Best smart door lock you can buy - The Verge

By Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a smart home reporter who’s been testing connected gadgets since 2013. Previously a contributor to Wirecutter, Wired, Dwell, and US News.

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A smart lock is an easy solution to some common problems. Locked yourself out? Need to let a friend in to water the plants? Your latchkey kid lost their key? Hands are full, and it’s raining cats and dogs? A smart lock solves all of these problems and more.

One of the best smart home upgrades you can make, a smart lock gives you remote control over access to your house from anywhere, plus easy, key-free ways to unlock and lock your door. Smart locks also remember everything that happened, so they can tell you when and sometimes who unlocked your door.

For most people, control and convenience are big enough selling points. However, smart locks also work nicely with other smart home devices, including video doorbells and smart lighting. My favorite way to integrate locks in my home is with an evening smart home routine, which locks the doors, dims the lights, and sets my thermostat to sleep mode. We have four exterior doors, so it saves me from walking around the house at night checking everything is secure.

Having a connected lock on your door is as secure, if not more so, than a standard lock. Most smart locks have the same security ratings as their non-smart counterparts (see FAQ for more details), and it's harder to physically pick a lock without a traditional keyway. Plus, any smart lock is more secure than leaving a spare key under a flowerpot.

I’ve been testing smart door locks for five years and have installed over two dozen for this guide. Here are my top picks for your front door; whether you want the best of the best, don't want to replace your existing lock, are on a budget, or want a smart lock that doesn't look like a smart lock, I’ve got the best options for every need.

A good smart lock should have at least three ways to unlock in case one method fails. My favorites are fingerprint and keypad since they don’t require you to carry anything with you, but other options include phone apps, auto-unlock via geofencing, voice control from your phone or watch, physical keys, NFC fobs, and Apple Home Key. Home Key is awesome, but you have to have an iPhone or Apple Watch — for now. Every smart lock in this list also has the option to auto-lock after a set time. This means you don’t have to physically lock your door.

A key feature of a smart lock is the ability to control your lock when you’re away from home — either by issuing a code or remotely unlocking it. My preferred option is remote control, as sometimes it’s just easier to unlock the door for someone and then lock it when they leave, even if you’re 2,000 miles away.

Connectivity that doesn’t require a dedicated hub is best. Wi-Fi is power-hungry and drains batteries fast, so many door locks connect to a hub or bridge as an intermediary. This is fiddly and annoying (especially if someone unplugs it accidentally). I prefer locks with built-in Wi-Fi or those that can connect to a multi-purpose hub or bridge, such as an Apple Home Hub, an Echo smart speaker, or a Thread border router.

Most Wi-Fi smart locks have a battery life of under six months, which is a pain. Those that use Bluetooth last longer, but need that extra hub or bridge for out-of-home control. Thread is a new connectivity option that promises longer battery life but also requires a second device (a Thread border router). (See FAQ for more on this)

The lock should have the option to assign “virtual keys” or unique codes to other household members, service people, or a neighbor looking in on your dog. These should be easily revoked or assigned only for specific times. The app should also have a log/alerts that let you know who accessed your door and when.

A good smart lock should be compatible with at least some of the major platforms, so you can set up home automation routines and use features like tapping your phone to your door to unlock it. New standards like Matter and Aliro are working to bring universal compatibility between smart locks, smartphones, and smart home platforms.

This sleek Bluetooth smart lock supports Apple Home and will auto-unlock as you approach your door. For an extra $80, an onboard Wi-Fi module adds out-of-home control and more smart home support. There are also versions with a fingerprint reader and Apple Home Key, but not both.

Connectivity: Bluetooth (can add Wi-Fi, Z-Wave) / Access options: Key, keypad, fingerprint reader, app, voice / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Four AA alkaline batteries / Battery life: Six months to a year / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: ANSI Grade 2 / Works with: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is an inexpensive, good-looking keypad lock that works with every smart home platform with its swappable modules. The slimline design (both front and back), wide smart home compatibility, easy-to-use app, and good selection of unlocking options make it my top pick by a long shot.

There are multiple versions, starting at $160, with or without a keyway, with a touchscreen keypad or a physical keypad, or with Apple Home Key. I recommend whichever fits your specific needs, but the Assure Lock 2 Touch fingerprint version is my favorite. It costs $209.99, and the built-in fingerprint reader is fast and efficient. I tested the touchscreen version, but Yale recently released a keypad version. Unless you really value the clean look of the touchscreen (which is blank when off), go with the keypad — it’s much easier to use.

