Lock Basics

Door Locks With Keypads: How to Pick the Right One

Mother and son at a walnut front door with a KS02A keypad fingerprint deadbolt - door locks with keypads for keyless entry


Losing a key is annoying. Hiding one under a doormat is a security risk. Handing out copies to every family member, the dog walker, and the house cleaner gets old fast. A door lock with a keypad solves all of that — but the category covers a surprisingly wide range of products, from a simple code-entry deadbolt to a fully connected smart lock you can control from your phone.

The tricky part isn't deciding whether to get a keypad lock. It's knowing which kind to get. A keypad latch lock that works perfectly for a side door might be the wrong choice for a front entry. A Wi-Fi smart lock loaded with remote-access features is ideal for a family that wants to check on the door from work — but it's overkill for someone who just wants to stop carrying a key. Getting this right means understanding the four main categories, the features that actually matter, and how to match both to your specific door and daily routine.

This guide walks through all of it in plain language, so you can make a confident choice and get back to the things that matter.



Buyer's Guide

Door Locks With Keypads

How to pick the right one — 4 lock types, key features, and which fits your lifestyle.

4
Lock Types
6
Key Features
<0.3s
Fingerprint Unlock
15min
Avg. Install Time

The 4 Types of Keypad Door Locks

Type 01

Keypad Deadbolt

Solid metal bolt, no Wi-Fi required. Best for front & back doors. Optional fingerprint recognition. Physical key backup included.

✓ Best for: Primary entry doors, no-app households
Type 02

Keypad Latch Lock

Integrated handle + lock in one unit. Spring-loaded latch auto-closes. Clean install for side doors, garage entries, & interior offices.

✓ Best for: Side entries, interior & secondary doors
Type 03

Smart Lock w/ Gateway 1/2

Plug-in gateway bridges lock to your home network. Remote lock/unlock & entry history from anywhere. Key fob, fingerprint, app & code access.

✓ Best for: Rentals, families wanting remote monitoring
Type 04

Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Wi-Fi built into the lock — no hub needed. Alexa & Google Assistant support. App control, entry history & remote access in one self-contained unit.

✓ Best for: Hub-free remote access, tech-forward homes

6 Features That Actually Matter

Touchscreen vs. Push-Button

Buttons = tactile feedback. Touchscreens = sleek & easy to clean. Choose by door position & who uses it most.

Fingerprint Unlock

AI chip, local processing, <0.3s recognition. No cloud needed. Hands-free entry when arms are full.

Auto Lock

10–99 seconds on Keypad Deadbolt & Keypad Latch; 10–180 seconds on connected locks. Automatically re-engages lock. Eliminates the "did I lock the door?" worry.

Anti-Peep Password

Enter extra digits before/after your real PIN. Masks your true code from onlookers in high-traffic areas.

ANSI/BHMA Grade 3

Certified residential standard. Tested for durability, impact resistance & load strength on home entry doors.

Remote App Control

Requires a smart lock — gateway-paired or Wi-Fi. Lock/unlock, entry history & alerts from anywhere with internet.


Which Lock Fits Your Situation?

Front door, family of four

No smart home setup needed. Each member gets their own code or fingerprint.

Keypad Deadbolt (KS02 series)

Side door or garage entry

Integrated single-unit solution for secondary or interior access points.

Keypad Latch (KS03/KS04)

Short-term rental or vacation home

Issue & revoke guest codes remotely, review entry history between stays.

Smart Lock w/ G1 or Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Family with school-age kids

See when kids arrive home and confirm the door is locked — all from your phone.

Wi-Fi Smart Lock or Smart Lock w/ G2

5 Key Takeaways

01

Start with lock type, not features. Keypad Deadbolt, Keypad Latch, Smart Lock w/ Gateway 1/2, or Wi-Fi Smart Lock — the type determines what's even possible.

02

Remote access requires a smart lock. You cannot add a gateway to a Keypad Deadbolt or Keypad Latch Lock later — plan ahead if remote monitoring matters.

03

Fingerprint is fast and genuinely useful. Under 0.3s, local AI processing — no cloud required. Most valuable for busy households.

