FINGERPRINT ACCESS FOR YOUR HOME
Yes, I got a traditional key with this Kwikset Halo Touch door lock. And there is a keyhole for it. But I’m hoping to never use it. (I did use it once during installation so I know it works.) The actual key is my fingerprint. Or my wife’s. Or my son’s. Or my neighbor who has always had a house key. Or that of whomever I want to access my house.
This smart lock from Kwikset is a complete replacement for your existing door hardware. Even though I needed to grab a chisel and a drill to make the set’s new strike plate fit my door, the whole installation took about 30 minutes. And that included downloading the Kwikset app, creating an account and scanning some fingerprints.
For most installations, the job requires just a screwdriver.
The Kwikset Halo Touch has a circular fingerprint scanner just above the keyhole. On the inside of the door, a rectangular housing holds a motor, a few inches of wiring and a case for the four “AA” batteries.
To lock the door, simply place any finger on the scanner. No fingerprint security is needed to lock the door. Or activate the lock from the phone app or using Alexa or Google Assistant. We wish this Kwikset lock had an IFTTT interface; read more about that in our Winter ‘22 issue, p. 24. Feeling nostalgic? You can use the key.
Unlocking the door requires a saved fingerprint—up to 50 fingerprints (people) can be saved in your account. The app lets you limit access to any of those fingerprints by date or time of day. And you can shut off fingerprint access whenever you want. There is also a detailed history of who entered by fingerprint and when.
For its easy installation, attractive style and incredibly smart control interface, this Kwikset Halo Touch lock is a new favorite feature at my house. The lock shown costs about $250 online and at home centers.