The Best Smart Locks After Testing 30 Models

Upgrading your home with a smart lock offers a powerful combination of convenience, control, and enhanced security. Imagine never fumbling for keys with your hands full, granting temporary access to a dog walker from your phone, or ensuring your doors are always locked at night. These devices provide key-free entry, remote access management, and detailed activity logs, making them one of the most practical smart home investments available.

A quality smart lock integrates smoothly with other devices like video doorbells and smart lights, allowing for automated routines. For instance, you can create an evening scene that locks the doors, dims the lights, and adjusts the thermostat. From a security standpoint, a smart lock is typically as robust as a traditional deadbolt, often featuring the same ANSI/BHMA security ratings, and it eliminates the risk of leaving a physical spare key in an obvious spot.

After extensive testing of over thirty models, here are the top recommendations to suit various needs and budgets.

Key Evaluation Criteria

During testing, each lock was installed on an exterior door and used daily. Assessments covered installation simplicity, setup processes, and the reliability of all unlocking methods, including keypads, fingerprint readers, phone apps, and physical keys. Performance with smart home platforms, design aesthetics, and estimated battery life were all carefully considered.

Multiple Access Methods A reliable smart lock should provide at least three different ways to unlock your door. Fingerprint readers and keypads are exceptionally convenient as they require nothing extra to carry. Other valuable options include phone apps, auto-unlock via geofencing, voice commands, physical keys, NFC fobs, and Apple Home Key. The ability to auto-lock after a preset time is another essential feature.

Remote Control Capabilities The ability to lock or unlock your door from anywhere is a fundamental benefit. This allows you to grant access to guests or service providers remotely, or simply verify your door’s status while you’re away.

Stable Connectivity Smart locks communicate via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Thread. Built-in Wi-Fi is convenient but can drain batteries quickly. Bluetooth models are more energy-efficient but often require a separate hub for remote access. Thread is an emerging technology that offers a great balance of long battery life and reliable out-of-home control.

Extended Battery Life Battery performance is a major practical consideration. Wi-Fi locks may need new batteries every three to six months, while Bluetooth or Thread models can often last a year or more.

Virtual Key Management Look for locks that allow you to create unique, temporary access codes for family, friends, or service people. The accompanying app should provide a clear activity log showing who entered and when.

Smart Home Ecosystem Compatibility A good smart lock should work with at least one major smart home platform (like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit) to enable voice control, automation routines, and scheduling. New standards like Matter are improving cross-platform compatibility.

Top Smart Lock Picks

Kwikset Halo Select This model stands out for its flawless auto-unlock feature, which reliably opens the door as you approach. It boasts a sleek design, top-tier ANSI Grade AAA security, and broad compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Matter. You can choose to connect it via built-in Wi-Fi or Thread, though selecting Matter means forgoing some of Kwikset’s own advanced features in their app.

Wyze Lock Bolt For those on a tight budget who don’t need smart home integration, the Wyze Lock Bolt is a solid choice. It features a fast fingerprint reader, a backlit keypad, and a year of battery life. While it operates over Bluetooth and lacks Wi-Fi for remote access, it does allow for the creation of offline guest codes.

Nuki Smart Lock As a top-tier retrofit option, the Nuki replaces your existing deadbolt’s thumbturn. It locks with impressive speed, supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Matter-over-Thread, and doesn’t require an account for basic setup. An optional keypad adds fingerprint and PIN code access. A subscription is needed for remote features if you don’t use a Matter hub.

Yale Approach Ideal for renters, the Yale Approach is an affordable retrofit lock that doesn’t require modifying your existing lock and key. It offers a slim profile, easy installation, and works with an included bridge for remote control and voice commands with Alexa and Google Home. An optional keypad provides additional access methods.

Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch This model is a fantastic all-arounder with a built-in fingerprint reader that is both fast and accurate. Its slim design looks great on any door, and it offers wide smart home compatibility through swappable modules for Wi-Fi or Z-Wave, though a promised Matter module has yet to be released.

Schlage Encode Plus For Apple users, this is the premier lock for seamless Apple Home Key integration, allowing you to unlock your door by simply tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch. It also includes a keypad and uses Thread for a stable connection and improved battery life within the Apple Home ecosystem.

Level Lock Pro If you prefer a smart lock that is virtually indistinguishable from a traditional deadbolt, the Level Lock Pro is the answer. It fits entirely inside your door, supports Matter-over-Thread and Apple Home Key, and includes a built-in door sensor. Its minimalist design comes at a premium price.

Aqara U300 This lever-style lock is perfect for garage or interior doors with a single borehole. It uniquely combines a built-in fingerprint reader, a keypad, and Apple Home Key support, all while working on Matter-over-Thread for easy integration and long battery life.

Eufy FamiLock S3 Max This innovative device combines a smart lock with a video doorbell. The interior features a screen showing a live feed from the doorbell camera. It also includes palm vein recognition technology for biometric access and supports Matter-over-Wi-Fi.

Lockly Visage As the first residential smart lock with facial recognition, the Visage is packed with technology. It also includes a fingerprint reader, keypad, keyway, and Apple Home Key. The facial recognition works well for a direct approach, and the lock feels solid and well-built.

Other Noteworthy Models

• The Eufy E30 is a fingerprint lock that supports both Matter-over-Thread and Wi-Fi simultaneously.

Smart Lock FAQs

How secure are smart locks? Smart locks are as physically secure as their traditional counterparts, with most meeting established ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or 2 standards. Concerns about digital hacking are often overblown compared to simpler methods of forced entry.

Are they difficult to install? Most deadbolt-style smart locks are designed for DIY installation with a screwdriver and can be set up in about 30 minutes on a standard door.

What is battery life typically like? Battery life varies by connectivity. Wi-Fi-heavy locks may last 3-6 months, while Bluetooth or Thread models can last a year or more. All models provide ample low-battery warnings.

What happens if the battery dies? Nearly all smart locks have an external power option, such as a USB-C port or terminals for a 9-volt battery, to provide a temporary charge for entry.

What is Matter, and do I need it? Matter is a new smart home standard that improves interoperability between devices from different brands. A Matter-compatible lock is more future-proof and can be more easily shared across different smart home platforms.

What is UWB unlocking? An emerging technology called Aliro will use Ultra-Wideband (UWB) radios to enable truly hands-free unlocking, automatically opening your door as you approach without needing to take out your phone.

(Source: The Verge)