The Best Smart Locks of 2025, Expert-Tested - CNET

Feb 19, 2025

Improve your home security with these high-tech smart locks from Schlage, Aqara, Yale and more.

What to consider

Installation

Are you looking for a retrofit over your existing lock? Or do you want a full deadbolt replacement? Would you prefer a handle or lever replacement instead?

Access

Does the lock offer easy app controls and the ability to grant and control temporary passes to other users? Are you interested in a keypad, or a fingerprint scanner? Do you want compatibility with Apple Home Key or similar services?

Compatibility

Does the lock work with your existing security system or preferred voice assistant? Does the lock have Matter compatibility?

Security and privacy

Does the lock include a strong ANSI grade for physical durability? Is access date properly encrypted on the app?

Design

Is the design compact enough for your door? Does it match your other fixtures? Are there different colors or shades available?

With smart lock technology, your home can be even more secure. You can let your friends, petsitters, cleaners or anyone else who may need access without giving out a key and can switch the code at any moment. Control the device through a phone app or even connect some to Google Home and Apple Home.

Our experts have spent the past few years testing dozens of smart locks and access control devices: Here are our favorite models, whether you want to replace a deadbolt entirely, retrofit an existing deadbolt or just save money. Check below for a few more tips on how to pick and install a smart lock, too.

Our top pick for the best smart lock for most folks is the Aqara Smart Lock U100. In our review of the Aquara lock, we noted it's one of the most complete smart locks we've seen, offering fingerprint, code and digital pass options as well as native compatibility with Apple HomeKit. The design is solid and pleasantly reactive, and if you add an Aqara hub, you can get full Matter support and remote control. It's excellent for front-door home security, especially if you want to add a smart doorbell or security cam to the mix.

Aqara brings the latest smart lock technology together in excellent form with its combination deadbolt and sleek entry pad. It offers Apple compatibility out of the box, but when you add a compatible Zigbee hub you also get full Matter support and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, along with long-distance control options. It's one of the best Siri-friendly locks and is compatible with Apple's latest Home Key passes. Or if you're interested primarily in hardware, we found the IP65-rated lock to be durable, efficient and relatively easy to install (plus it looks and feels great).

The list of features behind Aqara's smart lock is lengthy, but we noted important standouts. In addition to the keypad for entry, the lock includes a fingerprint reader and emergency key access. Apps allow you to create one-time passes (a vital part of any modern smart lock), while a built-in gyroscope ensures the door automatically locks if it's left unlocked for too long. You can adjust these features and many other options, including guest passes and geofencing, in the Aqara app.

Even after a few weeks of steady testing, the Aqara lock barely lost 1% of battery life, which is a good sign of longevity. There's also an emergency USB-C port if you need power immediately. Overall, it's a complete replacement package.

Not everyone has a deadbolt or wants a deadbolt replacement to get smart lock features. We're impressed with Schlage's alternative, a smart Wi-Fi lever to replace your current door handle and still provide many of the same amenities. The built-in Wi-Fi lets you set up to 100 entry codes, customize notifications, review activity logs and set schedules for autolocking. The lock is primarily focused on code entry with app management, but it does work with Alexa and Google Assistant for additional voice control options

One downside: The smart handle is one of our priciest picks, so it may not be in everyone's budget range. This Schlage lock is available in a variety of colors and styles, and some do cost less than others depending on supply, so it’s worth taking a look at different designs and finding what matches your home while saving some money.

Smart locks aren't famous for their budget options, which still tend to go well above $100 if you want the best features. This Ultraloq model is one of the best matches we've found between affordability and features, including a durable keypad and built-in fingerprint sensor. Our tests also found that the Ultraloq's Wi-Fi range was particularly excellent for a smart lock, making this a good choice for a sublease, granny pod, Airbnb apartment and many similar situations.

Options like eKey sharing and management make it easy to offer digital passes to friends and family and control how they're used, while the IP65 rating ensures that weather is no problem no matter how harsh your seasons get. Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility round off this lock nicely, but we do miss Apple support.

Many of our picks are mostly keyless, but Yale takes the concept to the next level with a smart lock as smooth-looking as it is smooth to use. Once installed, the deadbolt offers a keypad and and app control options for locking or unlocking, plus support for Apple Watch. Auto lock and unlock features are also available to customize your experiences. You also get unlimited passes to share (and track) with family and friends.

