Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock

amazon Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock reviews

Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock offers multiple ways to lock and unlock your door, including using your voice, but it has limited third-party integration.

The sleek Halo Wi-Fi smart lock ($229) is the latest addition to Kwikset’s line of smart door locks. It offers several methods for locking and unlocking your door, including entering a code on the touchscreen control panel, using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands, and tapping a button in the mobile app, and use the traditional key. It comes equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radio and is relatively easy to set up, but it doesn’t offer the level of third-party integration.

Design and Features

Halo is a complete locking system designed for standard doors 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick. It comes with an interior and exterior rails, a latch and lever, a pair of keys, four AA batteries, and assorted mounting hardware.

The escutcheon’s exterior has a sleek modern look and comes in four finishes (Matte Black, Polished Chrome, Satin Nickel, or Venetian Bronze). It measures 5.5 x 2.7 x 1.3 inches (HWD) and features a 2.5 x 2.7-inch touchscreen and key to open and close your door with the included keys.

The touchscreen is brightly lit and offers Kwikset’s SecureScreen technology, which generates two random numbers that must be pressed before entering your four-digit access code. That prevents potential intruders from accessing by searching the rest of the screen while entering the code. Halo has a built-in tamper alert and will also sound an alert and send push and email alerts when three wrong codes are entered in a row. When this happens, the display will automatically turn off for 60 seconds.

The interior escutcheon measures 5.5 x 2.7 x 2.0 inches and features a thumbwheel for manual locking and unlocking, LED indicators, and a removable control panel for accessing program buttons and battery pack. One of the buttons is used to pair the lock during setup, and the other is used to reset the lock, reset the network settings, and perform a manual door opening that defines the setting with the left hand or Right. Under the hood is a Bluetooth radio for close-range connectivity and a Wi-Fi radio that lets you control the lock from anywhere without a hub.

Halo is controlled using Kwikset’s mobile app for Android and iOS devices. It opens the My Home screen with tiles for each installed lock that shows the name of the lock and contains battery level, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth status indicators. The middle of the screen is a circular lock/unlock button that is blue when unlocking the door and red when locked. At the bottom of the screen are the People, History, and Settings icons. Tap the People icon to add users and generate up to 250 user codes with full-time (24/7) or limited access. You can limit access by day or day and time of the week, and you can generate a one-time code that expires in 24 hours. Codes can be shared via text message, email, and Facebook.

The History icon takes you to a screen to see a list of lock activities, including who used the lock, lock and unlock time, method (access code, application, voice), and incorrect code entries. The Settings icon opens a screen where you can edit the lock name, enable/disable the Auto-Lock feature that automatically locks the door after a certain amount of time, enable/disable the lock sound, and enable/disable the SecureScreen feature.

Halo works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. Still, it doesn’t support Apple HomeKit or IFTTT apps that allow it to interact with third-party smart home devices like cameras, smart plugs, and more and lighting systems.

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Kwikset 99380-001 Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless Entry Electronic Keypad Deadbolt Featuring SmartKey Security, Satin Nickel: Buy it now

Settings and Performance

While models like the Wi-Fi Smart Lock and Wyze Lock use your existing latch and latch components, the Halo is a complete locking solution that requires more time to install, but it does still relatively easy.

It took a few minutes to erase all my existing locking hardware, then I downloaded the mobile app and selected Halo from the list. At this point, you can choose to use the Interactive Installation Guide, which provides step-by-step installation instructions or download the Installation PDF. I selected the Interactive option and read through a couple of screens that described the tools I would need and showed me how to uninstall my existing key. It also has instructions for drilling holes in unlatched doors and cylindrical holes.

After checking the dimensions of my door, I followed the instructions to install the latch and guard. Next, I installed the external escutcheon, making sure to securely secure the data cable through the bottom of the latch and attach it to the mounting plate. I attached the data cable to the Interior hanger, attached the Interior hanger to the bracket, then attached the decorative case. I inserted the battery and waited a few seconds for the automatic door opening process to run and the physical installation to complete.

Next, I was prompted to create an account, verify my email address and phone number, and answer three security questions. Then I create a Home Screen, tap Add Lock, and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the inner cover and press and hold the button marked A for three seconds, at which point the LED starts blinking blue, indicating the key is in pairing mode. The lock was instantly recognized and paired with my phone. I was prompted to update the firmware, which took less than five minutes to complete, named the key, and followed the instructions to add the key to my home Wi-Fi network. I have generated the Master Access Token, and the installation is complete.

Halo performed well in testing. It responds instantly to lock and unlock commands using the mobile app and Alexa voice commands, and the well-lit touchscreen is responsive. Auto-Lock never fails to lock the door after my allotted time has elapsed, and I always get push alerts when the door is locked or unlocked. Also, I get push notifications and emails whenever three or more incorrect codes are entered, although the lock alarm can get a little louder.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a stylish smart lock that offers multiple ways to lock and unlock your door, the Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock is worth checking out. Equipped with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radio, it allows you to connect from anywhere using your phone, or you can use Alexa or Google voice commands, enter an access code on the touchscreen, or open the door with physical keys. Furthermore, you can generate up to 250 unique user codes with full-time, limited, or one-time access. One notable downside is that it doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit or interact with third-party devices using IFTTT apps. To do that, you’ll need the similarly priced August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, which also works with security and home automation platforms from Honeywell, Logitech, SimpliSafe, and Samsung and uses most of your existing hardware.

Advantages

Built-in Wi-Fi

Supports Alexa and Google voice commands

Relatively easy to install

Defect

Expensive

Limited third-party integration

Does not support HomeKit or IFTTT