The 5 Best Electronic Deadbolts (2022 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 flower pot, an electronic deadbolt lock may be the solution you’re looking for. Many of these 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 control, wireless connectivity, custom codes, and burglar alarms. We compared five of 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.

Most Customizable: Schlage Touch Century Lock

Schlage Touch Century Lock

To match the design and finish of your porch light, mailbox, and other front yard elements, this electronic deadbolt is offered in different colors and with various levers. Because it has a built-in handle, you don’t need to purchase a separate one and spend extra time installing it.

Courtesy Amazon

• Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Does not have a manual key, so it is impossible for lock to be picked

✔ Features a fingerprint-resistant touch screen

✔ Comes in several finishes

✘ There’s no way to enter the door if the battery dies

✘ Can hold only 19 total 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

Kwikset Signature Series Deadbolt

• $88
• $105
• 17% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

If you want to use your manual key, you can program this deadbolt to work with it in case you forget the code or let the battery die for increased functionality. The lock also offers other useful features, including 30-second automatic lock feature and one-touch locking.

Courtesy Amazon

• $88 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers single-touch locking

✔ Includes a backlit keypad

✔ Automatically locks door 30 seconds after inputting code for added safety

✘ Stores only eight user codes

✘ Has a less decorative design than some other models

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 Touchscreen Deadbolt

Yale Touchscreen Deadbolt

• $273

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This deadbolt works with various smart home devices, including Amazon Alexa, Ring security systems, Wink, and Samsung SmartThings. You can pair it to these devices after purchasing a compatible Z-Wave hub.

Courtesy Amazon

• $273 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Can store up to 250 codes

✔ Comes with two physical keys for backup

✔ Can replace your existing deadbolt in minutes

✘ Smart home features are only accessible with separately purchased hub

✘ Is only available in one finish

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

Samsung Digital Door Lock

• $239

Prices taken at time of publishing.

If you’re in the market for a modern deadbolt, look no further than this smart door lock. Instead of buttons, this deadbolt comes with a touchscreen, giving it a sleek look like a smartphone. To get into your home, you can set up double authentication to input a code and scan a card. If you input the wrong password five times in a row, it sounds the alarm and disables the card authentication for three minutes.

Courtesy Amazon

• $239 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Features a fire sensor and dual authentication mode for added security

✔ Has a battery alarm that indicates when battery is running low

✔ Digital interface ensures numbers won’t wear down over time

✘ Not available in multiple finishes

✘ Not compatible with a smartphone mobile app

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon customers said that this attractive deadbolt installed to 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

MiLocks Electronic Keyless Entry Touchpad Deadbolt

• $53
• $110
• 52% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

If you only care about the basics of an electronic deadbolt, this  entry door lock may be right for you. This keyless lock offers a backlit keypad, a lifetime finish warranty, multiple color options, and other fundamental features, but it skips out on the more expansive ones in exchange for a more affordable price tag. 

Courtesy Amazon

• $53 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Comes with several types of mounting hardware to fit on a variety of doors

✔ Gives you the ability to delete users when you no longer want them to have access

✔ Features an adjustable latch that adjusts from 2 ⅜ inches to 2 ¾ inches

✘ Stores fewer codes than other models

✘ Doesn’t come with auto-locking function

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.

Buyer’s Guide

From connectivity options to security features, here are a few factors you should consider when you’re purchasing an electronic deadbolt for your front door.

Connectivity

Some deadbolts can connect to smart devices using Z-Wave, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi technology.

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. 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 Wi-Fi lock connects to your devices like a Bluetooth one. 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. Smart deadbolts 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:

• Intruder alarm
• Automatic locking
• Double authentication

Keypad

Electronic deadbolts either have a touchscreen or buttons to use as a keypad door lock. Basic locks typically have buttons, while modern ones have a touchscreen keypad. Buttons are more affordable, but it’s easy for the numbers to rub off of them 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. 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, to up the security even more, read our tips below.

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 notifies you and maybe the police.

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 check the feed of modern security cameras through a smartphone.

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

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. An electronic lock uses another method besides a manual key to unlock. This can include a keypad, a fingerprint scanner, or a smartphone. If the electronic lock works with smartphones or other smart devices, it’s considered a smart lock.

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