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 Security Chain: 5 Picks That Work Together
A security chain and a smart lock are not rivals — they solve different problems. The chain keeps a door from opening wide during a quick conversation, while a smart lock handles the deadbolt, the keypad and the app control. The picks below cover buyers who want keyless entry for a rental, homeowners upgrading the front door, and anyone adding a camera or a fresh chain in the same trip.
The list opens with a side-by-side overview so a decision can be made in under a minute. Each pick then gets its own section with the specs, the fit and the catch. Prices shift often, so the exact figure lives behind the check-price link rather than in the text.
Overview of the Picks
| Product | Key Spec | Best Use | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| eufy Security Smart Lock C220 | Fingerprint keyless entry, IP53, BHMA Grade 3 | Main keyless deadbolt with app control | Mid |
| TEEHO TE019 Smart Keypad Door Lock | Keypad handle set, ANSI Grade 3, IP55 | Rentals and full handle replacement | Budget |
| Kwikset SmartCode 917 with Halifax Handle | Keypad deadbolt plus Halifax handle, SmartKey | Matching matte black hardware set | Mid |
| myQ Secure View 3-in-1 Smart Lock | 2K HDR doorbell camera, face and fingerprint | Camera, lock and doorbell in one | Premium |
| Door Chain Lock 2-Pack | Thickened chain, 12 screws, two units | Adding or replacing the chain itself | Budget |
The eufy and the Kwikset are the natural fits for a front door that already has a chain, because both are deadbolt-first designs that leave the existing hardware in place. The TEEHO replaces the handle as well, so it suits a door being fitted out from scratch. The myQ covers the camera angle, and the chain two-pack is the cheap add-on that finishes the job.
Best Overall: eufy Security Smart Lock C220
Type: Smart deadbolt with fingerprint entry
Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi
Battery: Up to 8 months
Weather rating: IP53
Security rating: BHMA Grade 3
Entry methods: Fingerprint, keyless, app
The C220 is a deadbolt replacement, which is exactly what a chained door needs — the chain stays on the frame and the lock swaps into the existing bolt position. Built-in Wi-Fi means no separate hub for remote control, and the fingerprint reader gives a fast entry option for hands full of groceries. The IP53 rating points to a lock that tolerates weather on an exposed front door, and the BHMA Grade 3 rating is the baseline residential security tier. The eight-month battery figure is the headline for anyone tired of charging devices.
This is the pick for a homeowner who wants the fullest feature set without jumping to a camera-equipped model. It suits a main entrance where the chain is already fitted and the goal is keyless entry plus app oversight. The trade-off is that fingerprint readers on outdoor locks can be fussy in cold or wet conditions, so a PIN backup matters.
Check the current price on Amazon
Best for Rentals: TEEHO TE019 Smart Keypad Door Lock with Handle
Type: Keypad handle set with deadbolt
Security rating: ANSI Grade 3
Weather rating: IP55
Entry methods: App and keypad
Features: Auto-lock, low power alerts
Finish: Satin nickel
The TE019 is a handle-and-deadbolt set rather than a bare deadbolt, so it replaces the whole latch side of the door in one go. App and keypad entry suit rental turnover, where codes change between guests and nobody wants to hand over physical keys. Auto-lock removes the "did I lock it?" question, and low power alerts head off the dead-battery lockout that ruins a check-in. The IP55 rating is a step up from IP53 on paper for dust and water exposure.
Rentals and short-stay properties are the obvious home for this one, and the budget positioning makes a multi-door purchase realistic. It also fits a homeowner who wants a matching handle and keypad without paying premium prices. The trade-off is that a handle set asks more of the door — the existing cutouts need to line up, and an older door may need adjustment before the set fits cleanly.
Check the current price on Amazon
Best Matching Hardware: Kwikset SmartCode 917 with Halifax Handle
Type: Electronic deadbolt with handle set
Finish: Matte black
Entry: Keypad keyless entry
Handle: Halifax door handle included
Key feature: SmartKey Security rekeying
Use: Residential
Kwikset pairs a keypad deadbolt with the Halifax handle in a single matte black finish, which solves the mismatched-hardware problem that plagues piecemeal upgrades. SmartKey Security allows the lock to be rekeyed without a locksmith, a genuine convenience after a move or a lost key. The keypad handles day-to-day entry, and the deadbolt format leaves the door frame free for a chain. The contemporary styling is the differentiator here — this is a look-driven pick as much as a function-driven one.
