Why there are Amazon links here: Brave Review is paid a commission for qualifying Amazon purchases made through the links below. Your price does not change, and using our links is entirely optional. How this works
Best Smart Lock for a Door with a Metal Frame
A metal door frame changes the shopping list: the lock has to fit the existing cutout, tolerate the frame’s tighter tolerances, and still deliver the keyless features buyers expect. The five picks below cover renters who want a simple keypad, homeowners who want Apple Home and Matter, and anyone who wants a fingerprint reader at the front door. The overview table shows the key spec and best use for each, and every review ends with a direct link to check the current Amazon price.
Overview of the Picks
| Product | Key Spec | Best Use | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle | Built-in WiFi, voice and fingerprint unlock | Metal-frame doors that need a matching lever | Mid-range |
| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi Smart Deadbolt | Matter support, Apple Home, zinc alloy body | Apple Home and Matter households | Premium |
| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt | Certified security, Alexa and Ring compatible | Rental hosts and Alexa homes | Premium |
| eufy Security Smart Lock C220 | IP53 rated, BHMA Grade 3, 8-month battery | Budget-conscious front doors | Budget |
| Philips Wi-Fi Front Lock Set | Two handles included, backlit touchscreen | Double-door or replacement handle setups | Mid-range |
Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle
- Type: Keypad deadbolt with lever handle
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi, app remote control
- Unlock Methods: Voice, fingerprint, flexible codes, keypad
- Extras: Auto-lock, backlit keypad
- Included: Door lever and handle set
Check the current price on Amazon
This Philips set solves the most common metal-frame headache: the handle and the deadbolt arrive as one matched kit, so the lever lines up with the new lock instead of fighting the old hardware. Built-in WiFi means no separate hub, and the fingerprint reader plus flexible codes cover family, guests, and deliveries. The backlit keypad stays readable on a dark porch, and auto-lock closes the door behind forgetful users.
It suits homeowners replacing both the deadbolt and the lever in one pass, especially on a metal frame where mismatched hardware looks obvious. The kit format is the reason it earned a spot, since it removes a separate trim purchase.
Trade-off: The all-in-one handle kit limits finish and style choices, and a metal frame with an unusual backset may still need extra prep before this drops in.
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi Smart Deadbolt
- Type: Smart deadbolt
- Material: Solid zinc alloy
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi, Matter, remote control
- Ecosystems: Apple Home, Alexa, Google
- Unlock Methods: Fingerprint, app, code, auto-lock
Check the current price on Amazon
The Bolt SE is the pick for anyone already living inside Apple Home or Matter, because it speaks those protocols natively rather than through a bridge. Solid zinc alloy gives the bolt a heavier, more substantial feel than plastic-bodied locks, which matters on a metal frame where flex and rattle are noticeable. Fingerprint, code, and app entry are all on board, and built-in WiFi skips the hub.
It suits smart-home tinkerers and Apple households that want one app for everything. The metal build and Matter support are why it sits near the top of this list.
Trade-off: Matter and multi-ecosystem support add setup steps, and the premium build pushes this into the higher price tier.
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Century Trim
- Type: Smart WiFi deadbolt
- Entry: Touchscreen keypad, app control
- Ecosystems: Alexa, Google Home, Ring, Airbnb
- Trim: Century, matte black
- Security: Certified security rating
Check the current price on Amazon
Schlage’s Encode is the name most buyers recognize, and the Century trim in matte black reads clean against a metal frame. The touchscreen keypad wakes on contact, app control handles remote access, and the lock plays well with Alexa, Google Home, Ring, and Airbnb guest workflows. The certified security rating is the headline for buyers who want a known brand behind the bolt.
It suits rental hosts and Alexa-first homes that need guest codes and remote management. Brand trust and the Ring/Airbnb integration are why it made the cut.
