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Smart Locks

Best Keypad Smart Locks for Renters

Give guests a code instead of a spare key — the renter-friendly locks and add-on keypads that mount without drilling and come off clean.

By Stephen V.Updated How we pick

A keypad solves the problem a phone-only smart lock leaves behind: what do you do when a guest, a cleaner, a dog-walker or a family member needs to get in and doesn’t have your app? A code. You give them a PIN instead of a spare key, you delete it when they no longer need it, and you never make a copy of a key your landlord might ask back. For a renter, code entry is often the whole reason to go smart in the first place.

The catch is doing it without drilling. The picks below add a keypad three different ways — a retrofit lock with the keypad included, a budget fingerprint deadbolt, and a peel-and-stick keypad you add to a lock you already own — and each keeps a rental deposit-safe. Prices are pulled live and dated. For the broader field, see the best smart locks of 2026.

How this is funded: we earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never changes which product we recommend, and we’ll tell you when we’d skip one. Full disclosure.

The picks at a glance

Ranked on renter fit, no-fee recording and how cleanly each one comes off the wall. Select a row to jump to the full write-up. We haven’t tested these — here is exactly what we do instead.

#ProductBest forLease-SafePrice
1
Yale Approach Retrofit Lock with Keypad

Yale Approach Retrofit Lock with Keypad

August's sibling under the Yale name, bundled with a keypad. Same renter-friendly retrofit — keeps your exterior and key — with the addition of a peel-and-stick keypad outside so guests can use a code instead of a spare key.

Best keypad lock overallLease-Safe: Excellent
$109.00 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 8, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

2
Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt v2 (Fingerprint Deadbolt)

Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt v2 (Fingerprint Deadbolt)

A cheap fingerprint deadbolt — but note it replaces your whole deadbolt rather than retrofitting over it. Keep your original deadbolt in a drawer to reinstall on move-out. Great value if you're comfortable swapping the lock cylinder.

Best budget (fingerprint + PIN)Lease-Safe: Good
$79.00 · View on Amazon

Price as of September 8, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

3
SwitchBot Smart Keypad Touch

SwitchBot Smart Keypad Touch

The peel-and-stick accessory that gives a retrofit lock code (and fingerprint) entry outside — without touching the door. It mounts with adhesive next to the door, so guests get a code instead of a spare key and you keep a hole-free frame.

Best add-on keypadLease-Safe: Excellent
$36.99 · View on Amazon

$59.9938% off

Price as of September 8, 2026. #ad How we’re funded

The picks in full

#1Best keypad lock overallLease-Safe: Excellent

Yale Approach Retrofit Lock with Keypad

August's sibling under the Yale name, bundled with a keypad. Same renter-friendly retrofit — keeps your exterior and key — with the addition of a peel-and-stick keypad outside so guests can use a code instead of a spare key.

What we like

  • Retrofit install keeps your existing exterior and key
  • Includes an outdoor keypad for code entry
  • No drilling; reversible at move-out

Trade-offs

  • Full remote access via the app wants the Yale/August Wi-Fi bridge
  • Slightly bulkier interior unit than the plain August
Installs byRetrofits over an existing single-cylinder deadbolt; adhesive keypad
PowerAA batteries
SubscriptionNot required
ConnectivityBluetooth (Wi-Fi via bridge)
InstallRetrofit + adhesive keypad
KeypadIncluded

Lease-Safe: Excellent. Interior-only retrofit plus a peel-and-stick keypad — no holes on either side of the door, and everything comes off clean. The keypad mounts with adhesive, not screws.

Spec note. Yale publishes a retrofit deadbolt design with an included keypad. The exterior keypad is adhesive-mounted; the lock body reuses your existing deadbolt.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

#2Best budget (fingerprint + PIN)Lease-Safe: Good

Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt v2 (Fingerprint Deadbolt)

A cheap fingerprint deadbolt — but note it replaces your whole deadbolt rather than retrofitting over it. Keep your original deadbolt in a drawer to reinstall on move-out. Great value if you're comfortable swapping the lock cylinder.

What we like

  • Fingerprint unlock, no app or key needed at the door
  • Very inexpensive for a keyless deadbolt
  • No wiring; battery powered

Trade-offs

  • Replaces the whole deadbolt — not a retrofit-over-existing design
  • You must keep and reinstall the original deadbolt at move-out
Installs byReplaces the existing deadbolt (standard door prep)
PowerAA batteries
SubscriptionNot required
ConnectivityBluetooth
InstallDeadbolt replacement
EntryFingerprint + keypad

Lease-Safe: Good. It fits a standard pre-drilled deadbolt bore, so no NEW holes are needed — but because it swaps the whole deadbolt, you must save the original and put it back at move-out. Reversible, just more involved than a retrofit.

