GHome K10PRO Smart Fingerprint Doorknob Review: Unique But Awkward

CNET

10-05-2025

CNET's expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
6.5
/ 10
SCORE GHome Smart K10Pro Door Lock $43 at Us.ghomesmart Pros Easy, quick installation
Hanging bag for charging with power bank
Fingerprint, keypad and bypass key unlock methods
More affordable than smart deadbolts
Great for securing interior doors Cons No removable battery
Charging port on the exterior knob
Using the bypass key is awkward
Bulky handles
GHome Smart K10Pro Door Lock
6.5/10/10 CNET Score
$43 at Us.ghomesmart
Describe the image that pops into your head when I say "smart lock." It's likely a smart deadbolt like the Yale Assure Lock 2, CNET's current pick for the best smart lock. Or maybe a retrofit model like the August Wi-Fi? Regardless, there's a good chance you weren't thinking of a doorknob.
Because smart doorknobs can be used in many cases where a deadbolt cannot, I wondered why they seem so much rarer. Ultimately, I believe that a smart doorknob is a little too niche compared to general demand for a front door lock. But I wanted to find out more.
That's why I installed a (rather cheap) GHome smart doorknob that still comes with all the bells and whistles: mobile app, touchscreen keypad, fingerprint sensor and a physical bypass key. Here's how it holds up, where it falls short and why smart deadbolts still have their advantages.
Getting to know the GHome Smart K10PRO
Installation was easy -- it took about 15 minutes to swap my old hardware for the new lock. The only tool I needed was a Philips head screwdriver.
John Carlsen/CNET
I've seen a few smart lever locks from companies like Kwikset, Schlage and Yale so I wanted to try a smart doorknob to see why those brands don't make models with versatile knobs. I settled on the GHome Smart K10PRO Fingerprint Door Lock, which costs about $50.
One of the things that drew me to this lock was the choice of a black or silver finish. (I wanted a brass finish to match the other knobs in my home but none of the options I found had a touchscreen keypad.) You can save about $10 by choosing a model without a keypad. Still, having multiple unlock methods is always a good idea.
As I opened the box, I couldn't help but notice the sheer size of the doorknob. While the interior knob was a reasonable 2 1/4 inches, the exterior knob sports a massive diameter of 2 1/2 inches. For comparison, that's half an inch larger than the 2-inch doorknobs in my home. I realize that doesn't sound very big but that's an extra 3 inches of circumference. It feels very bulky in hand, which also makes it more difficult to rotate than a traditional doorknob.
Despite the size, I like the GHome Smart K10PRO's overall aesthetic, which hides the USB-C charging port and physical keyhole on the bottom of the exterior knob.
John Carlsen
Before installing the lock, you should charge it for a couple of hours. GHome Smart's website lists an estimated battery life of 8 to 12 months so you shouldn't need to charge it very often. I didn't see any drop in the battery charge during my test. Unfortunately, this brings me to my first major gripe with the GHome Smart K10PRO: The battery isn't removable. Whenever you need to charge this doorknob, you need a power bank.
While I love that there's a cloth bag for hanging a power bank from the knob during charging, it's not as practical for exterior doors as it is for an interior bedroom or dorm room door. Consider using a cheap power bank if you want to charge it outdoors because the lock's internal 400mAh battery doesn't need anything fancy.
After installing the smart doorknob, I downloaded the Gosund app for setup -- Gosund rebranded as GHome Smart in February 2025 but the app name is still the same -- which took only a few minutes.
How it handles
The K10PRO's fingerprint sensor is fast and responsive.
John Carlsen/CNET
Aside from my previous observation about the size of the exterior knob, the GHome Smart K10PRO is a pleasant experience. Programming my fingerprint in the app took less than a minute and the lock responds quickly when my thumb touches the sensor. It's more convenient than other fingerprint smart locks I've used, as you don't need to reach for a separate sensor when opening the door.
The touchscreen is more awkward because a typical doorknob is lower than a deadbolt. I find myself leaning back for a clear view of the keypad, which lacks the large buttons of competing lever locks like Yale Assure 2. Still, having a keypad is a huge bonus because I can quickly create custom codes for family members, scheduled codes for friends and temporary access for visitors.
While I appreciate having a bypass key, the keyhole's placement on the bottom of the knob means you can't see where the key goes in.
John Carlsen/CNET
Using the key took a few attempts to figure out how to access this unlock method without crouching down to see the keyhole. The trick is to hold the key vertically with its teeth facing to the right.
As for the app controls, they're functional but basic. You can unlock it if you're in Bluetooth range, add users and mute the built-in speaker, although there's no option for adjusting how quickly the lock relocks after someone comes in. It's always five seconds. There's also no auto-unlock option.
For remote unlocking and smart home integration, you need the GHome Smart Tuya Bluetooth Gateway, which costs about $26. This isn't a terrible price but it eats into smaller budgets.
Don't expect deep settings options in the Gosund app.
John Carlsen/CNET
You can turn the dial on the interior knob to activate different locking modes. Normal Mode enables the fingerprint sensor for all users with a five-second auto-lock. Passage Mode unlocks the K10PRO and turns off the smart features. Privacy mode disables the fingerprint sensor for everyone but the Admin, which is great for parents needing to access a room without the children getting in.
Who should consider a smart fingerprint door knob?
You can switch modes using the dial on the interior side of the smart door knob.
John Carlsen/CNET
You definitely don't need a fingerprint primary doorknob if you already have a smart deadbolt. Having to unlock two smart locks to open a door is asking for trouble in more ways than one. Likewise, if you have a budget of $150 or more, a lever lock from Yale or Schlage will be a better option for a front door, especially because you can replace the battery.
But you might consider a GHome Smart K10PRO Fingerprint Door Lock if you live in a shared home and want to secure your private room from roommates without carrying a key. (Maybe check with your property manager or resident assistant first.) Or you could manage access for an office, pantry, workshop, bedroom or other area you don't want kids or guests getting into.
Last, it could be excellent for vacation rentals -- like giving temporary access to guests or preventing them from entering restricted areas, especially if you're only renting out a single room. The K10PRO is a reasonable value for $50 but you'll want to make sure your door has room for the big knob and that you're okay with painful charging options.