With the ability to enhance the convenience and security of your entryway, a smart lock is arguably the most crucial component of a connected home. There's no shortage of options, from fully installed models that replace your deadbolt to renter-friendly retrofit solutions. Here at PCMag, we've been testing smart locks since they first hit the market. We evaluate the most popular models, installing and testing them in our homes to help you decide which one to buy. With an outstanding 4.5-star rating and an Editors' Choice award, the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint is the best smart lock overall, thanks to its reliability and versatility. If it isn't the right fit for your home, we offer a range of excellent alternatives that have earned our stamp of approval through rigorous, firsthand testing.
Overview
-
Jump To Details
![Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint]()
Best OverallUltraloq Bolt Fingerprint
-
Jump To Details
![Lockly Visage Zeno Series Facial Recognition Deadbolt]()
Best for Facial RecognitionLockly Visage Zeno Series Facial Recognition Deadbolt
-
Jump To Details
![August Wi-Fi Smart Lock]()
Best Retrofit Smart LockAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock
-
Jump To Details
![Eufy FamiLock S3 Max]()
Best Digital Peephole LockEufy FamiLock S3 Max
-
Jump To Details
![Lockin Veno Pro Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock]()
Best Lock and Video Doorbell CombinationLockin Veno Pro Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock
-
Jump To Details
![Aqara Smart Lock U400]()
Most Future-Proof Smart LockAqara Smart Lock U400
-
Jump To Details
![Desloc Smart Lock D110 Plus]()
Best Enhanced Security FeaturesDesloc Smart Lock D110 Plus
-
Jump To Details
![Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge]()
Best Smart PadlockIgloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge
-
Jump To Details
![Kwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock]()
Most Stylish DesignKwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock
-
Jump To Details
![Yale Assure Lock 2]()
Most Affordable HomeKit LockYale Assure Lock 2
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
-
![Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint]()
Best OverallUltraloq Bolt Fingerprint
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Sturdy construction, ease of use, and multiple lock and unlock options make the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint our top pick. Its zinc alloy exterior component contains a biometric fingerprint scanner, a keypad, and a traditional keyway. With a built-in Wi-Fi radio and support for nearly every smart home platform, you can lock and unlock it from anywhere using your phone or voice. It also features a sensor that indicates whether your door is open or closed.
Who It’s For
Hub-averse smart home users: Because it has built-in Wi-Fi, the Ultraloq doesn't require a hub, but can still be controlled remotely from anywhere your phone has an internet connection. Although it does not support Matter, it works with all major home automation platforms, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. It also works with IFTTT applets, allowing it to integrate with numerous third-party devices.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Geofencing/Location Services Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Apple HomeKit Integrations Google Assistant Integrations IFTTT Integrations Samsung SmartThings Voice Activation Learn More Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Review -
-
Credit: Lockly
![Lockly Visage Zeno Series Facial Recognition Deadbolt]()
Best for Facial RecognitionLockly Visage Zeno Series Facial Recognition Deadbolt
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Lockly Visage Zeno Series is the first smart lock we’ve tested that supports facial recognition. Using two infrared cameras, it scans your face when you approach, offering a completely hands-free way to unlock your door. Additionally, it supports various other authentication methods, including Apple HomeKey, fingerprint scanning, and voice commands via Alexa, Google, and Siri. In our testing, facial recognition performed flawlessly under both dark and bright lighting conditions, and fingerprint scans, touchpad entries, and voice commands were processed immediately.
