The Best Smart Locks In 2022

The best smart light
The best video doorbell
The best home security camera
The best modern thermostat
The best smart garage door opener

If someone tries to pick your locks, a loud alarm will be a great deterrent. The Schlage Encode is the best smart lock option with an alarm because it sounds a deafening siren when a break-in is attempted.

Encode is a great combination of manual lock, code lock and remote control. The lock supports Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can easily integrate it into your smart home system, but Apple HomeKit is not supported. To do this, you need to upgrade to Schlage Encode Plus, which allows you to unlock doors on the Apple Watch.

Read our full Schlage Encode Smart Lock review .

Support for many modern home standards makes the Yale Real Living Assure SL one of the best modern locks. Works with Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit and SmartThings. This means you can control it from your smartphone, the best iPhone or the best Android phones you have, or a smart speaker like Amazon Echo, Google Nest Mini or Google Nest Hub Max.

The Assure SL lock is attractive, well designed and easy to install. However, there is no option to manually lock it - it's not a password lock, app lock or anything. When the battery dies, you can connect a 9v battery to the two pins below the keyboard for a temporary boost.

Ed. Note: Yale has released a new version of this lock, the Yale Secure Lock 2. We're currently testing it, so stay tuned for our full review.

Read our full Yale Assure SL review .

With Lockly Secure Plus, your finger is the only key you need. The fingerprint reader on the right side of the locked case is unlocked. Plus, you can unlock the door by entering a code, and the smart touchscreen keypad activates numbers, so thieves can't guess your code just by looking at your fingerprint.

Another unusual feature is the Secure Plus lever lock; Most smart locks are watches. However, Locky Secure Plus does not support other smart home systems. You'll need a $70 Wi-Fi adapter for that, or buy the $299 Lockley Secure Pro, a standalone model with built-in Wi-Fi that lets you connect to Alexa and Google Home.

Read our full Lockly Secure Plus review .

While it doesn't disappear into your door like the Level Bolt, the Level Lock Touch version takes the same minimal approach, so no one will know you have a smart lock on your door. Not only can you use the phone app to unlock the touch version, but you can also use a key fob or NFC card.

However, the best trick is to tap the lock with your finger to open the door (if your phone is within range). In practice, it's a bit slow, but it's convenient to work with. And the step lock can connect to Alexa or Apple's HomeKit when you connect this Bluetooth smart lock to a smart home hub.

Read our full review of Level Lock Touch Edition .

Another modern castle is worth considering.

We found the smart locks listed below to be good, but not up to the standards of the first category. While they all have additional features, there are others that do not have limited features or functions. We don't work the way we want to.

There are many things to consider when buying a smart lock.

Lock Type: There are two types of smart locks: deadbolt and deadbolt. The first is designed to replace the screw, and the second has a locking and unlocking lever. Latches were very popular, but locks are becoming more common.

Design: Your smart lock matches your home decor. Most locks come in a variety of styles and finishes, such as brass, silver, and bronze.

Security: Smart locks offer one or more entry methods, so it's up to you which one you prefer.

Keys: Like traditional locks, some smart locks have a traditional keyhole. Some can be reopened, making the transfer easier.
Keyboard : the most common input method; Most modern locks allow you to create and manage dozens of lock codes.
Virtual Lock: You can send a virtual code to people who can use the Smart Lock app on their phone to unlock your door. You can activate this code.
Fingerprint Readers: Some smart locks now have fingerprint readers, so you don't have to remember codes or keys. Tap your finger on the reader to log in.
NFC Cards and Tags: Some smart locks come with NFC tags or tags that you can tap on the lock to unlock. Others go even further and allow you to tap the lock on your Apple Watch or iPhone to activate it.

Connection: You need to connect to your home network to remotely monitor and control your smart lock. This can be done in several ways. Zigbee, ZWave and Bluetooth are the most popular radios built into smart locks because they require very little power. But if you want to control the lock remotely, these models will need a hub or bridge. One of the best smart home hubs like Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Echo or Apple HomePod mini can help you with this, but you need to make sure it is compatible with the lock.

More and more smart locks have built-in Wi-Fi, making it easy to connect to your home network. However, this means that you need to change the battery more often.

Smart home compatibility: The best smart locks should be able to work with Alexa, Google Assistant and HomeKit, allowing them to connect to other smart home devices. So, for example, if you say "Siri, good night," Apple's assistant will automatically turn off the lights and lock the door. If you have a home security system, you can set multiple locks to automatically lock your home when you leave.

ANSI/BHMA Certified: Any smart lock installed on your door must be ANSI or BHMA certified. ANSI is the American National Standards Institute and BHMA is the Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association.

There are three levels of ANSI door lock ratings, Level 3 being the most secure and Level 1 being the least secure. ANSI testing includes a series of functional and strength tests to determine how well the lock can withstand repeated use and forced entry. (A full explanation of the ANSI test can be found here (opens in a new tab) .) In general, you should only buy wrenches with a Class 1 or Class 2 rating.

How we tested smart locks

The only way to test a smart lock is to install it on your door and see how it works. The first thing we noticed was the ease of installation. A smart lock should be as easy as twisting and turning and knowing how to install it on your front door. Most smart locks today require a Wi-Fi bridge to work remotely, so this adds an extra layer to the setup process.

Next, we'll see how the lock works in everyday use. Can you use it as easily as a regular lock? How intuitive is the program? What features are included? The best smart locks allow you to create a temporary "key" that you can send to someone else to unlock the door. Ideally, you should be able to program when these keys will work. For example, if you have a dog walker, you can program a virtual lockdown so that the person only works during the day for a week.

We want to know if other smart home devices are compatible with Smart Lock. It should at least work with Alexa and/or Google Assistant, not only to lock the door with your voice, but also ask the Assistant to check if the door is locked. The smart lock is even better for creating a fully automated smart home that can work with smart lighting and security systems.