{"id":614271,"date":"2023-03-04T08:49:50","date_gmt":"2023-03-04T14:49:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.sellorbuyhomefast.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/04\/the-best-smart-locks-you-can-buy-right-now\/"},"modified":"2023-03-04T08:49:50","modified_gmt":"2023-03-04T14:49:50","slug":"the-best-smart-locks-you-can-buy-right-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/04\/the-best-smart-locks-you-can-buy-right-now\/","title":{"rendered":"The best smart locks you can buy right now"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A smart lock is an easy solution to a lot of common problems. Locked yourself out? Forgot your cleaning service is coming today? Your latchkey kid lost their key? Other half always forgets to lock the door? Hands are full, and it\u2019s raining cats and dogs? A smart lock solves all of these problems and more.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By giving you remote control over your front door from anywhere and easy, key-free ways to unlock your door lock, a smart lock is one of the best smart home upgrades you can make. It can also be more secure than a traditional lock, especially if you are someone who would otherwise leave a spare key under a flowerpot. <\/p>\n

One of my personal favorite features of a smart lock is integrating it into a smart home routine so that my doors lock every night at 9PM, or if I say \u201cgood night\u201d to a smart assistant, it shuts the lights off, makes sure the doors are locked, and adjusts my thermostat to Sleep mode.<\/p>\n

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I like being able to raise my watch and say, \u201cunlock the front door\u201d as I walk up the path<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Other important considerations are decent battery life (spoiler alert: this is hard to find); at least three different ways to unlock (keypad, fingerprint, and auto-unlock are my favorites); and connectivity that doesn\u2019t require a dedicated hub.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The latter is key (haha) for controlling your lock when you\u2019re away from home \u2014 another feature I find super useful about smart locks. All of the locks listed here can assign \u201cvirtual keys\u201d or unique codes to service people or a neighbor looking in on your dog that you can easily revoke and also assign only for specific times. But sometimes, it\u2019s just easier to unlock the door for them and then lock it when they leave, even if you\u2019re 2,000 miles away.<\/p>\n

Finally, I recommend considering a lock that will work with Matter, the new smart home standard<\/a>. Matter compatibility means your lock can work with any smart home platform that supports Matter, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and Samsung SmartThings, among others, and can be controlled with your app or voice assistant of choice as well as by the one your other half prefers to use. This helps futureproof it, and while you might be okay swapping out your light bulbs every couple of years, a smart door lock is a bigger investment. <\/p>\n

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Consider a lock that will work with the new smart home standard Matter<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Matter also means your lock will work with any Matter-compatible device, such as smart plugs and smart lights, for home automation routines (for example, to shut off all your lights when you lock your door). As of today, no locks work with Matter. But Yale, Lockly, Level, and SwitchBot have all committed to upgrading their existing locks (some with additional hardware, such as a hub). Schlage and August have said they will make Matter-compatible locks at some point. For more on which devices will work with Matter, read our guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best smart locks for 2023<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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\"A<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Yale Assure Lock 2\u2019s keypad touchscreen goes completely dark when not in use so it blends in better on your door.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best smart lock overall<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Yale Assure Lock 2<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Bluetooth (can add Wi-Fi, Thread, Z-Wave) \/ Access options:<\/strong> Key, keypad, app, voice \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> Yes \/ Battery type:<\/strong> <\/em>Four AA alkaline batteries \/ Battery life: <\/strong>Six months to a year \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Matter (with additional hardware)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Yale Assure Lock 2<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

$160<\/span><\/p>\n

This sleek Bluetooth smart lock supports Apple Home and will auto-unlock for you as you approach your door. Wi-Fi and Z-Wave modules add more smart home support for $80 each. A Matter module is coming soon, and you can choose to have a keyed lock, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is an inexpensive, good-looking keypad lock that works with every smart home platform. The slimline design (both front and back), wide smart home compatibility, easy-to-use app, and good selection of unlocking options make it my top pick by a long shot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Assure Lock 2 comes in a touchscreen or keypad version, with or without a keyway. The touchscreen is super discreet, especially the version without the keyhole, but my household had some trouble with it. I recommend the keypad for most people.<\/p>\n

