Kwikset 955PML-15S Pembroke Lever Commercial Grade Electronic Smartcode Lever Lock with SmartKey Satin Nickel Finish

This is the commercial classed unit from Kwikset, there is a residential version 917. They are nearly identical except for, I believe, the decorative design and the BHMA certifications. The residential is Grade 2, the commercial is Grade 3. What that actually means, I have no idea. I honestly purchased the 955 instead of 917 because it was, at the time, 30 dollars cheaper. I installed this on the door between my garage and laundry room replacing a round knob by EZ-Set (a discount sub-brand of Kwikset made in Taiwan that uses Kwikset KW1 keys- this is important,) The mechanism goes in easily. Programming the unit is straightforward and the lever handle makes life easier for aging hands. The Kwikset mechanism includes Emergency Egress- meaning you can open the door from the inside if it locked or unlocked. This is true of the 955 commercial model and the 917 residential version. Both versions also require you to keep the key engaged to open the door. You can't 'unlock' the door, then remove your key then open. You unlock, keep the key turned and open at the same time. If you remove your key, the door re-locks. Awkward things to take note of: 1. No matter how hard you try, this unit will end up installed slightly tilted if you tighten the bolts properly. 2. When putting the exterior door handle on (the one with the key hole) you must insert the key and keep the tumblers unlocked to access the set screw. It took me nearly 10 minutes to figure that out. 3. The Amazon stock is probably not too fresh. The 9 volt battery included in my package was completely dead on arrival. I installed a new Energizer 9 volt and it works fine. Note, the description on the Amazon website says it uses AA batteries, that is incorrect. There is a single 9 volt on the non-keypad side of the lock under a cover that slides up. Now, the reason making note of the EZ-Set lock being replaced. Kwikset has this neat tech called "SmartKey" which will let you rekey your locks without having to pay a locksmith. In the instructions, they have you put the whole thing together then go back and take the exterior handle off to perform the re-key. You don't have to- you can re-key before assembling at the start. But here's the thing, your 'master' key must use Kwikset KW1 type keys. And in my case, our house keys (our entire house uses the same key on all doors) were EZ-Set, a sub-brand of Kwikset and uses... KW1 keys. So I happily re-keyed the new 955 lock to my existing house key. We've been using the new handle since the day after Christmas 2023 (it was a gift) and now look around the house thinking about replacing all of the old, round knobs with levers and will probably put another of this model on at least one exterior door.

So far I’m very pleased with this lock. It installed easily and works much better than the Schlage that broke after five years. This one is solid, functions well (so far), and looks great. If it holds up, it will be the best value for the dollar that I’ve spent in a long time. Time will tell!

We've had a 5 button Kwikset lock on our door for quite a few years. It was easy to punch in the code (can hit all numbers pretty quick with your thumb, hand on handle) but the mechanism was terrible. It sometimes unlocked right away, other times it would take 5 cycles, or not unlock at all. It also always automatically locked every time unless you unscrewed the cover and flipped a dip switch in the back then it would always stay unlocked unless you push the lock button. And the battery tray was terrible, had to take 2 Allen head screws out, and I actually had to take my dead bolt off to slide tray out. Probably got over a year out of the batteries, but still an ordeal. This is great in comparison, except the key pad. It's not bad, actually 2x more secure having more buttons, just the 5 button was easier to punch in code. But everything else is better. The lock disengages quickly and reliably, and the thumb turn in back to switch from automatic locking to passage (ideal for us if we're working in the yard or out on the porch). This uses a 9v battery thats easy to get in and out, and no screws in the cover, so easy to change. The programming is a bit of a pain, for me anyways. The instructions didn't make it clear that you have to press the program button, the 1, then the kw key, then the code you want, then the kw key. But I figured it out and all good.

Bought this as a replacement for a Honeywell lock which failed. It is easy to install and works well, I like it much better. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is you have to be very precise in how you align the catch with the strike plate. There are 2 pieces to the door latch - one needs to go into the hole in the strike plate as expected. The other piece, which is very thin, needs to *not* go into the hole. It's how the lock senses that the door is closed. This wasn't obvious from the instructions and took me a while of adjusting the strike plate by fractions of a mm to get it just right. But once it's set it works great.

Looks good and was easy to install for a woman doing it myself. Purchased it for my garage door.

