The TEEHO TE002 is the best smart lock for apartments in 2026 because it packs 20 fingerprints, 20 passcodes, a self-timer auto-lock and two physical backup keys into a single deadbolt, installs with one screwdriver, and holds a 4.4 average across more than 12k reviews. It is a full deadbolt replacement, though, so your landlord needs to approve it in writing before you touch the door.
That caveat matters more than any spec sheet. Apartment living runs on three rules: you usually cannot drill into the door, you cannot change the exterior key cylinder, and your landlord needs a working key at all times. Locks that satisfy all three are rare. Locks that satisfy two and need a conversation with the property manager are common.
We spent weeks going through the specs, the compatibility claims and the owner complaints on 12 of the most-reviewed smart locks that fit an apartment door. This roundup separates the genuine retrofits from the replacements dressed up in renter-friendly language, flags which ones need a hub you have to buy separately, and tells you exactly which physical measurements to take before you order anything.
If you also care about the rest of the entryway, our guide to the best smart door locks for front doors covers the general smart lock market, and our picks for the best smart blinds for windows cover the privacy side of an apartment.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Smart Lock Picks for Apartments in 2026
TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint
- 20 fingerprints and 20 passcodes
- 1 second fingerprint unlock
- Auto-lock and one-touch lock
- 4 AA batteries
- 365 days
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- no hub needed
- Matter over Thread support
- 50 fingerprints
- 18 months battery
Schlage Encode WiFi
- 100 programmable codes
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Customizable door alarm
- BHMA certified
- 4 AA included
The Best Smart Locks for Apartments at a Glance in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt |
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| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock |
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 TEEHO TE001 Keypad Deadbolt |
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 eufy Security Smart Lock C220 |
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| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt |
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 Veise RZ07 Fingerprint Smart Deadbolt |
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 Aqara Smart Lock U100 |
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 Kwikset Powerbolt 250 Keypad Deadbolt |
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 eufy Security Smart Lock C30 |
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 CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 |
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 Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt |
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 Sifely Fingerprint Latch Lock |
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What Makes a Smart Lock Apartment-Friendly?
A lock qualifies as apartment-friendly only if it clears this list. Anything that fails a bolded item below is a landlord conversation, not a renter purchase.
No drilling into the door. The lock mounts with the screws already in the door or with adhesive. A lock that needs a new 2-1/8 inch bore is a modification most leases prohibit outright.
The exterior keyhole and cylinder stay put. Your landlord’s key keeps working, and a locksmith can still copy keys. This is the single most repeated renter concern in owner forums.
The install reverses cleanly. When you move out, two screws and you are back to the lock that was there on day one, with no marks left behind.
Nothing changes how the door looks from the hallway. Visible new hardware on a shared building is a conversation you do not need to have with neighbors.
Multiple ways in. A keypad, a fingerprint, a physical key and a phone app mean you are never locked out by a dead battery or a forgotten code.
Temporary codes you can revoke. Essential for roommates, dog walkers, cleaners and short-term guests.
Honest disclosure of add-ons. If a hub, gateway or subscription is needed for the headline features, that cost belongs in your buying decision, not a footnote.
Here is the uncomfortable truth after reviewing these 12: only the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 mounts over your existing deadbolt with adhesive and touches nothing else. Everything else in this roundup is a full deadbolt replacement, which means new exterior hardware and a key change. That is not a disqualifier, it is just a fact you need to take to your property manager in writing before you buy.
Several of these locks do keep the physical key backup in the box, so your landlord is not shut out the moment you install. But the cylinder is new, which means their old key no longer opens the new lock until a locksmith rekeys it to a KW1 or SC1 blank. Plan for that conversation.
1. TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt – Best Overall for Apartments
TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt with Keypad for Front Door, Matte Black
4 AA batteries, 365 day claim
BHMA Grade 3, IP54
Fits 2-1/8 inch holes only
20 fingerprints, 20 passcodes
Pros
- One-second fingerprint unlock
- Forgiving of finger placement
- 20 codes plus auto-deleting one-time PINs
- Screwdriver-only install
- Quiet mode
Cons
- Fits 2-1/8 inch holes only
- Programming sequences take practice
- Auto-lock timer can reset to minimum
- Occasional fingerprint misreads
This is the lock we keep coming back to. Four ways in, 20 stored fingerprints, 20 passcodes, one-time PINs that delete themselves after a single use, and two SC1 backup keys in the box. The fingerprint reader claims recognition in 0.3 seconds and a full unlock in one second, and owners describe it as forgiving of slightly sloppy finger placement, which matters in a hallway at 7am.
Installation is a single screwdriver and a template. You swap the deadbolt, keep the existing latch and strike plate on most standard doors, and the whole job takes about ten minutes. That matters for renters because a short install is a small ask to make of a property manager.
