11 Best Smart Locks of 2023

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Unlock your door in every possible way with the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi, a smart pick for nearly every smart home. Read More

The Wyze Lock is easy to install and packs a lot of value into a tiny lock, offering remote control, door position detection, and more. Read More

If you use Apple products, the Schlage Encode Plus is a smart lock to pick: It turns iPhones and Apple Watches into digital house keys. Read More

The Level Bolt is ideal for Apple HomeKit users who want a smart lock with a traditional design. Read More

This version of the Ultraloq Latch 5 series smart lock offers multiple ways to open your front door. It works with Alexa, Google, and SmartThings. Read More

Updated July 19, 2023

Much like a smart thermostat gives you remote control over the temperature inside your home, a smart lock gives you access to lock and unlock your front door from anywhere. Automation features allow you to do things like set individual keypad codes for visitors and unlock your door automatically when you arrive home, and most also work with voice assistants like Alexa , Google Assistant, and Sirifor hands-free control.

The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi (available at Amazon for $189.00) is the best smart lock you can buy. The 6-in-1 deadbolt offers an impressive combination of usability, smarts, and strength. Looking for something cheaper? The Wyze Lock (available at Amazon) is packed with features and value. There are plenty of other great door locks on our list, too, so you can tailor your ideal smart security.

The U-tec’s Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi gives you six ways to unlock the front door.

U-tec’s Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi is the best smart lock you can buy right now. The new Wi-Fi version improves on the previous model in several key ways starting with the addition of, yep, Wi-Fi. No more hub needed; now you can control the lock from anywhere via your phone. That’s in addition to unlocking via the numeric keypad, voice assistant, Apple Watch, mechanical key, and even fingerprint reader. If there’s a way to open a door, this thing has it.

The U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi boasts an attractive, compact design—a refreshing change from larger, clunkier-locking locks. It’s easy to install and configure, with detailed instructions and online videos available to help you through each step. Just take note, however, that the onboard Wi-Fi supports only 2.4GHz networks. If your router is limited to 5GHz, keep shopping.

The lock is also missing two key integrations: Amazon Key and Apple HomeKit. But it supports nearly everything else (Alexa, Google, IFTTT, etc.), so you can easily add it to compatible smart-home platforms. You can also add guest users with just a few taps, a handy option for Airbnb owners.

Battery life is one concern, though: U-tec promises three to six months of operation from the four non-rechargeable AAs the lock requires. Some kind of rechargeable battery pack would be preferable to disposables.

The lock delivers in nearly every way that matters; it performed just about flawlessly during testing. Despite a few limitations, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi is an easy smart lock to recommend. It looks good, installs easily, and offers just about every unlock option imaginable: smart, digital, and mechanical alike.

Read our review of the U-tec Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi.

Multiple unlock options

Built-in Wi-Fi

Works with Alexa and Google Assistant

No dual-band Wi-Fi

So-so battery life

No support for Apple HomeKit or Amazon Key

Easy to use and quick to install, the Wyze Lock offers plenty of smart features that are comparable to more expensive door locks.

Wyze continues to impress us with its incredibly affordable smart home products. Coming off the heels of Wyze’s surprisingly good security cameras, the Wyze Lock offers a solid feature set at a great price. It uses your existing deadbolt and keyhole, so your front door will look the same to outsiders, packing all the smarts in a simple panel attached to the inside of the door.

That means you won't have to re-key anything. Wi-Fi connectivity requires a separate bridge you need to plug in near the lock, though it's bundled in the package. An optional mount-anywhere keypad is also available for numeric codes, though it's sold separately. On one hand, this is nice, because you can buy only what you need and skip the rest—but it also amounts to a bit more work than something like the Encode for those who want the full package.

Thankfully, the Wyze Lock's installation is quite easy, and even first-timers should have no problem installing the deadbolt. The mechanism is smooth and responsive whether you're locking it by hand, through the app, or through the geofencing feature, which uses your phone's location to unlock the door as you arrive home. You can also share access with others through the app, either long-term or on a recurring schedule. (We had to re-share after the other person made their account, so it wasn’t foolproof, but we got it working with minimal fuss.)

