Smart Locks / Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) vs Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad
Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR)
$259.00
VSYale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad
$179.99
Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) vs Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad
A retrofit with the Wi-Fi bridge actually included — and no Matter yet.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.1 points separate them. A retrofit with the Wi-Fi bridge actually included — and no Matter yet. The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) and Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad are both current-generation smart Lock models, and the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad is $79 cheaper than the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) ($179.99 vs $259). On Security, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads (7.5 vs 4.5/10) — published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door. On Battery Life, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads (8.5 vs 6.0/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands. On Smart Home Support, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads (6.5 vs 4.5/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each. Overall, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores 7.1/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.0/10 for the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) | Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $259.00 | $179.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Lock Type | Full deadbolt replacement | Retrofit over the existing deadbolt's interior thumbturn, plus a separate keypad |
| ANSI/BHMA Grade | BHMA Grade AAA (Kwikset's published claim), plus a UL 20-minute fire rating. Kwikset publishes the three-letter AAA grade rather than the A156.36 numeric grade | Not published by the manufacturer — Yale states no ANSI/BHMA grade for the Approach, and the retrofit inherits the grade of your existing deadbolt |
| Keeps Existing Keyway | No — but the SmartKey cylinder can be re-keyed by the owner to match an existing key | Yes — that is the point of the product; your existing cylinder and keys stay |
| Smart Radio | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Matter over Thread both built in, plus Bluetooth | Bluetooth in the lock and keypad. Wi-Fi comes from the plug-in Connect Bridge, which is included on this bundle |
| Hub or Bridge Required | No hub for Wi-Fi mode. Matter mode needs a Thread border router | Yes, but included — the Connect Wi-Fi Bridge is what provides remote access. The cheaper Approach SKUs omit it and Tom's Guide flags that as their main caveat |
| Apple Home Key | No — Apple Home Key is only on the dearer Halo Select Plus | No |
| UWB Hands-Free Unlock | No | No |
| Biometrics | None — touchscreen keypad only | Sources conflict: Yale's own bundle page lists the fingerprint-capable Keypad Touch, while the Amazon listing for this bundle describes a code-only Bluetooth touchscreen keypad. Confirm which keypad ships before ordering |
| Battery Type | 4 x AA alkaline (included) | Lock: 4 x AA alkaline (included). Keypad: 4 x AAA alkaline (included) |
| Claimed Battery Life (months) | Not published by the manufacturer | 12 |
| Backup Power & Key Override | SmartKey physical cylinder, owner re-keyable; Kwikset does not publish an emergency power contact | Your existing exterior key always works; Yale does not publish an emergency power contact on the Approach |
| Door Thickness / Backset | Doors 1-3/8 in to 1-3/4 in thick, adjustable 2-3/8 in or 2-3/4 in backset, 2-1/8 in cross bore | Most single-cylinder deadbolts; the keypad mounts within about 30 ft of the lock over Bluetooth. Lock body is 2.6 x 5.6 x 1.6 in on the inside of the door |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Satin Nickel, Matte Black | Black Suede, Satin Nickel |
Category Scores
Security
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads clearly here, 7.5 against 4.5 — a 3.0-point margin on published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door. If that is what you are buying for, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad does not close the gap elsewhere.
Fail-Safe Access
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late. If that is what you are buying for, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Connectivity
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.5 — a 0.5-point margin on which radios are actually inside the lock, and whether a hub or bridge is needed and included. If that is what you are buying for, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad does not close the gap elsewhere.
Smart Home Support
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) leads clearly here, 6.5 against 4.5 — a 2.0-point margin on matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each. If that is what you are buying for, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad does not close the gap elsewhere.
