Top 7 Keyless Locks We Love
BY MIKEL HUBBARD
FORMER HGTV PRODUCER | CO-FOUNDER, THE HOST CO |
OWNER, TIMES EIGHT PROPERTY & DESIGN
Oh keyless entry, how would we ever run our Airbnbs without you? Having a door code is the best way to let guests check-in and out of a vacation rental. But that’s not always possible. If you gotta do a lockbox or a key pickup, we understand. Just make that lockbox easy to find and operate or make that key pickup pretty flexible on time (although hiding it is even better).
The ideal is no key to lose and no set time to arrive. Hey travelers, relax, you’re on vacation! Welcome to the magical world of door codes.
Yale Security, IncYALE KEYLESS ENTRY
We were so excited when Yale finally found a way to work with Nest to create a lockset so you could set codes from your phone. I mean, isn’t this the Airbnb dream? It’s a pretty great setup and comes in brass, bronze or silver finish. As an owner this lock really offers all the bells and whistles. As a user, we did find it a little tricky to gain entry in our limited experience. The numbers didn’t press easily and it wasn’t obvious how to get the lock to light up, so definitely try this out before buying it, but if the most recent versions work the way they’re supposed to, this is a surefire hit.
August HomeAUGUST SMART LOCK
August was the first to market with a smart lock, and although it wasn’t designed specifically for Airbnbs, they now offer a doorbell and separate keypad as add-ons to connect to wifi and set codes. All the same benefits of Yale, but a little more flexibility on where you want to attach the keypad to the house.
Schlage Lock CompanySCHLAGE ENCODE DEADBOLT
The Schlage Encode Deadbolt runs off wifi and can be operated in sync with a Ring doorbell, which can be purchased together on Ring.com - this is a bit like combining the August with the Yale or purchasing the Yale with a Nest security system. This comes in multiple finishes, but unlike the others, this one can be purchased in matte black which makes it a superior option if you’re trying to match a matte black handle finish.
YRHANDYRHAND Smart Lock
And now, the newcomers. YRHAND comes with the handle attached and it’s reversible. It’s also half the price of the other locksets, has a sleek design and swears it’s waterproof. Bottom line, it allows codes. It may not have all the bells and whistles of the others, but it’s quite a deal and does the job.
PopuLifePOPULIFE
Another inexpensive competitor, Populife promises all the basics at a fraction of the price. It needs a Populated Gateway (which is still in development) to connect to Alexa and Google Assistant, but the future of this lock sounds promising if it can provide you with basic needs for now and from what we can tell, is the least costly on the market.
Oaks LabsOAKS SMART LOCK
Another sleek, less expensive competitor in the smart lock market is the Oaks Smart Lock. Their lock seems to have more bells and whistles than the other new entrants but again at a price point that makes a lot of sense. Their standout attribute is keycards and key fobs which you may want for yourself or others outside of Airbnb.
SchlageSCHLAGE CAMELOT
This is your low-fi version of the above locksets but we love it. It comes in multiple finishes and doesn’t connect to wi-fi. You simply set a code and turn the knob to lock or unlock. Although you can’t change codes via wifi or monitor activity, it’s simple and it works. If security is the utmost concern and having a new code for each guest is key, this isn’t the lockset for you. If you want keyless entry without worrying if the door is talking to the wi-fi, or worrying if the batteries are running out regularly or if you remembered to set sufficient access for the next guest, this is the lockset for you. Spoiler alert, we love smart home products but this simple lock is our fave. Running an Airbnb is complicated enough, and this lockset offers few issues that could possibly go wrong.
Got experience with the keyless entry systems above or want to share your fave? Let us know in the comments below!