Best Smart Locks for Your Home in 2026 (Researched & Compared)
I never thought I’d get excited about a door lock.
But the more I researched smart locks for a project our team has been working on, the more I realized how much this technology has evolved. No more fumbling for keys with a bag of groceries in your hand. No more hiding a spare under the mat. Just… open.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a smart lock, you’re not alone. More homeowners, renters, and Airbnb hosts are making the switch in 2026, and the technology has gotten dramatically better in the last two years. I’ve been reviewing smart home products and AI tools for years on my YouTube channel and through brand partnerships at Feisworld Media. For this guide, my team and I spent time researching, comparing specs, reading user reviews, and consulting hands-on testing from publications like Tom’s Guide, Consumer Reports, and Android Authority to bring you the most honest breakdown possible.
What I care about isn’t just specs. I care about how a lock fits into real life. Can your elderly parent use it? Does it survive a winter in Massachussetts? Will it work with the smart home ecosystem you’ve already built? Those are the questions I’m answering here.
Here are the best smart locks for your home in 2026, starting with the one that impressed me most during our research. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading from an older model, this guide covers the best smart locks across every price point, use case, and smart home ecosystem.
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1. Nuki Smart Lock Ultra — Best Overall Retrofit Smart Lock
This is the smart lock that impressed me most in our research, and it’s the one I’d recommend to most people who ask.
Nuki is an Austrian company that’s been building smart locks for European doors since 2015. They entered the U.S. market in 2025 with their fifth-generation product, the Smart Lock, and it’s clear they spent a decade refining the concept before bringing it stateside. The U.S. version retails for about $200 for the lock alone, or $270 bundled with the fingerprint keypad.
The core idea is simple: you keep your existing deadbolt and keys. The Nuki replaces only the thumbturn on the inside of your door. From the outside, your door looks exactly the same. Your physical key still works as a backup. You just gain the ability to unlock with your phone, a fingerprint, a temporary code, or an automated schedule.
What makes the Ultra special is the execution. The stainless steel design is compact at just 57mm in diameter, significantly smaller than previous Nuki models and most competitors. The brushless motor unlocks your door in under 1.5 seconds on the fastest setting, which is genuinely faster than turning a key by hand. And it supports Matter over Thread natively, which means it integrates directly with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa without a separate bridge or hub. If you have an Apple TV or HomePod acting as a Thread border router, the lock communicates locally with zero cloud dependency.
The built-in battery charges via a magnetic USB-C cable, and here’s a practical detail worth highlighting: you can charge it while it’s still mounted on your door. No disassembly. Just plug in, wait two hours, and you’re good for another six months.
- Price:Â ~$200 (lock only) | ~$270 (lock + fingerprint keypad bundle)
- Works With:Â Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings (via Matter)
- Connectivity:Â Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Matter over Thread
- Battery:Â Built-in lithium-polymer, ~6 months, USB-C magnetic charging
- Best For:Â Homeowners who want smart features without replacing their existing lock
What I especially like: The temporary access code system through the Nuki app is excellent for Airbnb hosts, cleaners, and dog walkers. You can set time-restricted codes (e.g., Tuesdays 10am–2pm only), and Nuki offers native Airbnb integration that auto-generates guest codes tied to bookings.
What to know: The U.S. version is a retrofit that replaces only your interior thumbturn, your existing deadbolt and keys stay in place. In Europe, Nuki also sells the Smart Lock Ultra with a universal cylinder, and the Smart Lock Ultra Nordics, specifically designed for Scandinavian oval cylinders (common in Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish doors), and also recently launched, a Swiss version.
The bottom line: If you want the smartest smart lock that doesn’t require you to rip out your existing hardware, Nuki Ultra is the one to beat.
Check current pricing for Nuki Smart Lock Ultra →
2. Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch — Best Full Replacement Smart Lock
Yale is one of the oldest names in locks, they’ve been in the business since 1840. The Assure Lock 2 Touch is their current flagship, and it shows the benefit of that legacy.
Unlike Nuki’s retrofit approach, the Yale replaces your full deadbolt. You get a touchscreen keypad on the exterior, a fingerprint reader (on the Touch model), and the interior mechanism that houses the batteries and smart module. Most reviewers report installation takes about 30 minutes with just a Phillips head screwdriver.