Trade-off: The matte black finish and Century trim are handsome but opinionated, and the premium price tier makes this a harder sell for a secondary door.
eufy Security Smart Lock C220
- Type: Fingerprint deadbolt
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi, app remote control
- Battery: Up to 8-month battery
- Ratings: IP53 rated, BHMA Grade 3
- Entry: Fingerprint, keyless
Check the current price on Amazon
The C220 is the value pick, and it does not feel like one on paper: IP53 weather resistance, BHMA Grade 3 durability, and an eight-month battery estimate. The fingerprint reader is the primary entry method, with app control and built-in WiFi handling the rest. The nickel finish is neutral enough to sit on most metal frames without drawing attention.
It suits budget-focused buyers who still want a fingerprint reader and weatherproofing. The rating and battery life are why it beat out cheaper no-name locks.
Trade-off: The C220 leans on fingerprint and app entry rather than a full keypad, so guests without the app need a code set up in advance.
Philips Wi-Fi Front Lock Set with 2 Handles
- Type: Keypad deadbolt set with two handles
- Entry: Code, fingerprint, app, voice
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi, remote access
- Ecosystems: Alexa, Google voice unlock
- Extras: Auto-lock, backlit touchscreen
Check the current price on Amazon
This Philips set ships with two handles, which is the detail that matters for double doors or a front-and-back replacement. Code, fingerprint, app, and Alexa or Google voice unlock cover every entry style, and the backlit touchscreen stays usable at night. Auto-lock and built-in WiFi round out the feature list.
It suits buyers refreshing both sides of a metal-frame entry, or anyone who wants spare handles on hand. The two-handle bundle is why it earned its place over single-handle kits.
Trade-off: The two-handle bundle costs more than a bare deadbolt, and buyers replacing only the lock will pay for hardware they may not use.
Before You Buy
- Material: Solid zinc alloy and rated bodies hold up better on metal frames than plastic housings, which can flex and rattle.
- Compatibility: Confirm the door’s backset and cutout match the lock before ordering, since metal frames leave little room for error.
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi skips a hub, but Matter or Apple Home support matters if the lock must join an existing smart-home app.
- Entry methods: Fingerprint suits daily family use; keypads and codes suit guests and deliveries; voice unlock suits hands-full moments.
- Battery: Longer battery estimates mean fewer charges, but extreme cold shortens life on any outdoor lock.
- Finish: Matte black and nickel hide fingerprints differently, and a metal frame makes finish mismatches more visible.
- Included hardware: Kits with handles save a separate purchase, while bare deadbolts suit doors that already have matching trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Will a smart lock fit a metal frame door?
Most deadbolt-style smart locks fit standard door prep, and metal frames are usually fine as long as the backset and cutout match. Measure before ordering, since metal leaves less room to adjust. -
Do these locks need a hub?
All five picks have built-in WiFi, so no separate hub is required for remote access. Matter and Apple Home support on the ULTRALOQ adds integration without a bridge. -
Which pick is best for renters?
The eufy C220 is the easiest to justify for renters, since it costs less and installs as a standard deadbolt swap. Renters should confirm the lease allows lock changes first. -
Can guests use these locks without an app?
Yes, via keypad codes on the Schlage, Philips, and ULTRALOQ models. The eufy leans on fingerprint and app entry, so set a code in advance for guests. -
How often do the batteries need changing?
The eufy advertises up to eight months, and the others vary by use and temperature. Cold weather and frequent motor use shorten any lock’s battery life. -
Do these work with Alexa and Google?
The Schlage, ULTRALOQ, and both Philips sets list Alexa and Google support, and the Schlage adds Ring and Airbnb. Check the specific model’s app list before buying.
Bottom Line
For most metal-frame front doors, the Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle is the top pick: it bundles the lever, skips the hub, and covers fingerprint, code, voice, and app entry in one kit. Buyers deep in Apple Home should step up to the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, and budget shoppers can save with the eufy C220. Check the Philips price on Amazon and confirm the backset before ordering.
