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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
An electric door lock only earns its keep when it opens fast, stays online, and does not strand you on the porch with an armful of groceries. The picks below all deliver keyless entry in different ways — fingerprint, palm vein, keypad code, or app — and each one solves a different problem. If you want the shortest answer: the Tapo DL110 is the strongest all-rounder because it throws six open up methods, a 0.42-second fingerprint reader, and a full year of battery into one deadbolt. Read on for the honest trade-offs on every lock here.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
Some locks here run on rechargeable batteries, some on AA cells, and some need a separate gateway before you can open up from the office. That difference decides how much maintenance you sign up for. This breakdown of the best electric door lock options covers six-way entry, palm scanning, and phone control.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Electric Door Lock
An electric door lock is security hardware, so the wrong one does not just annoy you — it locks you out. Four things decide whether yours is a joy or a chore: how you get in, how it stays powered, how it talks to your phone, and whether it physically fits your door.
open up method: what your hands have to do
Fingerprint readers and palm-vein scanners (a scanner that reads the veins under your skin) let you in without fishing for anything, which matters most when your hands are full or wet. A keypad code works for anyone in the household and needs no enrollment at all, but it is slower in the dark. Backup keys are the safety net — every lock in this guide ships with them, so a dead battery never means a locksmith.
Power source: rechargeable pack or AA cells
Rechargeable lithium packs mean you top the lock up over USB-C instead of buying batteries. Standard AA locks are simpler to refill at midnight from a kitchen drawer, but the good ones eat eight cells at a time. Whichever you pick, an in-app low-battery alert turns a dead-battery lockout into a five-minute battery swap.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi built in, or a gateway needed
Built-in Wi-Fi lets you lock and open up from anywhere with no extra hardware. A few locks here run on Bluetooth only and need a separate gateway bridge before remote control works — check this before you buy, because “control it from anywhere” and “control it over Bluetooth” are very different promises. All the Wi-Fi locks on this list connect over the 2.4GHz band, so a 5GHz-only network will not work.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | open up Methods | Power Source | Connectivity | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapo DL110★ Best Overall | Six-way entry with fingerprint | Fingerprint, passcode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, voice, key | Rechargeable pack, 1-year life | Bluetooth + Wi-Fi | Amazon |
| TEEHO TE012WBudget Champion | Budget Wi-Fi with fingerprint | App, fingerprint, passcode, key, voice | 8 AA batteries | Wi-Fi (2.4GHz) | Amazon |
| Tapo DL100Keypad Standout | Keypad simplicity in a Tapo home | Keypad, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, voice, key | 4 AA batteries included | Bluetooth + Wi-Fi | Amazon |
| Veise VE06-L | Rentals with card and e-key sharing | App, codes, web portal, IC cards, e-key, key | Battery powered | Bluetooth; Alexa and Google need G2 gateway | Amazon |
| Veise VE017-L | Fast fingerprint with a handle set | App, fingerprint, passcode, fob, key | 4 AA batteries, 12-month life | Bluetooth; remote needs G1 gateway | Amazon |
| Wyze Palm Lock | Touch-free palm entry | Palm vein, keypad, app, voice, key | Dual battery, 6-month main | Wi-Fi | Amazon |
| Philips 4200 Series | Quick fingerprint plus a handle | Fingerprint, keypad, app, voice, key | 8 AA batteries, 6-month life | Bluetooth + Wi-Fi | Amazon |
| Philips 4000 Series | Kid-friendly fingerprint front door | Fingerprint, PIN, key, app | 8 AA batteries | Wi-Fi | Amazon |
| Schlage Arrive | Push-button keypad reliability | Passcode, app, key | 4 AA batteries | Bluetooth + Wi-Fi | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Door Lock, Deadbolt, Fingerprint Recognition, DL110
Our pick — over 4.5★ from 800+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
Six ways in, one rechargeable year out, and a fingerprint reader that decides in 0.42 seconds.
The Tapo DL110 is the lock you hand a dog-walker, a teenager, and a contractor without ever cutting a key. It opens six ways: fingerprint, custom passcodes on the keypad, Wi-Fi through the Tapo app, close-range Bluetooth, your smart home assistant, or the two backup keys in the box. That 0.42-second fingerprint sensor stores up to 100 prints, so a whole household fits with room to spare.
What wins people over is the build — it is the most-praised part of this lock by a wide margin, with the rechargeable battery and quick install close behind. That battery is the quiet hero: remove the pack, charge it over USB-C, and you are good for a year. Buyers report running one lock down to 26% after nine months of heavy use, which is exactly the sort of maintenance-free stretch most people are chasing. It rekeys to the standard SC1 keyway, so your existing keys can be matched to it.
