2019 Buyers Guide
Touchscreen Smart Locks
In the market for a door lock with touchscreen access codes?
Below we dive into your options and what you should look out for when making a purchase.
How we chose the top Touchscreen Smart Lock
Touchscreen door locks offer a nice combination of a sleek looks along with access codes and additional security features for your home or apartment
Pros
- Many locks with touchscreens rotate the code numbers on your door lock to add additional randomness and security for anyone tying to get access.
- The touchscreen is only illuminated when it detects motion or proximity extending the battery life of your lock.
Cons:
- More reliant on battery power being charged on the lock than a physical button lock. This is mitigated on most of the locks using either a 9v battery backup charge on the exterior part of the lock as well as notifications and battery audio alerts when you are running low.
- On some models users have complained of the back-lighting not being sufficient with extreme sun glare.
Our Quick Picks
Here our some of our favorite picks for touchscreen locks based on some common filters for people in the market.
Things to consider
Your door Fit
One of the first things to consider before falling in love with one particular model is to make sure it fits with your door in size and lock type.
Locks typically come in a few standard configurations
- Attach on your deadbolt (only 1 model on the market is like this)
- Interior deadbolt replacement where on the outside your door looks the same but the interior deadbolt section controls the lock and is replaced
- Complete deadbolt replacement
- Handle / Lever / Knob replacement where you only have one hole on your door
- Integrated lock where your deadbolt and handle are in one mechanism where they lock but are separated on the door
- Mortise - a fully integrated system
You can click on the images below to filter down the touchscreen enabled door locks that fit each particular door type.
Access Codes
All of these touchscreen enabled locks will have the ability to add access codes for your family members or for one-time things like deliveries or even ongoing timed events like a cleaner for a certain access time period
One thing to keep in mind is with certain locks (only Bluetooth enabled for example) you will only be able to add codes when you are near the door and not remotely. If you are looking to manage your codes from a long distance you will want a lock that has either Wi-Fi built in or connects with a hub that does so that it can connect to your home router.
Integration with smart home ecosystems
Do you already have an Alexa, Apple TV or a smart home hub in your home?
Many of the smart locks on the market let you:
- Check status of your lock from your phone
- Lock and unlock the door using voice control
- Have your lock be a part of a "recipe" like a good night mode that turns off lights, locks door and sets security system.
Click on the buttons below to filter the touchscreen locks by each of their compatible systems.
Additional Smart Lock Features
Smart locks also come with a range of other features that could be the deciding factor for your purchase.
Remote Locking
Check or manage your lock while away from your home
Adding access codes, checking on the door activity of who is entering and when is an important feature for many. For this to work though you will need to get a lock with the right type of connectivity (and possibly adding an additional hub).
Proximity Locking
Automatically lock behind you or unlock as you approach
With this feature you can have your door automatically lock behind you after a certain amount of time (typically 30 seconds) or have it use your phone's GPS and Bluetooth to automatically unlock the door as you approach.
Touchscreen Lock Comparison
igloohome IGM1
Finish Options: Black
Connectivity Options: Bluetooth
Google Assistant: Yes
Alexa Support: Yes
iOS App: Yes
Android App: Yes
- Airbnb Integration and offline pin code generation (See here for more information on how it works).
- Dedicated Android and iOS apps along with integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant to set new pin codes and retrieve access history.
- Sleek looking lock that would fit in especially well in modern homes.
- Innovative fire feature where the alarm will disarm itself if it senses too high of temperatures (50 – 70 degrees celsius) as well as an audio alarm that will sound if the lock is being tampered with or a code has been tried for more than 5 times in a row.
- Has a set of physical backup keys.
- A few users have complained about battery life
- Doesn’t have deep integration into other smart home ecosystems and is limited by its Bluetooth connectivity and range.
- Limited selection of finish options coming only in a sleek black design.
The Igloohome smart mortise locks packs a range of innovative features into a sleek design for your mortise style doors.
Airbnb Integration and offline pin code generation (See here https://www.igloohome.co/blog/how-it-works/smart-lock-without-internet for more information on how it works) are a standout feature for this lock and separates it from other locks and avoids having issues with Wifi connectivity and any late night calls from guests not being able to access your rental apartment.
A few alarm sensors are unique to this device include a built-in temperature sensor that will unlock the door automatically if temperature reach between 122-158 degrees. A built-in audio alert will also go off if the lock is being tampered with or codes have been entered 5 times without success.
Overall if you are hesitant to rely on your Wifi for managing access codes but still would like like to have remote key code capabilities this could be a great fit.
