The Best Smart Lock Deals This Week*
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) — $127.59 (List Price $229.99)
- Yale Assure Touchscreen Wi-Fi Smart Lock — $243.16 (List Price $290)
- Eufy Security C220 Wi-Fi Fingerprint Keyless Smart Entry Door Lock — $109.99 (List Price $149.99)
- Philips Touchscreen Fingerprint Smart Door Lock With Key — $74.99 (List Price $119.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
With the ability to increase the convenience and security of your entryway, a smart lock is arguably the most important part of a connected home. There's no shortage of options to choose from, from fully installed models that replace your existing deadbolt to renter-friendly retrofit solutions, so finding the best smart lock for your home can be a challenge. Luckily, you've come to the right place: Here at PCMag, we've been testing smart locks since they first hit the market. We evaluate all the most popular models each year, installing and testing them in our own homes to help you select the right one for your needs and budget.
When it comes to smart locks, dependability is of utmost importance. With an outstanding 4.5-star rating and an Editors' Choice award, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi is our overall favorite in the category for its reliability and versatility. If it isn't the right fit for your home, there are a range of excellent alternatives on this list, all of which have earned our stamp of approval through rigorous firsthand testing. Read about our top picks below, and be sure to check out our full reviews for all the details of our experience with each product.
Table of Contents
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Best Overall
Why We Picked It
Sturdy construction, ease of use, and multiple lock and unlock options make the U-Bolt Pro our top pick. Its zinc alloy exterior component contains a biometric fingerprint scanner, a keypad, and a traditional keyway that hides behind a fold-down faceplate. The lock's built-in Wi-Fi radio helps it connect to your network, plus allows you to lock and unlock it from anywhere using your phone or with Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. It also comes with a sensor that lets you know if your door is open or closed.
Who It’s For
The U-Bolt Pro is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to smarten up their home with a connected lock. This complete lock assembly is easy to install and offers some of the most advanced features we’ve seen. For instance, it has a Magic Shake feature that allows you to unlock your door by shaking your phone, as well as an auto unlock setting that uses your phone’s location to disengage the lock when you approach it. It also works with all sorts of third-party devices via IFTTT.
PROS
- Numerous ways to lock and unlock
- Includes fingerprint reader
- Supports voice commands
- Works with lots of third-party devices
- Built-in Wi-Fi
CONS
- No support for Apple HomeKit
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Integrations | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT |
| Installation | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Best Retrofit Smart Lock
Why We Picked It
August has released several outstanding smart locks over the years, but the Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the first one that has a built-in Wi-Fi radio. This retrofit solution replaces just your existing interior thumb turn mechanism and uses the rest of your existing lock hardware, including the keys. It's stylish, easy to install, and performed well in testing. Its $249 price might seem high, but you get plenty of features including a sensor that lets you know the door's status, auto-lock and auto-unlock options, and multi-platform support.
Who It’s For
As a retrofit lock that works with your existing deadbolt, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a top renter-friendly option. Moreover, this lock's broad support for third-party integrations makes it an excellent addition to any smart home. It works with Alexa and Google voice commands and is a great fit for homes that use Apple HomeKit or other automation platforms from Honeywell, Logitech, SimpliSafe, and Samsung. Additionally, IFTTT support lets it interact with lots of other smart devices.
PROS
- Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT, and more
- Automatic Lock and Unlock
- Easy to install
- Streamlined design
CONS
- Pricey
- Short battery life
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Integrations | Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT |
| Installation | Interior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
Eufy Video Smart Lock
Best Lock and Video Doorbell Combination
Why We Picked It
The Eufy Video Smart Lock is unique in that it combines a smart lock and a video doorbell in a single device. We like that it offers fingerprint, touchpad, mobile app, and key access, as well as its sharp 2K video resolution. Intelligent alerts and multiple LEDs for night vision round out its feature set. Just note that you must install the included chime box to enable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
Who It’s For
If you want to add a smart lock and video doorbell to your home, but don't feel like dealing with multiple devices, the Eufy Video Smart Lock is a worthwhile choice. You pay premium dollars for this combo, but the convenience of a single device might be worth it for you.
PROS
- Built-in 2K doorbell camera
- Dual motion sensors
- Fingerprint scanner
- Multiple lock/unlock methods
- Local video storage
- Intelligent alerts
CONS
- Expensive
- Limited integrations
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Integrations | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Installation | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
Aqara Smart Lock U100
Best for Apple HomeKit Users
Why We Picked It
Designed for Apple HomeKit, the sleek Aqara U100 smart lock offers multiple ways to lock and unlock your door, including with a keypad, a traditional keyway, and with your fingerprint, phone, or voice. It lacks Wi-Fi, but you can pick up a $50 Aqara hub to connect the lock to your home network, pair with Alexa and Google devices, and have it interact with third-party devices using IFTTT applets.
Who It's For
With support for Apple HomeKit, Home Key, and Siri, the Aqara U100 smart lock is a top option for Apple-powered smart homes. If you don't need HomeKit support, there are more affordable options like the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi.
