Kwikset SmartCode 916 Z-Wave Smart Lock Review

Another popular model of Kwikset is at our review today. Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock has Bluetooth and Z-Wave connection options as out of the box. Home connect technology makes it even smarter with communication over Z-Wave smart devices.

In our review, we will have a look at Samsung SmartThings paired version to show you the maximum potential of this Kwikset smart lock. We will also show you other compatible smart hubs and the abilities so you will have full information. We hope you will find our review valuable before you buy a smart lock.

What are the compatible smart hubs?

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock can be controlled by the following devices. Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, Ring Alarm System, Iris, Wink, Xfinity, Cox system, Skybell Doorbell and even more Z-Wave compatible systems. We will share information about Samsung SmartThings, Echo Dot, Ring Alarm System and Wink because we own these products for testing.

Smartcode 916 does not have it’s own Kwikset app. A smart hub connection will always be needed for locking/unlocking operations either in the Bluetooth range or remotely while you are away from home.

Samsung SmartThings

Samsung Smartthings Hub is the one of the best smart hub options for this Kwikset smart lock. It can be easily paired to each other. After pairing you can control your smart lock over the SmartThings app. Adding,deleting and managing user codes can be one on the app. App will let you to enter 5 digit codes only. Steps to follow for pairing:

Launch the SmartThings app and tap on “My Home” tab. Next, tap “+” sign and push “A” button on the interior unit of the lock just one time. Finally, enter a desired name. This is all you have to do. You can now control your Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock remotely or inside the Bluetooth range. You can do following things with Samsung SmartThings:

• Lock and unlock from anywhere
• Use the app to delete or add user codes
• Receive alerts when a user code is entered
• Control battery level with app
• Set automation series with triggers as locking the door and turning off all of the connected devices
• If you have more than one smart locks installed, you can check status of all of them from the app
• Receive notifications when door is locked / unlocked by using code
• Voice control with Alexa
• Check the logs of usage

Amazon Alexa

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock requires a smart hub to connect with Echo Dot. We suggest you to use Samsung SmartThings hub because we had a feeling as this smart lock is mainly designed to work with this hub.

First you must connect your Echo Dot to Samsung Smartthings Hub. Steps are a little bit long so we will not share them here but you can find the instructions to connect Alexa to your Samsung Smartthings Hub at the pdf we shared here.

You can not use Alexa to start at any kind of routines that is set with the other smart devices connected to each other at your house. This means Alexa can lock the door but can not turn off the lights or set the alarm over the Samsung SmartThings hub.

Below you can find some voice commands to control your Kwikset smart lock over Alexa. You should give your lock a name on Alexa app. Assuming your lock’s name is “front door”:

• Check if your front door is locked or not: “Alexa, is my front door locked?”
• Lock your door: “ Alexa, lock the front door”
• Unlock your door: “ Alexa, unlock the front door ” [you will also need to say your pin code]

Ring Alarm Home Security System

If you have a Ring Alarm Home Security System installed at your house, you can lock/unlock your door over the Ring app too. It is working so much well that you will feel as you are using Ring Alarm smart lock.

It has base station working with Z-Wave so you can use it as a smart hub without any other things needed. Below you can find some of the things you can do if you pair your Kwikset SmartCode 916 Z-Wave Smart Lock with Ring Alarm Home Security System.

• Lock and unlock from anywhere
• Delete or add user codes over the app
• Get alerts when a user code is entered
• Check the battery level with app
• Disable the Ring alarm when user code entered
• Receive notifications when the door is unlocked/locked
• Set automation series as starting to record when door is unlocked
• Voice control with Alexa
• Check the logs of usage

Wink

Wink is also another smart hub option to control your Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock. Voice control by Alexa is also supported at Wink. However, Wink unfortunately can not unlock your door over Alexa due to security reasons just similar to Samsung Smart Things hub.

Wink app gives you ability to control your lock from inside the house or remotely from anywhere. Remote locking and unlocking can be done easily over their app. Additionally, you can add, delete user codes and check the logs.

