The best smart door locks for Airbnb are the ones that create a fresh PIN for every reservation, kill it automatically at checkout, and still let you get back in when the batteries die or the Wi-Fi drops. That sounds obvious, but most locks on the market solve only two of those three problems, and the gap between them is where midnight lockout calls come from.
Our overall pick is the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt. It has built-in Wi-Fi so there is no hub to mount, room for 100 access codes, and a physical backup key in the box. It is also the lock hosts on the r/airbnb_hosts forum raise most often, both in praise and in the battery complaints we found there.
Below is a full roundup of 12 locks, from a budget keypad deadbolt with no app or WiFi to a fingerprint model with a 200-day battery. Every pick includes what connectivity it actually needs, how you get in when things go wrong, and who it suits. We also cover the smart lock versus lockbox question that most guides skip, and how to give your cleaner a code that is not the same one your guest uses.
One more note before you start. None of the locks here has been tested by us at a live rental, so this roundup is built from manufacturer documentation, the published specifications, and the pattern of complaints and praise that shows up across thousands of owner reviews. We tell you exactly which is which in every section. If you want the general science first, our guide to the best smart locks for front doors covers the residential side, and keyless entry locks for modern homes covers the design angle.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Smart Door Locks for Airbnb Right Now
- Best Smart Door Locks for Airbnb (October 2026)
- How We Picked These Locks
- 1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt – Best Overall for Airbnb Hosts
- 2. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi – Best Value With Fingerprint Entry
- 3. Sifely Fingerprint Smart Lock – Six Different Ways To Get In
- 4. TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt – Best Budget Pick
- 5. eufy Security Smart Lock C220 – Best for Apple Watch Guests
- 6. Yamiry Fingerprint Keypad Lock – Best for Growing Portfolios
- 7. DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Smart Lock – Long Battery Life for Empty Properties
- 8. iulock Keypad and Key Door Lock – Best for Unheated Doors
- 9. LOCKSTAR Smart Door Lock – Best Box-and-Ready Remote Control
- 10. Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt – Best Away Mode Security
- 11. Veise VE012W WiFi Fingerprint Lock – Best for One-Time Codes
- 12. Tapo DL100 Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt – Most Code Slots
- How to Choose a Smart Lock for a Short-Term Rental
- Smart Lock vs Lockbox: Which Should You Actually Use?
- How to Set Up Your Lock for Guests, Cleaners and Vendors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Best Smart Door Lock for Airbnb Is the One You Can Reset Remotely
Top 3 Smart Door Locks for Airbnb Right Now
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
- Built-in WiFi
- no hub
- 100 access codes
- backup key included
Sifely Fingerprint Smart Lock
- Fingerprint
- keypad
- app
- key fob
- cards and physical key
- gateway sold separately
Best Smart Door Locks for Airbnb (October 2026)
This table is the fastest way to narrow twelve options down to two or three. Read across the connectivity column first, because it decides whether the lock can do anything remotely at all.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt |
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Check Latest Price |
| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi |
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| Sifely Fingerprint Smart Lock |
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 TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt |
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 eufy Security Smart Lock C220 |
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 Yamiry Fingerprint Keypad Lock |
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 DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Smart Lock |
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 iulock Keypad and Key Door Lock |
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 LOCKSTAR Smart Door Lock |
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 Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt |
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 Veise VE012W WiFi Fingerprint Lock |
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 Tapo DL100 Smart WiFi Deadbolt |
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How We Picked These Locks
We built this list for a specific job: giving a stranger temporary access to a door, then removing that access without driving to the property. That framing rules out anything that cannot expire a code or cannot be overridden physically.
Every lock here was checked against four filters. It must offer codes that can be time-limited or single-use. It must have a backup entry method that does not depend on the network or the batteries. It must state its connectivity honestly, whether that is built-in Wi-Fi, a separate gateway, or nothing at all. Finally, it must publish enough detail about battery life and door fit that you can decide before it arrives.
Owner review patterns shaped the ranking as much as the spec sheets. Where reviewers repeatedly describe the same failure, we put it in the cons line rather than burying it. Last reviewed for October 2026.
1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt – Best Overall for Airbnb Hosts
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Built-in WiFi, no hub
Up to 100 access codes
Four AA batteries, 6 months
One backup key included
Pros
- Built-in WiFi means no separate hub or gateway
- 100-code capacity handles heavy turnover
- App gives lock status
- history and notifications
- Fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thick
Cons
- Most expensive lock in this roundup
- Touchscreen can be sluggish when wet or cold
- Battery changes require pulling the interior cover
Schlage is the name that comes up most often when hosts ask this question, and after reading through thousands of owner reviews I understand why. The Encode has Wi-Fi inside the lock rather than in a bridge stuck to the inside of the door, which means one box, one power outlet, and nothing else to pair. You connect it to the Schlage Home app and the door is live.
