4 Best Smart Locks for Apartments in 2026
The SCHLAGE Encode Plus ($319) is the best smart lock for apartment renters who have landlord approval to replace hardware — built-in Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key support, and Grade 1 security certification. Renters who cannot modify their deadbolt should choose the SwitchBot Smart Lock, which retrofits over existing hardware without permanent changes.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | WiFi Standard | Speed | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Best Overall | $319 Buy → |
— | — | — | |
| 2 |  August Home Smart Lock Pro + Conn…August Home |
Best Smart Integration | $294.99 Buy → |
— | — | — |
| 3 | Worth Considering | $199 Buy → |
— | — | — | |
| 4 |  SwitchBot Smart Lock, Bluetooth E…SwitchBot |
Best for Renters | $69.99 Code: SWITCHBOT20OFF Buy → |
— | — | — |
Score Breakdown
| Schlage Encode Plus S… | August Home Smart Loc… | Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Sm… | SwitchBot Smart Lock,… | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | 65 | – | – | – |
| Battery Life | 40 | 40 | – | – |
| Display | 65 | 65 | – | – |
| Portability | 65 | 65 | – | – |
Scores 0–100 derived from published specifications, verified buyer reviews, and price-to-performance analysis. 0 = feature not present. – = insufficient data. How we score →
4 Best Smart Locks for Apartments Buying Guide
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych / PexelsSmart locks for apartments face a different set of constraints than smart locks for houses. Many leases prohibit replacing the deadbolt entirely. Some buildings require specific locksmith-approved hardware. Apartment smart locks need to be renter-friendly (non-destructive installation or easy restoration), compatible with existing deadbolts, and capable of granting access to guests without handing over a physical key.
How we picked these. We compared 4 smart locks across installation complexity for renters, compatibility with standard apartment deadbolts, remote access capability, guest access management, and reliability from user reviews across 12+ months of daily use, cross-referencing with expert recommendations from The Wirecutter, CNET, and Smart Home Solver on YouTube. Products were selected for renter-specific use cases where lease restrictions and security deposits affect the decision.
Retrofit vs Replacement Smart Locks for Renters
Retrofit smart locks (SwitchBot Smart Lock) attach over your existing deadbolt thumb turn without replacing any hardware. They require no drilling, preserve the original lock for restoration when you move out, and typically install in under 5 minutes. Tradeoff: they depend on the existing lock's mechanical reliability and cannot replace a worn or sticky deadbolt. Replacement smart locks (Schlage Encode Plus, August Smart Lock Pro, Kwikset Halo) replace the entire deadbolt. This requires removing the original lock — potentially a lease violation without landlord approval. Always check your lease before installing a replacement lock. If your lease prohibits lock replacement, a retrofit lock is your only option.
Remote Access and Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth
Smart locks connect through Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi to enable remote access. Bluetooth-only locks (base SwitchBot without hub) work within 30 feet — you must be near the door to lock/unlock via phone. No remote access from across town. Wi-Fi-enabled locks (Schlage Encode Plus, Kwikset Halo) connect directly to your home Wi-Fi — lock and unlock from anywhere with an internet connection. Bridge-required locks (August Smart Lock Pro) use Bluetooth to the lock and a bridge device (August Connect, included) to relay to the internet — offers remote access but requires a power outlet near the door. For apartment use where you manage guests and often forget if you locked the door, Wi-Fi remote access is worth the cost premium.
Guest Access Management
Smart locks enable temporary and recurring guest access without physical key duplication. Scenarios: letting a pet sitter in while you travel, giving housekeeping a one-time code, creating a permanent code for family, or generating a temporary code that expires after a weekend. Keypad entry (Schlage Encode Plus, Kwikset Halo) enables code-based access for any guest — no smartphone required on their end. App-based digital key sharing (August) requires guests to install the August app — more friction but more audit capability (you can see who unlocked and when). For simplicity: keypad. For audit trail: app-based.