Who It's For
Facial recognition fans: The Lockly Visage Zeno Series offers more ways to lock and unlock your door than any other smart lock we’ve tested—including facial recognition—and works with most major smart home platforms for voice control and third-party device integrations.
iPhone and Apple Watch users: Apple fans will appreciate this lock's integrated Home Key sensor, which allows you to unlock the door by tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Apple HomeKit Integrations Google Assistant Touchpad Voice Activation -
-
![August Wi-Fi Smart Lock]()
Best Retrofit Smart LockAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
August has released several outstanding smart locks over the years, but the Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the first one that has a built-in Wi-Fi radio. This retrofit solution replaces just your existing interior thumb turn mechanism and uses the rest of your existing lock hardware, including the keys. It's stylish, easy to install, and performed well in testing. Its $249 price might seem high, but you get plenty of features, including a sensor that lets you know the door's status, auto-lock and auto-unlock options, and multi-platform support.
Who It’s For
Renters: As a retrofit lock that works with your existing deadbolt, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is a top renter-friendly option.
Automation enthusiasts: This lock's broad support for third-party devices makes it an excellent addition to any smart home. It works with Alexa and Google voice commands and is a great fit for homes that use Apple HomeKit or other automation platforms from Honeywell, Logitech, SimpliSafe, or Samsung. Additionally, IFTTT support enables it to interact with numerous other smart devices.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Geofencing/Location Services Guest Access Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Apple HomeKit Integrations Google Assistant Integrations IFTTT Voice Activation Learn More August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Review -
-
![Eufy FamiLock S3 Max]()
Best Digital Peephole LockEufy FamiLock S3 Max
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max is a feature-rich smart lock that also serves as a 2K video doorbell. It allows you to unlock your door using a palm scanner, a touch-screen keypad, a mobile app, voice control, and traditional keys. The camera captures motion and doorbell events, and provides free internal video storage and intelligent alerts. It also features an interior display that functions like a digital peephole, allowing you to see what’s going on outside without opening the door.
Who It’s For
Commitment-phobic users: This is a top pick if you want to monitor your front porch without paying cloud storage fees for recorded video or intelligent motion alerts. It features 15.5GB of internal eMMC flash memory for storing event-triggered video, and if that isn’t enough, you can connect it to an Eufy HomeBase 3, which supports up to 16TB of storage.
Maintenance avoiders: Thanks to an innovative battery backup system, the Eufy FamiLock S3 Max can go about six months between charges. It's powered by a rechargeable 15,000mAh lithium-ion battery pack rated to last up to five months, and it also holds four AA backup batteries as a backup that will power the lock for another month.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Apple HomeKit Integrations Google Assistant Tamper Alarm Touchpad Voice Activation Learn More Eufy FamiLock S3 Max Review -
-
![Lockin Veno Pro Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock]()
Best Lock and Video Doorbell CombinationLockin Veno Pro Palm Vein Recognition Video Smart Lock
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Lockin Veno Pro makes this list thanks to its versatility. As a lock, it works with every major smart home platform, including Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Matter, and SmartThings. You can unlock it with an app, your voice, a key, or a keypad. Beyond the basics, the Veno Pro supports palm and fingerprint scanning for additional means of entry. It's also more than just a lock. It doubles as a video doorbell with 2K resolution, free alerts, and free onboard video storage.
Who It's For
Solar-charging enthusiasts: The Veno Pro's lithium-ion battery pack provides up to three months of power before requiring a charge. To further extend your battery life, you can get it bundled with a solar panel.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Wi-Fi Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Apple HomeKit Integrations Google Assistant Integrations Samsung SmartThings Tamper Alarm Touchpad Voice Activation -
-
Credit: John R. Delaney
![Aqara Smart Lock U400]()
Most Future-Proof Smart LockAqara Smart Lock U400
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Aqara Smart Lock U400 supports the Aliro standard, which lets you unlock your door with a tap of your phone as it verifies your digital wallet credentials. It also has ultra-wideband (UWB) technology for precise location tracking when automatically unlocking your door. And thanks to Matter support, it works with all major smart home platforms.
Who It's For
Early adopters: If you want to be among the first to try out the new Aliro standard, the U400 has it, letting you unlock your door with the same ease of tapping to pay for your morning coffee. UWB is relatively new in smart locks and offers much more precise location tracking than GPS-based geofencing.
