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The best smart locks let you leave the keys behind, hand out codes to sitters and holiday guests, and check from your phone whether the front door is really locked. They differ a lot in how they unlock (keypad, fingerprint, phone or face), how they connect (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a bridge) and whether they replace your deadbolt or just the inside half. We compared specs, expert testing from Bob Vila, TechRadar and SafeHome, and owner reviews to pick nine smart locks for homeowners, Apple households and renters.
Quick picks
| Product | Best for | Price range | |
|---|---|---|---|
| eufy Security Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi | Best overall | $$ | See price |
| Schlage Arrive Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt | Best keypad lock | $$-$$$ | See price |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Pushbutton | Best auto-lock | $$ | See price |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Best retrofit (keep your keys) | $$ | See price |
| Lockly Visage Zeno Series Deadbolt | Apple Home Key and face unlock | $$$$ | See price |
| ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro 6-in-1 Smart Deadbolt | Fingerprint on a budget | $$ | See price |
| Kwikset Halo Touch Wi-Fi Fingerprint Smart Lock | Family fingerprint access | $$ | See price |
| SwitchBot Lock | Renters | $ | See price |
| SMONET Smart Lock with Handle (ZNS-H001) | Budget lever handle | $ | See price |
Price tiers: $ = under $100, $$ = $100 to $200, $$$ = $200 to $300, $$$$ = over $300. Smart locks are often discounted around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
1. eufy Smart Lock Touch: Best Overall
Bob Vila’s testers installed every lock on a real door, and eufy’s model came out on top for the sheer number of ways in: a touch keypad, fingerprint reader, app, voice control and a backup key. It connects over both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so you can lock it remotely without buying a separate bridge, and it worked with Alexa voice commands in testing. It costs a little more than some rivals.
Key specs
- Deadbolt replacement
- Unlock: keypad, fingerprint, app, voice, key
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Works with Amazon Alexa
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like having several ways in, especially fingerprint access for family members; the higher price compared with basic keypad locks is the trade-off most buyers weigh.
2. Schlage Arrive Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt: Best Keypad Lock
Schlage is known for sturdy hardware, and the Arrive was Bob Vila’s favorite keypad model. It connects directly to Wi-Fi with no hub, falls back to Bluetooth if your internet goes down, stores up to 250 access codes and has a backlit, weather-resistant keypad. Installation uses minimal parts. There’s no fingerprint reader, and battery life is a bit shorter than some competitors.
Key specs
- Deadbolt replacement
- Unlock: keypad, app, key
- Wi-Fi (no hub) with Bluetooth backup
- Up to 250 codes; Alexa and Google Home
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners describe it as solid and reliable with a clear keypad; the most common requests are longer battery life and biometric unlock.
3. Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Pushbutton: Best Auto-Lock
This keyless Yale replaces your deadbolt with a bright, backlit pushbutton keypad and no key cylinder to pick. Auto-lock is adjustable from 30 seconds to 30 minutes, with a passage button to turn it off when you’re carrying groceries in. The base version uses Bluetooth; Wi-Fi, voice control and Apple Watch features need a Yale smart module sold separately. TechRadar notes installation must be precise, so take your time or hire a pro.
Key specs
- Deadbolt replacement, key-free
- Unlock: keypad, app
- Bluetooth; Wi-Fi via add-on module
- Auto-lock 30 sec to 30 min
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners like never carrying a key and the flexible auto-lock; some were caught off guard that Wi-Fi requires an add-on.
4. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: Best Retrofit
August replaces only the inside thumb-turn of your existing deadbolt, so your keys and exterior hardware stay the same. That makes it the easiest install here (a screwdriver is all you need) and a favorite for people who don’t want to change the look of their door. It has built-in Wi-Fi, auto-lock and auto-unlock as you approach, and Apple Watch support. SafeHome named August its best overall value. A keypad is extra.
Key specs
- Retrofit: replaces interior thumb-turn only
- Unlock: app, auto-unlock, voice, existing key
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Works with Alexa, Google and Apple Home (per maker)
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners love the invisible-from-outside install and auto-unlock; the most frequent complaint is changing batteries more often than expected.
5. Lockly Visage Zeno: Best for Apple Households
TechRadar’s pick for Apple users supports Apple Home Key, so you can tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, even if the device’s battery has died. It also offers facial recognition, has built-in Wi-Fi and works with Apple Home, Google and Alexa. It runs on a rechargeable battery pack instead of disposable AAs. It’s one of the pricier locks, and testers found the internal cabling fiddly to install.
Key specs
- Deadbolt replacement
- Unlock: Apple Home Key, face, app
- Built-in Wi-Fi; no hub needed
- Rechargeable battery pack
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners enjoy unlocking with an iPhone tap or just their face; installation and price are the common pain points.
6. ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro: Best Budget Fingerprint Lock
Bob Vila’s best fingerprint pick has a sleek round keypad with green illumination and a fingerprint reader that worked reliably for multiple users in testing. It can auto-unlock when your paired phone comes within about 7 feet. It connects by Bluetooth, so remote access and Alexa or Google control need ULTRALOQ’s Wi-Fi bridge.