One hundred access codes is more headroom than most small properties will ever use. It means you can run a distinct PIN per guest, a second for the cleaner, a third for the maintenance vendor, and still have room for a co-host and a friend staying for a week. Each code sits in an access history with a timestamp, so when a neighbour asks who came in at nine on a Tuesday evening you have an answer.
The forced-entry alarm is configurable, which matters more in a rental than it does at home. You can have the lock tell you when the door is ajar or when someone is trying to force it, and the fingerprint-resistant touchscreen keeps code smears from causing false entries. Auto-lock can run on a delay or be switched off if your guests keep knocking the frame.
Now the honest part. Hosts on r/airbnb_hosts describe this lock behaving erratically when the batteries get low, with the interior reporting odd status in the app while the door still works mechanically. The touchscreen is also called out as unresponsive in cold or wet weather, and replacing the four AA batteries means removing the interior cover. None of that is a dealbreaker, but it is a maintenance habit, not a set-and-forget device.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
The backup key matters more than any spec on the box. This is one of the few locks in the top tier that pairs Wi-Fi control with a physical key cylinder, so if the batteries die completely or a guest smears the keypad with something sticky, you have a mechanical way in. The single backup key is the weak spot, since one key means one failure.
It is also a generous fit, handling doors from 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inch thick with either common backset. That range matters in older rental stock where doors rarely match spec sheets.
When I would pick something else instead
If your door faces the weather with no porch, or if you are fitting keys to an existing Schlage system, this is not the fit. The Schlage name also means the highest tier of spend in this list, and the reviews are honest that the price is the first thing buyers question.
Hosts who want fingerprint entry rather than typing six digits at midnight should skip to the ULTRALOQ. And anyone whose property has marginal Wi-Fi at the door should read the connectivity section further down before buying anything with a radio in it.
2. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi – Best Value With Fingerprint Entry
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Matter Over Thread, App Remote Access
Fingerprint plus 50 passcodes
Built-in 2.4 GHz WiFi
Matter over Thread
18-month battery life
Pros
- Seven entry methods including fingerprint and two keys
- 50 fingerprints and 50 passcodes
- Built-in WiFi so no hub is needed
- Advertised 18-month battery life
- IP65 waterproof zinc alloy body
Cons
- Matter features need a Thread border router
- WiFi is 2.4 GHz only
- No door sensor included
- Fingerprint reads vary with very dry fingers
The Bolt SE does more per lock than most in this list. Seven entry methods come standard: fingerprint, passcode, app, a web portal, a shareable eKey, voice, and two physical keys. For a rental where you do not control who walks up to the door, having that many independent ways in is the whole point.
It carries fifty fingerprints and fifty passcodes, which covers a busy small portfolio with a separate code for every booking and a registered print for each co-host. Fingerprint entry is the story guests tell after the first night, because nobody has to remember a PIN at two in the morning.
Two things set it apart from the other fingerprint locks here. The Wi-Fi radio is built in, so remote unlock works straight out of the box, and Matter over Thread lets it join Apple Home and other Matter apps alongside a self-healing Thread mesh. The eighteen-month advertised battery life is among the longest claims in this roundup, and it is the one that does not vary with how often the lock is actually opened.
The catch is Matter itself. Those Thread features need a Thread border router in the home network, and if you are not running one you are paying for a capability you cannot use. The Wi-Fi side is 2.4 GHz only, and reviewers keep reminding each other that the router should be within about 70 feet of the door. No door sensor means you get lock status but not a reliable open or closed report.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Two emergency keys come in the box, which makes it one of the few locks here with a real hardware fallback for a dead battery. The IP65 rating also means it takes rain and cold without complaint, a genuine consideration for a cabin or a ground-floor flat with an exposed entry. The BHMA certification is a further mark that the hardware was tested rather than assembled around a marketing sheet.
For a host running a handful of doors who wants fingerprint entry and remote control without a bridge, the feature-to-cost balance is hard to argue with.
When I would pick something else instead
If your property sits more than 70 feet from the router, or on a different building entirely, the Wi-Fi range assumption fails. It is also the wrong pick for anyone who wants a Matter ecosystem and already knows they lack a Thread border router.
For doors in genuinely wet, unsheltered positions the two keys are a comfort but the fingerprint reader is the weak point, and reviewers note the recognition drops with very dry or worn fingers. If you need Apple Watch entry specifically, the eufy C220 further down does that natively.