The Wyze Lock also uses an interesting auto-sensing feature that can tell whether your door is ajar or not without the need for stick-on sensors. It worked well in our testing, though stick-on sensors may be more reliable for some folks—albeit with added complexity. The Wi-Fi bridge worked flawlessly, which isn't a given, allowing us to lock the house from afar with the app or using voice assistants like Alexa. While we wish it were built-in to the lock itself, the performance is on point, provided you have an outlet near your door.

That's ultimately the main downside of the Wyze Lock—it works incredibly well and comes at a killer price, but it's less attractive than pricier models, and extra pieces like the Wi-Fi bridge and stick-on keypad do require a little more forethought in terms of where everything goes. That said, the Wyze Lock provides such a smooth and hassle-free experience for the price, it's easily one of the best locks you can buy.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Offers geofencing, virtual keys, and optional keypad

Slightly less attractive than the competition

Separate components make for more complex setup

The Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is one of the best smart locks you can buy.

The Schlage Encode Plus Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is our pick for Best Upgrade smart lock. It supports Apple Home Key, which leverages iPhones and Apple Watches for proximity-based locking and unlocking. Just hold either device near the keypad, and presto: the deadbolt slides in or out of your door frame. It also works for voice control with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The Encode Plus has a keypad with support for up to 100 custom codes but lacks versatile features like a fingerprint reader. Other less expensive smart locks, like our No. 1 pick, come with a fingerprint reader—an extra feature that makes for easy entry when your hands are full. The keypad can be hard to operate for some, as there’s no tactile feedback and a dim backlight.

Schlage backs the physical components with an impressive lifetime warranty and the electronics for three years. The smart lock connects over Wi-Fi and runs on four AA batteries. It also has a built-in alarm for added security.

Schlage offers the Encode Plus in two different styles and colors. If you like the look, and you’re already vested in Apple’s ecosystem, the Schlage Encode Plus is a great pick for Apple HomeKit users. But given its integration with Amazon Echo and Google Home, we think it’s a fantastic smart lock choice for all smart homes if you’ve got the budget to do so.

Read our full review of the Schlage Encode Plus

Easy hardware installation

Supports Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant

Supports Apple Home Keys

No geofencing or fingerprint reader

Design quirks

The Level Bolt is the best smart deadbolt.

Most smart locks require a bulky panel on at least one side of your door, if not both. If you want a smart lock that’s truly incognito, the Level Bolt smart lock replaces the deadbolt mechanism inside your door, without any other circuitry necessary—you use the same keyhole and indoor lever you have right now, making for an incredibly sleek setup.

The Level Bolt works over Bluetooth and supports virtual keys. It is compatible with Apple HomeKit, though, and allows geofencing through that or through the app itself. (Though it does have a rather annoying always-on notification when geofencing is enabled on Android.) It’s a fascinating design, and if you’re building a HomeKit-powered smart home, it's worth a look.

Incognito design

Works with Apple HomeKit

No virtual keys

Bluetooth-only

The U-Tec Ultraloq Latch 5 Fingerprint is the best smart lock with a built-in lever.

This version of the Ultraloq Latch 5 series has multiple ways to unlock your door including using a fingerprint reader, passcode, Apple Watch, companion app, or a voice assistant (if you choose to set up this feature). It took us around 15 minutes to install the lock, which only replaces the knob component (not the deadbolt) on your door, and it synced up to its companion app on the first try.

Because the lock features built-in Wi-Fi, it doesn’t need a hub to operate, and it can be integrated with Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings.

Its fingerprint scanner proved to be reliable, recognizing our fingerprint at a variety of angles and consistently rejecting unknown fingerprints. The lock can store up to 50 codes for different users, and it can store two fingerprints per user, allowing you to scan different fingers.

We tested all these opening methods, and they all worked quickly and reliably, immediately unlocking the door for several seconds to allow you to pass through. The lock also comes with physical keys that can be used in a hidden port at the bottom of the lock, in case the batteries ever die (estimated life is up to a year).

Our only complaint about the functionality is that the keypad isn’t the most responsive—it often takes a few taps before it will light up so you can type in your code.