The lock supports Bluetooth out of the box and works with the Yale Access app and Apple Home (but not Home Key<\/a>). It has auto-unlocking, an included door sensor to tell you if the door is open or closed, and can be controlled by your Apple Watch. Auto-unlock is a decent alternative to a fingerprint unlock, although sometimes I had to wait at the door for a second or two before it worked. Still, it\u2019s faster than fumbling through a purse for keys when your hands are full.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s worth waiting for Yale\u2019s Matter-over-Thread module to arrive instead of paying for the Wi-Fi version now<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Support for other platforms comes through Yale\u2019s ingenious swappable networking modules, which cost $80 each. I tested the Wi-Fi module<\/a>, which adds support for Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It worked well in those ecosystems and allowed me to add it to Alexa Routines<\/a> and lock and unlock it with my voice. The downside is that control over Wi-Fi is considerably slower than over Bluetooth and more quickly drains the battery. Yale estimates up to a year on Bluetooth only, compared to six months over Wi-Fi.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you plan to use the Assure Lock 2 with Alexa or Google Assistant, though, it\u2019s worth waiting for Yale\u2019s Matter-over-Thread module<\/a> to arrive instead of paying for the Wi-Fi version now. That module should be a faster, more battery-efficient way to add Alexa and Google support to the Yale Assure 2. <\/p>\n

However, Yale tells me the module\u2019s been delayed \u2014 it was originally slated for the end of 2022 \u2014 and didn\u2019t have a new timeline to share. A Z-Wave module to add compatibility with SmartThings hubs, Ring Alarm<\/a>, and other Z-Wave hubs will be here this spring, according to the company.<\/p>\n

The other electronic locks in this guide are all good options if you have specific needs not met by the Yale lock \u2014 such as fingerprint unlocking or Apple Home Key support, you want something even more discreet, or you can\u2019t replace your entire deadbolt. Otherwise, the Yale Assure 2 is the lock to get.<\/p>\n

Read my review of the Yale Assure Lock 2<\/em><\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
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The August lock replaces just your thumb turn, so you can still use your existing keys.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best retrofit smart lock<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Wi-Fi \/ Access options:<\/strong> Existing key, app, voice (keypad sold separately) \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> Yes \/ Battery type: <\/strong>Two CR123 batteries \/ Battery life:<\/strong> Up to three months \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home<\/em><\/p>\n

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$199<\/span><\/p>\n

Expensive but with a premium feel, this smart lock is reliable, feels good in your hand, and doesn\u2019t require switching out your entire deadbolt. You can keep your existing key, and it will auto-unlock as you arrive home.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is an elegant retrofit door lock that replaces just the thumb turn. This is a better option than the Yale Assure if you want to keep your existing deadbolt, key cylinder, and lock exterior.<\/p>\n

Unlike the Yale, it has Wi-Fi built in, so there\u2019s no need for an extra hub, bridge, or module. Like the Yale, it has auto-unlock technology (Yale and August are both owned by Assa Abloy), so it can be set to unlock itself when you walk up to your door. Similarly, this wasn\u2019t 100 percent reliable in my testing, and I had to whip out my phone a couple of times to unlock it since there\u2019s no built-in keypad. (I stopped carrying keys years ago \u2014 but you can unlock it with a key). <\/p>\n

August sells a compatible Bluetooth<\/a> keypad, which is discounted when you buy it with the lock, but it\u2019s black and kind of chunky, meaning it will stand out on your door frame \u2014 negating the whole \u201cmy front door still looks the same\u201d reason for buying this lock.<\/p>\n

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The August lock is pricey but feels premium with an all-metal design<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The August lock is pricey for a retrofit lock, but it feels premium thanks to an all-metal design. With its compact size, it doesn\u2019t stick out too much on the inside of your door, and it\u2019s attractive enough not to be an eyesore.\u00a0It\u2019s also very quiet when it operates, in contrast to many models I\u2019ve tested.<\/p>\n

The August works with either the August app or the Yale Access app for remote control, assigning guest keys, and viewing an activity log of when your door was locked or unlocked and by whom (if a code was used). The apps are essentially identical, and you can control August and Yale locks from the Yale app (but not vice versa). The August lock also works with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home for smart home control, including voice control. I like being able to raise my watch and say, \u201cunlock the front door\u201d as I walk up the path. <\/p>\n

The biggest disadvantage of the August Wi-Fi is battery life. Most Wi-Fi locks use four AA batteries that last around six months. To achieve its small form factor, the August Wi-Fi uses two CR123 batteries, which are smaller and more expensive than AAs \u2014 around $15 for a six-pack<\/a> \u2014 and need to be replaced every two to three months.<\/p>\n

