Best Smart Locks of 2023
1. BEST OVERALL SMART LOCK
August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock
PROS
- Easy, hub-free installation
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock
- Voice control
CONS
- Design is a bit chunky
Smart locks are all about simplicity, and our experts say there’s no simpler solution than the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. “The squat, cylindrical device attached easily to the existing deadbolt on the inside of our test door for quick, straightforward installation,” says Rachel, who oversaw testing of the device. (The downside there is the design is not the most elegant.) After downloading the intuitive app, we were able to control the lock from anywhere and share access with other users (no separate hub needed). Testers also liked being able to program the lock to open and close automatically as they approached home and entered.
Thanks to August’s seamless integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit, voice control is possible, too, so you can double-check from bed that the front door is locked or let visitors in when your hands are full.
2. BEST VALUE SMART LOCK
Wyze Smart Door Lock
PROS
- Budget-friendly
- Door-ajar alarm
- Shared-access capabilities
CONS
- Limited integration
The Wyze lock also connects to your existing deadbolt for easy installation, and it’s more affordable than the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. Our experts say that makes it a great option for renters, though budget-minded homeowners will also appreciate some of Wyze’s features, including shared-access capabilities and the auto-lock and auto-unlock settings for hands-free control.
“Our consumer testers also liked that the lock can be programmed to sound an alarm if the door is left open for a certain period of time,” Rachel adds. The big trade-off we found with this model is limited integration: Though it works with Amazon Alexa, voice control with Google Assistant still isn’t an option, nor does the Wyze lock communicate with other Wyze products, including the brand’s video doorbell and outdoor cameras.
3. BEST VERSATILE SMART LOCK
Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock
PROS
- Multiple forms of access
- Variety of finishes
CONS
- Not Apple HomeKit compatible
If the thought of turning your front door lock over to an app is too much of a leap, the Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi might be the best smart lock for you. Although it does allow users to lock and unlock their door remotely via their smartphone, the device also features a touch-screen panel that enables you to punch in a code to access the home. And if even that is too high-tech for some members of the household, an old-fashioned key will do the trick as well. As for smart home integration, the lock is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but not Apple HomeKit.
Though some might find the keypad a bit of an eyesore, the lock’s housing comes in a variety of sleek finishes, including matte black, polished chrome, satin nickel and Venetian bronze.
4. BEST USER-FRIENDLY SMART LOCK
Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt
PROS
- Easy installation and setup
- Excellent voice control
CONS
- Fairly basic design
It’s called the Sense, but this smart lock from Schlage can also be described as no-nonsense, given its high marks for functionality and reliability. There are sleeker options with more impressive feature sets out there, but the Sense impressed our experts with its simple installation and setup and extremely intuitive app, as well as its built-in tamper alarm that will sound if the lock detects it’s being jimmied.
The Sense is also exceedingly adept at voice control, whether with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. Our only knock is that the lock is a tad expensive, considering its relatively basic design.
5. BEST SMART LOCK FOR SECURITY
Yale Assure Lock 2
PROS
- Apple HomeKit compatible
- Excellent voice control
CONS
- Keypad is a little obtrusive
Through years of lock testing, our experts consider Yale to be one of the most secure brands, thanks to the consistently high-quality construction and top-grade materials, which make the locks tamperproof and hard to kick in. The Assure Lock 2 lives up to the same standard. Plus, it comes in a keyhole-free option that’s impossible to pick; a keyed version is available if you’re worried about being locked out should the electronics ever fail.
This well-designed, highly secure Yale lock also has many of the high-tech features you look for in a smart lock: remote control, keypad access, auto-lock and more; note, the keypad must be installed on the exterior, changing the look of the door. “Compatibility with HomeKit, as well as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allows for all kinds of useful voice control,” explains Olivia Lipski, media and tech reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. It’s available in black suede, bronze and satin nickel. Later in 2023, Yale will release a limited edition series in Viva Magenta, Pantone’s 2023 color of the year.
6. BEST SMART LOCK FOR ACCESSIBILITY
ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock
PROS
- Fingerprint access
- Voice control
CONS
- Not HomeKit compatible
With fingerprint-scan technology becoming more ubiquitous, our experts say ULTRALOQ has done the best job incorporating the technology into a smart lock. Simply press your thumb to the biometric-enabled keypad and the door unlocks. You can also open the door via the smartphone app, keypad code, voice control (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant) or with a traditional key.
It comes with a Wi-Fi adapter, so you can control the lock from anywhere. If you want only short-range control of the lock via Bluetooth, you can save some money by forgoing the adapter. One caveat to note is that the U-Bolt Pro is not yet compatible with Apple HomeKit or Samsung SmartThings.
7. BEST SMART LOCK FOR APPLE USERS
Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
PROS
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Tap-to-open technology
- Apple Home Key compatible
CONS
- Chunky design
The latest from Schlage is the first smart lock to support Apple’s latest enhancement, called Home Key. Apple users with Home Keys in their Apple Wallet can simply tap the Encode Plus with their iPhone or Apple Watch to lock or unlock the door. In our Lab tests, the feature worked seamlessly, and our testers agreed it was far easier than pulling up an app on their phone. “We also like the built-in Wi-Fi, which makes it easy to connect the lock,” Olivia adds. The Encode Plus comes with a beefy keypad, which is user-friendly, if not the sleekest-looking.
Update: At the 2023 International Builders’ Show, Schlage announced the launch of the Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Lever, which is suitable for use on interior doors — say, to a bedroom or home office — as well as exterior doors. The device will be available in spring 2023 for $310; we’ll report back once we get a review sample in for testing.
8. BEST SMART LOCK WITH A CAMERA
Lockly Video Doorbell Smart Lock
PROS
- Built-in camera
- Fingerprint access
- Two-way communication
CONS
- Pricey
Another popular smart home device for the front entrance is a video doorbell, since it lets you see and greet visitors when you’re away. Why not combine that functionality with a smart lock? That’s the beauty of the innovative video doorbell smart lock from Lockly, though the added functionality bumps up the price.
We haven’t tested the device in our Lab, but a thorough review of its specs by our engineers finds much to recommend, including two-way voice communication, biometric fingerprint access and a high-resolution camera so you can clearly see who’s at the door. Choose from satin nickel or matte black finishes; a third finish, Venetian bronze, is available on the Lockly website.
