The Best Keypad Locks

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker
Published on
June 3rd, 2019

Expert BioExpert Bio

Adam has a passion for cleaning from his youth growing up in England, and he has carried it with him to the US. Adam’s formal training and certifications in cleaning include the Advanced System Cleaning specialist (For HVAC cleaning / ductwork), through NADCA (this is the highest certification that NADCA has), as well as several other certifications from the IICRC. Adam has either advised, consulted, or done research with dozens of cleaning and cleaning related business entities. Adam holds an undergraduate degree from Oxford, a Master’s degree from Oxford, and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.

The Cleaning Institute

These days, traditional locks are growing more and more obsolete. We are now in the age of the “smart home,” where everything is connected to the Internet and can be operated via mobile device or voice command. Now that everyone is trying to update their home appliances to match this growth in technology, the keypad lock is no exception. This type of lock works electronically, allowing homeowners to unlock their homes with either a mobile device or a special pin inputted via keypad. The Cleaning Institute has been in the business of helping homeowners find the best products for 35 years, and here, we’ll tell you all about the best keypad locks available today.

Testing Categories

Security – What’s the use in a keypad lock that can’t keep you safe? We tested the locking and unlocking mechanisms of each keypad lock to ensure they weren’t too easy to trigger and were able to lock tightly and effectively.

Installation – Not every keypad lock is a cinch to install into your door. The ideal keypad locks needed only a screwdriver to attach to a door. Similarly, programming them—whether through the keypad or through WiFi connection—should be simple as well.

Accessibility – Does the lock’s mobile app give you enough control? Does the fingerprint reader work as it should? How responsive is the keypad to your touch? We took all of these issues into account throughout our testing process.

Top Pick

Ultraloq UL3 BT Bluetooth
Enabled Fingerprint and
Touchscreen Smart Lock

The Ultraloq UL3 BT Smart Lock is designed for the “smart” home. It is battery-powered and comes with fingerprint identification and numerous other safety features - keys are totally unnecessary.

Price Check

This smart lock should prove appealing and ideal for tech-savvy homeowners looking for an advanced way to secure their home.

Most notable upside: Ultraloq designed this smart lock with both safety and functionality in mind. It comes with bluetooth compatibility, as well as a fingerprint reader, for added security. It’s even waterproof, meaning you won’t have to worry about the smart lock malfunctioning after it rains. Installation is also incredibly easy - all you need is a screwdriver and, potentially, a drill. The instructions even come with templates to help you know where everything should go. On top of its various other security features, this smart lock comes with a mobile app for further control and monitoring. It’s most ideal for those moments where you’re unable to fiddle with the fingerprint reader or other manual unlocking features. Best of all, this smart lock is completely battery-powered, which can save you quite a bit on utilities.

Biggest downsides: It can be hard at times to gauge battery life, as the report mechanism doesn’t always kick in when it should. This can leave you literally locked out if you aren’t careful, forcing you to use your key or hope there’s someone inside your home who can let you in. The fingerprint reader is also picky; you have to position your finger just so for it to recognize you, and sometimes it won’t work at all. There are also a few cases of this lock breaking after a brief period, and it’s also tricky to program.

4/5
Security
3/5
Installation
4/5
Accessibility

Honorable Mention

Yale Assure Lock SL
Key Free Door Lock with
Touchscreen Keypad

While this keypad may be whisper-quiet as it operates, its functionality rings loud and clear. There’s no key required to use this lock, and it comes with the ability to program up to 25 pin codes.

Price Check

The Yale Assure Lock is a great alternative option for those interested in finding a smart keypad lock for their home, slight connectivity issues aside.

Most notable upside: Like most other modern keypad locks, this lock comes with its own app that allows users to control the lock directly. It can also connect to your WiFi or through Bluetooth, making accessibility even easier to maintain. On a mechanical level, this lock is well-built—sturdy, sleek, and definitely functional. Should you decide against using the mobile app to control the lock, the pin function works just as well. You can also lock your door by simply pressing the face of the lock with your hand. The app really just adds further convenience. Installation is also a breeze, requiring only a screwdriver.

Biggest downsides: The app can lag at times. Additionally, despite the lock’s WiFi connectivity, it isn’t very good at picking up the signal; the WiFi can only connect to one lock at a time if you have more than one. The setup instructions for the “Master Code” mechanism can also be confusing to some. The touchpad is sometimes not as responsive as it should be, causing users to have to try multiple touches to get it to register and react.