Entry Methods
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads clearly here, 6.0 against 5.5 — a 0.5-point margin on keypad, fingerprint, face, NFC fobs, Apple Home Key and UWB approach unlock. If that is what you are buying for, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery Life
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads clearly here, 8.5 against 6.0 — a 2.5-point margin on real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands. If that is what you are buying for, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Installation & Fit
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.0 — a 1.0-point margin on DIY difficulty, retrofit versus full replacement, and door thickness, backset and bore limits. If that is what you are buying for, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on security, entry methods and connectivity relative to price, including accessories you must buy separately. If that is what you are buying for, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) if…
- • Security matters most to you — the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) scores 7.5/10 here (published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door).
- • Smart Home Support matters most to you — the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) scores 6.5/10 here (matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each).
- • Your main use case is matter-thread.
Choose the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad if…
- • Battery Life matters most to you — the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores 8.5/10 here (real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands).
- • Fail-Safe Access matters most to you — the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores 8.5/10 here (what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late).
- • Installation & Fit matters most to you — the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores 9.0/10 here (DIY difficulty, retrofit versus full replacement, and door thickness, backset and bore limits).
- • You want to spend less — it's $79 cheaper.
- • Your main use case is retrofit.
Pros & Cons
Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR)
Pros
- +Genuinely dual-radio: Wi-Fi for hub-free remote access, or Matter-over-Thread if you already run a Thread mesh
- +SmartKey lets you re-key the cylinder to your existing house key in under a minute — no locksmith, no new keyring
- +BHMA Grade AAA and a UL 20-minute fire rating, both published rather than implied
- +One of the few locks here that states its door thickness, backset and bore limits outright
Cons
- −Matter mode is not a free upgrade: Kwikset's own comparison shows access-code add/remove, code scheduling, event history and door-sensor settings are Kwikset-app-over-Wi-Fi features, not Matter ones
- −No Apple Home Key — that is a separate, dearer Halo Select Plus SKU
- −No fingerprint reader at $259 when $200 locks here have one
- −Kwikset publishes no battery-life figure, and its own product reviews are peppered with Wi-Fi pairing and 'door jammed' complaints
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad
Pros
- +The bridge is actually in the box at this price, which is not true of the cheaper Approach listings buyers usually land on
- +12 months of claimed lock battery life is the longest AA figure in this set
- +Keeps your keyway and your keys, so nothing about the outside of your door changes
- +Backed by Yale/August's mature app, which is markedly better maintained than most budget lock apps
Cons
- −No Matter today — Yale describes it as coming by software update, which is a promise rather than a feature you can buy
- −No Apple Home Key and no HomeKit tap-to-unlock; iPhone owners are in the Yale app
- −Yale publishes no ANSI/BHMA grade, and a retrofit cannot improve the deadbolt you already have
- −Which keypad you get is genuinely unclear between Yale's own listing and the Amazon listing — fingerprint or code-only changes the value considerably
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Security, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) scores higher on Security (7.5/10 vs 4.5/10) — published ANSI/BHMA grade, bolt and cylinder strength, and whether the lock upgrades or merely inherits the keyway already on your door.
Which is better for Battery Life, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad?+
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores higher on Battery Life (8.5/10 vs 6.0/10) — real-world runtime, cell cost and how much recharging or replacing it demands.
Which is better for Smart Home Support, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) scores higher on Smart Home Support (6.5/10 vs 4.5/10) — matter, Thread, Apple Home Key, Alexa, Google and SmartThings breadth — and how many features you lose in each.
Which is better for Fail-Safe Access, the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) or the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad?+
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad scores higher on Fail-Safe Access (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — what happens when the battery dies, the Wi-Fi drops or the app is down — physical key, emergency power contact and offline codes. The spec buyers most often discover too late.
Is the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) worth the price difference over the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad?+
The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad is the cheaper option at $179.99 versus $259. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Security.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) is the better fit if you mainly care about matter-thread. The Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad is the better fit for retrofit.
What's the warranty on the Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) vs the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad?+
The Kwikset Halo Select Touchscreen (9800-WIFI-THRD-TSCR) ships with a 12-month warranty; the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint Matter — $199.99
Premium Option
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05) — $199.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.