The battery claim is 365 days on four AA cells, and a red low-battery indicator gives you warning. Because there is no Wi-Fi radio in the body, none of your battery drain goes to a network connection. The keypad backlights for night entry, and a silent mode turns off the beeps for early mornings.
What the TE002 does better than the rest
Fingerprint plus keypad plus a physical key plus one-time PINs in one body, at 4.4 stars across more than 12k reviews. No app, no hub, no account, no monthly fee, and no connectivity to troubleshoot when your building Wi-Fi drops at 9pm.
For a two-person apartment with a dog walker, this is the complete answer. You program a code for the sitter, a fingerprint for you and your partner, and never hand over a key again.
Where it falls short for renters
It is a full deadbolt replacement, so the exterior key cylinder changes and the old landlord key stops working until it is rekeyed. It also fits only 2-1/8 inch (54mm) bores, so a narrower door needs a longer sleeve or it simply will not go in.
Auto-lock delay has a known quirk where it drops back to the shortest setting after a battery change. The build also feels lighter than a commercial-grade deadbolt, and a minority of owners report the programming sequence takes a couple of tries to learn.
2. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE – Best Connected Lock with Matter Support
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Matter Over Thread, App Remote Access
Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, no hub
Matter over Thread supported
50 fingerprints, 50 codes
Up to 18 months battery
Pros
- Seven unlock paths including voice and eKey
- Built-in Wi-Fi means no bridge to buy
- Matter over Thread for cross-platform control
- 18 month battery claim
- IP65 rated body
Cons
- Matter over Thread needs a Thread border router
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only
- No door sensor included
- Highest one-star share in the fingerprint group
This is the pick if you want remote unlock without buying a bridge. The Wi-Fi radio is built into the lock body, so you can let a contractor in from work, and the connection works on a 2.4 GHz network with the router within about 70 feet. In a small apartment that is almost always fine.
On top of that you get Matter over Thread, which matters if you are trying to keep one app instead of four. Seven unlock paths cover fingerprint, passcode, app, web portal, eKey sharing, voice and a mechanical key, and the storage is generous at 50 fingerprints and 50 access codes.
Battery life is claimed at up to 18 months on the low-energy Thread mesh, which would make it the longest-running connected lock here. The zinc alloy body is ANSI/BHMA certified and IP65 rated, and installation is billed at ten minutes with no hardwiring.
Why connected renters like it
Remote access is the whole point for a renter with a busy schedule. Unlocking from your phone for a dog walker or a delivery while you are at work removes the spare-key handoff entirely, and the activity history gives you a timestamped record of every entry.
Matter support is the quiet advantage. If you later move to a different ecosystem, the lock is less likely to become an expensive paperweight.
Where it falls short for renters
The Thread border router requirement is the gotcha that catches people. Matter over Thread features do nothing until you add a compatible border router hub, which is a separate purchase and a separate setup session.
Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only, so a 5 GHz-only network means no remote access at all. The door sensor is not included, so auto-lock runs on a timer rather than knowing whether the door is actually shut.
3. TEEHO TE001 Keypad Deadbolt – Top Rated Pick
TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt with Keypad for Front Door, Matte Black
20 codes plus one-time PIN
4 AA batteries, 365 day claim
BHMA-style aluminum alloy, IP54
Fits 2-1/8 inch holes only
Pros
- No app
- hub or account needed
- One-time codes delete themselves after use
- Backlit keypad with anti-peep entry
- Simple screwdriver install
- Clear low battery warning
Cons
- Fits 2-1/8 inch holes only
- Needs a reset before first use to set handing
- No fingerprint reader
- Requires the landlord to accept a new cylinder
The TE001 holds the highest average rating in this roundup at 4.5 across nearly 7k reviews, and for a plain keypad deadbolt that is a genuinely strong showing. There is no fingerprint reader, no app and nothing to pair, which is exactly why it works reliably for people who do not want another account to manage.
It stores 20 individual codes plus a one-time guest PIN that deletes itself after a single use. That single feature is the reason contractors and cleaners keep getting access without anyone tracking a physical key.
Auto-lock is configurable from 10 to 99 seconds and off by default, so you decide whether the door locks behind you or waits. Vacation mode and a wrong-entry lockout round out the security features, and four AA cells are claimed at up to 365 days with a red low battery light.
Who should pick this one
A shared apartment where everyone enters by code, a rental where a cleaner comes weekly, or anyone who wants keyless entry without a single notification permission. The keypad is backlit, so 2am keypad fumbling is not an issue.
It is also the easiest lock in this group to explain to a landlord: one deadbolt, twenty codes, no wiring, no hub, no cloud account holding your access history.