Read our review of the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
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\"A<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Wyze Lock Bolt has a nice spongy keypad, a fast fingerprint reader, and no Wi-Fi connection.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best budget smart lock<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Wyze Lock Bolt<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Bluetooth 5.0 \/ Access options:<\/strong> Fingerprint, keypad, app \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> No \/ Battery type: <\/strong>Four AA \/ Battery life:<\/strong> One year \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with:<\/strong> N\/A<\/em><\/p>\n

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Wyze Lock Bolt<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

$74<\/span><\/p>\n

This smart door lock is Bluetooth-only, with no other connectivity option. It replaces your entire deadbolt and has a backlit keypad and fingerprint reader. At under $80, it\u2019s the best budget lock we tested.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

If you don\u2019t care about smart home integration or would prefer a lock without it, the Wyze Lock Bolt is an excellent value. It\u2019s not sleek or stylish; it\u2019s just a big hunk of black plastic. It doesn\u2019t connect to Wi-Fi or integrate with any smart home systems (not even with Wyze\u2019s own gadgets). But it does have an easy-to-use backlit keypad and a lightning-fast fingerprint reader. It\u2019ll auto-lock if you want, and it\u2019s half the price of the Yale Assure Lock 2.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to the fingerprint reader and keypad, the Wyze Lock Bolt can be controlled over Bluetooth, and its range is very good. I could lock the door from my bedroom at the other end of the house using the Wyze app. That\u2019s important, as there\u2019s no way to lock the door on a schedule. It doesn\u2019t integrate with any smart home platforms such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, but if you don\u2019t need to control your lock with your voice or plan to add it to any smart home routines, you won\u2019t really miss those features. It also delivers up to a year of battery life on four AAs.<\/p>\n

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The Wyze doesn\u2019t connect to Wi-Fi or integrate with any smart home systems <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

But without Wi-Fi, I couldn\u2019t check on it or control it when I was away from home, so turning on the auto-lock option is a must. If I wanted to let someone in while I was gone, I couldn\u2019t unlock the door remotely, but I could generate an offline code in the Wyze app and share that. This uses similar technology to two-factor authentication codes and worked perfectly in my testing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried about a hacker finding their way into your door lock, the lack of Wi-Fi should ease those fears, but it\u2019s easier and more likely that a thief will use brute force on a lock \u2014 smart or not \u2014 than hack one.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The SwitchBot Lock is not elegant, but it won\u2019t get you in trouble with your landlord.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best smart lock for renters<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

SwitchBot Lock<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Bluetooth \/ Access options:<\/strong> Key, app, voice, (fingerprint, keypad sold separately) \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> No \/ Battery type:<\/strong> <\/em>Two CR123 batteries \/ Battery life:<\/strong> Six months \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant (with a hub), Matter coming soon (with a hub)<\/em><\/p>\n

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$99<\/span><\/p>\n

A retrofit smart lock that doesn\u2019t require removing any part of your existing lock, the SwitchBot is a unique solution. It can work with many different lock styles, and you can even use two on the same door if you have two locks. It can also turn a key, so it works for double-cylinder locks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

This funky-looking retrofit smart lock is for anyone who can\u2019t or doesn\u2019t want to mess with their existing door lock in any way, shape, or form. <\/p>\n

Essentially a tiny robot hand that unlocks your door for you, the $99 SwitchBot Lock goes over a deadbolt\u2019s existing thumb turn and sticks to the door with super-strength double-sided tape. You can then lock or unlock it over Bluetooth from a phone or Apple Watch or use the existing key. It is not an elegant solution, but it works, and it\u2019s the easiest smart lock I\u2019ve installed; it took me under five minutes to get it set up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A $40 SwitchBot Hub<\/a> adds Wi-Fi to connect with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Home (no Apple Home). The upcoming SwitchBot Hub 2<\/a> will add Matter support, which will bring Apple Home integration along with SmartThings. Either hub also adds remote control when you\u2019re away from home, voice lock and unlock (with a PIN), and the option to add the lock to smart home routines. It also enables notifications that tell you if the door has been left unlocked or ajar. (The lock comes with a door sensor.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The SwitchBot is a tiny robot hand that unlocks your door<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In my testing, all of these integrations worked well and were fast enough, though the auto-lock feature was unreliable, meaning you have to get your phone out to lock it if you don\u2019t carry a key. Battery life is promised at six months, which is low for a Bluetooth lock, but it uses two CR123 batteries, which take up less room but don\u2019t last as long as AAs.<\/p>\n