Key specs
- Deadbolt replacement
- Unlock: fingerprint, keypad, app, auto-unlock, key
- Bluetooth; Wi-Fi via bridge
- Alexa and Google with bridge
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners appreciate the fingerprint speed for the price; some wish Wi-Fi were built in.
7. Kwikset Halo Touch: Best for Families
SafeHome’s best-brand pick stores up to 50 users and 100 fingerprints, so everyone in a big household (plus the dog walker) gets their own access. It has built-in Wi-Fi with no hub, works with Alexa and Google Assistant, supports schedules and auto-lock, and Kwikset’s SmartKey design lets you rekey it yourself. It’s a little bulky, and some testers found the app laggy.
Key specs
- Deadbolt replacement
- Unlock: fingerprint, app, key
- Built-in Wi-Fi; Alexa and Google
- Up to 50 users / 100 fingerprints
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Families like assigning each person a fingerprint and checking entry history; the app’s speed is the most cited frustration.
8. SwitchBot Lock: Best for Renters
SwitchBot’s lock doesn’t replace anything. It attaches over your existing interior thumb-turn and rotates it for you, so it’s a smart choice for renters who can’t swap hardware. TechRadar named it the best renter’s pick and budget pick. It runs on two CR123A batteries, includes a magnet sensor to detect whether the door is open, and works with Alexa, Google, Siri shortcuts and SmartThings.
Key specs
- Adapter over existing thumb-turn
- Unlock: app, voice assistants
- Two CR123A batteries
- Door-open magnet sensor included
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Renters love that it leaves no trace when they move; the bulky look and instructions are the common complaints.
9. SMONET Smart Lock with Handle: Best Budget Lever Lock
Bob Vila’s best-value pick replaces a doorknob or lever set rather than a deadbolt, which makes it handy for garage entry, side or office doors. You can open it by fingerprint, keypad, app, key fob (two included) or key, and the handle reverses for left- or right-swing doors. Alexa and Google need a separate gateway hub, and a handle lock is less secure than a deadbolt on a main entry.
Key specs
- Replaces knob or lever set
- Unlock: fingerprint, keypad, app, fob, key
- Bluetooth; Wi-Fi via separate hub
- Reversible handle
👍 Pros
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👎 Cons
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What owners say: Owners call it great value for secondary doors; pair it with a separate deadbolt on exterior doors.
How to choose the best smart lock
- Retrofit vs full replacement: Retrofit locks (August, SwitchBot) replace or cover only the interior thumb-turn, so your keys and exterior look stay the same. Full replacements (Schlage, Yale, eufy, Lockly, Kwikset) swap the whole deadbolt and add an outdoor keypad or fingerprint reader.
- How you’ll unlock: Keypads are simple and great for guests. Fingerprint readers are fastest for family members. Phone-based unlocking, Apple Home Key and auto-unlock are convenient if everyone carries a smartphone.
- Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi gives remote control and alerts with no extra hardware but tends to use batteries faster. Bluetooth-only locks work up close and need a bridge or module for remote access.
- Smart home ecosystem: Check compatibility with what you already use: Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, SmartThings, or Matter. Not every lock supports every platform.
- Power: Most smart locks use four AA batteries that typically last several months to a year; some use rechargeable packs. Look for low-battery alerts and a backup key or external power contacts.
- Guest access and logs: Scheduled or one-time codes, entry history and per-user fingerprints matter for rentals, sitters and contractors.
- Weather and finish: Exterior keypads should be weather-resistant and backlit for night use. Match the finish to your other door hardware.
Pro tip from our construction team: Before you buy, measure your door’s thickness and the backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the lock hole), and confirm your current deadbolt throws and retracts smoothly without pushing on the door. Most smart locks fit standard prepared doors, but a sticking bolt drains batteries and causes jams. Adjust the strike plate first, and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.
FAQ
Are smart locks safe?
A quality smart deadbolt is as physically strong as a traditional one, and reputable brands encrypt their connections. Use a strong account password with two-factor authentication, keep firmware updated and avoid sharing permanent codes widely.
What happens if a smart lock’s battery dies?
You’ll usually get low-battery warnings for weeks beforehand. Most locks also have a backup physical key, and some keypads accept a 9V battery or USB power on the outside to wake the lock long enough to enter a code.
Do smart locks work without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Keypads, fingerprint readers and Bluetooth unlocking work locally. You lose remote control and notifications until Wi-Fi returns.
Can I install a smart lock myself?
Most homeowners can install one in under an hour with a screwdriver if the door already has a standard deadbolt. Retrofit models are the easiest. Doors that need new holes or have unusual hardware are best handled by a locksmith.
Related guides
Sources
Bob Vila: The Best Smart Locks of 2026 Put to the Test; TechRadar: The best smart locks 2026; SafeHome: The Best Smart Locks of 2026. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.