No two fingerprints are alike, and the same can be said of biometric locks. There's a great selection of biometric locks out there, and each can do something a little different. All of which makes choosing the right one for your needs a bit of a challenge.

Read more: Best smart security camera: Top models from Ring, Arlo, and Nest

Biometric locks are a clever way to ensure that you always have your key with you, right on the end of your finger. It takes the concept of a smart lock down a different path, adding another level of security. Most biometric locks can be unlocked in other ways however, including with a code, an app, a voice assistant, or simply with a key. If you're looking for way to enter your home or business just with a touch of your fingertip, then here are some of the best biometric locks you can get your fingers on right now.

Best Biometric locks: Our top picks

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave
1. Best biometric lock overall

A Z-wave compatible smart lock that works with almost any smart home system.

The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro range has always been excellent, but the addition of Z-wave support makes this smart lock even more versatile. It works with a huge range of smart home systems, and even has official support for Home Assistant.

Pros
  • Built-in Z-wave
  • Compatible with wide range of smart home systems
  • Code and fingerprint unlocking
Cons
  • Wi-Fi requires additional hub
  • Can look out of place on older doors

The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro series has been around for several years, but the company regularly refreshes its line-up. The U-Bolt Pro offers the core features, including fingerprint ID, auto unlock, and smartphone control when near to the lock. Adding in a Wi-Fi bridge adds additional features such as smart home integration and remote smartphone control.

However, for the maximum compatibility, you can't beat the U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave. When combined with a Wi-Fi bridge (not included) you get access to all the features of the U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi, such as Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and the ability to unlock with your Apple Watch. On top of that, you also get compatibility with Z-wave hubs such as Samsung SmartThings and Hubitat, and even fully supported compatibility with Home Assistant over Z-Wave. It could be the most compatible biometric lock you can get your hands on.

Lockly Flex Touch Smart Lock
Lockly Flex Touch Smart Lock
2. Most discreet biometric lock

A subtle smart lock that suits any door and lets you unlock with your fingerprint.

The Lockly Flex Touch is a great choice if you're looking for a smart lock that isn't immediately recognisable at first glance. The subtle design fits well with most doors, and you can unlock your door with your fingerprint in less than a second.

Pros
  • Unobtrusive design
  • Alexa and Google Assistantl compatible
  • Can use physical key
Cons
  • Wi-Fi hub sold separately
  • Fiddly to use if the lock is low down

Many biometric locks leave a lot to be desired when it comes to design, with bulky keypads or biometric devices that don't really fit in with the style of the rest of your front door. Thankfully, if you don't want your front door looking like something from Blade Runner, the Lockly Flex Touch will blend in perfectly with the majority of front doors. That's because the design of the Lockly Flex Touch mimics that of a standard lock, with a subtle fingerprint recognition pad beneath.

You can unlock your door using the fingerprint reader, through the app, using your voice with Alexa or Google Assistant (with an additional Wi-Fi hub). If you prefer going old school, however, you can still use a physical key. You also get customisable auto locking, and if you're using the Wi-Fi hub, you get real-time monitoring of your lock status with alerts sent to your phone when the status changes.

Kwikset Halo Smart Lock
Kwikset Halo Smart Lock
3. Best Wi-Fi biometric lock

A stylish looking smart lock with Wi-Fi built in.

The Kwikset Halo is another smart lock that doesn't look out of place even on period doors. You can unlock with the fingerprint scanner, or use a physical key, and there's no need for an additional Wi-Fi hub.

Pros
  • Wi-Fi enabled so no need for hub.
  • Range of styles to suit most doors
  • Works with physical key
Cons
  • Battery life isn't great
  • Fingerprint scanner can be finicky

Another biometric lock that doesn't look out of place on your front door is the Kwikset Halo. The biometric scanner is built into the front plate that matches the style of traditional locks, with finishes such as satin nickel to match the rest of your door hardware. If you do want to go futuristic, however, then there's a blocky black version available, too.

You can use the fingerprint scanner to unlock your door and can store fingerprints for up to 50 different people. The fingerprint data is stored securely in the lock, so you don't have to worry about your fingerprint data being shared into the cloud. The lock is Wi-Fi-enabled, so there's no need for an additional hub, and through Wi-Fi you can access features such as voice control with Google Assistant or Alexa as well as smartphone alerts for any unexpected locking or unlocking events.

Wyze Lock Bolt
Wyze Lock Bolt
4. Best budget biometric lock

Smart locks don't need to break the bank. This low-cost Bluetooth smart lock can unlock your door with just your fingerprint, or you can enter a code instead. There's no Wi-Fi connection, however.

Pros
  • Easy to install
  • Great value
  • Keyless entry and access schedules
Cons
  • No Wi-Fi functionality
  • Doesn't work with voice assistants

Many biometric locks come with a fairly steep price tag, but that doesn't have to be the case. The Wyze Lock Bolt is a biometric smart lock that gives you the key features that you want at a great price. You can unlock your door using the fingerprint scanner, which will have your door unlocked in under a second. It's possible to store up to 50 different fingerprints, too. You can also use the built-in keypad to set up codes for guests, and there's a clever anti-peep function that lets you add extra digits before or after your code, and the door will still unlock as normal.

There's no Wi-Fi connection, so you have to be within Bluetooth range in order to fully control your lock from your smartphone. That means you can't lock or unlock your door when you're away. You can set up auto lock timers, however, to ensure that your door is always locked when it should be. There's also no voice assistant support.

