All Reviews

Every guide we've published, newest first.

Smart Locks With Video Doorbells: What Actually Matters Before You Buy

2026-10-26

A former locksmith explains how to choose a smart lock with video doorbell, from pairing order and deadbolt throw to fingerprint reliability, across four models worth a look.

How to Install a Smart Lock With a Built-In Video Doorbell

2026-10-25

Installing a smart lock with video doorbell hardware comes down to setup order. Pair the lock to the app first, add the gateway second, and check the deadbolt throw before you call the job done.

Smart Locks With Video Doorbell Built In: 4 Picks Compared

2026-10-24

Smart locks with video doorbell hardware built in, compared by a former locksmith who has installed 300+ of them. Install, pairing, fingerprints, and who each one fits.

Smart Locks With a Video Doorbell: What's Worth Installing

2026-10-23

Smart locks with a video doorbell, sized up by a former locksmith who installs them for landlords and Airbnb hosts. Setup order, pairing, and what to skip.

Best Smart Locks and Video Doorbells for Rentals and Front Doors

2026-10-22

A locksmith's-eye comparison of smart locks and video doorbells, from keypad deadbolts and fingerprint entry to camera locks and subscription-free porch cameras.

Smart Locks With Video Doorbells: What to Check Before You Buy

2026-10-21

Shopping for smart locks with video doorbell hardware built in? Here is how a deadbolt replacement, a fingerprint lock, and a garage hub differ, and what to check before you buy.

How to Install a Smart Lock With a Camera Without Calling a Locksmith

2026-10-20

A smart lock with camera is only as good as the install behind it. Here is the prep, the pairing order, and the two front-door locks I would actually put on a rental.

Best WiFi Smart Locks With Keypads and Cameras for a Front Door

2026-10-19

Four WiFi smart locks with cameras, keypads, and handles compared by a locksmith who has installed over 300 of them. What installs clean, what needs a bridge, and which one belongs on your front door.

Smart Locks and Video Doorbells: What Actually Installs Clean

2026-10-18

Smart locks and video doorbells, sorted by a working installer: which deadbolts throw true, the pairing order that saves you a factory reset, and where the subscription traps hide.

Best Smart Locks With a Camera and Doorbell for a Front Door

2026-10-17

Six keyless deadbolts that pair a smart lock with camera and doorbell, compared on entry methods, WiFi setup, auto-lock, night vision, and subscription terms.

Smart Locks With Cameras and Keypads: Which One Fits Your Door?

2026-10-16

Four entry devices, from a keypad deadbolt to a battery doorbell, and how to choose a smart lock with camera and keypad that matches your door, your lease, and your WiFi.

How to Set Up a Smart Lock With Camera and Doorbell in the Right Order

2026-10-15

A smart lock with camera and doorbell almost never fails at the drill. It fails in the app, because the setup order is backwards. Here is the install sequence I use on rental doors.

Three WiFi Smart Locks and a Video Doorbell: What I'd Actually Install

2026-10-14

A working locksmith's smart locks and video doorbells comparison: three WiFi keypad deadbolts and one budget porch camera, judged on install, pairing, and daily use.

Smart Locks for Rentals: Four Deadbolts Worth Mounting on a Real Door

2026-10-13

A locksmith's smart locks for rentals comparison, four keyless deadbolts judged on install time, pairing order, auto lock, and whether the fingerprint reader survives month seven.

Smart Locks With Palm Vein and Fingerprint Entry for Rentals

2026-10-12

A shortlist of smart locks for rentals and front doors, covering palm vein entry, fingerprint readers, WiFi keypad deadbolts, and what to verify before you install.

Smart Locks and Video Doorbells: What Belongs on Your Front Door

2026-10-11

Choosing a smart lock and video doorbell setup comes down to power, Wi-Fi, and who needs a key. Here is what to check before you buy either one.

How to Set Up a Smart Lock and Video Doorbell Without the Pairing Headaches

2026-10-10

Smart lock and doorbell setup fails in the same three places every time: the pairing order, the WiFi band, and a deadbolt that never fully throws. Here is the order that works.