What sets the Yale apart is the DoorSense technology — a small magnetic sensor that mounts in your door frame and tells the lock whether your door is actually closed. This enables reliable auto-lock functionality: walk out, close the door behind you, and the lock engages automatically. It sounds simple, but many smart locks can’t tell the difference between a closed door and an open one, which leads to the lock “locking” while the door is ajar.
The fingerprint sensor stores up to 20 prints and recognizes them in under half a second. You can also create up to 250 unique PIN codes through the Yale Access app, each with custom scheduling, which makes this lock one of the most flexible options for families, rental hosts, and small businesses.
- Price: $200–$280 (varies by configuration and connectivity module)
- Works With:Â Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings
- Connectivity:Â Bluetooth + Wi-Fi (or Z-Wave/Matter modules available separately)
- Battery: 4 AA batteries, ~6–9 months
- Best For:Â Homeowners ready to replace their entire deadbolt for a polished, all-in-one solution
What I especially like: The modular design. You can start with the basic Bluetooth model and add a Wi-Fi or Matter module later without buying a new lock. This makes it a solid “grow into it” choice if you’re not sure how deep you want to go with smart home integration right away.
What to know: The Yale is ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certified, which is the standard for residential security. It’s not the absolute highest grade (that’s Grade 1, typically used in commercial settings), but it’s well above what most homes need. The lock is also IPX5 rated for weather resistance.
The bottom line: If you’re comfortable replacing your deadbolt entirely and want a proven, feature-rich lock from a brand that’s been doing this for nearly 200 years, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is hard to beat.
Check current pricing for Yale Assure Lock 2 →
3. Schlage Encode Plus — Best Smart Lock for Apple Users
If your household runs on Apple, this is the lock that will feel like magic.
The Schlage Encode Plus was the first smart lock in North America to support Apple Home Key. That means you can add a digital key to your Apple Wallet — the same app you use for Apple Pay — and unlock your door by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch against the lock. No app to open. No code to enter. Just tap and walk in.
It works even if your phone battery is critically low, thanks to Apple’s Power Reserve feature, which keeps the NFC chip active for up to five hours after the battery indicator turns red. That’s a detail that matters when you’re coming home late from a long day.
Beyond the Apple integration, the Schlage is a seriously well-built lock. It carries the highest BHMA rating for security, durability, and finish. It has a built-in alarm that sounds if someone tries to force entry — a feature most smart locks simply don’t offer. And it stores up to 100 access codes, which you can schedule and manage through the Schlage Home app.
- Price:Â ~$299
- Works With:Â Apple HomeKit, Apple Home Key, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
- Connectivity:Â Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread
- Battery: 4 AA batteries, ~3–12 months (varies by connection type)
- Best For:Â iPhone and Apple Watch users who want tap-to-unlock convenience
What I especially like: The Express Mode for Home Key. Once configured, you don’t even need to authenticate with Face ID — just hold your wrist near the lock and it opens. For someone coming home with groceries or a stroller, this is a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade.
What to know: If you connect the lock via Thread (using a HomePod or Apple TV as a border router), battery life can stretch to about a year. On Wi-Fi alone, expect closer to 3–4 months. Also, while the Encode Plus works with Alexa and Google, the Home Key feature is exclusive to Apple devices. Android users won’t get the tap-to-unlock experience.
The bottom line: For Apple households, the Schlage Encode Plus delivers an unlock experience that no other lock can match. The Home Key integration alone justifies the price premium.
Check current pricing for Schlage Encode Plus →
4. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — Best Budget Retrofit
August essentially invented the retrofit smart lock category, and the fourth-generation Wi-Fi model is the most refined version of that original vision. Like the Nuki, it replaces only the interior thumbturn. Your existing keys and exterior hardware stay exactly as they are.
The 4th-gen model is notably smaller and sleeker than previous versions. It has built-in Wi-Fi, so you don’t need a separate bridge for remote access (a common complaint with older August locks). The DoorSense feature uses a magnetic sensor to detect whether your door is open or closed, enabling auto-lock and status alerts.
August’s app lets you create unlimited access codes and share virtual keys via text or email. You can grant access, revoke it, and see a log of who came and went — all from your phone. The integration with major smart home platforms is broad and reliable.