There is another thing called Robots at Wink hub. Robots simply performs the actions you defined between your smart devices starting with a defined triggering action. To clear this we can give an example as creating a Robot to automatically unlock your Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock when your alarm system is deactivated or your lights are turned on. Here is the list of the things you can do with Wink at your Kwikset smart lock:

• Remotely lock or unlock from everywhere
• Use the app to delete or add user codes
• Control battery level with app
• Reminders for removing the unnecessary codes
• Setup Robot to work with other connected devices. E.g. your light will turn off and your lock will be locked
• Create Wink widgets to trigger automation series like “Goodnight” to turn off all of the devices and lock the door
• Voice control with Alexa
• Check the usage logs

Keypad Of Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock

Kwikset have chosen to use capacitive touchsreen keypad on this smart lock. It lights up when you touch to screen so you can use it in the dark. Under the direct sunlight most of the keypads having visibility problems and this one is also not an exception. Screen is not very sensitive and as a result you will sometimes have to push to screen hard and couple of times to wake it up. Locking operation can be done by just presing the lock button on the keypad.

Weather conditions effecting the keypad as the other ones on the market. We have to warn you that if this keypad gets too much direct sunlight, glass of the touchscreen can be cracked due to heat. When it is really hot, you should put your hand on it for some seconds and cool down to make it work. Under the rainy conditions you will have to clean the screen to use it. If it is too much cold as -20°C, you should press even harder to wake up the keypad and input your code. To be honest, we have found Oaks Smart Lock and Nest x Yale Lock with Nest Connect performing better as keypad.

Keypad Of Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock has SecureScreen™ technology. When you wake up the keypad it will show you 2 random numbers. You have to press them in order to continue entering your code. This feature aims to prevent code guessing by examining fingerprints on screen. You can activate or deactivate it by the 4th switch from left which you will see after removing the cover of the interior unit.

User Codes

You can program up to 30 user codes with 4 to 8 digits at the same time. Kwikset Smartcode 916 programming can be done in 2 ways. You can either directly program them on the keypad by using the interior unit or on the smart hub app that you are using.

Programming codes over the keypad is not very simple. You have to remove the cover of interior unit by removing 3 screws and press the “Programming Button” to start the procedure. You can optionally choose to set a mastercode for adding or deleting user codes. It is disabled as default but you can enable it if you want to add this protection to your programming procedure. In this point we suggest you to use the app for adding/deleting codes. Kwikset Smartcode 916 programming manual can be found at here.

Codes can not be created as one time usage, temporary or recurring. Once you create the codes they will not expire until you delete them. If you don’t need the codes any more, you should delete them by the smart hub app that you are using for the fastest solution. On the other hand, you can delete them over the keypad too but it requires even more steps than adding user codes procedure. At least, having one time password option would be great fit to Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock. When compared we found both Oaks Smart Lock and Nest x Yale Lock with Nest Connect as better options for code variations.

Auto Lock

Auto lock is a very popular and useful feature for smart locks and electronic deadbolts. Many people use it in case of forgetting to lock the door or they just don’t want to spend time on it. Auto lock is disabled by Kwikset as default. Once you activate it, your lock will lock the door after 30 seconds over the last unlocking time. 30 seconds is the only option you can use.

Activating auto lock requires a switch operation on the interior unit. In order tho reach this switch you must remove the 3 screws holding the cover and slide it up. After you will see 4 switches in fron of you. You must change the 2nd switch from left to on by changing it’s position to up.

SmartKey Security™ and Fire Protection

SmartKey Security™ is new protection technology developed by Kwikset. It presents you pick resistant and bump proof door lock in order to take security to higher levels. You don’t have to worry about lock picking or lock bumping (bump key) attacks on your door.

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock is BHMA Grade 2 certified and UL certified with 20 minute fire rating which is pretty enough performance in fire situations. It has tamper resisting interior cover secured by anti-tamper screws.

Smartkey Rekey

Kwikset made rekeying extremely easy with new Smartkey Rekey technology. In simple words you can use a Kwikset KW1 Keyway key on your smart lock and other locks. Just one key for all locks sounds better than having couple of keys for each lock. We love this feature and enjoy to rekey every time on our own without a locksmith.

Here is the step by step guide for you to perform Kwikset rekey. You can also jump below to watch video.

1) First you have to remove the battery and set deadbolt to locked position

If you have a knob or lever, make sure it is in the lock position

— Make sure that your door can not be closed by wind or other factors while you are at the outside

2) Insert Currently Used Key :

— FULLY insert your currently used key then rotate 90 degrees clockwise (note that instructions are the same regardless of cylinder orientation)

3) Insert SmartKey tool fully and firmly into the SmartKey hole :

— You may feel the tool click inside the lock which is normal — Remove SmartKey tool

— Remove current key

4) Insert New Key

— Insert Kwikset (KW1) keyway compatible key you wish to use with lock

— Make sure that the key is FULLY inserted

— The edge of the key touched the indent on the cylinder surface

— Rotate the key 180 degrees clockwise but please don’t pull or push the key

— Finally, pull the key without too much force to make sure it will NOT come out in this position

Battery Life Of Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock uses 4 x AA Alkaline batteries as power source. These batteries are included in the package. We suggest you to buy quality batteries for longer usage period. We generally suggest our readers to buy Duracell batteries for the longest usage time. The ones coming inside the box can disappoint you. Also you can’t use rechargable batteries on this Kwikset smart lock.