Yale is another brand doing very well with smart home compatibility, offering support for the three big voice assistants -- Alexa, Google Home/Assistant and Apple Home/Siri and works especially well with the latest ADT security systems. We also like that it's available in a few different finishes to better match your existing fixtures. If you're still looking for a good Airbnb smart lock, this Yale model costs more than our Ultraloq pick, but it works directly with the Airbnb app for easier scheduling, sending passes directly to guests and so on.

The downside? No fingerprint support on this model, which helps keep the keypad compact but misses out on this convenient technology.

This August lock has been on our list for some time now, has frequently starred as an Editor's Choice selection and continues to impress, especially as a retrofit model. That means you don't have to replace your existing deadbolt to use it: The August lock fits over the bolt to control via an app or voice assistant, a somewhat bulky (August continues to slim down its hardware) but extremely convenient option.

August's locking features cover all the bases, including auto-locking, the DoorSense open/close notifications and a log of all activity. As with many locks on our list, you also have the handy ability to send guest access passes with customized deadlines (very convenient for managing anyone from a house cleaner to vacationing friends).

Although August's latest lock doesn't have Matter quite yet, it's still fully compatible with Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home, so you aren't missing much. Plus, we're finding the fourth-gen August lock for under $150, an excellent deal compared with its original price and another way to save with this retrofitting option. Keep in mind, you will have to manage the rechargeable lithium battery when using this lock.

August's third-gen Smart Lock and Connect bundle comes with a DoorSense open-close sensor and the August Connect plug-in Wi-Fi bridge. The low-profile, retrofit design means you won't need to replace your existing deadbolt lock, and installation is easy, although, as with similar August models, users will need to replace the "thumbturn" on the inside of their door to use it. If you’re renting, absolutely check with your landlord and lease before installing one of these, even as a retrofit: Landlords often like to handle home security tech themselves and will need to sign off.

Once the lock is installed, you’ll get those great August features, including virtual key passes, an activity feed, auto-unlock and auto-lock, and even the ability to access the lock with your Apple Watch.

With that August Connect Wi-Fi bridge pairing the lock with your home network, this version of the August lock is compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control. And you'll find the same great remote access features in the August mobile app. The only August feature you don't get here is compatibility with Apple HomeKit (sorry, Siri). Available in silver or dark gray, it's the first smart lock I'd recommend if you live in an apartment and don't want to remove your existing lock.

If biometrics have caught your eye, and you'd like to upgrade your current door with a fingerprint sensor, Lockly's retrofit adds a minimal scanner that's bound to fit your current door. With a compact form both inside and out, this Lockly offering includes a separate Wi-Fi hub to manage the internet connection from a nearby nook or entryway table. In addition to fingerprint scanning, users can sign in with the app or a scannable QR code. Digital keys and badges provide a variety of options for short-term access without collecting everyone's fingerprints.

We also like the battery life, rated for nine months (on the higher end of our research), plus there's a backup battery in case things go wrong. Overall, if you're worried that your current single-cylinder deadbolt just doesn't have enough room for smart features, Lockly is ready to change your mind.

In our search for the best smart lock, these are some of the other products we've tried out.

The Kwikset Halo Touch is a no-frills fingerprint lock with built-in Wi-Fi and support for Alexa or Google Assistant.

Nest Yale Lock: Nest and Yale partnered up for a Google-centric smart lock with a touch keypad. This Nest app smart door lock has the good looks of Yale's earlier models, but it isn't quite as capable as other keyless locks when it comes to smart home integration.

Kwikset Halo Touch: The Halo Touch is a simple, straightforward fingerprint lock with built-in Wi-Fi and Alexa/Google compatibility. However, there's no Apple support and the price, currently at $200, is a bit high. Still, it could be a good deadbolt replacement if you catch it onon a sale.

Kwikset Kevo Bluetooth Deadbolt: Kwikset's second-gen Kevo is a good Bluetooth smart lock and a simple answer to smartening your door if you don't need remote control access. If you do, you'll need to buy the Kevo Plus connect module -- we prefer less complicated setups for our list.

Wyze Smart Lock: We like how affordable the Wyze lock is. For around $30 more, the Ultraloq model offers a lot more, so it's currently our top budget pick. Also, Wyze has had a string of security issues that it hasn't been able to resolve at the level of other brands, like August, so we'd like to keep an eye on Wyze for a while.

The Lockly Flex Touch has a built-in fingerprint scanner but you need to pay an extra $80 for the plug-in Wi-Fi hub.

