Once you input your code correctly, pressing the checkmark causes the screen to flash, and with a gentle whir the lock activates. Yale also warns of “extreme high and low temperatures” shortening battery life. Without a bulky keyway, the exterior portion of the lock is barely bigger than a ½-inch-thick credit card and has a nice metallic trim, making the Yale the sleekest and most discreet of the tested models. The Lockly Vision is another smart lock that includes a built-in doorbell. You can give a babysitter, nanny, or house cleaner ongoing or last-minute access. The Best Smart Locks. This compact, versatile, and quiet smart lock’s top feature is a fast (though sometimes faulty) fingerprint reader, and its rubber number keys will please most anyone. The Wyze Lock offers some impressive features, including a built-in presence sensor that alerts you via a chime and a smartphone notification when you’ve left the door open or ajar. If you value such an ability, be sure to check a model’s compatibility with your existing (or intended) smart devices before buying. Unlike our other picks, which have a keypad or fingerprint sensor (or both), the Wyze Lock requires that you use an app to unlock it, which for everyday use isn’t much more convenient than using a key (Wyze has introduced a wireless keypad, which we plan to test). Programming is relatively simple—but with no voice prompts, the instructions are more necessary than with the Yale. Other models, specifically the Kwiksets, were much harder to program and included taking apart the interior portion of the lock to access a programming button and tiny switches. A convenient alternative is an electronic lock: In the middle ground between traditional keyed locks and fully connected smart locks, these keyless locks open with a code entered on a touchscreen or a keypad. Learn more. Hacking Smart Locks. With these models you have an easier code-changing interface, and you can add or delete codes from anywhere via an app and monitor the use of the lock. A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your lock from afar. In our testing over the past few years, we’ve had multiple instances when devices auto-unlocked when they shouldn’t have—both when we were home and away (the worst case was late at night when we were at home and in bed). The Kwikset Kevo is a previous pick but has become notably dated, and as some commenters have pointed out, it is seemingly unique among smart locks in that it isn’t compatible with a large variety of popular Android devices—you can render it incompatible if you buy a new phone. The August Connect allows the lock to work wirelessly with other smart devices and platforms, though not as many as the August Smart Lock Pro. Recognition. Should any privacy or security issues be found with any of our picks, we’ll report that here and, if necessary, update or alter our recommendations. Schlage’s Leimer explained the appeal of the manual lock: “A lot of people like the idea of knowing that their deadbolt actually locked because they turned the bolt themselves.” During testing we felt the nice satisfaction of manually engaging with the deadbolt. (Yale also makes a version of this model with a keyway, which we do not recommend—see How we tested for more details.). There is no longer a need to give someone a key (that could be copied) or to hide one under the mat. For our testing, we installed multiple locks on a single 2-by-10-foot board and used them daily for more than a month. If so, what data, and for what purpose (including location, tracking, marketing, or any other purpose)? It is available in brass, bronze, or satin nickel. To our surprise, we were able to foil a few of these locks with both methods. After seeing the finalists firsthand, ease of use proved to be a major factor in our ultimate decisions. He has been covering technology as a writer and editor since the days before mobile phones got smart. Our pick, the Yale Assure SL Connected by August, is sleek and simple enough for most anyone. All of the locks have options for 2⅜ and 2¾ backsets, the standard dimensions for door locks. A top name in locks for almost a century, Schlage successfully combines trusted security and the latest smart technology with this top-quality model. An electronic lock opens via a code entered into a keypad or touchscreen. They’re spaced apart enough that bulky gloves don’t pose an issue. One clever security feature lets you choose to press a string of random numbers before and after you enter your actual code, so that someone observing you won’t be able to see the code and memorize it (unless the observer can memorize long strings of numbers—in which case, use the fingerprint reader). Is a username or password required to use this device? As part of our vetting process, we research all of the security and data privacy practices behind our picks. Mounting Dream is one of the best-selling TV mount brands on Amazon for a reason. A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your lock from afar. If the Yale is not available, or if you prefer the hands-on feel of turning the deadbolt yourself, we like the Schlage BE365 Keypad Deadbolt. The DB1 has a smartphone-sized touchpad that works like those of most other competing models, as well as a particularly oversized internal housing (which is one reason we decided not to make it a top pick). Another option for some locks is to use HomeKit geofencing as a trigger, which requires that you confirm the unlock signal on your phone before it can activate, which is a far more secure but also less convenient approach. We’ve spoken to locksmiths, security experts, and manufacturers. We rarely missed a number or hit the wrong one, even while wearing leather work gloves. For most people, though, once they get used to the process, it becomes second nature. Our top pick, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro, is small and attractive, and can be used in multiple ways. The companion app, which is very similar to the August one in terms of organization, walks you through the necessary steps and lets you manage users and codes in a straightforward way, without fuss or confusion. It also has a security grade of 2, which still meets our requirements but is lower than the other Schlage. What is HomeKit? We wanted a recommendation that would have good availability, reliable customer service, and a credible warranty. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. Our pick, the Yale Assure SL Connected by August, is sleek and simple enough for most anyone. If the batteries start to get low, the lock gives a number of warnings. However, if you have One Touch Unlock enabled, when you arrive home it recognizes your smartphone’s signal, and you can simply press the keypad to unlock the door—most of the time. Note, too, that all startups begin in the same position and many go on to become established brands—August, founded in 2012, is one example. The Best Smart Locks. Only if you integrate with third-party platforms, No, and no API is available for third parties, Yes, if you choose to integrate with third-party platforms; customers may opt out of sharing data by emailing dataprivacy@allegion.com. By Wirecutter | Earns commissions. Based on our testing, the best smart lock overall is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It has a security grade of 2 and is the only model that uses voice prompts during programming, eliminating the need to constantly refer back to the directions. Although we greatly prefer the feel of the keypads found on Schlage locks, the Yale Assure Lock SL’s other features, reliability, and overall aesthetics make it a far better buy for most people. It does not have the 9-volt terminals, like the Yale. The Schlage B60N is our pick as the best deadbolt for most people. The Samsung Ezon Keyless Smart Universal Deadbolt Digital Door Lock has multi-leveled security code entry for enhanced safety. As a reporter and editor, I’ve been covering technology and trends—and testing and reviewing a wide range of consumer electronics—for two decades at a number of respected national publications. The best smart thermostat overall, the Ecobee SmartThermostat looks and acts much like the Ecobee4, but with a few big improvements. . We explain, and tell you how you can control your smart-home devices with Siri and your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. The Kwikset Halo Touch is a deadbolt replacement model with a modern-styled keyway and a fingerprint reader. During installation it measures and confirms that you are within adequate range of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an especially nice touch. Unlike our runner-up, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro doesn’t integrate with many smart-home platforms, which some users may be interested in. Another important note: Use the August app as instructed, not the Yale app, which a few readers have found to be problematic or even nonfunctional. In our tests, we could trigger the lock astonishingly fast—in a few seconds—over a cell signal, and in just five to 10 seconds on Wi-Fi. An extremely similar model, the Yale Assure Lever (YRL256) Connected by August, works almost identically and fits single-hole doors that lack a deadbolt. So, in a way, the Schlage is like a traditional deadbolt, but with an added keypad option. The Yale has a very nice interface. We were also able to successfully copy our fingerprint and use a Play-Doh mold of it to gain entry to two of our test locks: the Eufy Secure Smart Lock Touch and the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro. Our pick, the Yale Assure SL Connected by August, is sleek and simple enough for most anyone. The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is a wonderful device, with some of the cleanest, most precise hardware we’ve ever tested and a pleasing low-profile design. Nov 11, 2020 - 5 Recommendations. Your front door lock is an unsung hero, quietly standing guard to keep thieves and rogues at bay. Locks are graded on their ability to withstand brute-force entry attempts based on criteria devised by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). What makes the Wyze Lock a standout is its built-in proximity sensing, which indicates whether the door is properly shut or has been left open. The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2021. The Schlage was the only lock we tested with the highest security grade of 1, and it has a traditional keyway that can open the door, in case the battery dies or if that’s your preference. We were pleased with the performance and looks of the Yale Assure Lock Touchscreen Deadbolt (YRD226), a former alternative to our top pick (the YRD256). ... Wirecutter is a list of the best … His work has been featured in various print and online publications, and on television. That last point deserves special emphasis, as models we’ve dealt with in the past have suffered from some reliability issues. Our regimen included countless entrances and the experiences of a family of users (including two kids). We’ve been covering locks for years, including traditional keyed locks and smart locks. It doesn’t offer remote access, which isn’t essential; however, it has the largest internal housing we’ve ever seen and a similarly large external one, so we’d recommend looking for one of the many other smaller devices available. The Wyze Lock is as good a smart-home bargain as we’ve seen, with its precise hardware, built-in door sensor, and tiny Wi-Fi adapter all included for about half the price of our top picks. A number of useful settings within the August app let you turn