Safety is often at the forefront of people’s minds when they are setting up their homes. What kind of security system should they get? For equipment, what kind of cameras and lights should they get? What is the best way to keep a family protected? There have been immense strides in home security technology over the past 10 to 15 years and one of the top innovations has come in the form of smart locks.
Rather than having someone just be able to pick a lock and enter your home, there are now alarms that will send alerts to you if someone is at your front door. But the locks themselves have also changed. If you have a smart lock, you can unlock it from your phone or wireless device. You can type in a code to allow entry usually also. This is safer than a deadbolt lock with a key because you’ll know if someone is at your door. If you’re looking to upgrade your home security, take a look at our picks for the best smart locks we’ve laid out for you below. Feel safer in your own home.
Best smart locks overall: August Wi-Fi 4th Generation Smart Lock
Pros: Auto unlock recognizes you’re near, biometric verification
Cons: App does not have the best interface
Never leave the house and wonder if you locked the door again with the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. This is the best overall, 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 get new locks or even new keys. Plus, you won’t have to fumble with your keys, as the auto-unlock can recognize that you’re near and open for you. It will sense your keys, 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. You can choose this option or one that includes a keypad as well.
Best touchscreen lock: Yale Assure Lock SL Touchscreen
Pros: Connects with multiple voice assistants, digital keys
Cons: Pricey
Rather than touching actual buttons, utilize the Yale Assure Lock SL Touchscreen. There are many configurations that you can choose when you go with Yale, but our favorite is the key-free touchscreen display. You’ll be able to unlock the door by using the backlit keypad and it also connects with multiple voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. You can lock and unlock your door from anywhere using Philips Hue, Airbnb, Apple HomeKit, and more.
If you have your phone on you, your phone will automatically unlock the door when you get home. If not, you can use the keypad. This 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. It is expensive though. But can you put a price on safety?
Best variety: Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt
Pros: Installs easily, multiple styles to choose from
Cons: Smart lock isn’t always reliable
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. This also works with Z-Wave Plus smart home systems as well as Zigbee. It’s easy to install, as it only requires a screwdriver. You’ll be able to use your voice to control it, thanks to compatibility with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa.
The built-in alarm senses potential door attacks. The unique Snap n’ Stay technology snaps the deadbolt onto the door. Some users have said that this isn’t always reliable though. It allows you to share up to 30 access codes, rather than keeping track of spare keys. The keypad is fingerprint-resistant, so advanced burglars won’t be able to track your fingerprints.
Most versatile: ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock
Pros: A lot of different ways to operate it, anti-peep keypad
Cons: Needs strong Wi-Fi to connect with the bridge that is sold separately
The ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock allows you to open it up in six different ways. It’s the most versatile because it can be unlocked by a Fingerprint / Anti-peep Keypad / Smartphone / Auto-Unlock / Shake to Open / Mechanical Key, providing you with many amazing features. The anti-peep keypad can be used where you type in a long list of 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 and providing family members with an e-code has never been easier. There is a MicroUSB for backup power, in case you lose power. It takes almost no time to set up and install. This is IP65-dustproof as well as weatherproof. You can also get this with a Wi-Fi adapter. You will need a bridge that you purchase separately in order to connect to the Wi-Fi, running up the cost.
Best for visitors: Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless Entry Electronic Touchscreen Deadbolt
Pros: Create up to 250 user codes, receive notifications about the lock’s activity
Cons: App controls can take a bit to work
The Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock Keyless Entry Electronic Touchscreen Deadbolt is efficient and easy to use. You can create up to 250 user codes for friends and family to use. You’ll be able to set up to receive notifications for your lock’s activity and view the lock event history in the Kwikset app. You can re-key your lock in seconds and this works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
It does not require a third-party smart home hub to work. There is no need for a subscription. You can set schedules for custom user codes. You’ll be protected against advanced break-in techniques. It allows you to re-key your lock yourself in seconds. There are multiple colors you can choose from as well to best fit the look of your door. You’ll be able to match it well.
Sync up these with our picks for the best smart home devices!
