TCL Smart Lock D2 Plus, AI Fingerprint Recognition Built-in Doorbell Door Lock, Keyless Entry Security Electronic Deadbolt for Front Door, Works with Alexa, Auto Lock, Voice Control, Easy Install

Great Smart Deadbolt
I was impressed with this deadbolt. However, like any doorknob or deadbolt, you do need to have a little patience and skill to install it. Mine was going into an existing door, so I figured it would be easy. The existing deadbolt came out quickly and I figured this would just slip right in.The first problem was that the deadbolt was a little different than the old one and the new one would not go all the way into the door. But the bolts are similar so I thought I would use the old one. However, that didn’t work because the holes for the securing bolts to pass through were too small on the old one. I had to make the new bolt work.I eventually carved a little out and gently hammered the bolt in place. Other than that, the installation went pretty well, except for two items (both my fault). First, you really need two people when securing it so you can ensure it is straight. Mine went on crooked. It is an easy fix. Loosen the bolts and have someone hold it vertical when you tighten them back up.The second problem was that I was putting this on a garage door that didn’t close quite right. You know the kind. You have to kind of pull it in to lock it. Well, with the automated lock, it kept saying the bolt was jammed. You need to get the alignment just right. In my case, the regular door knob needed some adjustment so when the door closes, it closes with no wiggle room and the deadbolt is perfectly lined up. To be fair, that needed to be done anyway and was a problem to start with. But if you are manually locking the door, it isn’t a big problem to just pull it in until you bolt it. You probably don’t even realize you are doing it after a while.Once it was in, everything was good. My fingers aren’t great with fingerprint sensors, but this one works most of the time. I find that if I rub my cheek to get a little oily finger, all of them work better. The lock has a “voice” that says things (“door locked,” for example), but you can turn that off in the phone app.There’s also a smart card reader, but I was not able to get my phone or a smart card to program. I assume you have to buy a smart card specifically for the lock, but I didn’t try it, and it doesn’t come with one (at least in the package I got). But the phone app, keyboard, and fingerprint all work fine.In general, once you have a lock like this, you really get used to it quickly and find it annoying to carry keys. It is also handy to be able to give someone a one-time code to get in (you can set limits on codes in the app). So your code might be 123456 (please don’t really use that), but you might give your friend 123123 for the weekend while you are gone only.That is one thing. Some of my locks allow 4-digit codes. This one requires at least 6, which is probably a better idea, but means I had to use a different code (I just doubled my 4-digit code, so instead of 1234, I’m using 12341234 — not really, but you know what I mean).The materials seemed good. The rubber seal against the door looked like it would be effective for keeping water out, but might have trouble if your door has a strange texture or something. It is just a pressure gasket on both sides.

A solid offering in the D2 Series of locks
I have 3 exterior doors on my house, and I own all 3 locks in the TCL D2 Smart Lock series. The D2 Series is more upscale than their D1 series. All 3 locks in this series – the D2, the D2 Plus (this lock), and the D2 Pro – have the same hardware. All the screws are exactly the same. The mounting plates are the same. The electrical connection harness is the same and has the same connector. The latch plate and strike plate are the same. The exterior and interior assembly units look the same and are the same size. All 3 locks have an integrated doorbell (which I turned off).The only differences between the 3 locks are as follows:* D2 – has a keypad and uses eight (8) AA batteries* D2 Plus – adds a fingerprint reader for $40 more* D2 Pro – replaces the fingerprint reader with a palm vein reader and uses a rechargeable 10,000 mAh battery instead of AA batteries for $60 more ($100 more than the D2)That’s it. All 3 are great locks. They are easy to install and the instructions (including diagrams) are clear. The hardware and assembly units are solid and secure and top quality. The deadbolts operate smoothly and have plenty of throw. The same proprietary mobile app (TCL Home – free download) allows you to setup and configure all 3. The TCL Home app integrates with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. If you’re on Android, that integration requires Android 12 or later, which my current phone does not have, so I wasn’t able to set that up. The locks connect to your wifi via 2.4 Ghz. 5 Ghz wifi is not supported.My only complaints (all minor) are:1. I wish the screws they include for the latch and strike plate were longer. I will likely be replacing them with longer screws on my next trip to the hardware store, for more security.2. I wish the Events log in the TCL Home app was able to be erased or reset.3. I wish you could use the app to copy the users, passwords, and settings from one lock in the D2 series to another. I had to repeat my setup for all 3 locks separately.I would recommend any of these 3 locks. If I absolutely had to pick one, I’d pick the D2 because I think it’s the best bargain for the money. But I must say that the fingerprint reader on the D2 Plus and the palm vein reader on the D2 Pro are awesome.