6 Best Fingerprint Smart Locks for Home Security

1966: In the Wrath of Khan, Kirk used voice commands to access Project Genesis data. This was the first time any movie or TV series used biometric security. Star Trek was years ahead of its time and it has taken humanity over 50 years to realize those sci-fi dreams. We did eventually get there though, and now biometric and fingerprint smart locks are everywhere.

Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro
Runner-up: eufy Security Smart Lock Touch
Best Under $100: HuTools Fingerprint Deadbolt Door Lock
Best Handle Lock: Sifely Keyless Fingerprint Lock
Honourable Mention #1: Kwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock
Honourable Mention #2: Lockly PGD728WVB Secure Pro

Best Overall: ULTRALOQ Smart Lock U-Bolt Pro

Ultraloq has time and again proven that they are a serious contender in the smart lock industry, giving established titans like Yale and Schlage a run for their money. The U-Bolt Pro is their most successful product to date mainly because of its simplicity and reliability. Ultraloq backs up their product with a lifetime mechanical warranty and a 12 month electronic warranty.

If you’re as forgetful as I am, you will appreciate the auto lock and unlock feature. As long as you have your connected smartphone with you, the lock will auto engage as you walk away from the door and auto unlock as you approach the door.

With the smartphone app, you can set temporary or permanent passcodes so you can grant access to friends and family. It’s also very useful if you have an AirBNB and need to provide scheduled access for a fixed period of time. However, you do need a separate WiFi bridge to activate all the smart features of this lock.

Pros:

Reliable auto lock and unlock.
Fingerprint sensor is fast and consistent.
Well-built with Schlage or Kwikset cylinders.
Random pin keypad – enter random digits to avoid peeking.

Cons:

Each lock needs a separate WiFi bridge
Not compatible with ZWave.
WiFi Bridge needs to be purchased separately.
Difficult to re-key the proprietary key design.

Runner-up: eufy Security Smart Lock Touch

An excellent balance of appearance, features, and reliability compared to the other fingerprint smart locks. When this lock was first launched, it lacked WiFi and you could only use the fingerprint lock/unlock feature. After several reviews and feedback from users, eufy acted and developed the WiFi adapter which gives remote control and monitoring of the lock from anywhere in the world.

As any eufy product, the build quality is excellent and really feels premium in your hand. The installation is straightforward and all you will need is a Phillips head screwdriver. You do need to update the lock to the latest firmware but it’s an easy process prompted by the app.

The fingerprint reader is quick to read and respond to your touch. It was found to be as good as, if not better than the Apple touch button.

eufy customer service is US based and they are super-helpful in every customer interaction. If you face any defects in the lock or if you face any issues during the 12 month warranty period, eufy will promptly send out a replacement device.

Installation Instructions for the eufy Fingerprint Lock

One caveat is that the WiFi bridge adapter should be installed not more than 10 feet away from the lock and your router. It has been found that the lock doesn’t perform as well when the adapter is not close to the lock or your WiFi router.

Pros:

Excellent build quality – all metal construction.
Great US based customer service.
Backed by a 12 month replacement warranty.

Cons:

WiFi bridge needs to be installed close to the lock and your WiFi router.
Traditional digital keypad – prone to wear.

You may also like:

Best Under $100: HuTools Fingerprint Deadbolt Door Lock (Non-Smart Option)

From a little known company comes this reasonably priced device that does what it says and does it reliably. It does not have the bells and whistles of the other locks on this list but if you are looking for a no-nonsense fingerprint deadbolt lock, this is it.

Inbuilt batteries are good if you prefer to change the entire device every time the battery loses its life. We prefer the convenience of simple AA batteries that can be replaced any time. It’s true that AA batteries are the most environment-friendly option. But you can easily mitigate this by getting rechargeable AA batteries and getting an extra pair to cover the recharge time.

Pros:

Auto unlock and relock with adjustable delay.
Replaceable rechargeable AA batteries.
Reliable fingerprint access.

Cons:

No backup keyed access.
Not meant for extreme temperatures.
No smart lock capabilities.

Best Handle Lock: Sifely Keyless Fingerprint Lock

This is a latch lock and not deadbolt. You can use it to complement your existing deadbolt or install it on an interior door where you do not need the security of a deadbolt.

Like most smart locks, the Sifely device also requires a WiFi Gateway to access advanced features like remote lock and unlock or live notifications.

Pros:

Advanced 3D Fingerprint.
Flexible relock delay time.
Generate new passcodes remotely without internet.

Cons:

Physical key access requires use of tools.
Tech support is not very effective.
App user interface needs improvement.

Honourable Mention #1: Kwikset Halo Touch Contemporary Square Wi-Fi Fingerprint Smart Locks

A smart lock that works without having to purchase a separate WiFi hub? Say no more! It has all the features of our top picks above, feels premium in your hand, and is made by one of the most trusted names in the lock industry. Not to mention it’s reasonably priced.

So why didn’t we choose it to be higher up on this list. Because of the seriously buggy app and poor battery life. While the hardware is excellent quality and if you just need a fingerprint and keypad lock, then you can’t go wrong with this device. But if you plan to use the smart features, you will need to get around the terrible user experience of the app.

Pros:

Excellent build quality.
Doesn’t require a separate WiFi hub.

Cons:

Doesn’t work with Google Home
Terrible and buggy UX on the app.
No backup keypad access.

Honourable Mention #2: Lockly PGD728WVB Secure Pro

It seems like Lockly has abandoned this project. It was a well designed fingerprint lock with patented PIN code technology. However, no upgrades or improvements have been made since this lock was launched.

Customer service is another contention with this lock. Their standard response seems to be to offer a replacement device without trying to work on the specific issues faced by customers.

Unless the company makes some serious improvements, this product will be forgotten as a smart lock that had excellent potential.

Pros:

Patented PIN Genie technology
Fast fingerprint recognition
WiFi bridge included.

Cons:

Deadbolt tends to engage when the door is ajar.
Build quality is not the best – plastic back.
Little to no customer support.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are fingerprint door locks safe?

Most fingerprint smart locks use the latest encryption technology to store your fingerprints. The safety concerns of fingerprint door locks are not from the technology but from physical access to fingerprint patterns.

Researchers from Cisco Talus were able to generate an exact duplicate finger with a 3D printer just by using a photo of a real fingerprint.

However, gaining access in this manner requires a copy of your fingerprint as well as physical access to your lock.

How do fingerprint smart locks work?

Using biometric recognition algorithms, fingerprint door locks identify the unique patterns in your fingerprint and match it with the stored data. Some locks send this pattern to their server where all fingerprints are securely stored.

However, this leaves room for hackers to intercept your data despite the advanced encryption methods that the lockmakers employ. To counteract this issue, some lock makers have started storing your fingerprints under local encryption.