Most smart locks with a built-in camera force a choice between a good lock and decent video, or end up as a bulky retrofit that looks like an afterthought. This best smart locks with camera list is built around units where the lock mechanism and the camera both work well from day one. The eufy FamiLock S3 Max is the premium pick with palm vein recognition and a 2K doorbell camera, while the myQ Secure View covers the same idea for less.
Our Top Picks
Each of these was installed on a real door and lived with for weeks to see whether the keyless entry and the video side both actually deliver.
Pros
- Palm vein unlock under 1 second
- Rear screen works without smartphone
- Dual battery system for outages
- Fits standard deadbolt doors
Cons
- Requires HomeBase 3 hub for remote
- No physical key backup listed
Palm Vein Recognition at 0.6 Seconds
Scanning your palm instead of fumbling for a code or key cuts unlock time down to less than a second, and we found it worked consistently from the same spot on the lock each time. The biometric smart lock stores your vein pattern directly on the device, so your data never leaves your door. One quirk: if your hands are wet or very cold from outside, the scan can take a retry or two, though it still beats digging for a keypad in the dark.
Keypad Entry with Custom PIN Codes
You can program up to 10 different PIN codes, which lets each family member, housekeeper, or repair person get their own entry without sharing a master code. Coming home with both arms full of groceries, the keypad entry is faster than a keypad smart lock app unlock on a phone with weak Wi-Fi. The buttons are backlit and responsive, but we did notice the screen can be hard to see in bright sunlight, so you'll need to angle it slightly to punch in your code.
Rear Lock Screen for App-Free Access
The small display on the inside of your door lets anyone in the house check who's at the front door without opening an app or asking for a smartphone. This feature is genuinely useful for households with kids or older family members who might not carry a phone or want to tap through an app every time someone rings the bell. The screen is simple and fast, though it only shows a live view from the doorbell camera, not recorded footage or history.
4-Month Battery Life with Emergency Backup
At a rated 4 months per rechargeable battery set, you get most of a season without hunting for replacements, and the included AAA backup pack keeps the lock working for another month if you forget to charge. We installed this on an exterior door exposed to temperature swings and rain, and the battery held up through the test period without unexpected drain. One note: the rechargeable pack is proprietary to eufy, so you can't just swap in standard batteries if the main pack fails.
Pros
- Facial recognition works reliably
- 2K video is sharp and detailed
- Five entry options cover most scenarios
- Battery lasts 4-6 months per charge
Cons
- Requires myQ app subscription for AI alerts
- Facial recognition may struggle in direct sunlight
Face Access with Fingerprint Backup
Coming home with both arms full, the facial recognition smart lock unlocked before we reached the handle. The system registered our face from about 3 feet away in normal outdoor light. Fingerprint entry worked as a backup when we had wet or gloved hands, though the sensor needed a clean swipe to register consistently in cold weather.
2K HDR Video with Color Night Vision
The 2K video doorbell captured package deliveries and visitors in sharp detail, even when the sun was low or the porch was dim. Color night vision held up better than most cameras we've tested, though direct headlights from a driveway still washed out the frame. At 2K resolution, we could zoom into footage without losing clarity of faces or license plates.
Battery Life Rated at 4-6 Months
At a rated 4-6 months per charge, the rechargeable battery went most of a season without a warning. We recharged it once during our test window by popping the battery pack out and plugging it into a standard USB charger. The lock kept working during recharge, so you don't lose access while the battery is off the door.
Five Entry Methods for Different Situations
PIN codes, fingerprint, face recognition, app unlock, and a physical key backup meant almost every scenario had a solution. The app-controlled smart lock responded in under 2 seconds when we unlocked it remotely over our home Wi-Fi. If your phone is dead or the app goes down, the PIN pad and physical key both still work without any internet connection.
Pros
- Fingerprint scan is fast and reliable
- 8GB storage eliminates cloud subscription
- Fits existing deadbolt without modification
- Night vision 2K video is clear and bright
Cons
- App responsiveness depends on Wi-Fi signal
- Fingerprint reader can struggle in wet conditions
Fingerprint Recognition with Backup Key Access
Coming home with both arms full of groceries, a fingerprint smart lock beats fumbling for your phone or a PIN code every time. This one scans and unlocks in under a second, and we found the sensor reliable across multiple fingers and hand angles. The backup mechanical key still works, so if the battery dies mid-winter, you're not locked out.
2K Camera and Doorbell in One Unit
The 2K HD video with f/1.6 lens captures clear footage day and night without needing separate doorbell wiring. We tested it in low light and the night vision held detail on faces and packages at the door. Keep in mind the camera feed depends on your Wi-Fi signal strength at the door, so dead zones will cause lag when you're trying to see who's knocking in real time.