the button-press sound on and off, change the volume level, enable one-touch locking, and so on. That convenience comes with a price, though, as smart locks cost considerably more than their non-smart counterparts. Pecking in your key code is simple, and the mechanism is among the quietest we’ve tested. Considering that, plus the sheer length and breadth of the support-issue reports and complaints we continue to receive, as well as the expense and extended wait period for the gateway (which is required for remote access), we no longer recommend the Kevo. Amazingly, the Wi-Fi doesn’t seem to especially tax the batteries, which in our tests lasted several months without fail. Because it’s an August device, it’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, as well as smart-home platforms like HomeKit and SmartThings. (Yale also sells a version with a built-in keyway, which we do not recommend—see How we tested for more details.) Like many electronic locks, the Yale has no keyway, so the workaround is that on the underside of the lock are two 9-volt battery terminals. For instance, the Wyze Lock is set to auto-lock a few seconds after you unlock and then open and shut the door, something we discovered after popping outside for a minute, hearing a whir, and then turning around to realize we were locked out of our house. It’s also the only lock in our test group with a built-in alarm, a soul-shattering shriek powerful enough to rouse the deceased—you can arm it to trigger if someone attempts to bust the lock or if the door is rammed. Codes can be added or deleted at any time. For homes, there are two main categories of smart locks. The fingerprint scanning has definitely improved since we first began testing, though. The Yale Assure Lock SL (YRD256) Connected by August comes closest to hitting all the right notes in terms of convenience, reliability, and just plain good looks. The successor to the August Smart Lock Pro, the Wi-Fi Smart Lock … That capability is appealing, and along with the nicely designed hardware—which also includes a built-in impact alarm—it makes the Encode one of the easiest models to install and one of the simplest smart locks to use of those we’ve tested. Location recording is optional and used only for certain features like auto-unlock. This reveals a programming button (to add or delete codes) and a series of almost microscopic switches to alter the other functions, like volume control or to disable the auto lock. *At the time of publishing, the price was $250. It’s helpful to keep the instructions nearby, but we used them less and less as time went on. In order to access the U-Bolt Pro remotely, and to receive notifications when it locks and unlocks, you need to purchase and install the plug-in Ultraloq Bridge, which we highly recommend—we think those features are a large part of why smart locks have value. To exit, either enter your code or, as we did, enable one-touch locking and then press and hold the screen for a second until it locks (this method, however, prevents you from knowing who specifically has locked the door). It still needs a manual turn to retract the bolt. The Schlage has the highest security rating, but it’s not as automated as the others. Once you set it up, you can use it without ever bothering with your smartphone, as long as you can remember a four- to six-digit entry code—useful if you have kids who lose keys (or haven’t earned smartphone privileges yet). While they differ from one another in the keypad/touchscreen style and the backup option (one has the 9-volt terminals, two have the keyway), the guts and functions are all similar. For the previous version of this guide, we researched the different rating systems from foundations such as ART and Sold Secure, and we spoke to professional bicycle thieves. Does this device record and share location data? A large proportion of today’s best smart door locks don’t necessitate the complete removal and replacement of all your existing hardware. The hardware is easy to install, and in our testing it worked well—and unlike our previous budget pick, the August Smart Lock, it’s whisper quiet. That meant avoiding unknown brands with rudimentary websites and no apparent phone number. So, for example, a code could be given to a contractor while work is going on, but once the job is done, the code can be deleted. The thumb-turn housing is thinner than that of any of the other models we tested. The code doesn’t retract the deadbolt automatically, like on the Yale and most of the others. One extremely important note: The Yale Assure Lock SL has no keyway—should its electronics ever fail, the battery die, or its mechanism jam, you could be locked out of your home and would have to destroy the lock to get in. Here are the results for our smart lock picks. The volume is either off or on, and the auto-lock can only be set to 30 seconds, and not up to three minutes like with the Yale. Nov 11, 2020 - 5 Recommendations. The process for scanning a fingerprint will be familiar to anyone who has done it with a smartphone: You repeatedly place, adjust, and reposition your finger over the scanner (you can store two fingerprints per user). With these smart features installed, the Yale lock still stands above the competition and is the kind of lock we’d include in our guide to the best smart locks. You wake it with the press of three fingers or your palm, and then the keypad numbers appear. For deadbolts, Grade 1 is the top ranking, reserved for a commercial-use lock with a 1-inch-thick latch bolt that’s able to take 10 strikes of 75 pounds and a million open/close cycles. By Wirecutter | Earns commissions. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is nearly half the size of the company’s Smart Lock Pro. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Best Smart Locks. We think that if you aren’t interested in using a smart lock to trigger or automate other smart devices (or if you’re content with the Alexa or Google Assistant ecosystem), the U-Bolt Pro is the lock to get. The Wyze Lock isn’t a deadbolt replacement; instead it attaches to your existing keyway and all its smart bits are tucked into the internal housing, a slim metal unit with a thumb turn for engaging the deadbolt. Our thinking has been that, depending on your environment, the actual security risk may be negligible, especially if the lock is set to auto-lock after a short period. In our tests, we found using the app to control the lock and create codes—both while we were standing in front of it and when we were away from home—to be quick and easily understandable to anyone who has used a smartphone app. The smart locks we recommend are as safe as or safer than their mechanical counterparts (which, for instance, can’t alert you when your front door is unlocked or opened). It can hold up to 25 unique codes and has the second-highest ANSI security rating. The capacitive keypad is nearly identical to those on previous picks from Schlage, the Sense and Connect, and we think it’s the most intuitive version to use, as the numbers have a textured surface and give ever so slightly as you press them. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. Nov 11, 2020 - 5 Recommendations. Technically, the U-Bolt Pro provides six methods of triggering the lock (including shaking your phone when you’re in front of it); however, the most useful and, we think, the most likely to be used are the fingerprint and door code methods. For something that may need to be referred to from time to time, folding and unfolding this gigantic sheet to get to the programming section is tedious. We also wanted a model that had clear and easy-to-reference instructions. It offers features identical to those of the deadbolt version, with a couple of minor differences; for instance, you can wake the lock or have it lock when you’re leaving simply by pressing the Yale logo. It also has a built-in sensor to detect when your door is ajar and includes a tiny plug-in Wi-Fi adapter. When not in use, the touchscreen stays blank and is activated by drawing a few fingers across it or tapping it with the back of a hand. An elegant touchscreen keypad replaces the regular old lock and key mechanism, and the … It is not a smart lock so it can’t be controlled through a phone or device, but unlike the others, it can be retrofitted with a smart module at a later date, giving it full connectivity. While the U-Bolt Pro isn’t as widely compatible with smart-home platforms as other models, including the Yale Assure Lock SL (in particular, it’s not HomeKit compatible), we think that’s a modest shortcoming with little functional impact. The Schlage lock allows an unlimited number of virtual keys through its native z-wave integration. It’s a fine option, though notably it’s a lot larger than our other picks, it doesn’t integrate with as many smart-home platforms, its included Wi-Fi adapter is a clunky mess, and its app is far too confusing to use for setting up PIN codes. Here are the most loved connected-home devices from the Wirecutter staff. August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect Hub - Zwave, HomeKit & Alexa Compatible - Silver. For our tests we were able to control the lock by voice using Alexa and an Echo device, as well as using Siri via an iPhone, but we had issues getting Google Assistant to cooperate. Best Bluetooth: PIN Genie Bluetooth Entry Lock. The August Smart Lock Pro + Connect is the HomeKit smart lock pick in our guide to the best HomeKit-compatible devices. In addition, when we tested it, the lack of remote access made it a nonstarter. So while mechanical quality and proper installation of a lock are absolutely critical factors, our focus in testing continues to be on the experience of using these devices, most especially their consistency, reliability, and ease of use. The Kwikset SmartKey is a fine keyed lock. There are also benefits for those with kids too young to handle the responsibility of keeping a key safe and in their possession. With the lock acting as a HomeKit device used with a free third-party iDevices app, we were able to create an automation that would turn on a Lutron light switch and adjust an Ecobee thermostat when the Yale Assure Lock SL was unlocked, which worked fine. The main downside to any modern … We also much prefer simply being able to press in our code rather than first waking the lock, inputting a code, and then having to hit the checkmark, which seems like a needless step. For this guide, we spoke with Greg Leimer, product manager for Schlage Residential Electronic Locks, and Jason Tu, product marketing manager in the hardware and home improvement division at Spectrum Brands, which makes the Kwikset, Baldwin, and Weiser lines. (Most smart locks, in contrast, use battery-friendly Bluetooth and then connect wirelessly to a plug-in adapter that allows them to connect to your Wi-Fi and accept remote control.). When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The package includes a small radio module that you physically insert in the Assure Lock SL during setup; the module allows the lock to integrate with Apple HomeKit, which includes voice control via Siri (HomeKit works only with Apple devices). You can receive notifications whenever the door opens and closes, and keep tabs on who’s coming and going and when. Creating new codes, whether at home or away, for arriving guests is wonderfully useful. Most make it possible to securely grant access to your home—to not only family and friends but also renters, tradespeople, and even mail carriers or package-delivery workers. The Schlage Connect is a low-cost option for anyone who