Multi-platform families: If you have an Android phone and your spouse has an iPhone, the U400 makes it easy to set up access across platforms thanks to Aliro and Matter.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Geofencing/Location Services Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Matter Tamper Alarm Touchpad Learn More Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review -
-
![Desloc Smart Lock D110 Plus]()
Best Enhanced Security FeaturesDesloc Smart Lock D110 Plus
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The versatile Desloc D110 Plus unlocks with a touch of your finger, a tap of a button in the app, a code on the keypad, a tap of an IC Card, or a traditional key. It's easy to install, works reliably, and is interoperable with your larger smart home through Alexa and Google integrations, allowing you to control your lock with voice commands. It also offers a few unique extras, such as an anti-peeping passcode feature that lets you enter random digits when punching in your code, and an anti-hijacking feature that sends an alert to set contacts if you enter a specific code or unlock your door with a certain finger.
Who It's For
Extra-cautious users: If you're the type to go the extra mile to protect all your passwords, the Desloc D110 Plus gives you that option with its anti-peeping passcode feature. By entering fake digits before you put in the real code, you'll make it much harder for those nearby to discern the real digits. Both the anti-peeping and anti-hijacking features add extra peace of mind if you're worried about people in your neighborhood or just want to take more precautions.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Google Assistant Tamper Alarm Touchpad Voice Activation Learn More Desloc Smart Lock D110 Plus Review -
-
![Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge]()
Best Smart PadlockIgloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge is a smart choice if you want to remotely monitor and share access to everything from your shed to your gated property to your bicycle. It's secure and easy to use, with support for app, keypad, and Alexa voice control. Its durable build and long battery life mean you don't have to worry about leaving it outside for extended periods; you can also use it indoors.
Who It's For
Gates or sheds: This is an excellent choice for digitally securing sheds, toolboxes, and gated entryways from afar. If a traditional padlock just won't suffice, the Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge may offer the peace of mind you're after.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Geofencing/Location Services Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Integrations N/A Tamper Alarm Touchpad Voice Activation Learn More Igloohome Padlock 2 and Bridge Review -
-
![Kwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock]()
Most Stylish DesignKwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Kwikset Halo Touch is a smart and stylish lock that's easy to install and offers whisper-quiet operation. It lets you lock and unlock your door with your phone, Alexa or Google Assistant voice commands, a fingerprint, or a set of traditional keys. It responded instantly to all lock and unlock requests in testing, and always adhered to access schedules.
Who It's For
Style-minded homeowners: If you're in the market for an attractive smart lock that supports fingerprint scanning, the Kwikset Halo Touch is an excellent choice. It has a timeless design, and doesn't appear to be a smart lock at first glance. Even its fingerprint scanner is subtle and understated, and it doesn't have a pinpad or other telltale signs to indicate its capabilities.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity Wi-Fi Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Google Assistant Voice Activation -
-
![Yale Assure Lock 2]()
Most Affordable HomeKit LockYale Assure Lock 2
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The sleek and customizable Yale Assure Lock 2 is available in Bluetooth or Wi-Fi variants. Both models support HomeKit, and the Wi-Fi variant works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The base model includes a physical keypad, but you can upgrade to a touch screen if you prefer. Physical keys and a companion app are additional unlock methods, whichever way you go.
Who It’s For
Customization fans: If you have specific needs or strong preferences, Yale's lock system gives you the freedom to choose which features you want. All models work with the Yale Access app (available for Android, iOS, and watchOS) via Bluetooth and support Apple HomeKit. You can choose from keypad or touch-screen designs with or without a traditional key slot, and add Wi-Fi or Z-Wave connectivity.
Budget-minded Apple users: HomeKit support is a relative rarity in the smart lock segment, especially at this price, and there's something magical about being able to unlock your door with your Apple Watch.
