You’ll never again worry about whether you remembered to lock the front door.
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Improving your smart home takes more than connection to a digital assistant and a voice-activated speaker. Smart locks—or smart deadbolts, more accurately—streamline your daily routine and strengthen the security of your property.
With automatic locking and status notifications, the best smart locks do more than just quell anxiety. Most smart locks send notifications if your door is left ajar and let you access log history remotely to see if anything’s amiss. You can even set a guest key code while you’re out of town so your neighbor doesn’t have to search for that spare key when you forget to water the plants.
We’ve tested a range of the latest smart locks, as well as vetted a few we haven’t tried yet, to help sort out which is the best option for you.
Smart locks usually come in two configurations. The first is a full deadbolt lockset—including the bolt, the exterior keyed lock and/or keypad, and the interior thumb lever and plate. These may replace your existing deadbolt or you can add them above your current doorknob or handle. Full replacement sets oftentimes offers a larger set of smart features than partial smart locks and a stronger deadbolt than your existing lock. Full sets typically also cost more than smart locks that only partially replace your existing door handle.
The second type of configuration only replaces the interior thumb lever and plate, utilizing the existing deadbolt and exterior keyed lock. If you have a matching doorknob and deadbolt, or have all your locks keyed alike, then this option will let you keep your current setup. These configurations are also slightly cheaper than full replacements.
If you’re replacing an existing deadbolt, or installing one in a new door that’s pre-drilled, the job is fairly easy and can be accomplished with just a screwdriver in about 15 minutes. If you’re installing a deadbolt in a door that hasn’t already had one, it’ll take a bit more time and a door hardware installation kit to get it right.
Smart locks employ Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Z-Wave radio signals for easy integration with your devices. They can directly connect with company apps on your smart phone, Wi-Fi bridges, or smart home hubs. Almost all smart locks have Bluetooth, for easy setup on on your smartphone, regardless of if that is the main connection method.
Smart locks with Wi-Fi built-in connect to your home network and work with an app on a smart phone for remote operation and monitoring. They may also connect to integrated home security systems or smart home devices like the Google Nest Hub, the Echo Show, and Apple’s HomeKit.
You can then automate them into smart home routine actions. So, when it’s time for bed, simply start your smart home night routine, and the lock will fit directly in with it. From a connected smart home device, lower the temperature on your smart thermostat, turn off all the lights, and send a command that locks your door. Note that locks with built in Wi-Fi will drain batteries faster than low-energy radio waves, like Bluetooth or Z-Wave.
Smart locks with Z-Wave connect with a Z-Wave hub, which then connects to your Wi-Fi network. Most of these smart locks are still controlled from an app on your smart phone or home hub. Z-Wave is a low-energy radio signal, like Bluetooth but with a stronger signal and more robust encryption.
If you already have a Z-Wave hub and are planning to add more devices or a full security system, you might consider going this route. Using Z-Wave avoids competition for bandwidth and interference on your Wi-Fi network, which is important because there may be dozens of smart devices in a fully automated smart home.
While each lock on our list is integrated with smart technology, the physical locking mechanism range drastically. Many smart locks work directly with your phone or connect to your smart home assistants for easy locking and unlocking from your device.
Other options come with keypads or fingerprint scanners for direct access without the need for your smart device. Many smart locks also come with mechanical keys alongside their “smarter” unlocking methods for physical entry as well.
If you plan on using your smart locks on a rental property or Airbnb, locks with keypads or an additional set of mechanical keys are ideal.
The locks on this list have been thoroughly vetted, researched, and tested by our editors. We tested several in a direct-comparison test. To test the locks, we installed each lock into a metal exterior door to assess fit and ease of installation. We then paired them with our smart phones and a 25-Mbps Wi-Fi network, ran through the setup processes, and tested Bluetooth functionality.
We installed the locks in a single test stand, took them off-site, and set up a live video feed to monitor functionality. We then locked and unlocked them remotely using our smartphones while reviewing the video feed, and confirmed lock status via the manufacturers’ apps.
For the locks we haven’t gotten our hands on, we heavily researched them based on a core list of criteria and our experiences with similar products. We researched the landscape, surveyed user reviews with Fakespot analysis for authenticity, spoke with product managers and engineers, and used our own experience with these smart locks to determine the best options. If you’ve been thinking about getting a smart lock, we’ve included all the information you’ll need to help pick the best model.
What sets this smart lock from Schlage apart from other options on this list its ANSI Grade 1 rating—the highest rating for locks.
