Best Smart Lock Under $100: Top Picks for Easy Install and Reliable Keyless Entry

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links (tag: pricerev-20). If you buy through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This post is not sponsored.

Best Smart Lock Under $100: Top Picks for Easy Install and Reliable Keyless Entry

Quick Verdict

Buy the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch. The best all-rounder if you want fingerprint and keypad convenience without stepping into premium pricing.

Who should NOT buy this: Check the honest caveats below — every product has real downsides.

Check Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch on Amazon

---

Here's the thing: a smart lock is only worth owning if it works every single time you walk up to your door. A lock that lags, drains batteries, or needs a ten-step app dance to let in a guest is worse than the brass key it replaced. Budget locks make that risk bigger, because the cheapest options cut corners in places you only notice after install.

That's why this list leans on what buyers and reviewers keep bringing up: how hard the install is, how consistently the keypad or fingerprint reader responds, and whether the app stays connected. Features like voice assistants and geofencing are nice, but they sit far below "does it unlock when I need it."

When you shop in this price range, decide first whether you want a full replacement deadbolt or a retrofit that sits on your existing one. Then decide how you want to unlock: keypad, fingerprint, or phone only. Finally, ask whether you need remote access when you're away, because that often means an extra hub or gateway. Every pick below handles those trade-offs differently.

Quick Comparison Table

1. Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch

Key specs: Fingerprint and keypad unlock · Bluetooth with app control · Fits most standard doors

👉 Check price on Amazon →

The Eufy Touch earns the top slot because it packs the three methods most households actually use into one lock. Fingerprint is the fast, everyday option. The keypad covers kids, guests, and anyone whose finger is wet or dirty. The app is the backup. Buyers often say the fingerprint reader is the feature that sold them, since it removes the fumbling that makes keypads annoying with full hands.

Installation is another strength. Owners generally describe a standard deadbolt swap that takes a screwdriver and some patience, and the lock is designed to fit most standard doors. Eufy's app is also mentioned as easy to set up compared with some budget rivals.

It isn't perfect. Because it uses Bluetooth, remote access when you're away isn't built in the way it is with Wi-Fi models. Some buyers also report occasional fingerprint misreads, especially with cold or damp hands, and it's a bulkier lock than a basic keypad deadbolt.

What we like:

• Fingerprint, keypad, and app unlock in one lock
• Straightforward replacement install for most standard doors
• Fingerprint access is fast for everyday use
• Keypad codes make guest and family access simple
• Costs less than most competitors with a similar feature set

Honest caveats:

• Bluetooth means no true remote access without extra hardware or a different model
• Reviewers mention occasional fingerprint misreads in cold or wet conditions
• Bulkier exterior than a simple keypad deadbolt
• Eufy's app can feel limited if you want deep smart home automation

Bottom line: The best all-rounder if you want fingerprint and keypad convenience without stepping into premium pricing.

2. Ultraloq UL3 BT Bluetooth Smart Lock

Key specs: Bluetooth unlock via app · Keypad or key backup · No hub required

👉 Check price on Amazon →

The Ultraloq UL3 BT is the lock for people who want keyless entry without building a smart home around it. There's no hub to buy or pair. You install the lock, connect your phone over Bluetooth, and you're set. That simplicity is why renters and first-time buyers tend to land here.

Owners often point out that the physical key backup is a real comfort. If a battery dies or the app misbehaves, you aren't locked out. The lock also gives you multiple ways in, so you aren't tied to your phone.

The trade-offs are the usual ones for this tier. Reviewers note that the app can be slow to connect at times, and a few mention that the setup instructions are less polished than Eufy's. Bluetooth range also means you shouldn't count on checking your lock from across town. Build quality is fine for the category but doesn't feel premium.

What we like:

• No hub or gateway required
• Physical key backup protects against lockouts
• Simple setup that suits first-time smart lock buyers
• Often priced lower than feature-heavy competitors
• Works without tying you to a larger ecosystem

Honest caveats:

• Bluetooth-only means no remote control out of the box
• Buyers report occasional lag when the app reconnects
• Instructions and app polish trail the best in this group
• Build feels budget compared with more expensive locks

Bottom line: A solid pick if you want the cheapest simple path to keyless entry and don't need remote access.