Security Considerations for Apartments
Smart lock security for apartments primarily means: auto-lock (the door locks behind you automatically — prevents the most common apartment security failure, forgetting to lock), tamper detection alerts, and encrypted communication. Grade 1 security rating (ANSI/BHMA) is the highest residential standard — both Schlage and Kwikset offer Grade 1 certified products. The lock hardware itself is rarely the weak point in apartment security — door jambs, hinges, and sliding bolts create more vulnerability than the lock cylinder. Reinforce your door frame with a door jamb armor kit if security is a primary concern rather than focusing exclusively on the lock.
Compatibility with Apartment Door Types
Most American apartment doors use standard single-cylinder deadbolts with 2-3/8" or 2-3/4" backset. Verify your door's backset before purchasing — it is the distance from the door edge to the center of the lock hole. The SwitchBot retrofit works with most single-cylinder deadbolts but not all — check the compatibility list. European mortise locks require different products entirely. If you have a door with multiple locks (deadbolt plus a separate lock on the knob), the smart lock handles the deadbolt only — the knob lock remains manual.
Watch Before You Buy
“Schlage Encode Plus, $281.84, built-in Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key, Grade 1 security, no hub required.”
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
Schlage's Encode Plus is the only deadbolt on this page with native Apple Home Key — holding an iPhone or Apple Watch over the lock unlocks the door without launching an app or saying a voice command. ANSI Grade 1 security certification rates the Encode Plus at the highest residential lock security level, meaning the lock hardware itself is tested against physical attack. Built-in WiFi removes the need for a separate hub, and up to 100 access codes handle rental guests, household members, and service workers without sharing the master code. At $281.84, the Schlage Encode Plus commands a premium over the Kwikset Halo Touchscreen at $199 and SwitchBot Smart Lock at $69.99 on this page. The premium reflects the ANSI Grade 1 hardware rating, Apple Home Key NFC capability, and native WiFi without a bridge — the August Smart Lock Pro at $294.99 requires an additional WiFi bridge to match the Encode Plus's remote access capability, making the price difference negligible when comparing all-in costs. Works with Google Home and Alexa in addition to Apple Home, covering every major smart home platform. The Schlage Encode Plus is the right choice for apartments where front-door security level and Apple ecosystem integration are both priorities. The August Pro is a strong alternative for renters who cannot replace the existing lock cylinder; the SwitchBot is the budget retrofit option at $69.99.
Skip this if: Skip if your lease prohibits deadbolt replacement — the Schlage requires removing your existing deadbolt.
“August Smart Lock Pro, $294.99, Alexa/Google/Apple compatible, includes August Connect for remote 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 installs over the interior thumb turn of an existing deadbolt — the exterior keyway remains unchanged, which means apartment residents, building management, and maintenance staff can continue using their original keys without any disruption. This retrofit approach is the reason August dominates the rental market: landlords are not replacing hardware or changing locks, and tenants are not modifying the door. Auto-lock and auto-unlock activate by proximity — the door locks when the phone leaves and unlocks as it approaches. At $276.20, August requires adding the Connect WiFi Bridge for remote access functionality, bringing the all-in cost close to the Schlage Encode Plus at $319. For apartment renters who cannot modify the door, the retrofit advantage outweighs the cost difference — the Schlage requires replacing the deadbolt, which may not be permitted. Against the Kwikset Halo at $199, August adds retrofit capability and multi-platform support (Alexa, Google, Siri); the Kwikset requires lock replacement but adds a touchscreen keypad at a lower price. August Smart Lock Pro is the right choice for apartment renters who want smart lock capability without modifying the building's original lock hardware. Homeowners who can replace the deadbolt will find the Schlage Encode Plus or Kwikset Halo less expensive for equivalent features.
Skip this if: Skip if you want a built-in keypad — August Smart Lock Pro does not include a keypad (keypad sold separately as August Smart Keypad).
