The 5 Best Smart Locks for Front Doors
A smart lock is a door-hardware purchase before it is an app purchase. Measure the deadbolt bore, backset, door thickness and clearance around the trim; then decide whether you need remote access, fingerprints, scheduled codes or a physical key. Wi-Fi built into a lock and Matter over Thread are different connectivity plans, and the latter can require compatible home infrastructure. I would not order on a feature badge before checking the door.
Schlage Encode is my broad front-door pick for straightforward built-in Wi-Fi and code management. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE suits a Matter-centered home, Veise and Ulecoce bring fingerprint access at lower prices, and the Philips set includes a handle for a bigger hardware change. Every option still needs a battery and access plan for a dead phone or network outage.
Our top 5 smart locks for front doors
Swipe to compare price, rating and best use →
| Product | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
01 Schlage EncodeDetails ↓ | $229.00 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best built-in Wi-Fi deadbolt |
02 ULTRALOQ Bolt SEDetails ↓ | $84.99 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best Matter-centered setup |
03 Veise VE017Details ↓ | $49.99 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best lower-cost fingerprint deadbolt |
04 Ulecoce U68Details ↓ | $58.99 | 4.3/5Amazon | Best budget deadbolt-and-knob set |
05 Philips Wi-Fi Keypad Deadbolt SetDetails ↓ | $169.99 | 4.4/5Amazon | Best handle-and-deadbolt upgrade |
01 — SCHLAGE
Best built-in Wi-Fi deadboltSchlage Encode
Schlage Encode's built-in Wi-Fi and Schlage Home app make it a clear fit for a front door where remote status and access codes matter. Schlage documents code management and lock history without an extra hub. The Century-trim listing is a deadbolt, so I would check the existing handle, door preparation and local wireless signal before assuming installation is trivial. Its higher price is buying a more established hardware and support path.
It leads because the remote-access proposition is well documented and understandable for most households. The cheaper fingerprint locks may be enough when remote history and a mature app matter less.
View on Amazon ↗Homes wanting established Wi-Fi access and visitor codes.
You only need a basic keypad at the lowest price.
What I like
+Built-in Wi-Fi and documented code management.
What to weigh
−Premium offer and door-fit checks remain.
- ProductType
- smart lock
02 — ULTRALOQ
Best Matter-centered setupULTRALOQ Bolt SE
Bolt SE is the specialist pick for a home already using Matter over Thread. ULTRALOQ lists fingerprint and app access alongside that connected-home route, but the benefits depend on compatible network equipment and the exact mode you choose. I would check the Thread border-router requirement, door dimensions and how the lock behaves if the home network goes down. Do not assume a Matter logo means every remote feature works out of the box.
Second place is a strong fit for an existing smart-home platform, not a simpler default than Schlage. It could lead for a buyer who already has the right Thread infrastructure and wants that integration.
View on Amazon ↗Matter and Thread households with compatible hubs.
You want remote Wi-Fi setup with fewer dependencies.
What I like
+Matter over Thread option at a lower checked offer.
What to weigh
−Compatibility and setup require homework.
- ProductType
- smart lock
03 — Veise
Best lower-cost fingerprint deadboltVeise VE017
The Veise VE017 offers a fingerprint reader, keypad and app-controlled entry at a much lower checked offer than Schlage. Those methods are useful for a family that wants different ways in without handing out spare keys. I would confirm whether remote access requires an additional gateway, how codes are managed and whether its dimensions fit the current deadbolt hole. A long list of “8-in-1” entry methods is not a substitute for reliable everyday access.
Third place gives price-sensitive homes a meaningful biometric option. It could be first if local fingerprint and keypad entry are the whole brief; Schlage stays ahead for its clearer built-in Wi-Fi and support story.
View on Amazon ↗Households prioritizing local fingerprint and keypad entry.
You need documented built-in remote Wi-Fi without extras.
What I like
+Several entry methods at a low offer.
What to weigh
−Remote features and door fit need exact-model checks.
04 — Ulecoce
Best budget deadbolt-and-knob setUlecoce U68
Ulecoce's U68 listing pairs a fingerprint/keypad deadbolt with a knob set, so it is relevant when both pieces of front-door hardware need replacing. That bundle can be better value than buying a separate handle, provided the finish, bore spacing and handing match your door. I would inspect the installation manual and check how the app and backup key work before swapping an exterior lock.
Fourth place is its hardware-bundle niche. It may beat Veise for a full door refresh, but a buyer changing only the deadbolt should not pay for parts that will sit in a drawer.
View on Amazon ↗Budget buyers replacing both deadbolt and knob.
You want only a single premium deadbolt.
What I like
+Two-piece front-door hardware bundle.
What to weigh
−More installation and fit points to verify.
05 — PHILIPS
Best handle-and-deadbolt upgradePhilips Wi-Fi Keypad Deadbolt Set
The Philips set includes a keypad deadbolt and handle with built-in Wi-Fi, a fuller exterior-door change than a deadbolt alone. I would consider it for a renovation where a matching handle matters as much as remote access. Measure the existing door holes and confirm the listed app functions and mechanical backup for this exact model; brand familiarity is not enough to guarantee fit. The larger kit also costs more than the value locks here.
Fifth place keeps a useful renovation option without presenting it as the best value for a single lock replacement. It can rise to the top when the buyer truly wants a coordinated handle and deadbolt in one purchase.
View on Amazon ↗Front-door renovations needing a matching handle set.
You are replacing only a working deadbolt.
What I like
+Coordinated handle and Wi-Fi deadbolt bundle.
What to weigh
−Higher cost and more door measurements.
- ProductType
- smart lock
Price information
Amazon price and availability checked Oct 17, 2026, 10:23 PM Lisbon time. Prices and availability are subject to change; the information shown on Amazon.com at purchase applies.
Our process
How we picked.
We compare five relevant products for different needs, using documented specifications, clear use cases and practical trade-offs. Our goal is to make the differences clear and help you choose with confidence.
- 01Relevance
Each product must fit the guide’s intended use, audience and requirements.
- 02Specifications
We compare the key product details that meaningfully affect the buying decision.
- 03Use case and fit
We compare the intended use, configuration and practical fit of every selected product.
- 04Strengths and limitations
We explain where each option performs best and the compromises to consider.
Good questions
FAQ — Smart Locks for Front Doors
01Will a smart deadbolt fit any existing front door?+
No. Check door thickness, bore-hole spacing, backset, handing and trim clearance against the exact lock manual. Some options replace only the deadbolt; others bundle a handle or knob that changes the installation.
02Do Matter over Thread locks work remotely without other hardware?+
Not necessarily. Remote control and Matter features depend on a compatible Thread border router and platform setup. Check the lock’s exact connectivity requirements before buying it for away-from-home access.
The short answer
Start with the Schlage Encode.
I recommend it for homes wanting established wi-fi access and visitor codes. Choose something else if you only need a basic keypad at the lowest price.
View on Amazon ↗Keep looking
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