August Smart Lock and Connect
Best smart lock for apartments
Yale Assure Lock SL Key Free Touchscreen Deadbolt
Best keyless smart lock
What is the best smart lock overall?
Smart locks can bring a lot of connected convenience to your front door, and we’ve spent years testing the devices out to find the best of the bunch. In most cases, the first smart lock we’d recommend is the August Smart Lock, as it has a good track history in our tests and comes with a well-developed mix of features and compatible accessories, including support for the top three voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri). That said, you’ll find plenty of compelling smart lock options if you’re in the market for a new one, many of which are well worth considering.
At a basic level, the best smart locks will help you manage access to your home. They’re great for letting workers, houseguests, and pet sitters in without need for a key, and they’re a godsend when you get into bed only to realize you forgot to lock up. Beyond that, you’ll find a growing number of models with advanced features like touchpad controls, fingerprint readers, and built-in sensors that can tell you if the door is ever left ajar.
The features that make the most sense for you will depend on your home and the ways you plan to use and share your lock. Retrofit smart locks that work with your existing hardware will often be a better fit for apartments and rentals where you need to keep the lock you’ve got. If you have a big family with lots of people coming and going and you want to keep an eye on the kids, you might want to look for a keypad lock that will let you assign everyone their own, unique code.
We’ve tested a number of smart door locks over the years, including some of the most recent models to hit the market. Our favorites of the bunch are listed below, and we’ll update this page regularly as our testing continues.
Best smart locks of 2023
Size 2.8 x 2.8 x 2.75 inchesLock Type Biometric, DeadboltSpecial Features App control; auto locks and unlocksCompatibility Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThingsPrice $200
Our long-running smart lock champ, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock includes a retrofit August lock and a DoorSense open-close sensor to upgrade your existing deadbolt or other lock. Wi-Fi comes built in with this version of the lock, so you won’t need to pay extra for August’s plug-in Wi-Fi Connect bridge to enable remote access with a smartphone app, or to sync up with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri (August supports all three, which is terrific).
Size 2.95 x 2.95 x 1.2 inchesLock Type Keypad, DeadboltSpecial Features Includes fingerprint reader; built-in Wi-FiCompatibility Amazon Alexa, Google AssistantPrice $189
If you’re renting out your place using a service like Airbnb, then a smart lock makes a ton of sense to make it easy for guests to get in. Our recommendation would be to get a smart lock that supports coded entry — just give your guests a code that only works for the duration of their stay, and they’ll be able to get in and out without needing to use a key or download an app.
Size 2.6 x 1.63 x 4.8 inchesLock Type Biometric, KeypadSpecial Features App control; auto locks and unlocks; share virtual keysCompatibility Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings, Philips HuePrice $144
August’s third-gen Smart Lock and Connect bundle comes with a DoorSense open-close sensor and the August Connect plug-in Wi-Fi bridge. The low-profile, retrofit design means you won’t need to replace your existing deadbolt lock and installation is easy, offering convenience for renters who might not be able to switch the existing deadbolt out at all.
Best for Aesthetics|If you don't want to use your phone to unlock your door and you want it to look nice, this is the lock for you.
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Size 1.0 x 1.0 x 1.0 InchesLock Type Keypad, DeadboltSpecial Features Code sharing; weather-resistantCompatibility Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKitPrice $180
We’re not sure that we’d want to go totally keyless at the front door, but if you’re ready to ditch that door key for good, then the Yale Assure SL belongs right at the top of your list. The small, sleek design doesn’t have a keyhole at all — instead, you’ll let yourself in using a touchscreen keypad that comes in a variety of finishes that look good on nearly every door. If the batteries ever run out, you can hold a 9V battery against a set of nodes on the bottom of the lock to give it enough juice to let you in.
If compatibility with Apple HomeKit and the Siri voice controls that come with it is a must-have for your smart lock, the bad news is that you’ll find fewer options than you’ll see with other platforms. The good news is that you’ve still got some great locks to choose from — and among them, I’d recommend starting with the Level Lock.
