What is the difference between a smart lock and a keypad lock?

A keypad lock is a standalone electronic lock you open by tapping a PIN code; it stores codes internally and needs no phone, app or internet. A smart lock adds connectivity — Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or a hub — so you can lock and unlock from an app, grant temporary guest codes remotely, get activity notifications, and often integrate with voice assistants. Many smart locks include a keypad, so the categories overlap; the true divide is whether the lock connects to your phone and network or works entirely on its own.

Do smart locks and keypad locks need Wi-Fi?

A basic keypad lock needs no Wi-Fi at all — it works purely from the codes stored on the device. Smart locks vary: Bluetooth-only models connect directly to your phone when you are nearby but need no home network, while Wi-Fi smart locks (or a bridge) require your network for remote access, notifications and away-from-home control. If you want to keep things off the internet entirely, a keypad or a Bluetooth-only smart lock avoids the Wi-Fi dependency while still ditching physical keys.

Can you unlock a smart lock remotely?

Yes, if it has Wi-Fi or a hub bridge — that is the main advantage over a plain keypad lock. From the app you can let in a guest, a cleaner or a delivery while you are away, then relock and confirm it locked. A Bluetooth-only smart lock cannot do this from a distance because it needs your phone in range. A standalone keypad lock cannot do it either; you would have to share a code in advance. Remote unlocking is the feature that specifically defines a connected smart lock.

Are keypad locks secure without a smartphone?

Yes. A quality keypad deadbolt provides strong physical security and eliminates the risks of a hidden key or a lost key, and because it is not connected to the internet it cannot be attacked remotely. Good practice is to use a code that is not an obvious birthday or repeated digit, change it periodically, and clean or vary which keys you press so worn buttons do not reveal the code. For many households, a keypad lock delivers most of the convenience of a smart lock with fewer moving parts.

Do smart locks and keypad locks work when the power is out?

Both run on batteries, so a home power outage does not affect them — they keep working normally, and most warn you well before the batteries run low. If the batteries do die, keypad and smart locks typically offer a backup: a physical key override, external battery terminals you can touch a 9-volt battery to, or both. A pure smart lock with no keypad still functions on Bluetooth if your phone is charged. Always keep a backup entry method for the day the batteries surprise you.

Smart Lock vs Keypad Lock: Which One Should You Buy?

Written & researched by Derek Holt Home & Appliances Editor

Updated October 2026

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A keypad lock opens with a PIN and works entirely on its own — no phone, app or Wi-Fi — storing codes on the device itself. A smart lock adds connectivity over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or a hub, so you can control it from an app, grant remote guest codes, get alerts, and link it to voice assistants. Choose a keypad lock for keyless simplicity and no network. Choose a smart lock if you want to let people in remotely, track activity, or fold the lock into a wider smart-home setup.

What's the difference?

Both replace the metal key with an electronic entry, but they differ in connectivity. A keypad lock is self-contained: you program codes directly on it, and it never talks to a phone or the internet, so there is nothing to hack remotely and nothing to configure beyond the codes. A smart lock connects — Bluetooth to your phone up close, or Wi-Fi and a hub for control from anywhere — unlocking app control, remote guest access, activity history and voice-assistant integration. Confusingly, many smart locks include a keypad too, so the practical line is whether the lock is connected to your network or stands alone.

Wide view of a person mounting a small camera beside a front door, in soft early-morning light

Smart lock vs keypad lock at a glance

	Smart lock	Keypad lock
Opens with	App, code, sometimes key/fingerprint	PIN code
Needs network	Wi-Fi/hub for remote features	None
Remote unlock	Yes (Wi-Fi models)	No
Guest / temporary codes	Yes, managed remotely	Yes, set on the device
Activity alerts	Yes	No
Voice / smart-home links	Yes	No
Power	Batteries	Batteries
Complexity	Higher (app, network)	Low
Best for	Remote access, rentals, smart homes	Simple keyless entry, no network

Overhead view of a person mounting a small camera beside a front door, in soft overcast light

Which is better for remote access and guests?

The smart lock — this is its whole reason to exist. With a Wi-Fi model you can unlock the door for a guest, cleaner or delivery from anywhere, issue a time-limited code that expires on its own, watch a log of who came and went, and confirm from your phone that the door relocked. That makes it ideal for short-term rentals and busy households. A keypad lock can hand out codes too, but only ones you set in advance on the device, and it can never let someone in while you are away. If controlling access from a distance matters, the smart lock is the clear choice. Our best smart lock for Airbnb guide covers this use in depth.

Which is simpler and more private?

The keypad lock. With nothing connected to the internet, there is no app to set up, no network to depend on, and no remote attack surface — you program codes and you are done. For anyone who just wants to stop hiding a key under the mat and does not need alerts or away-from-home control, a keypad deadbolt delivers most of the everyday convenience with far less to manage. It is also the more private option, since your entry data never leaves the lock. A Bluetooth-only smart lock splits the difference: keyless app entry without exposing the lock to the wider internet.

Low-angle view of a person mounting a small camera beside a front door, in bright midday sun

Which should you buy?

Buy a keypad lock if you want simple, keyless entry, no app or network, and the fewest moving parts — it covers most households well. Buy a smart lock if you need to let people in remotely, run a rental, want activity notifications, or plan to integrate the lock with cameras, doorbells and voice assistants. If you like the idea of connectivity but not the internet exposure, a smart lock with a keypad but Bluetooth-only control is a strong middle ground. Our picks come from aggregated owner reviews and expert consensus rather than first-hand testing — see how we rank.

Where to go next

Compare specific models in our best smart locks roundup and the best smart lock for Airbnb. Related reading: how long smart lock batteries last and can smart locks be hacked. All under the smart home and security hub.