3. Wyze Lock

Key specs: App unlock with auto-lock and activity history · Works with the Wyze ecosystem · Keypad availability varies by version

👉 Check price on Amazon →

If you already own Wyze cameras or sensors, this lock slots into a setup you know. Auto-lock and activity history are the headline benefits: you can see when the door was locked or unlocked, which is useful for households with kids or regular visitors. Wyze's pricing history also makes it one of the cheaper ways to add cloud-linked access logs.

A word of caution on shopping: Wyze has sold more than one lock design, and the details differ. Some versions rely on a separate gateway for remote access, and keypad support isn't the same across every model. Check the specific listing before you buy, and confirm what comes in the box.

Reviewers also raise the usual cloud-device concerns. Your lock's remote features depend on Wyze's servers and your home network, so an outage can limit what you can do. The lock itself is generally praised for value, but it makes the most sense inside the Wyze ecosystem and much less outside it.

What we like:

• Activity history gives you a clear record of door use
• Auto-lock reduces the "did I lock it?" worry
• Pairs naturally with other Wyze devices
• Value pricing compared with many cloud-linked locks
• Familiar app for existing Wyze owners

Honest caveats:

• Models and features vary, so listings need careful reading
• Remote access can depend on a separate gateway
• Cloud reliance means outages can limit features
• Less appealing if you don't already use Wyze products

Bottom line: A smart pick for Wyze households, but double-check the exact model before you click buy.

4. SwitchBot Lock

Key specs: Retrofit mount on existing deadbolt · Bluetooth with optional hub for remote access · Auto-lock and smart unlock options

👉 Check price on Amazon →

The SwitchBot Lock takes a different route. Instead of replacing your deadbolt, it mounts over the interior thumb turn and motorizes it. Your existing lock, key, and exterior hardware stay put. For renters and anyone who doesn't want to swap a lock or risk a landlord conversation, that's the whole appeal.

Buyers like how quickly it goes on and how easily it comes off. The optional hub adds remote access, but that's an extra purchase, and the lock does nothing for people who want a keypad or fingerprint reader on the outside of the door. You'll rely on your phone, a smart unlock feature, or accessories sold separately.

Retrofit locks also depend on your door. Reviewers report that a deadbolt that sticks or needs a hard turn can strain the motor and shorten battery life. If your door already binds, fix that first.

What we like:

• Keeps your existing deadbolt and physical key
• Renter-friendly, with no permanent changes
• Quick install compared with a full replacement
• Optional hub adds remote access when you want it
• Auto-lock and smart unlock options reduce manual steps

Honest caveats:

• No built-in keypad or fingerprint reader on the exterior
• Remote access requires buying the hub
• Sticky deadbolts can drain batteries faster and cause misses
• Leaves the exterior lock unchanged, so it adds convenience rather than new hardware security

Bottom line: The right choice if you can't or won't replace your deadbolt, as long as you're fine without exterior keypad access.

What to Look For

Install style. Decide between replacement and retrofit before anything else. A replacement lock gives you a keypad or fingerprint reader outside. A retrofit keeps your hardware and is easier to undo. Check your door's thickness and backset against the product's requirements.

Unlock methods. Phone-only locks are fine until your battery dies or a guest shows up. A keypad or key backup is worth prioritizing. Fingerprint readers are quick but can struggle in cold or wet conditions.

Remote access. Bluetooth-only locks work when you're nearby. If you want to unlock for a delivery from another city, check whether the lock needs a hub or gateway, and whether that's included.

Battery and reliability. Read reviews for patterns about battery life, app disconnects, and door alignment issues. Smart locks fail in boring ways, and those complaints repeat across buyers.

Final Verdict

The Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch is our top pick. It combines fingerprint, keypad, and app control in a lock that most buyers describe as straightforward to install, and it does so without premium pricing. If you want one lock that covers daily use, guests, and backups, this is the one to start with.

The Ultraloq UL3 BT is the runner-up, especially for budget-minded buyers who want a simple, hub-free setup with a physical key as a safety net. Pick the SwitchBot Lock if you rent or won't replace your deadbolt, and the Wyze Lock if you already live in the Wyze ecosystem and have verified the exact model.