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The best smart locks of 2026

The Yale Assure Lock 2 takes the top spot in our 2026 smart lock roundup. Built-in Wi-Fi, optional fingerprint unlock, and a clean app make it the best blend of security and convenience you can buy without a hub or a subscription.

We compared these locks the way a buyer would: manufacturer specs side by side, published battery ratings, code capacity, hub requirements, and ecosystem support for Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and Matter. We do not bench-test locks. Where a number appears below, it is a manufacturer figure, not a figure we produced. This guide is written for homeowners and renters who want keyless entry without paying a monthly subscription, with a focus on DIY installation.

Last updated

July 13, 2026

How we rank: published specs, third-party certifications, and what verified buyers report.

§ 01 · Top 5 Rankings

Our top 5 picks for smart locks

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EDITOR'S CHOICE

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Yale

Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi Touchscreen Deadbolt

9.1/10JellyReviews Score

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the smart lock we keep recommending. The key-free version pairs a backlit touchscreen keypad with optional fingerprint unlock and built-in Wi-Fi, so there is no hub to buy and no bridge to plug in. Yale rates it for up to 250 pin codes, enough for a busy household or a short-term rental, and the Yale Access app handles guest codes and schedules. Installation is a straight deadbolt swap with a screwdriver, no locksmith and no drilling. Check the variant before you buy: the base model leaves out Apple Home Key.

Pros

Built-in Wi-Fi with no hub required

Supports up to 250 pin codes

Optional fingerprint unlock on Touch models

Cons

Premium price point

No Apple Home Key on the base model

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST BUILD QUALITY

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Schlage

Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt

8.8/10JellyReviews Score

The Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is the most overbuilt lock on this list, and we mean that as a compliment. Built-in Wi-Fi means no bridge and no hub, and Schlage rates the four AA cells at about six months, the longest run time quoted for any lock here. It holds up to 100 access codes, fewer than the Yale or the Kwikset, and it includes a tamper alarm that trips if someone tries to pry the deadbolt. The trade-off is software: the Schlage Home app does everything it needs to, and it looks a decade old doing it.

Pros

Tank-like hardware with solid motor

Schlage rates six months of battery life on four AA cells

Built-in tamper alarm

Cons

App feels dated compared to rivals

No fingerprint sensor on this model

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST FOR RENTERS

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August

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

8.5/10JellyReviews Score

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the pick for renters and for anyone who wants to keep their existing deadbolt and house key. August mounts on the inside of the door over your current thumbturn, so the exterior hardware never changes. The 4th gen shrank the housing and moved Wi-Fi inside the lock, so the old Connect bridge is gone. DoorSense reports whether the door is actually shut, not just whether the bolt is thrown, which nothing else here does, and August supports Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. The compromises are real: the keypad is a separate purchase, and it has the shortest battery life in this group.

Pros

Installs over your existing deadbolt

DoorSense sensor reports whether the door is actually closed, not just locked

Strong support for Alexa, Google, and Apple Home

Cons

Keypad sold separately

Shorter battery life than rivals

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST VALUE

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Kwikset

Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Touchscreen Smart Lock

8/10JellyReviews Score

The Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi is the budget pick that earned its spot by simply working. You get a touchscreen keypad deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi, no hub required, and an app that handles up to 250 user codes, the same capacity as the Yale for a lot less money. SmartKey lets you rekey the lock to your existing house key yourself, in a couple of minutes, with no locksmith. The build is lighter than the Schlage or the Yale, and the app is the weak spot: it is the one here that drops its connection and needs a re-pair.

Pros

Excellent price for built-in Wi-Fi

SmartKey rekey matches your house key

Supports up to 250 user codes

Cons

Lighter build than Schlage or Yale

App occasionally drops connection

Where to buy

Amazon

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BEST VIDEO LOCK

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Eufy

Eufy Video Smart Lock E330

8.6/10JellyReviews Score

The Eufy Video Smart Lock E330 folds a 2K camera, fingerprint scanner, keypad, and doorbell into one unit, which is three devices you do not have to buy or mount. Eufy rates the fingerprint unlock at under a second, and video records to the included 8GB local storage, so there is no monthly fee to see your history. Wi-Fi is built in, so there is no hub. The 10,000mAh pack recharges over USB-C rather than eating disposable cells. It is also the largest and heaviest lock here, and the install is the most involved of the five, so budget more time than a plain deadbolt swap.

Pros

Lock, 2K camera, and doorbell in one unit

Local storage with no monthly fee

Eufy rates the fingerprint unlock at under one second

Cons

Largest and heaviest lock on this list

More involved installation process

Where to buy

Amazon

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§ 02 · Side-by-side comparison

Compare all 5 at a glance

Rank	Product	Brand	Score	Best for
#1	Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi Touchscreen Deadbolt	Yale	9.1	EDITOR'S CHOICE
#2	Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt	Schlage	8.8	BEST BUILD QUALITY
#3	August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)	August	8.5	BEST FOR RENTERS
#4	Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Touchscreen Smart Lock	Kwikset	8	BEST VALUE
#5	Eufy Video Smart Lock E330	Eufy	8.6	BEST VIDEO LOCK

§ 03 · Buying guide

How to choose the right smart lock

01How to Choose a Smart Lock

Start by deciding whether you want a full deadbolt replacement or a retrofit lock that mounts over your existing deadbolt. Full replacements like the Yale Assure 2, Schlage Encode, and Kwikset Halo give you a clean look and a fresh deadbolt, but they require removing your old hardware. Retrofit locks like the August keep your exterior the same and are perfect for renters.

Next, look at connectivity. Built-in Wi-Fi locks work without a hub and let you control them from anywhere, but they burn through batteries faster than Bluetooth-only models. Finally, decide on entry method: keypad, fingerprint, app, voice, or some combination.

02Smart Home Compatibility and Privacy

Most smart locks in 2026 support Alexa and Google Home, and a growing number support Apple Home and Matter. August and Yale have the broadest ecosystem support, while Schlage has tightened up its Apple Home integration in recent firmware updates.

Privacy matters too. Video smart locks like the Eufy E330 store footage locally, which avoids monthly cloud fees. We prefer locks that offer two-factor authentication on the owner account, and we recommend turning it on for every smart lock you install.

§ 04 · FAQ

Questions about smart locks

Yes. Every lock on this list has a local motor that operates the deadbolt even without Wi-Fi. You can still use the keypad, fingerprint sensor, or physical key. What you lose when the internet drops is remote control, voice commands, and activity notifications.

It varies by model, and the only honest source is the manufacturer rating. Schlage rates the Encode at about six months on four AA cells, the longest figure quoted for any lock here. The other Wi-Fi locks that run on disposable cells quote shorter figures, and rechargeable models like the Eufy E330 run for months per charge and top up over USB-C. Cold weather and heavy guest traffic shorten every one of those numbers.

In most cases, yes. Full deadbolt replacements like the Yale Assure 2 and Schlage Encode take 20 to 30 minutes with a screwdriver. Retrofit locks like the August are even simpler because you keep your existing deadbolt.

Modern smart locks use encrypted communication and require authenticated app access. The bigger risk is usually weak account passwords. Use a long, unique password, enable two-factor authentication, and keep the firmware updated.

The verdict

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the one to buy: hub-free Wi-Fi, the widest set of entry options, and an app that does not fight you. The Schlage Encode is the better pick if hardware and battery life matter more to you than software, and the August Wi-Fi remains the easiest retrofit for renters because it keeps your existing deadbolt and key. Kwikset Halo covers the budget end with the same 250-code capacity, while the Eufy E330 replaces your lock, camera, and doorbell in one install.

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