PROS
- Works with Apple HomeKit
- Multiple ways to lock and unlock
- Lots of additional integrations (with an optional hub, sold separately)
CONS
- Requires an Apple hub for remote access
- No built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ZigBee |
| Integrations | Apple HomeKit |
| Installation | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge
Best Smart Padlock
Why We Picked It
The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge is a smart choice if you want to remotely monitor and share access to everything from your shed, to your gated property, to your bicycle. It's secure and easy to use, with support for app, keypad, and Alexa voice control. Its durable build and long battery life mean you don't have to worry about leaving it outside for long periods, and you can use it indoors, too.
Who It's For
If a traditional padlock just won't suffice, the Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge is an excellent option for additional peace of mind. Our main complaint is that it doesn't offer any third-party integrations via HomeKit, IFTTT, or Matter.
PROS
- Sturdy build
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Flexible access options
- Supports Alexa voice control
CONS
- Pricey
- Requires bridge (included) for remote access
- Doesn't support HomeKit, IFTTT, or Matter
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Integrations | N/A |
| Installation | Exterior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
Kwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock
Most Stylish Design
Why We Picked It
The Kwikset Halo Touch is a smart and stylish lock that's easy to install and offers whisper-quiet operation. It lets you lock and unlock your door with your phone, Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands, a fingerprint, or a set of traditional keys. It responded instantly to all lock and unlock requests in testing, and always adhered to access schedules.
Who It's For
If you're in the market for an attractive smart lock that supports fingerprint scanning, the Kwikset Halo Touch is an excellent choice. It doesn't support IFTTT applets like the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi, but it has a more timeless design.
PROS
- Multiple ways to lock and unlock, including fingerprint scanner
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Supports Alexa and Google voice commands
- Easy installation
- Stylish design
CONS
- Pricey
- Doesn't support HomeKit or IFTTT
- Limited third-party integrations
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Integrations | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Installation | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
Proscenic L60 Smart Lock
Best Affordable Fingerprint Scanner
Why We Picked It
The Proscenic L60 Smart Lock offers several ways to unlock your door, including a fingerprint scanner, a PIN code, your phone (within Bluetooth range), an NFC card, and traditional keys. Its optional hub (sold separately for $29.99) adds Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling you to control your lock remotely and with voice commands to Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant. Even bundled with the hub, the Proscenic L60 Smart Lock costs less than most other options on this list.
Who Its For
While it lacks the built-in smarts of higher-end models and accompanying fancy features like automatic unlocking, the Proscenic L60 will automatically lock your door. It's a good fit if you find any of its built-in methods of unlocking particularly appealing and you’d like to save money. It’s a full replacement lock for a reasonable price, and it performed well in our testing.
PROS
- Multiple lock and unlock methods
- Built-in fingerprint reader
- Auto-locking
- Anti-peep touch-screen
CONS
- Requires a hub (not included) for remote access and voice control
- No built-in Wi-Fi
- Does not support HomeKit or IFTTT
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Integrations | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| Installation | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
Yale Assure Lock 2
Most Affordable HomeKit Lock
Why We Picked It
The sleek and customizable Yale Assure Lock 2 is available in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi variants. Both models support HomeKit, and the Wi-Fi variant works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The base model includes a physical keypad, but you can upgrade to a touch screen if you want. Physical keys and a companion app are additional unlock methods whichever way you go.
Who It’s For
If you like to customize your smart home devices, Yale's lock system gives you the freedom to choose which features you want. HomeKit support is a relative rarity in this segment as well.
PROS
- Sleek design
- Keyed, keyless, physical button, and touch-screen options
- Bluetooth and HomeKit support
- Well-designed companion app
- Works with Apple Watch
- Wi-Fi models work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
CONS
- Poor battery life on Wi-Fi model
- Short low-battery warning lead time
- Iffy Auto-Unlock performance over Wi-Fi
- DoorSense device may require drilling
SPECS
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, RF Radio |
| Integrations | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant |
| Installation | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon |
| App | Mobile |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
What Is a Smart Lock?
A smart lock allows you to easily lock and unlock your door through various methods such as a keypad and PIN code, a mobile app, and/or a fingerprint scanner. For added security, a smart lock also monitors who enters and leaves your house when you're away. While some models simply let you use your phone to open and close doors, others let you assign special access privileges to friends, family members, or staff. The most advanced options work with voice commands and support third-party smart home devices and services.
What to Look For When Buying a Smart Lock
One of the first things you should consider is how much it costs to upgrade your traditional lock. After all, a smart lock costs a lot more than the standard-issue lock you can pick up at the local hardware store. A few smart locks cost around $100 (not many of which made this list), but if you want a lock that you can control from anywhere and that offers features such as voice commands, push and email notifications, and tamper alarms, expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $300.
Many smart locks pair with a mobile app that allows you to lock and unlock doors with a simple icon tap. Some offer access via the web, allowing you to control things from your PC. Most apps allow you to add permanent and temporary users, as well as set access schedules for specific days and times. Make sure your smart lock records activity logs so you can go back in time to see who entered or exited your home and when.