Where it falls short for renters
Compatibility is narrow. It fits 2-1/8 inch (54mm) bores only and will not work in a 38mm hole, so measure before you order. It also needs a reset before first use so it can auto-detect door handing, which trips up a lot of first-time installers.
Like its sibling above, it replaces the whole deadbolt, so the exterior cylinder and the landlord’s key change.
4. eufy Security Smart Lock C220 – Best for Fingerprint Entry
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
Self-learning AI fingerprint
Built-in Wi-Fi, no bridge
8 AA batteries, 8 months
BHMA Grade 3, IP53
Pros
- Fingerprint accuracy improves with use
- Built-in Wi-Fi removes the bridge purchase
- Works with Apple Watch and voice
- Routine integration with eufy doorbells
- Generous 8 month battery life
Cons
- Fingerprint-first rather than PIN-first
- No door state awareness from a sensor
- Battery life varies with use
- App or Wi-Fi failure means reaching for the key
The C220 is the pick if touch entry matters more than anything else. Six unlock methods cover fingerprint, app, keypad, physical key, Apple Watch and voice, and the fingerprint sensor is self-learning, so accuracy reportedly improves the more you use it instead of degrading.
It has built-in Wi-Fi, so remote control works without a separate bridge, and it pairs into the eufy ecosystem where you can tie it to routines alongside eufy doorbells. For an apartment package problem, tying the lock to a doorbell routine is a genuinely useful pairing.
Battery life runs on eight AA cells for roughly eight months, which is a real improvement over four-cell designs when you are not near a battery store.
Why fingerprint-first works in an apartment
No code to memorize, no code to hand to a guest, no code to change when someone moves out. You hand out a one-time code for a visitor and everything else stays biometric.
It also fits most standard deadbolts, including bores under 54mm once the included spacer is removed, which makes it more forgiving on odd apartment doors than most of the group.
Where it falls short for renters
It is a full deadbolt replacement, so the permission conversation applies. Battery life swings with how often the lock operates, and a heavy guest-traffic door will drain faster than the eight-month figure.
Some owners report needing the physical key when the app or Wi-Fi is unreachable. That is not dangerous, but it is worth knowing that a fingerprint-first lock with connectivity problems still has two backup keys in the box.
5. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt – Premium Pick with 100 Codes
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub
Up to 100 access codes
BHMA highest residential rating
4 AA included, 6 months
Pros
- Heaviest build in the group
- Highest BHMA residential certification
- 100 codes plus lock history
- Customizable door movement and forced entry alarm
- Alexa and Google Home support
Cons
- Most expensive lock we reviewed
- No fingerprint reader
- Touchscreen wears and collects fingerprints
- Highest one-star share in the group
The Schlage Encode is the one to buy if hardware grade and code capacity matter more than price. It carries the highest BHMA residential certification and the most substantial zinc body here at 3.4 pounds, and it manages up to 100 access codes with lock history and customizable notifications.
Wi-Fi is built in, so remote monitoring works without a hub, and Alexa and Google Home handle voice control. The touchscreen keypad is fingerprint-resistant, which is a sensible touch feature on a lock that lives in a shared hallway.
The built-in alarm is the underrated part. You can set it to trigger on door movement and forced entry attempts, which turns the lock into something more than a convenience device for the period when you are away.
Why it suits high-traffic rentals
One hundred codes means a distinct code per tenant, per cleaner, per dog walker, per contractor, with a log of each. The history and notification settings are exactly what a property manager wants to see before approving it.
Door thickness fit is 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches with a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, which covers most standard apartment doors.
Where it falls short for renters
It is the most expensive lock we reviewed, which is a harder sell in a building where you may be replacing it when you leave. There is no fingerprint reader, so entry depends on the touchscreen and the single included backup key.
Touchscreen keypads pick up fingerprints and wear faster than physical buttons, and this lock has the highest one-star share of the group, driven by battery and app connection complaints rather than by the lock mechanism itself.
6. Veise RZ07 – Best for Guest Codes and Scheduled Access
Veise RZ07 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock Deadbolt, App Control, Matte Black
0.2 second fingerprint
BHMA and ANSI Grade 3, IP55
Up to 12 months battery
Gateway needed for voice and remote
Pros
- Fastest fingerprint reader here
- 250 plus codes with scheduled and recurring options
- No monthly subscription
- App and web portal both work
- Fob and eKey let you travel light
Cons
- Remote and voice need the separate G2 gateway
- Keypad glass is hard to read in sunlight
- App connection errors are not descriptive
- Reports of lock cycling and motor failure
The Veise RZ07 is the code-management champion. It supports 250 or more user codes with one-time, permanent, scheduled and recurring options, and there is no monthly fee attached to the app or the web portal. For a short-term rental or a busy shared apartment, that scheduling flexibility is the feature you actually use every week.
