Latchkey Retrofit Lock: Keep Your Deadbolt, Add Smarts
A retrofit smart lock that mounts over your existing deadbolt in 10 minutes and keeps your keys working. Slower than a full replacement, but renter-friendly.
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The verdict
The Latchkey is the answer when you can't change the hardware. It is a little louder and bulkier than a full smart lock, but for renters or anyone who wants to keep a physical key, the tradeoff is worth it.
What we liked
- Installs over your current deadbolt, so your keys still work
- Genuinely renter-safe — no new hole, no replaced hardware
- Auto-lock timing is adjustable and reliable
What we didn’t
- The motor is louder than a built-in lock
- Bulkier on the inside of the door than a full replacement
Most smart locks ask you to replace your deadbolt. The Latchkey doesn’t — it clamps over the inside, turns the existing thumb-latch for you, and leaves the keyed cylinder alone.
That makes it the obvious pick for renters, and we’d point most apartment dwellers here over our main smart-lock pick. You give up some quiet and some slimness for it.
Installation
If you can hold a screwdriver, you can fit it in about ten minutes. No drilling, no replaced parts.
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