3. Sifely Fingerprint Smart Lock – Six Different Ways To Get In
Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad – No More Lost Keys, Keyless Entry & Remote Access for Home, Kids, Airbnb & Rental Property, DIY Install, Alexa & Google Compatible
Fingerprint, keypad, app, fob, card and key
Guest codes generated instantly
WiFi gateway sold separately
Pros
- Six independent entry methods
- Instant temporary PIN generation
- Physical key backup for battery failure
- Reversible handle fits either door hand
Cons
- WiFi gateway sold separately for remote access
- Fingerprint reader inconsistent on some units
- Water ingress reported on fully exposed doors
Redundancy is the design idea here. Fingerprint, keypad PIN, phone app, key fob, key card, and a physical key all open this lock, and the box includes two keys and two key cards. When your guest cannot wake a touchscreen, they can still tap a card, and when the card is lost you still have a key.
For turnover, the instant temporary code generation is the useful part. A code appears in the app the moment a booking confirms, and you can hand it over in a message without visiting the property. Hosts with a steady stream of short stays describe this as the feature that removes the most friction.
There is also a privacy button on the inside that disables every electronic entry method at once. That matters in a unit where you or a co-host sometimes stay over between bookings and you do not want a guest or a neighbour using a stored code while you sleep.
The WiFi Gateway G2 is the sticking point. It is a separate purchase, and without it you get Bluetooth control only, which is short range, with no remote unlock and no Alexa or Google Assistant. Owners also report the fingerprint reader and the lock action behaving inconsistently on some units, and water ingress on doors with no shelter at all.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
The combination of a reversible handle and a fit that often lands on an existing door bore means less drilling and less chance of a failed install. Low-battery backup is also supported, which on a four-AA lock gives you a way to keep the fingerprint and keypad alive while you get fresh cells.
If your guests include anyone who will struggle with a six-digit code, this gives you more electronic ways in than a plain keypad does. That includes children, older visitors, and anyone arriving in the dark with full hands.
When I would pick something else instead
Remote hosting is where it falls short. If you are three hours away and need to unlock a door from your phone, the gateway is not optional, it is the entire feature. Check the total cost including the gateway before you commit.
Reviewers also flag that it will not rekey to a Schlage key system, so an existing cylinder does not carry over. And for a door fully exposed to heavy rain, the water ingress reports should make you look at the IP-rated models instead.
4. TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt – Best Budget Pick
TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt with Keypad for Front Door, Matte Black
No app, no WiFi
Up to 20 codes plus one-time code
Four AA batteries up to 365 days
2 backup keys
Pros
- Entry-level spend with 20 code slots
- One-year advertised battery life with a clear warning light
- Two physical backup keys included
- Anti-peeping code entry protects your PIN
Cons
- No app or remote management at all
- Only fits 2-1/8 inch door holes
- Batteries not included
- Needs a reset step before first use
This is the honest answer for a small cabin or a single spare unit where nobody expects the lock to talk to the internet. It is a keypad deadbolt with twenty access codes, a separate one-time guest code, and auto-lock you can set between ten and ninety-nine seconds. Nothing else happens, and that is the feature.
It carries a top average rating in this roundup at 4.5 across nearly seven thousand reviews, and the reason is durability rather than cleverness. Four AA batteries are advertised at up to 365 days, and the red low-battery light gives you a real warning before the thing dies on a Saturday morning with guests arriving.
Two SC1 backup keys come in the box, which matters when the only way to manage access is standing at the door with a PIN list. The anti-peeping function lets you enter decoy digits around your real code, so a guest watching over your shoulder at checkout does not capture it.
Know what you are giving up. There is no app, no Wi-Fi, and no remote unlock, so every code change is a physical visit. It only fits a 2-1/8 inch door hole, batteries are not included, and you must run a reset before the first use to set the door handing.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
For a property that sits empty between bookings, the low power draw is the argument. The year-long battery figure is the one that matters here, and the red warning light gives you a window to schedule a change rather than an emergency callout.
The one-time guest code is designed for exactly the brief handover case. You create a code, hand it to one person for one stay, and it is gone afterwards without you editing a list of twenty.
When I would pick something else instead
Multi-property hosting ends here. There is no remote management at all, so every turnover across three doors is three visits. Hosts who cannot get to a property quickly should rule this out entirely.
Check your door bore before you buy. If it is not 2-1/8 inch, this will not go in without a new hole, and the ANSI Grade 3 rating is the lowest published certification tier among the locks on this list.
5. eufy Security Smart Lock C220 – Best for Apple Watch Guests
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
Fingerprint, app, keypad, key, Apple Watch, voice
Built-in WiFi
Eight AA batteries, about 8 months
Pros
- Sub-one-second fingerprint reads with self-learning recognition
- Built-in WiFi means no bridge to buy
- Apple Watch unlock alongside app
- keypad and key
- Long eight-AA battery service interval
Cons
- Fingerprint module can be slow in very cold weather
- No adapter included for narrower 38mm bores
- App privacy history gives some buyers pause
The C220 is the only lock here that lists Apple Watch as an unlock method in its own specifications. That is not a small detail for a guest demographic that turns up in every city Airbnb operates in, and it removes the need to type anything at the door if the watch is on the wrist.
