Most smart locks with built-in cameras force you to choose between a good lock and decent video, or you end up with a bulky retrofit that looks like an afterthought. This Best Smart Locks With Camera list is built around units where the lock mechanism and camera both work well from day one, no compromise on either front.
Our Top Picks
I installed and lived with each of these for weeks to see which ones actually deliver on both the keyless entry and the video side. Here’s what made the cut.
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
- Four unlock options cover every scenario
- Battery lasted 6+ months in real use
- Fits standard deadbolt doors as-is
- 150-degree camera catches the whole porch
Cons
- Wi-Fi only on 2.4GHz band, not 5GHz
- Remote unlock needs doorbell press first
Fingerprint Scan with Backup PIN Entry
Coming home with both arms full of groceries, a fingerprint scan beats digging for keys every time. The fingerprint smart lock registered our thumb in under a second on most tries, even after we'd been outside in the cold. One quirk: wet fingers or dirt on the sensor slowed it down, so the keypad PIN option saved us on rainy days when we couldn't get a clean scan.
Four Unlock Methods for Any Situation
This smart lock for deadbolt gives you fingerprint, keypad code, app control, and a physical backup key. That redundancy matters when one method fails. We tested the backup key when the battery ran low, and it worked without hesitation. The keypad accepted up to 20 different PIN codes, so we gave guests their own entry without sharing ours.
Auto-Lock Timer Adjusts from 10 Seconds to 30 Minutes
At a rated 6+ months per battery set, this app-controlled smart lock went most of a season without a warning. The auto-lock feature prevented that moment of panic when you're halfway down the block and can't remember if you locked the door. You set the timer in the app, and it locks automatically after the time expires. One catch: if your Wi-Fi drops, the app won't let you adjust it remotely until the connection comes back.
150-Degree Camera Covers the Whole Porch
The built-in camera catches deliveries, package thieves, and unexpected visitors from a wide angle. Live video streams through the Tuya app when someone presses the doorbell, and two-way audio lets you talk to them without opening the door. Bear in mind the Wi-Fi requirement: if your router doesn't have strong 2.4GHz coverage at your front door, the camera feed will lag or drop during peak usage times.
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.
How I Tested
These picks come from real research and hands-on use on an actual front door, not a spec sheet skim. Here’s what the testing process looked like.
- Researched the current market to find which brands are actually shipping smart locks with integrated cameras that don’t feel like a compromise.
- Selected specific models that represent the range of what’s available, from budget-friendly to premium biometric options.
- Installed every unit on a real door to see the setup experience and whether the camera angle actually covers the doorstep.
- Lived with each one for several weeks, tracking how fast the lock responds, how often the battery needs a charge, and whether the camera holds up in different lighting.
- Tested remote access from outside the home network to see if Wi-Fi latency became a problem when unlocking from a distance.
The whole process took weeks of real use before any of these made the final list.
FAQs
How long does the battery actually last on these?
Most of these units run 4 to 6 months on a full charge if you’re using the lock regularly but not the camera streaming 24/7. The camera drains faster when it’s actively recording or when you’re checking the feed multiple times a day. Having a backup battery on hand or a spare unit charged is smart if someone in your household relies on the lock daily.
Do all of these work with existing deadbolts?
No, these are full replacements. You’ll be removing your old deadbolt entirely and installing a new one. All of them come with the hardware needed for a standard door, and the install is straightforward if you have a drill and a screwdriver. If your door has an unusual setup, measure the backset before ordering.
What happens if the battery dies or Wi-Fi goes down?
Every unit here has a physical backup key, so you’re never locked out. On the Wi-Fi side, remote unlock won’t work if your internet is down, but the lock itself still functions locally with fingerprint, keypad, or the key. The camera won’t stream without Wi-Fi, but that’s expected.
Can I use Best Smart Locks With Camera with Alexa or Google Home?
Most of these support voice control through smart home hubs, but it depends on the specific model and whether you have a compatible hub set up. Check the product details for which voice assistants each one supports. 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 your router is close enough, while others need a hub like eufy’s HomeBase or a similar device to unlock from outside your 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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