Grade 1 is a mechanical quality rating, requiring the deadbolt to withstand 250,000 cycles and 10 door strikes with a hammer. Examining the deadbolt, it’s not hard to understand how it earned the rating with its robust, heavy metal housings that enclose both the interior and exterior mechanisms.
The smart lock also has a very straightforward installation process, requiring only one screwdriver (though an impact driver would have helped us speed things along). Expect to spend about 15 minutes setting it up.
The Schlage Home app required to set up the lock is clean and intuitive, making start up, management, and administration of the smart functionalities a breeze.
The Encode uses Bluetooth initially, but once it’s up and running, it connects to a home Wi-Fi network without any hubs or bridges. Once it’s connected to your home Wi-Fi, you can manage all functionality from anywhere using the app. The Encode is also compatible with Ring security systems via the Key by Amazon app, as well as Google Assistant.
With its solid aluminum construction and an advanced feature set, we wouldn’t blame you for mistaking the budget Wyze smart lock for a pricier pick. The low cost gives way to easy installation and a host of features that many, more expensive options on this list don’t have.
The only step for installing this smart lock is replacing the existing interior portion of your deadbolt with the Wyze lock. Setup takes about just five minutes using a single screwdriver if you know what you’re doing and is extremely both novice- and rental-friendly. Since nothing changes on the outside of your door, a household member or landlord can easily access the unit with the original keys.
The lock pairs with a smartphone using Wyze’s free app and is easy to configure. We really got into the nitty gritty of programming this lock, using Wyze’s rule sets to unlock the door when our phones got within 500 feet of the lock.
A gyroscope is built directly into the lock to relay the real-time status of your door, and can alert you if it’s left ajar with a loud dinging notification. While this would be a good value on its own, Wyze includes the Wi-Fi bridge in the box, unlike competitors. Remote management works well, opening and closing without hesitation.
The premium finish and compact styling combine with a traditional thumb lever and its low price tag for a better value than many other smart locks.
The lock from Wyze is held back by its weaker security and relatively few screws holding it to the door, which may loosen over time. Additionally, the Wyze lock lacks Z-Wave compatibility, so it’s a little less of a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s also worth keeping a closer eye on the smart lock’s battery. We found it was slightly less reliable and responsive from distance once it dropped below 25 percent.
This smart lock from August requires minimal fussing and modification. You can keep almost everything about your current setup, from the expensive deadbolt that matches your fancy lockset to the keys you have already printed.
It also works with the voice assistants you already have, as well as multiple smart home systems. The smart lock is practically a one-size-fits-all solution, both mechanically and digitally. Installation, on the whole, is relatively easy, requiring only a screwdriver.
To be able to use the Smart Lock Pro, you’ll need to pair it with your phone using August’s free app. The process is quick, painless, and intuitive. The model we tested also comes with a Door Sense sensor and a Connect Wi-Fi bridge.
The bridge is required to access lock functions remotely, and the sensor allows you to see, via the app, whether the door is open or closed. Without the Wi-Fi bridge, the lock is only functional via Bluetooth, which is still handy, though only when you’re within about 30 feet of the door.
Note that if you have multiple August smart locks, you will need a Connect Wi-Fi bridge for each unit you want to manage remotely. You should also keep in mind that the smart lock isn’t compatible with some deadbolts, so make sure to double-check what you have on your front door before you buy.
Level’s Bolt smart lock lets you keep all the external components of your existing deadbolt, only replacing the internal deadbolt and actuator. So, if you want to keep a physical key for manual use, this smart lock fits the bill.
The battery hides inside the deadbolt, instead of inside a housing mounted on the door, and lasts for over a year before needing a replacement.
The Level Bolt is also the easiest smart lock we’ve installed, with just two main components—the deadbolt and actuator—plus two screws and one tailpiece adapter. With the tools ready, at hand, it took about 10 minutes to install. With no keypad or touchpad, all interaction with the Bolt takes place through Level’s smart phone app.
The clever design is clean and simple, and it’s impossible to tell you’ve got a smart lock hooked up once it’s installed. We were able to set up the lock through Level’s app without issue and found all the standard smart lock features you expect, including auto lock/unlock, lock status, activity history, and user management.
The app features all work well, though we could only use them when we were within Bluetooth range. For remote use, you’ll have to connect the Level Bolt to a smart home hub—it’s compatible with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Ring.
