Josh Hendrickson
Kwikset
Kwikset, one of the largest lock manufacturers, is all in on smart lock tech. At CES, the company announced its latest Wi-Fi lock, but this time there’s no keypad and no PIN combos. Appropriately dubbed the Kwikset Halo Touch, you’ll unlock your door like you might your phone—with your fingerprints.
Kwikset isn’t the first lock manufacturer to incorporate fingerprint sensors into its locks, but it might be the first to forgo other traditional smart lock methods like keypads. With the Kwikset Halo, you can either lock and unlock with your fingers, the Kwikset app (available on Android and iOS), or lock with your voice using Google Assistant and Alexa. Failing all that, you can still access the lock with a traditional key.
Because it connects through Wi-Fi, you won’t need a third-party hub; it connects directly to your network. Kwikset says your fingerprints are stored locally (not in the cloud), and you can store up to 100 fingerprints for 50 users. The Kwikset app includes scheduling capabilities you can grant and revoke access to users as needed.
The real question is how well the fingerprint sensor works in the winter months when the weather can lead to dry skin. We’ve requested a review unit and will follow up with more details.
Kwikset says the Halo Touch will retail for $249.99 and come in Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze (traditional only), and Iron Black (contemporary only) finish options. The company says the lock will release sometime this year (unfortunately, the company wasn’t more specific), and you’ll be able to purchase it from Amazon, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