Size 2.5 x 2.0 x 4.9 inchesLock Type Deadbolt (Keypad and doorbell option)Special Features Auto Lock/Unlock, Remote Access, App Control, Door Position DetectionCompatibility Amazon Alexa, Google AssistantPrice $130
If you’re ready to upgrade to a smart lock, but you aren’t crazy about the idea of spending $200 or more, then the Wyze Lock might be just what you’re looking for. Available for just $130, you’ll get built-in Bluetooth for pairing with your phone at close range plus a plug-in Wi-Fi hub for connecting from afar or connecting via Alexa or Google Assistant. If you’re interested in coded entry, you can add a wireless keypad accessory into the mix for an extra $30.
Other smart locks we’ve tested
In our search for the best smart lock, these are some of the other products we’ve tried out:
The Kwikset Halo Touch is a no-frills fingerprint lock with built-in Wi-Fi and support for Alexa or Google Assistant.
Nest Yale Lock: Nest and Yale partnered up for a Google-centric smart lock with a touch keypad. This Nest app smart door lock has the good looks of Yale’s earlier models, but it isn’t quite as capable as other keyless locks when it comes to smart home integration.
Array by Hampton Connected Door Lock: This lock has solar-powered battery backup and built-in
Wi-Fi
, but it’s expensive and doesn’t have the option to work with
HomeKit
or
Google Assistant
yet.
Kwikset Halo Touch: The Halo Touch is a simple, straightforward fingerprint lock that costs $234. With built-in Wi-Fi, there’s no need for any additional hub hardware — just install it, pair it with your home network, and you’ll be all set. It was a strong performer in our tests, with a snappy, responsive fingerprint scanner and a relatively quiet design, and it supports voice controls via Alexa or Google Assistant (no HomeKit support, though). If it were me buying, I’d try to catch it on sale for less than $200, but this is definitely a smart lock worth considering if you want fingerprint access at your front door.
Kwikset Kevo Bluetooth Deadbolt: Kwikset’s second-gen Kevo is a good Bluetooth smart lock and a simple answer to smartening your door if you don’t need remote control access. If you do, you’ll need to purchase the
Kevo Plus
connect module. You can use the mobile app or the key fob for keyless door entry.
The Lockly Flex Touch is a Bluetooth smart lock with a built-in fingerprint scanner, but you’ll need to pay an extra $80 for the plug-in Wi-Fi hub that lets you control it from anywhere or pair it with a voice assistant.
Lockly Flex Touch: An understated fingerprint lock, the Flex Touch looks like a standard deadbolt on the outside, apart from the small fingerprint sensor that dangles underneath. That fingerprint sensor worked great when we tested it out, but the interior part of the lock is made of faux-stainless-steel plastic that feels a bit cheap to the touch. In addition to that, you’ll need to buy an overpriced $80 plug-in Wi-Fi hub if you want to control the lock via your phone from beyond Bluetooth range.
Schlage Encode Wi-Fi Deadbolt: We liked the Encode’s simplicity when we tested it out — with built-in Wi-Fi, there’s no need for any extra hub hardware, meaning you can pair it with your home network and with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice controls as soon as you install it. It’s also compatible with Amazon Key, in case you’re interested in in-home delivery drop-offs. On top of that, it’s a really nice-looking smart lock, with a classy touchpad for coded entry and a variety of elegant finishes. It doesn’t support Apple HomeKit, though, and it’s difficult to find it on sale for less than $250, which makes it hard to recommend.
Schlage Sense Bluetooth Deadbolt: Schlage’s Sense smart lock is affordable, but clunky and not as simple to set up as its Encode sibling. You’ll also need a Schlage lock Wi-Fi adapter to connect with Google Assistant or
Alexa
.
Eufy Smart Lock Touch with Wi-Fi: At a retail price of $260, Eufy’s sleek-looking, finger-scanning smart lock is too expensive for us to recommend outright, but it performed well when we tested it out, apart from a few minor hiccups during setup. With both a fingerprint scanner and a touchpad for coded entry, it’s about as versatile as smart locks get, but it’s probably more than most people need.
How we test smart locks
The CNET team has spent years testing and reviewing smart locks. For our most recent batch of tests here in 2022, we tried out several new models at our own homes.
Installation process
For starters, we took a critical eye to each lock’s design, as well as the simplicity of the installation process. It’s usually not a complicated process, and in most cases you’ll only need a Phillips head screwdriver, but it still might feel intimidating for some.
Most smart locks do a good job of including detailed instructions in the box and in the app, but others, like the Kwikset Halo Touch, go a step further by clearly labeling and separating the different parts and screws you’ll need to use. That can be a big help if you’ve never swapped out a door lock before.