Spec note. Wyze lists a full-deadbolt replacement with fingerprint entry that fits standard door prep. It is not a retrofit-over-existing design — plan to store and reinstall your original deadbolt.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

#3Best add-on keypadLease-Safe: Excellent

SwitchBot Smart Keypad Touch

The peel-and-stick accessory that gives a retrofit lock code (and fingerprint) entry outside — without touching the door. It mounts with adhesive next to the door, so guests get a code instead of a spare key and you keep a hole-free frame.

What we like

  • Adhesive-mounts outside — no drilling
  • Fingerprint and PIN entry for guests
  • Weather-resistant for an exterior door

Trade-offs

  • Only useful paired with a SwitchBot Lock
  • Adhesive needs a smooth mounting surface beside the door
Installs byPeel-and-stick adhesive mount beside the door
PowerAAA batteries
SubscriptionNot required
ConnectivityBluetooth (paired to the SwitchBot Lock)
InstallAdhesive (exterior)
EntryPIN + fingerprint

Lease-Safe: Excellent. It's an adhesive pad you stick to the wall or frame beside the door — no holes, removes clean. Pure renter accessory.

Spec note. SwitchBot publishes an adhesive-mount keypad that pairs with its locks for PIN and fingerprint entry. Needs a smooth surface beside the door for the adhesive.

Specs read from the product listing, on July 25, 2026. “Not published” means the brand does not state that figure.

Three ways to get a keypad without drilling

1. A retrofit lock with a keypad in the box.The Yale Approach mounts on the interior of your existing deadbolt — keeping your exterior hardware and key — and ships with a peel-and-stick keypad for outside. No holes on either side of the door. This is the cleanest, most complete answer for most renters, because everything is designed to work together and comes off clean.

2. A fingerprint deadbolt on a budget. The Wyze Lock Bolt adds fingerprint and PIN entry for the lowest price here. The trade-off is that it replaces the whole deadboltrather than retrofitting over it — it fits the standard pre-drilled bore, so there are no new holes, but you must save your original deadbolt and reinstall it at move-out. Fine if you’re comfortable swapping a lock cylinder; skip it if you’re not.

3. Add a keypad to a lock you already own. If you have (or are buying) a SwitchBot Lock, the SwitchBot Keypad is a peel-and-stickpad you mount beside the door with adhesive — no drilling — adding PIN and fingerprint entry to an otherwise phone-only lock. It only makes sense paired with the SwitchBot Lock, but as an add-on it’s the most reversible keypad of all.

Codes, guests and security hygiene

The point of a keypad is temporary access, so use it that way: create a unique code per guest and delete it when they’re done, rather than sharing one PIN with everyone. Keep your own code long and non-obvious (no 1234, no your apartment number). And remember a keypad doesn’t change your lease — if adding any lock is restricted where you live, our guide on adding a lock to your apartment covers what to check first. For how the retrofit mechanism itself works, see the deadbolt guide.

The verdict

For most renters, the Yale Approachis the keypad lock to buy — complete, reversible, and it keeps your key. Go Wyze Lock Boltif fingerprint entry at the lowest price matters more than keeping the original deadbolt in place, and you’ll store the original. Add the SwitchBot Keypadif you’re already in the SwitchBot ecosystem. Prefer to unlock by phone and skip the keypad entirely? The August vs Yale comparison lays out that choice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best keypad smart lock for renters?

The Yale Approach. It retrofits onto your existing deadbolt (keeping your exterior hardware and key) and includes a peel-and-stick keypad for outside, so guests can enter a code with no drilling on either side of the door. It's the most complete, most reversible keypad option for a rental.

Can I add a keypad to a door without drilling?

Yes, in a few ways. The Yale Approach includes an adhesive keypad. The SwitchBot Keypad is a peel-and-stick pad you add to a SwitchBot Lock. Even the fingerprint Wyze Lock Bolt needs no new holes because it fits your deadbolt's existing bore — though it replaces the whole deadbolt, so save the original.

Are keypad codes safe?

Yes, if you use them well. Create a unique code for each guest and delete it when they no longer need access, keep your own code long and non-obvious, and use the lock's auto-lock feature. A keypad is generally safer than handing out physical keys that can be copied — you control exactly who has a working code and when.

Do keypad locks need Wi-Fi or a subscription?

No subscription for any of these. Codes and fingerprints are stored on the lock itself and work locally. Wi-Fi (built in on some, via a bridge on others) only adds remote control from away — you can create and use codes at the door without it.

Sources

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