TP-Link Tapo DL105 Review: Fingerprint Entry Without the Hub or the Key
The Tapo DL105 is a straightforward upgrade for a standard deadbolt: fingerprint entry, a keypad, the Tapo app over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and two physical keys, with no hub needed. Its rechargeable battery, built-in doorbell and BHMA Grade 3 build make it a strong value for a Tapo household, while the 2.4 GHz-only radio and the missing Apple Home, Matter and Home Assistant support are the main reasons to look elsewhere.
- Households that want fingerprint entry without a hub
- Tapo, Alexa, Google Home or SmartThings users
- Families issuing one-time or scheduled codes to guests
- Anyone replacing a standard single-cylinder deadbolt
Pros
- Fingerprint entry for up to 100 prints, with a keypad and two backup keys
- Direct 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, with no hub or bridge
- Rechargeable 7,800 mAh battery, about a year in Wi-Fi mode and up to two years in Bluetooth mode
- Auto-lock timer plus one-time and scheduled access codes
- Built-in doorbell on the exterior keypad
- Works with Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings
- BHMA Grade 3 certification and an IP54 exterior
- Fits standard single-cylinder deadbolts with a 60 or 70 mm backset
Cons
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only, with no 5 GHz radio
- No Apple HomeKit, Apple Home Key or Matter support
- IP54 covers the exterior assembly only; the interior is not weatherproofed
- No door sensor included, so auto-lock runs on a timer
- No camera, so the doorbell only rings
- One-year warranty
Who is the TP-Link Tapo DL105 for?
It suits a home with a standard single-cylinder deadbolt that wants keyless entry without buying into a hub or a subscription. The lock fits doors from 35 to 55 mm thick with a 60 or 70 mm backset, and it replaces the existing deadbolt without extra drilling. Up to 100 fingerprints and 200 access codes cover a family, renters and service visits, and the built-in doorbell means a visitor can ring without a separate button. It is a natural fit for anyone already running Tapo cameras or doorbells, since it lives in the same app, but it also works on its own.
What buyers praise
The fingerprint reader is the feature owners return to most: they describe it as quick and consistent, and several compare it favourably with the fingerprint locks they replaced. Setup gets similar marks, with owners reporting a straightforward swap into the existing bore and a simple pairing in the Tapo app. Battery life is another recurring positive, with owners saying the rechargeable pack lasted well beyond six months and, in one case, more than a year without a recharge. People also value the app's activity log, real-time notifications and the ability to issue one-time codes, and the auto-lock timer is a frequent reason for buying: it removes the nightly check that the door is locked. The built-in doorbell and the keypad, alongside the fingerprint reader, are what owners point to when they call it good value.
What to know before you buy
The wireless side is 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 only, so there is no 5 GHz radio. There is also no Apple HomeKit, no Apple Home Key and no Matter, and the smart home list stops at Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings. Apple households should look at a HomeKit or Matter lock instead. Auto-lock runs on a timer rather than a door sensor, because the DL105 ships without one, so it cannot know whether the door is actually closed. The IP54 rating covers the exterior assembly only; the interior assembly is not weatherproofed, so the lock belongs on a sheltered door. There is no camera, so the doorbell rings but does not show who is there. A few owners report that the fingerprint reader occasionally asks for a second try, and one owner received a unit that failed after a month, so buying from a seller with a clear return window matters. The one-year warranty is shorter than the two years TP-Link gives its plugs, lights and switches.
Is the TP-Link Tapo DL105 worth it?
For a standard deadbolt in a Tapo, Alexa, Google Home or SmartThings home, it covers the essentials well: fingerprint entry, a keypad, app control, Bluetooth, two backup keys, a rechargeable battery and a doorbell, with BHMA Grade 3 certification and an IP54 exterior. The lack of 5 GHz Wi-Fi, HomeKit, Matter and a door sensor keeps it from being the most future-proof choice, and the interior panel's lack of weather protection limits where it can go. If those limits do not matter, it is a well-equipped lock at a fair price rather than a premium one, and its rechargeable battery and fingerprint reader are the two features that justify the upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Tapo DL105 need a hub?
No. It connects directly over 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for remote control and notifications and over Bluetooth 5.0 for nearby access, so it needs no hub or bridge. The core features work without a subscription.
How long does the Tapo DL105 battery last?
Tapo rates the removable 7,800 mAh battery for about one year in Wi-Fi mode and up to two years in Bluetooth-only mode, assuming 20 unlocks a day. A USB-C port on the exterior assembly lets you power the lock from a phone or power bank if the battery runs flat.
Does the Tapo DL105 work with Apple HomeKit or Matter?
No. It works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Samsung SmartThings. There is no Apple HomeKit, no Apple Home Key and no Matter support.
How many fingerprints and codes can the Tapo DL105 store?
Up to 100 fingerprints and 200 access codes. Codes can be permanent, one-time or scheduled, and anti-peep entry lets you type random digits around the real code.
Is the Tapo DL105 weatherproof?
The exterior assembly is IP54 rated against dust and splashes, and the lock is BHMA Grade 3 certified. The interior assembly is not weatherproofed, so the lock suits a sheltered door rather than a fully exposed one.
Does the Tapo DL105 lock itself when the door closes?
Auto-lock runs on a customizable timer. The lock ships without a door sensor, so it does not detect that the door has closed before locking.
Does the Tapo DL105 have a camera?
No. The exterior keypad has a doorbell button, so a visitor can ring, but there is no camera or video recording.