Six unlock methods in total, with a self-learning fingerprint module that adapts as it recognises registered prints. The fingerprint read is advertised at under a second, and reviewers consistently describe the speed as the reason guests stop complaining about the door.
Built-in Wi-Fi means remote control works without a bridge, and eight AA batteries give roughly eight months between changes. Owners who already run eufy devices, such as a doorbell, can tie the lock into routines. Two keys are included for the failure case.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Guests arriving with a smart watch get a genuinely better arrival experience, and that shows up in review language about the first night. If your bookings skew toward that group, no other lock here does it.
The fingerprint plus keypad plus key combination covers most realistic failure modes, and the lock fits bores under 54mm by removing a spacer, with a fifteen-minute install and no drilling on most standard deadbolts.
When I would pick something else instead
Cold weather is the recurring complaint. The fingerprint module is reported as slow in very cold conditions, which is a problem for a mountain cabin in January, not a minor quibble.
Some buyers also hesitate over the eufy app privacy track record, and the narrower 38mm bore needs an adapter that is not in the box. If you are prioritising a physical key override over fingerprint convenience, the Schlage and the LOCKSTAR are stronger on that front.
6. Yamiry Fingerprint Keypad Lock – Best for Growing Portfolios
Smart Door Handle Lock with Keypad, Yamiry Fingerprint Knob for Front Door
Fingerprint, app, passcode, fob, key, Alexa
WiFi gateway sold separately
10-minute install
Pros
- Remote passcode generation and unlock history in the app
- Two key fobs and two mechanical keys in the box
- Ten-minute no-drill install with a reversible handle
- One app manages multiple locks
Cons
- WiFi gateway is a separate purchase
- Bluetooth range limits app control away from the door
- Shorter brand track record than Schlage or Yale
Yamiry is designed with a specific host in mind, one managing more than one door from a single phone. The app holds permanent, temporary, and one-time codes side by side, and the unlock record tracks who came through which lock and when. That audit trail is the reason property managers pick it.
Six unlock methods including fingerprint, app, passcode, key fob, mechanical key, and Alexa. Two key fobs and two mechanical keys come in the box, and the passage mode is useful during cleaning or maintenance windows when you want the door to stay unlocked for a short period.
Installation is a ten-minute job on standard American wooden doors with no drilling, thanks to a reversible handle that fits either door hand. Stainless steel and zinc construction keeps it at 1.7 pounds without feeling flimsy on a heavy entry door.
The gateway is the catch. Without the separate WiFi gateway you have Bluetooth only, and Bluetooth range is short, so remote unlock from a bed, an office, or another building simply will not happen. Plan for the gateway as part of the cost, not as an optional extra.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Grouping codes per property in one app is what makes a four-door portfolio manageable rather than a chore. You can see the full activity log across every lock instead of opening four separate apps after each checkout.
Two mechanical keys is a better failure story than most fingerprint locks in this price range offer, and the no-drill install means a rental door is less likely to be damaged during fitting.
When I would pick something else instead
If you are starting with one property, the gateway cost makes no sense until you have more doors. Single-unit hosts should read the cost of the full setup before committing.
Reviewers also note the brand has a shorter track record than the established names, and Bluetooth-only operation will frustrate anyone who expects to unlock from a distance. For absolute key robustness, the iulock further down is simpler still.
7. DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Smart Lock – Long Battery Life for Empty Properties
DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock, Keyless Entry Deadbolt
Bluetooth app, gateway optional
Fingerprint under 0.3s
12 months on four AA
USB-C emergency power
Pros
- Up to 12 months of battery life with a low-battery indicator
- USB-C emergency port for total battery failure
- 50 fingerprints plus 100 or more temporary codes
- IP54 water resistance and BHMA Grade 3
Cons
- G2 gateway sold separately
- so remote access is not standard
- Batteries not included
- Bluetooth-only connectivity limits range
The DESLOC B200 is the lock to consider when the property sits empty for weeks at a time. Four AA batteries are advertised at up to twelve months, which is the longest figure among the connected fingerprint locks here, and the low-battery indicator means you find out before a guest does.
It stores up to fifty fingerprints with a self-learning module that reads in under 0.3 seconds, and it handles more than a hundred temporary or scheduled codes through the TTLock app. Eight entry methods in total, including eKeys and key fobs for handing out access without a code.
The USB-C emergency power port is the detail that wins me over for rentals. If the batteries die completely, a guest can power the lock from a USB-C power bank outside the door and get in without waiting for a locksmith. Fewer lockout calls, fewer refunds.
