Best smart locks 2024 | Tom's Guide

These are the best smart locks based on our tests of August, Schlage, Yale, Kwikset, and other brands

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

A smart lock is more than just a convenience; it can also give you peace of mind knowing that, if you're away from home, you'll know if someone enters your home. You can also give out temporary electronic "keys" to dog sitters and caretakers, so there's no risk of someone copying a physical key to your home without you knowing.

After testing dozens of models, we think the best smart lock for most people is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It's easy to install, lets you use the keys that came with the lock you're replacing, works with all sorts of smart home systems, and is reasonably priced.

But, if that model doesn't fit your needs, we've reviewed — and have recommendations for — many other models and uses, which include such features as fingerprint readers and the ability to unlock your door using your Apple Watch.

Generally, there are two types of smart locks: deadbolt replacements and deadbolt adapters. The former replaces your entire deadbolt, while the latter requires you to only swap out the part of your deadbolt that's inside your house. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, which we cover in our "what to look for when buying a smart lock" section, and both types can be found among our top picks.

Best overall

Our top pick is simple to install, lets you use the original keys to your door, and is remarkably easy to use. Plus, you can get accessories such as a remote keypad to give you more options to get in your door.

Read more below.

Best value

This model is a bit bulkier than August's other lock and lacks built-in Wi-Fi, but is otherwise just as simple to use — and a lot cheaper. You'll have to spend a little more to control it remotely, though.

Read more below.

Best for Apple Watch owners

Hands filled with groceries? No worries — just tap your Apple Watch against the Schlage Encode Plus to unlock your door. (You can also tap your iPhone against the lock, too).

Read more below.

Works with everything

This elegant-looking lock works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home, so it'll fit into just about any smart home. And, it supports Matter, too.

Read more below.

An invisible smart lock

If you don't want anyone to know you have a smart lock, the Level Bolt is for you. It fits entirely inside your door, hidden from view. However, you'll need an adapter to control it remotely.

Read more below.

Best facial recognition

The most advanced smart lock we've tested has a camera and facial-recognition software to unlock your door using nothing more than your face. But, it has a price to match.

Read more below.

Philips recently introduced a new smart lock that can scan your palm to unlock your door. The Philips 5000 Palm Recognition Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock ($359, Amazon) also has built-in Wi-Fi, a number pad, and comes with a wireless chime, so that visitors can press a button to announce their presence. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

Our expert review:

There wasn't much to improve on August's smart lock, but the company went ahead and tweaked its original to make it smaller and easier to use. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45 percent smaller than the original, so it looks less bulbous on your door, and now has Wi-Fi built in, so you don't need to install the August Connect bridge to link your lock to your home network.

Everything we liked about the August Pro is here: It's a cinch to install — you simply replace the part of your deadbolt that's inside your house — so that you can continue to use your existing keys, which is a nice backup in case the lock's batteries run out. You shouldn't have to worry about that too often, as the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock will run up to six months before the batteries need to be replaced.

The lock has a few other features that made it stand out from the others during our tests. Chief among them is DoorSense, which lets you know if your door has been left ajar. The August lock also works with a huge range of other smart home systems, from Alexa to Google Assistant to HomeKit to Xfinity.

August also sells a wireless keypad if you want yet another option for unlocking your door. You can purchase the Yale Keypad for $69, or, if you want to use your fingerprint to open your door, the Yale Keypad Touch for $109. These accessories will work with August's other smart locks, as well as Yale's smart locks.

Read our full August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review.

Our expert review:

If you want to add some smarts to your home without spending too much, the August Smart Lock has most of the features you'll need, at a reasonable price. You can pick up this smart, full-featured lock for less than $100.

Like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, we also found this model very easy to install; you simply remove the inside portion of your deadbolt and swap it out. So, you can continue to use the same keys with your door, which also makes it a good option if you're a renter. When you move out, you can quickly and easily remove the lock and replace it with the old one, keeping your deposit safe.

However, this smart lock is a lot bulkier than the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, so it'll take up a bit more room on the inside of your door. And, if you want to connect it to your home Wi-Fi — so you can monitor the lock remotely — you'll need to purchase the August Connect module, which costs about $60.

The one other nitpick we have with this lock is that it doesn't work with Apple HomeKit. Otherwise, it's a very capable smart lock that doesn't cost a lot of money.

Read our full August Smart Lock review.

Our expert review:

Why type in a code if all you have to do is tap your phone to a smart lock to open your door? That's the biggest benefit of the Schlage Encode Plus — at least for iPhone owners. When connected with HomeKit, you simply need to touch your iPhone or your Apple Watch to the Encode Plus to lock or unlock it. We found it as easy to use in practice — it's a real help when your hands are filled with groceries and you literally can't lift a finger. However, you do have to rotate your wrist so that the iPhone's watch face touches the lock, which can be a little awkward.

