Best Smart Locks
of 2026
Smart locks let you ditch your keys and control your door from anywhere — but the wrong one costs you in dead batteries, monthly fees, and ecosystem headaches. Whether you rent and can’t swap your deadbolt or you want to tap your Apple Watch and walk in, there’s a meaningfully different lock for each situation.
⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. Our rankings are based on ANSI/BHMA certification data, manufacturer documentation, and editorial assessment — not commission rates. Read our full methodology.
How NME Evaluates Smart Locks
Sources: ANSI/BHMA certification records, manufacturer technical documentation, FTC consumer technology guidance, and CPSC safety standards. No brand paid for placement or influenced ranking position.
The two decisions that shape which smart lock is right for you are install type and ecosystem. Retrofit locks (August, Aqara U200) install over your existing deadbolt from the inside — renters can use them without landlord approval and take them when they move. Full replacement locks (Yale, Schlage, Ultraloq, Level, Kwikset, Lockly, Eufy, Wyze) give you maximum feature control but require swapping your deadbolt.
NME’s 5 ranking criteria: (1) Validated performance — ANSI/BHMA security grade, deadbolt strength, encryption. (2) Real-world reliability — battery life, connectivity stability, app dependability. (3) Value — feature-to-cost ratio, subscription requirements, total ownership cost. (4) Brand reputation & warranty — support track record, firmware update history, warranty terms. (5) Use-case fit — renter vs. owner, Apple vs. Android vs. agnostic, fingerprint needs.
The #1 Best Smart Lock for 2026
Yale Assure Lock 2 — NME’s #1 Best Smart Lock of 2026
The Yale Assure Lock 2 earns the top position because it handles more situations well than any other lock at its price. It supports Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Airbnb, and Matter through a modular design that lets you upgrade connectivity without replacing the lock. DoorSense door-open detection, 250 access codes, and keyed or key-free configurations round out a feature set no competing lock matches at this price range.
Compare the Top 10 Smart Locks for 2026
Ten leading smart locks compared by security grade, install type, standout feature, and best-fit buyer.
| Brand | Security Grade | Install Type | Key Feature | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Yale Assure Lock 2 | BHMA Grade 2 | Full replacement | ⭐250 codes, modular WiFi/Matter | Best Overall |
| 🥈 Schlage Encode Plus | ⭐ANSI Grade 1 | Full replacement | Apple Home Key + built-in alarm | Best Apple / Best Security |
| 🥉 August WiFi Smart Lock | Retrofits existing | ⭐Retrofit — renter-safe | No deadbolt swap needed | Best for Renters |
| Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi | ⭐ANSI Grade 1 | Full replacement | 6 unlock methods + fingerprint | Most Unlock Flexibility |
| Kwikset Halo Touch | BHMA AAA | Full replacement | Fingerprint + SmartKey rekey | Best Value Fingerprint |
| Eufy Smart Lock S230 | 960p HDR | Battery or Wired | Nest Aware optional | Best Battery for Google Homes |
| Level Lock Pro | BHMA AAA | Full replacement | Completely hidden inside door | Best Invisible Design |
| Lockly Secure Pro | ANSI standard | Full replacement | PIN Genie randomized keypad | Best for Code Privacy |
| Aqara Smart Lock U200 | N/A (retrofit) | Retrofit | ⭐Matter over Thread built-in | Best Future-Proof / Matter |
| Wyze Lock Bolt v2 | N/A | Full replacement | AI fingerprint + WiFi at budget price | Best Budget |
⭐ = NME Category Leader. ANSI Grade 1 = highest residential security certification. BHMA AAA = highest durability/finish grade. All external links verified June 2026.
The 10 Best Smart Locks of 2026 — Full Reviews
Full reviews of every top-ranked smart lock. Install badges show renter vs. owner compatibility at a glance.
✓ Pros
- Broadest ecosystem compatibility — Alexa, Google, HomeKit, SmartThings, Matter
- Modular connectivity upgrades without replacing lock
- DoorSense monitors open/latched status
- 250 code capacity; native Airbnb integration
- Touch and Plus variants for fingerprint and Home Key
✗ Cons
- WiFi module sold separately on base Bluetooth models
- Installation more involved than some competitors
- BHMA Grade 2, not Grade 1
✓ Pros
- ANSI Grade 1 — highest residential security certification
- Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, including power reserve mode
- Built-in tamper/forced-entry alarm
- Built-in WiFi — no hub required
- 3-year electronic + lifetime mechanical warranty
✗ Cons
- 100 code limit vs. 250 on Yale
- No fingerprint option
- Android/Google integration less native than Apple
✓ Pros
- Renter-safe retrofit — no deadbolt or exterior change needed
- Keeps existing hardware and keys intact
- Broadest smart home integration of any lock tested
- DoorSense + auto-lock/unlock included
- Airbnb native integration
✗ Cons
- ~3 month battery life — shortest on the list
- No physical security rating (depends on existing deadbolt)
- Keypad sold separately
✓ Pros
- ANSI Grade 1 at a mid-range price
- 6 unlock methods including fingerprint
- IP65 weather resistance
- Built-in WiFi; no hub or bridge needed
✗ Cons
- No Apple Home Key
- App less polished than Yale or Schlage
- 50-user code/fingerprint limit
✓ Pros
- BHMA AAA — highest certified grade
- SmartKey: re-key in seconds, no locksmith
- 100 fingerprint capacity
- Built-in WiFi; no hub needed
✗ Cons
- App response can lag vs. competitors
- No Apple Home Key
- Shorter battery life in practice
✓ Pros
- 8-month rechargeable battery — best on the list
- No subscription; local storage
- 5 unlock methods
- Built-in WiFi; BHMA certified
✗ Cons
- No Apple Home Key
- No Matter support
- Some features require Eufy HomeBase