The gateway is sold separately, so out of the box you have Bluetooth control near the door and nothing remote. It is IP54 rated and works down to minus 22F, and the twelve-month warranty comes with US-based phone support.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
For a seasonal property or a unit that sits between bookings for months, the battery interval is the deciding factor. A twelve-month figure means you can check it on your annual maintenance visit rather than scheduling quarterly battery swaps.
It also fits with a screwdriver on most standard US doors and weighs under a kilogram, so it is a manageable install. The scheduled code function is useful for a vendor who needs one fixed window each season.
When I would pick something else instead
Remote hosting is not its strength. The G2 gateway is required, and the Bluetooth-only default limits you to near-door app control. If you are driving three hours to reach a guest, that is the wrong architecture.
Fingerprint reliability also drops with very dry skin or a poorly registered print, and batteries are not included. A keypad-heavy household may prefer the Tapo, which stores far more codes.
8. iulock Keypad and Key Door Lock – Best for Unheated Doors
iulock Keypad & Key Smart Door Lock, 50 User Codes, Waterproof, Auto Lock – Matte Black
Up to 50 codes, 1-15 digits
Two mechanical keys
Four AAA up to 18 months
IP65, minus 22F to 176F
Pros
- IP65 weather rating for cold and wet entries
- Fifty code slots for guests
- cleaners and vendors
- Two mechanical keys give a hardware fallback
- USB-C backup power when batteries run out
Cons
- No app or remote access despite the smart branding
- Installation instructions are minimal
- Rubber gaskets and the narrow knob are fiddly to fit
This is a lock for a door that takes the weather. The IP65 rating and an operating range down to minus 22F and up to 176F put it ahead of most of the fingerprint deadbolts on this list when the door is on an exposed cabin or a coastal entry. It is a knob rather than a deadbolt, which is worth knowing if your listing advertises a single deadbolt on the main entry.
It stores up to fifty custom codes of one to fifteen digits, which is more than enough to keep a guest PIN, a cleaner PIN, and a vendor PIN genuinely separate. Passage mode and silent mode both exist, and silent mode matters in a thin-walled rental where a keypad beep carries through to the neighbours.
Four AAA batteries run up to eighteen months, and there is a USB-C backup port for the dead-battery scenario. The solid key cylinder with two keys is a more traditional fallback than a fingerprint reader, which means nothing to wear out and nothing to re-register.
There is no app and no remote access, so codes are managed at the keypad. Owners also report that the instructions are minimal and the master code is hard to locate, and that the rubber gaskets and the narrow knob take real patience to fit.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Nothing about this lock depends on a network, a gateway, or a phone. In a property with no power and no connectivity it behaves exactly the same, which is a rare kind of predictability for a rental door.
It fits doors from 1-3/8 to 2-1/2 inch thick with an adjustable latch and works on either door hand. The detachable silicone grip resists heat on a sun-exposed door and is comfortable to turn with cold hands.
When I would pick something else instead
The smart branding oversells it. There is no connectivity of any kind, so if your host model depends on remote unlock or automatic code expiry, this is the wrong tool entirely.
Fit is also the risk. Owners mention the gaskets and knob are fiddly, and replacement silicone grips are not readily available. If you want weather resistance with remote control, look at the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE instead.
9. LOCKSTAR Smart Door Lock – Best Box-and-Ready Remote Control
LOCKSTAR® Smart Door Lock • Keyless Entry Deadbolt Door Lock • Multiple Entry Methods – APP • Fingerprint Touch ID • Keypad Code • Card FOB • Traditional Key • Smart Home Devices
WiFi gateway included
Fingerprint, keypad, fob, key, app
App history and notifications
Pros
- WiFi gateway included so remote control works immediately
- Average rating of 4.5 in this roundup
- Five redundant entry methods limit lockout risk
- Real-time notifications and full access history
Cons
- Small review base compared with established brands
- No stated ANSI or BHMA security certification
- Per-tenant fob and fingerprint management adds overhead
The LOCKSTAR solves a problem most fingerprint locks here create. The WiFi gateway is included in the box, so remote control and app history work the day it arrives, with no second purchase and no second thing to mount. For a first-time host, that removes the most common install mistake.
Five entry methods: app, fingerprint Touch ID, keypad code, card fob, and a traditional key. The app keeps complete event history and sends real-time notifications, so you can confirm a guest got in at eleven at night without asking them in the morning.
Auto-lock triggers after the door closes, or on a long press of the hash key. The box includes a screwdriver and a drill bit, and owners report a single-screwdriver install that fits most doors whether or not the lock holes already exist.
Two reservations are worth stating plainly. The review base is far smaller than the established brands, at roughly thirteen hundred ratings rather than tens of thousands, so the 4.5 average is less well tested. And no ANSI or BHMA security certification is stated, which is unusual for a lock marketed on security.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Having the gateway included is the deciding factor if you want remote unlock without researching add-ons. It also keeps costs predictable, since there is no second device to account for in the first year.
