Best Smart Locks for Existing hardware reuse

#1

Keeping the outside hardware and existing deadbolt was repeatedly praised, especially for renters, maintenance access, and preserving exterior appearance.

#2

Reviewers liked that the retrofit design keeps existing exterior hardware, keys, and deadbolts, making it renter-friendly and low-modification.

#3

Existing hardware reuse scored well in the one clear opinionated case, where the lock worked with an existing strike plate and the reviewer called that nice.

#4

Existing hardware reuse was a strength in the replacement scenario, where the reviewer installed it easily after removing a prior Kwikset lock.

#5

One reviewer valued that the lock could mount without the kind of door drilling required by the previous lock, making the install feel friendlier to existing doors.

#6

Reviewers generally liked keeping exterior hardware and existing keys, especially for renters, though one questioned whether the retrofit concept justified the extra hardware and effort.

#7

One reviewer reused an existing strike plate successfully, suggesting some prior hardware can work when the bolt alignment is already right.

#8

Existing hardware reuse was inconsistent: one install kept the doorknob, while others noted the lock replaces more hardware or required a new handle/backplate changes.

#9

Existing hardware reuse was mixed: one reviewer thought reusing the old strike would save time, but that choice made installation take longer.

#10

Existing strike reuse was a weakness in one hands-on review because the tester had to adjust the strike plate before the lock behaved correctly.

#11

Because Lock+ replaces the full deadbolt, reviewers noted less reuse of existing keyed hardware and more friction when trying to keep old keys.

#12

One review treated hardware reuse as a drawback because Encode replaces the whole deadbolt instead of modifying the existing one.