The catch is weight and sizing. At 2.09 kg this deadbolt is 2.3x the weight of the TEEHO TE012W at 0.92 kg, so confirm your door is solid before you commit. The recurring gripe is the app’s limits — no cross-lock fingerprint or code sharing, so every lock in the house is programmed on its own — and a few people find the keypad invisible until you touch it. The heavier body and the fussier multi-lock setup are the honest trade-offs against that year-long battery and six-way entry.
What earns it top spot
- Six open up methods including a 0.42-second fingerprint reader holding up to 100 prints
- Rechargeable battery rated for a full year — top up over USB-C, skip the battery aisle
- BHMA Grade 2 certified deadbolt with auto-lock, one-touch lock, and two backup keys
- Works with Alexa and the Tapo app, and pairs with other Tapo devices in one place
Where it asks a little
- No cross-lock sharing — every fingerprint and PIN is entered per lock
- Heavier than the TEEHO at 2.09 kg vs 0.92 kg, so check your door’s heft
- Keypad stays dark until you touch it, which surprises new users
Front-door crowd favorite: pick the DL110 if you want all six entry routes, a rechargeable battery, and Grade 2 hardware in one box.
Think twice if: you run several locks and want one fingerprint to open all of them — this one programs each door separately.
2. TEEHO TE012W WiFi Fingerprint Smart Door Lock for Front Door, Satin Nickle
The entry-level lock that skips the hub and still reads your thumb on the first press.
If you want Wi-Fi entry without paying for the top tier, the TEEHO TE012W is the honest answer. It hooks straight into a 2.4GHz network with no hub or bridge, so you are locking and open up from the KK Home App on day one. Five ways in — app, fingerprint, passcode, two backup keys, or voice through Alexa and Google — cover almost any front door.
Value is the whole story here — it is the most-praised aspect of this lock, and ease of use sits right behind it. Owners describe spending 10 minutes on setup and getting a stable Wi-Fi link, with the fingerprint reader landing first touch. The math is simple: it does what a lock costing far more does, and you get screenshots of who came and went through the app log. It rekeys to the common SC1 keyway, so your old keys can be matched to it.
The trade-off is power and polish. It takes eight AA batteries — double the four-cell load of most Wi-Fi locks — and the battery life reads negative overall in owner feedback, with some swapping cells every 12 weeks or so. It is the lightest lock here at 0.92 kg, which is a plus for weight and a hint about how it feels in hand. Add a slightly clunky app, and the picture is clear: a smart, cheap gateway into keyless entry that asks a little more of your battery drawer.
What the price gets you: five open up routes, AES-128 encryption with data stored locally, IP55 weather resistance, and a BHMA Grade 3 rating — a genuinely capable lock for a starter budget.
Who should pause: if changing eight cells every few months sounds like a chore, look at the rechargeable Tapo DL110 above rather than this one.
Reach for this if: you want a real Wi-Fi fingerprint deadbolt at the lowest outlay and do not mind feeding it AA batteries.
Skip the upgrade here if: battery life and app refinement top your list — the jump to a rechargeable lock is worth it.
3. Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt Door Lock, Keyless Tactile Buttons, DL100
Real buttons you can feel in the dark, and up to 200 codes for a house full of people.
Not everyone wants to press a thumb to a pad. The Tapo DL100 gives you actual backlit tactile buttons — the kind you can find by touch without looking — and up to 200 customizable passcodes, plus the anti-peeping trick of burying your code between random digits. It opens five ways: keypad, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi via the Tapo App, voice with PIN, and two backup keys.
Owners rave about the quality first, with reliability and installation close behind, and that reliability shows up in daily use — keypad response is quick and the Wi-Fi stays put. It runs on four AA batteries, included, lasting up to 200 days in Wi-Fi mode or 300 days in Bluetooth mode, and there is a USB-C port for emergency top-ups if you ever cut it too close. The body is a certified BHMA Grade 3 deadbolt with an IP54 weather rating, and it takes the same system as the DL110 above minus the fingerprint reader.
The honest caveat: battery life is the one weak spot. The 200-day Wi-Fi claim assumes light use, and a few owners running Wi-Fi around the clock see the cells drop faster than expected. Others find the notification feed occasionally goes quiet until they reseat the battery. Neither stops the lock working — it is the difference between a convenience feature and a hard requirement.
