Smart door locks add keyless entry, remote locking, guest access codes, and activity logs to your front door. They are one of the most practical smart home upgrades you can make — especially if you ever lock yourself out, manage rental access, or want to let in a delivery without being home.
We evaluated security certifications, connectivity reliability, battery life, and smart home integration to find the best smart door locks available.
What to Look For
- ANSI/BHMA grade: Grade 1 is commercial-grade and the most secure. Grade 2 is residential standard. Avoid anything unrated.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi locks connect directly to your router. Z-Wave and Zigbee locks require a hub (SmartThings, Ring, Wink) but have longer battery life.
- Access methods: Keypad, fingerprint, key fob, and app control each add backup options. More is better for a primary entry door.
- Battery life: Most smart locks use 4 AA batteries for 6-12 months. Check for low-battery alerts in the app.
- Retrofit vs full replacement: Retrofit locks (like August) add smart features while keeping your existing deadbolt and exterior key. Full replacement locks replace the whole mechanism.
Our Top Picks
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
ANSI Grade 1 security, built-in Wi-Fi (no hub required), Apple Home Key support (tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock), and up to 100 access codes. Schlage is the gold standard for residential lock security.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Installs on the inside of your existing deadbolt in minutes. Keeps your exterior hardware unchanged so guests and neighbors cannot tell it is smart. Auto-lock, DoorSense door position monitoring, and full Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit support.
Wyze Lock Bolt Fingerprint Deadbolt
Fingerprint reader, backlit keypad, and app control at a price that undercuts the competition significantly. No Wi-Fi bridge required for Bluetooth operation. Wyze has improved lock reliability substantially in recent firmware updates.
Yale Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi
Clean, touchscreen keypad design with no physical buttons to wear out. ANSI Grade 2 security, up to 250 unique codes, built-in Wi-Fi, and Matter support for future-proof smart home integration.
Bottom line: The Schlage Encode Plus is the pick for security-first buyers, especially with Apple Home Key for tap-to-unlock. The August retrofit lock is the easiest upgrade if you want to keep your existing deadbolt and exterior hardware.