Keyless Entry for Rentals: eufy, Wyze, BOIFUN, and Kwikset Compared

2026-10-09

Four keyless entry smart locks and one subscription-free doorbell, compared for rental doors, guest codes, and the setup order that actually works.

Video Smart Lock or Fingerprint Deadbolt? Choosing Your Front Door

2026-10-08

A smart lock with video doorbell only earns its spot if it installs clean and pairs on the first try. A former locksmith on what actually holds up at the front door.

Best Smart Locks With Keypads and Cameras for Front Doors

2026-10-07

A practical look at smart front door locks: how camera deadbolts, fingerprint handles, and rechargeable battery packs compare, and which setup fits your door.

Smart Locks and Doorbells Explained: How to Pick for Your Front Door

2026-10-06

A plain-spoken explainer on smart locks and video doorbells: what each entry method is actually good for, why the 2.4GHz band and pairing order trip up so many installs, and which of four current options fits your door.

How to Set Up a Smart Lock and Video Doorbell in One Afternoon

2026-10-05

Smart lock and doorbell setup fails in the same place every time: the pairing order. Here is the install sequence I use on real doors, from the deadbolt throw to the night-vision check.

Smart Locks and Doorbells Compared: 4 Picks for Real Doors

2026-10-04

Smart locks and doorbells compared by a former locksmith who installs them for landlords. Four picks, what each one is actually good at, and the setup mistakes that cause returns.

Smart Locks With Cameras and Keypads: 4 Locks Worth Mounting

2026-10-03

A smart lock with camera, a keypad deadbolt, and two WiFi locks, reviewed by a former locksmith who has installed over 300 of them. Setup order, deadbolt throw, and what actually lasts.

Best Keyless Entry Door Locks for Rentals and Front Doors

2026-10-02

Keyless entry door locks only earn their place if the deadbolt throws, the codes are easy to manage, and the install does not eat a weekend. Here is how five locks and one non-lock pick compare for rentals, front doors, and guest turnover.

Smart Locks With Fingerprint and Camera: Which One Fits Your Door

2026-10-01

A smart lock with camera and fingerprint can replace two devices at the front door, but network band and setup order decide whether it works. Here is how to choose.

How to Install a WiFi Smart Lock on a Front Door in Under an Hour

2026-09-30

WiFi smart lock installation is mostly about order of operations. Pair the app first, mount second, and test the deadbolt throw before you call the job done.

4 Keyless Entry Smart Locks Compared: Which One Earns the Door?

2026-09-29

Four keyless entry smart locks compared on the things that decide whether a rental actually stays locked: install time, pairing order, code management, and what happens when the WiFi drops.

Smart Locks and Video Doorbells: What Actually Works on a Rental Door

2026-09-28

Smart locks and video doorbells, explained by a former locksmith who has installed more than 300 of them. No fluff, no marketing language, just what holds up on a real door.

Smart Locks for Rentals and Front Doors: Keypad and Deadbolt Picks

2026-09-27

A locksmith-turned-installer's guide to smart locks for rentals and front doors, comparing keypad deadbolts, built-in WiFi, fingerprint entry, auto-lock, and what actually comes in the box.

Smart Lock Installation: Getting the Setup Order Right the First Time

2026-09-27

Smart lock installation goes wrong in the same three places every time: the bolt, the pairing order, and the WiFi band. Here is the sequence I run on real rental doors.

Smart Lock Installation: How to Fit One and Set Up Guest Codes

2026-09-27

Smart lock installation is a setup-order problem more than a hardware problem. Here is how to fit the deadbolt, pair the app before the gateway, and hand a guest a code that works on the first try.

How to Set Up a Video Doorbell and Smart Lock on One Front Door

2026-09-27

A video doorbell and smart lock on the same door is the upgrade most people actually want, and the one where install order decides whether you finish in an hour or fight a factory reset all afternoon.