The case in one line: a metal-exterior Grade 3 deadbolt (a lock tested to withstand basic break-in attempts), a keypad built for gloved hands and dark porches, and 200 codes for exactly the price of a mid-range lock — 5.88 x 2.65 x 2.2 inches of hardware that fits standard 2-1/8-inch and 1-1/2-inch bore holes without drilling.
The fine print: if you want to open up with a fingertip rather than a code, this one does not have a reader — take the DL110 instead.
Built for: code-first households that want physical buttons and a big passcode pool without paying premium money.
Look elsewhere if: fingerprint entry is non-negotiable, because this model trades it away for the tactile keypad.
4. Veise VE06-L Smart Deadbolt Lock with 2 Lever Handle Set, Matte Black
Tap a card to get in — a lock built for the landlord who hates cutting new keys.
For anyone juggling tenants, the Veise VE06-L solves the dullest job in property management: changing locks between renters. It stores 250+ codes and over 1,000 IC cards, and you can create one-time codes that delete themselves after use — no rekeying, no locksmith, no shipping keys across town. Beyond cards, it opens via app, web portal, e-key, admin access, and a key, and it works with an Apple Watch too.
What impresses owners most is the solidity — quality leads the feedback, with installation right behind it. The chassis is zinc alloy, the lock is certified to BHMA/ANSI Grade 3 with an IP54 weather rating, and all the data stays encrypted and stored on the lock’s own chip rather than in the cloud. There is a Privacy Mode, a Silent Mode, and a Passage Mode for when you are moving furniture and want the door to stay open. Auto-lock is adjustable from 5 to 900 seconds, and holding the # key for two seconds locks up on your way out.
The friction is the paperwork, not the hardware. Several owners find the printed instructions weak and reach for the phone line instead — the support team talks them through programming in minutes. You also need the separate G2 gateway for remote Wi-Fi control and Alexa or Google commands, so the “manage it from anywhere” pitch comes with a second purchase. The app-and-handle pairing also feels busier than a straight deadbolt for a single-home user who just wants to walk in.
Why it earns a spot: dual handles and a deadbolt in one set, 250+ codes, 1,000+ card capacity, self-deleting one-time passes, and Grade 3 hardware with a lifespan the maker puts beyond 10 years.
The honest hold-up: remote control needs the G2 gateway, sold separately — so factor that in before buying if you want to open up from off-site.
Ideal for: landlords and property managers who want to hand out cards and delete access without ever touching a key.
Consider a simpler lock if: you live in the home alone and will never use cards or multi-unit access.
5. Veise VE017-L Fingerprint Smart Lock with 2 Lever Handle Set, Satin Nickel
A 0.2-second fingerprint hit with a full zinc-alloy handle set — speed without the fingerprint crowd.
Speed is the headline: the VE017-L reads a fingerprint in 0.2 seconds on an FPC sensor (a fingerprint chip) with 500DPI resolution (500 dots per inch, a measure of detail) that claims to read at any angle. Eight ways in — app, fingerprint, 100+ passcodes, key fobs, spare key, user authorization, code sharing, and auto-lock timed 10 to 180 seconds — make it the most flexible pick after the DL110, and it arrives with two zinc-alloy lever handles so your whole door hardware matches.
Installation is a genuine 10-minute screwdriver job with no wiring, and the lock auto-detects whether your door swings left or right, taking that guesswork off your plate. It runs on four AA batteries with up to a 12-month life and a Type-C emergency port for a rescue charge, and it is built to a BHMA Grade 3 and IP55 standard, working from -35°F to 160°F. That temperature range is note if you live where the seasons bite.
The recurring catch is connectivity scope. The VE017-L is Bluetooth-only from the start — you cannot change codes from off-site or open up remotely until you add the separate Veise G1 gateway, which several owners did not realize at purchase. To its credit, customer service has been known to send the gateway free when that surprises a buyer. The body is also mostly plastic on the outside for the price, which is the fair gripe about a lock that is otherwise quick and reliable.
Why owners keep it
- 0.2-second fingerprint reader on a 500DPI FPC sensor, with AI self-learning so prints sharpen over time
- 12-month battery life on 4 AA cells plus a Type-C emergency port
- IP55 waterproof, BHMA Grade 3, rated -35°F to 160°F, AES-128 encrypted
- Two zinc-alloy lever handles included — one hardware set, one look
What to weigh
- Bluetooth-only until you add the G1 gateway; remote access is not included
- Exterior is largely plastic for the price, which some find off
- Remote code changes need the gateway — a snag for rental use
Right pick when: fast, reliable fingerprint entry and a matching handle set matter more to you than out-of-house control.