Lockly Flex Touch: An understated fingerprint lock, the Flex Touch looks like a standard deadbolt on the outside, apart from the small fingerprint sensor that dangles underneath. That fingerprint sensor worked great when we tested it out, but the interior part of the lock is made of faux-stainless-steel plastic which feels a bit cheap to the touch. In addition to that, you'll need to buy an overpriced $80 plug-in Wi-Fi hub if you want to control the lock via your phone from beyond Bluetooth range.

Schlage Sense Bluetooth Deadbolt: Schlage's Sense smart lock is affordable, but clunky and not as simple to set up as its Encode sibling. But you'll also need a Schlage lock Wi-Fi adapter to connect with Google Assistant or Alexa, a design choice that has fallen out of favor in recent years.

Eufy S330 Video Smart Lock: Eufy's S330 is the best video smart lock we've tested, but video locks have a problem: The camera is often poorly positioned to catch any but the nearest details. Eufy's subscription-free video storage options help, but the price is still too high when you can find a video doorbell that offers much better video features at lower prices.

Some smart locks, like the Kwikset Halo Touch, make installation a breeze.

The CNET team has spent years testing and reviewing smart locks. For our most recent batch of tests, we tried out several new models at our own homes, as well as on mock door displays to help save time.

For starters, we took a critical eye on each lock's design, as well as the simplicity of the installation process. It's usually not a complicated process, and in most cases, you'll only need a Phillips head screwdriver, but it still might feel intimidating for some.

From there, the testing is largely experiential. We pay attention to important physical considerations like the size of the lock and how loud the motor gets when the deadbolt turns, as well as practical considerations like app features, ease of use and the range of compatibility with different smart home platforms and peripheral devices.

The U-Bolt Pro with built-in Wi-Fi was the top finisher in our range tests and worked even from a backyard.

Some smart locks, particularly coded smart locks, are better for sharing access with guests. Others, including Bluetooth locks with auto-unlocking smarts whenever you draw near, are better for users who are more convenience-minded. Whatever the lock's approach, the features need to work well if it wants to earn our recommendation.

Smart design matters too. Apart from the fact that these locks are likely going to be sitting on the front face of your home's exterior and making a first impression on visitors, good design can make for better implementation of core features.

Yale's super-compact keypad keeps the tech behind in the locking mechanism.

Smart lock retrofits are very easy to install, since your aren't actually removing and exchanging the deadbolt. You can easily handle this project yourself, and smart locks are good at including instructions, both video and diagram, to help out.

Full deadbolt or handle replacements will take a bit more work, but in almost every case you can still handle the installation yourself. You'll need a tape measure, a durable screwdriver and preferably a handheld drill for the project. The key is aligning your new smart lock so that it properly fits in the strike plate and other components of your door: Some door spaces are more lenient here than others. If you don't have a standard-sized residential door, smart locks get much more complicated and you should contact an expert.

Smart locks are a highly visible part of your home that you'll use just about every day, so it's important to find a reliable pick that meshes well with your smart home. Here are the factors you should be thinking about as you shop.

A retrofit smart lock like the August lock will replace the interior of your current lock but not the exterior keyhole or the deadbolt.

Most smart locks will replace the entirety of your existing lock, including the interior thumbturn, the exterior keyhole, and the deadbolt in the middle. Locks like those will also come with their own keys, which will replace the ones you're using now.

Others, like the August Smart Lock, and the Lockly fingerprint model, are designed instead to work with at least some of your existing lock hardware. With a retrofit lock like that, you probably won't need new keys at all, and you might not even need to swap out the deadbolt. Locks like those can sometimes be a better fit for apartments, where the building owners might not allow you to replace the entire lock.

Different smart locks will take different approaches to letting you in. On a basic level, most smart locks will let you lock and unlock the door wirelessly from your phone, using an app. Others add in keypads for coded entry, which can help you rely on your keys a little less while also making it easier to share access with others. Some of the newest smart locks add in touch sensitivity or fingerprint scanning to let you inside with just a tap. Apple has also added a Home Key feature in iOS15 that lets you store a digital house key in your Apple Wallet, which lets you open compatible smart locks using the NFC radio in your iPhone or Apple Watch.

It may be overkill to pay up for a smart lock that offers all of that, so it's fine to dial in on the mode of access that interests you most. You've got a diverse mix of options these days.

The Schlage Encode Plus is the first smart lock to support Apple Home Key. It lets you unlock your door using an iPhone or Apple Watch.

If your household includes multiple types of smart home devices, then your best bet is to control them all from a single smart home platform. That way, you won't need to juggle multiple apps to keep everything automated. The most popular picks are Amazon Alexa, the Google Home app and the Google Assistant voice controls that come with it, and Apple HomeKit, which brings Siri into play. Samsung SmartThings is another option for a hub-centric smart home.