Because it\u2019s a retrofit lock, the only way to unlock it from the outside is with a phone or Apple Watch or key. This isn\u2019t ideal, so I strongly recommend getting one of SwitchBot\u2019s Bluetooth keypads \u2014 the version with a fingerprint reader is the best. Keypads are handy for visitors and service people and add the option of pressing a button on the keypad to lock the door when you leave. <\/p>\n

All of these extras add up, though. The keypad with a fingerprint reader, a hub, and the lock costs $170 altogether. But that\u2019s still a good price for a fully featured, if somewhat strange-looking, smart lock.<\/p>\n

Read my review of the SwitchBot Lock<\/em><\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
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The U-Bolt is a compact yet fully featured smart lock.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best smart lock with a fingerprint reader and <\/em>a keypad<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

U-Bolt Pro WiFi<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Wi-Fi \/ Access options:<\/strong> Key, fingerprint, keypad, app, voice \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> Yes \/ Battery type:<\/strong> <\/em> \/ Battery life:<\/strong> Up to one year \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Amazon Alexa and Google Home<\/em><\/p>\n

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$227<\/span><\/p>\n

The U-Bolt Pro WiFi is a solid-feeling lock that packs a lot of features into a compact design. Control it with your fingerprint, key, keypad, voice with Alexa or Google, or an app on your phone or Apple Watch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

My favorite way to unlock a door is with my fingerprint. It\u2019s the fastest, most reliable, and easiest option. It\u2019s also impossible for my children to forget their fingers. But fingerprint unlocking alone doesn\u2019t give you good options for visitors, which is why I like the U-Bolt Pro WiFi.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In addition to the fingerprint reader, the U-Bolt Pro WiFi has a keypad and \u2014 if you really want \u2014 a hidden keyed lock. It also has auto-unlock using a smartphone, but this didn\u2019t work in my testing. It has built-in Wi-Fi, so it can connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control and smart home automations, but it doesn\u2019t support Apple Home.<\/p>\n

The U-Bolt Pro is much more compact than other keypad locks with fingerprint readers. The Eufy Smart Lock Touch & Wi-Fi<\/a> has a keyhole, a keypad, and a fingerprint reader, and it\u2019s bigger than an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The U-Bolt Pro is compact and relatively discreet on my front door. It does \u2014 like most smart locks \u2014 insist on branding your door, but the logo isn\u2019t super prominent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s impossible for my children to forget their fingers <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The fingerprint unlocking is fast, and there\u2019s an auto-lock option, which \u2014 when paired with the included door sensor \u2014 won\u2019t try to lock if the door is open. I also like the option to add two fingerprints per user and that the pad is right in the middle of the lock, making it easy to access.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The backlit keypad is circular and goes around the fingerprint pad. It\u2019s an easy to use, if somewhat unconventional, design. To use the keyhole, you have to physically unhook the keypad, which is attached on a hinge, and reattaching it does take a bit of brute force.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The U-Tech app isn\u2019t the most exciting experience, but it gets the job done for setting up fingerprint codes, PINs, and the auto-unlock feature, which works using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to determine your phone\u2019s location. The Wi-Fi connection for the app is quite slow, which could explain why I had trouble getting auto-unlock to work, but that feature isn\u2019t as necessary when you have a fingerprint reader.<\/p>\n

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Surprise \u2014 it\u2019s a smart lock. The Level Lock Touch looks like a high-end standard door lock.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best smart lock that doesn\u2019t look like a smart lock<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Level Lock<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Bluetooth \/ Access options:<\/strong> Key, touch, app, voice (keypad sold separately), Apple Home Key (certain models) \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> Yes \/ Battery type:<\/strong> One CR2 batter<\/em>y \/ Battery life:<\/strong> One year \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Apple Home, Ring (with additional hardware, Matter (coming soon)<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"Exterior<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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$298<\/span><\/p>\n