Eufy Video Smart Lock S330_
Eufy Video Smart Lock S330
5. Best value video biometric lock

A biometric lock and smart video camera in one at a great price.

If you've always wanted a smart lock and a video doorbell, then why not get both in one device? You can unlock the door with your fingerprint, and when people call, you can see them clearly through the 2K camera and remotely open the door to them if you like what you see.

Pros
  • Built-in smart video doorbell
  • 2K video
  • Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
Cons
  • Not the best app
  • Motion detection can be glitchy

Why splash out on a biometric lock and a smart video doorbell when you could get both in one device? The Eufy Smart Lock S330 is a biometric smart lock and keypad, with a 2K smart video doorbell built in. You can unlock your door with the fingerprint sensor, which will recognise your fingerprint in 0.3 seconds and have your door unlocked within a second. You can also unlock using the app, via your voice using Alexa or Google Assistant, or by using the keypad.

When someone rings the doorbell, you'll get an alert on your phone. Even if you're out, you can remotely unlock the door, right from the alert on your phone. If you have people coming to work on your home, for example, you don't need to hang around to let them in. When the doorbell goes, you can verify who it is, and unlock the front door if you recognise the workers. Once they've left, which you can see via the 2K camera, you can remotely lock the door again. It's a clever combination of two popular smart home devices.

Lockly Vision Elite
Lockly Vision Elite
6. Best video biometric lock

A smart lock and video doorbell in one with a clever digital keypad.

The Lockly Vision Elite is a video doorbell and smart lock in one. You can unlock with your fingerprint, or use the clever keypad that reshuffles the digits so that snoopers can't crack your codes. You can see who's there when the doorbell rings and let them in remotely if needed.

Pros
  • Built-in video doorbell
  • Clever digital keypad
  • Can record to microSD card
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Limited number of admin accounts

The Lockly Vision Elite is another smart lock that has a video doorbell built-in. When visitors ring the doorbell, you can see who is calling on your smartphone app, and unlock the door remotely if you need to. You can also set up motion alerts to record what happens outside your front door, and with a separate microSD card, you can store the recordings locally without the need for a cloud subscription.

The Lockly Vision Elite lets you unlock your door in numerous ways. As well as the fingerprint reader that can store up to 99 fingerprints, you can use the clever digital keypad to enter a code. This moves around the positions of the numbers, so that if anyone is spying on you, they won't be able to figure out your code from the order that you press the buttons. You can also unlock your door through the app, with your voice via Alexa or Google Assistant, by scanning a QR code, or using a physical key.

The bottom line: What is the best biometric lock?

If you're looking for a biometric lock that's compatible with just about every smart home ecosystem, then it's hard to look beyond the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave. This upgraded version of an already great smart lock includes built-in Z-wave support, which lets you connect in to popular smart hubs including SmartThings, Hubitat, and even Home Assistant. It's also a great smart lock in its own right, although you'll need an additional Wi-Fi hub to get access to all of the features.

If you're looking for a low-cost entry into the world of biometric locks, then the Wyze Lock Bolt may not have Wi-Fi support, but can do the basics really well, and is very competitively priced.

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Z-Wave
Editor's Choice

How we chose these biometric locks

Home security is something that we take very seriously at Pocket-lint, and for that reason, you won't find any no-name brands on this list. We've only selected the top options from trusted manufacturers to ensure peace of mind.

The list was created to include a range of options, from low-cost biometric locks to top-of-the range smart locks that can do almost everything. There's also a range of different price points to suit most budgets, as well as biometric locks that are compatible with most of the major smart home ecosystems.

How to choose a biometric fingerprint lock

There are many different styles of biometric lock on the market, coming at a wide range of prices, and this can make it hard to figure out which option is right for your needs.

If you're having trouble deciding, here are a few things that we recommend thinking about before you make your purchase.

What do you need to secure?

First things first, think about where you'll be placing the lock and what kind of lock it will be replacing. Keep in mind the type of door, the materials it's made from, and how the current lock operates.

Product listings will include information about the type of door the lock can be fitted to, as well as the locking mechanism it uses. Choosing a like-for-like lock replacement will ensure that it's simple to install and functions correctly.

If you'll be installing it yourself, it's worth reading the customer reviews on sites like Amazon to ensure that it's not too difficult, and to be aware of any pitfalls you might encounter.

How many people need access to the lock?

It's worth paying attention to how many fingerprints your lock can store, particularly if it's for a business premises or if you have a large family. The amount of storage varies quite significantly between devices, so paying attention to this number will help narrow down your options.

Do you need to be able to control it remotely?

Some locks have internet connectivity and can be controlled remotely, this can be handy if you want to allow access for a delivery driver or worker while you're away from home, or equally, if you have guests staying over.

If this is a desirable feature, then be sure to check the specs carefully. Some of the locks on our list are limited to Bluetooth range and can only be operated while you're physically in front of them, whereas others can connect over Wi-Fi or even over Z-wave. If you're more interested in the connectivity than the biometrics, then you might want to check out our guide to the best smart locks instead.

Should you get a biometric lock for outdoors or indoors?

If you need a lock for the outside of your property, then you had better make sure that it can withstand the elements. It's no good installing a fancy biometric lock if it fails at the first sign of rain, after all. Some fingerprint scanners don't work brilliantly when wet, either.

Some locks are only suitable for indoor use, whereas others have hardy weather-sealed construction. There's some leeway, for instance, if you have a covered porch, but we'd always recommend at least some form of water resistance for outdoor locks.