Picking the best smart locks in 2026 is less about finding the one perfect model and more about answering three questions: do you replace the deadbolt or keep it, how do you want to get in (keypad, fingerprint, phone, or all three), and does the lock speak your smart home system's language? Get those right and several excellent locks fit; get them wrong and even a great lock is the wrong buy. This guide walks the decisions, compares the five locks worth shortlisting, and covers the rental-host use case where smart locks flat-out shine.
Replace the deadbolt, or retrofit what you have?
Full-replacement smart locks swap your entire deadbolt for a new one with a keypad or fingerprint reader outside. They look intentional, add code and fingerprint entry, and are the right call for most homeowners.
Retrofit locks instead mount on the inside of your door over the existing deadbolt's thumb turn. The outside of the door does not change at all, your existing keys keep working, and installation is a screwdriver and ten minutes. Retrofit is the answer for renters, HOA-sensitive doors, and anyone attached to their current keys, with the trade-off that there is no keypad outside unless you add one.
Keypad, fingerprint, or phone: how you will actually get in
Codes are the workhorse: every family member gets one, guests get temporary ones, and nobody is locked out because a phone died. Fingerprint readers are faster than codes and kids love them, though outdoor readers can get finicky with wet hands, worth knowing in a rainy climate. Phone and voice entry are the conveniences you use with full hands, and auto-entry as you arrive is genuinely great when it is set up well. The best locks offer all of the above, so the household can mix habits.
Door thickness, backset, and how well the door sits in its frame decide which of these will actually work on your house, and checking that is part of our smart lock and doorbell installation service. We do this constantly on the older doors around Oakland Park.
The best smart locks of 2026, compared
| Lock | Best for | Type | Entry options | Standout strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | Most homes | Full replacement | Keypad, phone, key | Rock-solid hardware, Matter support, no extra hub |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Flexible setups | Full replacement | Keypad, phone, optional key-free | Modular radios, clean design, key-free option |
| August Smart Lock (4th Gen) | Keeping your keys | Retrofit | Phone, auto-entry, key | Ten-minute install, door stays unchanged outside |
| Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro | Fingerprint fans | Full replacement | Fingerprint, keypad, phone, key | Six ways in, fast reliable reader |
| Aqara Smart Lock U100 | Value + iPhone homes | Full replacement | Fingerprint, keypad, phone, key | Premium features at a mid price |
Check the smart home box before you buy
A lock is a ten-year purchase, so buy one that speaks standards, not just an app. Matter support means the lock works with Alexa, Google, and Apple systems alike and will outlive brand roadmaps; the Schlage, Yale, and Aqara above all offer it. In an Alexa home, a compatible lock joins routines naturally: the goodnight phrase locks the door, and the door announces itself through your Echo speakers. If you are still choosing the system itself, start with our guide to the best smart home hubs in 2026.
The lock also pairs naturally with a camera at the door: see who is there, then let them in from the same ecosystem. We cover that half in our guide to the best video doorbells in 2026.
The Airbnb and rental superpower
If you host, a keypad smart lock is arguably the single highest-value device you can buy. Each guest gets their own code that starts at check-in and dies at checkout, cleaners get a recurring code, and nobody ever mails a key or meets a 1 a.m. arrival. Locks like the Schlage Encode Plus and Yale Assure 2 integrate with hosting tools that generate those codes automatically from the booking calendar, which removes the last manual step.
Smart lock FAQs
How long do smart lock batteries last?
Typically six months to a year on a set of AAs, and the lock warns you weeks before they die, through the app and a low-battery chirp. Every lock above also keeps a physical key or external battery contact as a backstop.
Are smart locks as secure as regular deadbolts?
The good ones are. Look for an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or 2 rating, the same physical standard regular deadbolts carry, plus encrypted wireless. The mainstream brands above meet both, and code entry removes the hidden spare key, which was usually the real weak point.
Can I still use a normal key?
Usually yes. Most full-replacement locks keep a keyway, and retrofit locks like the August leave your existing outside cylinder and keys exactly as they are. Fully key-free versions exist and are a deliberate choice, not the default.
Front door, designed as one system
A lock that fights your doorbell, your app, or your routines is a gadget; a front door where the doorbell announces, the lock responds, and the porch light joins in is a system. That design is what Infinity Smart Living's free consultation and free smart home floor plan are for, with a licensed local installer handling the door hardware. Get your free smart home floor plan to see how the front door fits the whole-home picture.
Related guides
- The Best Video Doorbells in 2026 (Picks for Every Budget)
- The Best Smart Home Hubs in 2026 (And How to Pick One)
- How to Set Up a Smart Home: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
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