How to Pick a Smart Lock for Rentals Without the Headache

2026-09-27

How to pick a smart lock for rentals comes down to one question: who needs in and who needs out. A video doorbell lock and a keypad deadbolt answer it differently, and the setup order decides whether you call support at 11pm.

How to Install a Video Smart Lock on Your Front Door

2026-09-27

Video smart lock installation is mostly an order-of-operations problem, not a hardware problem. Here is the order that works, plus the two locks I would hand a landlord tomorrow.

How to Install a Smart Video Door Lock Without Calling Support

2026-09-27

A smart video door lock setup fails for one reason: wrong order. Here is the install and pairing sequence that gets a keyless deadbolt working in about 20 minutes.

How to Install a Smart Lock Without Calling Support

2026-09-27

Smart lock installation fails in the same three places every time: the door bore, the 2.4GHz band, and the setup order. Here is the sequence that actually works.

How to Install a Smart Lock on a Front Door Without Calling Support

2026-09-27

Smart lock installation goes wrong in the same three places every time: a deadbolt that never fully throws, a 2.4GHz network the lock cannot see, and the app and gateway paired in the wrong order. Here is the sequence I run on every door.

How to Install a Smart Lock on a Front Door Without Calling Support

2026-09-27

Smart lock installation goes wrong in the same three places every time: the deadbolt throw, the app-before-gateway setup order, and a router that only speaks 5GHz.

How to Install a Smart Lock: Pair the App Before the Gateway

2026-09-27

Smart lock installation goes sideways in the same spot every time: the app and the gateway. Here is the setup order that saves a factory reset, plus what to check before you drill.

The Best Smart Locks for Rental Doors and Airbnb Turnovers

2026-09-17

A practical comparison of six smart locks and lock plus doorbell units for rental doors, covering auto-lock, fingerprint entry, keypad backup, and connectivity so hosts and landlords can choose the right one.

Smart Locks and Video Doorbells: What Actually Fits Your Door

2026-09-17

A practical comparison of smart locks and video doorbells, covering wired 4K and battery cameras, keypad deadbolts, local storage, and the installation details that decide which one belongs on your door.

Smart Locks and Video Doorbells Worth Buying for Rentals and Airbnbs

2026-09-17

A working locksmith's comparison of smart locks and video doorbells for rentals, Airbnbs, and front doors, covering deadbolt hardware, fingerprint readers, chimes, battery versus wired power, and field of view.

Smart Locks and Video Doorbells: 6 Picks for Rentals and Front Doors

2026-09-17

Smart locks and video doorbells solve two different problems: letting the right people in and knowing who showed up. Six models worth comparing, from keypad-only deadbolts to a WiFi lock and a 5MP camera doorbell.

Best Video Smart Locks With Cameras: 5 Keypad Deadbolts Compared

2026-09-17

A practical comparison of five video smart lock with camera options, from a keypad-only deadbolt to all-in-one locks with fingerprint, doorbell video, and an indoor display.

Best Smart Locks for Rentals and Front Doors: 5 Picks That Install Clean

2026-09-17

A locksmith's shortlist of smart locks for rentals and front doors, covering keypad handle sets, WiFi deadbolts, fingerprint entry, and a lock with a built-in video doorbell.

Best Smart Locks for Front Doors and Rentals: Keypad, Fingerprint, and Camera Picks

2026-09-17

A practical roundup of smart locks for front doors, from a touchpad deadbolt to fingerprint and camera models, and how to pick the one that fits your door and the people who use it.

Best Smart Locks and Video Doorbells for Rental Front Doors

2026-09-17

A locksmith's-eye roundup of smart locks and video doorbells: which deadbolts fit an existing door, which models carry their own camera and keypad, and how to avoid the pairing-order mistakes that cost an evening.

Best Smart Locks and Video Doorbells for Real Front Doors

2026-09-17

Comparing smart locks and video doorbells for front doors and rentals: what to check on retrofit fit, connectivity, guest codes, battery upkeep, and night vision before you buy.

