6 Best Keyless Locks | 2019 Beneficial Buyer’s Guide

This guide will tell you about the TOP-6 best keyless locks that are commercially available on the market. They have different designs, from a traditional to ultra-modern ones, and a different set of features. You will learn how their mechanism works and what things to consider when choosing a product. Find out what kind of benefits keyless door deadbolts offer and read answers to the questions most frequently asked by customers. Apart from that, the guide discusses which models are the best option for those who rent out their property and want to upgrade it. It is important to choose the right keyless lock which should be both convenient and uncomplicated. Do not expect every tenant to be very well versed in technology, that is why you should opt for an item that will suit everyone. Those living in RVs will also find some valuable suggestions on what product to chose and how to install it.

RV Keyless Door Deadbolts: Why it is really worth it

One of the reasons that RVs are considered less safe than conventional homes is that a limited number of keys open most of their doors. And this is why these vehicles are so popular among thieves. Therefore, installing a keyless model is a good choice for everyone who wants to protect their belongings.

There are other reasons for choosing a keyless option. First, people living in trailers go outside more often and, hence, are more likely to lose a key. Secondly, digital door lock does not exclude the possibility of using a conventional deadbolt latch for additional security when you are inside the trailer. And finally, you may create temporary codes for your friends and cancel them whenever you like. When it comes to a physical key, you will have to ask your friends to return it or you may forget to do it.

Installation and maintenance are simple. Check out this video to see how easy it is to install a keyless door lock in your trailer’s door.

You may find a variety of RV keyless locks on the market but I am going to narrow your choice and take a brief look at the two popular brands. An innovative keyless entry handle by RVLock will cost you more than $200 but it is really worth it. The product comes not only with an integrated keypad but also with a four-button remote fob. The core is heavy-duty and made of steel, which is why the item is heavier than many other models.

Another deadbolt door lock is produced by AP products, a company that has been supplying the RV industry with replacement parts for about two decades. This model is less popular among the customers than the previous one but it also offers the major advantages of this kind of system. The product comes with a touchpad integrated with the handle, has a backlit design and is fully programmable. However, you can create only a four-digit PIN number. The device operates on 4AA batteries that last for 6 months. Keep in mind that after changing batteries you will have to change the code as well.

Keypad Door Locks For Rentals

If you are thinking about updating your property, installing a keyless lock would be a wise choice. Whether you rent out a small and affordable Chicago apartment or a huge home in New York City, show your tenants that you take a modern approach and keep up to date. Now, you need to choose a model that will suit your needs best. What aspects should you consider?

Intuitive design. Obviously, your tenants are not going to study the product’s operational manual. The device should be user-friendly and easy to use. More importantly, your tenants may not be tech-savvy, which means that the model should not have complicated features.

Mechanical key option. There are keyless locks that come with a mechanical key so that you could use both ways or either of them to enter the house. This is important because some tenants may be suspicious of the innovations they are not familiar with and may prefer using a conventional key. You should give them a choice.

Easy-to-press buttons. Again, you never know who your next tenants will be. Anyway, the keypad buttons should be easy to press by anyone, be it a small girl or an old lady with arthritis.

Temporary code. There are models allowing to create temporary codes. You may program it to automatically expire when the guest checks out or just change the code for each guest.

Electronic Deadbolt Review: TOP-6 Best Products

Below, you will find a list of products at a price ranging from $40 to $150. All of them provide for keyless access to homes or other buildings with several programmable codes. They differ by the number of features and design, with some models being more sturdy and heavier than others. There is also a model that comes with an app allowing the user to see remotely who comes in and out of the house via their smartphone.

1. Keyless Door Deadbolt, Satin Nickel | Schlage BE365

Do you want a professional-grade keyless lock from a brand-name company for a reasonable price? Consider this model manufactured by Schlage, a Colorado-based company that has been producing security hardware since 1920. Today, Schlage is a popular brand that has won the CES Innovation Award and the Great Design Award from Architectural Design.

This model is durable and comes with a weather-resistant keypad covered with silicone. Apart from a reliable product, it is easy to use even for small finger. The keypad is backlit so that you could see the buttons in low light conditions. What I particularly appreciate in this model is a low-battery indicator that allows me to replace the battery beforehand. By the way, the battery lasts for three years.