Fingerprint unlock is advertised at 0.2 seconds with self-learning AI and storage for 50 prints. There are seven unlock paths in total, including fobs and eKey sharing, so you can leave for a trip with no phone and no key.
Build is BHMA and ANSI Grade 3 certified with IP55 weather resistance, battery life is claimed at up to 12 months, and it fits doors 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick on either hand. Customer service is repeatedly singled out in reviews, including out-of-warranty replacements.
Best fit for guest-heavy doors
A cleaner who comes Tuesdays gets a recurring code. A guest staying three weekends gets a scheduled code that expires on its own. Nobody has to remember to delete anything at the end of the stay, which is where most access-code systems quietly fail.
Fobs are a nice touch for a gym bag or a bike lock, and the fob plus card plus key combination means the lock is not the only thing standing between a lost phone and a locked door.
Where it falls short for renters
Remote control and voice assistant support need the separately sold G2 gateway, so the headline remote features are an add-on purchase. The darkly tinted keypad glass is hard to read in direct hallway lighting.
The touchscreen can be slow to wake, the app throws vague errors, and a minority report the lock cycling on its own or a motor failing after extended use. Treat it as a full deadbolt replacement, so the landlord conversation applies.
7. Aqara Smart Lock U100 – Best for Apple Home Key
Aqara Smart Lock U100, Apple Home Key, Fingerprint Deadbolt, Gray
Apple Home Key tap unlock
Zigbee 3.0 hub for remote use
4 AA included, 8 months
IP65, zinc alloy, BHMA Level 3
Pros
- Home Key works on a flat iPhone or Apple Watch
- Fast and accurate fingerprint reader
- 6-digit codes plus one-time passwords and NFC card
- Good battery life
- Local AES encrypted fingerprint storage
Cons
- Zigbee hub required for remote access and automations
- Bluetooth takes a few seconds to connect
- Native Aqara app is buggy with vague errors
- Non-Kwikset tumbler cannot be rekeyed
The U100 is the Apple-centric choice. Apple Home Key stores a digital key in your Wallet, and you unlock by tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch, which continues to work even when the phone battery is flat. In a building with poor hallway lighting, tapping beats fumbling for a keypad.
The fingerprint reader handles up to 50 prints and is described as accurate without retries. Codes, one-time visitor passwords, an NFC card and a mechanical key cover every other route in, and the built-in gyroscope drives auto-lock when the door closes rather than on a blind timer.
Four AA batteries are included and rated at up to eight months, with a USB-C emergency charging port for the day they run out. The zinc alloy body is IP65 rated, and fingerprint data is stored locally with AES encryption, which is a genuine answer to the privacy question renters ask.
Why Apple users keep it
Home Key setup is the reason people stick with this lock, and reviewers note it works smoothly once the hub and lock are configured in the correct order. Remote password configuration from the Aqara Home app needs a Zigbee 3.0 hub, which then also brings in Google Home, Alexa and IFTTT.
The Do Not Disturb mute mode is a small thing that matters a lot in a thin-walled apartment at 6am.
Where it falls short for renters
Hub dependence is the real cost. Bluetooth takes several seconds to connect when opening the Aqara app, and the native app itself draws repeated complaints about vagueness and thin help text.
It uses a non-Kwikset tumbler, so it cannot be rekeyed to match other doors in your apartment, and the gray finish is hard to coordinate with existing hardware. This is also the lock with the widest spread of unit-to-unit reliability complaints in our group, so budget for a possible swap.
8. Kwikset Powerbolt 250 – Best for Rekeying to Match Other Doors
Kwikset Powerbolt 250 10-Button Keypad Matte Black Transitional Electronic Deadbolt Door Lock, Featuring Convenient Keyless Entry, Customizable User Codes and Auto-Locking
25 codes plus 5 one-time
SmartKey rekey to any KW1 key
4 AA, 12 months
Fits doors 1-3/8 to 2-3/4 inches
Pros
- Physical buttons work in the dark
- SmartKey rekeys in seconds with a KW1 key
- No app
- hub or connectivity
- Intrusion alert after 3 wrong entries
- Several auto-lock delay presets
Cons
- Some units stop working within months
- Mismatched flat strike plate
- Backset can require enlarging the bore
- AI-only support on programming issues
The Powerbolt 250 solves a problem most renters do not think about until it bites them. SmartKey rekeying means you can change the cylinder to any KW1 key in seconds without replacing the tumbler, so you can make your apartment door match the other doors in the unit and match a key your landlord already holds.
That single feature makes it the most landlord-friendly smart lock in this roundup. Instead of arguing about a locksmith bill, you hand over a key that already works on the rest of the apartment.