The lock supports Bluetooth out of the box and works with the Yale Access app and Apple Home app (which adds remote unlocking if you have an Apple Home hub). Along with a keycode, fingerprint reader, or key, you can also choose to use auto-unlocking. Auto-unlock is a decent alternative to fingerprint unlock, but I sometimes have to wait at the door for a second or two before it works. Still, it’s faster than fumbling through a purse for keys when your hands are full.

Support for other platforms and remote unlocking comes through Yale’s ingenious swappable networking modules, which cost around $80 each. There’s a Wi-Fi module to add Alexa and Google Home integration and a Z-Wave module for compatibility with (some) SmartThings hubs, Ring Alarm, and other Z-Wave hubs. Yale has promised support for Matter via a Matter-over-Thread module. However, there’s no timeline for its release.

This fingerprint lock is fast and reliable, and the keypad is a good backup option for visitors. It works with Apple Home and can be upgraded to support Wi-Fi — which you’ll need for remote unlocking, Android phones, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home support. Auto-unlock can open the door as you approach, and you can also use a key — if you just can’t let go.

I tested the Wi-Fi module in the Assure 2 Touch, which worked well with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. It allowed me to add the lock to Alexa Routines, lock and unlock it with my voice, and control it away from home. The downside is that control over Wi-Fi is considerably slower than over Bluetooth and drains the battery more quickly. Yale estimates up to a year on Bluetooth only, compared to six months over Wi-Fi; I got about four months.

This inexpensive smart door lock has a lightning-fast fingerprint reader plus an easy-to-use, backlit keypad. It’s Bluetooth-only (unless you also buy its compatible video doorbell to act as a Wi-Fi bridge) so the battery lasts over a year. At under $80, it’s the best budget lock we tested.

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 / Access options: Fingerprint, keypad, app / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: One year / Security Grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 3 / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: N/A

The Wyze Lock Bolt is a good choice if you want something inexpensive and useful and don’t care about smart home integration — or prefer a lock without it. It’s not sleek or stylish; it’s just a big hunk of black plastic (there’s also a satin nickel version). Out of the box, it doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or integrate with any smart home systems, but it does have an easy-to-use backlit keypad and a lightning-fast fingerprint reader. It’ll auto-lock if you want, and it’s half the price of the Yale Assure Lock 2.

In addition to the fingerprint reader and keypad, the Wyze Lock Bolt can be controlled over Bluetooth, and its range is very good. I could lock the door from my bedroom at the other end of the house using the Wyze app. That’s important, as there’s no way to lock the door on a schedule (although you can enable auto-lock).

The Bolt doesn’t integrate with smart home platforms, but if you don’t need to control your lock with your voice or plan to add it to any smart home routines, you won’t miss those features. It also delivers up to a year of battery life on four AAs — I tested it for three months and it only lost 15 percent.

The Wyze doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or integrate with any smart home systems

But without Wi-Fi, I couldn’t check on it or control it when I was away from home, so turning on the auto-lock option is a must. If I wanted to let someone in while I was gone, I couldn’t unlock the door remotely, but I could generate an offline code in the Wyze app and share that. This uses similar technology to two-factor authentication codes and worked perfectly in my testing.

Since I tested the lock, Wyze has introduced an integration with its Wyze Video Doorbell Pro that lets you unlock the Bolt remotely when paired with the doorbell — but it doesn’t let you lock it remotely, which is odd. Of course, if you enable auto-lock this is less of an issue.

Expensive but with a premium feel, this smart lock is reliable, feels good in your hand, and doesn’t require switching out your entire deadbolt. You can keep your existing key, and it will auto-unlock as you arrive home. But beware of the poor battery life and prepare to stockpile those CR123 batteries.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi / Access options: Existing key, app, voice, keypad (sold separately) / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Two CR123 batteries / Battery life: Up to three months / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is an elegant retrofit door lock that replaces just the thumb turn. This is a better option than the Yale Assure 2 if you want to keep your existing deadbolt, key cylinder, and lock exterior.

The August lock is expensive for a retrofit lock, but it feels premium thanks to its all-metal design. Its compact size means it doesn’t stick out too much on the inside of your door, and it’s attractive enough not to be an eyesore. In contrast to many models I’ve tested, it’s also very quiet when it operates.

Unlike the Yale, it has Wi-Fi built in, so there’s no need for an extra hub, bridge, or module. Like the Yale, it has auto-unlock technology, so it can be set to unlock itself when you walk up to your door. Similarly, this wasn’t 100 percent reliable in my testing, and I had to whip out my phone a couple of times to unlock it since there’s no built-in keypad. (I stopped carrying keys years ago — but you can unlock it with a key).

