Tapo DL110 Sensible Wi-Fi Lock assessment: It opens to your contact

Greatest Costs Immediately: TP-Hyperlink Tapo DL-110 Fingerprint Sensible Lock

The extraordinarily inexpensive Tapo DL100 Wi-Fi sensible lock I reviewed in July has change into a favourite amongst budget-conscious owners. It’s not flashy, however it’s reliable, with strong Wi-Fi connectivity, respectable app integration, and a clear design that’s straightforward to make use of.

The step-up Tapo DL110 provides sophistication to that design, incorporating a quick fingerprint reader, a extra highly effective rechargeable battery, stronger construct high quality, and extra sturdy safety from the weather. The DL110 represents an improve over its predecessor, however the suitable alternative for you’ll rely on the options you want.

Design and construct

TP-Hyperlink carries over the matte-black end and keypad format from the less-expensive Tapo DL00, however add a number of considerate refinements. The faceplate now features a delicate doorbell button that flips as much as reveal the keyhole, hiding the backup entry with out interfering with the faceplate design.

The general construct feels substantial and sturdy, with an all-metal housing, agency buttons, and a flush-fitting fingerprint sensor. TP-Hyperlink charges the outside escutcheon at IP65; our IP code decoder tells us which means it’s dustproof and may stand up to water jets coming from any course (in need of a strain washer, that’s).

James Barber/Foundry

The lock is licensed ANSI Grade 2, the business model of the BHMA ranking scale, which is greater than adequate for many properties (you possibly can learn in regards to the variations between ANSI and BHMA certifications on the previous hyperlink). This TP-Hyperlink lock feels reliable in every day use.

Set up

For those who’ve swapped out a deadbolt earlier than, set up might be comparatively straightforward. The Tapo DL110 makes use of an ordinary footprint that matches doorways between 1⅜ and a pair of inches thick. TP-Hyperlink contains all the standard spacers, screws, and templates. The printed directions are clear, and the Tapo app walks you thru calibration and connectivity as soon as the {hardware}’s in place.

Step one is to cost the ten,000mAh detachable battery with a USB-C cable, as I did the night earlier than set up. Set up was easy after I eliminated my earlier sensible lock. I used the TP-Hyperlink cellphone app (obtainable for iPhone and Android) to attach the DL110 to dwelling Wi-Fi and adopted directions to arrange the fingerprint entry. The whole course of took about fifteen minutes, together with the temporary problem I had whereas eradicating the rear panel from the TCL D2 Professional lock I wanted to uninstall first.

James Barber/Foundry

Sadly, precision issues to a Tapo DL110 set up greater than it does with different locks I’ve examined. The fingerprint and auto-lock features can behave erratically if the strike plate isn’t completely aligned. After working into some points as I began utilizing this lock, I went on-line to seek out that different makes use of have been reporting the identical points.

The motor tends to cycle repeatedly if the bolt isn’t completely set, however I ultimately adjusted my strike plate to resolve the issue. Whereas that doesn’t sound like a shocking concern or answer, that is the primary sensible lock I’ve examined that was so finicky. All of the others labored flawlessly with my current strike plate.

Day-to-day expertise

Biometric entry is the Tapo DL110’s greatest new characteristic. TP-Hyperlink says the fingerprint reader unlocks in about 0.42 seconds, and it actually does really feel that fast. The reader carried out persistently throughout a number of fingers and even acknowledged damp fingertips moderately effectively. I discovered the sensors much more forgiving than the house button on a fundamental iPad.

James Barber/Foundry

That near-instant recognition enables you to cease interested by codes or app faucets. Stroll up, contact the pad, and its bolt slides again quietly. The motor’s tone is decrease than on the DL100, and it feels extra refined total. It’s not fairly as spectacular because the touchless palm-vein expertise on the (far costlier) TCL D2 Professional, however it’s the perfect contact sensor I’ve used.

Along with the fingerprint entry, you need to use the PIN pad, which lights up when touched and helps decoy digits when you must conceal your code from prying eyes. There’s additionally management through the app, which works over both Wi-Fi or through a Bluetooth connection if your own home community is down. You can too lock the door with voice management through Alexa, Google Assistant, or SmartThings, and there’s a mechanical key as a last-ditch backup if the battery dies whilst you’re out. Alternatively, you possibly can plug in a USB-C cable linked to a conveyable energy financial institution.