Redundancy is genuinely good here. Between the app, a fingerprint, a code, a fob, and a key, a guest who cannot do one of them is never stuck, and that is the property that matters at midnight.
When I would pick something else instead
If security certification matters to you or to your insurer, the absence of a stated ANSI or BHMA rating is a gap. Locks with a published certification give you something concrete to point at.
Managing a fob and a fingerprint per tenant adds administrative weight that a pure keypad does not. For a property with high turnover, that is work you will feel every time you onboard someone new.
10. Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt – Best Away Mode Security
Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock, Keyless Entry Door Locks for Front Door
Built-in 2.4 GHz WiFi, no hub
100 codes plus one-time codes
Away Mode locks out other codes
Pros
- Built-in WiFi with no separate hub to buy
- Unlimited one-time and scheduled codes for turnover
- Away Mode locks out every method except the master code
- Long US-based phone support hours
Cons
- Batteries not included and AA alkaline only
- 2.4 GHz WiFi with a 65 ft router recommendation
- No door sensor
- so open or closed state is not reported
Away Mode is the feature that makes this interesting for a rental. When you set it, every unlock method is disabled except the master code, so even a valid guest PIN will not open the door. Between stays, that turns a leaked or mistyped code into nothing at all.
The code capacity is the other headline. One hundred custom passcodes plus unlimited one-time and scheduled codes means you can generate a fresh single-use code for every arrival without ever deleting anything, which removes a whole category of mistakes in a busy property.
Built-in Wi-Fi handles remote lock and unlock with no hub, and there is real-time alerting and full access history in the app. Auto-lock is adjustable from ten to 180 seconds. Alexa and Google Assistant both work, with PIN verification for voice unlock.
Fit is narrower than most here, covering doors from 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick. Batteries are not included and must be AA alkaline, and the 2.4 GHz-only radio wants the router within about 65 feet. Owners also report occasional criticism of firmware and app stability, and there is no door sensor.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Unlimited one-time codes are the quiet winner. Many hosts avoid single-use codes because they assume they have to remember to delete each one. Here you do not, and the code stops working on its own after a set window.
Long US-based phone support is a small thing that matters when a property is empty and a guest is standing outside. The long auto-lock delay range also suits a door that people linger in.
When I would pick something else instead
No door sensor means you learn whether the bolt threw, not whether the door is actually shut. A guest who pulls the door closed without latching may not know, and neither will you.
The 2.4 GHz requirement and 65-foot distance will rule it out on a large property or a detached building. And with roughly twelve hundred ratings, the long-term record is thinner than the leaders here.
11. Veise VE012W WiFi Fingerprint Lock – Best for One-Time Codes
Veise VE012W WiFi Fingerprint Smart Lock for Front Door, Matte Black
Built-in WiFi, no hub
Fingerprint reads in 0.2s
100 PINs plus one-time codes
IP55, BHMA Grade 3
Pros
- Hub-free built-in WiFi with app-based remote unlock
- Unlimited one-time codes alongside 100 permanent PINs
- Advertised 0.2 second fingerprint recognition
- BHMA Grade 3 and IP55 weather resistance
Cons
- Batteries not included
- WiFi limited to 2.4 GHz
- Smaller review base than the established brands
- Alexa voice works through the app rather than natively
The Veise combines a hub-free WiFi radio with one of the fastest fingerprint modules on this list, advertised at 0.2 second reads with a self-learning AI profile. Six entry methods cover app, twenty fingerprints, one-time codes, one hundred PINs, two physical keys, and voice.
For a rental, the code structure is the story. It supports more than a hundred permanent, recurring, time-limited, or one-time codes with anti-peeping entry, so you can hand a guest a code that dies on a schedule and keep your cleaner on a recurring code that never changes.
It also stores data locally with AES-128 encryption, which is a meaningful distinction for a lock holding access to your home. The body is IP55 rated with a zinc alloy cylinder, and the auto-lock window runs from ten to 180 seconds with a vacation away mode.
Fit covers doors from 1-3/8 to 2 inches on either hand, and all hardware is in the box for a screwdriver-only install. Two backup keys are included, and the warranty runs two years with a free registration extension. Batteries are not included, and Alexa control runs through the app rather than natively.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Remote unlock and one-time codes together in a single unit is a combination most fingerprint locks need a gateway to deliver. Two backup keys and a local encryption store also make it a defensible choice for a primary residence rather than a spare unit.
It sits between the bare keypad locks and the top-tier brands on hardware, which makes it a step up for a host who wants remote control without moving to the top of the range.
When I would pick something else instead
With roughly eight hundred ratings, this is a much smaller evidence base than the Schlage or the ULTRALOQ. If you want a long track record, pay for it.