August sells a compatible Bluetooth keypad, which is discounted when you buy it with the lock. It’s black and kind of chunky, meaning it will stand out on your door frame — negating the whole “my entryway still looks the same” reason for buying this lock.

Yale recently launched a new keypad that’s compatible with the August and adds a fingerprint reader option, something August hasn’t had before. (Yale and August are sister companies, now owned by Fortune Brands) The keypad is expensive, but a nice quality-of-life upgrade when using this lock. Read my thoughts on that below.

The biggest disadvantage of the August Wi-Fi is battery life. Most Wi-Fi locks use four AA batteries that last around six months. To achieve its small form factor, the August Wi-Fi uses two small CR123 batteries, which cost $15 for a six-pack and need to be replaced every two to three months, based on my testing.

This slimline, easy-to-install, inexpensive retrofit lock is a simple solution with a longer battery life than the August. It requires a plug-in bridge for out-of-home control (for now) and doesn’t work with Apple Home. The optional keypad adds to the cost but also to the convenience.

Connectivity: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (with plug-in module) / Access options: Key, app, voice, keypad and fingerprint reader sold separately / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Four AA alkaline batteries / Battery life: 12 months / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

Starting at $130, the Yale Approach is an affordable alternative to the August that is super easy to install, looks fine, and has all the same features (it uses the same app) — auto-lock, auto-unlock, app, and voice control. Add the Bluetooth keypad to get one-touch locking, key code, and fingerprint access.

As with the August, the Approach replaces your thumb turn, so you can still use your current lock and key. While not as small as the August, it has a nice, slim profile and blends in better than the rear housing of most smart locks.

It comes in black or silver and took me less than 5 minutes to install. It uses 4 AA batteries and promises 12 months of battery life — a lot longer than August. This is because there is no built-in Wi-Fi; instead, it uses an included plug-in bridge.

The bridge adds out-of-home control and connection to smart home platforms, including Alexa and Google Home (unlike August, there’s no Apple Home support). This allows for voice control and adding it to smart home routines. Yale told me there is a Thread radio on board that will be activated to support Matter and enable support for all the major platforms, including Apple Home. There’s no timeline for this update yet.

The keypad is the main selling point here, as it lets you control the lock from the outside without using an app or key. You can get a bundle with the keypad for $180, which is a good price. If you want fingerprint access, it gets a lot more expensive — $230 for the bundle. That’s $60 more than the SwitchBot lock with a fingerprint keypad. But the Approach looks much nicer than the SwitchBot.

The keypad controls the lock promptly and reliably. Fingerprint unlock was simple, just touch and open and you can also lock the door when you leave by pressing the Yale logo button. Key code control requires tapping the Yale logo to wake it up and then inputting the code.

The keys are a bit sensitive; I frequently get a double inputs when pressing. But I liked the LED indicator that notifies you with green if your code worked or red if there’s an issue. This made it easy to know if the input worked, as the lock is very quiet — it’s hard to hear it locking or unlocking.

My biggest disappointment is the look of the keypad. It’s big, wide, and black, with prominent white numbers that don’t disappear when not in use — it looks a bit like a toy keypad on your door.

A retrofit smart lock that doesn’t require removing any part of your existing lock, the SwitchBot is a unique solution. It can work with many different lock styles, and you can even use two on the same door if you have two locks. It can also turn a key, so it works for double-cylinder locks. It looks very big and weird, though.

Connectivity: Bluetooth / Access options: Key, app, voice (fingerprint, keypad sold separately) / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Two CR123 batteries / Battery life: Six months / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, Matter (with SwitchBot Hub 2)

This funky-looking retrofit smart lock is for anyone who can’t or doesn’t want to mess with their existing door lock in any way, shape, or form.

The Switchbot Lock is essentially a tiny robot hand that unlocks your door for you. It goes over a deadbolt’s existing thumb turn and sticks to the door with super-strength double-sided tape. You can then lock or unlock it over Bluetooth from a phone or Apple Watch, or use the existing key.

It is not an elegant solution, but it works, and it’s the easiest smart lock I’ve installed; it took me under five minutes to get it set up and I didn’t need to use a screwdriver or remove anything from the back of my door, as I did with the Yale Approach.

Without a hub, the lock communicates over Bluetooth to your phone. Add a SwitchBot Hub and you can connect with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, Switchbot’s Matter-enabled hubs will also let you connect with Apple Home and SmartThings. A hub also adds remote control when you’re away from home, notifications if the door has been left unlocked or ajar (the lock comes with a door sensor), and voice control.

In my testing, all of these integrations worked well and were fast enough, though the auto-lock feature was unreliable, meaning you have to get your phone out to lock it if you don’t carry a key. Battery life is promised at six months, which is low for a Bluetooth lock, but it uses two CR123 batteries, which take up less room but don’t last as long as AAs.