The Level line packs all the smarts and power into the deadbolt itself, leaving the rest of your lock looking, well, like a normal lock. It works with Apple Home and Ring and, thanks to a dormant Thread radio, will get updated to support Matter \u2014 bringing compatibility with other platforms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Want a smart lock that doesn\u2019t look like a smart lock? Level packs all the technology inside the deadbolt \u2014 including the single CR2 battery that gets up to a year of battery life.<\/p>\n

There are four options; the Level Bolt<\/a>, the Level Lock<\/a>, the Level Lock Touch<\/a>, and the Level Lock Plus<\/a> (with Apple Home Key). The Level Bolt is completely invisible. It fits entirely within the existing deadbolt so you can keep the interior and exterior hardware you already have.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Level Lock, Lock Touch, and Lock Plus replace the whole deadbolt but still look like traditional door locks with keyholes. There is no branding at all \u2014 this is the only smart lock I\u2019ve tested that isn\u2019t a tiny advertisement on my front door. <\/p>\n

All four are Bluetooth-only for now with no Wi-Fi connectivity, so you have to connect to Apple Home or Amazon\u2019s Sidewalk network for extra features. This means you need a supported Ring device (such as the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2<\/a>) or an Apple Home hub like a HomePod Mini to control the lock remotely. <\/p>\n

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This is the only smart lock that isn\u2019t a tiny advertisement on my front door<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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There\u2019s no Google Home support \u2014 yet. But Level recently said all its locks will be firmware-updated to support Matter-over-Thread<\/a>. There\u2019s no timeline for the update, but when it arrives, it will bring compatibility with all major smart home platforms. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

All Level locks also work with the Level Home app, which has had a makeover since I first tested the lock<\/a> and is more responsive and easier to use. They also all work with Level\u2019s auto-unlock feature.<\/p>\n

I tested the Level Touch and the Level Plus for this guide, both of which add an additional touch-to-open capability that is as easy to use as a fingerprint reader (though it lacks the biometric authentication). The Level Plus adds Apple Home Key, which lets you unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch by tapping it on the lock. It works very well, but I still prefer the Schlage Encode Plus (below) for Home Key since it comes with a keypad built in. (Level sells a , or $59 when purchased with a lock)<\/p>\n

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The battery in the Level Lock lineup goes <\/em>inside the deadbolt.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

To use Home Key, touch-to-unlock, or auto-unlock on a Level lock, you have to have a phone or Apple Watch on you. So it\u2019s not a good fit for households with kids without phones unless you buy Level\u2019s keypad or use its with the lock). <\/p>\n

There are some quirks with some of Level\u2019s unlocking features. You must choose between auto-unlock and touch-to-unlock; you can\u2019t have both. And neither works unless you leave the geofence area and come back. So if you leave the house, lock the door, get in your car, remember you forgot something, and go back to your door, it won\u2019t unlock automatically for you. The Touch also doesn\u2019t work well with older doors based on my testing on two doors. I would only consider installing the Touch if you have a door that lines up perfectly with the strike plate.<\/p>\n

Level locks are also very expensive, starting at $199 and going up to $329 for the Plus. But for an invisible smart lock that works well, it\u2019s the way to go.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read our reviews of the Level Bolt<\/em><\/a> and the <\/em>Level Plus<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
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The Lockly Vision Elite is a smart lock with a video doorbell built in.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best smart lock that\u2019s also a video doorbell <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Lockly Vision Elite<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (hub) \/ Access options:<\/strong> Key, fingerprint, keypad, app, voice \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> No \/ Battery type:<\/strong> Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (two included), solar power<\/em> \/ Battery life:<\/strong> Six months \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Matter (coming soon)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Lockly Vision Elite<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

$500<\/span><\/p>\n

A full deadbolt replacement lock with a doorbell and camera crammed in, this lock does a lot. Unlock it with your finger, a PIN, app or voice, or a regular key. You can see and talk to visitors through the 1080p camera, and it will be upgraded to support Matter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Lockly Vision Elite is a smart lock with a video doorbell. It\u2019s a very good smart lock, but its video doorbell capabilities are compromised by being crammed inside a lock. Motion detection is spotty, and it lacks people or package detection, but it does a better job of seeing who is at your door than any other lock on this list. <\/p>\n

Lockly has said it will get upgraded to support Matter (just the lock part, as Matter doesn\u2019t support cameras yet). So this is the lock to buy if you don\u2019t have the space, setup, or patience to install two separate devices.<\/p>\n