(We also tested the NFC version of this lock, which uses key fobs as an additional entry method. While we liked it, we found that the fob needs to be in direct contact with the lock to work.)

While the design of this new smart lock is solid, there are a few shortcomings in the U-Tec app that are worth noting. It doesn’t offer two-factor authentication, an important security feature that helps to prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account, nor does it automatically run software and firmware updates—you have to manually prompt them in the app.

These features are important on any internet-enabled device, but especially so on home security gadgets like smart locks.

Simple to set up

Reliable fingerprint scanner

Multiple unlock options

No two-factor authentication

Doesn’t automatically run updates

Alfred is a lesser-known player in the smart lock space, but they made one of the best locks we tested this time around. Not only was the lock reliable, triggering every time we commanded it from the mobile app or with our voice, but it's rather versatile as well. Their DB2-B model offers a keypad on the front for numeric codes, a standard key lock hidden under a little door, and a geofence-based one-touch unlock, allowing you to unlock the door by touching your finger to it after returning home.

Having used a similar lock in the past, this is a convenient way to unlock your door—and Alfred's one-touch feature works in conjunction with geofencing. Once you re-enter the 250-foot radius around your home, you'll be able to unlock your door just by touching the keypad. This geofencing requirement can make the feature a bit fiddly for some users, as geofencing requires location permissions and battery optimization to be set a certain way on Android phones—not to mention it requires an always-on notification, which is rather annoying.

The lock's design is a bit large, but still sleek and attractive, with three colors to choose from (black, chrome, and gold). The lock itself connects to your phone over Bluetooth, though you can buy a separate Wi-Fi bridge or Z-Wave module for remote access and integration with other smart home platforms. (You'll need one of these if you want to control it with Alexa or Google Assistant.)

While we love that Alfred offers both Wi-Fi and Z-Wave bridges, the addition of a separate bridge introduces extra variables that can complicate things for many users. While Alfred's bridge worked very reliably in my experience, we tend to be wary of separate bridges since I've had them introduce frustration before—see some of the locks below—particularly if your house is laid out in such a way that there aren't any outlets near the front door.

I much prefer built-in Wi-Fi, particularly when recommending a product to less tech-savvy users. (Oh, and Alfred's bridge is rather unsightly, requiring a cable to plug it in and a weird plastic hanger, rather than a simple module with attached prongs). Still, it's a fantastic lock, and if you're willing to deal with the extra complexity, the Alfred DB2-B is one of the most versatile and reliable models we tested.

Attractive

Works well

Versatile and reliable

Bridge required

Setup may be complex for some

If you like the idea of unlocking your door with your fingerprint—which is easily the quickest and most convenient way to get inside your house, short of geofencing—check out the Kwikset Halo Touch. It eschews the keypad for a fingerprint sensor that's quick to engage and very reliable (though notifications that the door has finished locking were a bit delayed in our testing). Its built-in Wi-Fi means you can use Alexa or Google Assistant to lock your door as well, though it doesn't contain any location-based features.

Kwikset also offers the ability to share virtual keys with other users, and add their fingerprints to your door. It isn't quite as versatile as a numeric keypad (since you can offer a code to anyone without them needing the app or being present), but if your primary concern is getting into your own house easily, a fingerprint is incredibly quick and easy.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

No keypad

No location-based features

August’s latest Wi-Fi lock refines the design that put August on the map. Its round locking mechanism replaces your deadbolt knob without requiring you to remove the deadbolt itself, or the keyhole on the outside of the door.

Its design looks a little ugly compared to the more traditional-looking locks on this list, but its built-in Wi-Fi means you can control it from anywhere, and the location-based auto-unlock feature worked flawlessly in our testing. Virtual keys worked similarly well, though we found that invites didn’t work properly unless our invitee already had an August account, which is easy enough to workaround.