6 Smart Locks for Rentals: Fingerprint, Keypad, and Video Picks

2026-09-17

A landlord-minded roundup of smart locks for rentals, from a video deadbolt with on-board storage to an Apple Home Key model, a long-life fingerprint lock, and the spare battery that keeps a unit online.

Smart Locks and Video Doorbells: Which of These 4 Fits Your Door?

2026-09-07

Smart locks and video doorbells compared by a former locksmith who has installed over 300 of them. Four models, one front door, and the setup order nobody prints in the manual.

Smart Locks and Doorbells: 4 Picks That Survive Real Tenants

2026-09-07

Smart locks and doorbells compared by a former locksmith: four picks for rentals and front doors, plus the trade-offs nobody mentions at checkout.

Smart Locks and Doorbells Compared: Schlage vs Lockly

2026-09-07

A smart locks and doorbells comparison from an installer who has mounted over 300 of them, covering two Schlage deadbolts, a Lockly video lock, and a doorbell mount.

Smart Lock With Camera vs Keypad Deadbolt: What I'd Install First

2026-09-07

A smart lock with camera compared against two keypad deadbolts and a wireless doorbell, sorted by a former locksmith who cares more about install day than spec sheets.

Smart Lock and Doorbell Comparison: Four Picks for a Real Front Door

2026-09-07

A smart lock and doorbell comparison from a working locksmith: four picks, what installs clean, and where the pairing pain actually hides.

I Compared Three Smart Locks and a Video Doorbell: What I'd Buy

2026-09-07

A smart locks and video doorbells comparison from a former locksmith who has installed more than 300 of them, with the setup order, the trade-offs, and the one lock I would put on a rental first.

Best Smart Locks for Rentals: Kwikset, Lockly, Philips and Keypad Picks

2026-09-07

Smart locks for rentals compared: a keypad deadbolt, a WiFi deadbolt, a camera lock, and a budget fingerprint handle, plus what each one really costs you at setup time.

4 Smart Deadbolts Compared: Camera Locks vs a Plain Keypad

2026-09-07

A smart deadbolt with camera comparison from a former locksmith: the Schlage Camelot keypad, the HIFAM face recognition lock, the EIYSIE WiFi model, and the syndesmos camera lock, judged on install time, pairing order, and what survives month seven.

4 Keyless Entry Smart Locks Compared for Rental Front Doors

2026-09-07

Keyless entry smart locks compared by a former locksmith: four WiFi deadbolts judged on install time, pairing order, auto-lock, and what happens to the fingerprint reader by month seven.

How To Choose Between Smart Locks With Keypads Or Fingerprint

2026-09-03

How to choose between smart locks with keypads or fingerprint, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

How To Install A Smart Lock Step By Step

2026-08-31

How to install a smart lock step by step, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

August vs Schlage: The Two Brands Every Landlord Asks Me About

2026-08-29

I've installed over 300 smart locks in the last two years, and every landlord in Columbus asks me the same question: "Should I get the Schlage or the.

Best Battery Smart Lock: 7-Month Battery Lives Are a Red Flag

2026-08-28

What is the our pick: ultraloq bolt se best for $89.99. That's the price, and it's a no brainer. The Bolt SE is the first lock I've tested under $100 that actually delivers on its battery claim.

Best Fingerprint Smart Lock: The 95% First-Try Test

2026-08-27

What is the our pick: ultraloq bolt se best for The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE is the lock I kept on my own front door. It's $89.99, and it has built-in WiFi, so you don't need a separate gateway. That alone puts it ahead of half the competition.

Best Keyless Door Lock: Keyless Doesn't Mean Lockless

2026-08-26

What is the our pick: veise ks01c keyless entry deadbolt best for This is the one I keep coming back to. At $63.99, it's the rare lock that does everything right and doesn't cost a fortune.

Best Smart Door Lock Without Subscription: Own Your Lock, Keep Your Money

2026-08-25

What is the our pick: eufy security smart lock c210 best for The eufy C210 costs $84.99 and has no subscription. That's the headline. But the reason it's our pick isn't the price, it's the fingerprint reader.

