The best smart locks of 2023 come from popular brands like Yale, Wyze, August, and Lockly, and they offer tons of cool features you won’t find on traditional deadbolts. From the ability to check the status of your lock remotely to being able to set up temporary profiles for guests, there’s a reason these smart home gadgets continue to grow in popularity.
Picking the right smart lock for your needs, however, is no small task. Not all smart locks are worthy of your time and money, and installing a bad smart lock could cause you plenty of headaches. Thankfully, there’s a product for every purpose. Whether you’re setting up a rental property, need something robust for a large family, or want to do away with your keys entirely, there’s bound to be a smart lock with your name on it.
Here's a look at the best smart locks of 2023, including full deadbolt replacements and deadbolt adapters. Our picks span plenty of price ranges too, making it easy to find something great for your front door that fits your budget.
The best smart lock
Yale Assure Lock 2
- Robust smartphone app
- Multiple available designs
- Gorgeous touchscreen
- Highly customizable performance
- Expensive
- Entry-level models lack important functionality
Yale knows how to make a great lock, and the Assure Lock 2 proves it. Available in a wide variety of formats (including lockless and touchscreen), there are plenty of ways to customize this unique device.
One of the best formats includes a module that lets you access the door remotely, giving you peace of mind that you locked up before leaving for work. You can also create temporary passwords for guests, check out the activity history to see when it was last opened, or remotely open the door for a friend who is locked out.
But most importantly, it looks stunning – with premium materials and a slim design offering a decidedly modern aesthetic. It's also one of the few smart locks with a flash red variant, as the Yale x Pantone model in Viva Magenta brings a maximalist flair to your front door.
If you're an Apple user, you can spring for the Assure Lock 2 Plus, which offers Apple Home Key support. This allows you to use either or iPhone or Apple Watch to open the door without needing to enter your passcode. It costs a bit more (the Wi-Fi model is $290), but no doubt it's a cool feature.
The best budget smart lock
Wyze Lock
- Inexpensive
- Intuitive app
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- You can't limit digital key access
- The app is a bit slow
There’s nothing better than quick and painless. Wyze’s entire suite of smart home products — from lightbulbs to cameras — is designed for the DIY weekend warrior … and the Wyze Lock is no exception. Setup is just a matter of retrofitting your existing deadbolt. The Wyze hardware pops right onto the inside thumb latch, and installation necessitates nothing more than a screwdriver and working Wi-Fi.
With the Wyze app, you can lock and unlock the door from pretty much anywhere. For those not looking to whip their phone out every time they return home, there’s Auto Lock/Unlock. Once configured, the Wyze Lock detects your phone when you’re approaching the door, unlocking it so you can step in and then locking it behind you once you’re inside. We also love the Simple Sharing function, which lets you grant guests access to your home and log their entries and exits.
The Wyze Lock is now compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, which means you can lock and unlock your door from the comfort of your couch. Assistant control is also great for those of us who would rather do our on-the-go unlocking with the Alexa or Google Home app. Read our in-depth Wyze Lock review.
The best minimal smart lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- Doesn't need a bridge
- Easy to install
- Auto unlock and lock feature
- Sturdy build
- Batteries aren't rechargable
- Sticks out from the door
The fourth-generation August Smart Lock breaks free from the bonds of its predecessors’ need for a bridge to operate remotely. Thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi connection, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock connects to your home’s wireless network without the need for a bridge or other additional hardware.
Beyond that, it’s one of the simplest smart locks to install and set up. Plus, it’s able to retain your existing lock — so you don’t need new keys. What’s impressive is that the company adds in the Wi-Fi connection, while shrinking the overall size of the lock. It is 45% smaller in volume and 20% slimmer, making it a sleek little lock, and comes in either silver or matte black plastic.
In addition to using the app to remotely operate the lock, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri. Meaning that it integrates nicely with just about any smart home platform. There are also some advanced features that make it a premier offering, like virtual keys that work on a set schedule, and automatic lock/unlock as you approach or leave your home. Read our in-depth August Wi-Fi Smart Lock review. As a trusted name in the smart lock space, August even earned a spot in our list of best tech gifts to give this year.
The most versatile smart lock
Lockly Vision Elite
- Fingerprint sensor
- Good battery life bolstered by solar panel
- Wide-angle camera
- Expensive
- Subpar night vision
Lockly already had a phenomenal offering with the Vision, but its follow-up model takes it one step further. The Lockly Vision Elite has everything that Airbnb hosts crave — from its ability to unlock via fingerprint, pin code, or even through a phone, there are plenty of options.
Guests that do plan on staying at your home or Airbnb residence can be given temporary key codes that they can punch into the touchscreen keypad when they arrive, which can also be made time-sensitive for additional security. Once their stay is complete, you can have another set of codes for the next guest.
Everything is tracked by the app, which can tell you the method that was used to unlock the lock — including if it’s the old fashion way with a key! What makes the Lockly Vision Elite even more appealing is its integrated video camera, which allows it to act a lot like a video doorbell camera. An integrated solar panel helps keep the lithium-ion batteries charged for the long haul, too.
The best smart lock for fingerprint access
Lockly Flex Touch
- Quick and easy installation
- Responsive fingerprint scanner
- Multiple ways to lock/unlock
- Simple but efficient app
- Bulky interior design
- No rechargeable battery
- Requires Wi-Fi adapter for mobile features
If you’re a fan of smart locks but wish they had a more traditional appearance, consider checking out the Lockly Flex Touch. This smart home gadget forgoes the large touchscreen pads found on most smart locks, and instead uses a small fingerprint sensor to let you quickly and securely open (or lock) your front door.
You can also access the lock via Bluetooth using a smartphone app, which lets you track its history or set up unique user profiles for each member of your home.
Toss in support for traditional keys and the ability to power the unit with a 9V battery if it dies while you’re on vacation, and there’s a good chance the Lockly Flex Touch is a great fit for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
A traditional lock typically contains internal pins. When you insert the proper key, it puts the exact right amount of pressure on each pin until the lock opens. Smart locks are electronic, and they work using a keypad, touchpad, or other means.
This depends on the smart lock you purchase and your DIY skills. Some locks, like the August Smart Lock, retrofit over your existing deadbolt. This makes them incredibly easy to install and only takes about 10 minutes. Other locks require a bit more effort.
Smart locks typically have a corresponding app, which is compatible with Alexa, HomeKit, or one of the other voice assistants. This allows you to use voice commands like, “Alexa, lock the door,” or “Alexa, is my door locked?” To find out specific voice assistant compatibility, visit the manufacturer’s website.
As with any Wi-Fi-connected device, there’s always a small risk the device will be hacked if the user doesn’t take steps to protect themselves. However, there’s also a risk that someone can breach or pick a regular (non-smart) door lock.
Some smart locks work with a key and some don’t. Smart locks typically allow you to remotely control your lock via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Z-wave. So, you can operate the lock without a key, and perhaps even when you’re away from your home.
Some smart locks, like the August Smart Lock, have geofencing. If you set up the geofencing feature, it can detect when you’re nearby and unlock the door when you approach.
A smart lock can help you to prevent or grant access to your home, and it acts as a barrier to entry. However, few smart locks (few good ones at least) have cameras, and a smart lock doesn’t provide the same features as a video doorbell, which acts as a sort of digital doorman.
If you want to use your compatible smart lock with Alexa or Google Assistant, you typically just need any Amazon Echo or Google Home speaker. You shouldn’t require a smart home Hub with most locks.