Schlage Encode
Finish Options: Black, Bronze, and Nickel
Connectivity Options: Wi-Fi
Google Assistant: Yes
Alexa Support: Yes
iOS App: Yes
Android App: Yes
- Built-in Wi-Fi so you don’t need to purchase an additional hub to get remote monitoring capabilities
- Integration out of the box with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controls
- High rated app for both Android and iOS devices.
- Integrations with Key by Amazon (and their video doorbell) and with Ring for additional home security monitoring.
- Up to 100 virtual keys you can set and manage remotely from your mobile app
- Since it is Wifi enabled you will not be able to connect to Z-Wave or Zigbee enabled devices directly without the use of an additional smart home hub.
- Is not sold with a matching handle set so you will have to add these in a separate purchase if you are trying to get a whole door set and not just replace your deadbolt.
- The Encode does not come with as many finish options as others on the market.
- A few users have had issues with the Schlage Home app syncing correctly but these seemed to have been fixed in a recent app update.
The Wifi enabled Schlage Encode is a new release on the market and has been met with almost universal approval from users for both the lock and the partner Schlage Home control app.
The Wifi connectivity allows this to work with your Alexa and Google Assistant devices right out of the box unlike most models of smart locks on the market.
If you are having trouble with thieves coming and snagging your Amazon deliveries off of your porch it comes with Key by Amazon support and their video security camera. Ring is also supported if you have one installed already.
The Schlage Home app lets you add up to 100 access codes for your renters, kids or deliveries and is rated at almost 5 out of 5 stars with thousands of reviews on both app stores.
Overall the Encode is one of our top picks and actually delivers on the ease of use, integrations and convenience that have smart locks have promised for years.
Your Schlage Encode options:
Option 1) Pick a finish
Pick out the look that matches your door and house style.
Option 4) Add voice control
Looking to add hands free voice control to your Schlage Encode system?.
Yale Assure Lever Lock
Finish Options: Bronze and Nickel
Connectivity Options: Apple Homekit, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Via Bridge/Hub, Z-Wave, and Zigbee
Google Assistant: Yes with add-on hub
Siri Support: Yes
Alexa Support: Yes
iOS App: Yes
Android App: Yes
- Multiple connectivity options including Wifi and Bluetooth via the August Connect version or Z-Wave and Zigbee to connect to your existing smart home hub or security systems.
- The August Connect version will use the August app for everything which has nice benefits for integrations and access codes, etc.
- Remotely locking with all of the connected versions.
- Can get a version with physical buttons if you don’t like touchscreens and would like to save on some battery life.
- Could be a benefit but not having a physical key slot or backup key could be seen as a downside
- Confusing branding between Yale and August (Yale’s parent company purchased August in 2017) in terms of figuring out what apps to use, what will connect with what.
- No real dedicated app for the Yale Assure line. Reliant on 3rd party apps for control and they each have their own levels of ability with regards to access codes, remote locking, etc.
- Only a few finish options are available.
Once you get past the confusing line-up of Yale Assure and August connectivity this lever lock offers a full feature set and could be a perfect fit for you if you are looking for a clean lever/handle replacement.
The lock offers several types of connectivity options which can be confusing including a Z-Wave and Zigbee version which will work well for those of you already with a home hub or smart security system like Alarm.com or SmartThings. The second option is to go with the August Connect version which connects via Bluetooth and Wifi via a small hub that plugs into a wall socket. This version gives you remote locking and monitoring out of the box without another hub.
If you are really needing a backup physical key you will need to look elsewhere as this lock has no key access at all.
The lock does not have its own dedicated smart phone app and relies heavily on either the August app if you have that version or your smart home hub app. This has some positives if you are already familiar with those systems but confusing if this is your first “smart” product.
Additional options for you include either a touch screen or physical button version.
Overall the Yale Assure lever is a solid option that has good user reviews and a wide range of connectivity options to fit your exact needs.
Your Yale Assure Lever Lock options:
Comparisons
How do the different Yale lever locks compare to each other?
Option 1) Pick a finish
Pick out the look that matches your door and house style.
Option 2) Add a compatible smart home hub
Got the Z-Wave version but don’t have a smart home hub yet? Here are some of your options.
FAQ
Installation
Integration and Connectivity
Security
About Smart Lock Scout
We are here to help you keep your home and family safely connected. Whether you’re looking to pick a smart lock system, we’ve spent hundreds of hours researching locks to help you find the best product to fit your specific situation.
At Postscapes we combine our years of experience following the smart home market along with user reviews to take the guesswork out of living securely connected. Learn More
Ultimate Smart Lock Guide
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