However, it will take you about half an hour to install the lock, with only one tool required. The device is programmable and allows to create up to 19 codes. It has metal construction and weighs just 1.5 pounds.

Customers like the product and say that the keypad works flawlessly. One customer said that they ignored a low-battery indicator and left for vacation. Upon their return home, they found themselves locked out of the house because the battery ran out. They called a locksmith but no matter how hard he tried he failed to open the door. He managed to do it only after an hour of drilling.

2. Bronze Keyless Door Deadbolt | Kwikset 99070-103

Let’s take a look at this model from Kwikset, the California-based leading producer of residential locks. Established in 1946, the company has been manufacturing high-quality interior and exterior door products for decades being the only lock producer that delivers the SmartKey Security™ technology.

This battery operated lock is opened by an electronic keypad or key. Since it can be programmed up to 6 user codes, you and your family members will be able to enter your home using personalized codes. There is also one master code for the owner and one temporary code for a guest. It will not take much time for you to install and program the device as it is user-friendly and all you need is a screwdriver.

I think you will highly appreciate its long-lasting alarm that is activated after five consecutive incorrect entries. Another valuable security feature is an auto lock function, which means that you can program the unit to lock automatically. The exterior keypad is also convenient to use because of the backlit design that allows easily unlock your door even in complete darkness.

While there are more satisfied customers than dissatisfied ones, I’d like to elaborate on the product’s weak points they mention. First, some of the components in its latch mechanism are made of plastic, secondly, you will program it from the outside of the door and, thirdly, you will have to spend some time on deleting the default code.

3. SmartCode Electronic Keyless Lock | Kwikset 909

This model is twice the price of the previous one, but the upgrades are really worth paying extra money. This deadbolt is more reliable, more controllable and much more convenient. It has all the components inside the latch mechanism made of metal, locks better and has a stronger motor. On top of that, it is programmed from the inside of the door, something that adds to the product’s safety.

In my view, the designed was improved as well and now is sleek and modern. For your convenience, the keypad is backlit while the entire construction is burglar-proof. The mechanism locks the doors automatically after half a minute.

Customers say that the improvements are awesome and the device is now much easier to program and install. In particular, of the buyers like a light indicator showing amber or green depending on whether the door is locked or not. Another essential addition that was appreciated by the purchasers is a lockable code changing panel. Still, there are complaints about the device beeping from time to time or malfunctioning after the battery was changed.

4. Compact Keypad Door Lock for Trailers | RVLock

If you are looking a keyless lock for trailers, this product is definitely for you as it is manufactured by the first keyless entry lock company for trailers — RVLock. This item will cost you about $100 but a good quality lock is worth this kind of money because it will help you to protect much pricier valuables kept in your trailer.

The product comes with a secure handle that is made of heavy-duty steel and is very durable. That said, although it weighs 3 pounds, it is compact, which makes it less noticeable. You can program the device to suit your needs, however, keep in mind that it has been developed for right-handed users. This model is designed to fit most types of trailers, including cargo-style and fifth-wheel ones.

You can use either an integrated keypad or a remote fob, with the former offering more than one million codes. Although this is a feature-packed device, it will take you no more than 10 minutes to install it.

Despite the high price, this product is extremely popular with customers as 73% of the buyers have given it 5 stars. The purchasers note that it is convenient to operate at any time of the day. For example, once you touch the keypad, it lights up and stays lit for 5 seconds, something that makes it easy to use at night. Still, some users say that the structure is not robust enough as the body of the unit is made of plastic.

5. Digital Door Lock | August

What I like about this product is that it looks pretty different from most other options. However, it is not just the ultra-modern design that caught my eye. This model is produced by August, a reputable brand-name company that offers smart technologies for home access, which are secure and easy to use. “Your smart home starts at the front door,” the company’s motto reads. Indeed, this is a must-have item for anyone who wants to move with the times and is committed to the smart home revolution.

You can easily check who comes in the house and whether the door is locked using an app downloaded in your smartphone, which is compatible both with iOS and Android. Not only does it significantly adds to your home security, but it also allows you to gain more control over your kids, for example.

The device works through Bluetooth technology and provides for creating numerous custom entry codes for your family and guests. You will also need two AAA batteries for the unit to operate, which means some extra spending though.