If the lock is Bluetooth-enabled, you have to be within range (around 30 feet) to control it. However, locks with built-in Wi-Fi radios or that use a Wi-Fi bridge allow you to connect from almost anywhere once you set them up with your router.
The latest smart locks offer features such as voice controls, geofencing, and auto-locking features. Voice commands via the companion app make smart locks much more convenient; for example, you can simply tell your phone to "unlock the front door" to disengage the lock.
Geofencing features ensure that you never have to worry about whether you locked up after you left the house; just use the mobile app to set up a perimeter around your home and make sure your phone's location services are active. When you leave the perimeter, you can set the lock to engage behind you automatically. Similarly, the auto-lock feature configures the lock to automatically engage if it remains unlocked for a specified amount of time.
Other features to look for include keyless touchpads for those times when you don't have your phone or your keys, tamper and forced entry alarms that warn you of a possible break-in, and push, text, and email notifications that inform you in real-time when anyone enters or leaves.
Are Smart Locks Actually Secure?
Smart locks are generally considered safe to use, but as with any internet-connected device, they do come with certain risks. Theoretically, anything connected to the internet could potentially be vulnerable to hackers, and smart locks are no exception, but there are measures you can take to enjoy the convenience of these devices while minimizing your risks.
Start by securing your Wi-Fi network with a strong password to prevent hackers from accessing it to try to get to your smart home devices. Moreover, always make sure to apply any recommended firmware updates for your devices, as running older versions could leave your device vulnerable to hackers looking to exploit unpatched flaws. Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on supported services is another recommended best practice.
For more information on how to keep your smart home safe, read our guide.
What Happens to a Smart Lock When the Power or Wi-Fi Goes Out?
Nearly all smart locks are battery-powered, not hardwired, so they will continue to work in the event of a power outage. Some but not all smart locks feature an emergency battery terminal or a USB port to power it from the outside if the battery dies.
Wi-Fi outages should not cause a lockout, as most Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks also feature Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for local app control as a backup. In the event of a Wi-Fi outage, you can still utilize a lock's keypad and/or fingerprint scanner, if available, to gain entry. For additional peace of mind, get a smart lock with a physical key slot, and keep the key on you or hidden near your entryway to protect against lockouts.
Which Smart Lock Brand Is the Best?
Based on our current review ratings, Ultraloq, August, and Eufy are the top three smart lock brands. We have also given excellent scores to smart locks from Aqara, Igloohome, Kwikset, Proscenic, and Yale.
That said, we won't necessarily recommend that you shop for a smart lock based on the brand alone. Most manufacturers sell a range of models with different features, pricing, and varying levels of performance. Just because a certain brand makes one highly rated model, it doesn't mean all of their smart locks are good. For instance, the Proscenic L60 smart lock earned an excellent rating in our review, but the L40 rated much lower because we found it was difficult to install.
How to Install a Smart Lock
None of the locks we tested are especially difficult to install, but some are easier to set up than others. Some are even viable for renters.
If your new lock comes with both an interior escutcheon (the housing you mount on the inside of your door) and an exterior component (usually a touchpad or a keyed cylinder), you probably need to completely remove your old lock (including the deadbolt mechanism and strike plate), before you can install the new device. This is simply a matter of removing the two bolts that attach the interior escutcheon to the exterior component and removing both pieces. Two screws also secure the deadbolt in place.
The good news is that most smart locks work with standard pre-drilled holes; you rarely have to worry about drilling new ones. Additionally, some smart locks simply attach to the inside of your door and use your existing keyed cylinder and deadbolt hardware; with those locks, you have to remove the interior escutcheon only. Either way, estimate anywhere between 10 and 25 minutes to remove your old lock and install the new one.
Alternatively, you can use a conversion kit like the SwitchBot Lock to add smart features to your existing hardware. Just note that this particular option requires the purchase of a separate hub to unlock its full capabilities.
Can Alexa Control Door Locks?
Some locks integrate with other connected home devices, such as smoke alarms, and services, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Matter. IFTTT is what lets you, for example, configure your doors to unlock when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off or set your smart lights to turn on when someone unlocks the door.
Depending on your home automation setup, you can even pair your lock with a video doorbell so you can see who is at the door before you unlock it. You might also configure an indoor security camera to begin recording when someone unlocks the door.
Other Kinds of Smart Locks
Keep in mind, not all smart locks are designed for your door. The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge is a connected padlock, for instance. Models like this are built to be as tough as any standard lock, but use Bluetooth to unlock with the tap of a button when you're nearby. They also let you grant temporary or permanent guest access via the app. The Igloohome padlock also includes a Wi-Fi bridge that enables remote access from anywhere.
The Yale Smart Delivery Box, meanwhile, is a secure package drop box that not only protects your deliveries from porch pirates but also shields them from the weather. This Wi-Fi-enabled smart box will automatically lock and send a push alert when your delivery has arrived, and you can lock and unlock it with your phone, voice, or a keypad.
For more on smart home safety, see our picks for the best smart home security systems and the best outdoor home security cameras, along with our tips for building a DIY home security system.
