Head to head
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock vs Kwikset Halo Touch (2027)
August retrofit vs Kwikset Halo Touch fingerprint lock for 2027: invisible install against one-touch biometrics.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Keep your key and deadbolt; add brains inside.
- Design: Retrofit, interior mount
- Unlock methods: App, auto-unlock, key (existing)
Kwikset Halo Touch
Fingerprint unlock with WiFi, at a mid-range price.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
- Unlock methods: Fingerprint, keypad, key, app
Our recommendation
Choose the August if you rent or cannot alter the door exterior. Choose the Kwikset Halo Touch if you own the door and want the fastest entry method: fingerprint beats every other unlock for speed with arms full of groceries.
Install philosophy
August changes nothing outside: same key, same deadbolt, same look. Kwikset replaces the whole deadbolt with a fingerprint keypad unit. Renters have no real choice here; owners get to pick between invisible and upgraded.
Unlock speed
Fingerprint is the fastest keyless method, around a second from touch to open, and it works for kids without phones. August auto-unlock is hands-free but phone-dependent and occasionally mistimed. For a busy family entry, the Halo Touch wins the daily experience.
Guest access
Kwikset gives guests a keypad code out of the box plus app access. August needs the separate keypad accessory for code entry; without it, guests need the app or a physical key. Price the August keypad bundle if guests matter.
Choose August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) if…
- You rent or face HOA exterior restrictions
- You want to keep using your existing physical key
- Hands-free auto-unlock appeals more than biometrics
Choose Kwikset Halo Touch if…
- You own the home and can replace the deadbolt
- Kids or family members need phoneless entry
- You want fingerprint plus keypad plus key in one unit
Questions, answered
Which is more secure?
The Kwikset is a full deadbolt replacement with Grade 2 certification; the August inherits whatever grade your existing deadbolt has. A quality existing deadbolt plus August is fine; a cheap existing deadbolt favors replacing it with the Kwikset.
Can I add a keypad to the August later?
Yes, the August keypad accessory pairs wirelessly and mounts outside. It is the fix for guest access on a retrofit install.
Do fingerprints work in rain?
Wet fingers read poorly. The Halo Touch keypad and key backups cover rainy days; enroll fingers dry and the reader handles normal humidity fine.