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Here's why a smart lock should be the first smart home device you own

Automated home security isn't extra — it's essential.
By Leah Stodart  on 
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

Our Top 6 Picks

August WiFi smart lock (opens in a new tab)

Best For Rentals And Roommates

A retrofit lock with built-in WiFi and versatile features that won't damage your apartment's current deadbolt.

The Good

  • Sleek and straightfoward
  • Ships with a DoorSense sensor
  • No WiFi connecter needed
  • Feels heavy and well-built
  • Beloved August integration is intuitive and operates smoothly

The Bad

  • Can't see battery life in the app until 25% left
  • Replacing CR123 batteries is expensive
  • No more Z-Wave compatibility

The Bottom Line

August's 2020 release is nearly half the size of its predecessor and doesn't need a separate hub to connect to WiFi.
Pros & Cons

Yale Assure Lock SL x Connected by August (opens in a new tab)

Best For Airbnb Owners

Yale's slick keypad works directly with the Airbnb app and doesn't use keys at all.

The Good

  • Batteries should last for a year
  • Can opt for model with lever/full door handle
  • Voiced instructions make usage more accessible
  • Supports Airbnb and Homeaway apps
  • One of the thinnest smart locks on the market
  • One-touch privacy mode locks out all PINs

The Bad

  • Touchscreen can be finicky
  • Yale standalone app isn't great, so you'll have to do things the August way

The Bottom Line

Un-complicate home security with this meshing of August's intuitive app designs and Yale's 180 years in the lock market.
Pros & Cons

Schlage Sense (opens in a new tab)

Best For Folks With Limited Mobility

The Sense is a stellar pick for those who want a traditional key as well and features luxurious craftsmanship to match your home.

The Good

  • Built-in tamper alarm
  • One-touch locking locks just by pressing a button
  • Batteries can last for a year or more
  • Multiple metal finishes, styles, and doorknob configurations
  • Keypad works even if power goes out

The Bad

  • No geofencing/auto-unlock feature
  • Remote access can be wonky
  • WiFi adapter costs extra

The Bottom Line

Schlage offers automated security, like a keypad and voice commands, without going overboard on the tech.
Pros & Cons

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro (opens in a new tab)

Best For Families With Kids

It doesn't get more flexible than six entry methods, including a fingerprint scanner that's great for forgetful kids.

The Good

  • Three ways to get in with a phone *and* three ways to get in without a phone
  • Comes with two backup keys
  • Affordable, reliable fingerprint technology
  • Comes with a WiFi bridge for remote access

The Bad

  • Not compatible with Apple HomeKit
  • No DoorSense compatibility
  • No Zigbee or Z-wave integration

The Bottom Line

Get the peace of mind that comes with biometric security (among other options) while staying on-budget.
Pros & Cons

Lockly Secure Pro (opens in a new tab)

Best For Vacation Homes

Feel confident leaving your property unattended with fingerprint tech and a keypad that's hard to hack.

The Good

  • WiFi hub for remote access is included, unlike the Lockly Secure Plus
  • Battery life lasts up to a year
  • Comes with an open/closed door sensor
  • Option for deadbolt or full door handle

The Bad

  • The randomized keypad can be confusing
  • Physical installation is a *task*
  • No HomeKit integration

The Bottom Line

Lockly's high-tech-yet-homey take offers versatile security for vacation homes shared by multiple families.
Pros & Cons

Wyze Lock (opens in a new tab)

Best For Living Alone

If you can get past the quirks, Wyze's affordable lock nails all of the basics and works with your existing keys.

The Good

  • Works with your existing keys
  • Sounds alarm if lock is jammed or keypad is attempted too many times
  • Has its own door position detection sensor built in

The Bad

  • Auto-unlock doesn't always recognize your location
  • Open/closed sensor needs to be re-calibrated often
  • Keypad feels cheap

The Bottom Line

A cost-friendly, no-fuss way to add conveniences like app-controlled locking and guest access to your door.
Pros & Cons

If there's one thing in your home that deserves to be accessible from anywhere, it's your front door lock.

