Need someone to come by your house and walk the dog or check in on the cats? With a smart lock, you can provide them (the person, not your pets) with a virtual key so that they can only enter at certain times. And, you’ll get an alert when they come by. And when you get back, you can delete the virtual key in a snap.
Did you ever leave the house and forget if you locked your door? A smart lock can help with that, too. Not only can you program it to lock automatically when you leave, but you can also lock it remotely from wherever you happen to be.
These are just some of the benefits of smart locks, but all are not created equal. That’s why we’ve tested a number of models to bring you the best smart locks.
What are the best smart locks?
Based on our testing, the best smart lock overall is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. The successor to the August Smart Lock Pro, the Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45 percent smaller and has Wi-Fi built in, so you no longer need to install a separate device to connect the lock to your home network. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has all the same features as its predecessor: It’s easy to install, easy to use, and supports all of the major smart home systems, such as Alexa and Google Assistant.
For those on a budget, the best smart lock is the August Smart Lock. Usually selling for $149, it’s less expensive than the Pro version, but has most of the same features, with the only major omission being Apple HomeKit support. However, you’ll need to purchase the Connect Wi-Fi Bridge if you want to control the lock remotely.
There wasn’t much to improve on August’s smart lock, but the company went ahead and tweaked its original to make it smaller and easier to use. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45 percent smaller than the original, so it looks less bulbous on your door, and now has Wi-Fi built in, so you don’t need to install the August Connect bridge to link your lock to your home network.
Everything we liked about the August Pro is here: A simple installation process, features such as DoorSense (which lets you know if your door has been left ajar), and interoperability with a huge range of other smart home systems, from Alexa to Google Assistant to Xfinity. And, the August Wi-Fi lets you use the keys from your existing deadbolt.
If you want to add some smarts to your home without spending too much, the August Smart Lock has most of the features you’ll need, at a reasonable price. You can pick up this smart, full-featured lock for less than $100.
If you rent your home, the August Smart Lock is the best smart lock, as it’s very simple to install on top of an extant deadlock without replacing the cylinder or key. There’s no need to replace the cylinder; it will continue to work with your existing keys, keeping your landlord happy. And, when you move out, you can quickly and easily remove the lock and replace it with the old one, keeping your deposit safe.
Note that you will also need the August Connect module (about $60, sold separately) if you want to control and monitor the lock remotely. That module can handle multiple locks, so it’s a great low-cost pick for adding remote control to several doors at once. The only thing missing is support for Apple HomeKit.
If someone tries you tamper with your lock, a loud alarm is a good deterrent. The Schlage Encode is our pick for the best smart lock with an alarm, as it will blare out an earsplitting siren in the attempt of a break-in.
As well as being a great combination of a manual, keycode and remote-controlled lock, the Schlage Encode supports the Amazon Key service, which allows an Amazon delivery person to open the door when they arrive and place your packages inside the house. That feature makes them less likely to be stolen. Amazon Key does require a compatible security camera, which costs extra. The lock supports Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can integrate it with your Smart Home system easily, but there is no support for Apple’s HomeKit.
