The 5 Best Smart Locks of 2020

Overview
Smart door locks connect to your home and other smart devices via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. They keep your home secure while still making it possible to get back in if you're locked out of the house, and make it easy to grant access to your house guests or dog walkers. You have a few key things to consider in a smart lock, including compatibility, home automation integrations, convenience, and of course, security. With these in mind, we chose the August Smart Lock Pro as the best overall smart lock for its ability to work with any smart home, its easy installation, and its extra abilities.

Why we recommend the August Smart Lock Pro

The August Smart Lock Pro is our top pick for a smart lock because it has all the features we look for: convenience, extra security measures, and lots of smart home and security integrations. It works with Apple’s Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant, as well as Nest, SimpliSafe, Wink, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, and many more.

Features and flaws of August Smart Lock Pro

Older versions of the August Smart Lock have a few advantages, such as longer battery life and lower costs. However, we prefer the August Smart Lock Pro to the second and third generation locks because it comes with a full range of connectivity options (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Z-Wave) and expanded integration options. Basically, you can do more with the Pro, and it comes with better security.

August’s unique DoorSense feature determines if the door is actually closed before locking it. Some other locks have an autolock feature, but in those cases if you forget to close the door behind you, the deadbolt will extend anyway. The DoorSense feature tells you that the door is both shut and locked.

The one downside to the August Smart Lock Pro is that it requires a separate Wi-Fi bridge to connect it with other smart devices and remotely access it from your smartphone. We’d love to see the Wi-Fi connection built into the lock itself, but for now, this is the next best thing.

August Smart Lock Pro installation

August smart locks are easy to install because they cover the thumbturn of your existing deadbolt rather than replacing it entirely. This is great if you want to keep your keys, but we recommend making sure you have a strong deadbolt installed.

>>Learn more: Check out our full August Smart Lock Pro review for more details.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: The August Smart Lock Pro is the best pick if you want to keep your existing deadbolt and key. It also gives you the most options in terms of home automation integration.

Why we recommend Schlage Encode

Brand new on the market as of this writing, the Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi deadbolt is the first Schlage lock to have a built-in Wi-Fi connection. It also has some impressive features and Schlage’s solid reputation to recommend it.

In addition to remote access, the Schlage Encode gives you voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant, so you don’t even need to use the keypad to unlock the door. However, it doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit or Siri, so this is not the lock for you if you’re an iOS user or already have HomeKit.

The Schlage Home app or the Amazon Key app allows you to create and manage up to 100 user codes and view a usage log. If you don’t have your phone handy, you can use a passcode to unlock the door. The touchscreen is fingerprint resistant to prevent anyone from guessing your codes, and a built-in alarm will sound if someone tampers with the lock.

The Schlage Encode has battery backup in case of a power outage, but you won’t be able to use remote access if your Wi-Fi’s down. Also, Wi-Fi uses more power than Bluetooth, so expect to change the batteries every six months or so.

>>Learn more: Read more about other Schlage locks in our Schlage locks review, or about another one of our favorites, the Schlage Sense lock.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you’re looking for a lock that gives you remote smartphone access without requiring a separate Wi-Fi adapter or bridge, the Schlage Encode is the lock for you.

Why we recommend the Yale Assure SL

The Yale Assure SL is designed with a sleek look. It’s thinner than many other smart locks at less than three-quarters of an inch thick. Without the optional module, the exterior lock has no smart capabilities and is just a touchscreen keypad with space for up to 25 user codes—it has no traditional key slot, so you’re 100% protected against lock picking and bumping.

With the module, you can add smart home integration the Yale Assure SL. The module runs about $60 with the protocol you need, or you can purchase a lock bundled with the right module. If you’re an Apple HomeKit user, you can use the Yale Secure app and an Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad as a hub to give you remote access to your Yale Assure SL lock.

The module also lets the lock hold up to 250 user codes—that’s the most we’ve seen for any residential smart lock. And even with the additional purchase of a network module, the Yale Assure SL costs the same as or less than similar locks.

August Connect integration

The Assure also has an option to add an August Connect Wi-Fi module to give you even more integration options and access the lock via the August app, but it’s pricey.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: If you love all things Apple and already have (or plan to have) a HomeKit smart home, the Yale Assure is the right smart lock for you—and it won’t break the bank.

The Schlage Connect doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so it isn’t a smart lock by our definition—and you can’t access it directly from your smartphone. However, with Z-Wave capabilities, it connects to a lot of smart home protocols to become part of a larger home automation system.

The Schlage Connect’s Z-Wave capabilities give you remote access for brands like Samsung SmartThings, Wink, Nexia, and Ring, as well as Alexa and Google Assistant.

The Schlage Connect is our top choice for an electronic lock because it’s highly secure. It has a top security rating and three built-in alarm settings to alert you of activity at the door. You can lock the door by pushing a single button, and the fingerprint-resistant touchscreen prevents others from guessing your code.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: With its secure deadbolt, smart home connectivity, and lower price point, we recommend the Schlage Connect for anyone with a Z-Wave home automation system.

Why we recommend the Kwikset SmartCode 916

The Kwikset SmartCode 916 is best if you want an extra-secure keypad on your front door. It uses Kwikset’s SecureScreen technology to prevent anyone from guessing your passcode based on fingerprints. Before entering your code, SecureScreen prompts you to touch two random numbers on the screen, which mixes up the fingerprints.

The SmartCode 916 allows one-touch locking and automatically locks the door after 30 seconds. It also employs Kwikset’s SmartKey rekey technology so if you ever need to change the lock, you can easily do that yourself.

Like the Schlage Connect, the SmartCode has no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities, so you can’t access it remotely on its own. It does, however, connect to Z-Wave or Zigbee, depending on the model you choose, so you can connect it to a larger home automation system.

Despite the extra touchscreen security, the SmartCode 916 has one disadvantage: the deadbolt is an ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 instead of Grade 1. Grade 2 is still plenty strong, so it’s not a dealbreaker, but we like to see that extra bit of security.

ASecureLife’s recommendation: We recommend the Kwikset lock if you’re looking for a basic yet secure and reliable keypad lock.

The grading system for assessing a lock’s strength comes from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA).

There are three rating levels with Grade 1 locks having the highest level of security. Grade 3 is required for residential buildings, so anything Grade 2 or 3 exceeds the basic security level and adds to the protection of your home.

If you have a strong deadbolt you want to make smarter, get the August Smart Lock Pro.

>>Check out our Best Door Locks article for locks we recommend that don’t have all the extra features of smart home technology but still keep your house safe.

>>Look into security doors for even more robust security for your entryways.