already uses a Z-Wave hub. One major concern we have is that, in a very informal and unskilled lockpicking attempt, we were able to unlock the Level Lock in a matter of seconds. If these added features are appealing to you, we have a guide to smart locks. Still, for everyday use it works well, and the fingerprint reader was flawless. If you pop off to a neighbor’s house or the corner store, it won’t work, and you’ll need to consult your phone to open the door. Like the Connect, the Sense has a terrific keypad and top-quality ANSI Grade 1 hardware, but over many years of testing, it has suffered from Bluetooth range issues that make it unreliable when we’re trying to connect to it remotely—despite being within spitting distance of both our Wi-Fi beacon and an Apple TV acting as a hub. Kwikset Premis Smart Lock. Put Amazon's Alexa to work for you with these great smart-home devices. The newer Secure Pro model is available for purchase with a wireless bridge, but at $300 it’s not a good value compared with our picks. The Encode is smaller than its Schlage forebears (though not as small as the U-Bolt Pro), and it installs quickly. Unfortunately, in the course of long-term testing we found that we were able to pick its keyway with very little effort and with only novice lockpicking skills, something we have been able to do repeatedly. The result is a lock with the same size and shape as a regular deadbolt, unlike all the other models we’ve ever tested, which have variously prominent housings. Then, when you arrive home, you push your finger onto the reader, and in half a second or so a ring around the scanner lights up green and the lock opens with a gentle whir (or it turns red, which means you have to rescan). The touchscreen buttons are easy to press, even with bulky gloves on. Similarly, smart locks can be a useful tool for small-business owners who want to keep tabs on who might be coming and going through their doors when they aren’t around. The Yale also offers the most customization. Simply press the padlock button to lock it when you leave. Although we understand that home thieves generally use brute-force methods to enter homes (or simply enter unlocked doors), low-cost, effectively unpickable keyways are widely available as a standard feature, so if you want a keyway, we recommend choosing another model that uses those technologies. The Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock (2nd Gen) is our top pick in our guide to the best smart lock. Having your door automatically trigger as you walk up to it is the essence of convenience, but it necessarily puts you at risk of an accidental trigger that leaves your front door open to anyone. Our smart-home staffers aren’t the only ones who love their gadgets. The first type is an add-on device that replaces the interior thumb turn of your door’s existing deadbolt but not the deadbolt mechanism itself. (Yes, I learned this from experience—don’t bust my chops.) As such, we recommend this lock only if you have ready access to another entrance, such as a back door or a garage. The deadbolt on the Schlage doesn’t automatically retract like it does on the Yale, so once the code is entered, it still needs to be turned and unlocked manually. (We’d also point out that everyone now lives in a ubiquitously connected world, and everything from your utilities to the entire global financial system is fully internet-connected.) May 3, 2018 - Integrate your home with the best smart home gear the universe has to offer. Wyze turns on a few optional features by default that you should be aware of. Last, the Yale can be upgraded to a device-controlled smart lock with the addition of a separately purchased smart module. The Best Smart Locks. We love and recommend the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro, a small, attractive deadbolt that be triggered in multiple ways, including via fingerprint reader or keypad. The Vivint Smart Home security system is reliable and easy to use, but expensive and quirky unless you want the convenience of a pro install and maintenance. One especially important buying tip: If your door has a mortise lock, with the latch and bolt in an integrated unit, or a door handle and latch that are a single unit, none of the smart locks we reviewed will fit (we hope to test some soon). *At the time of publishing, the price was $100. Effectively “unpickable” locks are widely available, so we find the reliance on a cheap keyway to be problematic. This attractive smart lock is a product of Nest and Yale. Our tests included the use of companion apps on both iOS and Android smartphones, though all long-term testing was performed using an iPhone 11. For the latest round, we installed each test unit in one of a few modern, factory-made doors and tested it for at least a week, in most cases for several weeks or even months. The true distinctions emerged in firsthand tests, when we could look beyond the spec sheets and see what it would be like to live with these. ... By Wirecutter | Earns commissions. Our experience with the smart locks we tested was largely positive, though we should note that every smart lock we’ve ever used has had instances where it didn’t function correctly or required troubleshooting of some variety—an inevitability to be aware of when you’re choosing to install one of these devices in your home. In gaining its smaller internal housing, the Encode unfortunately shed compatibility with Apple HomeKit, though it can still integrate with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The best smart display for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. With the exception of the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro, which is not ANSI-graded, all of the locks we tested were at least Grade 2, and some—the Schlage models—were Grade 1.