Some smart locks, like the Kwikset Halo Touch, make installation a breeze.
Rather than installing the locks in our front doors, we installed them in a mock door display cut to standard specifications. That allowed us to move each lock after installing it, which helped to test their wireless range when controlling them over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Some locks did great — most notably the U-Bolt Pro with Wi-Fi, which worked flawlessly even in a backyard, on the fringes of a home Wi-Fi network. The Level Lock was another standout thanks to a neat range-boosting feature that allowed us to control the lock over Bluetooth from nearly twice the distance as other Bluetooth smart locks (albeit at an expense of battery life).
The U-Bolt Pro with built-in Wi-Fi was the top finisher in our range tests, as we were able to reliably control it from a phone even with the lock in a backyard, on the fringes of the home Wi-Fi network. No other Wi-Fi lock we tested worked as flawlessly this far from the router.
Additional features and app integration
From there, the testing is largely experiential. We pay attention to important physical considerations like the size of the lock and how loud the motor gets when the deadbolt turns, as well as practical considerations like app features, ease of use and the range of compatibility with different smart home platforms and peripheral devices.
Some smart locks, particularly coded smart locks, are better for sharing access with guests. Others, including Bluetooth locks with auto-unlocking smarts whenever you draw near, are better for users who are more convenience-minded. Whatever the lock’s approach, the features need to work well if it wants to earn our recommendation.
Design
Smart design matters, too. Apart from the fact that these locks are likely going to be sitting on the front face of your home’s exterior and making a first impression on visitors, good design can make for better implementation of core features.
For instance, the U-Bolt Pro stood out for its clever build, with the fingerprint-scanning front face of the lock folding down entirely to reveal a standard keyhole backup. Hiding the keyhole makes a lot of sense — most of the time, you aren’t going to use it to get in, and putting it out of sight gives the lock a smaller footprint on your front door than other fingerprint-scanning locks. We also liked the physical buttons on that lock for coded entry, as buttons like those are easier to use in inclement weather than touchscreen controls. Another nice design touch: You can punch in dummy digits before or after your code, and the lock will still let you in. That’s a good feature if you’re worried about people snooping over your shoulder as you unlock the door.
How to choose a smart lock
Smart locks are a highly visible part of your home that you’ll use just about every day, so it’s important to find a reliable pick that meshes well with your smart home. Here are the factors you should be thinking about as you shop:
A retrofit smart lock like the August lock will replace the interior of your existing lock, but not the exterior keyhole or the deadbolt.
Full deadbolt or retrofit
Most smart locks will replace the entirety of your existing lock, including the interior thumbturn, the exterior keyhole, and the deadbolt in the middle. Locks like those will also come with their own keys, which will replace the ones you’re using now.
Others, like the August Smart Lock, the Wyze Lock, and the Level Bolt, are designed instead to work with at least some of your existing lock hardware. With a retrofit lock like that, you probably won’t need new keys at all, and you might not even need to swap out the deadbolt. Locks like those can sometimes be a better fit for apartments, where the building owners might not allow you to replace the entire lock.
Modes of access
Different smart locks will take different approaches to letting you in. On a basic level, most smart locks will let you lock and unlock the door wirelessly from your phone, using an app. Others add in keypads for coded entry, which can help you rely on your keys a little less while also making it easier to share access with others. Some of the newest smart locks add in touch sensitivity or fingerprint scanning to let you inside with just a tap. Apple recently added a Home Key feature in iOS15 that lets you store a digital house key in your Apple Wallet, which lets you open compatible smart locks using the NFC radio in your iPhone or Apple Watch.
It’s probably overkill to pay up for a smart lock that offers all of that, so it’s fine to dial in on the mode of access that interests you most. You’ve got a diverse mix of options these days.
Platform compatibility
The Schlage Encode Plus is the first smart lock to support Apple Home Key. Similar to Apple Pay, Home Key lets you unlock your door using the NFC radio in your iPhone or Apple Watch.
If your household includes multiple types of smart home devices, then your best bet is to control them all from a single smart home platform — that way, you won’t need to juggle multiple apps to keep everything automated. The most popular picks are Amazon Alexa, the Google Home app and the Google Assistant voice controls that come with it, and Apple HomeKit, which brings Siri into play. Samsung SmartThings is another option for a hub-centric smart hom
