Smart Lock Picker
Unlock your front door with your phone, a code, or your face. Five honest comparisons.
Smart-lock benefits — and tradeoffs
The good: never get locked out, give a guest a temporary code, see when family arrived home, lock the door from your bed. The not-good: batteries die (always have a physical key backup), Wi-Fi outages can lock you out of remote access, and a smart lock is a computer that can be hacked. Pick a name brand, pair it with strong app password, and keep the old key.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Best for: Best for renters or homeowners who do not want to replace the existing deadbolt.
Pros
- +Mounts on the inside — your existing key still works.
- +Auto-unlock as you walk up.
- +Apple Home, Google, Alexa support.
- +No need for a new deadbolt or hub.
Cons
- −Bulky on the inside.
- −Battery is 4 months — you change it.
Schlage Encode Plus
Best for: Anyone replacing a deadbolt for the long term — the most reliable smart deadbolt.
Pros
- +Solid metal build, looks like a regular deadbolt.
- +Apple Home Key (tap your iPhone or Apple Watch — no app).
- +Wi-Fi built in.
- +Up to 250 unique unlock codes for family.
Cons
- −Replacing a deadbolt requires basic handyman skills.
- −Battery is 6 months.
Yale Assure Lock 2
Best for: Cheaper full-deadbolt option. Multiple variations (with/without keypad, key/no key).
Pros
- +Pick the model — touchscreen, keypad, or key-free.
- +Wi-Fi or Z-Wave variants.
- +Apple Home, Google, Alexa support.
Cons
- −Touchscreen variant scratches over time.
- −Slightly less polished app than August or Schlage.
Three rules for any smart lock
- 1.Always keep your old physical key. Hidden, with a friend, or in a lockbox. The lock\'s battery WILL die at the worst possible time.
- 2.Set a unique app password and turn on 2FA. Reusing a password here is the same as handing your house keys to a stranger.
- 3.Never leave the bypass-key code at the default. Most locks ship with 1234 — change it the first day.
Worth knowing about installation
"Mounts on the inside" locks (August, Wyze) take 10 minutes — Phillips screwdriver only. "Replaces the deadbolt" locks (Schlage, Yale, Level) take 30-45 minutes — slightly more skill. A handyman or Best Buy installation is usually $50-$100 if you do not want to do it yourself.
Related
Quick Tip: walk the door with the lock unscrewed before buying. Some smart locks bind in older doors. Take measurements (deadbolt thickness, door alignment) first.