TCL is expanding its smart home lineup with the release of its first fingerprint-enabled smart door knob, the TCL K1. Priced at $79.99, the K1 brings fast biometric unlocking, multiple access modes, and durable construction to interior doors—especially those without a separate deadbolt. The K1 delivers more tech than many competing smart knobs, starting with its 0.03-second fingerprint recognition, one of the fastest in the category. It supports several access modes, including Passage Mode for high-traffic times when the door should stay unlocked and Private Mode for admin-only access. Built from aerospace-grade aluminum with a brushed nickel finish, the K1 is designed to hold up to everyday use, running on four AAA batteries rated for up to 12 months of life, and it’s fully waterproof to avoid moisture-related failures. You can pick one up on Amazon for $79.99—competitively priced alongside options from Lukyamzn, Vevor, and Tinewa.

Smart locks are booming, with the market expected to hit $4.4 billion by 2027, but the K1 stands out for something many homeowners care about: local security. Unlike cloud-dependent competitors, the K1 stores biometric data locally, keeping fingerprints off third-party servers and reducing privacy concerns. For families, the perks are clear: instant unlocking, reliable household access during busy times, and a true “keep-out mode” for rooms that need added privacy—like home offices, bedrooms, or hobby spaces. TCL is expected to continue expanding its smart lock lineup, and integrations with Alexa or Google Home seem like a logical next step (though nothing is confirmed yet). A full review is coming soon, but you can check out our recent look at the TCL D2 Pro smart lock, which earned an Editor’s Choice award. If you need a smarter way to secure a specific room—and keep curious kids out—the K1 is shaping up to be a strong contender.