The Best Keyless Entry Locks, Ranked by Owner Consensus

It means entry by code on a physical keypad rather than a metal key — no app, WiFi or phone required at all. You still typically get a physical key override as a backup, but day-to-day entry is by punching a code into the keypad mounted on the door. This is a genuinely different category from a smart lock with app control, and it’s the right fit for buyers who specifically want to skip a phone-dependent system.

Not inherently — the physical deadbolt mechanism and ANSI security grading are the same hardware category regardless of whether the lock also has WiFi or an app. A pure keypad lock actually has a smaller attack surface than a WiFi-connected one, since there’s no wireless network connection to target. What you give up is remote access and activity logs, not physical security.

It depends on the specific model — the Kwikset SmartCode 270 on this page is designed to work with Kwikset’s separate smart-home accessories for exactly this reason, giving you a keypad-first purchase with a clear upgrade path. A pure keypad lock like the TEEHO TE001 or Schlage’s non-connected line has no upgrade path; buy the connected version from the start if you think you’ll want it eventually.