Kwikset Lock Types: Which One Is Right for Your Home?

Kwikset is one of the two dominant residential lock brands in the United States, alongside Schlage. Walk into any hardware store and roughly half the residential lock section is Kwikset. But the brand makes far more than a simple deadbolt — and if you're buying, replacing, or rekeying Kwikset locks, understanding the difference between their product lines can save you hundreds of dollars and several service calls.

Traditional Kwikset deadbolts

Kwikset's entry-level mechanical deadbolts — the 660 and 780 series — are standard pin tumbler locks. A physical key raises the internal pins to the correct height, which allows the plug to rotate and throw the bolt. These are the most common deadbolts installed on new construction homes in Florida, and they're found on virtually every home built in the last 30 years.

The main limitation of a basic Kwikset pin tumbler deadbolt is that rekeying requires removing the lock from the door, disassembling the cylinder, and replacing the pins — a task that takes a locksmith 10 to 15 minutes per lock. The hardware itself is economical ($20–$45 retail), but labor adds up if you need multiple locks rekeyed. If you move frequently or manage a rental property, the SmartKey version of the same lock is worth the modest price premium.

• 660 Single Cylinder Deadbolt — standard keyed deadbolt, thumb turn on interior
• 780 SmartKey Deadbolt — identical exterior profile to the 660, adds DIY rekeying
• 985/980 Double Cylinder Deadbolt — keyed on both sides, used on doors with glass panels
• Deadbolt 816/814 — entry-level single cylinder, basic residential security

What is Kwikset SmartKey technology?

SmartKey is Kwikset's patented re-keying system that lets a homeowner change their lock to a new key in under 60 seconds — without removing the lock from the door or calling a locksmith. You insert the current working key, use the included SmartKey tool to trigger the reset, insert the new key, and the lock is permanently rekeyed to that key. A new key blank from any hardware store costs under $5.

SmartKey technology also makes these locks significantly more resistant to bump keys — one of the most common low-skill methods for bypassing standard pin tumbler locks. The internal mechanism uses a sidebar design that bump key attacks cannot easily defeat. For homeowners in Florida rental markets or anyone who's moved into a home with an unknown key history, SmartKey is one of the most practical upgrades available.

• Rekey in under 60 seconds using the current key plus the SmartKey tool
• Compatible with any standard Kwikset key blank — available at any hardware store
• More bump-key resistant than standard pin tumbler designs
• Standard on the 780 series deadbolts and many Kwikset levers and knobs
• Cannot be rekeyed to non-Kwikset key profiles

Kwikset SmartCode: keypad deadbolts

The SmartCode series is Kwikset's line of electronic keypad deadbolts. These locks operate with a user-programmed code — no physical key required for day-to-day entry, though a backup key cylinder is included on most models. SmartCode locks are popular in Florida rental properties, short-term rental units, and communities like The Villages where temporary access codes are more practical than making key copies for every visitor.

The most common SmartCode models are the 914 and 916. The 914 uses a push-button keypad with a standard deadbolt and accepts up to 8 user codes. The 916 upgrades to a backlit touchscreen and supports up to 30 user codes with auto-lock after a configurable time delay. Both run on four AA batteries with a typical 12-month battery life and provide a low-battery alert well before the battery dies.

• SmartCode 913 — push-button keypad knob, no deadbolt throw, interior doors only
• SmartCode 914 — push-button keypad with full single-cylinder deadbolt, up to 8 codes
• SmartCode 916 — backlit touchscreen deadbolt, up to 30 user codes, auto-lock
• SmartCode 917 — touchscreen with Z-Wave Plus for smart home integration
• All exterior SmartCode models include a physical key cylinder as a backup entry method

Kwikset Halo and Halo Touch: Wi-Fi smart locks

The Halo is Kwikset's Wi-Fi-enabled smart deadbolt — and one of the most common smart lock installations in Ocala and The Villages. Unlike Z-Wave or Zigbee smart locks that require a separate hub, the Halo connects directly to your 2.4 GHz home Wi-Fi. You control it through the Kwikset app from anywhere: lock and unlock remotely, assign temporary access codes to guests or service workers, and see a log of every access event by code.