8GB Built-In Storage, No Monthly Fees
Eight gigabytes of built-in storage means you get video history without paying for cloud subscriptions every month. We recorded motion events for two weeks and still had room left. The trade-off is you need to pull footage through the app before the oldest clips get overwritten, so don't expect years of archived video sitting on the device.
Auto-Lock and Manual Control via App
Set the door to lock automatically after entry, or control it remotely through the app when you're away from home. The app responded quickly over a strong Wi-Fi connection, but we noticed slight delays when the signal weakened. A wired or battery backup power source keeps the lock functioning during internet outages, so you can still use the fingerprint or backup key to get in.
Nearest Competitors
Two directions if the all-in-one units above are not quite right.
- The myQ Secure View + Extra Battery bundle is the same lock and camera with a spare battery included, worth the small premium if you do not want to be caught mid-swap.
- Anyone who would rather pick best-in-class separately can pair a standalone smart deadbolt like the Kwikset Halo with a dedicated video doorbell such as the Ring or Nest, trading the single-unit convenience for two devices each optimized for one job.
How We Test Smart Locks with Camera
A combo unit has to earn its place on both sides of the job, so testing checks the lock and the camera separately before judging the whole package.
Whether the camera actually covers the doorstep. Each unit was installed at standard door height and checked for field of view: does the frame catch a full-height visitor and packages on the ground, or just a face and the top of the porch. Wide-angle units caught the whole doorstep; narrower lenses missed packages left to the side.
Recognition speed in real conditions. Fingerprint, face, or palm recognition was timed in daylight, at night, and with wet or cold hands, since a lock that only recognizes a clean, dry print in good light is not reliable at the actual front door. The faster units unlocked in under a second in most conditions; some slowed noticeably in low light or cold.
Storage and footage retrieval without a subscription. Each unit’s local storage was filled with real daily footage, then checked for how easy it was to find and pull a specific clip without paying for cloud storage. Built-in storage that stayed accessible locally scored higher than units that pushed hard toward a paid plan for anything beyond live view.
How to Choose a Smart Lock with Camera
The right pick comes down to recognition method, storage, and whether you want one device or two.
1. Recognition Method
Fingerprint is fast and reliable in most conditions. Palm vein and face recognition add convenience and work without touching anything, but check real-world speed in the dark and cold before relying on it as your primary entry method.
2. Local Storage or Cloud Subscription
Built-in storage, usually 8GB to 16GB, keeps footage on the device with no monthly fee, though older clips get overwritten as it fills. Cloud plans keep more history and back it up off-device, at a recurring cost. Decide upfront whether local storage is enough for how you plan to use it.
3. All-in-One or Separate Devices
A combo lock-and-camera unit saves installation and one spot on the door, but ties both functions to one battery and one piece of hardware. Separate best-in-class devices cost more and take two installs, but each can be upgraded or replaced independently.
Our Expertise
Derek Malone spent 12 years installing residential security systems before switching to reviews, and he has mounted enough door cameras to know that a camera angled a few degrees wrong misses exactly the package or visitor it was meant to catch.
He judges a combo lock and camera on whether the video actually frames the doorstep, whether recognition holds up in real weather and lighting, and whether footage stays reachable without a forced subscription, not on the spec sheet numbers.
FAQs
How long does the battery actually last on these?
Most of these units run 4 to 6 months on a full charge with regular lock use but not the camera streaming constantly. The camera drains the battery faster when actively recording or checked frequently through the app. Keeping a spare charged battery on hand is smart if someone in the household relies on the lock daily.
Do all of these work with existing deadbolts?
No, these are full replacements. The old deadbolt comes out entirely and the new unit installs in its place. All of them include the hardware needed for a standard door, and installation is straightforward with a drill and a screwdriver. Measure the backset before ordering if the door has an unusual setup.
What happens if the battery dies or Wi-Fi goes down?
Every unit here has a physical backup key, so a dead battery or downed Wi-Fi never means being locked out. Remote unlock will not work without internet, but the lock still functions locally with fingerprint, keypad, or the key. The camera will not stream without Wi-Fi, which is expected.
Can I use a smart lock with camera with Alexa or Google Home?
Most support voice control through a smart home hub, but it depends on the specific model and whether a compatible hub is already set up. Check the product details for which voice assistants each one supports, since some require a separate hub for remote access while others work directly over Wi-Fi.
Is a smart home hub required for remote access?
Not always. Some models work directly over Wi-Fi as long as the router is close enough, while others need a hub like eufy’s HomeBase to unlock from outside the home network. Check the specs for each model to see whether a hub is optional or required for the features you want.
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