The SwitchBot is a tiny robot hand that unlocks your door

Because it’s a retrofit lock, the only way to unlock it from the outside is with a phone, Apple Watch, or key. This isn’t ideal, so you need one of SwitchBot’s Bluetooth keypads — the version with a fingerprint reader is the best. Keypads are also handy for visitors and service people and allow you to press a button to lock the door.

All of these extras add up, though. The keypad with a fingerprint reader, a hub, and the lock cost $170 together. But that’s still a good price for a fully featured — if somewhat strange-looking — smart lock.

Switchbot has a newer version of its lock, the SwitchBot Lock Pro ($199), which looks nicer. I’ve tested this, and while it’s a decent lock with higher quality materials than the standard lock, it requires you to replace the rear of your lock (as most retrofit locks do). The standard SwitchBot Lock’s ease of installation and the fact that it works with practically any setup make it my pick if you don’t want to mess with your existing lock at all or if no other option will work for your door.

A traditional door lock style with a touchscreen keypad and built-in Wi-Fi, the Encode will match your existing Schlage hardware — contemporary or classic — while connecting your door to smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Amazon Key, and Ring.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi / Access options: Key, keypad, app, voice / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Six months / Security Grade: ANSI Grade 1 / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Ring, and Google Home

The Schlage Encode Wifi lock is chunkier and noisier than most of the locks on this list, and its app is inelegant and slow. But its design will match a Schlage door set, which is important for some people.

It’s also the best option for Amazon Alexa and Ring video doorbell households. It integrates with Amazon Key home delivery service, and you can lock and unlock the Encode from within the Ring app while viewing a live feed from your Ring doorbell. It can be unlocked with Alexa voice commands and works with Google Home, too.

With Wi-Fi on board, the Schlage is simple to install and an excellent choice for someone who wants a basic smart lock that will fit with their existing door hardware. All the standard features are here: remote unlocking, keyed access, voice control, auto-locking, and shareable access codes. It does have a sizable rear housing, though, and is noisy as all get out.

If you have a Ring video doorbell, this is the lock to get

I reviewed the Schlage in 2019 when it first came out, and not much has changed since then. There’s no door-sensing integration or auto-unlock option, but you have three reliable ways to get in: a key, a PIN, and the app. It also lasts at least six months on one set of four AAs. If you have a Ring video doorbell, this is the lock to get.

The Encode Plus is identical to the Encode Wifi with the addition of Apple Home and Home Key compatibility. It also has a Thread radio on board, which helps with connectivity and battery life.

Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Thread / Access options: Key, keypad, app, voice, Apple Home Key / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Up to six months / Security Grade: ANSI Grade 1 / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Apple Home (Home Key), Amazon Alexa, Ring, and Google Home

While support for Apple Home Key is becoming more widespread, the Schlage Encode Plus is still the best — if most expensive — option for this easy way to unlock your door. This is mainly because of connectivity. The Schlage is currently the only full-replacement lock compatible with Home Key that has a Thread radio. While it won’t be updated to support Matter, the Thread radio adds better battery life and more stable connectivity when connected to Apple Home versus using it over Bluetooth. I have had numerous connectivity issues in HomeKit with all the Bluetooth-only locks.

Otherwise, it has all the same capabilities and features as the Schlage Encode Wifi, plus Apple Home and Apple Home Key.

Home Key uses NFC in your device and in the door lock to let you tap to unlock with your Apple Watch or iPhone, just like you tap to pay. There are no apps to open, no buttons to press, and no need to unlock your phone (although you can add that step as an extra security layer).

Adding the lock to the Home app automatically adds the Home Key card to your Wallet, as well as that of anyone else you have added to your app. That’s much easier than getting household members to download a whole new app for the door lock. I should know — I try regularly.

To allow someone not in your household to control the lock, you’ll have to give them a standard PIN, which you can do in the Apple Home app or the Schlage Encode app. Unlike the Yale Assure Lock 2, you can set this lock up entirely in the Home app and never have to use the manufacturer’s app.

The U50 is the first Apple Home Key compatible lock for under $200 and is a good option if you want this convenience for less. It's easy to install and much quieter than the Schlage, and is compatible with Matter. But it uses Zigbee, not Thread, so you need an Aqara hub for a lot of its features.

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Zigbee (through a hub) / Access options: Key, app, voice, keypad, key fob, Home Key / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Six months / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: complies with BHMA Level 3 standard / Works with: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings and Matter (with a hub).