04

Grade 3 is the correct residential benchmark. Not a compromise — it's the tested standard designed for home entry doors.

05

Compatible with standard wood doors, 1‑3/8″–2″ thick. Not suitable for fiberglass, metal, storm, or sliding doors. Install takes ~15 minutes.

Powered by

Veise.

38 Years of Lock Industry Expertise  ·  711 Patents — the World's Largest Smart Lock Patent Portfolio  ·  10M+ Smart Locks Sold  ·  41+ Countries

Effortless Home Entry™

What Is a Door Lock With a Keypad?

A keypad door lock replaces the traditional keyed cylinder with an electronic keypad. Instead of inserting a key, you enter a numeric code — and the lock opens. Every Veise lock also includes a physical key cylinder as backup in case the batteries run low, so you're never truly locked out. Beyond that baseline, the features vary considerably depending on which type you choose.

Keypad locks have become the practical entry point into keyless living for most homeowners. They're simpler to manage than key copies, easier to update than physical locks (you change a code instead of rekeying the hardware), and more convenient for households with multiple people coming and going on different schedules. The core appeal hasn't changed: you get in with something you know, not something you can lose.

The Four Types of Keypad Door Locks — and When Each One Makes Sense

Most buyers think of keypad locks as a single product category. In practice, there are four distinct types, and each one is built for a different door, a different use case, and a different level of connectivity. Understanding the difference before you shop saves you from buying the wrong thing and returning it a week later.

1. Keypad Deadbolt

A keypad deadbolt is the most common upgrade for a front or back door. It works exactly like a traditional deadbolt — a solid metal bolt throws into the door frame when locked, making it significantly harder to force open than a spring latch — but instead of a key cylinder on the outside, there's a keypad. You punch in your code, the bolt retracts, and you're in. Every model includes a physical key backup, and the KS02 series adds fingerprint recognition on every SKU so household members can enter with a quick touch rather than typing a code every time.

There's no app, no Wi-Fi, and no hub required. That simplicity is actually a selling point for a lot of buyers. Nothing goes offline, there's no router to configure, and there's no subscription to maintain. The lock does one job reliably: it secures your door and lets the right people in. Keypad deadbolts typically sit at the more affordable end of the keypad lock range and are a natural fit for homeowners who want code-based convenience without adding a connected system to their setup.

Veise's keypad deadbolt lineup is split into two main paths: models with fingerprint recognition (the KS02 Series) and models without (the RZ and KS01 Series). Both paths include handle-set bundles — so you can replace your full entry hardware in one installation — as well as standalone deadbolt-only options that pair with an existing handle.

2. Keypad Latch Lock

A keypad latch lock is an integrated unit: the handle and the electronic lock mechanism are built into a single body. Unlike a deadbolt, the spring-loaded latch engages with the strike plate as the door closes, keeping the door shut without requiring a separate locking action. Combined with built-in keypad access and a handle in one unit, it offers a clean, streamlined solution for doors that don't need a separate deadbolt.

Keypad latch locks are commonly used on interior office doors, side entries, garage access doors, and secondary entrances. On entry doors, they're sometimes paired with a separate deadbolt above or below: the latch lock handles routine daily access via keypad code, while the deadbolt provides the primary security layer when the home is secured for the night. Veise currently offers two keypad latch SKUs — the KS03 with an integrated top knob, and the KS04 with an integrated top lever — both support keypad code entry and a physical key backup.

3. Smart Lock w/ Gateway 1/2

A Smart Lock w/ Gateway 1/2 adds a layer of remote control on top of everything a keypad lock already does. The lock itself pairs with a small gateway that you plug into a wall outlet within wireless range of the lock. The gateway bridges the lock to your home network, enabling remote locking, unlocking, and entry history review from anywhere with an Internet connection. Every model in this category supports keypad code, key fob, physical key, and remote app control. Many models also include fingerprint recognition.

