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Listen, I never thought I’d be writing about the best smart locks of all things, but here we are! After testing multiple best smart locks over 4 years, here’s the real deal. Four years and five different locks later, I’ve learned a thing or two about what actually matters in a smart lock – and what’s just fancy marketing fluff.
Best Smart Locks: Our Top Picks for 2025
Best Overall: Yale Assure Lock 2
Price: $249.99
This is currently on my front door, and honestly? It’s been a game-changer. After dealing with three other “premium” locks that couldn’t handle Minnesota winters, this one’s been solid for 14 months straight. Yes, it’s pricey, but it’s worth every penny for the peace of mind.
What really sets Yale Assure Lock 2 apart as the best smart lock is its rock-solid build quality. The keypad doesn’t have that cheap, mushy feel you get with budget locks – each button press is crisp and responsive, even with gloved hands. The fingerprint reader (on the upgraded model) is scary accurate, working first try about 98% of the time, even with slightly damp fingers.
Best Budget: Wyze Lock
Price: $129.99
Wyze Lock has been running our side door for two years now. After dropping nearly $300 on my first smart lock (which failed spectacularly), finding the Wyze was like striking gold. Sure, the app isn’t as fancy as the premium brands, but here’s what matters: it just works. Battery life has been consistent at about 3 months with regular use, and it takes standard AA batteries you can grab anywhere. Pro tip: it’ll start warning you about low batteries about two weeks before they actually die, so you’ve got plenty of time to swap them out. I keep a spare set in the drawer just in case.
Best Premium: Level Lock+
Price: $329.99
My neighbor has this one, and I’m low-key jealous. After checking it out during their weekend BBQ (yes, I get excited about door locks), I can see why it’s considered the Rolls-Royce of smart locks. It’s practically invisible – looks just like a regular lock from both inside and outside. The entire smart mechanism is hidden inside the door, which is perfect if you hate the chunky look of typical smart locks.
The installation is surprisingly straightforward – about 25 minutes from start to finish. The precision engineering is obvious; every component fits together with that satisfying click you get from luxury car doors. But here’s where it gets really interesting: despite being completely hidden, Level Lock+ is really packed with technology. The built-in NFC lets you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock (no more fumbling for keys while carrying beach gear), and the Bluetooth range is impressive – consistently works from about 30 feet away.
Best for Apartments: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Price: $229.99
We used August in our old apartment before buying our house, and it was a total game-changer for apartment living. Unlike most smart locks, the August only replaces the interior part of your deadbolt, leaving the outside looking completely normal. And What really surprised me was the super-clever DoorSense feature – it actually tells you if your door is properly closed, not just locked. This saved us more than once when our door didn’t quite close.
What Actually Matters When Choosing the Best Smart Locks
Types of Smart Locks
When searching for the best smart locks, you’ll encounter several types. So let me save you some headaches and share what I’ve learned about them :
WiFi Smart Locks
Great for remote access, but they eat up batteries! My first WiFi lock needed new batteries every 2 months. Now I keep a backup set handy just in case.
Bluetooth Locks
These are more basic but reliable. Think of them like a Honda Civic – not flashy, but they get the job done. Plus, the batteries last forever (well, 6-8 months).
Fingerprint Locks
Tried a cheap one first – big mistake. It worked great… until it rained. Now I have the Yale with fingerprint, and even my 6-year-old can use it reliably.
Hybrid Systems
This is what I eventually settled on. Yes, they cost more, but being able to use different methods (fingerprint, code, phone) has saved my bacon more than once.
Best Smart Locks: Features That Matter
Security Standards
Get at least a Grade 2 lock. Found this out the hard way when my first smart lock started locking up after just 6 months. Grade 1 is even better, but usually costs more.
Connection Types
Here’s what actually matters in daily use:
- WiFi: Nice for checking if you locked up while on vacation
- Bluetooth: Works 99% of the time for daily use
- Z-Wave: Fantastic if you’re a home automation enthusiast
Power Options
After 4 years, here’s the real deal on batteries:
- Regular AAs: About 4 months with WiFi locks
- Lithium AAs: Worth the extra cost, last 30% longer
- Rechargeable packs: Convenient but little frustrating when they die
Detailed Reviews:
Yale Assure Lock 2 (Best Overall)
Price: $249.99
My Experience
Installed Yale Assure Lock 2 14 months ago after my third lock failed. Installation took me about 45 minutes (including time to watch YouTube tutorials twice). The auto-unlock feature has saved me countless times while carrying in groceries.
What’s Great
- Built like a tank
- Super reliable in all weather
- Easy for guests to use
- Great app (finally!)
- Hasn’t jammed once
What’s Not
- Little expensive
- Battery notifications sometimes come late
- Had to reinstall the app once
What I Wish I’d Known
- The strike plate alignment is super important
- Don’t rush the calibration step
- Keep the manual (you’ll need it later)
Best Smart Locks Compared:
| Lock | Battery Life | Times It Failed | Guest Access Easy? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Assure 2 | 4 months | 0 | Yes | $249.99 |
| Wyze Lock | 3 months | 2 (wifi issues) | Yes | $129.99 |
| Level Lock+ | 6 months | 1 (app crash) | Mostly | $329.99 |
| August WiFi | 2.5 months | 3 (battery died) | Yes | $229.99 |
Here are the most common questions I get about the best smart locks:
Q: What happens if the power goes out?
They keep working! All run on batteries. Just keep some spares handy.
Q: Have you ever been locked out?
Once, when I ignored the low battery warning for two weeks. Now I change batteries as soon as I get the first alert.
Q: Are they actually worth it?
For me, absolutely. No more hiding keys under mats or making copies for dog walkers.
Best Smart Locks: Final Recommendations
After losing nearly $1000 on different smart locks over four years (don’t tell my wife), I can honestly say the Yale Assure Lock 2 is the best all-around choice. But if you’re just dipping your toes in, start with the Wyze Lock. It’s a solid starter lock that won’t cost a fortune.
The key is knowing what you actually need. We barely use half the fancy features on our lock, but the ones we do use (auto-unlock, guest codes, remote checking) have become indispensable.
Where to Get Them
I got mine from Amazon and Home Depot. Pro tip: prices usually drop around Black Friday and Prime Day. I’ve seen the Yale go as low as $199 during sales.
If you are serious about your whole home automation Here Is A Full Breakdown
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