Best Smart Locks of 2026
Schlage Encode ($230) is the best overall -- built-in WiFi, 100 access codes, Grade 1 security, no hub needed. Apple users: Schlage Encode Plus ($300) unlocks with a tap of your iPhone. Renters and retrofits: August Smart Lock Pro ($200) installs over your existing deadbolt without replacing it.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Upc | Asin | Color | Our Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt BE48… |
Best Overall | $269 | 043156039111 | B07HX9GSJM | Satin Nickel | 9.2 | Buy → |
| 2 |  Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt… |
Also Excellent | $281 | 194555086777 | B09RS6C1SJ | Matte Black | 8.9 | Buy → |
| 3 |  August Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen with Augu… |
Budget Pick | $276 | 853984006311 | B0752V8D8D | Silver | 8.5 | Buy → |
Showing 3 of 3 products
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt BE489WB Satin Chrome
“Best overall smart lock -- built-in WiFi, 100 access codes, ANSI Grade 1 security, and no hub required.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Built-in WiFi -- no hub required
- 100 access codes
- Built-in alarm for forced entry
- ANSI Grade 1 highest residential security rating
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant
Watch out for
- Higher price than August
- App can be slow to connect on first launch
Read Full Analysis
The Schlage Encode BE489WB combines the highest residential security rating with the most convenient smart features without requiring a hub. Built-in WiFi connects directly to your home network -- no bridge, no SmartThings hub, no extra device. The ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt is the same security standard used in commercial buildings and high-security residences: rated for 250,000 lock/unlock cycles and resistant to kick-in, picking, and drilling. 100 programmable access codes with time-based scheduling handle household staff, dog walkers, guests, and family members individually. The built-in alarm detects door strike and tampering. Works with Alexa and Google Home for voice commands. At $230 it is the most complete single-device smart lock solution on the market.
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt Matte Black
“Best for Apple users -- Home Key tap-to-unlock is the most seamless keyless entry available on any platform.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Apple Home Key -- tap iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock
- Built-in WiFi + Bluetooth
- ANSI Grade 1 security
- 100 access codes
- Google Home and Alexa compatible
Watch out for
- $300 premium
- Apple Home Key requires iPhone (Android users get no benefit)
Read Full Analysis
The Schlage Encode Plus adds Apple Home Key to the Grade 1 security foundation of the Encode. Home Key works like transit cards: hold your iPhone or Apple Watch near the lock and the door unlocks with haptic feedback -- no app launch, no PIN, no face unlock first. The NFC tap takes under a second and works when the phone is face-down in your pocket. This is a genuinely different experience from launching an app or saying "Alexa, unlock the front door." All Encode security features carry over: Grade 1 deadbolt, built-in WiFi, 100 access codes, and built-in alarm. Google Home and Alexa compatibility remains for non-Apple household members. At $300 it is a $70 premium over the standard Encode -- worth every dollar for iPhone-primary households.
August Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen with August Connect WiFi Bridge
“Best retrofit lock -- installs in 10 minutes over existing deadbolt, preserves existing keys, adds smart access.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Retrofits over existing deadbolt -- no locksmith needed
- Retains key access alongside app
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock by proximity
- Works with Alexa, Google, Siri
Watch out for
- Requires separate Connect hub for remote WiFi access
- Less secure installation than full deadbolt replacement
Read Full Analysis
The August Smart Lock Pro solves the smart lock installation problem for renters and reluctant smart home converters: it installs on the interior side of your existing deadbolt without changing the exterior. Your existing keys still work. The lock is invisible from outside. The thumb-turn on the inside is replaced by the August motor and keypad. Installation takes 10 minutes with a screwdriver. Auto-Unlock uses your phone location to unlock the door as you approach -- common technology in high-end smart locks that August has refined over multiple generations. The included Connect WiFi Bridge enables remote access from anywhere. Works with Alexa, Google, and Siri. The limitation is security: your existing deadbolt quality determines the security level, not the August hardware. For ANSI Grade 1 physical security, choose Schlage. For zero-installation-impact smart access, August is the right answer.
Smart Locks of Buying Guide
Photo by Brett Sayles / PexelsOur Top Pick
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt BE489WB Satin Chrome at $269.11 — ANSI Grade 1 + built-in WiFi + 100 codes = no compromises.
Budget Pick: August Smart Lock Pro 3rd Gen with August Connect Wi... at $276.20 — Installs over existing deadbolt in 10 minutes -- keeps your existing keys.
Great for: Anyone who loses keys, frequent Airbnb hosts, and households that want keyless entry with access logs
Not ideal if: You rent and can't modify the lock, or you prefer physical key backup for reliability in power outages
How to Choose the Best Smart Lock
Smart locks replace or augment your deadbolt with keypad, app, and voice control. The right choice depends on your connectivity needs, existing door hardware, and ecosystem preferences.
Connectivity Options
| Connection | Remote Access | Hub Required | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in WiFi | Yes, always | No | Schlage Encode, Encode Plus |
| Bluetooth only | Only when nearby | No | August Smart Lock (base) |
| Bluetooth + WiFi bridge | Yes, via bridge | Yes (bridge) | August Smart Lock Pro |
Security Ratings
ANSI/BHMA grades rate residential deadbolt security. Grade 1 (highest): 250,000 cycles, 10 strikes at 75 lbs before failure. Grade 2: 150,000 cycles. Grade 3 (lowest): 100,000 cycles. Both Schlage locks are Grade 1. Most cheap smart locks skip ANSI certification entirely -- their electronic features may be excellent but the physical hardware is less secure. Grade 1 is the standard for high-security residential applications.
Retrofit vs Full Replacement
Retrofit smart locks (August) add smart features to your existing deadbolt without removing it. The existing keyhole remains, so you keep key access. Convenient for renters who need reversible installation. Full replacement locks (Schlage) replace the entire deadbolt assembly -- more secure physically, cleaner installation, but requires rekeying.
Access Code Management
For households with regular guests, cleaners, or dog walkers: look for locks offering 10+ access codes with individual scheduling. The Schlage Encode supports 100 unique codes with time-based schedules -- grant the house cleaner access only on Tuesday mornings, for example. This feature is the practical daily benefit of a smart lock beyond convenience.
Related Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do smart locks work during a power outage?
Can smart locks be hacked?
Can I install a smart lock myself?
What happens if the keypad battery dies?
Does the Schlage Encode work with Apple HomeKit?
How We Analyze Products
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Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
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