We also like that this lock can connect directly to Wi-Fi, and that it has a nice big number pad as well as a built-in alarm. However, it holds fewer codes — just 100 — than competing smart locks, such as the August. So, if you don't have an iPhone, this may not be the best smart lock for you.

Read our full Schlage Encode Plus review.

Our expert review:

The support for multiple smart home standards make the Yale Assure Lock 2 one of the best smart locks available. It works with Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit and SmartThings, and also supports Matter. That means you can control it from your smartphone, whether you have one of the best iPhones or best Android phones, or a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo, Google Nest Mini or Google Nest Hub Max. However, you need to swap out an internal module if you want to switch from Bluetooth to, say Wi-Fi or Zigbee.

Like its predecessor, the Assure SL, the Assure Lock 2 is an attractive, well-designed lock that is easy to install. There is no manual key option, though: it’s a keycode (unlimited!), app or nothing. If the battery runs out, you can give it a temporary boost by touching a 9v battery to two contacts underneath the keypad.

Our biggest gripe is that you have to press the Yale logo before you can input the keycode. It's an extra step, and one that visitors might not understand. Also, there's no brass finish option this time around, but that's more of a quibble than anything.

Yale has several versions of this lock: The Assure Lock 2 Touch has a fingerprint reader, with the ability to store up to 20 different fingerprints. It's available as a keyed or key-free touchscreen model for $199.99 (Bluetooth and Apple HomeKit Only) and $279.99 (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple HomeKit).

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus supports Apple Home keys, so you can tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock to unlock your door. It's available as a key-free touchscreen model for $209.99 (Bluetooth and Apple HomeKit Only) and $289.99 (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple HomeKit).

Read our full Yale Assure Lock 2 review.

Our expert review:

The Level Bolt smart lock distinguishes itself from all other smart locks in that, once installed, its mechanism is completely hidden from sight. That's because all of its workings fit neatly inside your door. So, not only does this mean you don't have to mar the appearance of your door with a gadget, but it also means that you're not advertising to others that you have a smart lock. And, because the Level Lock uses your door's hardware, you can still continue to use your keys to lock and unlock the door.

The Level Bolt works with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant and Ring. Because it only has Bluetooth built in, you'll need a compatible smart home hub — or spring for the Level Bolt Connect, which includes a plug-in-Wi-Fi adapter (sold separately for $79) — if you want to remotely monitor and control the lock. This limitation aside, the Level Lock performed well in our tests.

If you don't want to have to rely on your phone, Level also sells a wireless keypad ($79) that you can place near the door. Level also makes the Level Lock+, which replaces the entire door lock; this model also lets you unlock the door with an NFC key card. However, the Bolt does not support Apple Home Key, so you'll need either the Level Lock+, the Yale Assure or Schlage Encode Plus if you want to unlock your door with your Apple Watch.

Read our full Level Bolt review.

Our expert review:

This is the most advanced smart lock we've tested. The Lockly Visage goes further than other smart locks with a camera and facial detection technology, so it can unlock your door just by looking at your face. We found it worked great in our testing, unlocking our door quickly and regularly when we (and other approved faces) stepped in front. And, it's great for a crowd: The lock can store up to 100 faces.

We also liked that the Visage uses Lockly's innovative keypad, which moves the numbers around so that potential intruders can't guess your code based on fingerprint smudges on the keypad. Looking for other means of entry? The Visage also has a fingerprint reader and, for the more traditional types, a standard key slot.

However, there are a few things to consider before buying this lock. For one, we found its battery life drained very quickly; with regular use, you'll need to recharge its battery every month. Even though the company includes a spare, that's still one more thing to think about.

And, at $349, it's one of the most expensive smart locks around. For that price, we wish its camera could be used as one of the best home security cameras, and not just when someone came to ring the door.

Read our full Lockly Visage review.

We found the smart locks listed below to be good, but not quite up to the same level as the locks in the first section. While all had some redeeming qualities, there were other aspects that held them back, be it limited functionality or a feature that didn't work as well as we would have liked. Still you may find that they suit your needs perfectly.

Yale Approach (★★★★☆): This is a great retrofit smart lock for those who want to keep the same keys for their door. We really loved its slim profile and ease of setup. However, unlike the August Wi-Fi smart lock, if you want to control the Yale Approach remotely, you'll need to keep a Wi-Fi bridge plugged into a nearby outlet. And, it does not work with Apple HomeKit. Still, it's a good, inexpensive alternative.

Kwikset Halo (★★★★☆): The Kwikset Halo has a rekeyable lock, which was dead simple to use. Plus, this lock connects directly to your Wi-Fi network, is compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, and has some good theft-deterrent features built into its touchscreen. The Halo also works with an Apple Watch and the FallCall app to automatically call EMT and unlock your door if the watch detects that you've fallen down.