Think about it: It's something that you use on a daily basis (at least, before social distancing was a thing) and it serves as the barrier that keeps you, your family, and your belongings safe from the outside world. Maybe you're not particularly paranoid about a thief in a ski mask stealing the antique vase that you don't own, but you've almost certainly turned the car around to double check that you locked the door at least once in your life. And parents are all too familiar with the struggle of getting a kid to keep track of a physical key.

A smart lock is a solution to virtually any of these problems. Depending on the model, you can unlock or lock with a toggle in the smartphone app, enable auto-unlock to unlock the door when your phone gets within a certain number of feet, use a voice command, enter a passcode, scan your fingerprint, and set a schedule to auto-lock at certain times every day. Guests can also be sent a temporary code or timed temporary access.

What can a smart lock do besides locking and unlocking?

Think of it as two-factor authentication for your door: Just as Gmail sends you a notification when it sees a login attempt from an unfamiliar device, a smart lock sends notifications if someone tries to unlock the door at a weird time (say, during work or school hours when no one should be home) or if someone is trying to guess the code or force entry. The real-time feed of who's been in and out can help parents or Airbnb owners keep an eye on when kids and guests are coming in and out.

Every household has that one person who never shuts the door the whole way. It's a fact of life. DoorSense is a quarter-sized sensor that mounts to a door or doorway and alerts you if the door is left ajar for more than a few minutes.

Smart locks and accessibility

Switching home security from the traditional lock and key to a smart lock can be freeing for folks aging in place (or others with limited mobility). Smart locks are lifesavers if a key is lost, and cross one thing off the “to do” list by locking doors every night at a certain time. Voice integration allows the lock to be controlled with a simple command rather than getting out of bed after one is all comfy. Caregivers or relatives having their own code is much more practical than handing out multiple spare keys.

USA Today(opens in a new tab) spoke to a 68-year-old New York City resident whose apartment building made the switch to smart locks. Her main concern was, well, the complete reliance on technology. What about seniors who don’t carry a smartphone or folks who may have trouble remembering digits in a passcode? These barriers drain a smart lock’s accessibility quickly. In these cases, buying a smart lock that still works with a mechanical key if necessary is a must.

Related Video: The best home security cameras for 2019

Which smart lock should I choose?

Your schedule, kids' schedules (if you have them), and other smart home devices (if you have them) will be major deciding factors as to which automation features will work best with your home.

  • Retrofit versus deadbolt replacement: Retrofit locks add connectivity to your current deadbolt, let you keep the keys you were already using, and operate through your phone, with auto-unlock, or with voice commands. Full deadbolt replacements are a bit more heavy-duty and open possibilities for keypads and fingerprint sensors, but they require some more handiwork and require you to use new keys — or will get rid of a mechanical keyhole all together.

  • Keyless locks: Though the whole point is to not carry keys on your person all the time, it's still nice to have backup if the WiFi, power, or lock's batteries crap out. Some smart locks can be jumpstarted with a nine-volt battery instead of a key, which might be nice if you're worried about the lock being picked.

  • Smart home compatibility: Are you an Echo, Google, HomeKit, or SmartThings household? Some smart locks are particularly well integrated with certain smart home systems, and it's always nice to have everything in the same loop.

  • WiFi adapter versus built-in WiFi: A WiFi connection is needed to be able to access your smart lock from your phone when you're not home. Most purchases will come with a separate hub to connect the lock to your home's network, and others have WiFi already built in. Without WiFi, you'll only be able to use the app when you're in Bluetooth range.

Aside from a few minutes with a screwdriver (that's usually included with your kit), installing a smart lock is no more work than pairing your phone with new headphones. After syncing your lock with a serial number or QR code, the app walks you through WiFi, PIN or fingerprint setups, locking schedules, trial runs, and everything else — no hardwiring necessary.

Here are the best smart locks for 2020:

Best For Rentals And Roommates
Credit: mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Modes of entry: App, auto-unlock, voice command
  • Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Zigbee
  • Power: 2 CR123 batteries
  • Finishes: Silver, matte black

There weren’t many ways August could improve on its best-in-class retrofit lock. However, the model just released in May 2020 saw some serious real estate management with its own built-in WiFi hardware enclosed in a design that’s nearly half the size of its predecessor.

The new design, though only distinctive from the older version by size and a different grip along the side, is the product of a collaboration with industrial designer Yves Béhar(opens in a new tab). August's minimalism reaches further by nixing the need to for a separate connecting hub. Instead, the app gives a list of nearby networks just like you'd connect to WiFi on a laptop.