✓ Pros
- Completely invisible — technology hidden inside door
- Apple Home Key + Matter/Thread
- BHMA AAA — strongest durability rating
- Door status detection
- Quietest operation of any lock tested
✗ Cons
- Premium price ($349)
- Level Connect hub required for remote access
- No fingerprint reader
- Apple-centric; less native Android integration
✓ Pros
- PIN Genie eliminates shoulder-surfing vulnerability
- 3D fingerprint resists spoofing attacks
- Offline access codes — no internet dependency
- 8-month battery life; built-in WiFi
✗ Cons
- App and support trail main-brand competitors
- Randomized keypad requires brief adjustment period
- No Apple Home Key or Matter
✓ Pros
- Matter over Thread — best future ecosystem compatibility
- Apple Home Key + fingerprint + NFC
- Retrofit — preserves existing deadbolt
- Rechargeable battery; fastest response time tested
✗ Cons
- Requires Aqara M3 hub for full remote features
- US brand support still maturing
- More complex setup than plug-and-play options
✓ Pros
- Lowest price for a WiFi + fingerprint lock on this list
- AI self-learning fingerprint improves accuracy over time
- Built-in WiFi for remote access
- Wyze Video Doorbell integration for lock-from-livestream
✗ Cons
- Wyze’s 2024 data breach is a genuine trust concern
- No Apple HomeKit or Home Key
- No ANSI/BHMA security rating
Also Worth Considering
Strong picks that didn’t make the top 10 or are variants of ranked models worth knowing about.
Other Brands in This Category
- Schlage Encode (non-Plus) — Built-in WiFi, ANSI Grade 1, Google and Alexa, 100 codes; lacks Apple Home Key at a lower price than the Encode Plus.
- August Smart Lock + Connect — Earlier August platform; requires the Connect bridge for WiFi; lower cost for budget-conscious renters who don’t need built-in WiFi.
- Kwikset Halo (non-Touch) — The touchpad variant; WiFi, 250 codes, BHMA AAA, no fingerprint; solid middle-ground pick without biometrics.
- Ultraloq U-Bolt (non-Pro) — 5 unlock methods, fingerprint, Bluetooth; requires a separate bridge for WiFi remote access; lower cost than the Pro.
- Level Bolt — Level’s retrofit model ($199) that keeps your existing deadbolt and interior thumb-turn hardware; Matter compatible; for buyers who want invisible technology at the lowest entry price.
How to Choose a Smart Lock
Three questions that narrow the field before you evaluate any specific model.
Renter or Homeowner?
Renters need a retrofit lock — one that installs over the existing deadbolt from the inside without changing exterior hardware. August WiFi Smart Lock and Aqara U200 are the picks. Homeowners have access to the full list. Full replacement locks offer maximum security and feature control but require swapping your deadbolt.
Apple, Android, or Neither?
Apple Home Key (tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock) is one of the most genuinely useful smart lock features available. Locks with it: Schlage Encode Plus, Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus, Level Lock Pro, Aqara U200. Android users get equal functionality through fingerprint, PIN, and app unlock. If you don’t care about smart home integration, Ultraloq, Kwikset, or Wyze deliver keyless entry without ecosystem commitment.
What Does ANSI Grade 1 Mean?
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 is the highest residential security certification, requiring higher forced-entry resistance and more rigorous pick and drill testing than Grade 2. Only the Schlage Encode Plus and Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi on this list carry Grade 1 certification. For most homes, Grade 2 is sufficient — but Grade 1 is the meaningful distinction for maximum physical security.
Subscriptions and Ongoing Costs
Most locks on this list work fully without a monthly subscription. Yale, August, Schlage, Ultraloq, Aqara, Eufy, and Wyze all provide core remote access at no ongoing cost via their apps. Lockly does not require a subscription for primary features. The exception to watch: cloud-based access log storage may limit history depth on free tiers with some brands.
Battery Life Matters More Than You Think
Manufacturer battery life estimates assume typical residential use (10–20 activations per day). Airbnb hosts, large families, or heavy live-view users will see shorter real-world battery life. The Eufy S230’s rechargeable battery changes the calculus for high-use households. For all other locks, keep spare batteries on hand and set a calendar reminder — running fully dead can cause lockout scenarios.
Reinforce the Door Frame First
The deadbolt is only part of the equation. A Grade 1 lock in a door frame with a weak strike plate can be defeated with a kick. Reinforce the strike plate with 3-inch screws into the stud before installing any smart lock. This single step delivers more security improvement than upgrading from Grade 2 to Grade 1 hardware.
NME Smart Lock Awards 2026
The most common questions about smart locks answered by the NME editorial team.
Can a smart lock be hacked?
What happens if the smart lock battery dies?
Will a smart lock work with my door?
What’s the difference between Apple Home Key and Apple HomeKit?
Do smart locks work during a WiFi or power outage?
How does NME rank smart locks?
📚 Sources Cited
- FTC — Smart Home Technology: Consumer guidance on connected home devices, data practices, and security considerations.
- CPSC — Home Safety: Standards and consumer guidance for home security and electronic safety devices.
- Ring Transparency Report — Law enforcement data requests documentation: Ring’s policy on sharing footage with law enforcement.
Ready to Find Your Smart Lock?
Start with the Yale Assure Lock 2 for the best all-around pick, or use the guide above to match the right lock to your door, ecosystem, and budget.
