The Best Smart Locks in 2026
Wirecutter’s best smart deadbolt is the Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt ($199). It’s easy to install, works flawlessly and provides robust security. If you use Apple Home, look at the Yale Assure Lock 2 ($195) or the Aqara U100 ($150). Renters can keep their deadbolt and add a retrofit lock instead.
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Quick answer
Wirecutter’s best smart deadbolt is the Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt ($199). It’s easy to install, works flawlessly and provides robust security. If you use Apple Home, look at the Yale Assure Lock 2 ($195) or the Aqara U100 ($150). Best smart deadbolt: Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt, $199. Best for Apple Home: Yale Assure Lock 2, $140.98.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best smart deadbolt | Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt | most doors with a deadbolt | $199 |
| Best for Apple Home | Yale Assure Lock 2 | Apple Home users | $140.98 to $195 |
| Best budget | Eufy Smart Lock C34 | a tight budget | $80 |
| Best fingerprint reader | Aqara Smart Lock U100 | fingerprint unlocking and Apple Home Key | $150 |
| Best retrofit (keep your keys) | Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi | renters and keeping your keys | $180 |
| Best doorknob replacement | Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Lever | doors without a deadbolt | $259 |
A smart lock lets you unlock with a code, your phone or a fingerprint, and lets in guests remotely. First decide whether you can replace your deadbolt or need a retrofit model that keeps your existing keys. Then check which smart-home platform the lock supports.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| Lock | Price seen | Type | Works with | Who picks it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt | $199 | Keypad deadbolt | Alexa, Google Home | Wirecutter top pick | Most doors with a deadbolt |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | $140.98 to $195 | Keypad deadbolt | Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home | Wirecutter runner-up | Apple Home users |
| Eufy Smart Lock C34 | $80 | Keypad deadbolt | Matter (with a hub) | Wirecutter budget pick | A tight budget |
| Aqara Smart Lock U100 | $150 | Keypad and fingerprint deadbolt | Alexa, Apple Home and Home Key, Google Home, Matter | Wirecutter, Apple Home | Fingerprint unlocking and Apple Home Key |
| Yale Approach with Wi-Fi + Keypad | $180 | Retrofit adapter | Alexa, Google Home | Wirecutter, retrofit | Renters and keeping your keys |
| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Lever | $259 | Keypad lever | Alexa, Google Home | Wirecutter, doorknob | Doors without a deadbolt |
| Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint | $159.98 | Fingerprint deadbolt | Alexa, Google, HomeKit | PCMag best overall | Many ways to unlock |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | $129 | Retrofit | Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT | PCMag best retrofit | A retrofit with auto-unlock |
The picks in detail
1. Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt
Best for: most doors with a deadboltWirecutter’s[1] top pick: an easy-to-install, sharp-looking deadbolt that works flawlessly, is intuitive to use and provides robust security. It works with Alexa and Google Home and keeps a keyway for backup. It lacks a tamper alarm and doesn’t work with a door-status sensor, so auto-lock will lock even if the door is open, and Wirecutter had issues with Google Home in testing. $199.
Price (Oct 2026): $199 Source
Pros
- Easy to install
- Robust security
- Intuitive
Cons
- No tamper alarm or door sensor
- No Apple Home
2. Yale Assure Lock 2
Best for: Apple Home usersWirecutter’s[1] runner-up: a stylish keypad lock with built-in Wi-Fi, fast and quiet hardware and wide compatibility, including Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home. PCMag[2] calls it the most affordable HomeKit lock. Installation may be rougher than intended; Wirecutter struggled to align it. $195 at Amazon per Wirecutter, $140.98 per PCMag.
Price (Oct 2026): $140.98 to $195 Source
Pros
- Works with Apple Home
- Fast, quiet
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Cons
- Installation can be fiddly
3. Eufy Smart Lock C34
Best for: a tight budgetWirecutter’s[1] budget pick: a simple, reliable keypad lock that works over Wi-Fi without a hub and supports Matter if you have a Matter hub. Its indoor housing is large. $80.
Price (Oct 2026): $80 Source
Pros
- Cheap
- No hub needed for Wi-Fi
- Matter support
Cons
- Bulky indoor housing
4. Aqara Smart Lock U100
Best for: fingerprint unlocking and Apple Home KeyWirecutter’s[1] pick for Apple Home: a fast, quiet deadbolt with an excellent fingerprint reader and support for Apple’s Home Key. It works with Alexa, Google Home and Matter too. PINs must be at least six digits. $150.
Price (Oct 2026): $150 Source
Pros
- Excellent fingerprint reader
- Apple Home Key
- Matter
Cons
- Six-digit minimum PIN
5. Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi
Best for: renters and keeping your keysWirecutter’s[1] adapter pick. It fits over your existing deadbolt, so you keep your keys, and the bundle includes a keypad and a Wi-Fi hub. It works with Alexa and Google Home but not Apple Home. $180 from Yale. For more renter-friendly options, see our smart locks for apartments.
Price (Oct 2026): $180 Source
Pros
- Keeps your existing lock
- Keypad and Wi-Fi hub included
Cons
- No Apple Home
6. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Lever
Best for: doors without a deadboltWirecutter’s[1] doorknob replacement: nearly identical to its top deadbolt pick, but it replaces a doorknob with an accessibility-friendly lever. Battery life was better than six months so far. It doesn’t work with Apple Home. $259.
Price (Oct 2026): $259 Source
Pros
- Lever handle
- Long battery life
Cons
- No Apple Home
- Pricey
7. Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint
Best for: many ways to unlockPCMag’s[2] best overall smart lock (Editors’ Choice). It offers multiple ways to lock and unlock, works with Alexa, Google and HomeKit, has built-in Wi-Fi and good battery life, and is easy to install. It’s expensive and doesn’t support Matter. $159.98.
Price (Oct 2026): $159.98 Source
Pros
- Many unlock methods
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Easy to install
Cons
- Expensive
- No Matter
8. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen)
Best for: a retrofit with auto-unlockPCMag’s[2] best retrofit smart lock. It works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT and more, locks and unlocks automatically, and is easy to install with a streamlined design. It’s pricey and has short battery life. $129.
Price (Oct 2026): $129 Source
Pros
- Retrofit
- Auto lock and unlock
- Wide compatibility
Cons
- Short battery life
Also considered
Lockly Visage Zeno: PCMag’s[2] best for facial recognition ($349 at Home Depot).
Eufy FamiLock S3 Max: PCMag’s best digital peephole lock ($359.99).
Aqara U400: PCMag pick ($269.99).
Kwikset Halo Touch: PCMag pick ($204).
Replacement deadbolt or retrofit?
Replacement deadbolts like the Schlage Arrive swap out your whole lock and usually add a keypad. Retrofit models like the Yale Approach and August Wi-Fi fit over the inside of your existing deadbolt, so your keys still work. That’s usually the better choice for renters; see our smart locks for apartments.
Check your smart-home platform
Not every lock works with Apple Home. Among Wirecutter’s[1] picks, the Yale Assure Lock 2 and Aqara U100 do; the Schlage models and the Yale Approach don’t. If you’re building around Matter, see our Matter starter kit. A video doorbell pairs well with a smart lock.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best smart lock?
What is the best smart lock for Apple Home?
Can I install a smart lock in a rental?
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.
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