If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your door with a smart lock, you’ve probably noticed there’s a big choice to make right off the bat, do you want one with a handle or without? At first, it might seem like a small detail, but the style you pick can make a big difference in how your door looks and how it feels to use every day.
A handled smart lock can give your entryway a traditional, easy-to-grip feel, while a handle-free design keeps things clean, modern, and minimalist. Both have their perks, and the right one really depends on your home’s vibe and how you like to come and go.
In this post, we’ll chat about what sets these two styles apart, how they work with different doors, and which one might be the better fit for your home.
Understanding the Two Main Styles of Smart Door Locks
Before choosing your next smart lock, it’s helpful to know the basic difference between handle and no-handle models. Handle-style smart locks combine the locking mechanism and handle whether that’s a lever or knob into one complete unit. They’re convenient for doors where you want everything in one place, like front or back entries that see a lot of use.
No-handle smart locks, on the other hand, focus purely on the locking mechanism. They don’t include a built-in handle, offering a cleaner, more modern look that pairs perfectly with doors that already have a pull handle or push plate. This style often appeals to those who want a minimalist aesthetic or a custom setup.
Smart Door Locks: Handle vs. No Handle Options
Once you start comparing smart door locks, you’ll notice they generally fall into two main styles, with a handle or without one. Each design brings its own look, feel, and practical benefits, so it’s worth considering how you use your doors day to day.
Handle Smart Locks
If you like the feel of a built-in grip and want an all-in-one design, handle-style smart locks are a great option.
Smart Door Lock Slim - A sleek model with an integrated lever handle, perfect for busy entry doors where style and everyday ease come together. It offers fingerprint access, keypad entry, and app control, all wrapped in a slim profile that complements most door styles.
Sliding Door Smart Lock Knob - Features a compact knob handle that works on both sliding and swing doors, offering versatility without taking up extra space. It includes a touchscreen keypad and remote access for smooth, reliable operation in compact or non-traditional setups.
No-Handle Smart Locks
For a cleaner, more minimalist look, no-handle smart locks keep things simple and stylish.
Next Gen Smart Lock – A smooth, handle-free design that focuses on advanced tech and sleek aesthetics. It includes fingerprint access, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and passcode entry. Its standout features are the deadbolt auto-lock function and face recognition, which make it one of the most secure and hands-free options available.
Deadbolt Smart Door Lock – A straightforward deadbolt-style lock that blends traditional security with modern smart features. It offers keypad and remote access, a durable metal build, and simple installation, perfect for upgrading from a standard deadbolt without changing your door’s look. This model also suits wider stile doors, giving you more flexibility in fitting and design.
Before picking your smart lock, it’s important to make sure it’s a good fit for your door, literally. The right match depends on your door’s type, thickness, and style, as well as how you want the lock to function day to day.
Door Compatibility and Installation
Handle Smart Locks
Handle-style smart locks are often the easiest choice for standard front and back doors, since they combine the handle and lock in one setup. The Smart Door Lock Slim fits most standard door thicknesses and works especially well on doors that open frequently, where a quick grip and smooth motion matter most. The Sliding Door Smart Lock Knob is more versatile, it’s designed for a variety of door types, making it a great pick for patios or side entries where space is tighter.
Both handle models come with a mortise lock body, offering a secure and seamless installation. They’re also suitable for both narrow and wide stile doors, making them flexible options for different door designs and materials. Installation may take a bit more time than a surface-mounted lock, but the end result feels solid and looks refined.
No-Handle Smart Locks
No-handle smart locks are best suited for doors where you want a cleaner, more minimal appearance, or where the handle is positioned separately from the lock. The Next Gen Smart Lock works well on a wide range of doors and is also compatible with narrow and wide stile setups.
The Deadbolt Smart Door Lock is ideal for wider stile doors, giving you extra flexibility when it comes to fitting and alignment. These models often replace existing deadbolts, making installation quick and easy, typically requiring just a screwdriver and a few minutes of setup in the app.
Whether you’re outfitting a new build or upgrading your current door, checking your measurements and mortise placement ahead of time ensures a perfect fit. Once installed, both styles offer a major upgrade in security and convenience, without compromising your door’s look.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing between a handle or no-handle smart lock, there’s really no wrong answer, just the one that fits your home and lifestyle best. If you want a more traditional, all-in-one look that’s quick to grab and easy to use, a handle-style lock is a perfect match. But if you’re drawn to clean lines, minimal hardware, and a modern vibe, a no-handle design delivers that sleek, sophisticated finish.
Whichever style you choose, both bring the same core benefits: smart access, convenience, and enhanced security. From fingerprint entry and face recognition to app control and auto-locking features, today’s smart locks make coming and going easier than ever.
Think about how you use your doors, the overall look you want to achieve, and the type of setup your door supports. Once those details align, you’ll have a smart lock that not only secures your home, but also complements it beautifully.