It doesn’t matter if you’re a Luddite or a smart home addict. Whatever the case, there are some smart home gadgets that everyone should have. The best example is probably a smart lock, which is a crucial addition to any home. Smart locks are great for convenience, of course, but they also have real security benefits, like notifying you when someone opens your door. The expert product reviewers at BGR have tested dozens of different smart locks, and we’ll recommend all the best models in this guide.
Our top picks
- Best overall: eufy Security Smart Lock S230
- Easiest installation: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- Best touchscreen lock: Yale Assure Lock SL
- Most variety: Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt
- Most versatile: ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro
Now that you know which smart locks we picked as our favorites, let’s dive deeper into what makes each model so impressive.
1. Best overall: eufy Security Smart Lock S230
Pros: Unlock however you want, easy installation, sleek design, long battery life
Cons: Only comes in black
If you want a single smart lock that checks just about every box you can possibly check, get the eufy Security Smart Lock S230.
This smart lock is awesome, period. It has a sleek design that’s weatherproof, so you can use it whether or not your door has an overhang. It’s also very easy to install, and you can do it in about 20 minutes with nothing but a screwdriver.
Our favorite thing about the eufy Security Smart Lock S230 is how versatile it is. You can unlock it over Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth, with a PIN code, or even with a lightning-fast fingerprint scan like a smartphone. That last one is by far our favorite.
Oh, and did we mention the crazy battery life? This smart lock will last for a full year before you need to recharge the battery.
The only downside to speak of is the lack of available finishes. This smart lock only comes in black metal. It’s very sleek, but it would be nice to have some other common finishes like brushed nickel and gold.
2. Easiest installation: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Pros: Super-easy installation, works with your existing deadbolt, proximity unlock, biometric verification
Cons: App isn’t great, battery life could be better
Never leave the house and wonder if you locked the door again with the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock.
This is easily one of the best smart locks out there, in part because it connects almost as soon as you take it out of the box, as it works with your Wi-Fi and does not require a bridge. It will easily attach to your current deadbolt on the inside of your door, meaning you don’t have to use new keys.
Plus, you won’t have to fumble with your keys, as the auto-unlock feature can recognize that you’re close and unlock the lock for you. It will sense your phone, similar to how a car can register a key nearby to unlock. You can also set it to lock as soon as the door shuts if you want.
You can send keys to family and friends, in case someone has to come over to water plants or let the dog out. That is done through the August smart app, which lets you unlock or lock the door, even when you’re not at home. There is a biometric verification option that can use your fingerprint or facial recognition for added security measures. This even works through your Apple Watch.
While the app interface isn’t the best on the market, this product overall is fantastic. Also of note, you can get it on its own or in a bundle with a keypad.
3. Best touchscreen lock: Yale Assure Lock SL
Pros: Connects with multiple voice assistants, digital keys, sleek minimalistic design, easy to install and use
Cons: Clunky app
Rather than touching actual buttons, you can utilize the sleek touchscreen on the Yale Assure Lock SL.
When you go with Yale, you can choose from many configurations, but our favorite is the key-free touchscreen display. You’ll be able to unlock the door using the backlit keypad, which also connects with multiple voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. You can lock and unlock your door from anywhere using smart home integration if you want, such as SmartThings. You can also integrate with Philips Hue, Airbnb, Apple HomeKit, and more.
If you integrate your lock with a smart home platform, you can create automations that will automatically unlock this lock when you get home. If not, you can use the keypad or configure the app to auto-unlock the lock when it connects to your phone. This lock features a BHMA Grade 2-certified deadbolt that’s fully motorized and very quiet. You can create digital keys that allow you to share them with others rather than having to make a permanent spare key.
4. Most variety: Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt
Pros: Installs easily, multiple styles to choose from, easy to use
Cons: Styling is a bit dated, reliability
Depending on your style preference, you’ll be able to find a Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt that’s right for you. You can choose a lock, a knob, a lever, keypads, different colors, and different styles, so you have options. That being said, many of the designs are a bit dated, so they might not go well with every home.
This model also works with Z-Wave Plus smart home systems and Zigbee. It’s easy to install, requiring only a screwdriver. Thanks to its compatibility with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, you’ll be able to use your voice to control it.
The built-in alarm senses potential door attacks, and the unique Snap n’ Stay technology snaps the deadbolt onto the door. However, some users have said that this isn’t always reliable in terms of connectivity.
This Schlage model allows you to share up to 30 access codes, rather than keeping track of spare keys. The keypad is fingerprint-resistant, so not even professional burglars will’t be able to track your fingerprints.
5. Most versatile: ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro
Pros: A lot of different ways to operate it, anti-peep keypad, fast fingerprint unlock
Cons: Wi-Fi bridge sold separately
The ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro allows you to open it up in six different ways. It’s the most versatile because it can be unlocked by a fingerprint, PIN code, smartphone, auto-unlock, shake to open, or physical key.
The anti-peep keypad feature lets you type in a bunch of random numbers to stop anyone from seeing what the code is, as long as your code is somewhere embedded in the long list of numbers.
It can lock or unlock automatically, which is nice. It’s also easy to make temporary PIN codes for friends, family, or other visitors There is a microUSB port for backup power, in case your battery dies.
This model takes almost no time to set up and install. It’s IP65-dustproof as well as weatherproof. You can also connect to Wi-Fi, but you’ll need a Wi-Fi bridge that’s sold separately.