Veise offers two gateway lines — Smart Locks w/ G1 and Smart Locks w/ G2 — and they differ in meaningful ways. The G1 line is built on a single product series (the VE017), and the entire line comes standard with fingerprint recognition, multilingual voice prompts in English, Spanish, and French, and a USB-C emergency power port on every model in the line. Smart Lock w/ G1 also pairs with a Veise-developed app, which means tighter integration and a smoother experience out of the box. The G2 line offers more SKU variety — both fingerprint and non-fingerprint options, in standalone deadbolt and handle-set bundle configurations — and supports Apple Watch unlock and web portal control as unique features. Voice prompts on Smart Lock w/ G2 are currently available in English only.

One clarification worth making: remote access requires a smart lock (gateway-paired or Wi-Fi). A keypad deadbolt or keypad latch lock cannot be paired with a gateway. If remote monitoring matters to you, you need to start with a smart lock from the beginning, not add a gateway to an existing keypad deadbolt.

4. Wi-Fi Smart Lock

A Wi-Fi smart lock has Wi-Fi connectivity built directly into the lock body, so it connects to your home network without a separate gateway. It supports remote app control, Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, entry history review, and keypad code entry — all in one unit. Physical key backup and fingerprint recognition are included on all models. Key fob support is available on the VE027 series (every model) and is not supported on the VE012W series.

Veise offers two Wi-Fi series: the Touchscreen Wi-Fi Smart Lock (VE027 Series) with a sleek touchscreen interface, a USB-C emergency power port on the lock body, key fob support, and on-device voice prompts in English, Spanish, and French; and the Push-Button Wi-Fi Smart Lock (VE012W Series) with a traditional press-button keypad and none of those four extras. Both series share the same Wi-Fi connectivity, fingerprint recognition, app control, and Alexa/Google voice assistant support. Both also use an 8 AA battery design — more cells than the standard 4 AA setup — for a stronger signal and more stable connection. If easy setup and hub-free remote access is the priority, the Wi-Fi smart lock is the most self-contained option available.

Features to Compare Before You Buy

Once you've identified the right lock type, the next step is comparing specific features within that category. Here's what to actually pay attention to.

Touchscreen vs. Push-Button Keypad

Push-button keypads give you tactile feedback — you feel the click when a digit registers, which is reassuring at night or when you're carrying grocery bags and not looking directly at the keypad. They're also more straightforward for young children and older adults. Touchscreen keypads are sleek, easy to wipe clean, and typically more responsive to light touches. The trade-off is visibility in direct sunlight; a touchscreen can wash out on a bright afternoon, while raised buttons stay easy to find by feel. Neither is universally better — it comes down to your door's position and who uses it most.

Fingerprint Recognition

Fingerprint unlock is one of the genuinely useful features on a keypad lock — not just a flashy addition. It removes the step of typing a code every single time you come home, which matters most when your hands are full or the kids are piling in after school. Veise's fingerprint recognition uses an AI chip to process scans locally on the device (no cloud, no Internet account required), and recognition happens in under 0.3 seconds. Enrollment captures your finger eight times to build a reliable template across different angles and pressure, so the lock recognizes you consistently rather than asking you to try again.

One thing to know: fingerprint support is not universal across every Veise keypad lock SKU. Within the keypad deadbolt range, fingerprint is available on the KS02 Series. Keypad latch locks (KS03/KS04) do not include fingerprint. Among connected locks, all G1 models include fingerprint as standard, and every Wi-Fi smart lock includes it too; on Smart Lock w/ G2 it is available on many but not all SKUs, so check the individual product.

Auto Lock

Auto lock automatically re-engages the lock once the configured interval elapses. It runs on a timer rather than a door sensor, so make sure the door is closed before the interval expires. It's the solution to that nagging worry: "Did I actually lock the door?" On Veise connected locks, the auto lock interval is configurable between 10 and 180 seconds, giving you the flexibility to set it short enough to be reassuring but long enough that it doesn't feel like a race to get inside. Auto lock is a standard feature across the entire Veise lineup, not a premium add-on.