Airbnb hosts: If you host Airbnb guests, you can link the app with your Yale Access account to offer a seamless check-in experience with little effort on your part. Doing so automates the access management process, so your guest will get a unique door code that expires at checkout.
Specs & Configurations
App Mobile Connectivity Bluetooth Connectivity RF Radio Connectivity Wi-Fi Connectivity Z-Wave Geofencing/Location Services Guest Access Installation Exterior Escutcheon Installation Interior Escutcheon Integrations Amazon Alexa Integrations Apple HomeKit Integrations Google Assistant Touchpad Voice Activation Learn More Yale Assure Lock 2 Review -
Compare Specs
Our Pick | |||||||||||||
Rating |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.0 Excellent |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
4.5 Outstanding |
Best For | Best Overall | Best for Facial Recognition | Best Retrofit Smart Lock | Best Digital Peephole Lock | Best Lock and Video Doorbell Combination | Most Future-Proof Smart Lock | Best Enhanced Security Features | Best Smart Padlock | Most Stylish Design | Most Affordable HomeKit Lock | Best Overall | Best for Facial Recognition | Best Retrofit Smart Lock |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, RF Radio | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Integrations | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings | Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Samsung SmartThings | Matter | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | N/A | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant | Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings | Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa | Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT |
Installation | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Exterior Escutcheon, Interior Escutcheon | Interior Escutcheon |
App | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile | Mobile |
Geofencing/Location Services | |||||||||||||
Guest Access | |||||||||||||
Tamper Alarm | |||||||||||||
Touchpad | |||||||||||||
Voice Activation |
Buying Guide: The Best Smart Locks for 2026
What Is a Smart Lock?
A smart lock enables you to easily lock and unlock your door through various methods, including a keypad and PIN code, a mobile app, and/or a fingerprint scanner. For added security, a smart lock also monitors who enters and leaves your house when you're away. While some models simply allow you to use your phone to open and close doors, others enable you to assign special access privileges to friends, family members, or staff. The most advanced options work with voice commands and support third-party smart home devices and services.
What to Look for When Buying a Smart Lock
One of the first things to consider is the cost of upgrading your traditional lock. After all, a smart lock costs a lot more than the standard-issue lock you can pick up at the local hardware store. Some smart locks cost around $100, but if you want a lock with integrated Wi-Fi and support for voice commands, push and email notifications, and tamper alarms, expect to pay upward of $200 or more.
Many smart locks pair with a mobile app that allows you to lock and unlock doors with a simple tap of an icon. Some offer access via the web, allowing you to control your lock from your PC. Most apps allow you to add permanent and temporary users and set access schedules for specific days and times. Ensure your smart lock records activity logs, allowing you to review past entries and see who accessed your home and when.
If the lock is Bluetooth-enabled, you must be within range (approximately 30 feet) to control it. However, locks with built-in Wi-Fi radios or that use a Wi-Fi bridge allow you to connect from almost anywhere once you set them up with your router. Voice commands via the companion app also make smart locks much more convenient; for example, you can simply tell your phone to "unlock the front door" to disengage the lock.
The latest smart locks offer features such as facial or palm recognition and geofencing for proximity-based automatic locking. With facial or palm recognition, your body is essentially the key to unlocking the door.
Geofencing features ensure that you never have to worry about whether you locked up after leaving the house; simply use the mobile app to set up a perimeter around your home and ensure your phone's location services are active. When you leave the perimeter, you can set the lock to engage automatically behind you. Similarly, with time-based auto-locking, you can configure the lock to automatically engage if it remains unlocked for a specified period.
Other features to look for include a touchpad for those times when you don't have your phone or keys, tamper and forced entry alarms that warn you of a potential break-in, and push, text, and email notifications that inform you in real-time when someone enters or leaves.
Are Smart Locks Actually Secure?