The Flex Touch smart lock from Lockly is a sturdy, complete deadbolt. Its simplicity can be deceiving because from the outside it looks like a standard lock (save for the small external fingerprint reader that sits just below it). Take a peek on the other side of your door, however, and you’ll find a discrete base that holds the brains and power hidden away behind a turnable knob.
This is the perfect smart lock for traditionalists looking to dip their toes into the smart home life because it installs securely within minutes, is easy to operate, and doesn’t look like something out of a sci-fi flick with obnoxious LED lighting or bold stylings.
The 3D biometric fingerprint scanner can’t be fooled by images of a registered fingerprint, and the app control is locked behind your phone’s passcode. In our testing, this was the most thorough fingerprint reader we used.
Its setup took one full minute to grab multiple thorough readings of a fingerprint, which was the longest time out of all fingerprint locks. However, that thoroughness paid off as it virtually never missed a touch when unlocking the door.
Like with other smart options, you can generate offline access codes for trusted users or use the two included physical keys to get inside. This smart lock uses its own hardware from the deadbolt to the plates, so it requires a fresh start unlike the August or Wyze conversion models.
With the Secure Link Wi-Fi Hub connected to our test network, it was simple for us to check the lock status and activity logs and create access codes from a location just over two miles away from our office. With the app, it’s easy to manage multiple locks in multiple homes.
This complete deadbolt set is a sleek, contemporary smart lock with a large, easy-to-read, illuminated touchpad. It operates primarily using Bluetooth, so lock and unlock features in the app only function when you’re in close proximity. Remote functionality requires an additional Wi-Fi bridge (or a Z-wave module to connect to Z-wave home hubs).
Installation of the DB2-B is straightforward and takes about 15 minutes, with setup via Alfred’s app taking another 10. We found the app easy to use and quickly created access codes for the occupants of our test home.
PINs are numeric and can be anywhere from four to 10 digits. We appreciated the flexibility instead of being locked into a specific length. The number pad holds up to 20 different pin codes for entry, so the lock is ideal for hosting guests or Airbnb clients.
We allowed the app access to location services on our phone, which meant that once we were close enough to the lock, we could simply touch it to unlock the door—alternatively, we could open the app to unlock or lock the door
This smart lock stands out as the complete replacement for your current deadbolt system, and hopefully, the need for keys. While the deadbolt does come with a mechanical key, the smart lock app is designed to auto lock and unlock based on how long it’s been since you shut the door and how close you are to the door when returning, respectively.
Even without proximity to your phone, you still won’t need a key, with the front-facing number pad offering an additional method of entry. Don’t worry about locking the door behind you either. Instead of opening up your smartphone every time you leave the house, simply enable the auto-lock feature, and it will flip the deadbolt when the door is closed.
The smart lock connects easily to nearly all of the major smart home assistants including Amazon Alexa, Google, Apple HomeKit, and even Airbnb software for getting key codes to your guests.
The U-Bolt smart lock from Ultraloq offers nearly every “smart” unlocking method available right now. The lock comes with smartphone app connection, a keypad code, a fingerprint scanner, and even a mechanical key. The multiple options make this ideal for guests and homeowners alike, providing options for those without keys or profiles.
This smart lock also connects to smart home assistants such as Alexa and Google for remote locking or unlocking without opening your app.
The Ultraloq app comes with multiple profiles and a historic log of each lock and unlock of the door, so you can monitor your home security as well as the people who come and go from it. Each profile can be linked to a separate biometric thumbprint, for easy entry with or without your phone.
Similar to other models on our list, the smart lock is also incredibly durable with an IP65 weatherproof rating. So, your deadbolt is operational during cold and rainy weather without issue regardless of unlocking method. The physical structure is also rated for Grade 1 for incredible sturdiness against potential intruders, the same level as our best overall choice.
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
Brad Ford has spent most of his life using tools to fix, build, or make things. Growing up he worked on a farm, where he learned to weld, repair, and paint equipment. From the farm he went to work at a classic car dealer, repairing and servicing Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and Jaguars. Today, when he's not testing tools or writing for Popular Mechanics, he's busy keeping up with the projects at his old farmhouse in eastern Pennsylvania.
Hunter Fenollol, our resident expert of all things consumer tech, from smart home to VR gaming headsets, has years of knowledge creating product explainers, in-depth reviews, and buying guides to help you get the most from the latest electronics. Throughout college, he covered and reviewed the latest gadget releases for sites like Tom’s Guide, Laptop Magazine, and CNN Underscored. If he’s not elbow-deep in the latest hardware, you can find Hunter at one of Long Island’s many beaches, in Manhattan, or gambling away his paycheck.
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