The Halo Touch adds fingerprint authentication. Up to 100 fingerprints can be stored, and recognition is nearly instant. This is increasingly popular for homeowners who want hands-free entry — no phone required, no code to remember. Both models fit standard door preps. Most homes in Ocala and Central Florida accept the Halo or Halo Touch without any additional drilling to the door frame.

• Halo — Wi-Fi deadbolt, app-controlled, unlimited user codes managed via app, no hub required
• Halo Touch — Halo plus fingerprint authentication, stores up to 100 fingerprints
• Both require 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi; do not work on 5 GHz-only networks
• Kwikset app available on iOS and Android
• Physical key cylinder included on both models
• Installation takes 20–30 minutes; fits standard ANSI door preps

Kwikset Obsidian: touchscreen with no keyway

The Obsidian is a touchscreen deadbolt with no physical key cylinder — there is no keyhole on the exterior at all. Entry is by code only. This design eliminates lock picking, bump key attacks, and key duplication concerns entirely, at the cost of having no physical backup entry. If the battery depletes completely, you can temporarily power the lock by holding a 9-volt battery against the contact point at the bottom of the lock to enter a code and unlock the door.

The Obsidian suits homeowners who want a clean, minimalist look and are comfortable with an all-code entry system. It's not the right choice for a property with guests or renters who might not understand the backup procedure — in those cases, the SmartCode 916 or Halo with a physical key cylinder is more practical.

Entry knobs, levers, and handlesets

Beyond deadbolts, Kwikset makes entry knobs, levers, and full handlesets for exterior and interior doors. Entry knobs and levers include a spring latch with a key cylinder — they're often the primary entry mechanism on doors that don't have a separate deadbolt installed. This matters for security: a spring latch on a knob or lever is significantly easier to force open than a properly installed deadbolt. On any exterior door, a deadbolt should be present in addition to the knob or lever.

• Entry knobs — keyed exterior, thumb press interior, spring latch, typically ANSI Grade 2
• Entry levers — lever-style handle, keyed exterior, ADA-compliant designs available
• Passage knobs/levers — no keyed function, for interior rooms only
• Privacy knobs/levers — interior push-button pin, no key, for bathrooms and bedrooms
• Single-cylinder handlesets — decorative front entry hardware with integrated deadbolt
• Double-cylinder handlesets — keyed both sides, used on doors with adjacent glass panels

ANSI security grades — what they mean for Kwikset locks

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) rate residential and commercial locks on a three-tier scale. Grade 1 is the highest — designed for commercial applications, with the heaviest construction and the most resistance to forced entry. Grade 2 is standard residential. Grade 3 is the minimum — only appropriate for interior doors.

Most Kwikset products sold at big-box retailers are Grade 2. Kwikset's 980 SmartKey series and select SmartCode models meet Grade 1 standards. The grade is not always obvious from the box — check the product specification sheet before purchasing. For a primary exterior door on a Florida home, Grade 2 is the minimum. Grade 1 is worth the additional cost on any door that represents a primary forced-entry risk.

• ANSI Grade 1 — commercial/high-security; highest resistance to forced entry and picking
• ANSI Grade 2 — standard residential; meets typical exterior door security requirements
• ANSI Grade 3 — basic residential; appropriate for interior doors only
• Most Kwikset retail products are Grade 2 — verify the product spec before purchasing
• Kwikset 980 SmartKey deadbolt and select SmartCode models are rated Grade 1

How to choose the right Kwikset lock for your home

The decision comes down to three questions: Do you need the ability to rekey without a locksmith? Do you want keyless entry? Do you want remote access and a usage log?

• Rekeying flexibility needed (new purchase, rental property) → Kwikset SmartKey 780 deadbolt
• Keyless entry for family or guests without smart home integration → SmartCode 916
• Remote lock/unlock, activity log, temporary codes via app → Kwikset Halo
• Fingerprint entry plus all Halo features → Kwikset Halo Touch
• No keyhole, code-only entry, clean look → Kwikset Obsidian
• Existing Kwikset in good condition, recently moved in → rekey rather than replace

About Locksmith Enforcement

Locksmith Enforcement is bonded and insured and serves Ocala, The Villages, and Central Florida. Kobi, the owner, is the technician on every call — there are no subcontractors and no commission-based dispatch. We rekey Kwikset SmartKey deadbolts, install SmartCode keypad locks, and install Halo and Halo Touch smart locks on-site. We carry Kwikset-compatible key blanks in the van at all times.