Landlords probably won't give the green light to ripping out the deadbolt on your apartment's door. Retrofit locks are a much safer option for renters, and the August lock is the market's most advanced retrofit lock that still provides options and smooth app functioning for roommates. 

August keeps entry short and sweet by forgoing keypads and scanners and relying on the app, auto-unlock based on your phone’s presence, or voice commands. Through the app, you can also set up timed or recurring guest access and turn on phone or Apple Watch notifications for things like someone attempting to manually unlock the door, or kids coming home. 

In case of emergencies: Since your original deadbolt is still in tact, your keys will work in case of a WiFi or power outage. To supplement the battery drainage that comes with built-in WiFi, the power source has been upped from AA batteries to CR123 batteries.

Best For Airbnb Owners
Credit: mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Modes of entry: Keypad, app, auto-unlock, voice command
  • Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Zigbee
  • Power: 4 AA batteries
  • Finishes: Oil-rubbed bronze

The internet agrees that it’s hard to beat the Yale Assure Lock SL. In fact, you’ll rarely see a “best smart locks” list that doesn't rank this model in the top three. That's not surprising — Yale has been building its home security expertise since 1840. (It’s the company to thank for the cylinder lock and pin tumbler safe lock.) 

The Connected by August stamp loops you into the painless app connectivity that August is known for. However, the biggest news is that this Assure model is WiFi-enabled (which ultimately means auto-unlock upon arrival is supported) and works with Google Home and Alexa instead of limiting to Apple Homekit or Z-wave hubs like its sibling locks.

Rental tenants losing their key is more than an inconvenience for the owner — it's a security risk for anyone else who stays there. The Yale Assure SL is 100% keyless and can be synced with the Airbnb app to automatically send temporary virtual keys to guests once they've booked. Up to 250 codes can be stored at once.

There’s not much to figure out about this touchscreen. A quick place of your palm on the keypad locks the door. Another touch of your palm lights up the numbers for you to enter your code and hit the check mark. (You can also use the app or enable auto-unlock).

In case of emergencies: There's no backup key in the event of battery failure, but you're not completely screwed. Two jumpstart nodes in the bottom can temporarily charge a dead lock with a nine-volt battery.

Best For Folks With Limited Mobility
Credit: mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Modes of entry: Keypad, app, mechanical key
  • Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Zigbee
  • Power: 4 AA batteries
  • Finishes: Satin nickel, matte black, aged bronze

We love the Schlage Sense (pronounced like vague, but with an "sh") because it boosts the usability of a regular lock without overcomplicating or being completely reliant on a phone or WiFi.

Unlike the Lockly's confusing screen, the Schlage's illuminated keypad and large numbers are easy on the eyes. Unlike the keyless Yale Assure SL, the Schlage keeps the old-fashioned keyhole that some just prefer, dammit.

Aside from setup and the occasional firmware update, the Schlage Sense can essentially operate smartphone- or tablet-free. When the app is needed, it's a breeze to use. Adding codes for new users and setting schedules (like locking every night at 10 p.m.) can be done with a click or two on the home screen. Caregivers or relatives can also use the app to manage the lock remotely.

Note: The Schlage Sense is for Echo devices and HomeKit, iPhone, and iPad users while the nearly-identical Schlage Connect works with Zigbee hubs like SmartThings, the Echo Plus, or a Ring doorbell. The third model in the Schlage family is the Encode. It doesn't require setting up a separate WiFi hub, but that built-in WiFi is a major battery drainer, which isn't the easiest for upkeep. The Sense can run on the same lithium-ion batteries for a year or more.

In case of emergencies: One mechanical key is included with the kit and can be used at all times. According to Schlage, the keypad accepts codes even if the power is out.

Best For Families With Kids
Credit: mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Modes of entry: Fingerprint, keypad, app, mechanical key, auto-unlock, shake to open, voice command
  • Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant
  • Power: 4 AA batteries
  • Finishes: Black

The circular keypad around an LED-lighted fingerprint scanner make the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro look more like the safe in a spy movie than a lock for the average front door. The heavy-duty vibe isn't elegant, but with six different ways to unlock the door, the design is appropriately badass.