Buyers refreshing a front door’s appearance will get the most from it, especially where matte black already appears elsewhere on the exterior. It also suits anyone who values rekeying without professional help. The trade-off is that this is a keypad lock first — buyers expecting app control, fingerprints or Wi-Fi should look at the eufy or myQ instead.
Check the current price on Amazon
Best With a Camera: myQ Secure View 3-in-1 Smart Lock
Type: Smart deadbolt with integrated doorbell camera
Camera: 2K HDR with color night vision
Entry methods: Face, fingerprint, PIN, app
Audio: Two-way
Battery: Extra battery included
Use: Front door monitoring and entry
This is the premium option: a deadbolt, a doorbell camera and a viewer in one unit. The 2K HDR camera with color night vision covers the porch, two-way audio handles deliveries and visitors, and face plus fingerprint plus PIN gives four ways in. An extra battery in the box softens the charging routine that camera-equipped locks demand. Because it is a deadbolt, the security chain stays exactly where it is.
It suits a household that wants to see who is at the door before opening it — the natural companion to a chain, since both are about controlling the doorway. Anyone replacing a separate doorbell and lock can consolidate. The trade-off is complexity and cost: more features mean more to set up, more app reliance and a higher price than a plain keypad deadbolt.
Check the current price on Amazon
Best Chain Add-On: 2-Pack Door Chain Lock
Type: Interior door chain lock
Quantity: 2-pack
Finish: Black
Chain: Thickened
Hardware: 12 screws included
Use: Inside door security
Not every chained door has a chain worth keeping, and this two-pack covers a front and back door in one purchase. The thickened chain is the selling point over flimsier hardware, and twelve screws mean both units can be mounted without a trip to the hardware store. Black finish matches dark hardware and modern exteriors. It is a simple mechanical part — no batteries, no app, no pairing.
This is the pick for a buyer fitting a smart deadbolt to a door that never had a chain, or replacing a worn one at the same time. Two units for a budget price make it an easy add to any of the locks above. The trade-off is that a chain is only as strong as its mounting, so the screws need solid wood or proper anchors — a hollow or damaged frame will not hold under force regardless of chain thickness.
Check the current price on Amazon
Before You Buy
- Compatibility: A smart deadbolt needs the existing bore and bolt position to match; a handle set like the TEEHO also needs the latch cutouts to line up.
- Chain clearance: The chain mounts to the door and frame independently of the lock, so a deadbolt swap leaves it untouched — check that the new interior trim does not foul the chain plate.
- Power source: Battery life ranges from months to a charging routine on camera models; low power alerts matter more on a rental.
- Weather rating: An exposed front door benefits from an IP-rated lock; a sheltered entry is less demanding.
- Security rating: BHMA Grade 3 and ANSI Grade 3 are the residential baseline — a step up, not a vault.
- Entry methods: Fingerprint and face are fast but can struggle in cold or wet conditions; a PIN is the reliable backup.
- Included hardware: Screws and batteries in the box save a second order — the chain two-pack and the myQ both bundle what is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can a smart lock be used with a security chain?
Yes. A chain mounts to the door and frame separately from the deadbolt, so a deadbolt-style smart lock swaps in without touching the chain. Handle sets need a little more checking for clearance. -
Which pick suits a rental property best?
The TEEHO TE019, because app and keypad entry, auto-lock and low power alerts handle guest turnover without key handovers. -
Does a smart lock replace the need for a chain?
No. The lock controls the deadbolt; the chain limits how far the door opens. They cover different moments, and many buyers keep both. -
What does IP53 or IP55 mean on a door lock?
Both indicate resistance to dust and water spray. IP55 is the higher of the two on paper, which matters on an exposed front door. -
Is a camera lock worth the extra cost?
For a household that wants to see visitors before opening the door, the myQ’s 2K camera and two-way audio earn their place. A plain keypad deadbolt covers entry at a lower price. -
What is the cheapest way to secure a chained door?
Keep the chain and add a budget keypad deadbolt, or fit the chain two-pack alongside an existing lock. The chain itself is the lowest-cost component.
Bottom Line
For most chained front doors, the eufy Security Smart Lock C220 is the pick that balances price, features and fit — a deadbolt swap that leaves the chain in place while adding fingerprint entry, Wi-Fi and app control. Buyers who want a camera at the door should step up to the myQ, renters should take the TEEHO, and anyone fitting a chain from scratch should add the two-pack to the cart.
