VerdictAI

Buying guide · 2026

Best Smart Locks

Smart locks are one of the most signal-rich categories on the internet — locksmiths, Apple Home enthusiasts, Airbnb hosts, and homeowners burned by dead batteries all weigh in loudly. This roundup synthesizes what high-trust reviewers (Wirecutter, PCMag, CNET, TechGearLab, 9to5Mac, The Verge) and specialist communities like r/HomeKit and r/homeautomation have actually concluded about the current crop. Where reviewers disagree — and they do, especially on app reliability and battery life — we surface it rather than smooth it over.

Sources behind this synthesis

31 reviewers read. Weighted by trust.

We don’t review products. We read what other reviewers wrote, score each source for trustworthiness, and synthesize the consensus.

How sources are scored →

Trust mix

No flagged sources

Trusted5trustedMixed10mixed

Trusted contributors

r/smarthomer/homeautomation
Show all 16 other sources →
CNETr/HomeKitr/homeownersYouTube · YouTubeYouTube · Month ReviewYouTube · Mr Locksmith VideoThe Verger/AusRenovationr/AqaraYouTube · Works with Apple HomeYouTube · 6 Month ReviewYouTube · Fi Smart Door Lock ReviewYouTube · Bolt Pro Smart Lock ReviewYouTube · My New Favorite Smart LockYouTube · Full Review & DemoPCMag

By source type

Expert
3
Retailer
0
Community
12
Video
16

At a glance

RankProductBest forAmazon ratingVerdict scorePriceBuy
#1
Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt Lock with Touchscreen Keypad, Keyless Front Door…
Best overall
4.416,310
88/100
$229.00Check price
#2
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Smart Lock, Built-in Wi-Fi, Matter Over Thread, Works with Apple Home…
ULTRALOQ
Best for Matter / multi-platform
4.310,147
85/100
$119.99Check price
#3
Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Lock with Lever Handle, Touchscreen Keypad, Keyless Entry Door…
Best for Airbnb / short-term rentals
4.3473
80/100
$244.60Check price
#4
ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro WiFi Smart Lock with Door Sensor, Built in Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock…
ULTRALOQ
Best with auto-lock
4.32,220
79/100
$129.99Check price
#5
Philips Wi-Fi Door Lock, WiFi Smart Lock Keyless Entry Deadbolt for Front Door…
Best budget
4.5732
76/100
$103.99Check price

Our top pick

#1 of 5

The rest of the rankings

#2–5

Frequently asked

5 questions
Do I need a hub for a smart lock to work remotely?
It depends on the model. Locks with built-in Wi-Fi (Schlage Encode, Ultraloq Bolt, Philips 4200, eufy E31) can be locked and unlocked from anywhere without a separate bridge. Older Bluetooth-only or Z-Wave locks typically require a hub like a Ring bridge, SmartThings, or an Echo with Zigbee/Matter support. Matter-over-Thread locks (Ultraloq Bolt SE, Dreame A10, eufy E31) need a Thread border router such as an Apple TV, HomePod, or Echo Hub.
Are smart locks actually secure against forced entry?
The lock body and deadbolt grade matter far more than the electronics. Reviewers consistently point to BHMA/ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 certification as the meaningful benchmark — Schlage Encode and Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro are Grade 1; many newer entrants are Grade 2 or uncertified. A determined kick generally defeats the door frame, not the lock, regardless of which smart lock is installed.
How long do smart lock batteries actually last?
Manufacturer claims of 6–18 months are optimistic. r/homeautomation threads note that Wi-Fi smart locks drain batteries much faster than Thread or Z-Wave models — one high-upvoted comment on the Ultraloq Bolt says the 18-month claim only holds on Thread, while Wi-Fi mode drains AAs every couple of months. Cold weather and frequent auto-locking also shorten life.
Which smart lock is best for an Airbnb or short-term rental?
Reviewers consistently recommend keypad locks that can issue time-limited or recurring PIN codes without requiring guests to download an app. The Schlage Encode line is the most-cited pick for this use case because of its Airbnb-host integration and its ability to schedule codes by date range directly from the Schlage Home app.
Can I keep my existing deadbolt with a smart lock?
Only retrofit-style locks like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock or the Level Bolt fit over an existing deadbolt — none of the picks in this roundup are pure retrofits. Every lock here, including the Schlage Encode, Ultraloq Bolt SE, U-Bolt Pro, and Philips models, replaces the entire deadbolt assembly. Installation is generally a 15–30 minute job with a screwdriver according to retailer-verified reviews.