Keyless entry for hosts: lockbox or smart lock?
Both remove the key handover. They differ in security, cost and how much work they save you.
Lockbox
A lockbox holds a physical key behind a code. It is cheap and needs no battery or Wi-Fi, but the code usually stays the same between guests unless you change it by hand, and anyone who learns it can enter.
Smart lock
A smart lock lets you issue a different code for each stay and delete it automatically. It costs more and needs batteries, but it removes the manual reset and the lost-key risk.
How to decide
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Host a few stays a month and can reset codes | Lockbox |
| Host often or live far from the property | Smart lock |
| Cannot change the door lock | Lockbox, or a lock that fits over the existing cylinder |
Our picks
We have not tested these products ourselves. The picks below come from comparing host-focused reviews, and some of those reviews are written by the makers of the devices, so we treat them with care. Models and prices change: check the current price and compatibility before you buy.
Master Lock wall-mount combination box: simple and durable
A no-battery key safe. One review names the 5415D as the durable choice. Mount it on a wall, not on a shackle: reviews warn that shackle-mounted boxes can be cut with bolt cutters.
Master Lock Bluetooth wall-mount lockbox: temporary codes from an app
Reviews describe it as letting you give temporary or permanent codes from your phone, without needing Wi-Fi.
igloohome Keybox 3: smart lockbox
Described as generating PIN codes remotely without an internet connection, with sync for Airbnb bookings. A useful middle step if you want codes that change per guest but do not want to replace the door lock.
Keep a spare key with a trusted person nearby, whichever you pick.