Only skip it if: you need to open up from the office — in that case, budget for the G1 gateway or pick a built-in-Wi-Fi lock.
6. Wyze Palm Lock, Smart Door Lock with Palm Vein Recognition
Hover your hand and the door opens — no touching the lock at all.
Wyze’s Palm Lock replaces the fingerprint pad with a vein scanner that reads the pattern beneath your palm from a few inches away. No touch, no smears, no cold metal in winter — just a hover and a soft click. If that sounds like a gimmick, the reviews say otherwise: palm recognition lands near the top of owner praise, and it reads every hand size, including a five-year-old’s. There are four routes in — palm, keypad code, app, and a hidden mechanical key under a damping cover.
Functionality is the most-discussed aspect and it earns it. The deadbolt runs a built-in gyroscope (a motion sensor that detects rotation) that senses when the door has actually closed, so auto-lock fires at the right moment instead of on a fixed timer, and the millimeter-wave radar (a sensor that detects movement) only wakes the lock when a person is present, stretching battery life. Power comes from a dual system — a roughly 6-month main battery backed by a two-week secondary — with a USB-C port and any power bank as the last line of defense. This is a lot of stored energy for a lock, and it shows up as ~75% charge still in the tank after a month, per the brand’s own testing.
The honest limit is setup: programming happens only in the Wyze app. Programming happens only in the Wyze app, and that note is buried near the end of the manual, so a few users hunted for on-device instructions that do not exist. Charging is slow, and the bolt needs a clean strike pocket to seat fully. It is Wi-Fi only — no Thread, no Matter bridge — so remote features live entirely in the Wyze app with its own ecosystem. None of that dents the core experience of a touch-free open up.
What you’re really buying: touch-free palm-vein entry, a gyroscope that locks on real door closure, millimeter-wave presence detection, 50 guest codes with anti-peep protection, IP53 weather resistance, and BHMA3 certification.
Lean into it if: reducing the physical effort of open up matters — the palm hover avoids the dexterity a keypad or thumb press demands.
For the touch-averse: anyone who wants to open their door without touching a pad, pressing a thumb, or turning a key.
Know before you buy: all programming skips the lock and lives in the Wyze app, so set aside phone time before the first use.
7. Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle, Built-in WiFi, APP Remote Control
One-second thumb open up plus a full handle set — the front-door upgrade that dresses the whole door.
The Philips 4200 Series pairs a 0.3-second fingerprint reader with a matching lever handle, so you upgrade the lock and the hardware in one job. It connects straight to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network with no hub required, letting you lock, open up, and check status from the Philips Home Access app wherever you are. Four code types — permanent, one-time, periodic, and recurring — cover family, cleaners, and Airbnb guests from the same screen.
Installation is the most-praised trait, and functionality sits close behind. Owners describe a clean 20-minute fit, an intuitive app, and real-time notifications showing exactly which code opened the door. The fingerprint reader is quick and consistent in the reviews, and the auto-lock is adjustable from 0 to 180 seconds, so the lock closes itself after a set delay. You also get voice control through Alexa and Google, and 0.3 seconds is about as fast as any reader on this list — the DL110’s 0.42-second sensor is the closest comparison.
The recurring complaint is battery appetite. Philips specifies up to six months of life and asks you to use standard 1.5V alkaline cells (standard disposable batteries) only — no rechargeable or lithium — yet several owners mention the low-battery warning within two weeks on cheap cells and better results on Energizer lithium. The 8 AA load is the heaviest here, and the instruction to avoid rechargeables removes the easy fix. Add that the auto-lock ships off by default, and you need to switch it on in the app before it starts working for you.
The short version: fastest thumb reader with a full handle set, flexible passcode types, and true 2.4GHz Wi-Fi remote control for a mid-range outlay.
The honest snag: it eats 8 AA batteries and refuses rechargeables, so budget for quality alkalines or lithium cells rather than your usual rechargeable rotation.
Great match for: someone replacing a whole front-door look who wants a fast fingerprint lock and matching handle in one purchase.
Second-guess if: you prefer rechargeables — this lock is specified for alkaline cells only, so plan your battery supply around it.
8. Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock with 2 Handle, Keypad Front Door Lock Set
Built for the household where the kids keep losing the spare key.
If your family goes through keys like tissues, the Philips 4000 Series is aimed squarely at you. It stores up to fifty fingerprints and holds 100 user PIN codes plus unlimited one-time PINs that self-delete after use, so nobody fights over the spare. Four ways in — fingerprint, PIN, key, or app — and it runs straight off 2.4GHz Wi-Fi with no gateway, giving you remote lock and open up, instant alerts, and access history from your phone.