6. Keyless Lock with Battery Backup | Swagtron

This is an affordable and simple option that installs within minutes. You can program up to 8 different codes for your family members as well as use one master code and a standard entry code. In terms of security, this item has a very important feature that automatically locks the door behind you within seconds.

Another advantage I would like to highlight is the battery backup pack which will be helpful in case the battery dies. However, to my mind, the function of a low-battery indicator would help more. Made of stainless steel, the construction is weather and dust resistant.

One more feature that appeals to me is a code camouflage. You will need to enter the first digit of the passcode and then any number of random digits before punching in the other digits of the code. This will come in handy in case someone wants to take a peek.

Although there is a lot of positive feedback, many customers complaining about defects in design, with the main gripes being about the doorknob either jamming or stopping functioning after heavy rain. One customer claims that the lock does not work in cold weather, the one buyer notes that it malfunctions occasionally.

How Does a Keyless Lock Works?

A keyless door deadlock is considered to be a safer and more convenient alternative to conventional locks. Generally, it requires a security code containing up to 8 digits that can be changed by the user. Actually, the more often you change the code the safer your home is. Apart from that, some models come with specially developed apps that can be used to gain entry to the home too.

As keyless locks are becoming increasingly popular, manufacturers are doing their best to make their products easier to use and install. Although you may call a locksmith to do this work, many homeowners do it themselves without any problem as the installation is simple enough and requires at most one tool.

These devices require a power supply as it is an electrical current that makes the mechanism release the lock bolt. The current is generated when you enter the proper code at the keypad. Some products come with a feature preventing the lock from opening for some time after a number of failed attempts.

There are models that come with a low-battery indicator, which allows the homeowner to change the battery before it dies. But in case you have missed this moment, the unit with a discharged battery will not be less safe. You just will not be able to get inside the house and will have to call a locksmith.

Pros and Cons of Using a Digital Door Lock

Although the benefits of these products seem to be obvious, let’s take a brief look at their major advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

• Physical keys can be lost, stolen or damaged while this is not the case with a keyless device.
• It is costly and time-consuming to change a conventional key while changing codes is very easy, something that makes the latter much safer.
• You can provide temporary access to workers, babysitter or your guests.

Cons

• Remembering key codes can be a problem for people with a faulty memory.
• You need to check the battery level, otherwise, you will not unlock the door.
• Digital door locks are generally more expensive.

What to Look for When Buying a Keyless Lock

Of course, homeowners have different needs and should make decisions on this basis. Nevertheless, there are some common guidelines that you should follow to buy a keyless lock that will work well for you.

The number of access codes. The unit should provide the possibility to program several codes. Their number depends on how many people should get access to your house, including guests, workers and other people who may need temporary access.

Limited access attempts. This is an important security feature that blocks the doors for a while after a number of incorrect code entries. It will significantly reduce the chance of burglars to get into the house.

Weather-resistance. The unit should be resistant to dust, cold, and water. Obviously, there is no point in buying devices that begin to malfunction after heavy rains or at low temperatures.

The keypad quality. Choose units with coated keypads as it is one of the most usable parts of the construction. Also, make sure that the buttons are pressed effortlessly and convenient for small kids, if any.

Low battery indicator. The device will beep, change lights or display a corresponding message when the battery runs low. Keep in mind that you will not be able to enter the house if the battery in the lock dies.

Alarm. A built-in alarm is an effective security feature that will deter burglars and alert your neighbors that someone attempts to break into your house.

FAQ

Are keyless door locks safe?
High-quality products are generally safe. However, they can get hacked due to the owner’s carelessness. Still, it is less likely that someone will learn your code while there is more chance of losing a mechanical key.

How are they powered?
Generally, they operated on a number of batteries that need to be replaced after expiration.

How to install a keyless lock?
The installation is quite easy. First, you need to remove the existing deadbolt from the door by unscrewing it from the plate. Secondly, slide the latch into the door and secure it using the screws that come with the product. Place the lock on the inside of the door and insert the turn rod through the hole. Place the plate over the hole on the outside of the door. Connect the cable from the keypad to the locking mechanism. Then, install the mechanism on the door with the screws and insert the battery pack.