Kwikset claims the battery life as 6 to 12 months but what we have seen is not even close to this. Depending on our experiences, battery will finish around every 4-6 weeks. You can extend this time by using the lock on a very well aligned door, under ideal working temperatures and without smart capabilites. Other competitors as Oaks Smart Lock and Nest x Yale Lock with Nest Connect performs around 10 months of usage without battery changing.

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock can send you notifications over the app of your smart hub to inform you about low battery. You can also follow the situation of your battery over the app. These features working well on SmartThings app. Additionally, checkmark and lock symbols will flash simultaneously five times with five beeps when your battery gets low. If you want to hear the beep sound you should open the interior cover and change the position of button 3 from left to up.

Changing batteries is not very dificult but it can make you bored after repeating every 4-6 weeks. You must remove 3 screws on the cover of interior unit and slide it up in order to reach battery pack. It will take around 3-4 minutes to finish battery changing. If you don’t change your batteries on time then you can still use your key to unlock the door.

Installation process Of Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock

Please check and confirm that your door has the following specs in order to fit this smart lock to your door:

Door thickness: 1-3/8″ to 1-3/4″
Latch bore: 1″
Backset: 2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″
Bore hole: 1-1/2″ or 2-1/8″

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock has very easy installation process with ruler and Phillips Head Screwdriver only. You will not need drilling. Depending on your experiences you can expect to install this product between 20 – 25 minutes. In some cases a hummer and a wood block may be needed but probably you won’t need them. Here we are sharing you Kwikset 916 Z Wave manual. Below you can also watch the video of installation process.

Technical Details Chart

Item Weight	4 pounds
Product Dimensions	10 x 7.9 x 6.3 inches
Voltage	1.5 volts
Batteries	4 AA batteries required ( included)
Connection	Bluetooth, Z-Wave
Material	Metal
Included Components	Exterior Assembly, Interior Assembly, Latch, Strike, Keys (2), SmartKey Tool, Batteries (4), Adapter Ring, Mounting Plate, Installation Hardware, Installation Guide
Batteries Included?	Yes
Batteries Required?	Yes
Battery Cell Type	Alkaline
Warranty Description	Lifetime mechanical and 1-year electronics warranty

Cons and Pros Of Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock

Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock has a good design as touchscreen keypad. Even tough, it is not performing very satisfying while you are trying to wake up the keypad. Weather conditions are also effecting this smart lock because of the touchscreen keypad. Rest of the things are working as intended. Smart capabilities are good enough for a smart lock. Having a little longer battery life and more code types as one time and recurring would be much better for this smart lock.

If you are living in a place where is not very cold or hot and if you don’t need one time or recurring codes then Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock can be a good choice for you. We are not saying that this lock is not working under the cold or very hot temperatures. We just want to state that it is slightly more difficult to wake up the keypad when compared to other touchscreen keypads.

Can we suggest this Kwikset smart lock? Yes, we can because overall performance is very good. If you plan to use this Kwikset smart lock for Airbnb purposes then we can suggest you to have a look at our review for Oaks Smart Lock in touchscreen keypad category because Kwikset SmartCode 916 Smart Lock is not very ideal for this. Here is the list of cons and pros for you:

Pros:

Compatible with most of the Z-Wave hubs

Easy installation

Remote access to lock

Compatible with alarm systems as Ring Alarm and Honeywell

Voice control over Alexa

Auto lock

BHMA Grade 2 Certificate

Smartkey Rekey

Battery drain warning

20 minutes fire protection

Bump Key protection

30 user codes

Beautiful touchscreen design

Bright screen

Key usage if battery drains

Cons:

Short battery life

Only z-wave compatible

No one time, recurring or disposal user codes

Difficult to change battery

Not working with Apple Homekit, Google Home

No custom app

No wi-fi

Keypad is not very sensitive

Flimsy glass under the direct sunlight

Not ideal for Airbnb