It stores up to 25 user codes plus 5 one-time codes and a programming code, and the physical buttons are a genuine advantage over touchscreens when your hands are full of grocery bags at night.
The intrusion alert disables the keypad for a full minute after three incorrect entries, and auto-lock presets cover 30 seconds through 10 minutes. Four AA cells give at least 12 months, and there is no app, no hub and no connectivity to troubleshoot.
Best fit for multi-door apartments
Front door, bedroom door, storage closet, all on one key. SmartKey plus a set of KW1 blanks gives you one key for the whole unit, at no additional hardware cost.
It also fits over an existing Kwikset deadbolt with minimal door modification, so if your building already fitted Kwikset hardware, this is the shortest install in the group.
Where it falls short for renters
Reliability is the concern. The one-star share runs high enough that reviewers describe units ceasing to lock or unlock within weeks or months, which is a real risk on a door you cannot easily rekey yourself.
The flat rectangular strike plate leaves raw wood exposed compared to other Kwikset hardware, and on some doors the backset measurement means enlarging the bore, which is a modification you may not be allowed to make.
9. eufy Security Smart Lock C30 – Best Simple Code Lock with Built-in Wi-Fi
eufy Security Smart Lock C30, Keyless Entry Door Lock, Built-in Wi-Fi
Built-in Wi-Fi, no bridge
4 AA, 5 month claim
BHMA Grade 3, IP53
No monthly subscription
Pros
- Remote unlock with no bridge to buy
- No monthly fee for smart features
- Keeps working locally when batteries die
- App pairing is painless
- 15 minute install over most deadbolts
Cons
- Weakest battery life in the group
- No fingerprint reader
- Small keypad face is fiddly
- Bolt retracts slowly after unlocking
- May need bore enlarged
The C30 does one job simply: give you a code, a key and an app. There is no fingerprint reader and no hub requirement, the Wi-Fi is built into the body, and there is no monthly fee attached to any of it. Owners consistently praise painless app pairing and remote unlocking.
It pairs with eufy doorbells for combined routines, which is useful if you already run an eufy camera at the door and want one app controlling the entryway.
It is also the lock in this group most often praised for continuing to work locally when the batteries die, which is a strange-sounding compliment that actually means a lot at midnight.
Why a code-only lock suits some apartments
If you are furnishing a place rather than living in it long term, or you have a partner and one guest, a keypad plus a key plus remote app is plenty. Fewer sensors means fewer things to fail.
Auto-lock runs on a customizable countdown timer, so a shared front door can stay unlocked briefly for a group entering together.
Where it falls short for renters
Battery life is the weakest in this roundup. The manufacturer claims up to five months on four AA cells, and owners report changes every few weeks, which is well beyond that figure on a high-traffic door.
The keypad face is small and awkward, there is no fingerprint reader, and the bolt takes a moment to retract after an unlock. Some installations also need the door bore enlarged.
10. CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 – Best No-Drill Lock for Renters
CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5, Smart Lock, Bluetooth Electronic Deadbolt, Auto-Lock, Keyless Entry Door Lock for Front Door, Fits Your Existing Deadbolt, for Airbnbs Vacation Rentals
3M adhesive no-drill mount
Keeps your existing deadbolt
CR123A batteries included
Open-source SesameOS app
Pros
- Genuinely no-drill adhesive install
- Existing high-security deadbolt stays in place
- Open-source app with a free Bluetooth API
- Phone
- watch
- NFC tag and voice support
- Auto-lock adjustable from 3 seconds to 1 hour
Cons
- Hub3 required for remote and always-on access
- Instructions are largely diagrams
- Settings only change over Bluetooth locally
- Some new iPhones have Bluetooth detection issues
This is the only lock in the roundup that genuinely solves the renter problem. The Sesame 5 mounts over your existing interior thumb turn on a 3M adhesive base, leaving the exterior deadbolt, the key cylinder and every key you already own completely untouched. No landlord permission is strictly required to install it.
It is built on SesameOS 3, an open-source platform with a free Bluetooth API, which is unusual in this category and gives you local control without handing your access history to a cloud service. Bluetooth-only operation covers phone, Apple Watch, NFC tags and widgets, and Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are all supported.
For a short-term rental host, that combination is close to ideal. Your existing high-security deadbolt stays in the door, guests get a temporary code, and the auto-lock timer is adjustable from 3 seconds all the way to an hour.
Why no-drill changes the conversation
Removing it takes seconds and leaves no mark, so there is no restoration step, no deposit risk and no rekeying bill. That is the difference between a purchase you make on a Tuesday and a purchase that needs a written request.
It also weighs 138 grams, so it adds almost nothing to the door and stays nearly flush, which matters on a thin apartment door that catches on clothing.
