Smart locks are the most visible part of your home that you will use almost every day, so it is important to find a reliable choice that works well with your smart home. Here are some things to think about as you shop.
A smart retrofit lock like the August lock will replace the interior of your current lock but not the exterior keyhole or deadbolt.
Complete deadbolt or retrofit
Many smart locks will replace your existing lock, including an internal thumb, external keyhole and deadbolt in the middle. Locks like that will come with their own keys, replacing the ones you use now.
Others, like the August Smart Lock, and the Lockly fingerprint model, are designed to work at least with your existing lock hardware. With such a retrofit key, you probably won’t need new keys and you may not need to replace the deadbolt. Locks like that are sometimes better suited for apartments, where landlords may not allow you to change the entire lock.
The Yale smart lock can work with the Nest video doorbell.
Access methods
Different smart locks will take different approaches to let you in. At a basic level, most smart locks will let you lock and unlock the door wirelessly from your phone, using an app. Some add encryption keys, which can help you rely on your keys less while making it easier to share access with others. Some locks add a fingerprint or palm scan for biometrics entry. There are also keypad and NFC options, and even face scanning in some cases.
Apple also added a Home Key feature in iOS15 that lets you store a digital house key in your Apple Wallet, allowing you to unlock compatible smart locks using the NFC radio on your iPhone or Apple Watch. Many other brands have followed suit with digital passes that guests can download to their phones through relevant apps.
So, what is right for you? Logging into a door access app is no good unless you can control it remotely. That’s why we like Bluetooth and NFC passes that can work with your phone’s wave, as well as fingerprint sensors and similar options that are installed by individuals and work with a touch at any time. But the keypad has its advantages as well, as it allows for temporary code handouts or limited time access without someone needing their phone or a specific app to use it.
Schlage Encode Plus is the first smart lock to support Apple Home Key. It allows you to open your door using your iPhone or Apple Watch.
Compatibility of Platform and Matter
If your household includes many types of smart home devices, then your best bet is to control them all from one smart home hub. That way, you won’t need to bundle multiple apps to keep everything automated. The most popular options are Amazon Alexa, the Google Home app and the Google Assistant voice controls that come with it, as well as Apple HomeKit, which brings Siri into play. Samsung SmartThings is another hub-centric smart home option.
That brings us to the Story. Matter (and the tagalong communication protocol Thread) is an important homegrown protocol designed in collaboration with major brands, including Google, Amazon, Apple, and many others. It helps ensure compatibility across different platforms and adds additional security and data transfer benefits, which consumers should definitely look into.
Currently, smart lock companies still use the Matter standard. Our top pick uses it and it’s one of the best options we’ve found. Schlage has started using standard locks like its upcoming Schlage Sense Pro, but it hasn’t made it to our Schlage Smart Lever pick, and neither has the Yale Assure. Products like Aqara now include support for Matter built-in with their latest locks. August has also announced that it is working to bring Matter to its smart locks, so in some cases, it’s just a matter of waiting for the right firmware update.
The Aqara key comes with many unlocking options and you get more features when you connect the hub.
Security and privacy
Smart locks aren’t as sensitive to data as devices with built-in cameras and microphones, but you’ll still want to make sure you’re keeping things safe. Most, if not all of your options will use some form of encryption to keep wireless transmissions between your lock and your phone or home network secure. You should also look for keys that use two-factor authentication to keep your account safe from malicious access. As with any connected device in your home, you’ll want to make sure you keep your key updated to the latest firmware and set a strong password on the app.
As for locks and other physical concerns, you can check the ANSI grade of a lock to get a sense of its durability, and how well it can withstand brute-force penetration attacks. 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 they’re built for commercial-grade durability. If you’re worried about forced entry, a lock like that might be a good investment.
Lockin’s Veno Pro 7 components
Design considerations
Your smart lock will sit on the front outside of your home, so it’s worth aiming for something you won’t hate looking at. Some smart keys go out of their way to showcase their gadget features with bright touchscreens, colored LED indicator lights and tech-oriented designs. Others take the opposite approach, doing their best to blend in and look like a normal lock, on the outside at least. Choosing your preference between these two options will help you narrow down your options.
You’ll also want to consider how the lock stays on. Most smart locks will use four AA batteries, but some take a different approach. The minimalistic Level Lock +, for example, uses two AA batteries that sit inside the deadbolt itself to keep things very compact. Meanwhile, Eufy’s smart touchscreen lock comes from a rechargeable battery pack.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi support is now common in smart locks, but it’s important to check the details. Some dongles don’t have built-in Wi-Fi, but only support it if you buy an additional hub.
