KO smart lock
- Older model: battery life and lockout reliability The reviewer replaced a bad older KO smart lock experience with the DL110, mainly because of battery and lockout issues.
Tapo Smart Door Lock DL110 Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Tapo DL110 for fast fingerprint access, strong battery life, guest codes, and app control under premium-lock prices. Skip it if your door alignment is tricky or you need HomeKit, Matter, or property-management APIs.
Best for
Best for homeowners who want quick fingerprint entry, remote app control, guest access, notifications, and a rechargeable smart lock without paying flagship prices. It also fits people already using Tapo, Alexa, Google Home, or SmartThings.
Not for
Not for buyers who need proven HomeKit, Matter, Thread, rental-platform API automation, or a lock that tolerates poor deadbolt alignment without adjustment. It is also not ideal if you need documented pick/drill ratings.
Verdict
The Tapo DL110 earns strong review support because it combines fast fingerprint access, a large rechargeable battery, remote app control, guest codes, notifications, and Grade 2 security at a budget-friendly price. Reviewers repeatedly found setup easy and the app approachable, while the built-in doorbell and voice-assistant support add everyday convenience. The tradeoff is fit sensitivity: one detailed review found the strike plate and calibration needed more precision than other locks, and the motor can retry if the bolt meets resistance. It is best treated as a high-value homeowner lock, not a commercial rental-platform solution.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
Tapo DL100
- Older model: feature set and build The DL110 is framed as a step-up from the cheaper Tapo DL100 with more premium features.
TCL D2 Pro
- Better: biometric unlocking technology The DL110 fingerprint sensor impressed the reviewer, but not as much as the TCL D2 Pro's touchless palm-vein method.
Feature Scorecards
Pros
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A locksmith review specifically praised the SC1/Schlage keyway because it can be pinned to an existing house key.
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Battery life was one of the strongest themes: reviewers liked the 10,000 mAh rechargeable pack, USB-C charging, emergency power, and claimed year-long runtime.
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Unlocking speed was a standout, especially by fingerprint, with several reviewers calling it near-instant or quoting 0.42-second recognition.
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Fingerprint unlocking was one of the clearest strengths, repeatedly described as fast, accurate, easy to register, and a major convenience upgrade.
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Reviewers repeatedly emphasized BHMA/ANSI Grade 2 certification and the claim of 400,000 uses as a security and durability advantage.
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Value was one of the strongest points, with many reviewers saying the DL110 delivers premium smart-lock features around the under-$150 range.
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Reviewers repeatedly praised the event/activity logs for showing who used the lock, when codes or fingerprints were used, and when the doorbell rang.
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Guest access was a major strength, with one-time, temporary, scheduled, recurring, and household codes appearing across many reviews.
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User management was consistently strong, with profiles, members, fingerprints, admin codes, household access, and scheduled permissions.
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Weather resistance was positive where discussed, with IP65, weatherproof design, and rain/snow/temperature handling mentioned.
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Notifications were frequently praised for arriving quickly and showing lock, unlock, doorbell, suspicious activity, and user-specific events.
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The Tapo app was consistently described as clear, useful, and easy to set up, with controls for codes, fingerprints, logs, notifications, and settings.
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The strongest two-factor-like evidence was app biometric verification, which requires a fingerprint before app lock/unlock actions.
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Most reviewers found installation straightforward, often taking 5–20 minutes, but one detailed review warned that precise strike-plate alignment matters.
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Build quality impressions were positive overall, with reviewers calling the lock durable, sturdy, well-made, and premium for the price.
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Auto-lock was widely covered and generally liked, especially because the timer and schedules can be adjusted, though one review saw retries when calibration was off.
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Tamper detection was covered most directly in one review, which described a tamper alarm and suspicious-activity notifications.
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Remote locking and unlocking through the app was repeatedly demonstrated and treated as one of the lock's most practical smart features.
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Security features were broad for the price, including scramble/decoy PINs, suspicious-activity alerts, wrong-try lockout, and app biometric confirmation.
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Wi-Fi support was central to remote access, notifications, setup, and smart-home control, with Bluetooth available as fallback.
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Bluetooth was valued as a fallback or close-range control method, especially when Wi-Fi is down.
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Reviewers liked the built-in doorbell as a useful extra, with phone notifications, app controls, and adjustable or paired chime options; no camera performance was reviewed.