Lockly Flex Touch (★★★★☆): This small, discreet smart lock only reveals its true nature by a small circle underneath the lock itself. It can store up to 99 fingerprints, but also works with a traditional key. We liked the Flex Touch's unobtrusive design — from the outside, at least — and found it easy to install and use. If you want to control it remotely, you'll need to spend an extra $80 on a Wi-Fi bridge. And, you'll have to supply your own batteries.

Schlage Encode (★★★★☆): The Schlage Encode will blare out an earsplitting siren in the attempt of a break-in, and is a great combination of a manual, keycode and remote-controlled lock. The lock supports Alexa and Google Assistant, but not HomeKit. For that, you'll have to upgrade to the Schlage Encode Plus.

Lockly Secure Plus (★★★★☆): This lock has a fingerprint reader, a key, and a touchpad. We especially like that the touchpad's numbers move around, to prevent others from guessing your entry code. However, you need to buy a Wi-Fi adapter to control it remotely.

The majority of smart locks are designed to work with your deadbolt; most are deadbolt replacements — that is, in order to install the smart lock, you must completely remove your deadbolt first. A few others (most notably the August smart locks) are deadbolt adapters, which requires you only to remove the part of your deadbolt that's inside your house.

There are pros and cons to each; a deadbolt adapter is generally easier to install and lets you use the keys you already have, but if you want to be able to open your door using a keypad, you'll have to purchase and install that separately.

A deadbolt replacement, on the other hand, will take longer to install, but typically has a keypad, fingerprint reader, or some other entry mechanism built into it.

Lever smart locks are also becoming more common; however, we recommend these only for use on interior doors, such as the door leading from an attached garage into your house.

Other things to consider when shopping for a smart lock:

Design: Your smart lock should blend in with your home decor. Most locks are available in a variety of styles and finishes, such as brass, silver, and bronze.

Security: Smart locks offer one or more means of entry, so it's up to you to decide what you prefer.

Connectivity: In order to control and monitor a smart lock remotely, you have to connect it to your home network. This can be done in one of several ways. Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Bluetooth are the most popular radios built into smart locks, as they require little power. However, these models require a hub or bridge of some kind if you wan to monitor the lock remotely. One of the best smart home hubs, such as the Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Echo, or Apple HomePod mini, will help you do this, but you should make sure the hub is compatible with the lock.

Increasingly, more and more smart locks have Wi-Fi built in, which makes connecting them to your home network easier. However, this may mean that you'll have to change their batteries more frequently.

Smart home compatibility: The better smart locks should be able to work with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit, which allows you to tie them in to other smart home devices. So, for example, if you say "Siri, Goodnight," Apple's assistant will turn off your lights and lock your doors automatically. If you have a home security system, you can also connect some locks to it, so that they'll automatically lock when you leave home.

ANSI/BHMA certification: Any smart lock worth installing in your door should have either a nANSI or BHMA certification. ANSI is the American National Standards Institute, and BHMA stands for Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association.

There are three levels of ANSI door lock grades, with Grade 3 being the least secure, and Grade 1 being the most secure. ANSI tests include a number of strength and operational tests to see how well a lock will stand up to repeated use as well as forced entry. (You can find a full explanation of ANSI tests here.) Generally, you should only buy a lock that has a Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating.

The only way you can really test a smart lock is to install it on your door and see how well it works. To that end, we've spent hundreds of hours with smart locks installed in our homes, using them day in and day out to see how they perform in all sorts of conditions.

The first thing we look at is the ease of installation. A smart lock should be simple enough for anyone with a screwdriver and a modicum of know-how to put on their front door. We time how long it takes to install a smart lock, and how difficult the entire process was — which also includes pairing it with a smartphone app.

Next, we see how well the lock works in everyday operation. Can you use it as easily as a traditional door lock? How intuitive is the app? What features does it come with? The best smart locks will let you create a number of temporary "keys," which you can send to others to open the door. Ideally, you should be able to schedule for when these keys will work. For example, if you have a dog walker, you should be able to program the virtual key for that person to work only during daytime hours during the week.

While you can use smart locks without connecting them to your home Wi-Fi network, doing so allows you to monitor and operate the lock remotely, and connect it to other smart home devices. We also see how easy it is to set up this aspect of the lock, and determine how well it plays with other smart home gadgets. At a minimum it should work with Alexa and/or Google Assistant, so that you can not only lock your door by voice, but query the assistant to actually see if the door is locked. Even better is when a smart lock can work with smart lights and security systems, to create a fully automated smart home.

Smart locks are just one component of a smart home. Read on for our top picks in a number of other categories.

Here at Tom’s Guide our expert editors are committed to bringing you the best news, reviews and guides to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve!

Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.

We've tested all Blink and Ring cameras on sale for Prime Day — these are the 7 you should actually buy

Ring security cameras just got 4 big upgrades — including 24/7 video recording

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition could get this big display upgrade — and new renders just leaked too