. Your hub connects to the internet, but your devices don’t. Instead, they use Z-Wave technology to communicate with the hub. You can extend the range of your Z-Wave technology by connecting more devices that carry the Z-Wave signal.

Bluetooth

Unlike a Z-Wave lock, a Bluetooth one connects directly to your device, allowing you to operate smart home systems like Apple Homekit, Google Assistant, or Siri. This is useful if you only want to connect one phone to your deadbolt. However, if you have several smart devices, a Z-Wave hub is more convenient.

Wi-Fi

A lock with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity to your devices like a Bluetooth one and is typically controlled via a smartphone app. Wi-Fi drains the battery quicker than Bluetooth, but it has a larger connectivity range.

Code Customization

If you have children or roommates, passcode customization is a helpful feature. Most locks can store at least five codes at a time, so you can assign a password to each person in your household or allow for guest access. Smart door locks can even track the activity of these codes, telling you when people leave or return home.

Safety Features

To make your home more secure, look for an electronic deadbolt that has some or all of these security features:

• Automatic locking
• Double authentication
• Intruder alarm
• Geofencing capabilities

Keypad

Electronic deadbolts either have a touchscreen or button keypads. Basic locks typically have buttons, while modern ones have a touchscreen keypad. Buttons are more affordable, but it’s easy for the numbers to wear off over time.

Design

Since you’re going to install the electronic deadbolt to your front door, it may be important that its design matches the rest of your home’s aesthetic. The type of keypad it has plays a role in its look, but so does its finish and shape.

Learn more about how to choose a deadbolt for your home in the video below:

Manual Operation

Some electronic locks come with a manual key, giving you temporary access to your home the old-fashioned way. This is useful when the keypad battery dies and you can’t get in, but it also leaves your lock more susceptible to picking.

How To Keep Your Home Safe

Choosing an electronic deadbolt with built-in safety features gives you a more secure home. However, there are several other steps you can take to keep your home secure, such as:

Don’t forget windows and side doors

While keeping your front door secure is an important first step to burglar-proofing your home, you need to remember to lock your windows and side doors as well.

Use a home security system

Home security systems give you peace of mind, as they ensure that even if someone were to make it inside your home, they trigger an alarm that sends you and the police a notification.

If you’re looking to DIY, you can install your own home security system fairly easily. Learn how in this video:

Install security cameras

Security cameras are not only an effective way to keep an eye on what’s going on outside of your home, but they can also serve as a deterrent to would-be intruders. You can connect modern security cameras or a video doorbell to your home’s wi-fi and monitor who is approaching.

Use a safe

Even if burglars were to make it inside your home and bypass your other security measures, you can still take steps to ensure that your valuables are protected. Use a safe to lock away jewelry, heirlooms, passports, birth certificates, social security cards, house deeds, and other important items.

Keeps lights on

Another easy way to deter potential burglars is to keep some lights on when you’re not home. Statistically, burglars are more likely to strike an unattended house, and leaving a few lights on makes it look like you’re around.

Frequently Asked Questions

How secure are electronic deadbolts?

Electronic deadbolts can be as secure as a normal deadbolt lock depending on the materials used. It’s important to note that an electronic deadbolt isn’t necessarily more secure than a traditional deadbolt, but it can be if the construction material, length of the deadbolt, and strength of the material the bolt slides into are sufficient for your security standards.

Do all electronic locks have keypads?

No. Some locks use a fingerprint scanner to unlock. Biometric entry is less common, usually only available on high-end smart deadbolts.

How do you install an electronic lock?

The host of Ask This Old House, Kevin O’Connor, outlines how to install an electronic deadbolt. It involves unscrewing the back plate of your current deadbolt and screwing the back plate of your new one into the holes that are left behind.

Are electronic locks and smart locks the same type of hardware?

A smart lock is a type of electronic lock. A smart lock works by using another method besides a manual key to unlock. This can include a keypad, a fingerprint sensor, or a smartphone. If the electronic lock works with smartphones such as an iPhone or Android or with other smart devices, it’s considered a smart lock.

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