This is less of a review and more to help others as I did not see anyone on a review or response to a question answer this with any clarity. Many are leaving bad reviews on this because it is missing the screw that keeps the interior handle on. I spent a good amount of time looking for this missing screw. Going through the bags and the box just knowing this thing came out but it was not there. I decided after getting heated to go to the product page and search for others having the same issue. I saw one person who stated to read the instructions carefully because the screw is not easy to see. I looked over the instructions and you will notice on Step 4 part B that it shows you putting in the key and turning it (this is with the handle on) I gave this a shot. I put the key in and turned the key to the right. Nothing really happened but if you leave the key like that and take the Allen wrench and put it in the hole at the bottom where the screw should be and it will go in there a little ways you will notice that it magically catches something. You then turn it and it will tighten against the handle and your problem is solved. Another reviewer stated that the hole is partially drilled but that is not the case. That is a little spot where it catches from the inside when you tighten that screw. The exterior handle has a screw already in place as well but it is easy to work. Just put the handle on and use the Allen wrench to tighten. NOTE: The screws on things like this usually are put on after the handle or are already in the handle. These do not work like this. They are on the shaft and you actually turn the screw from the inside with the handle on and as you loosen the screw it presses against the handle which holds it in place. So the hole where the screw goes is really just a hole to put the Allen wrench in and tighten the hidden screw. I know that my comments may not be the best when it comes to instructions and I am sorry for that, but it will help more than vague replies, reviews and instructions. Also if someone else has posted this I am sorry as I did not see this at the time I left this review. I thought about giving this a 4 star because of the lack of instructions, however it really is not the case. If others (including myself) read the instructions fully it will tell you. I just assumed I knew and had it figured out. Clearly I did not. So I can see both sides of this when people want to say their point of view. Just keep in mind, that the screw or screws are there. They both are different in ways when it comes to how you tighten them and they are already installed on the shafts that the handles/knobs go on. Thanks Chris

My background: Professional fixer, not a novice. Electrical, HVAC, hydraulics, building, etc. Done it all. I have purchased 6 variations from this brand in the last 3 years. I am speaking to the 2 most recent purchased sets. The good: These knobs open doors with a code. Programming takes a few minutes to figure out, but it's pretty straight forward once you've done it a few times. When it works, it's great! The bad: Even though I've bought 3 deadbolts and one knob set previously from the same company and have experience with their programming methods, I had issues. Programming in 1, and battery life in the other. I recently purchased 2 Kwikset electronic knob sets. Set #1, programmed easily with my programming code, and installed about a dozen permanent codes, then 5 or 6 one time codes. Knob set #2, it didn't take. I tried entering a programming code about 40 times. I was super frustrated but decided to just use the programming button, entering codes like I did on set #1. One month later, knob set #1 stopped working. The battery was dead. I did not return these units because they were installed outside of my home state, so it would be cost prohibitive to do so. That's why I paid for a name brand, right??? Quality control is obviously not great. These are premium priced knob sets, not Shizangsooz or another unknown chinese knockoff. Yes, I just made that brand name up, don't google it. In summary, the functionality and battery life on these units are hit and miss, 50%. It's too bad, because I really like how they work when everything is working properly.

If you want a straight forward, easy to use passcode lock, this is the one for you!!! I have installed 4 of these at this point. Set up / install only takes about 15-20 min. Wasn’t bad at all!! Door 1 - My parents are at the age where they dont want complicated or confusing apps for everything, they can easily put in their code I programmed for them and it never gives them issues. Door 2 - At my sisters home, she wanted a secure and easy way for the kids to get into the house after school and not have to worry if any of the kids lost there key again. Door 3 - I have mine installed on my gaming room / Office door so that when im not at home, my niece or nephews cannot go in their and possibly break any of my expensive logo sets or collectors items. as well as, if i working in the office , they can’t barge in and interrupt a work zoom call or bother me while im working. Door 4 - My mom has her own sugar cookie business and To ensure non of the grandkids sneak in and eat them, we put one on the cookie room door. The battery on these last way longer than any lock I’ve had that used AA or AAA battery’s. Its been 2 years since installing the one on my game room and still have yet to need to change the battery

I was hesitant to purchase this lock as I did not recognize the brand name "Kwikset", only being familiar with the more available brands in stores such as Schlage, Weiser, etc. However, I suspect it might actually be the Schlage Smartcode lock just under a different brand name as it seems identical in all ways. I always research and read reviews and this lock had great ratings so I decided to go for it. It was very easy to install, took about 30 mins. The code programming is really easy to do, too. I installed this on my garage and I find it really quick and easy to access the garage - even in the dark as you can light up the buttons with one tap. It's an attractive lock (I bought the satin nickel finish), sturdy, and the lever handle is handy when your hands are full - they provide two levers, a left and a right version. I happen to have a Weiser brand smart code deadbolt on my front door and I actually prefer this Kwikset Smartcode 955 better. I like the key code being right there by the handle instead of on a separate deadlock higher up on the door like other Smartcode styles, and the price was good, not as expensive as some of the other more known brands. If I ever have to replace the Weiser, I'd buy this Kwikset lock instead. Very happy with it.

Muy buen empaque, muy fácil de instalar, lo único que hay que revisar es el tamaño de las perforaciones de la puerta existente. Fácil de colocar, instalar y programar. Muy fácil de utilizar en el día a día.

Good

Excelente producto en calidad y servicio. Muy fácil de instalar. Solo quite la anterior y coloque esta sin necesidad de ninguna otra cosa. Solo hay que checar las distancias y orificios que vienen indicados en la guía de instalación para ver que correspondan con las de la chapa que vas a reemplazar. Muy funcional y fácil de programar.

El armado fue un poco complicado pero debes revisar a super detalle la hoja de instalación ya que, aunque no venga perfectamente detallado, en los dibujos trae el modo correcto de colocar todo. De ahí en fuera me parece excelente. La contraseña es para poder ingresar sin llave; no es para que se combinen ambos métodos. Pero es muy útil. Sólo intenta no colocar números conocidos o teclear a la vista de otros.