“Kwikset Halo, $164.20, touchscreen keypad, built-in Wi-Fi, 250 access codes, no hub required.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Touchscreen keypad
- Auto-lock feature
- Works with Alexa and Google
Watch out for
- Battery-dependent — requires regular battery checks
- App required for full functionality
Read Full Analysis
Kwikset's Halo Touchscreen is the only lock on this page with a built-in illuminated touchscreen keypad — code entry works without a phone, app, or voice command, making it the most accessible option for guests, family members, and service workers who don't have the home's smart home setup. Built-in WiFi connects directly to the router without a hub or bridge, and the auto-lock feature re-secures the door on a programmable timer if it was left unlocked. At $294.99, the Kwikset Halo is the most affordable full-replacement smart deadbolt on this page. The Schlage Encode Plus at $319 adds Apple Home Key NFC and ANSI Grade 1 hardware; the August Smart Lock Pro at $294.99 adds retrofit capability without replacing the existing lock cylinder. The SwitchBot at $69.99 is the lowest-cost retrofit but requires an add-on hub for WiFi and lacks the keypad. Kwikset Halo works with Alexa and Google Home for voice control and touchscreen keypad entry. The keypad is the deciding feature — if code entry without a phone is important for a household with multiple users, the Halo delivers it at the lowest price among the full-replacement locks on this page. Choose August if the apartment lease restricts lock replacement; choose Schlage if Apple Home Key and Grade 1 hardware are priorities.
Skip this if: Skip if you want Apple HomeKit — Kwikset Halo does not natively support HomeKit without a bridge.
“SwitchBot retrofit, installs over existing deadbolt in minutes, zero permanent changes, Bluetooth + hub optional.”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Installs over an existing deadbolt in under 5 minutes without replacing or drilling the lock cylinder
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock triggers via app, calendar schedule, or NFC tag without manual locking
- Works with Alexa, Google, and Siri via the SwitchBot Hub for voice-controlled door locking
- Activity log records every lock/unlock event with timestamp for monitoring home access
Watch out for
- Advanced configuration may require technical knowledge to fully optimize
- Performance may lag behind premium models for intensive workloads
Read Full Analysis
SwitchBot's Smart Lock attaches over the existing deadbolt thumb turn in under 5 minutes using adhesive tape — no drilling, no cylinder replacement, and no landlord approval required. At $69.99, it is the lowest-cost smart lock option on this page and the only one that installs without tools. Auto-lock and auto-unlock operate via app, calendar schedule, or NFC tag, and an activity log records every lock and unlock event with timestamp. Against the full replacement locks on this page — Schlage at $319, August at $294.99, and Kwikset at $199 — SwitchBot forgoes built-in WiFi (an optional SwitchBot Hub adds it) and a touchscreen keypad, but installs without any modification to the existing lock hardware. Choose SwitchBot Smart Lock for the lowest-cost, no-modification smart lock in apartments where changing the lock cylinder is not permitted. Add the SwitchBot Hub for remote access and voice control; without the hub, operation is Bluetooth-only within limited range.
Skip this if: Skip if you need remote access without the SwitchBot Hub — base SwitchBot lock is Bluetooth only (30-foot range).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a smart lock in an apartment without landlord permission?
What is the difference between a smart lock with Wi-Fi and one with just Bluetooth?
Do smart locks work during a power outage?
Can my apartment neighbors see my smart lock access log?
How many access codes can I set on a smart lock?
What happens if my smart lock battery dies while I am away?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 19,352+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
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.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
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How We Score These Products
Dimension scores on this page come from published measurements by named independent reviewers, matched to the exact model listed — not to a similar product from the same range. We do not test products ourselves, and we do not score a dimension we could not source. A dash means no published measurement was found for that product, not that it performed badly.
Value: Price-to-performance ratio. Products with high ratings and low prices score highest.
Build Quality: Based on Amazon verified buyer ratings (rating × 18, capped at 100).
Battery Life: Based on review mentions of battery life, charging speed, and runtime.
Display: Based on review mentions of screen quality, brightness, resolution, and color accuracy.
Portability: Based on weight, form factor, and review mentions of portability and travel-friendliness.
The overall score is the mean of the dimensions we could evidence for that product, on a 10-point scale. Price is shown separately and is never folded into the score — a cheaper product does not score higher for being cheaper.