The 7 Best Smart Locks of 2026, Installed on 300+ Real Doors

2026-08-24

I've got a spreadsheet with 300+ installs on it, and a folder of support chat transcripts I keep as cautionary tales.

Best Smart Lock for Airbnb: Guest Codes, Auto-Lock, and No Keys Under the Mat

2026-08-23

Well, the Veise RZ07 is advertised as the perfect Airbnb lock, but is it really? I've been installing smart locks on rental properties around Columbus for.

Best Smart Lock for Apartments: Renters' Rules, Landlords' Realities

2026-08-22

The job is simple: a lock that opens with a code or a fingerprint, locks itself behind you, and doesn't leave your tenant standing in the hallway at.

Best Smart Lock With Camera: One Device, Both Eyes on the Door

2026-08-21

What is the our pick: myq secure view 3-in-1 best for At $199.99, this is the one I'd buy for my own rental duplex. The deadbolt shoots home every single time, and I've installed two of these on doors that see Airbnb guests weekly.

Best Smart Lock With Keypad: Codes Beat Keys, and Tenants Agree

2026-08-20

What is the our pick: philips wi-fi smart lock best for The fingerprint reader on this thing has survived February. I installed it on my rental duplex door while my girlfriend was yelling at me to hurry up because the Airbnb guest was arriving.

The 6 Best Video Doorbells of 2026, Mounted on Real Porches

2026-08-19

What is the our pick: ring battery doorbell 2k best for $69.99. That's the price, and it's a no brainer.

Best Video Doorbell Without Subscription: Local Storage, No Monthly Bill

2026-08-18

What is the eufy security video doorbell e340 best for The biggest problem with the eufy E340 is that it made me distrust every other doorbell I tested after it. That's not a flaw in the product, but it's a real issue for this review.

Best WiFi Smart Lock: Remote Access Without the Pairing Hell

2026-08-17

The best WiFi smart lock for most people is the ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro, but only if you understand that the gateway pairing order matters more than the metal.

How to Choose a Video Doorbell: 6 Questions Before You Mount Anything

2026-08-16

I've installed over 300 smart locks in the Columbus area, and the doorbell is the one thing landlords ask about second. Not first, mind you.

How to Fix Smart Lock Issues: The Setup Order That Saves Your Sanity

2026-08-15

What is the yamiry smart door handle lock best for The biggest issue with this lock is the manual. It skips the pairing order entirely. I had to factory reset mine twice before I figured out the app-first sequence. That's on them, not me.

How to Install a Smart Lock: 20 Minutes Without Missing Parts

2026-08-14

Well, the Wyze Bolt v2 says it installs in minutes with no missing parts. Is that actually true, or is it the same promise every lock box makes before I’m.

How To Reset A Smart Lock To Factory Settings

2026-08-12

How to reset a smart lock to factory settings, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

How To Secure Smart Home Devices From Hacking

2026-08-11

How to secure smart home devices from hacking, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

Smart Lock Battery Life And Low Battery Warnings

2026-08-10

Smart lock battery life and low battery warnings, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

Smart Lock Guest Codes How To Manage Them

2026-08-09

Smart lock guest codes how to manage them, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

Smart Lock Keypad Vs Fingerprint Vs App Unlock

2026-08-08

Smart lock keypad vs fingerprint vs app unlock, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

Smart Lock Vs Traditional Deadbolt Which Is Safer

2026-08-07

Smart lock vs traditional deadbolt which is safer, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

Video Doorbell Field Of View Explained

2026-08-06

Video doorbell field of view explained, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

Video Doorbell Wired Vs Battery Which Is Better

2026-08-05

Video doorbell wired vs battery which is better, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.

Wifi Vs Bluetooth Vs Zwave Smart Lock Explained

2026-08-04

Wifi vs bluetooth vs zwave smart lock explained, explained by a reviewer who actually lives with the gear. No fluff, no marketing language, just what works and what doesn't.