We also found the iOS app slightly more confusing to use if you had more than one lock, and the lock seemed to prefer Wi-Fi over Bluetooth—the opposite of most locks—which means there’s sometimes a weird lag when you’re close to the lock and it switches from one to the other. Still, you'll rarely need to use the app when you're standing in front of the lock, so we're okay with this quirk for how reliable the Wi-Fi connectivity was.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Reliable

Location-based features work well

iOS is slightly confusing

Lags behind when using Bluetooth

Anker’s Eufy brand aims to provide versatile smart home products at an affordable price (see our list of the best robot vacuums). Its Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch works very well, providing an extremely smooth deadbolt mechanism that's easy to set up and use. It's also versatile, offering both a numeric keypad and a fingerprint sensor, though the sensor is a tad slower than other fingerprint locks we tested.

Unlike other Eufy products, though, the Eufy Smart Lock was on the costlier side. And for that cost, you only get Bluetooth connectivity—no Wi-Fi, which means no voice assistant and other automation features. The physical key also uses a non-standard design, so you can’t re-key it to match the other locks in your home and it's a bit on the bulkier side. Ultimately, it's extremely easy and reliable; we just wish it were a little cheaper for the sacrifices it makes over other models.

Smooth deadbolt mechanism

Easy to setup and use

Bluetooth only

Bulkier than some other smart locks we tested

A discount deadbolt? That’s the initial appeal of the Wyze Lock Bolt, which costs considerably less than smart door deputies from August, Schlage, and U-tec. But do you really want to cheap out on the hardware that’s meant to keep your home safe?

Good news: As deadbolts go, the Wyze is just as solid and secure as any. It’s really pretty, too, with its stylish, industrial-looking matte-black keypad and interior escutcheon. Nothing about it screams “cheap” or “easy to bypass.” So what accounts for the unusually low price?

Unfortunately, it’s the overall lack of smarts. Although the Lock Bolt features a programmable numeric keypad and fingerprint reader, it offers only Bluetooth connectivity. That pairs it with your phone and Wyze’s admirably easy-to-use app, but the lack of Wi-Fi keeps it from integrating with the rest of your smart home. That means no voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, no remote access when you’re away, no automation triggered by locking or unlocking.

Speaking of automation, the Lock Bolt lacks geofencing features, including Bluetooth-based ones that would rely on the proximity of your phone. You can set it to auto-lock after a set period of time, and the Wyze app can generate temporary-use PIN codes even when you’re not near the lock. But without Wi-Fi, this deadbolt definitely falls short of the competition.

That said, not everyone needs or wants that kind of connectivity. The Wyze Lock Bolt succeeds quite well on its own merits, so if you just want an inexpensive, sort-of-smart deadbolt for your front door, this is the bargain to beat.

Read our full review of the Wyze Lock Bolt

Design

Fingerprint reader

Good value

No Wi-Fi

No smart home integrations

No mechanical key

The Lockly Secure Pro has some promising features. It comes in latch and deadbolt versions, and you have your choice of Satin Nickel or Venetian Bronze finish. But this is more than just a pretty lock. The keypad has a unique security feature that helps protect your entry code from would-be lock hackers.

The numbers on the virtual keypad randomly group to make up four buttons. The numbers on each button are different each time the lock is used, so someone watching your hand in an attempt to figure out your entry code will see different movements each time you enter. Pretty smart.

Lockly comes with a Wi-Fi hub, a lifetime limited warranty covering the finish and mechanics, an easy-to-install door sensor, a fingerprint sensor, and a two-year warranty covering the electronics. We loved Lockly's PIN protection and thoughtful features, but locking and unlocking from the app was slow and finicky. Sometimes our phone wouldn't connect to it at all.

After a few app updates, this lock may prove to be one of our favorites. But until then, we'd recommend something a little more simple and reliable, like our No. 1 pick.

Randomized number pad

Latch or deadbolt

Fingerprint sensor

Connectivity issues

Testing in this guide was completed by Camryn Rabideau, Rick Broida, Whitson Gordon, and Sarah Kovac.

We use a piece of an actual door for the installation process. We assemble each one, noting which had newbie-friendly instructions, and which ones made us want to pull our hair out.

Once each lock is installed, we test the accompanying mobile app on Android and iOS, over Wi-Fi and cellular data (when applicable). We rated each one on lock/unlock speed, app interface, connection reliability, responsiveness when used with voice assistants, ease of installation, and more.

