Which is the absolute best smart lock? Here’s our picks!

Our houses, apartments, and offices include tons of smart accessories, so we aren’t afraid to install a smart lock (or four) on our doors. We’ve very nearly tried them all, and that’s why the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is our top pick for the best smart lock. August’s lock is easy to install, plays nicely with multiple smart home systems, features an excellent design, and works via an intuitive app. Of course, it may not fit everyone’s needs, so here’s our guide to all of the best smart locks that you can buy today.

Best overall: August Wi-Fi, (4th Generation) Smart Lock

August’s fourth-generation Smart Lock is unique because it connects directly to your Wi-Fi, meaning you don’t need the Connect Bridge to control it as you do with other August smart locks. Just take it out of the box, set it up, and you’re good to go. It’s the best August smart lock you can buy, and it’s the best smart lock you can buy, period.

The August lock’s appearance is striking and will give any door a futuristic look, with your choice of dark gray or silver finishes. You can use your smartphone to unlock or lock your door remotely or set up a proximity lock. August also lets you create virtual keys for friends and family, and it keeps tabs on the comings and goings of your household with a 24/7 activity log.

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock requires no wiring and installs with your existing deadbolt. It also works with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant, so you can control it with Siri and the Home app for iOS and just about every other smart device you own.

Pros:

Simple installation
Virtual keys
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit

Cons:

Only works with single-cylinder deadbolts
Doesn’t include a keypad

Best overall

August Wi-Fi, (4th Generation) Smart Lock

$199 at Amazon
$199 at Best Buy
$197 at Walmart

Best for most

You’ll love this smart lock with its simple installation and rock-solid locking mechanism.

Best design: Level Bolt Smart Lock

While it gets our pick for best design, the Level Bolt Smart Lock is actually entirely invisible. In our hands-on review, we loved how it hides all of the smarts inside your door, so you can benefit from having a connected lock without changing out your existing hardware or keys.

The hub-free Level Bolt connects to Apple’s HomeKit over Bluetooth and works with Ring so you can add it to your scenes, automation, and schedules alongside all of your smart accessories. You can also share your lock with friends, family, and more through the Level app by creating passes with specific access times, and you can revoke them at any time.

Pros:

Invisible design
Doesn’t require a hub
Uses your existing key
Works with HomeKit and Ring

Cons:

Keypad not included
Bluetooth-only connectivity
Doesn’t support Alexa or Google Assistant

Best design

Level Bolt Smart Lock

$145 at Amazon
$199 at Best Buy
$145 at Walmart

Completely invisible

The Level Bolt hides neatly inside your existing door, giving you smart home convenience without messing with your decor.

Best keypad: Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt

This advanced smart lock from Schlage has a capacitive keypad with a light that allows you to enter your home without digging out your phone or keys. The Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt comes in multiple finishes and two distinct designs — Camelot, which sports a more traditional look, and Century the one which we tested that features clean lines.

Schlage’s lock works with Apple’s HomeKit right out of the box thanks to Bluetooth, and it can also work with Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant via an optional Wi-Fi adapter. In addition to all of the smart essentials, the Schlage Sense comes with a handy built-in alarm that can alert everyone in the home the moment that someone tries to break in.

Pros:

Lighted keypad
Multiple finishes and styles
Built-in alarm
Works with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant

Cons:

Expensive
Bulky interior component
Alexa and Google require an additional adapter

Best keypad

Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt

$229 at Amazon
$292 at Walmart
$229 at Home Depot

Lights on

Control who has access to your home from anywhere in the world with this great lock. Choose from multiple styles and finishes.

Best value: Wyze Lock

Despite being one of the cheapest options on the market, the Wyze Lock includes all of the smart home essentials — and then some. The Wyze Lock supports features such as remote locking/unlocking with the included Wi-Fi Gateway, detailed event history, and voice assistant compatibility with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant.

For extra security, the Wyze Lock also packs in additional sensors that allow it to determine door position without needing a separate device. While pretty much every smart lock can let you know whether or not the door is locked, most can’t tell whether or not the door is closed, leaving your home open to potential intruders.

Pros:

Affordable
Includes Wi-Fi Gateway
Works with Alexa, Google Assistant

Cons:

Only one finish
Doesn’t support HomeKit

Best value

Wyze Lock WiFi & Bluetooth Enabled Smart Door Lock

$130 at Amazon
$130 at Best Buy
$130 at Home Depot

Smart security for less

This affordable lock from Wyze includes all the smart home bells and whistles at a price that won’t break the bank.

Best features: Level Lock Smart Lock – Touch Edition

Available in four finishes, the Level Touch Edition features a traditional deadbolt design that you can actually see, unlike the Level Bolt. As the name suggests, the Touch Edition allows for keyless entry and locking with just a tap of your finger if your phone is within proximity.

During testing, we really liked having multiple options for entering the home. The Level Lock Touch Edition supports NFC access cards, virtual keys, and voice and smart app control through the Level app, HomeKit, or Ring if touch isn’t your thing. With the Level Touch, you will never have to worry about accessing your home with the available backup options.

Pros:

NFC and touch access
Four available finishes
Works with HomeKit and Ring

Cons:

Expensive
Keypad not included
Doesn’t support Alexa or Google Assistant

Best features

Level Lock Smart Lock – Touch Edition

$268 at Amazon
$329 at Best Buy
$329 at Walmart

Unlock it your way

With touch, NFC, voice, and app controls, you will never have to worry about keys again with the Level Lock Touch Edition.

Best key-free lock: Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Yale’s Assure touchscreen smart lock is completely keyless, which means you can ditch the keyring and never worry about misplacing it again. This lock can go up to a year between battery swaps, and you can access it in an emergency with a 9V battery that wakes up the touchscreen.

The Assure touchscreen smart Lock supports all major smart home platforms, including Alexa, HomeKit, and Google Assistant. App controls allow you to monitor your home through an app or via a voice assistant, and the lock can send you notifications when it opens or closes with an included door sensor.

Pros:

Completely keyless
Lifetime warranty
Supports Alexa, Google, HomeKit

Cons:

Pricey
Needs a 9V battery for backup entry

Best key-free lock

Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi Smart Lock

$260 at Amazon
$310 at Best Buy
$310 at Walmart

Go key-free

Yale’s touchscreen lock ditches keys for convenient controls via an app or voice. It is also available in four different finishes.

Add security and convenience with the best smart locks

The best smart locks offer the ultimate in smart home security and convenience. With one of these smart locks in your home, you can monitor, lock/unlock your door, control keyless access, and track who comes and goes from anywhere using your smartphone. Other features such as door position sensors tell you if your door is securely closed, and activity feeds keep you updated on all the events.

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is our pick for the best smart lock as it provides the most functionality for most people. The August lock is straightforward to install as it works with your existing deadbolt, and a compact design doesn’t stand out like other bulkier smart locks. The August Smart Lock also works with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google — so you don’t have to worry about losing access to your home if you decide to switch your phone.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Christopher Close spends most of his time writing and dreaming about all things HomeKit. If you wish to join him on his quest to automate everything, you can follow him on Twitter at @itschrisclose.

Karen S. Freeman is a teacher, writer, social media person, and family woman. She loves to travel, play with tech stuff, drink coffee, discover amazing new restaurants, and experience new things.