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Best Smart Lock for a Rental: 5 Keyless Picks Landlords and Renters Can Trust
The best smart lock for a rental has to do three jobs at once: hand out entry to the right people, take it back without a locksmith, and come off the door when the lease ends. The five picks below cover short-term hosts who need remote guest access, landlords managing turnarounds between tenants, and renters who want keyless entry without a permanent change to the unit.
The overview table ranks each model by its headline capability, its best use, and its price tier so a decision is possible in under a minute. Detailed reviews, a buying checklist, and a FAQ follow.
The Picks at a Glance
| Product | Key Spec | Best Use | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad (B07Y5V15SY) | Fingerprint + keypad + handle | Full handle-and-lock swap on a rental front door | Budget |
| eufy Security Smart Lock C220 (B0C7C69FPS) | Built-in Wi-Fi, IP53, 8-month battery | Deadbolt-only retrofit with app control | Mid-range |
| Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad (B098KMW17J) | Bluetooth keyless entry + code access | Lowest-cost host lock with app and codes | Budget |
| Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock (B0F5QKCD3S) | Wi-Fi deadbolt, voice unlock | Voice-controlled deadbolt for a smart-home rental | Mid-range |
| Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle (B0F61WG9F2) | Wi-Fi deadbolt + door lever | Premium all-in-one for high-turnover rentals | Premium |
1. Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad
Unlock Methods: Fingerprint, keypad, remote access
Compatibility: Alexa & Google
Included Hardware: Handle and lock body
Install Type: DIY
Intended Use: Home, kids, Airbnb, rental property
This is a full handle-and-lock replacement rather than a deadbolt add-on, which makes it the pick for a rental door that still wears builder-grade hardware. The fingerprint reader handles repeat entry for family and long-stay guests, while the keypad covers everyone who should not be enrolled in biometrics. Remote access and Alexa/Google compatibility let a host open the door from a phone when a cleaner or a late arrival is stuck outside.
It suits hosts and landlords who want one box that replaces the whole entry set and are comfortable with a screwdriver and a drill. The trade-off is that a full handle swap is a bigger install than a deadbolt-only unit and may not fit every pre-drilled door, so measure the door before ordering.
2. eufy Security Smart Lock C220
Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi
Control: App remote control
Battery Life: Up to 8 months
Weather Rating: IP53 waterproof
Security Rating: BHMA Grade 3
Unlock Type: Fingerprint keyless entry
The C220 is a deadbolt-only retrofit, which is the least invasive way to add keyless entry to a rental door that already has a working handle set. Built-in Wi-Fi means no separate hub, and the rated battery life covers most of a year of normal use before a swap. The IP53 rating and BHMA Grade 3 designation put it in the category of locks designed to survive weather and everyday forced-entry testing rather than just look smart.
It suits landlords and hosts who want app control and fingerprint entry without touching the existing handle or lever. The trade-off is that a deadbolt-only unit leaves the old handle in place, so a rental with a worn thumb-latch still looks worn, and the fingerprint sensor is the only biometric option on the door.
3. Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad (Bluetooth)
Unlock Methods: Fingerprint, keypad, app code access
Connectivity: Bluetooth
Voice Compatibility: Alexa & Google
Included Hardware: Handle and lock body
Install Type: Easy DIY
Intended Use: Home, kids, guests, Airbnb, rental
This is the lowest-cost way into a full handle-and-lock replacement with fingerprint entry, app codes, and voice-assistant compatibility. Bluetooth handles the phone-to-lock connection, so codes are issued from the app when the host is nearby rather than over the internet. The handle set and lock body ship together, which means one install covers both the latch and the entry method.
It suits budget-conscious hosts running a single Airbnb room or a small rental who do not need remote unlocking from another city. The trade-off is that Bluetooth-only connectivity means no remote open from off-site, so a host who manages the property from out of state should step up to a Wi-Fi model.
4. Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock
Unlock Methods: Code, fingerprint, app
Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi
Voice Unlock: Alexa, Google
Features: Remote access, auto-lock
Keypad: Backlit touchscreen
Type: Smart deadbolt
The Philips deadbolt keeps the existing handle and upgrades only the lock, which is the right call for a rental where the door hardware is still in good shape. Built-in Wi-Fi unlocks remote access and voice unlock through Alexa and Google, and the auto-lock feature closes the door behind a guest without a second thought. The backlit touchscreen keeps codes visible at night, which matters for late check-ins.
It suits hosts who already run a smart-home setup and want voice unlock as part of the routine, plus landlords who prefer a deadbolt-only change. The trade-off is that a deadbolt-only swap leaves the interior and exterior handles untouched, so a mismatched finish between the new lock and the old handle is a real possibility.
5. Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle
Unlock Methods: Voice, fingerprint, flexible codes
Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi
Control: App remote control
Features: Auto-lock, backlit keypad
Included Hardware: Deadbolt and door lever
Intended Use: Front door
This is the premium pick because it bundles the two things rentals usually need to buy separately: a Wi-Fi deadbolt and a matching door lever. Voice unlock, fingerprint entry, and flexible codes cover every guest type from a one-time cleaner to a repeat family stay, and auto-lock keeps the door secured between check-ins. Built-in Wi-Fi and app remote control mean the host can issue or revoke access from anywhere.
It suits high-turnover short-term rentals where the entry hardware gets used dozens of times a week and a matched lever-and-lock set reads as a quality upgrade. The trade-off is the price: at the top of this group, it is the wrong choice for a rental where the host only needs code entry and does not care about matching hardware.
Before You Buy
- Install type: A deadbolt-only retrofit keeps the existing handle; a handle-and-lock set replaces both and requires matching the door’s pre-drilled holes.
- Connectivity: Bluetooth works for hosts on site; Wi-Fi is required for remote unlocking and app control from another location.
- Access methods: Fingerprint suits repeat guests and family; keypad codes suit cleaners, contractors, and one-time visitors.
- Battery and power: Check the rated battery life against how often the lock will be used, and plan a key backup for the dead-battery day.
- Weather and durability: An IP rating and a security grade matter on an exterior rental door more than on an interior one.
- Lease terms: A renter should confirm the landlord allows hardware changes and keep the original lock for move-out.
- Voice ecosystem: Alexa and Google compatibility should match whatever smart speaker is already in the unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can a renter install a smart lock without landlord approval? A deadbolt-only swap is reversible and easier to justify, but written permission is still the safe route. Keep the original hardware to reinstall at move-out.
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Is Wi-Fi or Bluetooth better for a rental? Wi-Fi wins for hosts who manage a property remotely, because codes can be issued and revoked from anywhere. Bluetooth is cheaper and fine for owner-occupied rentals.
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How long does a smart lock battery last? The eufy C220 is rated up to 8 months, and most locks in this class land in a similar range depending on traffic. Heavy turnover shortens that window.
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Do these locks work with Alexa and Google? Every pick in this roundup lists Alexa and Google compatibility, though voice unlock specifically appears on the two Philips models.
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What happens when the battery dies? Most smart locks keep a physical key override or an external power point, so a key backup should stay with the host. Check the override method before installing.
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Can one lock handle both short-term guests and long-term tenants? Yes, with flexible codes that can be time-limited or revoked. The Philips handle-and-lever set is the strongest fit for that mixed use.
Bottom Line
The best smart lock for a rental overall is the Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle, because it combines Wi-Fi remote control, fingerprint and voice unlock, auto-lock, and a matched lever in one install. Budget hosts who do not need remote access should look at the Bluetooth handle set, and deadbolt-only retrofits should start with the eufy C220.