The Aqara U50 is a very good, inexpensive, full-replacement smart lock that works smoothly with Apple’s Home Key for less than half the price of the Schlage. You can also unlock it with a key, keypad, NFC key fob, and app, and with an Apple Home hub you get control when you’re away from home, Home Key, and Siri voice control.

If you want support for more platforms and/or more features you’ll need to pick up an Aqara Hub. The G3 camera hub is a good option if you want to keep an eye on your entryway at the same time, but it's expensive at $110. The E1 is the cheapest hub option at $25. Both add support for Matter, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings to the door lock.

The lock is easy to install, super quiet in operation, and has a promised battery life of 6 months. This is because it uses Zigbee and Bluetooth, relying on a hub for internet connectivity.

The main downside is that Aqara’s keypad is a bit finicky. The digital pad sometimes doesn’t recognize key presses the first time — especially when hitting the lock button. When unlocking, you need to remember to tap a key first to wake it up, then put in the code. But if you’re getting this for Home Key support, it’s not so much of an issue.

The Aqara lock is the cheapest Home Key lock by a wide margin. However, it is bulky and has a very black, tech-heavy look. It’s made from zinc alloy, but the overall build feels less solid than some of the other options. The Schlage, Level, and Yale Home Key locks feel more durable, look nicer, and have better build quality.

Aqara’s locks have a ton more features when you pair them in the Aqara app and use an Aqara hub. I like that I can pair the lock with the G3 Camera Hub by the door and can instantly see what’s happening if I get an alert that the door was unlocked. It also pairs with Aqara’s G4 video doorbell and lets you unlock the door while viewing video from the live feed. Aqara also has automations you can set up to have your smart home react differently based on who locks or unlocks the door — which is pretty neat.

A sleek, fingerprint-only lock that sacrifices some conveniences but looks much less techie on your front door. It works with Alexa and Google Home.

Connectivity: Bluetooth / Access options: Key, app, voice, fingerprint / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Six months / Guest codes: No (Guest access through app or fingerprint) / Security rating: ANSI Grade 2 / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant

The Kwikset Halo Touch is a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi fingerprint lock with a traditional keyway. As there’s no keypad, it looks more like a standard lock with the bonus of easy access. This is more limiting when it comes to sharing access to your door, but it’s a good solution for anyone who wants a simple key-free way into their home and knows they won’t need to share lots of digital keys.

Along with fingerprint, key, and app control, Kwikset now has an auto-unlock option for hands-free entry. The app doesn’t let you share temporary access to the lock remotely; anyone who wants to use the lock will have to download the app and program their fingerprint on the lock. But you can control their access by date and time and revoke it. But it’s probably easier just to remotely lock and unlock the lock if you do want to let someone in temporarily.

Of course, you can still share physical keys, and I like this lock a lot as a more discreet option. As with Schlage, Kwikset has lots of matching door hardware, so this can blend in nicely. Plus, it comes in three colors, satin nickel, matte black, and bronze, and two styles, contemporary and traditional.

The biggest downside is that Kwikset smart locks are very noisy when locking and unlocking. They also have much larger rear housings compared to Yale’s or Schlage’s newer models. However, you can re-key this lock, which is a nice feature and makes it easy to retrofit to your home.

The $250 Lockly Access Touch Pro is the main competitor here but is more expensive and uglier than the Halo. I’ve not tested the Access yet, but I have tested the previous version—the Lockly Flex Touch. It’s cheaper and works fine, but it requires a plug-in Wi-Fi dongle for out-of-home control and is a less elegant solution overall.

The Level Lock Plus packs all the smarts and power into the deadbolt itself, leaving the rest of your lock looking like a normal lock. It works with Apple’s Home Key, auto-unlocks, and has the option of a separate keypad. It does need a separate hub for out-of-home control.

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi with bridge / Access options: Key, app, voice, keypad (sold separately), Apple Home Key / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: One CR2 battery / Battery life: One year / Guest codes: Yes / Security Grade: ANSI/BHMA: Grade 1 / Works with: Apple Home, Ring (with additional hardware)

Want a smart lock that doesn’t look like a smart lock? Level packs all the technology inside the deadbolt — including the single CR2 battery that gets up to a year of battery life.

There are four options: the Level Bolt, the Level Lock, the Level Lock Touch (with touch-to-open), and the Level Lock Plus. My favorite is the Plus, as it works with the Home Key, which is easier than using the touch-to-unlock feature, which I find very finicky.

If you don’t use an iPhone, or have family members who don’t, you’ll want to get the Bluetooth keypad (from $59) to give you another option for access. The lock also comes with two NFC cards you can hand out.

