People shopping for the best smart locks for short term rentals need to decide whether remote guest management matters more than simple keypad entry. Property owners, hosts, and landlords should also account for backup access when batteries run low or a guest arrives early.
Pros
- 0.2-second fingerprint recognition
- Stores 20 fingerprints and 20 passwords
- One-time guest codes auto-delete
- ANSI Grade 3 and BHMA certified
Cons
- Requires four AA alkaline batteries
- Batteries are not included
Pros
- Five entry methods, including fingerprint and PIN
- Remote control through the Philips App
- Up to 100 user codes
- Auto-lock timer from 30 to 180 seconds
Cons
- Requires compatible 35 to 50mm door
- Remote features depend on Wi-Fi and app access
Pros
- 20 user codes plus one-time guest codes
- Installs in under 15 minutes
- Adjustable 5 to 99-second auto-lock
- Backlit keypad with low-battery indicator
Cons
- Limited to 1-year product coverage
- IP54 weather resistance, not fully weatherproof
Pros
- Keypad, smartphone, Apple Watch, and backup-key entry
- Direct 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, no hub needed
- Scheduled codes for guests and service providers
- BHMA Grade 2 durability certification
Cons
- Remote app control limited to US and Canada
- Smart features depend on Wi-Fi connectivity
Pros
- Fingerprint recognition in 0.3 seconds
- App-managed codes and access logs
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Five entry methods, including mechanical key
Cons
- Bluetooth control is local, not WiFi
- Voice control depends on app and assistant setup
Pros
- Peek-proof PIN Genie keypad
- Offline access codes work without internet
- Revokable eKeys and eBadges
- Customizable auto-locking feature
Cons
- Remote alerts require optional Wi-Fi hub
- Limited one-year warranty
Remote access versus local entry
A rental door benefits from access that can be created, changed, and removed without meeting every guest in person. The Yale WiFi Smart Lock Deadbolt with Keypad connects directly to 2.4 or 5 GHz Wi-Fi, while its Yale Access app supports remote control, alerts, and scheduled codes in the US and Canada.
The Philips Wi-Fi Front Lock Set also supports remote management through its app, access history, and permissions for guests. It adds fingerprint entry, voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant, and up to 100 user codes, giving hosts several ways to manage a busy property.
Bluetooth-only control is a different arrangement. The Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad is intended for local phone access, but it also supports fingerprints, passcodes, a FOB, a mechanical key, and app-managed codes. For a property where you visit between stays, that can be more practical than paying for features you rarely use.
Pro Tip: Create a separate code for each cleaner, guest, or recurring visitor, then remove it when that access is no longer needed.
Code capacity and guest turnover
Short stays make code management more important than a decorative touchscreen. Yale offers unlimited codes with sharing, scheduling, and revocation, while Philips provides temporary, permanent, recurring, and one-time PIN types. Those options suit hosts who need different access windows for guests, cleaners, and service providers.
The Veise KS02A Fingerprint Door Lock stores up to 20 fingerprints and 20 user passwords, plus one-time codes that expire after use. The Keypad Smart Door Knob Lock also supports 20 codes and one-time guest entry, making it a straightforward fit for a small rental or a secondary door.
Lockly Smart Lock Model 6S adds eKeys, revocable app access, and offline access codes. Its PIN Genie keypad changes number positions after each use, which helps reduce the risk of someone copying a code by watching the entry sequence.
| Access style | Guest management | Suitable setting |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi app | Remote schedules | Frequently vacant rentals |
| Bluetooth app | Local permissions | Owner-managed stays |
| Keypad codes | Simple turnover | Small rental properties |
Battery planning and physical fit
Every rental lock needs a clear battery routine. The Veise model runs on four AA alkaline batteries and gives a low-battery alert, while Yale also provides low-power alerts. Keep the physical key or another approved entry method available, and make battery checks part of each turnover.
Door compatibility matters before purchase. Philips specifies standard door thicknesses from 35 to 50 millimeters, Veise fits 35 to 50 millimeters, and both describe screwdriver installation. Measure the door, check the existing hardware, and confirm that the front and back panels can sit properly before ordering.
Certification and weather ratings are not interchangeable. Yale identifies its deadbolt as BHMA Grade 2, while Veise identifies the KS02A as ANSI Grade 3 and BHMA certified. For background on the hardware that receives the latch, read this explanation of why a strike plate matters.
Before You Mount It: Do not rely on a guest code as the only recovery method. A dead battery, connectivity issue, or misaligned door can still prevent entry, so retain the supplied mechanical key and document who controls it.
Expert Examined
From Dana Whitfield
I keep seeing rental owners focus on app features while ignoring door alignment and turnover routines. The better habit is to confirm the latch closes cleanly, record the battery type, and make access removal part of checkout administration.
Read more about Dana WhitfieldWhich lock fits your rental setup
I would point you to the smart lock category when you want to compare the basic hardware approach before choosing a model. For a frequently vacant property, I would choose the Yale WiFi Smart Lock Deadbolt with Keypad because remote app control, scheduled codes, alerts, and direct Wi-Fi address the daily needs of remote hosting.
For a larger guest rotation, I would consider the Philips Wi-Fi Front Lock Set. Its 100 user codes, one-time PINs, access history, app permissions, and included handles make it suitable when several people need different entry methods.
For an owner-managed rental that favors simple local access, I would choose the Veise KS02A Fingerprint Door Lock. Its fingerprints, user passwords, one-time codes, auto-lock settings, mechanical keys, and local data storage cover everyday turnover without requiring a hub or hardwired connection.
The Bottom Line
The mistake most short-term rental owners make is choosing a lock based only on how guests enter. The more important question is how you will issue, schedule, revoke, and recover access after a stay, especially when you are away from the property.
If you do one thing first, measure the door and write down your access routine. Then choose between direct Wi-Fi management, local Bluetooth control, or keypad-only entry, and keep a mechanical backup available for every turnover.
FAQs
A fingerprint lock can suit a property used by family members, repeat guests, or an owner who visits regularly. For changing guest groups, PIN codes and one-time codes are usually easier to issue and remove because visitors do not need to register a fingerprint. No. Keypad and Bluetooth models can provide local entry without Wi-Fi, while Wi-Fi models add remote management, alerts, and scheduled access. Select Wi-Fi when you regularly manage the property from another location, not simply because the lock has an app. Check the latch and door alignment during every turnover, monitor low-battery alerts, and keep the supplied mechanical key accessible to the responsible owner or manager. Record the battery format so replacement is quick when needed. These labels indicate a durability or hardware standard identified by the manufacturer. They do not replace checking door fit, installation quality, battery condition, or the access controls used by your rental operation. BHMA provides standards information at its official website.Is a fingerprint lock practical for a short-term rental?
Do rental smart locks need Wi-Fi?
How should I maintain a rental smart lock?
What does a BHMA or ANSI grade mean?
Sources
- Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association buildershardware.com
- UL Solutions www.ul.com