Smart locks are generally considered safe to use, but, like any internet-connected device, they also come with certain risks. Theoretically, anything connected to the internet could potentially be vulnerable to hackers, and smart locks are no exception, but there are measures you can take to enjoy the convenience of these devices while minimizing your risks.
Start by securing your Wi-Fi network with a strong password to prevent hackers from accessing it to try to get to your smart home devices. Moreover, always ensure that you apply any recommended firmware updates for your devices, as running older versions can leave your device vulnerable to hackers looking to exploit unpatched flaws. Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on supported services is another recommended best practice.
What Happens to a Smart Lock When the Power or Wi-Fi Goes Out?
Nearly all smart locks are battery-powered, not hardwired, so they will continue to work in the event of a power outage. Some but not all smart locks feature an emergency battery terminal or a USB port to power them from the outside if the battery dies.
Wi-Fi outages should not result in a lockout, as most Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks also feature Bluetooth connectivity, enabling local app control as a backup. In the event of a Wi-Fi outage, you can still utilize a lock's keypad and/or fingerprint scanner, if available, to gain entry. For added peace of mind, consider a smart lock with a physical key slot and keep the key on you or hidden near your entryway to prevent lockouts.
Which Smart Lock Brand Is the Best?
Based on our current review ratings, Ultraloq, Lockly, and August are the top three smart lock brands. We have also given excellent scores to smart locks from Aqara, Desloc, Eufy, Igloohome, Lockin, Kwikset, Proscenic, and Yale.
That said, we won't necessarily recommend that you shop for a smart lock solely based on the brand. Most manufacturers offer a range of models with varying features, pricing, and performance levels. Just because a certain brand makes one highly rated model doesn't mean all of their smart locks are good. For instance, the Proscenic L60 smart lock earned an excellent rating in our review, whereas the L40 received a much lower rating because we found it difficult to install.
How to Install a Smart Lock
None of the locks we tested is especially difficult to install, but some are easier to set up than others. Some are even viable for renters.
If your new lock comes with both an interior escutcheon (the housing you mount on the inside of your door) and an exterior component (usually a touchpad or a keyed cylinder), you probably need to completely remove your old lock (including the deadbolt mechanism and strike plate) before you can install the new device. This is simply a matter of removing the two bolts that attach the interior escutcheon to the exterior component and removing both pieces. Two screws also secure the deadbolt in place.
The good news is that most smart locks are compatible with standard pre-drilled holes, so you rarely have to worry about drilling new ones. Additionally, some smart locks, such as the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, simply attach to the inside of your door and utilize your existing keyed cylinder and deadbolt hardware; with these locks, you only need to remove the interior escutcheon. Either way, estimate 10 to 25 minutes to remove your old lock and install the new one.
Can Alexa Control Door Locks?
Some locks integrate with other connected home devices, such as smoke alarms, and services, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Matter. IFTTT is what lets you, for example, configure your doors to unlock when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off or set your smart lights to turn on when someone unlocks the door.
Depending on your home automation setup, you can even pair your lock with a video doorbell, allowing you to see who is at the door before unlocking it. You might also configure an indoor security camera to begin recording when someone unlocks the door.
Other Kinds of Smart Locks
Keep in mind, not all smart locks are designed for your door. The Igloohome Smart Padlock 2 and Bridge is a connected padlock, for instance. Models like this are designed to be as robust as any standard lock, but use Bluetooth to unlock with the tap of a button when you're nearby. They also let you grant temporary or permanent guest access via the app. The Igloohome padlock also features a Wi-Fi bridge, enabling remote access from anywhere.
The Yale Smart Delivery Box, meanwhile, is a secure package drop box that not only protects your deliveries from porch pirates but also shields them from the weather. This Wi-Fi-enabled smart box automatically locks and sends a push alert when your delivery arrives. You can also lock and unlock it using your phone, voice, or keypad.
For more on smart home safety, see our picks for the best smart home security systems and outdoor home security cameras, as well as our tips for building a DIY home security system.