The 2.4 GHz limit and absent batteries are small frictions rather than dealbreakers. For a larger property, look at a lock with a Thread option, or accept that you need a router near the door.
12. Tapo DL100 Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt – Most Code Slots
Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt Door Lock, Keyless Tactile Buttons, DL100
200 tactile button codes
Backlit anti-peeping keypad
Bluetooth plus remote WiFi
USB-C port
Pros
- Up to 200 codes
- the largest capacity in this roundup
- Batteries and USB-C emergency power both in the box
- Backlit tactile keypad and anti-peeping random digits
- Group-based access management for family
- guests and visitors
Cons
- No fingerprint reader
- unlike most locks in this range
- Only two physical keys as backup
- Door status depends on the app rather than a dedicated sensor
The Tapo DL100 wins on capacity and on the keypad itself. It stores up to 200 codes on physical tactile buttons with a backlit keypad, so a guest pressing it in the dark feels the right button without hunting for it. The anti-peeping function scatters random digits around the real code when you enter it.
Tactile buttons matter more than they sound. Touchscreens in cold or wet conditions are the most common guest complaint across this whole category, and a raised button you can feel does not care about the weather or about gloves.
You get Bluetooth nearby access and remote control over Wi-Fi through the Tapo app, with real-time alerts, door status, and a timestamped activity log. Group-based access management lets you keep family, guest, and visitor codes as separate lists, which is tidy for a portfolio.
Battery life is quoted at up to 200 days in Wi-Fi mode and 300 days in Bluetooth mode, and four AA batteries are included in the box along with two keys, a USB-C cable, a silicone cover, and a template. A failed-attempt PIN limiter slows down guesswork at the keypad.
There is no fingerprint reader, which is unusual at this level, and the backup story is just the two keys. Door status comes through the app rather than a dedicated sensor in some setups, and the review base for the DL100 specifically is still small.
What tells me this is the right lock for a rental
Two hundred code slots means you can give every booking, every cleaner, every vendor, and every co-host a permanent separate identity in the app without recycling anything. For a property with heavy turnover, that removes the code list management entirely.
It also fits both common US lock hole sizes, 2-1/8 and 1-1/2 inch, with no drilling, and it works with Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings if you are already inside those ecosystems.
When I would pick something else instead
If you want fingerprint entry, this is the wrong lock. Among the picks here it is the main one without a reader, and that changes the arrival experience for your guests.
Two keys is thin backup for a rental. For a property that sits empty, pair it with a coded key safe rather than trusting the lock alone, and check the battery figure against your real door usage in Wi-Fi mode.
How to Choose a Smart Lock for a Short-Term Rental
Start with remote management, because it decides whether you can host a property you are not standing next to. Any lock with built-in Wi-Fi or a bundled gateway lets you see the lock state and revoke a code from your phone. A keypad-only lock does not, and that is acceptable only if you can reach the door between every turnover.
Second, look for codes that expire. A time-limited PIN that dies at checkout removes the entire class of problems where yesterday’s guest walks up to your door. Locks that advertise unlimited one-time or scheduled codes, such as the Philips and the Veise, let you skip the manual deletion step.
Third, treat the backup entry method as the deciding factor, which is what hosts consistently rank first. A physical key, a fingerprint, or a USB-C emergency port means a dead battery is an inconvenience rather than a locksmith. Two keys in the box beats one, and no keys at all on a rental is a red flag.
Fourth, check connectivity honestly against your property. Built-in Wi-Fi is simplest. A separate gateway adds a device to install and power. Bluetooth-only means you can only control the lock while standing near it. And any 2.4 GHz-only radio needs the router reasonably close to the door, which rules out detached buildings and large lots.
Fifth, count the codes you actually need. A single-unit host needs perhaps five: guest, cleaner, vendor, co-host, and a spare. A small portfolio running dozens of turnovers a month will fill a fifty-code lock quickly. The Tapo holds 200, and the Schlage and the Philips both hold 100.
Sixth, and hosts skip this constantly, read the low-battery behaviour. A clear warning light or an app alert before failure is worth more than a headline battery figure, because the headline is measured under ideal conditions and a rental door is opened far more often than a home door.
Do smart locks for Airbnb need Wi-Fi? Not strictly. Any keypad lock generates and stores codes on the lock itself, and the TEEHO, the iulock, and the DESLOC all work with no network at all. What you lose is remote management: you cannot revoke a code from the sofa, and you cannot see whether a guest got in. For a host doing self check-in from three hours away, that is usually a dealbreaker.
Smart Lock vs Lockbox: Which Should You Actually Use?
A lockbox and a smart lock solve overlapping problems in different ways. A lockbox is a physical container for keys that costs almost nothing and cannot run out of batteries. A smart lock replaces the deadbolt and gives you a code that expires on its own.
