Which is the absolute best smart lock?
Our houses, apartments, and offices are filled with connected home accessories, so we aren’t afraid to install a smart lock (or four) on our doors. Put simply, we’ve very nearly tried them all, and that’s why we decided that the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is our top pick. It has simple installation, compatibility with multiple smart home systems, excellent design, and an easy-to-use app. It gives you everything you need to add smart, wireless access to your home for you, your family, and your chosen guests.
Best Overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August’s newest model 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 f 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.
If you get tired of fumbling with keys, worrying about whether you locked the door when you left the house, buying new spare keys for your children, or precariously placing a spare key in one of those entirely unsafe fake rocks, this smart lock is for you. August lets you create virtual keys for friends and family staying at your place. It also keeps tabs on the comings and goings of your household using a built-in 24/7 activity log.
Its appearance is immediately 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 you can set up a proximity lock: Your entry will unlock when you approach with your phone and lock when you move away.
The August smart lock requires no wiring and installs using an 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
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit
- Long battery life
- Automatically locks and unlocks your door for you
- Virtual keys
Cons:
- Only works with single-cylinder deadbolts
- No outdoor keypad
Best Overall
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
An easy way to add smart, wireless access to your home.
With its simple installation and rock-solid locking mechanism, you’ll love this smart lock.
Best for Nest: Nest x Yale Lock
The Nest × Yale lock supports notifications, letting you know when someone operates the lock. You can set up passcodes that expire after some time if you plan on having guests or need a maintenance person to gain temporary access to your home. What’s more, the lock uses geofencing tools to lock when you’re not around automatically — no more forgotten doors.
The lock replaces your deadbolt, offering a tamper-proof and secure solution to keep your door locked up tight. If the lock ever senses tampering, it will send you a notification. There’s also a handy feature I’m particularly excited about: If your lock ever loses power, you can use a 9-volt battery to charge and unlock the door quickly.
The Nest × Yale lock is perfect for anyone with Nest products in their home, and while it may not work with HomeKit, it will work with other accessories like Google Home. It’s built to integrate with the system and requires the Nest Connect or Nest Guard to interface with the rest of your Nest system and connect with the Nest app.
Pros:
- Reliable
- Long battery life
- Tamper-proof
- Simple installation
Cons:
- Pricey
- No Apple HomeKit support
Best for Nest
Nest x Yale Lock
For Nest enthusiasts
This tamper-proof, key-free deadbolt for your home works with your existing Nest ecosystem.
Best Look: Schlage Encode
If you enjoy receiving up-to-the-minute information about the activity in your home and want a lock that matches your home, have a look at the Schlage Encode. This advanced smart lock has a touchscreen keypad for entering your entry code and works effortlessly with Amazon Alexa, while remote access allows you to unlock your front door with just a tap on your smartphone. No hub is needed, and you can lock or unlock your door from anywhere in the world on your smartphone. You can set it to lock automatically after a set time of inactivity.
The Schlage Encode boasts the highest safety rating possible and a built-in alarm ready to sound just if anyone is tampering with your locks. Another terrific feature this smart lock has is the ability to add in temporary codes. So, if you go away on holidays and a neighbor needs to look after your plants or pet, you can add in a code for them and delete it when you get back home.
The two-piece system is available in aged bronze, matte black, or a satin nickel finish in two different styles to suit your home’s decor. The only downside is that it isn’t compatible with HomeKit.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Simple installation
- Easy to use
- Can add temporary codes
- No hub needed
- Can unlock or lock your door from anywhere.
Cons:
- No HomeKit compatibility
- Requires four AA batteries
Best Look
Schlage Lock Company BE489WB CAM 716 Schlage Encode Deadbolt Smart Lock
Add smart, wireless access to your home
Control who has access to your home from anywhere in the world with this great lock. Choose from multiple styles.
Best Keyless Entry: Yale Assure Touchscreen 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 can be accessed in an emergency with a 9V battery that wakes up the touchscreen.
The Assure touchscreen smart Lock supports all of the major smart home platforms, including Alexa, HomeKit, and the 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.
With its sleek looks and touchscreen, this smart lock sports a weather-resistant seal that keeps it running in almost any climate.
Pros:
- Completely keyless
- Supports Alexa, Google, HomeKit
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Need 9V battery for backup entry
- Expensive
Best Keyless Entry
Yale Assure Lock SL Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Live that keyless life
Yale’s touchscreen lock ditches keys for convenient controls via an app or voice. It is also available in four different finishes.
Best Features: Samsung SHS-3321
The Samsung SHS-3321 is a reliable, sleek-looking, and easy-to-use smart lock that’s battery operated with an emergency power connect if the batteries die.
The lock is designed without a keyhole, making it accessible via touchpad, while a magnetic sensor automatically locks the door behind you when you leave. If you’re away for a long time, the lock even has an away mode that can be activated to monitor and track movement, kind of like a home alarm system.
The Samsung SHS-3321 is both affordable and sharp-looking, making it ideal for putting on several different doors around your home — not just your front door. Silent mode means that you can put this lock on the door of your baby’s room and not worry about sounds waking them up in the middle of the night.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy-to-use
- Sleek
Cons:
- Only works with single-cylinder deadbolts
Best Features
Samsung SHS-3321
Affordable, reliable, and ready to protect
The Samsung SHS-3321 is a digital touchscreen lock that gets rid of your security worries.
Bottom line
The August Smart Lock Pro provides the most functionality for most people. It’s Alexa-compatible. You can monitor, lock/unlock your door, control keyless access, and track who comes and goes from anywhere in the world using your smartphone. DoorSense tells you if your door is securely closed and locked up tight. A 24/7 activity feed keeps you updated on anything that happens near your door. Attach it to your current deadbolt so you can continue using your current keys. Set it to lock automatically when you leave and unlock automatically when you come near.
The August Smart Lock Pro is incredibly easy to install with ten minutes and a screwdriver. Purchasing it opens you up to August’s entire line of smart home products — including a smart keypad and doorbell camera. It’s reliable, stylish, and perfect for anyone looking to add smart, wireless access to their home.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Joe Keller is a senior editor at iMore. He’s a big fan of HomeKit gadgets and especially fond of security. He knows how important a quality, reliable lock is.
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.