Anti-Peep Password

An anti-peep password (sometimes called a virtual code) lets you enter random digits before or after your actual PIN. The lock reads the full sequence, recognizes your real code wherever it appears in the string, and unlocks normally — while anyone watching the keypad from a distance sees a longer, scrambled sequence and can't identify the real PIN from the pattern of your presses. It's a small feature that makes a meaningful difference for doors in high-traffic areas, shared driveways, or any entry where a neighbor or passerby might occasionally observe you typing your code.

Security Grade (ANSI/BHMA)

The ANSI/BHMA grading system tests locks against durability, impact resistance, and load strength. Grade 1 is the most demanding standard — designed for high-traffic commercial settings like hospitals, schools, and office buildings. Grade 2 targets medium-traffic commercial and residential applications. Grade 3 is the residential standard: it's what the overwhelming majority of homes have on their doors right now, and it's tested to handle the typical wear, use cycles, and impact loads of a household entry door. A Grade 3 rating doesn't mean a lock is low quality; it means it's been tested and certified against the benchmark that residential doors actually call for.

All Veise locks carry ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 certification, which is the right residential benchmark. If you're replacing a lock on a home that has been standing for decades with standard residential hardware, you're already using Grade 3 equivalent hardware. Veise meets and certifies to that standard on every product.

Remote Access and App Control

Remote access — the ability to lock, unlock, and check entry history from your phone when you're away from home — requires a smart lock (gateway-paired or Wi-Fi). It is not available on keypad deadbolts & keypad latch locks. With a gateway-paired lock or a Wi-Fi smart lock, you can let in a contractor while you're at the office, confirm the door is locked after your teenager gets home, or grant temporary access to a short-term rental guest without ever physically handing over a key. Even when Wi-Fi is down, app control continues to work locally as long as you're within short-range wireless distance of the lock.

For families with school-age kids, Veise specifically recommends a Wi-Fi smart lock or a gateway-paired smart lock rather than a keypad-only model. The ability to review entry history remotely — seeing when each code was used, and receiving alerts when the door opens — adds a practical layer of peace of mind that a standalone keypad lock simply can't provide.

Match Your Lock to Your Situation

The right lock is the one that fits the actual way your household uses the door. Here's a quick reference for common scenarios:

  • Front door, family of four, no smart home setup: A keypad deadbolt with fingerprint (KS02 Series) is practical and reliable. Each family member gets their own code or fingerprint, and there's no app to manage.
  • Side door, garage entry, or interior office door: A keypad latch lock (KS03 or KS04) handles code-based access cleanly in a single integrated unit.
  • Managing a short-term rental or vacation property: A Smart Lock w/ G1 or a Wi-Fi smart lock lets you issue and revoke guest codes remotely, review entry history between stays, and manage everything from your phone without traveling to the property.
  • Family with school-age kids: A Wi-Fi smart lock or a Smart Lock w/ G2 lets you see when the kids get home and confirm the door is locked — all from the app.
  • Multilingual household: Smart Lock w/ G1 (VE017 Series) supports English, Spanish, and French voice prompts on-device. The VE027 Series (Touchscreen Wi-Fi Smart Lock) also supports all three languages, while Smart Lock w/ G2 supports English voice prompts only. If the G2 line is your preferred connected option, check individual SKUs for language support before purchasing.
  • Concerned about lockout during a power outage: The VE017 Series (Smart Lock w/ G1) and VE027 Series (Touchscreen Wi-Fi Smart Lock) both include a USB-C emergency power port on the lock body — attach a power bank to the port and the lock powers up enough to enter your code.

Before You Buy: Door Compatibility

Veise keypad locks are designed for standard wood doors with a thickness of 1‑3/8″ to 2″. They are not compatible with fiberglass, metal, storm, or sliding doors. Because Veise locks are full lock replacements (not an overlay system like some competitors), you'll be removing and replacing the existing lock hardware — which means you should be the property owner or have the authority to modify the door hardware before purchasing.

Installation on a compatible door typically takes about 15 minutes with a screwdriver, no wiring, and no professional help required. The full Veise product lineup spans keypad locks and smart locks across a range of price points from $30 to $180, making it accessible for most home improvement budgets.