The Level Lock Plus replaces the whole lock, deadbolt and all, but still looks like a traditional door lock — both in front and behind the door. There is no branding at all — this is the only smart lock I’ve tested that isn’t a tiny advertisement on my front door.

It works over Bluetooth out of the box and can connect to an Apple Home hub for out-of-home control. If you don’t have a HomePod or Apple TV, get the Level Lock Plus with Wi-Fi, which comes with a Connect Wi-Fi bridge.

The Level lock also has auto-unlocking and touch-to-unlock, though with some quirks: it’s one or the other, not both. And neither works unless you leave the geofence area and come back. So if you leave the house, lock the door, get in your car, remember you forgot something, and go back to your door, it won’t unlock automatically. This is why I prefer Home Key or a keypad for unlocking.

Based on my testing of the lock on three different doors, it is worth noting that the full replacement Level locks don’t work well with older doors. I would only consider installing this if your door lines up perfectly with the strike plate.

Level locks are very expensive; the Plus costs $329 ($349 for the Wi-Fi version). But it's the way to go for an invisible smart lock that works well.

The first single-borehole smart lock to work with Apple Home Key, the U300 can also be unlocked with a fingerprint, making it an easy, smart addition for shed, garage, or home office doors. It works over Thread and is Matter compatible, with up to a 10-month battery life.

Connectivity: Thread / Access options: Key, app, voice, keypad, NFC tag, Apple Home Key / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: 10 months / Guest codes: Yes / Works with: Matter, Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings

The Aqara U300 is a lever-style smart lock; it replaces a knob or lever lock on a door with a single borehole rather than a door with a deadbolt lock with two holes. This type of lock is traditionally found on interior doors, pedestrian doors into garages, or side doors.

There are a few options for smart lever locks from Yale, Schlage, and Lockly, but the U300 is the only one with Home Key compatibility and a built-in fingerprint reader. Plus, it works over Thread and supports Matter.

I installed it on my garage door, and it works like a charm. The fingerprint reader is right where you put your thumb to open the door, so I barely notice it unlocking as I walk in. It also has a keypad, and I can use my iPhone or Apple Watch for Home Key. It’s set to auto-lock by default, but you can enable passage mode directly on the lock if you don’t want it to stay locked all the time.

It paired to Matter easily — I set it up in Apple Home and could add a code and Home Key all without even opening the Aqara app. Because it uses Thread, there’s no need for an Aqara hub. Thread also enables up to 10 months of battery life, according to Aqara.

I love the idea of using smart locks on other doors in my home. I could see this working on a basement door, a home office, or any other room you like to keep people out of. However, it is very large and only comes in black or silver, so it likely won’t blend in with your interior decor. I’d like to see a slimmer option for interior doors in a couple more colors.

It’s expensive at $230, but it's similar to other outdoor-rated options (it’s IPX4-rated). The addition of Thread — a protocol that works over a mesh network — makes it easier to extend connectivity further to places like a shed or garage.

A full deadbolt replacement lock with a doorbell and camera crammed in, this lock does a lot. Unlock it with your finger, a PIN, app or voice, or a regular key plus see and talk to visitors through the 1080p camera.

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (with included bridge) / Access options: Key, fingerprint, keypad, app, voice / Auto-unlock: Yes / Battery type: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (two included), solar power / Battery life: Six months / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: ANSI Grade 2 / Works with: Amazon Alexa and Google Home

The Lockly Vision Elite is a smart lock with a video doorbell. It’s a very good smart lock, but its video doorbell capabilities are compromised by being crammed inside a lock. Motion detection is spotty, and the camera lacks people or package detection, but it does a better job of seeing who is at your door than any other lock on this list. If you don’t have the space, setup, or patience to install two separate devices, this is the lock to buy.

As a lock, it is excellent, with a keypad, fingerprint reader, keyhole, and app and voice control options for locking and unlocking. It’s the only lock in this guide that uses rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Plus, it comes with a replacement battery pack and an incorporated solar panel for trickle charging. And while it requires a bridge to connect it to Wi-Fi (and to store video from the doorbell camera), that’s included — making the $500 price tag a tad more palatable.

It’s a great lock function-wise, but it’s too big and techie-looking for my personal taste (a problem the Eufy Video Smart Lock shares). It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but there’s no Apple Home support. Lockly had said it would be updating its locks to support Matter, but the company told me this has been put on hold.

The Aqara is a fully featured smart lock with Matter support, long battery life, and multiple ways to unlock (including Home Key). However, it needs a hub for most of its features, which bumps up the price and complexity.

Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Zigbee (through a hub) / Access options: Key, app, voice, fingerprint, keypad, key fob, Home Key / Auto-unlock: No / Battery type: Four AA batteries / Battery life: Eight months / Guest codes: Yes Security rating: complies with BHMA Level 3 standard / Works with: Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Matter (with a hub).

The inexpensive Aqara Smart Lock U100 is the best option for a Matter-compatible smart lock. It’s cheaper than the $229 Yale Assure SL and adds a fingerprint reader that isn’t on the Aqara U50. It works with Apple Home and Home Key as well as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings — when paired with an Aqara hub.

However, the Matter lock landscape is still spotty, and unless you are in immediate need of a Matter-compatible smart lock, maybe wait for more options to arrive. The Aqara ticks a lot of boxes and has every conceivable way to unlock your door (other than auto-unlock), plus the promise of long battery life. Aqara says up to 8 months, and I barely made a dent in the battery with six weeks of use.

But it works better outside of Matter right now, and its plasticky-looking build, too-modern design, and digital keypad are letdowns. It also requires a hub to unlock many of its features and Aqara’s messy app makes it complicated to set up and control.

Unless you are in immediate need of a Matter-compatible smart lock, wait for more options to arrive

The U100 is a full replacement deadlock that can be unlocked by key, keypad, NFC key fob, fingerprint, voice control, through an app, or with Apple Home Key. Fingerprint unlocking is the easiest option and worked instantly. Home Key is the second-best entry method and if you have an Apple Watch is really simple. As noted, Aqara’s keypad is finicky, though, as it’s entirely digital and sometimes doesn’t recognize presses the first time.

The U100 works over Bluetooth and Zigbee. Out of the box, it’s compatible with Aqara’s app via a local Bluetooth connection to your phone. The keypad, keyfobs, fingerprint reader, and app control will all work if you are by the door, but if you want to control it remotely, you’ll need to pair it to an Aqara Hub or Apple Home Hub (like a HomePod or Apple TV). The latter adds Home Key.

Locks in Matter still have some bugs to work out and need broader support — for example, Amazon Alexa and Google Home don’t support setting up PIN codes for Matter locks. But unlike the Yale Assure SL (see below), the Aqara lock can be controlled outside of Matter, making it a good option while you wait for the standard to catch up to its promises.

I tested the lock in Apple Home and Google Home through Matter. It worked well in Apple Home, and I could lock it in Google Home, but I could not unlock it because it said I needed a PIN code, which I could not find a way to set up.

The other problem came when I tried to use Apple’s Home Key. While Home Key is now supported on Matter locks with iOS 17, that’s only on locks that connect directly to Matter — like the Aqara U200 and U300. If a lock uses a bridge, like the U100 and U50, it can’t use Home Key through Matter, so it needs to have separate support for Apple Home. The U100 does, so I then had to set the lock up again in Apple Home to access the Home Key function. And yes, it shows up in the Home app as two separate locks.

The only full deadbolt replacement lock to work with Matter over Thread, the Yale Assure SL is something of a proof-of-concept lock. But it’s an excellent simple option for Apple Home or Samsung SmartThings users.

Connectivity: Thread / Access options: keypad, app, voice / Auto-unlock: Yes (through Apple Home) / Battery type: Four AA alkaline batteries / Battery life: Six months to a year / Guest codes: Yes / Security rating: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 Works with: Matter (Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings)

The Yale Assure SL with Matter Module is the only Matter-over-Thread deadbolt smart lock you can buy today. It’s a simple smart lock with a clean design and a touchscreen keypad for entry. There’s no keyway, fingerprint reader, or Apple Home Key, but in terms of simplicity, reliability, and future-proofing — it’s a good option.

This is how Matter is supposed to work, and it’s promising.

While the Aqara U100 mentioned above has more features than the Yale, this also means it’s more complicated to set up. If you don’t need those features and just want an easy-to-use keypad door lock that works with Matter and Thread, this is the one to go for. (Aqara’s U200 lock also works over Thread — see Other smart locks I tested — but it’s a retrofit lock, not a full deadbolt replacement. And in my testing, I could not get it to connect via Matter despite multiple tries.)

The Yale Assure SL is natively compatible with Matter, so doesn’t need a proprietary hub — just a Matter hub from the platform you want to set it up in and a Thread border router (which can be the same device). It also works over Thread, not Zigbee (as the U100 does). The benefit here is that you can connect it directly to your smart home platform of choice without needing to download the manufacturer’s app — the Assure SL doesn’t even work with the Yale app.