The Tapo DL110 additionally has a built-in doorbell with a variable quantity that may be managed through the Tapo app. You can too pair the this lock with Tapo Chimes and Tapo Hubs, or with any Amazon Echo or Google Assistant audio system or shows.

Throughout day-to-day use, I by no means wanted to tug out my cellphone to lock or unlock the door. Throughout testing, I found that you may configure the app to unlock the door through Bluetooth when your cellphone is in proximity. This may be handy in case you frequently arrive dwelling with armloads of groceries, however preserve safety concerns in thoughts in case you select to make use of that characteristic.

Battery and energy design

James Barber/Foundry

Sensible locks stay or die by their energy administration. The DL110’s 10,000mAh rechargeable battery is an enormous enchancment over the DL100’s smaller, inside pack. TP-Hyperlink claims as much as a yr of runtime, relying on Wi-Fi stability and the way continuously you employ the lock.

After a month of roughly 10 to fifteen entries a day, the battery remained at one hundred pc. That’s encouraging, although long-term outcomes will rely on circumstances.

Charging is straightforward. The battery slides out in seconds and connects to any USB-C cable. From a wall adapter or laptop computer port, TP-Hyperlink says a full recharge takes about three to 4 hours, relying on the output present. A fast 30-minute top-off ought to simply cowl a number of weeks of typical use.

The one actual catch is likely to be a dealbreaker for some customers for the reason that lock stays offline throughout recharging until you’re utilizing that non permanent energy supply. In case your principal entry door is your solely method in, plan to cost when somebody’s dwelling or preserve a spare pack on standby. For many customers, this can be a minor trade-off for a battery you possibly can recharge indefinitely as a substitute of changing each few months.

Sensible options and app management

James Barber/Foundry

TP-Hyperlink’s Tapo app is without doubt one of the lock’s strongest options with a clear consumer interface with minimal steps required for setup. You may arrange fingerprints, create or delete PINs, schedule entry, and monitor utilization logs without having to dig by way of layer upon layer of menus.

The entry administration system permits you to create time-limited or recurring codes, assign totally different customers their very own profiles, and see who unlocked the door and when. Notifications arrive rapidly and reliably over Wi-Fi.

You can too combine the Tapo DL110 into Tapo Sensible Actions, TP-Hyperlink’s fundamental automation layer. Customers can arrange instructions that activate appropriate porch lights when the door unlocks, or schedule auto-locks at night time.

The Tapo DL110 is much less helpful for business landlords, missing the superior automation options that might permit it to generate non permanent visitor codes for trip leases and the flexibility combine with third-party property-management APIs.

However for owners, the DL110 covers practically every thing you’d count on, providing dependable Wi-Fi connectivity, easy scheduling, and instantaneous notifications in case your children neglect to lock up.

Efficiency and reliability

James Barber/Foundry

The Tapo DL110 proved regular over a number of weeks of testing. The fingerprint reader not often failed, and when it did, a second try virtually all the time labored. The keypad additionally responded rapidly, even in vibrant daylight. Bluetooth fallback kicked in immediately when Wi-Fi dropped.

The one hiccup got here from the auto-lock calibration talked about earlier. When the deadbolt meets resistance, the motor typically retries moderately than timing out gracefully. TP-Hyperlink would possibly  have the ability to clean that habits with firmware updates, however it’s the one annoyance that retains the DL110 shy of perfection.

Must you purchase the Tapo DL110 sensible lock?

The Tapo DL110 is good for owners who desire a biometric sensible lock with no luxurious price ticket. It’s intuitive sufficient for first-time smart-home customers, however versatile sufficient to fulfill fanatics already invested in TP-Hyperlink’s Tapo ecosystem.

It’s lightning-fast, with a sensible rechargeable battery, and its total consumer expertise feels refined. Sure, set up precision issues, and the automation layer may go deeper.

For those who’re able to retire your mechanical deadbolt and need one thing smarter with out going full premium, the Tapo DL110 belongs in your shortlist.

This assessment is a part of TechHive’s in-depth protection of the finest sensible locks.