These Are the Best Keyless Locks for Smart Homes (2024)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For a long time, there weren't any smart mortise-style locks. You'll know you have this type of lock if, instead of a simple deadbolt, there's a tall box lock installed in a deep pocket (a.k.a. mortise) at the edge of your door. The SmartEntry from Accurate Lock & Hardware is one of the first smart options for mortise locks. Our engineers were excited to get their hands on it.

To be clear, this is a pricey lock (starting at $2,150) aimed at high-end homeowners, and it's only sold to the trade through specialty dealers. That means you'll need to work with a contractor (Accurate has a network of preferred pros on its website), who will also do the installation, adding to the investment. But based on our hands-on review of the SmartEntry, the result will be an exceptional battery-powered lock that uses Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to provide keyless entry via Accurate's proprietary app.

In our tests, the lock was easy to operate through the SmartEntry app and offers features like auto-lock and the ability to provide access to guest users. In terms of design, the SmartEntry comes in a rich array of trim and finish options. That combination of style and intelligence makes for a very smart lock indeed.

Our experts start by surveying the current marketplace to identify the smart locks you're most likely to find on store shelves and online. They also keep tabs on emerging technologies in the smart home space by attending trade shows and industry events, including the Consumer Electronics Show and the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association Expo.

Hands-on testing took place over more than 50 hours in our Lab as well as our homes; the latter enables us to evaluate the devices in real-world conditions. In the Lab, we use a doorframe rig for evaluating the ease of assembly and functionality of each smart lock. In total, we score the locks over 15 metrics, including ease of assembly, app setup and intuitiveness, feature set, accuracy of auto-lock functionality (if applicable), integration capabilities, connectivity and functionality of unique features. These and other factors are rated by both our experts' experiences and those of real users.

Smart locks are high-tech devices, but they still need to do the very low-tech job of keeping your door secure. As you narrow down the options, keep these key factors in mind:

✔️ Installation: Some smart locks are designed to be installed over your existing deadbolt on the inside of the door, while others replace the existing deadbolt. That affects the complexity of the installation as well as the look of your door from the outside.

✔️ Remote control: Smart locks can be either Wi-Fi-enabled or Bluetooth-enabled (or both, in some cases). Look for a Wi-Fi lock if you want to be able to control the lock from anywhere. With Bluetooth-only models, you'll have to be within a short distance of the lock to control it through your smartphone.

✔️ Integration: Do you want your smart lock to be integrated into a larger smart home so you can do things like program certain lights to turn on when the lock opens or open the lock with your voice? If so, you need to check that the smart lock works with your smart home ecosystem, be it Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.

In theory, yes, but that's true with any connected device you bring into your home. Following best cybersecurity practices will keep the hackers out. For starters, create a strong, unique password for each connected device, including your smart lock (our experts recommend a password manager like Dashlane to organize and protect your many accounts).

It's also a good idea to replace network hardware, including your router, at least every five years to make sure your security protections are relatively up-to-date. Keep existing hardware current by enabling software updates, which might mean logging in to the device and manually accepting updates, as you might with your phone.

Finally, our experts recommend creating one network for your computers, which likely contain sensitive information, and a separate guest network for your smart home devices. That way even if someone hacks into your Wi-Fi-connected smart lock, they can’t access your computer. Segmentation is easy to do with most new routers. Check the user manual for instructions.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement Lab provides expert reviews and advice on all things home-related, including smart locks and other connected devices. In his role as director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, Dan DiClerico brings more than 20 years of experience to the GH Institute, having reviewed thousands of products for Good Housekeeping, as well as brands like This Old House and Consumer Reports.

For this report, Dan worked closely with Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and director of engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute. For more than 15 years, Rachel has put her training in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics to work by researching, testing and writing about products across the home improvement space.

Olivia Lipski, media and tech reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, provided expertise around the connectivity and smart home integration of the locks included in this review.