I scanned the Yale’s Matter code directly into Apple Home app, added the lock like any other device, and then Apple Home prompted me to add an access code (this is new with iOS 18). In the device’s settings page, I could create additional access codes, turn on automatic locking after a set period, and view logs of who accessed the door and when. I could also use Apple Home automations to auto-unlock the door when I arrive home (although I need to tap a notification on my watch or phone first) and add the lock to scenes and routines.

In my testing, it worked flawlessly, responding immediately to app and voice commands, both at home and away from home. I tested it with Apple Home and with Samsung SmartThings; sharing the lock from Apple Home to SmartThings using Matter multi-admin. Once shared I was able to add a code through SmartThings as well. I could also add the lock to Alexa and Google Home, but those platforms just let me lock and unlock.

What I like here is the simplicity. Setup was easy, sharing was easy, and when the lock is in multiple platforms it updates everywhere instantly. If I lock the door in SmartThings, Apple Home immediately sends me a notification that the door locked. This is how Matter is supposed to work, and it’s promising.

Concerns about someone hacking your connected door lock are largely unfounded; it’s a lot easier to physically force a deadbolt lock or break a nearby window than it is to hack a smart lock. All residential door locks are rated for physical security by the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) standard accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The deadbolt locks in this guide meet BHMA standards (retrofit locks aren’t rated, as it depends on the deadbolt they’re attached to). There are three levels: 1 is the highest, 3 is the lowest, and 2 is the norm for most residential locks. (You may also see letter grade ratings, a newer system introduced in 2021). Some “meet the standard” but aren’t accredited.

Most standard deadbolt locks are simple to install, requiring about 30 minutes and a screwdriver. If you have an older door, you may have to make some modifications, but most smart locks are designed to be adjusted to suit most standard doors.

Smart locks that work over built-in Wi-Fi will last 3 to 6 months. Those that use Bluetooth and have an optional plug-in module to connect to Wi-Fi will go 8 to 12 months. Those that rely just on Thread should last up to a year (I haven’t been able to test one for long enough to know for sure). Remember, if you have a lock that can use Thread and Wi-Fi (like the Schlage Encode Plus), Wi-Fi will drain the batteries quicker than Thread — so avoid activating the Wi-Fi if you can.

Most smart locks without a keyhole have some form of exterior power option to allow you to charge it enough to access the door when you’ve ignored the continuous warnings the app and lock have sent you to tell you the battery is running low. Most use a USB-C port to connect to a portable power bank, but some, like Yale, use a 9-volt battery to provide enough power to bring them back to life.

Auto unlock is a feature on several smart locks that uses a combination of GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi to determine where your phone is in relation to your front door and automatically unlock it for you as you approach. Your smartphone’s GPS determines your location, and Bluetooth then talks to your lock when you’re close enough, telling it to unlock. The lock will switch to away mode when GPS tells it you've left a radius around your home and to back or home mode when you return. You do need to keep the lock manufacturer app open on your phone for this to work (it can run in the background).

Matter is a new standard designed to make the smart home more interoperable, reliable, secure, and easier to use. The benefit of a Matter smart lock now is future-proofing. Today, it doesn’t add much that most locks can’t already do (and, in some cases, less). But it means your lock should work with all the big smart home platforms in the future and will work with any Matter-compatible device now, such as smart plugs and smart lights, for home automation routines (for example, to shut off all your lights when you lock your door).

A big benefit of a Matter lock is that you can share the lock across platforms without downloading additional apps, setting up accounts, or linking services through the cloud. This lets you use the same lock with Apple Home and Google Home, should you want, and you can control it with both voice assistants.

Currently, seven US locks work with Matter: the Yale Assure SL, the SwitchBot Lock, and SwitchBot Pro, and the Aqara U50, U100, U200, and U300. The Austria-based Nuki recently released a Matter-over-Thread smart lock for European-style doors. Only the Yale Assure SL, the Nuki, and Aqara’s U200 and U300 work directly with Matter. The others work through their manufacturer’s bridge, so you must use their app to set them up.

Matter locks that work directly with Matter (not through a bridge) now support Apple Home Key through the Apple Home app (iPhone only).

If a lock works over Wi-Fi or through a bridge, you will need a Matter controller from the platform on which you want to use it — a HomePod or Apple TV for Apple Home, a Nest hub or smart speaker for Google Home.

If the lock uses Thread, you will need a Matter controller and a Thread border router. These can be the same thing — a HomePod is both, and a Nest Hub Max is both. But the Thread border router doesn’t need to be platform-specific. So if you have an Apple TV or an Eero Wi-Fi router that supports Thread and a smart speaker from Nest that’s a Matter controller — you could use a Thread lock over Matter in Google Home.

Photography by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge

Update, October 18th: Adjusted pricing and availability.

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