4/5
Security
4/5
Installation
4/5
Accessibility

Also Consider

TurboLock
Keyless
Electronic Keypad

The TurboLock Keypad is perhaps the simplest model up for review here. It has no smart features or WiFi connectivity, just a keypad & auto-lock mechanism. It provides great, no-frills functionality.

Price Check

Despite a few mechanical issues, we think this keypad can be a great, cut-and-dry solution for those who want a mid-range electronic door lock for their homes.

Most notable upside: Our team (and reviewers alike) find this keypad to be incredibly convenient. Like the other models we’re covered here, this keypad requires no key to work. Instead, it can be unlocked via pin number, of which you can program up to eight maximum. Installing this keypad is also very easy to perform. A unique element to this keypad is the ability to add false digits to your codes to throw off potential intruders. This keypad is fairly sturdy, holding up well to extreme weather conditions without malfunctioning.

Biggest downsides: The latch can be a bit sticky and may not retract completely, thus keeping you from opening the door properly once you’ve unlocked it. Some reviewers found this lock to be difficult to program effectively. In some cases, these batteries arrived “dead on arrival,” but this could be a shipping error. However, in other cases, the keypad died after installation, leaving reviewers locked out of their homes.

4/5
Security
3/5
Installation
3/5
Accessibilitye

All Our Picks

Tips for Effective Keypad Locks

Setting up a pin for your keypad lock isn’t too different from setting up a pin number for your debit card or security system; it shouldn’t be easy to guess or tie into your personal information in any way. To keep your keypad lock in working order after purchase, be sure to change out the battery on an annual basis. Also, be sure to take weather into account, as not all keypad locks are weather-resistant and could begin to malfunction in the face of extreme cold or heat.

A Note About Safety and Storage

There are a few unique safety concerns to take into account with keypad locks, most of which have to do with the keypad itself. First: with prolonged use, the numbering on the keys you use most may begin to wear away. This can give burglars a much better chance of figuring out your passcode based on which numbers are the most worn. Second: be very careful when you input your pin number. Someone may be watching without you knowing. Be sure to cover up the keypad in some way to prevent prying eyes from spying.

The Best Keypad Locks

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Ultraloq UL3 BT Bluetooth
Enabled Fingerprint and
Touchscreen Smart Lock

Security

Installation

Accessibility

Yale Assure Lock SL
Key Free Door Lock with
Touchscreen Keypad

Security

Installation

Accessibility

TurboLock
Keyless
Electronic Keypad

Security

Installation

Accessibilitye

All Our Picks

Ultraloq UL3 BT Bluetooth
Enabled Fingerprint and
Touchscreen Smart Lock

Yale Assure Lock SL
Key Free Door Lock with
Touchscreen Keypad

TurboLock
Keyless
Electronic Keypad

Tips for Effective Keypad Locks

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

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The Best Keypad Locks

Your guide to this review today is by Cleaning expert Adam Barker

The Cleaning Institute

Testing Categories

Ultraloq UL3 BT BluetoothEnabled Fingerprint andTouchscreen Smart Lock

Security

Installation

Accessibility

Yale Assure Lock SL Key Free Door Lock withTouchscreen Keypad

Security

Installation

Accessibility

TurboLockKeyless Electronic Keypad

Security

Installation

Accessibilitye

All Our Picks

Ultraloq UL3 BT BluetoothEnabled Fingerprint andTouchscreen Smart Lock

Yale Assure Lock SL Key Free Door Lock withTouchscreen Keypad

TurboLockKeyless Electronic Keypad

Tips for Effective Keypad Locks

A Note About Safety and Storage

Quick Links

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Ultraloq UL3 BT Bluetooth
Enabled Fingerprint and
Touchscreen Smart Lock

Yale Assure Lock SL
Key Free Door Lock with
Touchscreen Keypad

TurboLock
Keyless
Electronic Keypad

Ultraloq UL3 BT Bluetooth
Enabled Fingerprint and
Touchscreen Smart Lock

Yale Assure Lock SL
Key Free Door Lock with
Touchscreen Keypad

TurboLock
Keyless
Electronic Keypad