As a lock, it is excellent, with a keypad, fingerprint reader, keyhole, and app and voice control options for locking and unlocking. It\u2019s the only lock in this guide that uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Plus, it comes with a replacement battery pack and an incorporated solar panel for trickle charging. And while it requires a bridge to connect it to Wi-Fi (and to store video from the doorbell camera), that\u2019s included \u2014 making the $500 price tag a tad<\/em> more palatable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a great lock function-wise, but it\u2019s a bit too big and techie-looking for my personal taste (a problem the Eufy Video Smart Lock shares). And, while it works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, there\u2019s no Apple Home support.<\/p>\n

Read my review of the Lockly Vision Elite<\/em><\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
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\"A<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Schlage Encode comes in two styles \u2014 traditional and contemporary \u2014 and two finishes designed to match Schlage door sets.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Best smart lock for Amazon Alexa<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Schlage Encode WiFi\u00a0<\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Wi-Fi \/ Access options:<\/strong> Key, keypad, app, voice \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> No \/ Battery type:<\/strong> Four AA batteries \/ Battery life: <\/strong>Six months \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Amazon Alexa, Ring, and Google Home<\/em><\/p>\n

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Schlage Encode Wifi<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

$289<\/span><\/p>\n

A traditional door lock style with a touchscreen keypad and built-in Wi-Fi, the Encode will match your existing Schlage hardware \u2014 contemporary or classic \u2014 while connecting your door to smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Amazon Key, and Ring. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Schlage Encode WiFi<\/a> lock is chunkier and noisier than most of the locks on this list, and its app is inelegant and slow. But its design will match a Schlage door set \u2014 which is important for some people. It\u2019s also the best option for Amazon Alexa and Ring households. It integrates with Amazon Key<\/a> home delivery service, and you can lock and unlock the Encode from within the Ring app while viewing a live feed from your Ring doorbell<\/a>. It can also be unlocked with Alexa voice commands and works with Google Home, too.<\/p>\n

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If you have a Ring video doorbell this is the lock to get<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

With Wi-Fi on board, the Schlage is simple to install and an excellent choice for someone who wants a basic smart lock that will fit with their existing door hardware. All the standard features are here: remote unlocking, keyed access, voice control, auto-locking, and shareable access codes. It does have a sizable rear housing, though, and is noisy as all get out.<\/p>\n

I first reviewed the Schlage in 2019<\/a> when it came out, and not much has changed since then.\u00a0There\u2019s no door-sensing integration or auto-unlock option, but you have three reliable ways to get in: a key, a PIN, and the app. It also lasts at least six months on one set of four AAs. If you have a Ring video doorbell, this is definitely the best lock to get.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Encode Plus works with Home Key, but its convenience is costly.<\/em><\/figcaption>

Image: Dan Seifert \/ The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Best smart lock for Apple Home <\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Schlage Encode Plus<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n

Connectivity:<\/strong> Wi-Fi \/ Access options:<\/strong> Key, keypad, app, voice, Apple Home Key \/ Auto-unlock:<\/strong> No \/ Battery type: <\/strong>Four AA batteries \/ Battery life:<\/strong> Six months \/ Guest codes:<\/strong> Yes \/ Works with: <\/strong>Apple Home (Home Key), Amazon Alexa, Ring, and Google Home<\/em><\/p>\n

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<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

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Schlage Encode Plus<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

$320<\/span><\/p>\n

The Encode Plus is identical to the Encode Wifi with the addition of Apple Home and Home Key compatibility. It also has a Thread radio on board, but Schlage has said it won\u2019t be upgraded to support Matter.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Schlage Encode Plus was the first lock available in North America to work with Apple Home Key<\/a>. (Although \u201cavailable\u2019\u2019 is a loose term, as it\u2019s criminally hard to find in stock, and Schlage just raised the price to $330.) It has all the same capabilities and features as the Schlage Encode WiFi, plus compatibility with Apple Home and Apple\u2019s Home Key<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Home Key lets you unlock your door with your iPhone or Apple Watch using a digital key stored in Apple Wallet. Simply tap your device against the keypad and wait a moment for a green light. There are no apps to open, no buttons to press, and no need to unlock your phone (although you can add that step as an extra security layer). \u201cThe whole process is similar to, but even simpler than, buying something with Apple Pay,\u201d wrote Dan Seifert in his review of the Encode Plus<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Adding the lock to the Home app also automatically adds the Home Key card to your Wallet as well as that of anyone else you have added to your app. That\u2019s much easier than getting household members to download a whole new app for the door lock. I should know \u2014 I try regularly.<\/p>\n