We paid special attention to ease of use and reliability. After all, if you're spending the money to upgrade to a smart lock, it needs to work well. Every time.

Our tests proved that not all locks are as smart as you'd think, and when it comes to your home's security, it might be better to opt for a reliable, easy-to-use lock over one that's loaded with potentially confusing and unnecessary features.

Digital keypads are great when you don't have a spare key to loan the dog walker or babysitter, and also for those times when you lock yourself out of the house. Some smart locks even come with fingerprint sensors for super-quick unlocking, or geofencing so your house unlocks automatically as you arrive home. Ultimately, these are what make smart locks "smart," and will probably be the main ways you unlock your door.

However, most smart locks also come with traditional keys that you can use to lock and unlock the door as you normally would. It's a good idea to key the spare key on your keyring (or in a safe place where you can easily access it) in case something goes wrong—like you lose power or the batteries in the smart lock die (though many will notify you well before this happens). In addition, you might want to consider a lock that shares compatibility with the other locks in your house.

Yes. Like any smart product, it's possible to hack into a smart lock. Cybersecurity should be a consideration, but you should also consider the many ways a smart lock offers more security than a "dumb" one.

While possible, the odds of someone having the know-how and motivation to hack your smart lock are going to be much lower than the odds of a door accidentally left unlocked, a burglar finding your spare physical key hiding under a rock, or a burglar using that rock to smash a window. A smart lock prevents many unfortunate scenarios that can result from the vulnerabilities of a dumb lock.

A smart lock can auto-lock your door, ensuring it isn't left unsecured. It eliminates the need for spare/hidden keys and therefore lowers the likelihood one will be stolen, lost, or copied. And depending on the product you choose, your fingerprint or phone will be all you need to get in your house—no more fumbling for keys.

While the device introduces some risks, it eliminates others and adds a lot of conveniences. Just make sure the password to your smart lock isn't "password," and you're likely to come out ahead over a standard deadbolt.

Whether you use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, it’s important to make sure the smart lock you choose works with your preferred smart assistant. It may seem obvious, but not all smart locks play nice with certain voice assistants.

Many smart locks work with both Alexa and Google Assistant, but that’s not always the case with Siri. To avoid any surprises or headaches, look for a model that’s compatible with the smart assistant you use the most. Compatibility information can be found on the product’s page or the exterior of the product’s packaging.

There’s always a potential privacy risk involved when you use internet-connected devices at home. To help safeguard your smart home, there are some steps you can take.

First, look for devices that offer two-factor authentication, which sends a code to your mobile device to verify it’s you. That way, if someone tries to hack into your account, you will receive an alert and can quickly take care of the problem. Many devices also allow you to activate email or other push notifications in the settings to alert you if someone has logged on.

Additionally, make sure to use a unique, strong password composed of multiple characters, numbers, and letters for each of your smart home accounts. Data breaches feel like the norm as of late, making it all the more important to use different passwords across multiple websites and apps.

When using any devices with smart assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, you can further protect your privacy by regularly deleting your voice recordings and muting the speaker’s mic when it’s not in use.

Looking for more privacy tips? Read our guide to securing your smart home.

Camryn Rabideau

Contributor

Camryn Rabideau is a full-time freelance writer and product tester with eight years of experience. She's been lucky enough to test hundreds of products firsthand, and her specialties include bedding and pet products, which often require help from her two dogs, three cats, and flock of rambunctious chickens.

Rick Broida

Contributor

Rick Broida has been writing about consumer technology since the days of the Commodore Amiga, meaning he’s not only incredibly old, but also the undisputed champion of Defender of the Crown.

Whitson Gordon

Freelance Writer

Whitson Gordon is a valued contributor to the Reviewed.com family of sites.

Sarah Kovac

Editor, Accessibility

Sarah Kovac is an award-winning author and accessibility editor for Reviewed. Previously, she worked with a multitude of outlets such as Wirecutter, TIME, PCMag, Prevention, The Atlantic, Reviews.com, CNN, GOOD, Upworthy, Mom.me, and SheKnows.

Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.