The lockbox case is stronger than most guides admit. If your doors already have a working deadbolt and your guests are comfortable with a physical key, a coded lockbox removes every failure mode we describe in this article: no batteries, no Wi-Fi, no firmware, no app. It also survives any power or network problem because it has no electronics.
The cost of the lockbox route is the rekey. Every time a key goes missing, returns in the wrong pocket, or gets copied, you pay a locksmith to rekey the cylinder. With several turnovers a month, that compounds, and it is the argument that eventually wins for higher-volume hosts.
Reviewers on hosting forums report the same pattern, with several saying that after five or more years across multiple short-term rentals they rarely fall back on a physical lockbox. That said, plenty of experienced hosts keep one as a backup, which is the sensible middle ground.
Our view is that a smart lock wins on arrival experience and code hygiene, and a lockbox wins on simplicity and cost. The worst choice is a smart lock with no physical backup at all, because a dead battery then becomes a guest standing outside at midnight.
How to Set Up Your Lock for Guests, Cleaners and Vendors
Name the lock and the door in your listing, and put a photo of the keypad next to it. The single most common guest failure is not a wrong code, it is a guest who does not realise the screen needs waking before they start typing.
Send the code in the message your guest already reads, and repeat it in the check-in instructions. Keep the code and the backup entry method in two separate places, so losing your phone does not lock you out of your own lock management.
Give every person their own code. Your cleaner gets a recurring code scoped to the hours they are usually there. Vendors get a one-time or scheduled code. Sharing a single PIN between a guest and a cleaner is how a code leaks, and it makes your activity log useless.
Set the code to activate at check-in time rather than the moment of booking. That way an early arrival does not fail, and the window is exactly as long as the stay requires.
Test the backup before you need it. Confirm the physical key opens the door from outside, confirm the emergency charge or USB-C port powers the lock, and write down where that key is stored. Do this at install time and again at every turnover.
Finally, set a calendar reminder for battery checks rather than waiting for a warning. Hosts in the r/airbnb_hosts forum describe low-battery behaviour as the most common surprise, with locks starting to behave oddly before they report a proper alert.
Frequently Asked Questions
What smart locks are recommended by Airbnb?
Airbnb does not publish a single approved list, but it documents a connected-entry feature and hosts report that the established brands such as Schlage and Yale are the models accepted for it. That feature is limited to listings in the US and Canada. Elsewhere, the practical route is to connect your lock to property management software, which generates a code per booking and removes it at checkout.
What is the best lock to use for Airbnb?
For most hosts the best lock is a deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi, time-limited guest codes, and a physical key override. Our pick is the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, because it needs no hub, holds 100 codes, and includes a backup key. If you cannot have Wi-Fi at the door, a keypad deadbolt with offline codes is the next best thing.
What are the best smart door locks for a rental property?
The best smart door locks for a rental property share four traits: codes that expire automatically, remote revocation from a phone, a physical backup entry method, and published battery life. In this roundup the Schlage Encode, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, the eufy C220, and the LOCKSTAR all meet that bar. Add a separately bought gateway only if the lock does not have Wi-Fi built in.
Do I need Wi-Fi for an Airbnb smart lock?
No. A keypad deadbolt generates and stores codes on the lock itself, so it works with no network at all. What you give up is remote management: you cannot revoke a code or check the lock state from your phone. Hosts who are more than an hour from the property generally need Wi-Fi, and hosts with a reliable keypad can manage codes at the door during turnover.
What happens if the smart lock battery dies during a stay?
It depends entirely on the backup entry method. A lock with a physical key override, a fingerprint reader, or a USB-C emergency power port keeps working in some form when the batteries are flat. The Philips, the Veise, the Tapo, and the DESLOC all include a USB-C port for exactly this case. A lock with no backup can leave a guest locked out, so check that before you install.
What is the most secure lock box for Airbnb keys?
There is no single most secure lock box, but a solid-body mechanical lock box with a weatherproof shackle and a resettable combination beats a cheap plastic one. The important part is the audit trail: a lock box records nothing, so you cannot tell who collected a key or when. Hosts who want both security and accountability usually run a lock box as a backup alongside a smart lock.
The Best Smart Door Lock for Airbnb Is the One You Can Reset Remotely
After working through twelve locks, the pattern was clear. The best smart door locks for Airbnb are not the ones with the longest feature lists, they are the ones that do three things without exception: expire a guest code on schedule, hold a large enough code pool for your turnover, and offer a way in that does not depend on Wi-Fi or a working battery.
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is our pick because it covers all three with no hub, 100 codes, and a backup key. The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE is the better buy if fingerprint entry matters more to your guests than the brand name. The TEEHO TE001 is the honest answer for a remote cabin with no network, and it will not try to be anything else.
Whatever you pick, test the backup entry before your first guest arrives and give every person their own code. That habit is worth more than any feature on the spec sheet.
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