Which is the absolute best smart lock in 2019?
- aug
- 27
Why trust us? Because we know smart homes. Our houses, apartments, and offices are filled with connected home accessories. We're always trying new products, and that means we aren't afraid to install a smart lock (or four) on our doors. Put simply, we've very nearly tried them all, and that's why we decided that the August Smart Lock Pro is our top pick. It has simple installation, compatibility with multiple smart home systems, excellent design, and easy-to-use app. It gives you everything you need to add smart, wireless access to your home for you, your family, and your chosen guests.
Best Overall: August Smart Lock Pro
The August Smart Lock Pro is for anyone looking to simplify the process of entering and leaving their home.
If you get tired of fumbling with keys, worrying about whether you locked the door when you left the house, buying new spare keys for your children, or precariously placing a spare key in one of those entirely unsafe fake rocks, this smart lock is for you. August lets you create virtual keys for friends and family staying at your place. It also keeps tabs on the comings and goings of your household using a built-in 24/7 activity log.
Its appearance is immediately striking and will give any door a futuristic look, with your choice of dark gray or silver finishes. You can use your smartphone to unlock or lock your door remotely. Or you can set up a proximity lock: Your entry will unlock when you get approach with your phone and lock when you move away.
The August Smart Lock requires no wiring and installs using an existing deadbolt. It also works with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant, so you can control it with Siri and the Home app for iOS and just about every other smart device you own.
Pros:
- Simple installation
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit
- Long battery life
- Automatically locks and unlocks your door for you
- Virtual keys
Cons:
- Only works with single-cylinder deadbolts
Best overall
August Smart Lock Pro
An easy way to add smart, wireless access to your home.
With its simple installation and rock-solid locking mechanism, you can be sure your August Smart Lock Pro will be up and running reliably in no time.
Best for Nest: Nest x Yale Lock
The Nest × Yale Lock supports notifications, letting you know when someone operates the lock. You can set up passcodes that expire after a period of time if you plan on having guests or need a maintenance person to gain temporary access to your home. What's more, the lock uses geofencing tools to automatically lock when you're not around — no more forgotten doors.
The lock replaces your deadbolt, offering a tamper-proof and secure solution to keep your door locked uptight. If the lock ever senses tampering, it will send you a notification. There's also a handy feature I'm particularly excited about: If your lock ever loses power, you can use a 9-volt battery to quickly charge and unlock the door.
The Nest × Yale Lock is perfect for anyone that has Nest products in their home, and while it may not work with HomeKit, it will work with other accessories like Google Home. It's built to integrate with the system and requires the Nest Connect or Nest Guard to interface with the rest of your Nest system and connect with the Nest app.
Pros:
- Reliable
- Long battery life
- Tamper-Proof
- Simple installation
Cons:
- Pricey
- No Apple HomeKit support
Best for Nest
Nest x Yale Lock
For Nest enthusiasts
Nest teamed up with Yale to create this tamper-proof, key-free deadbolt for your home that works with your existing Nest ecosystem.
Best Look: Schlage Connect
This advanced smart lock has a touchscreen keypad for entering your entry code. There's also a vacation mode to disable all codes while you're away. The two-piece system is available in aged bronze, polished bright brass, or a satin nickel finish to suit your home's style.
If you enjoy receiving up-to-the-minute information about the activity in your home, have a look at the Schlage Connect. It works effortlessly with Amazon Alexa, while remote access allows you to unlock your front door with just the tap of your iPhone.
The Schlage Connect boasts the highest safety rating possible, a built-in alarm ready to sound just in case anyone is tampering with your locks. Another terrific feature this smart lock has is the ability to add in temporary codes, so if you go away on holidays and a neighbor needs to look after your plants or pet, you can add in a code for them, and delete it when you get back home, so they no longer have access to your house.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Simple installation
- Colorful
Cons:
- Only works with single-cylinder deadbolts
Best Look
Schlage Connect
Add smart, wireless access to your home on the cheap
The Schlage Connect smart lock works with Amazon Alexa, Z-Wave, and Wink. Its simple installation and a built-in alarm will make entry easy — but only for those who have been granted access to your home.
Best Design: Ultraloq UL3
The Ultraloq UL3 is a 5-in-1 keyless smart lock that's a great fit for indoor and outdoor smart lock installation.
It works with your iPhone, allowing you keyless entry, the ability to see who's coming in and out of a specific door, a log record of all visitors, and the ability to clone and transfer your information to a new lock if you choose to buy another.
The Ultraloq UL3 isn't just a keypad lock — it also comes with a fingerprint scanner, so if you need that extra level of security, this smart lock has you covered. You can add up to 95 fingerprints to your Ultraloq UL3.
The coolest part about the Ultraloq UL3? If you knock on your iPhone four times, even if it's in your pocket, you can open up your door. It's as simple as that.
Pros:
- Practical
- Easy-to-use
- Fingerprint security
Cons:
- Bulky handle
- 1-year battery life
Best Design
Ultraloq UL3
Protect and secure with this fingerprint-loving smart lock
The Ultraloq UL3 is a versatile and reliable smart lock that's ideal for indoor or outdoor installation. Say goodbye to your key and use the Ultraloq app on your iPhone to get inside.
Sleekest: Samsung SHS-3321
The Samsung SHS-3321 is a reliable, sleek-looking, and an easy-to-use smart lock that's battery operated with an emergency power connect in case the batteries die.
The lock is designed without a keyhole, making it accessible via touch-pad, while a magnetic sensor automatically locks the door behind you when you leave. If you're away for a long time, the lock even has an Away mode that can be activated to monitor and track movement, kind of like a home alarm system.
The Samsung SHS-3321 is both affordable and sharp looking, making it ideal for putting on several different doors around your home — not just your front door. Silent mode means that you can put this lock on the door of your baby's room and not worry about sounds waking them up in the middle of the night.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Easy-to-use
- Sleek
Cons:
- Only works with single-cylinder deadbolts
Best price
Samsung SHS-3321
Affordable, reliable, and ready to protect.
The Samsung SHS-3321 is a digital touchscreen lock that gets rid of your security worries. It's bump-proof and pick-proof, proving this digital lock has got your back.
Bottom line
The August Smart Lock Pro provides the most functionality for most people. It's Alexa-compatible. You can monitor, lock/unlock your door, control keyless access, and track who comes and goes from anywhere in the world using your smartphone. DoorSense tells you if your door is securely closed and locked up tight. A 24/7 activity feed keeps you updated on anything that happens near your door. Attach it to your current deadbolt so you can continue using your current keys. Set it to lock automatically when you leave and unlock automatically when you come near.
The August Smart Lock Pro is incredibly easy to install with 10 minutes and a screwdriver. Purchasing it opens you up to August's entire line of smart home products — including a smart keypad and doorbell camera. It's reliable, it's stylish, and it's perfect for anyone looking to add smart, wireless access to their home.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Joe Keller is a senior editor at iMore. He's a big fan of HomeKit gadgets, and especially fond of security. He knows how important a quality, reliable lock is.
Karen S. Freeman is a teacher, writer, social media person, and family woman. She loves to travel, play with tech stuff, drink coffee, discover amazing new restaurants, and experience new things.
Cella Lao Rousseau writes for iMore on social and photography. She's a best-selling horror author and true crime enthusiast, so she knows all about protecting herself from things that go bump in the night.