Where it falls short for renters
Remote access and always-on connectivity require the separately sold Hub3. Without it you are standing at the door with your phone, which is fine at home and useless for a rental host managing guest check-ins from across town.
Setup instructions are mostly diagrams, settings can only be changed over a local Bluetooth connection, and some newer iPhone models hit detection issues during pairing. Expect a slower first ten minutes than the marketing suggests.
11. Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt – Best for Large Code Capacity
Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock, Keyless Entry Door Locks for Front Door
Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub
Up to 100 custom passcodes
Six unlock methods
Away Mode locks down access
Pros
- Six unlock methods including voice
- Built-in Wi-Fi with no hub
- 100 custom passcodes plus one-time and scheduled codes
- Real-time alerts and full access history
- Auto-lock from 10 to 180 seconds
Cons
- 2.4 GHz only and router within 65 feet
- Batteries not included (AA alkaline only)
- No door sensor
- Voice control needs a stable network
The Philips lock pairs 100 custom passcodes with a full access history, and 70 percent of its 1,172 reviews are five-star. For a landlord renting several units, or a household where every person, sitter and contractor gets their own traceable code, that capacity is the headline feature.
Six unlock methods cover app, passcode, fingerprint, physical key and voice through Alexa or Google Assistant, and Away Mode disables every unlock method except the master code, which is a clean way to lock down the door while you are out of town.
Real-time notifications tell you the moment someone enters, auto-lock is adjustable from 10 to 180 seconds, and installation is a screwdriver job on doors 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick.
Best fit for a busy shared door
Apartment buildings generate constant turnover in guests, cleaners and delivery drivers. A hundred codes means nobody ever has to reuse a PIN, and the history tells you which one was used at 3am.
Away Mode is genuinely useful before a trip. One setting and every temporary code stops working, without deleting anything you need later.
Where it falls short for renters
Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only, and the router should be within about 65 feet of the lock for reliable remote control. In a large apartment with thick walls that may not hold, and a dead Wi-Fi connection means the app features stop.
Batteries are not included and only AA alkaline cells work, there is no door sensor so you get no open or ajar awareness, and voice control needs an account signed in on a stable network before it will respond.
12. Sifely Fingerprint Latch Lock – Best for Latch-Style Apartment Doors
Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad – Bluetooth Keyless Entry for Front Door, Home, Kids, Guests, Airbnb & Rental, App + Code Access, Compatible with Alexa & Google, Easy DIY Install
0.3 second fingerprint
Latch-style body with handle
Bluetooth local control
Optional Wi-Fi accessory
Pros
- Fast 0.3 second fingerprint
- App manages codes and users with access logs
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Five unlock methods including fob and card
- Heavy-duty deadbolt knob design
Cons
- Remote access needs the separate Wi-Fi accessory
- Latch body is not a full deadbolt
- Fob and card accessories add cost
Some apartment doors, especially interior and older building entrances, have a standard latch rather than a deadbolt. A full deadbolt will not fit that door, and this is the pick that will. The Sifely uses a latch-style body with a heavy-duty deadbolt knob for the physical security side.
It rates 4.4 across 2,974 reviews, with 72 percent five-star, and the fingerprint sensor is reported at 0.3 seconds. Five unlock methods cover fingerprint, passcode, app, fob and mechanical key, and the app handles code creation, user management and access logs.
Auto-lock and low battery alerts are standard, and the design is clearly aimed at short-term rental management rather than at permanent residential installation, which is a fair hint about who it is built for.
Best fit for short-term rental hosts
Code creation and access log review from one app is the whole workflow for someone managing a rental. You issue a code before a guest arrives, watch that it was used, and delete it after they leave without touching the door again.
The fob is useful for a host who does not want a phone on the way back from a night out, and the mechanical key is the fallback for a dead battery.
Where it falls short for renters
Bluetooth control is local only, so remote access depends on the separate Wi-Fi accessory rather than a built-in radio. Plan that accessory into your budget before buying if you manage the door from off-site.
The latch form factor also means it is not for a door with an existing deadbolt, and the fob, card and key accessories add cost for a household that only wants fingerprint and code entry.
Do I Need Landlord Permission to Install a Smart Lock?
Usually yes. Nearly every lease in the United States prohibits altering door hardware, and a full deadbolt replacement changes the exterior key cylinder, which your property manager has a legitimate interest in. The one exception in this roundup is an adhesive retrofit that touches no part of the door, like the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5, though many leases still prohibit it on principle, so ask anyway.
What gets approved far more often is a reversible install that leaves the original lock restorable and does not change which keys open the door. That is the exact profile of a lock you rekey to a KW1 blank, like the Kwikset Powerbolt 250, because the landlord’s existing key keeps working.