That brings us to Matter: Matter (and its tagalong protocol Thread) is an important smart home protocol designed in coordination with major brands including Google, Amazon, Apple, and many others. It helps guarantee compatibility across different platforms and adds extra security and data transfer benefits, which is definitely something buyers should be watching for.

Currently, smart lock companies are still adopting the Matter standard. Our top pick uses it and is one of the best options we've found. Some Schlage Encode locks use it, but it hasn't made its way to our Schlage Smart Level pick quite yet, and the same goes for Yale Assure. August has also announced it's working to bring Matter to its smart locks, so in some cases, it just be a "matter" of waiting for the right firmware update.

Smart locks aren't quite as data-sensitive as devices with built-in cameras and microphones, but you'll still want to make sure that you're keeping things secure. Most, if not all of your options will use some form of encryption to keep the wireless transmissions between your lock and your phone or home network secure. You should also look for locks that use two-factor authentication to keep your account safe from malicious logins. As with any connected device in your home, you'll want to be sure to keep your lock updated to the latest firmware and to set a strong password in the app.

As for lockpicking and other physical concerns, you can look for the lock's ANSI grade to get a sense of its durability, and how well it might stand up against a brute-force entry attack. ANSI grade 3 is the most basic rating, but a growing number of smart locks offer ANSI grade 2 or grade 1 ratings, which tell you that they're built with commercial-grade durability. If you're concerned about forced entries, a lock like that might be a good investment.

Your smart lock is going to sit right on the front of your home's exterior, so it's worth aiming for something you won't hate looking at. Some smart locks go out of their way to show off their gadgety features with light-up touchscreens, color-coded LED indicator lights and tech-minded designs. Others take the opposite approach, doing their best to blend in and look just like a standard lock, from the outside at least. Picking a preference between the two approaches will help you narrow your options.

You'll also want to consider how the lock stays powered. Most smart locks will run off four AA batteries, but some take a different approach. The Level Lock, for instance, runs off of a single CR2 battery that sits inside of the deadbolt itself. Meanwhile, Eufy's touchscreen smart lock runs off of a rechargeable battery pack.

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about smart locks.

Smart locks from major developers, like Yale and Schlage, are reliable security devices, but only if you use them correctly. In the same way a lock three feet from a key hidden under a doormat isn't very secure, a smart lock with the PIN 1-2-3-4 won't be very secure. Smart locks can even be more secure than conventional locks, since keys are easier to lose than your fingers, for example, if you're using a fingerprint lock.

Like most smart home tech, smart locks are getting more affordable all the time, but that doesn't mean they're cheap. Between the conventional hardware (which often includes a deadbolt and other parts of the lock mechanism), the "smart" hardware (which includes computer chips and various kinds of radios) and the software (which includes digital security measures like encryption), a lot goes into a smart lock. So finding one for under a hundred bucks, which isn't unusual these days, is actually a solid deal.

Smart locks, like any Wi-Fi-connected device, can be hacked. As long as you're finding smart locks from reliable developers, the communications that would allow a hacker to trigger the lock should be thoroughly encrypted, making hacking pretty difficult. It's important to keep in mind, that robberies are often crimes of convenience. So unless you live in a totally secure compound, protecting one-of-a-kind jewels, an unlocked window or an open garage door is a more likely point of entry than your theoretically hackable smart lock.

Smart lock hacking isn't much of a risk to your individual home's security thanks to encryption, but that doesn't mean smart locks pose zero risks. Battery-powered smart locks can lead to problems in the long run if you're not diligent about keeping them powered. Smart home hacking is very, very unlikely, but you can mitigate that sort of risk by setting strong passwords for the apps that control your smart home, and by using security-minded features like two-factor authentication.

With basic DIY skills, you won’t have to worry about calling a locksmith, unless things go badly wrong. Even deadbolt replacements are doable if you can find out how to disassemble your current deadbolt and measure very carefully. Top brands are good at providing installation videos and other in-depth instructions to show you how to wield that screwdriver and get the job done. Expect the project to take around an hour if it’s your first time setting up a smart lock.

Smart locks use battery power when they're activated, so battery life greatly depends on how many people are opening and closing or locking and unlocking your door throughout the day. You can expect the average smart lock to last at least several months before it needs new batteries. If batteries are running out in only a couple of weeks or less, there’s probably something wrong, like an update the doorbell is trying to install or a Wi-Fi connection that keeps reconnecting.