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I have reviewed quite a few smart locks over the years, and I currently have a mish-mash of locks on my external doors, including the Yale Linus Smart Lock on my front door, Ultion Smart Lockon my back door and the Welock Smart Lock [SOHO-EU] on my garage/gym door.
I have also reviewed:
More recently, I have been sent the Welock SECBN51 Fingerprint Door Lock, and the review will be live in the next few days.
Using a fingerprint for access is very appealing as it avoids the need to dig your phone or RFID tag to unlock your door and, in theory, should be quicker than a PIN code.
So, I decided to look for the best smart lock options available in the UK that had fingerprint unlocking.
While I have had a brief amount of time using the Welock SECBN51, I have only just installed it, so I am not ready to give a personal recommendation yet.
For the rest of the locks, I have not personally used them yet but I used user reviews to form an opinion of the best options.
Smart Lock Buying Considerations
With all smart locks, there are some considerations you should factor in:
- Compatibility with UK multi-point locks on uPVC external doors.
- Installation consideration – in particular, if the lock fits your existing installation without needing to drill more holes.
- Does the lock work with existing handle hardware.
- Does the lock have a mechanical key backup.
- I personally prefer locks that work with your existing lock hardware, where the smart lock turns the lock and allows you to continue using your keys. It eliminates any concern you may have of the lock failing (assuming you take a key with you).
- Alternatively, some smart locks that don’t keep your existing keyhole will sometimes have their own mechanical key backup.
- How to power the lock if it runs out of battery.
- Similarly, for locks that don’t keep the existing cylinder, you will want to be able to power up the lock in case of the battery dying.
- Security considerations.
- I personally think most security concerns are overblown. It is easier to smash a window than hack a lock. But you should still consider the risks of smart locks from some of these random brands.
With fingerprint-based locks, I would also recommend considering the reliability of the fingerprint sensor and what alternative unlock methods there are. Have you ever tried to unlock you phone with wet fingers or screen? It rarely works.
Best Fingerprint Smart Door Locks Available in the UK
Nuki Smart Lock (2.0/3.0/4.0) + Nuki Keypad 2
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuki Smart Lock 3.0 for Euro Profile Cylinder, Smart Door... |
£126.36 | Buy on Amazon | |
| Nuki Keypad 2 Open the door with a code or fingerprint... |
£145.00 | Buy on Amazon |
I previously reviewed the Nuki Smart Lock 2.0 and thought it was excellent. This doesn’t strictly have a fingerprint unlock, but the Nuki Keypad 2 has fingerprint scanning as well as the keypad.
This is my preferred style of smart lock, and Nuki is a well-established and reputable brand.
The new Nuki 4th generation also works with Matter vs Thread, allowing you to easily integrate it with many 3rd party smart home ecosystems such as Google Home, Home Assistant, Smart Things and more.
The downside is that it is quite expensive overall, the standard Nuki 4th generation is £150 then the Keypad 2 is £145. If you want internet connectivity for remote unlocking, that’s another £90.
The Nuki Smart Lock Pro has WiFi built in but costs £245. They even have a Keypad 2 pro for £309!
Welock SECBN51 Fingerprint Door Lock
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WELOCK Fingerprint Door Lock, Waterproof Smart Lock,... | 335 Reviews |
£179.00 | Buy on Amazon |
I have used the Welock SOHO-EU on my garage door for nearly two years now, and I have had no significant problems with it. I am not fond of the app, and it is impossible to read the display on a sunny day, which can make unlocking it difficult sometimes. But, it has worked reliably which is what is most important.
I have only just installed the Welock SECBN51, so I am not ready t to give it a strong recommendation yet, but it has worked OK so far.
With this, you have fingerprint unlocking, RFID tags and your phone. It replaces the existing lock cylinder, but the front flap has a USB-C port for emergency power.
Simpled SF-SPS Weatherproof Slim
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simpled SF-SPS Weatherproof Slim Series Smart Lock -... |
£209.00 | Buy on Amazon |
I love the idea of this book, and the reviews are good. It replaces all your hardware and can be unlocked with your phone, fingerprint, password, and RFID fob, and it has its own mechanical emergency key as well as an emergency charging port.
No smart lock can activate the multi-point locking mechanism on UK doors, but this partially locks the door automatically by disengaging the handle until the user unlocks it. It is not a perfectly secure solution but it is better than leaving the door completely unlocked.
It is also priced attractively at around £150, considering all the features you get.
If you want internet connectivity for remote unlocking, the WiFi bridge is an additional £50.
There is a big caveat with this style of lock. When I looked into installing something similar, I almost certainly had to drill an additional hole for the cable routing, and some doors will have metal plates in place to prevent malicious drilling.
One Amazon reviewer also highlighted that it is simple to install if you have a door width within the specified range (35 – 65 mm). Thicker doors need some serious DIY skills.
Ruveno Slim Smart Fingerprint Door Lock
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruveno Slim Smart Fingerprint Door Lock with Handles,... |
£199.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The Ruveno Slim Smart Fingerprint Door Lock is an attractive option priced at £139. It has a slim design and can be unlocked via fingerprint, password, phone app or mechanical key. It replaces your existing cylinder and handle hardware. The lock has a built-in alarm that triggers if there are multiple failed unlock attempts. It uses Bluetooth for connectivity, with no option for WiFi or remote access. The lock runs on 4x AA batteries.
TEKXDD Smart Door Lock
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Lock: TEKXDD Smart Door Lock Silvery Handle Electronic... |
£79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The TEKXDD Smart Door Lock offers fingerprint and password unlocking via a touchscreen keypad. It is priced at £159 and replaces your existing cylinder. The lock has a built-in alarm, emergency mechanical key and also a microUSB charging port. Connectivity is via Bluetooth only, with no WiFi option. It is powered by 4x AA batteries. Reviews suggest it has good build quality and the fingerprint reader performs reliably.
JJ. Accessory Touchscreen Smart Lock
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JJ. Accessory Touchscreen Smart Lock WiFi Touch Screen... |
£94.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The JJ. Accessory Touchscreen Smart Lock provides fingerprint, password and RFID unlocking methods. It is attractively priced at £135. The lock replaces your existing cylinder and is powered by 4x AA batteries. There is a microUSB charging port to provide emergency power if needed. It offers Bluetooth connectivity only, with no WiFi or remote access option. Multiple reviews praise the build quality and reliability. Fingerprint unlocking seems fast and effective for most users.
ACNCN Fingerprint Smart Lock Door Handle
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACNCN Fingerprint Smart Lock Door Handle, 4-in-1 Smart... |
£99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The ACNCN Fingerprint Smart Lock Door Handle replaces your existing handle and deadbolt. It unlocks via fingerprint, password or mechanical key. The lock has an integrated alarm, is IP65 weatherproof rated and operates on 4x AA batteries. Connectivity is Bluetooth only, with no WiFi or remote access. It is priced at £159. Reviews suggest fingerprint reliability is hit and miss, with some users struggling to enroll or unlock reliably. But for those it works for, the ease of use is praised.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
