The Best Smart Locks for Apartments
Renters need a lock that fits over the existing deadbolt, keeps the landlord’s keys working and comes off cleanly at move-out. These four do.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Renters need a lock that fits over the existing deadbolt, keeps the landlord’s keys working and comes off cleanly at move-out. These four do. Best overall for renters: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen), $199.99. Best value: Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi, $139.99. Most unlock options: SwitchBot Lock Ultra, $209.99. Best for Apple Home Key: Aqara Smart Lock U200, $169.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall for renters | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen) | renters who want the simplest, most compact install | $199.99 at August. |
| Best value | Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi | the lowest price for a hub-free Wi-Fi retrofit | $139.99 at Yale ($129.99 on August.com when we checked). |
| Most unlock options | SwitchBot Lock Ultra | households that want many ways to unlock | $209.99 on Amazon with Keypad Touch (SwitchBot’s own store showed $269.98, likely for a larger bundle). |
| Best for Apple Home Key | Aqara Smart Lock U200 | iPhone users who want to tap to unlock | $169.99 at Aqara; Amazon showed $149.99 (silver) and $189.99 (black) when we checked. |
Every lock here is a retrofit lock: it replaces only the interior thumbturn of a standard single-cylinder deadbolt. The outside of your door doesn’t change, existing keys keep working, and you can reinstall the original thumbturn when you move out. We haven’t installed these locks ourselves.
Ask your landlord first. Many leases restrict lock changes. A retrofit lock doesn’t change the key, but it’s still worth getting written permission, and keep the original parts.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Lock | Price | Connectivity | Hub needed? | Power | Keypad | Ecosystems | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen) | $199.99 | Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth | No | 2× CR123 batteries | Sold separately | Alexa, Google, Siri/Apple Home | Renters who want the simplest, most compact install |
| Yale Approach with Wi-Fi | $139.99 (Yale); $129.99 (August.com) | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | No | 4× AA batteries | Sold separately | Yale/August app, Alexa, Google | The lowest price for a hub-free Wi-Fi retrofit |
| SwitchBot Lock Ultra (with Keypad Touch) | $209.99 on Amazon | Bluetooth; Matter/Wi-Fi via SwitchBot Hub | For remote access and Matter | Rechargeable (up to 12 months) + CR123A backup | Included in this bundle (fingerprint) | Matter (via hub), Alexa, Google | Households that want many ways to unlock |
| Aqara Smart Lock U200 | $169.99 (Aqara) | Matter over Thread, Bluetooth, NFC | Thread border router for Matter | Rechargeable or 4× AA | Included (fingerprint) | Apple Home (Home Key), Matter platforms | IPhone users who want to tap to unlock |
The picks in detail
1. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen)
Best for: renters who want the simplest, most compact installAugust’s 4th-generation Wi-Fi Smart Lock is one of the smallest retrofit locks (72 mm across, 46 mm deep). Wi-Fi is built in, so you don’t need a bridge for remote access. It includes DoorSense (which knows whether the door is actually closed), auto-lock (30 seconds to 30 minutes) and geofenced auto-unlock, and works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri/Apple Home. It runs on two CR123 batteries.
Price (Oct 2026): $199.99 at August. Source
Pros
- Compact and discreet
- Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub
- DoorSense door-position sensor
- Broad ecosystem support
Cons
- CR123 batteries cost more than AAs
- Keypad sold separately
- Most expensive of the hub-free options
2. Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi
Best for: the lowest price for a hub-free Wi-Fi retrofitYale’s Approach Lock with Wi-Fi is a retrofit lock from the same company group as August, controlled in the Yale/August app. It keeps your existing deadbolt and keys, connects over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth without a bridge, and runs on four AA batteries. The base listing doesn’t include a keypad.
Price (Oct 2026): $139.99 at Yale ($129.99 on August.com when we checked). Source
Pros
- Lowest price here
- Common AA batteries
- No hub required
Cons
- Bulkier than the August
- No keypad in the base kit
3. SwitchBot Lock Ultra
Best for: households that want many ways to unlockSwitchBot’s Lock Ultra fits single-cylinder deadbolts (with adapter kits for some other lock types) and SwitchBot lists 17 ways to unlock it. Power comes from a rechargeable pack (three 18350 cells, 4,200 mAh) rated for up to 12 months, with a CR123A backup battery and a supercapacitor as fallbacks. Remote access and Matter/Apple Home support require a SwitchBot Hub. The Amazon bundle we link includes the Keypad Touch fingerprint pad.
Price (Oct 2026): $209.99 on Amazon with Keypad Touch (SwitchBot’s own store showed $269.98, likely for a larger bundle). Source
Pros
- Rechargeable with two backup power sources
- Fingerprint keypad in this bundle
- Many unlock methods
Cons
- Needs a SwitchBot Hub for remote access and Matter
- Bulky at 367 g
- 1-year warranty
4. Aqara Smart Lock U200
Best for: iPhone users who want to tap to unlockAqara’s U200 is a retrofit lock with Matter over Thread, Bluetooth 5.1 and NFC, and it supports Apple Home Key (tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock). A fingerprint keypad is included. The lock body runs on Aqara’s rechargeable Li-ion battery or four AA batteries; the keypad runs on four AAA batteries or 12–24V wiring. To use it with Matter platforms you need a Thread border router (for example, a recent Apple TV, HomePod mini or Google Nest hub).
Price (Oct 2026): $169.99 at Aqara; Amazon showed $149.99 (silver) and $189.99 (black) when we checked. Source
Pros
- Apple Home Key support
- Fingerprint keypad included
- Matter over Thread
Cons
- Needs a Thread border router for Matter
- Shorter rated battery life than SwitchBot
Check your deadbolt before you buy
- Single-cylinder deadbolt? All four are designed for a standard single-cylinder deadbolt (key outside, thumbturn inside). Double-cylinder deadbolts (key on both sides) and mortise locks often aren’t compatible without adapters.
- Door alignment. Smart locks struggle if the bolt sticks. If you have to push or lift the door to lock it, fix the alignment first.
- Wi-Fi coverage. Wi-Fi locks need a reasonable signal at the door.
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Who should skip this guide
Skip this guide if you own a house and can drill a full deadbolt replacement without lease limits. Apartment-friendly installs and non-destructive options are the focus here.
Frequently asked questions
Can renters install a smart lock?
Do retrofit smart locks still work with a key?
What happens if the battery dies?
Do I need Matter?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock product page (august.com)
- Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi product page (shopyalehome.com)
- SwitchBot Lock Ultra product page (us.switch-bot.com)
- Aqara Smart Lock U200 product page (us.aqara.com)
- Aqara Smart Lock U200 specifications (aqara.com)
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