To allow someone not in your household to control the lock, you\u2019ll have to give them a standard PIN, which you can do in the Apple Home app or the Schlage Encode app. Unlike the Yale Assure Lock 2, you can set this lock up entirely in the Home app and never have to use the manufacturer\u2019s app.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Schlage Plus has a Thread radio on board, but Schlage has said it won\u2019t be updated to support Matter<\/a> due to changes in the specification after the lock launched. <\/p>\n

Read our review of the Schlage Encode Plus<\/em><\/a>. <\/em><\/h5>\n<\/p>\n
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\"The<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Bosma Aegis is a chunky retrofit door lock.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Other smart locks we tested<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Bosma Aegis<\/a> is an inexpensive retrofit lock that works well and costs just $120. It is remarkably similar to the August Wifi lock in terms of function and installation but not build quality (it\u2019s very plasticky). It even has a very similar-looking Bluetooth keypad option (with a fingerprint reader). But it is giant, like hulking huge. It\u2019s also very loud and requires a separate bridge, which is why I prefer the August Wifi as a retrofit option. But if you\u2019re on a budget and like the features of the August but not the price, this could be a good fit.<\/p>\n

The Yale Assure Lock SL<\/a> is the previous version of my top pick, the Yale Assure 2. Since it comes with a Wi-Fi module included, it\u2019s more expensive. It also has a larger rear housing and a more prominent keypad, especially if you get the physical keypad version. It’s a fine lock, and the new Matter module will work in it \u2014 whenever it\u2019s released. But the newer Assure has a nicer look overall and costs less.<\/p>\n

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\"The<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Kwikset Halo Touch is a keyed lock with a fingerprint reader built in.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Eufy Smart Lock Touch<\/a> is a very good lock in terms of function \u2014 an easy-to-use fingerprint reader, a nice big touchscreen keypad, the option of a key, and Wi-Fi built in. But it is just too big and techie-looking for most people\u2019s front doors. <\/p>\n

I do like that it uses a removable 10,000mAh battery, and I got about eight months out of it before needing to recharge (with a USB-A cable). But that\u2019s also why this lock is so big. The new Eufy Video Smart Lock<\/a> is similarly huge. Although cheaper than the Lockly Vision Elite video doorbell \/ lock combo, it\u2019s still expensive and is more of an eyesore. Eufy has not committed to Matter support, and recent security vulnerabilities around Eufy\u2019s video storage<\/a> might give you pause before purchasing this lock.<\/p>\n

The Lockly Flex Touch<\/a> and the Kwikset Halo Touch<\/a> are two fingerprint-only locks I tested. I think these have limited use as smart locks since you can\u2019t as easily share temporary access to the lock as you can with others. (Guests have to download the app rather than just receive a code.) But they do look more like a traditional lock since they don\u2019t need space for a keypad. <\/p>\n

If you think a fingerprint-only option would be a good fit for you, then the Kwikset Halo Touch is the best option. (The Flex Touch has been discontinued \u2014 replaced by the Access Touch Lock<\/a>, which I haven\u2019t yet tested.) However, Kwikset smart locks are very noisy in everyday use and have larger rear housings compared to Yale\u2019s or Schlage\u2019s newer models. Also, Kwikset\u2019s app is frustrating to use and unreliable, and I had a lot of trouble even adding the Touch to it. Kwikset just completely redesigned its app<\/a>, so I will retest the lock and report back. <\/p>\n

Photography by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy \/ The Verge<\/em><\/p>\n

Updated, Friday, March 3rd, 4 PM: <\/strong>Added a section on other locks we\u2019ve tested. Included updated details on locks that will support Matter and added new details throughout.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read More<\/a>
\n Jennifer Pattison Tuohy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A smart lock is an easy solution to a lot of common problems. Locked yourself out? Forgot your cleaning service is coming today? Your latchkey kid lost their key? Other half always forgets to lock the door? Hands are full, and it\u2019s raining cats and dogs? A smart lock solves all of these problems and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":614272,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26965,3094,46],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-614271","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-locks","8":"category-smart","9":"category-technology"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/614271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=614271"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/614271\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/614272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=614271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=614271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=614271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}