Installation is the top vote-getter, and fingerprint recognition is right behind it as customers note the reader lands its match on the first try, even for children. The build is aluminum alloy with mostly metal on the outside and plastic on the inside, and the app lets you run several locks and user codes from one screen. A single battery set is said to last about two months, and the auto-lock removes the nightly “did I lock the door?” ritual.
Two honest notes stand out. First, the auto-lock has no door-close sensor — it locks on a delay, so if the door is not fully shut it will try to lock anyway. Second, the included strike plate is longer than a standard 2.24-inch residential plate and may not fit older jambs without a small workaround. Battery life and the strike-plate fit are the honest snags on an otherwise friendly lock.
What makes it work: a 50-fingerprint reader that kids can actually use, 100 user PINs, unlimited one-time codes that delete themselves, and true no-hub Wi-Fi control from the Philips app.
Watch for: no door-close detection before auto-lock, so push the door fully shut or the bolt may meet a gap.
Suits: busy families who want lots of codes, easy fingerprint entry for all ages, and a matched two-handle set.
Weigh up first: if your door is an older, non-standard size, the longer strike plate may need a small fix before it fits.
9. Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Physical buttons, a name that needs no introduction, and room for 250 codes.
The Schlage Arrive skips the fingerprint pad entirely and leans on the thing Schlage does best: a durable push-button keypad with backlit silicone buttons that are easy to enter codes on, day or night. It manages up to 250 access codes, links with Alexa, Google Home, and Ring, and lets you lock or open up from anywhere through the Schlage Home app. The keypad is also fingerprint-resistant, which matters if you would rather not polish off thumb smudges.
Quality and installation carry the feedback — the black finish matches existing chrome hardware, and the lock turns a full revolution for a satisfying sense of security in hand. Setup is a screwdriver-only job with interactive digital instructions, fitting standard doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick and 2-3/8 or 2-3/4-inch backsets. It uses four AA batteries, and it arrives with your choice of backup key for Wi-Fi or battery failures.
The mixed signal is connectivity. Reports on Wi-Fi reliability and battery life split — some owners get a quick connection and months of use, while a few describe fast drain and connection hiccups that need a nearby booster. One owner was frustrated enough to advise sticking with a plain programmable lock. Size it against the picture: the vast majority find it reliable and convenient, and the honest advice is simply to keep your router reasonably close.
Why people trust it: all-weather silicone buttons, up to 250 codes, full-revolution turning for a secure feel, flexible auto-lock delays, and app management for multiple locks at once.
The trade-off: a few owners see Wi-Fi drain the batteries faster than they would like — a lock that rewards a strong router signal.
Pick this if: you value a physical button keypad and a longstanding security name over new biometric tech.
Look at the Wyze Palm Lock if: you want the touch-free convenience this keypad model deliberately leaves out.
Understanding the Specs
open up speed: fingerprint and palm-vein readers
Reader speed is quoted in seconds — the Veise VE017-L claims 0.2 seconds, the Philips 4200 Series 0.3, and the Tapo DL110 0.42. That gap barely matters door to door, but it matters in the cold or when your hands are full. Premium models add palm-vein scanning, like the Wyze Palm Lock, which reads the vein pattern under your hand from a short distance with no touch at all.
Power source and battery life
Rechargeable lithium packs, like the Tapo DL110’s year-long cell you top up over USB-C, save battery-buying trips. AA-powered locks are simpler to refill but often need eight cells at once, as on the TEEHO TE012W and both Philips models. The best locks push a low-battery alert to the app days ahead, so you can swap or charge the cells before the lock dies.
FAQ
Do electric door locks work if the Wi-Fi goes down?
Can a smart lock be opened from my phone when I am away from home?
How long do the batteries actually last on a Wi-Fi smart lock?
Will a smart deadbolt fit my existing door?
What is the difference between a fingerprint lock and a palm-vein lock?
Can I share temporary access codes with guests or a cleaner?
How secure is an electric door lock against break-in attempts?
What is the difference between Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on a smart lock?
Do I still get a physical key with an electric door lock?
Which electric door lock is best for a rental property?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
The best electric door lock for most people is the Tapo DL110 — six open up methods, a 0.42-second fingerprint reader holding 100 prints, a year-long rechargeable battery, and Grade 2 hardware that earns its place. If you want a fingertip that answers in 0.2 seconds with a matching handle set, reach for the Veise VE017-L. And for hands-free entry — a hover of the palm and no touch at all — the Wyze Palm Lock is the one to grab.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of September 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
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