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Smart-home support was consistently listed for Alexa, Google Home/Assistant, and SmartThings, with useful app and voice control examples.
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Voice control worked with Alexa and Google examples, though some unlocking flows require an access code for security.
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Failed-attempt protection was described as a lockout or wrong-try limiter that can notify the user and temporarily block further attempts.
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The keypad was generally easy to use, with passcode entry, decoy/scramble options, and responsive operation, though it may need a touch to wake.
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Physical-key backup was consistently presented as a practical last-resort option, hidden behind the doorbell cover and paired with USB-C emergency power.
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Door fit was generally manageable for standard deadbolt-style installations, but reviewers emphasized checking compatibility and alignment first.
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Finish feedback was positive, especially the matte surface resisting fingerprints or helping hide smudges on the exterior keypad area.
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Core use was described through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, app, and voice integrations; hubs and chimes appeared as optional accessories rather than strict requirements.
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Jam handling was lightly covered; one review showed a door-jam alarm setting, while another described motor retries when the bolt met resistance.
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Reliability was positive in normal use, with steady operation over weeks, but careful calibration and strike-plate alignment are important.
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Motor feedback was mixed: some reviewers found it quieter or refined, while one saw repeated cycling when the bolt was not aligned perfectly.
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Only one review directly discussed loudness, saying the built-in speaker can get pretty loud at full volume.
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Support evidence focused on in-app setup help, user guides, installation guides, firmware checks, and support-center links rather than warranty terms.
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Firmware support appeared in setup and troubleshooting context, with one reviewer hoping updates could improve motor retry behavior.
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The only proximity-style evidence came from Bluetooth unlocking when the phone is nearby; reviewers did not document full geofence automation.
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The exterior keypad/display is touch-activated, but one reviewer wished it had motion wake so it was ready before touching it.
Cons
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The main evidence on reusing existing hardware was mixed: one reviewer had to adjust the strike plate because the DL110 was more alignment-sensitive than prior locks.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Smart Locks, this product is above average in Fingerprint, Keyway quality, Two-factor authentication availability.
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fingerprint | 4.6 | 3.5 | +1.1 |
| Keyway quality | 4.7 | 3.4 | +1.3 |
| Two-factor authentication availability | 4.5 | 3.4 | +1.1 |
| Battery | 4.7 | 3.8 | +0.8 |
| Value and Price | 4.6 | 3.9 | +0.7 |
| Tamper detection sensitivity | 4.5 | 3.6 | +0.9 |
| Camera and doorbell performance | 4.4 | 3.7 | +0.6 |
| Bluetooth | 4.4 | 3.7 | +0.7 |
FAQ
How fast is the fingerprint reader?
Reviewers consistently found it fast and accurate, with multiple reviews describing near-instant unlocking and one citing 0.42-second recognition.
Does the Tapo DL110 work without replacing batteries constantly?
Yes. Reviews repeatedly highlight the 10,000 mAh rechargeable battery, USB-C charging, emergency power, and claimed runtime of about a year.
Can I give temporary access to guests or workers?
Yes. Reviewers described one-time, scheduled, recurring, and user-specific PIN codes, plus logs that show who accessed the lock and when.
Is installation easy?
Most reviewers said installation took about 5 to 20 minutes with basic tools, but one review warned that strike-plate alignment needs to be precise for reliable auto-locking.
Does it support smart-home control?
Reviews show support for Alexa, Google Home/Assistant, and SmartThings, including voice locking and app-based control. The evidence does not show HomeKit, Matter, or Thread support for the DL110.
What happens if the battery dies?
Reviewers noted two backup options: a hidden physical key behind the doorbell cover and a USB-C emergency power port for temporary power.
Does it include a camera?
No review evidence shows a camera. Reviewers did discuss the built-in doorbell, phone notifications, volume controls, and optional chime pairing.
Consider This Instead
If you want better Existing hardware reuse
Choose Yale August Smart Lock. It scores 5.0 vs 2.8 for Existing hardware reuse, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Smart-home integration (Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, Matter, Thread)
Choose Aqara UWB Smart Lock U400. It scores 4.8 vs 4.4 for Smart-home integration (Alexa, Google, Siri, HomeKit, Matter, Thread), with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better Remote access
Choose Desloc D110 Plus Smart Lock. It scores 4.8 vs 4.4 for Remote access, with a 4.1 overall score.
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