Suppose you are locked inside? Need to allow a friend to feed your pets? Your latchkey child lost a key? Hands are full of stuff, and it’s raining badly. Do not worry, a smart lock is everything that you need. A smart lock can solve all these issues and beyond. One of the best smart home upgrades is a smart lock, which allows you to remotely control access to your home from anywhere. Additionally, the smart locks are easy, key-free ways to unlock and lock your doors. Best smart locks remember everything. Hence, they can help you to track when the door was unlocked and even who did it.
I have tested some smart locks and found the best options for you. Continue reading to find the best fit for your budget, needs, and preferences.
How I tested the Best Smart Locks?
As we already discussed how a smart home will look in the future, one may be concerned about home locks. The best smart locks are tested for at least a week. From installation, setup, to registering biometrics, everything was assessed. The different control methods are evaluated- physical keys, codes, biometrics, Home Key, and auto-lock/unlock. The remote features, such as app control, code sharing, and app integration, are considered while testing the smart locks.
The accessories, like external keypads and other unique features, are also considered. Finally, the battery lifetime was estimated based on the performance of each model.
Kwikset Halo Select (Best Overall)
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi thread |
| Access options | Key, keycode, app, voice |
| Auto-unlock | Yes |
| Battery type | Four AA batteries |
| Battery life | 6 to 12 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI Grade AAA |
| Connects with | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Matter |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- Great auto-unlock function
- Wi-Fi option or Matter-over-Thread
- Impressive design
- Discreet door sensor
- Can be rekeyed
Limitations
- Decide between Thread and Kwiset’s auto-unlock ‘
- Lack of Home Key or biometric access
- Touchscreen shows fingerprints
- Visible Kwikset branding
If you are interested in exploring sunrise alarm clocks that make your home smarter, try these best options.
Wyze Lock Bolt (Best Budget Buy)
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Access options | Fingerprint, keypad, app |
| Auto-unlock | No |
| Battery type | Four AA batteries |
| Battery life | 12 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 |
| Connects with | N/A |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- It is a budget-friendly option
- Has a better fingerprint reader
- Offline access codes
- Long-battery life
Limitations
- No Wi-Fi
- Lack of smart home support
- Large rear housing
This New Android tap-to-unlock feature is worth considering for smart home.
Nuki Smart Lock (Best Retrofit)
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Matter-over-Thread |
| Access options | Key, app, voice, keypad, and fingerprint |
| Auto-unlock | Yes |
| Battery type | Non-removable, rechargeable |
| Battery life | Up to 12 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 |
| Connects with | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- Fast lightning
- Sleek, compact design
- Simple to use
- Supports Wi-Fi and Matter Over Threat
- No account needed
- Broad smart home compatibility
Limitations
- Subscriptions needed for remote access
- Apple Home Key is missing
- Proprietary charging cable
- Lack of a door sensor
Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi (Best for Renters)
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Access options | Key, app, voice, keypad, and fingerprint |
| Auto-unlock | Yes |
| Battery type | Four AA alkaline batteries |
| Battery life | Up to 12 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 |
| Connects with | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- Easy to install
- Fingerprint keypad option
- 12 months of battery life
Limitations
- Needs Wi-Fi bridge
- Big and less appealing keypad
- Matter support is missing
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch (Best Fingerprint)
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Access options | Key, app, voice, keypad, and fingerprint |
| Auto-unlock | Yes |
| Battery type | Four AA batteries |
| Battery life | Up to 12 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 |
| Connects with | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- Fast fingerprint reader
- Sleek and compact design
- Compatible with Apple Home
- Connects to Wi-Fi and Z-wave
Limitations
- Less intuitive touchscreen
- Slow or unreliable auto-unlock
- Matter support is missing
- Prominent Yale branding
- Additional costs for connectivity
Schlage Encode Plus (Best Supporting Apple Home Key)
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi or Thread |
| Access options | Key, app, voice, keypad, and fingerprint |
| Auto-unlock | No |
| Battery type | Four AA batteries |
| Battery life | Up to 12 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI Grade 2 |
| Connects with | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- It supports Apple Home and Home Key well
- Works over Thread
- Easy-to-use keypad
- Great design options that align with your hardware
Limitations
- Slightly expensive
- Quite loud
- Lack of matter support
Level Lock Pro (Doesn’t Look Like a Smart Lock)
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi or Thread |
| Access options | Key, app, voice, keypad, and fingerprint |
| Auto-unlock | No |
| Battery type | Four AA batteries |
| Battery life | Up to 12 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI Grade 2 |
| Connects with | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- Branding is missing
- Small and unobtrusive
- Supports home key
- Works over the thread
- Broad smart home compatibility through Matter
- Door sense
Limitations
- Slightly expensive
- Keypad costs additional
- Auto-unlock is unreliable
- Not good for older doors
Aqara Smart Lock U300 (Best Smart Lever)
| Connectivity | Thread |
| Access options | Key, app, voice, keypad, and fingerprint |
| Auto-unlock | No |
| Battery type | Four AA batteries |
| Battery life | Up to 10 months |
| Guest codes | Yes |
| Security ratings | ANSI Grade 2 |
| Connects with | Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, Samsung SmartThings |
| Available at | Amazon |
Key Features
- Lever-style smart lock
- Great fingerprint reader
- Pairs with Matter
- A slimmer option
Limitations
- Expensive at $230
- Not compatible with older doors
- Additional keypad costs
Summary
Overall, these best smart locks are designed for different needs and requirements. These options are tested and tried. The convenience and control are the main factors these days. All the smart locks discussed above worked nicely with other smart home devices. Hence, you can choose any of the options and upgrade your smart home setup.
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