Keep the request short and specific. Name the lock, the install method, and the fact that the original hardware goes back at move-out.
Something along these lines works: “I would like to install a smart deadbolt on my front door, unit [number]. It is a self-contained battery lock installed with a screwdriver over about ten minutes, no wiring and no drilling. I will provide a key that works on the rest of the unit, and I will restore the original lock and photograph the door before I leave. I am happy to have a locksmith fit it, or to have you install it yourself if you prefer.”
Attach the manufacturer’s spec sheet and dimensions. Most property managers are not opposing the technology, they are worried about being locked out of their own unit and about a tenant leaving holes in the door.
How to Check Your Door Before You Buy
Most returns and failed installs come down to four measurements. Take them before you order anything, and take them with a tape measure, not an app.
Bore diameter. Standard US deadbolt bores are 2-1/8 inches (54mm). The TEEHO TE001 and TE002 fit that size only and explicitly will not work in a 38mm hole. Measure the hole, not the door slab.
Door thickness. Most of this group fits 1-3/8 to 2 inches. The Schlage Encode caps out at 1-3/4 inches. A thick door is a hard stop on several models.
Backset. The distance from the door edge to the center of the bore. Standard is 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches. The Kwikset in particular may need the bore enlarged if the backset is unusual, and enlarging a bore is exactly the modification a lease forbids.
Existing hardware. Decide whether you are replacing an existing deadbolt, which is what 11 of these 12 locks do, or keeping it, which only the Sesame 5 does. If you are replacing, ask your landlord or a locksmith whether the new cylinder can be keyed to the building’s existing blank so nobody is locked out.
One more check: some interior escutcheons are bulky enough to catch on a coat sleeve in a narrow hallway. If your door is thin, the weight matters more than the feature list.
Battery Life and What Happens When Something Fails
Battery life in this group tracks connectivity almost exactly. A lock with a Wi-Fi radio constantly talking to a router burns through cells; a lock with no radio at all does not.
No connectivity, four AA cells. The TEEHO TE001 and TE002 claim up to 365 days. The Kwikset Powerbolt 250 claims at least 12 months on four AA cells. These are the locks to buy if battery changes annoy you.
Bluetooth only. The Sifely and the Sesame 5 run on local connections and avoid constant network traffic entirely.
Built-in Wi-Fi. The eufy C220 gets roughly eight months on eight AA cells. The eufy C30 claims five months on four, and owners report changes far more often than that. The Schlage Encode claims up to six months on four AA cells included.
Low-energy mesh. The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE claims up to 18 months on the Thread mesh, and the Veise RZ07 claims up to 12 months.
Zigbee through a hub. The Aqara U100 claims up to eight months on four AA cells included.
When a battery dies, every lock in this roundup still opens with a physical key. The TEEHO models ship with two SC1 backup keys, the ULTRALOQ and Veise with two emergency keys, and the Aqara and eufy models include keys as well. The one to watch is the Aqara U100, which adds a USB-C emergency charging port for exactly this scenario.
Network failure is a different problem. If Wi-Fi drops, locks with a local Bluetooth path still work from your phone in the hallway. Locks that depend entirely on a hub for remote control, like the Sesame 5 without the Hub3 or the Aqara U100 without its Zigbee hub, simply lose remote access until the network returns.
Moving Out and Restoring Your Original Lock
Document the door before you install anything. Take four photos of the interior escutcheon, the exterior cylinder and the strike plate, and date them. That is your deposit protection if anything is disputed.
When you move out, the order matters. Save every screw and adapter into a labeled bag first, because that is the first thing you will be missing.
Then reinstall the original deadbolt, the original strike plate and the original interior thumb turn. Do not leave the smart lock’s strike plate on the frame, because a mismatched plate leaves visible marks and raw wood, which is the most common deduction renters hit.
Finally, wipe your user accounts. Smart lock apps hold an access history of who entered and when. Deleting the lock and revoking every code you issued takes two minutes and removes a record of your old address from someone else’s cloud.
If you rented, we covered the related moving and furnishing questions in our best sofas for apartments guide, and the window treatment side of privacy in our best smart blinds for windows picks.
How to Choose the Right Smart Lock for Your Rental
Route yourself by situation rather than by feature count, because the renter constraint eliminates most of the decision before you start comparing.
You cannot change any hardware at all. Your only option is the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5. It is the single lock in this roundup that mounts on adhesive over your existing deadbolt and changes nothing, and the only one you can install in ten minutes without asking anyone.
You want the strongest lock and can get approval. The Schlage Encode has the heaviest body and the highest BHMA residential certification, plus 100 codes and a door alarm. Budget for it and for a locksmith rekey.
You want the best balance of features and reliability. The TEEHO TE002 is our pick. Fingerprint plus keypad plus key, no hub, no app, longest battery claim in the group, and the highest review volume here to back it up.
