Wyze’s New Smart Lock Puts a Fingerprint Scanner Right in the Handle

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Your keys can stay buried in your bag. The Wyze Lever Lock puts a fingerprint scanner right on the handle, so your thumb can unlock the door as you grab it. There’s also a keypad, app control, and a physical key if you prefer another way in.

Price: $99.98
Where to Buy: Amazon

The replacement handle is designed for compatible doors without a deadbolt, including bedroom, home office, and side entrance doors. You can give visitors their own access codes, unlock the door remotely, and set it to lock automatically. For a door you use every day, that’s a lot of control built into the handle you’re already reaching for.

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Fingerprint unlocking starts when you grab the handle

Placing the fingerprint scanner where your thumb naturally rests means you can authenticate yourself while gripping the handle. You don’t have to reach for a separate reader before opening the door, which is convenient when you’re carrying bags or moving between rooms.

Wyze says the lock unlocks in about half a second and that its fingerprint recognition learns and adapts with use, becoming faster over time.

For a door you open several times a day, the integrated scanner is the main selling point. You get fingerprint authentication built into the same movement you already use to open the door.

Four ways to unlock the door

Fingerprint recognition is only one option. You can also enter a PIN on the keypad, unlock through the companion app, or use a traditional key. That gives family members, visitors, and staff different ways to enter without everyone needing a physical key.

Individual PIN codes let you assign separate combinations to different people. You can also generate one-time codes for visitors who only need temporary access. Someone coming to your home for a single visit can use their own code instead of borrowing your key or learning your regular PIN.

Remote unlocking works through the companion app when the lock is connected to Wi-Fi. You can let someone inside while you’re away, provided the lock’s Wi-Fi network has an active internet connection.

A traditional key provides another option when you prefer mechanical access. For a shared entrance or room where several people need entry, the combination of personal codes and remote control makes managing access easier.

Automatic locking handles the routine

Forgetting to lock a door is easy when you’re leaving in a hurry or moving between rooms. Automatic locking handles that step, while scheduled locking lets you program the door to secure itself at a specific time each day.

A home office is one example. You can schedule the door to lock after working hours, keeping the room secured according to your daily routine.

Wyze also includes an anti-peep keypad feature that lets you enter random digits before or after your actual PIN. Anyone watching sees additional numbers mixed into the sequence, making the correct combination harder to identify.

Tamper alarms provide another security feature. Combined with individual access codes and scheduled locking, these controls give you more options for managing entry than a conventional locking handle.

Battery life and emergency power

Wyze advertises up to 12 months of battery life from eight AA batteries. In the company’s testing, the batteries lasted 11.6 months with 20 unlocks per day. Actual battery life will depend on usage and operating conditions.

If the batteries run out, a USB-C emergency power port lets you connect a power bank to supply enough power for unlocking. You also have the traditional key as an alternative to electronic access.

Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. The companion app supports Android 10 or later and iOS 16 or later, giving you access to the lock’s connected features from a compatible smartphone.

An IP54 rating provides protection against limited dust ingress and splashing water. It doesn’t make the lock waterproof, so installation in an exposed location still requires attention to weather conditions.

For a frequently used door, the claimed battery life and emergency power option help reduce the inconvenience of maintaining an electronic lock.

Check your door before buying

Compatibility is the first thing to check. This model is designed primarily for doors without a deadbolt, including certain bedroom, office, and side entrance doors.

If your door has a deadbolt, Wyze says it must sit below the lever or at least 5 5/16 inches above it. Otherwise, the deadbolt’s keyhole and the lock’s USB-C port will be blocked. Check the placement and measure the clearance before ordering.

According to Wyze, installation requires a Phillips screwdriver, and the handle supports both left-handed and right-handed orientations. That allows it to accommodate different door configurations without requiring separate versions for each orientation.

For a compatible door, the installation requirements are straightforward. If your existing hardware doesn’t meet the clearance requirements, you’ll need a different locking solution.

Pricing and availability

At $99.98, Wyze combines fingerprint recognition, keypad access, remote unlocking, and automatic locking in one replacement handle. Its biggest advantage is the scanner built directly into the lever, letting you authenticate yourself as you grab the door.

Individual PIN codes and scheduled locking make it useful for a home office, bedroom, or compatible side entrance where you want to manage access. Emergency USB-C power and a traditional key also give you alternatives when the batteries run out.

Price: $99.98
Where to Buy: Amazon

If you want fingerprint access and app-based control on a compatible door, this one delivers both in a single handle. If you only need a basic mechanical lock or your door doesn’t meet the installation requirements, skip it.

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