Veise is built on Kaadas Group's 38 years of lock industry expertise and 711 patents — the world's largest smart lock patent portfolio — with 10M+ smart locks sold across 41+ countries and recognition by Frost & Sullivan as the global No.1 high‑end smart lock brand by sales. That track record means the hardware behind the keypad has been engineered and refined over decades, not assembled to a price point. Easy from Day One.

A door lock with a keypad is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to your home — but the right choice depends on more than just price. It depends on the door, the household, and how much connectivity you actually want. A keypad deadbolt handles most front-door situations cleanly and without complication. A latch lock suits secondary entries. A gateway-paired or Wi-Fi smart lock adds remote access and monitoring for families or property owners who want more visibility into who's coming and going.

Start with the type, then layer in the features — fingerprint, auto lock, anti-peep, remote access — based on what your household will genuinely use. The right lock should feel like it disappears into your daily routine, not like another thing to manage. That's exactly what Veise's keypad lock lineup is designed to deliver through the Effortless Home Entry™ experience: intuitive entry that works the first time, every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to a keypad door lock if the batteries die?

You will not be locked out. Every Veise lock ships with a physical key cylinder as a backup entry method, and the lock warns you well before the batteries are exhausted — a voice or beep prompt at the lock plus an indicator light, and on connected models a push notification through the app as well. Veise locks run on AA/LR6 alkaline batteries, which are not included in the box, so it is worth keeping a fresh set on hand. On the VE017 series (Smart Lock w/ G1) and the VE027 series (Touchscreen Wi-Fi Smart Lock), a USB-C emergency power port lets you power the lock from a portable battery pack to get in.

How long can a keypad code be, and what stops someone guessing it?

Veise keypad codes are 4 to 10 digits. Two protections are built into every Veise lock and need no setup. Anti-peep code entry lets you pad your real PIN with extra random digits before or after it — the lock opens as long as the correct sequence appears somewhere in what you typed, so an onlooker cannot read your code off the keypad. And after 10 wrong attempts the lock pauses for three minutes, which makes working through combinations at the door impractical.

Can I give a houseguest or contractor temporary access?

Yes, and it works differently depending on the lock. One-time codes — codes that delete themselves after a single use — are supported on every Veise lock, including Keypad Deadbolt and Keypad Latch models with no app at all. Scheduled codes are the connected-lock feature: on Smart Lock w/ G1 and Wi-Fi smart locks the app also offers Recurring codes (active during set hours on a weekly schedule) and Duration codes (active for a fixed period). Smart Lock w/ G2 uses a different app and supports a different set of code types. One-time and scheduled codes expire on their own, so there is no cleanup step afterwards.

Do keypad door locks work when the Internet or Wi-Fi is down?

Yes. Keypad Deadbolt and Keypad Latch locks have no network connection at all, so nothing changes for them. On Smart Lock w/ Gateway 1/2 and Wi-Fi smart locks, keypad codes, fingerprint, physical key, and key fob all work independently of any connection, and app control continues to work locally as long as you are within short-range wireless distance of the lock. Only long-distance features — locking from another location, or off-site alerts — need an active Internet connection.

What doors are Veise keypad locks compatible with?

Wood doors between 1-3/8" and 2" thick, using standard single-cylinder deadbolt door prep. Veise locks are not compatible with fiberglass, metal, storm, or sliding doors. Because they are full replacements rather than overlays, you should be the property owner or have authority to modify the door hardware. Confirm your door material and thickness before ordering.

Do Veise keypad locks require a subscription?

No. App access, entry history, remote locking and unlocking, and alert notifications all work with no monthly fees.

Not Sure Which Lock Is Right for Your Door?

The Veise team is happy to help you match the right keypad lock to your door type, household size, and budget. No pressure — just practical advice from people who know locks.

Contact Us

Reading next

Man at an oak front door with a KS02A keypad fingerprint deadbolt and grip handleset - front door lock sets explained
Black front door with a KS02A keypad fingerprint deadbolt - signs it is time to replace your door lock

Leave a comment

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.