You need remote unlock with no extra hardware. The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, eufy C220, eufy C30, Schlage Encode and Philips all have Wi-Fi in the body. Check that your router reaches the door on 2.4 GHz before you commit to any of them.
You have roommates or frequent guests. The Veise RZ07 wins on code management with 250 or more codes and scheduled or recurring options. The Philips is close behind at 100 passcodes with a full access history.
You are in the Apple ecosystem. The Aqara U100 with Apple Home Key is the pick, provided you accept buying the Zigbee hub for remote access.
You are hosting short-term guests. The Sifely or the Sesame 5 both center on app-managed codes and access logs. The Sesame 5 adds the no-drill advantage, the Sifely adds a fingerprint reader.
Our broader smart home buying guides cover the ecosystem decisions that come up alongside a smart lock, including how hub-based platforms change what you can automate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a smart lock on my apartment door?
Usually yes, but most smart locks replace the entire deadbolt including the exterior key cylinder, which most leases treat as a hardware alteration. The cleanest path is an adhesive retrofit that mounts over your existing interior thumb turn, such as the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5, since it changes nothing and removes in seconds. For any full replacement, get written landlord approval first and ask for the new cylinder to be keyed to a blank the building already uses.
Do I need landlord permission to install a smart lock?
Yes, unless the lock mounts on adhesive without touching the door or frame. A full deadbolt replacement changes exterior hardware and the key cylinder, and nearly every lease prohibits alterations. Property managers worry about being locked out and about tenants leaving marks on the door, so offer reversible removal and a key that matches the rest of the unit. A lock that rekeys to a KW1 blank, like the Kwikset Powerbolt 250, is the easiest one to get approved.
What is the best smart lock for an apartment building?
The TEEHO TE002 is the best all-around choice for apartments, with 20 fingerprints, 20 passcodes, one-time PINs, two backup keys and a claimed 365 day battery life on four AA cells. It holds a 4.4 average across more than 12k reviews and needs only a screwdriver to install. If you cannot alter the door at all, the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 is the only lock in our roundup that mounts on adhesive and keeps your existing deadbolt.
What are the downsides of smart locks?
The main downsides are battery life, hub dependency and the loss of your original key. Connected locks with built-in Wi-Fi drain cells far faster than offline keypads. Locks like the Aqara U100, Veise RZ07 and Sesame 5 need a separately sold hub for remote access, which buyers often discover late. Every full replacement changes the key cylinder, so the landlord’s old key stops working until it is rekeyed.
Which smart lock does not require drilling?
The CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 is the only lock in our roundup that requires no drilling at all, mounting over your existing interior thumb turn on a 3M adhesive base while leaving the exterior deadbolt and every existing key untouched. The other 11 locks are screwdriver-only replacements that need permission but no new holes, unless your door has an unusual bore or backset, in which case the bore may need enlarging.
What happens if a smart lock battery dies?
Every lock in this roundup includes a physical key fallback, so the door still opens normally. Several models also send low battery warnings well before the cells are dead, and the TEEHO models claim up to 365 days on four AA cells. The Aqara U100 adds a USB-C emergency charging port for a lockout event. If you use a hub-dependent lock, keep the backup key somewhere other than inside the apartment.
Can I take a smart lock with me when I move?
A full deadbolt replacement does not travel with you. You reinstall the original deadbolt, strike plate and thumb turn at move-out, and you should photograph the door before installing to protect your deposit. An adhesive retrofit like the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 does travel, since it peels off in seconds and leaves no marks. Either way, delete your smart lock account and revoke every code you issued before you hand back the keys.
Are smart locks safe for apartments?
A smart lock does not meaningfully improve the physical security of a door over a good deadbolt. Its value is access control and logging, not stronger hardware. For privacy, the Aqara U100 stores fingerprint data locally with AES encryption, and the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 runs on an open-source platform with a free Bluetooth API. If your building uses a shared front door code, never reuse that number on your own lock.
Final Verdict on the Best Smart Locks for Apartments in 2026
The best smart locks for apartments in 2026 come down to one honest question: can you alter the door? If the answer is no, the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 is your lock, because it is the only one here that mounts on adhesive over your existing deadbolt and changes nothing at all. If the answer is yes, and you can get written permission, the TEEHO TE002 is the one to buy. Four ways in, no hub, no app, no monthly fee, and a 4.4 average across more than 12k reviews.
For connected homes, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE gives you built-in Wi-Fi and Matter support, and the Schlage Encode leads on hardware grade and code capacity. Measure your bore, check the backset, take the photos before you install, and restore the original strike plate when you leave.
Measure first, then order. Ten minutes with a tape measure is cheaper than a door that does not open.