Kwikset Halo Lock Reviews | Halo WiFi Smart Lock Review, Cost & Alternatives

 

 

As demand for smartphone-based property access continues to increase, many industry providers are now producing apartment smart locks. So, deciding on the right smart lock for your apartment building can seem overwhelming. During your research, you may have stumbled upon the Halo lock by Kwikset.

Before making your purchase, you need to know whether it’s user-friendly, secure, and convenient. In this post, we review the Halo WiFi smart lock and the features it offers. Then, we help you decide whether this Kwikset lock is right for your property.

This post covers:

• What is Kwikset?
• How do Kwikset Halo Locks work?
• Review of the Kwikset Halo Lock
• Pros and cons of the Kwikset Halo Lock
• Kwikset Halo Lock FAQs
• Should you get a Kwikset Halo Lock?
• Alternatives to the Kiwkset Halo Lock and integrations

 

 

What is Kwikset?

Kwikset is an American lock and lockset manufacturer offering a variety of products for residential and commercial properties.

Kwikset was founded in California in 1946 by Adolf Schoepe and Karl Rhinehart. The pair transformed the residential lock design by developing a pin tumbler. They named their company “Kwikset” to highlight the quick installation of their lock. With its clever name and a focus on residential locks, Kwikset hit the ground running.

Kwikset quickly became ubiquitous in the residential market, growing to become the number one manufacturer of residential locksets in the United States—a title it still holds today. Producing door levers, doorknobs, deadbolts, handle sets, and keyless entry devices, Kwikset offers a wide variety of door-locking systems.

Kwikset has been a staple in lock and lockset manufacturing for 75 years, with plans to remain at the forefront by providing smart locks.

 

How do Kwikset Halo Locks work?

Kwikset designs and manufactures a broad selection of smart locks that work in all types of buildings. In residential and commercial buildings, Kwikset smart locks create a seamless, keyless entry experience. Residents and staff can open doors through the Kwikset app. They also have the option of using alternative credentials such as PINs or a physical key.

Each of Kwikset’s smart locks serves a different purpose, so choosing the right locks depends on your needs. For example, you may want third-party integrations such as voice assistants or smart home integrations. What’s more, your property may utilize Zigbee or Z-wave technology. Knowing these wants and needs will help you select the correct smart lock.

Some of Kwikset’s most popular products include:

• Keywayless Smart Deadbolts. These deadbolts lack a keyway, which means you won’t need to worry about keeping track of keys. Instead, they offer keyless entry with remote locking and unlocking from the mobile app.
• Smart Levers. Available with Zigbee or Z-wave wireless technology and visible lock and unlock status through the Kwikset app. These technologies are low-power radios that are convenient for home and office scale networks and automation.
• Smart Lock Conversion Kit. Already have a lock? This extension turns any compatible lock into a smart lock with minimal installation time and hardware.

 

Review of the Kwikset Halo Lock

The Kwikset Halo Touchscreen WiFi Enabled Smart Lock combines the reliability Kwikset is known for with a slew of smart features and options to enhance property access. Read on for an in-depth look at the Halo lock, its features, pricing, and pros and cons.

Features of the Kwikset Halo Touchscreen WiFi Enabled Smart Lock:

• Three entry modes. Gain access to your apartment using several different methods, such as a mobile app, a PIN code, or a key.
• Customizable user codes to control who has access to the lock. You can assign a user code to work one time or on a recurring basis during a specific timeframe or date.
• Track all lock activity. Admins and users can view a log of activities from the mobile app.
• Get notifications on your phone. Receive smartphone notifications of any locking or unlocking activity.
• Manage multiple locks from one place. Property staff can manage every Halo lock from any of their properties, all from the app.
• BHMA certified. The Kwikset Halo adheres to the highest certified grade performance, ensuring durability and security.

 

Kwikset Halo pricing

The Halo lock costs between $200 and $229.

Regardless of the style you choose, both the contemporary and traditional locks are priced in that range. The price does not include installation, which may cost up to $100 if you’re unable to do it yourself.

 

Pros & cons of the Kwikset Halo Lock

 

Pros:

• Multiple styles and colors. Comes in both contemporary and traditional styles, as well as multiple color selections.
• WiFi-enabled. It has built-in WiFi, so connectivity stays strong. All you need is a smartphone, a WiFi router, and a Halo lock.
• Voice assistant. Open and lock your doors by talking to your Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

 

Cons:

• Long setup. A complaint from some users is that the initial setup time and requirements to get the lock installed and running are too long.
• Finicky app. Some reviews in the iOS and Android stores describe the mobile app as being finicky.
• Battery-powered. This device runs on four AA batteries and, depending on usage, may be drained pretty quickly. Users report that it often lasts less than six months.

 

Discover how ButterflyMX integrates with smart locks:

 

Kwikset Halo Lock FAQs

• How long do batteries last on a Kwikset Halo lock?
• Is Halo lock safe?

 

How long do batteries last on a Kwikset Halo lock?

According to Kiwkset, brand-new AA alkaline batteries will last for approximately six months of usage. If you find that your Kwikset Halo lock is dying too fast, then you might want to consider purchasing high-performance batteries.

 

Is Halo lock safe?

The firmware within the Kwikset Halo smart lock is encrypted, which makes it reasonably secure. The physical hardware is also secure, with no readily identifiable vulnerable points. Conversely, the app that controls the device may have weak security settings that a savvy hacker could expose. However, this is highly unlikely.

 

Should you get the Kwikset Halo Lock?

If you’re in the market for a simple apartment access solution that carries a familiar name, the Halo smart lock may be an option. By selecting a Kwikset Halo smart lock, you’re choosing something dependable and well-versed — as well as unique in design.

Some of the perks of investing in a Halo smart lock are improved accessibility and security. The Halo lock makes it convenient, safe, and easy for your apartment residents or office tenants to open doors with their smartphone, a PIN code, or a key. Your tenants will appreciate the multiple options offered to them, as well as the ability to lock and unlock doors remotely.

 

Alternatives to the Kwikset Halo Lock and integrations

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Kwikset Halo, consider the Schlage Encode. This smart WiFi deadbolt costs a bit more than the Halo but offers simple installation, multiple third-party integrations, and a well-rated mobile app.

Perhaps the greatest feature of the Halo lock is that you can integrate it with other access control solutions. To create the most convenient and secure access experience at your property, pair a smart lock like the Halo with an access control system such as ButterflyMX. That way, your tenants will enjoy seamless property-wide access with their smartphones, from the front door or gate to amenity spaces and their apartments.

 

Disclaimer: ButterflyMX provides these blog posts to help our customers and potential customers make the right business decisions for them. Our blog posts are based on the information we have available to us at the time of writing.