At $179, the U-Bolt Pro is a pretty budget-friendly way to add biometrics to your home’s armor. Some users have reported the scanner being finicky on occasion, but for the most part, it recognizes fingers quickly and lights up green if it’s a match, and red if it’s not. Each person can create a user profile and add up to two fingerprints per profile — a much more effortless approach for kids who might forget a key and a PIN.

You can also use a passcode, voice commands with Google Assistant or Alexa, a button on the Ultraloq app, or location-based auto locking and locking. The shake-to-open feature is unique, though it probably won’t be your go-to. However, if you don’t feel comfortable with your door unlocking any time your phone is in a specified proximity to home (say, if someone else has your phone), Magic Shake lets you set a certain number of times that the phone has to be shaken for the deadbolt to release.

In case of emergencies: Inside the U-Bolt Pro (under the keypad, which can be pulled down) lies a standard Schlage cylinder that can be unlocked with the two physical keys included with your purchase.

Best For Vacation Homes
Credit: mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Modes of entry: Fingerprint, keypad, app, mechanical key, auto-unlock, voice command
  • Smart home integration: Alexa, Google Assistant
  • Power: 4 AA batteries
  • Finishes: Venetian bronze, satin nickel, matte black

When you have a lot of people going in and out of your home, your smart lock needs options. The meticulous security features that arm the Lockly Secure Pro go far past the traditional keypad, and it's easily the most elegant way to bring high-tech biometrics to your home's security.

Biometric smart door locks offer unparalleled home protection for one huge reason: They require your physical presence to open. This can provide some serious peace of mind when you're states away from your property and can't monitor it for months at a time. If multiple families take advantage of the home throughout the year, registering the prints of all family members is a more organized, more secure way of managing than making everyone (especially kids) remember a passcode. The Lockly can store 99 fingerprints at a time.

You can also use the app to unlock the door when you're not home, set up auto lock and unlock, use a voice command, or text one-time codes to newcomers without them downloading the app. 

The chances of a stranger guessing your door's four-digit code are low, but it's natural to be paranoid — especially if you have multiple residents bringing guests over all the time. Lockly's proprietary Pin Genie technology makes it nearly impossible for someone to peek. Combinations of digits are randomly generated around four circles on the touchscreen, so nosy eyes can't memorize the location of each digit in your passcode.

In case of emergencies: As long as you're in close range and your lock's battery is sufficiently charged, the onboard Bluetooth receiver lets you unlock the door with your phone even if the WiFi is out.

Best For Living Alone
Credit: mashable photo composite
Specs
  • Modes of entry: Keypad (sold separately) app, auto-unlock, voice command
  • Smart home compatibility: Alexa, Google Assistant, Zigbee
  • Power: 4 AA batteries
  • Finishes: Silver

After considering the success of the Wyze Cam on Amazon, it's unsurprising that the Wyze Lock is an equally reliable choice for budget-friendly home security. And for $70 to $180-ish cheaper than competitors, it holds its own with a respectable selection of features.

This is a no-brainer for anyone who wants a snappy, no-fuss way to add connectivity to their door's inner latch while keeping the deadbolt and keys they already use. Built-in door position detection means that you won't even have to set up an independent piece like DoorSense requires, though there are reports of this function requiring frequent recalibration to work reliably. The tamper alarm, which sounds if the lock is jammed or if manual entry is being forced, is a nice touch.

All of this practicality does extend to its looks though, so don't expect it to style nicely with an ornate bronze doorknob. The Wyze Keypad(opens in a new tab) is similarly drab but offers a way in the house that doesn't require a smartphone. This $20 plastic addition comes with mounting screws that some customers feel could be easily pried by a stranger. Otherwise, the app, auto-lock and unlock, and Google or Alexa voice commands can do the job. Customers who love this lock admit that they have beef with the inaccuracy of auto-unlock, which often doesn't recognize that you've entered the geofenced radius.

In case of emergencies: Your current keys can unlock the door if the smart lock is down.

More in Home

Leah is a shopping reporter at Mashable, where she covers shopping trends, gift ideas, and products that make life easier. She graduated from Penn State University in 2012 and is watching horror movies or "The Office" when she’s not shopping online herself. You can follow her on Twitter at @notleah(opens in a new tab).


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