Keyless entry, smart deadbolts, and access codes — including no-drill retrofit options for renters and tricky metal doors. We cover installation, offline/Wi-Fi-free operation, and which locks suit which doors. For renters and homeowners who want keyless convenience without damaging their door.
Disclosure: This article currently contains no affiliate links — nothing here earns us a commission. If that changes, we’ll say so. Ring has never made a smart lock. That changes next year. On October 7, 2026, Amazon’s Ring announced its first-ever smart lock — a $249.99 keyless deadbolt with a trick no other lock offers:…
You put fresh batteries in six weeks ago. Now the lock is beeping at you again — or worse, it’s dead and you’re standing outside with groceries. Search for answers and you’ll land on a brand support page telling you to “use approved batteries,” a locksmith blog from three years ago, and not much else….
Aliro is a new open standard that lets your phone’s wallet app (Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet) act as your house key — no lock-brand app, no cloud, no subscription. UWB (ultra-wideband) is the radio tech that makes locks hands-free: it measures your distance to the door in centimeters, so the lock knows you’re…
Steel doors drill cleanly with the right tools — or skip drilling entirely with a retrofit lock. Exact sizes, a 2026 compatibility chart, and step-by-step installation for metal doors.
Yes — most smart locks use Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or keypads rather than Wi-Fi. Here is what still works when the internet drops, and which features genuinely need a connection.
Keep your deposit: five smart locks that install without drilling, including true retrofit models that fit over your existing deadbolt. No landlord headaches, no permanent changes.