Kwikset Halo Touch Review: Spy Fantasies Come to Life
“With the Kwikset Halo Touch, you can open your door with your fingerprint. It is all of your spy movie fantasies come to life! "
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easy installation
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Works every time
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Stores up to 100 fingerprints / 50 users
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Permanent
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Limited notifications
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Might be a little too security conscious
You have likely seen your favorite actor walk through the halls of a high security complex, approach a door, and then put his fingerprint on a scanner to access the inner sanctuary of a secret project. Perhaps you wish you could do that too. It turned out that Kwikset wanted the same thing – and then made it a reality.
The Kwikset Halo Touch is a bar with a built-in capacitive fingerprint sensor. It does exactly what Kwikset says it does. Touch the fingerprint sensor with an enrolled fingerprint and the latch will open. Another touch with a finger closes it. An LED light strip shows the current action, regardless of whether this opens, closes or signals an unrecognized fingerprint. The bolt package also contains a resealable tumbler lock and two keys as a backup.
installation
Kwikset gets things right right away. Setup and installation are very easy. The lock comes with boxes numbered 1 to 5, similar to a Lego set. Start with box number one and so on. I ran into a little problem because my front door only had a 1 "hole and the lock required a 2" hole. Keep this in mind if you plan to pick one up. I should also point out that the Halo Touch will replace your existing latch instead of working with it, which some people may find uncomfortable.
Once the latch is installed, simply launch the app. The lock first connects to your phone via Bluetooth and then connects to Wi-Fi from there. The Wi-Fi connection enables app notifications and remote control of the lock. Bluetooth is required to add users and change settings, for example. That can be a blessing and a curse. While it is far safer to limit interactions to Bluetooth, it would be far more convenient to be able to do more over Wi-Fi. Given that the main purpose of a latch is security, I can definitely understand the Kwikset mindset.
Familiar app setup
Once you've set up the app, all you have to do is take fingerprints for you and anyone else who wants to use the door. This in turn requires Bluetooth proximity. So keep that in mind. When a babysitter or house sitter comes by, you need to be there to see them take their fingerprints. Again, this is a flaw on the security side, so we cannot judge it too harshly.
The fingerprint registration process follows the same pattern as registering phone fingerprints. You touch the sensor, lift up, touch again, lift up, and so on. The app guides you through the process and saves up to 100 fingerprints for up to 50 different users. Registered fingerprints can be provided with additional security measures, e.g. B. if they are allowed to open the door. You can also disable the fingerprint reader for individual users if necessary.
The lock just does what it's supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less.
Once everything is set up, the lock does what it is supposed to. Touch the sensor and the lock will open. Touch it again, it locks. The sensor is non-reflective so you won't see your fingerprint on the pad after touching it. That's a nice security feature. You can also set the lock to automatic lock after a certain period of time. The Kwikset Halo Touch also works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
The lock suffers from typical problems with the fingerprint sensor. If your finger or the lock itself is wet, the sensor will not work. The lock is weatherproof so you don't have to worry about the elements outside of your home. However, if you come home in a rainstorm, having your keys on hand is probably a good idea. I wish there was another alternative here, like an automatic unlock that uses bluetooth and your location, or NFC so you can open the lock when the conditions are wrong for a fingerprint sensor. You can open the app and open the lock that way, but that's a bit of a hassle when you come home and just want to go in and take a load off. Lockly does that very well.
Finally, I want Kwikset to offer some notification options. I don't necessarily need a notification every time it gets locked or unlocked, but I want notifications when the reader has failed. A little more adjustment in this regard would be great to clean up the clutter.
Overall, I can't judge a product based on what I wanted. I'll judge it by what it does, and in this case, it does it perfectly. I had no problems with the lock during my test phase and I am pleased that fingerprint sensors on doors are becoming more and more common. In addition, Kwikset included everything you could want in a door lock built for the future.
Our opinion
If you want a fingerprint sensor for a latch, this is a great choice. From simple setup (aside from having to remove your old latch) to simple app setup, this lock meets or exceeds expectations. There are a few issues, but these are common to all fingerprint sensors, not just this one. Also, there are two different styles and two different finishes to match your home.
Is there a better alternative?
As with any product, there are usually alternatives that are better suited to your tastes. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is much easier to install as it slides over your existing latch. The Lockly Vision adds a camera and an encoded entry. However, if you need a fingerprint reading latch that isn't complicated, this is a really good choice.
How long it will take?
Kwikset has been in the door lock game for a long time and knows a thing or two about durability. This philosophy is also implemented in the smart home products. Kwikset has an entire website devoted to the durability tests it does. The lock I tested is made of solid metal and I suspect it will last for years.
Should I buy it?
Yes. This is a very solid product from a company with a history in the field. The lock just does what it's supposed to do. Nothing more, nothing less. There are no hiccups. Some smart home products try to push their limits and do too much. This lock stays with what it can do.
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