- Price: ~$150–$200
- Works With:Â Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings
- Connectivity:Â Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Battery:Â CR123A lithium batteries, ~6 months
- Best For:Â Renters and budget-conscious buyers who want a proven retrofit
What I especially like: This is the most renter-friendly smart lock on this list. You can install it in 10 minutes, use it for the duration of your lease, and remove it when you move out with zero evidence it was ever there. Your landlord sees the same lock they’ve always seen.
What to know: August doesn’t offer a fingerprint keypad (though the Keypad Touch accessory adds PIN and fingerprint capability for an extra ~$70). The lock also doesn’t support Matter yet, which could be a consideration if you’re building a future-proof smart home ecosystem. And while August is the #1 smart lock brand in the U.S. by sales, they’re owned by Assa Abloy (the same company that owns Yale), so some of the underlying technology overlaps.
The bottom line: If you’re looking for an affordable, proven retrofit that works with everything and installs in minutes, August is the safe bet.
Check current pricing for August Wi-Fi Smart Lock →
5. Aqara Smart Lock U200 — Best for Smart Home Enthusiasts
If you’re the person in your household who has strong opinions about Thread vs. Zigbee, the Aqara U200 was built for you.
This retrofit lock supports six different ways to unlock: fingerprint, PIN code, Apple Home Key (NFC), smartphone app, physical key, and auto-unlock based on proximity. It’s one of the few locks at this price point that supports Apple Home Key, putting it in the same category as the Schlage Encode Plus for tap-to-unlock convenience — but at nearly half the price.
The U200 runs on Matter over Thread for local smart home communication, which means it works reliably even if your internet goes down. For existing Aqara smart home users, it also supports Zigbee through the Aqara Hub, enabling deeper automations and scene control.
Build quality is solid. The lock has been reviewed favorably by Reviewed.com (who named it the best smart lock overall) and Wirecutter. The fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, and the rechargeable battery eliminates the cost and waste of disposable batteries.
- Price:Â ~$169
- Works With:Â Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings (via Matter)
- Connectivity:Â Bluetooth, Matter over Thread, Zigbee
- Battery:Â Rechargeable lithium battery, ~6 months
- Best For:Â Tech-forward users who want maximum unlock methods and protocol flexibility
What I especially like: The price-to-feature ratio is exceptional. Apple Home Key, fingerprint, Matter over Thread, and a rechargeable battery — all for under $170. For smart home enthusiasts who want to experiment and integrate deeply, this is the playground lock.
What to know: The Aqara ecosystem has a learning curve. If you plan to use Zigbee automations, you’ll need an Aqara Hub. And while the lock supports Apple Home Key, it requires an Aqara Hub M3 or M2 for initial setup. Once configured, it communicates directly via Thread — but the setup process isn’t as plug-and-play as Schlage’s.
Aqara has also released the newer U400, which adds ultra-wideband (UWB) for true hands-free unlock as you approach your door. If you want the most cutting-edge experience and are willing to pay more (~$249), the U400 is worth a look.
The bottom line: The Aqara U200 is the best value smart lock for people who care about smart home ecosystems and want maximum flexibility at a competitive price.
Check current pricing for Aqara U200 →
How to Choose the Right Smart Lock for You
With six of the best smart locks of 2026 on this list, the right choice depends on your specific situation
- Start with your door. Do you own or rent? If you rent, a retrofit lock (Nuki Ultra, August, Aqara U200) is the only sensible choice — you can install it without modifying your door and remove it when you move. If you own, you have the full range of options.
- Think about your ecosystem. If your home runs on Apple, the Schlage Encode Plus gives you the best experience with Home Key. If you’re cross-platform or prefer Matter for future-proofing, the Nuki Ultra and Aqara U200 both support Matter over Thread natively. If you just want something that works with everything out of the box, the Yale Assure Lock 2 covers all major platforms.
- Consider who needs access. If you’re running an Airbnb, hosting guests, or managing a cleaning schedule, look for locks with robust temporary code management. Nuki, Yale, and Schlage all handle this well, but Nuki’s native Airbnb integration is the most seamless for short-term rental hosts.
- Factor in your climate. If you live somewhere with harsh winters, battery technology matters. Lithium-polymer batteries (Nuki, Aqara) handle cold better than alkaline AAs (Yale, Schlage). And if your lock is exposed to rain or snow, check IP ratings — the Yale Doorman L3S (IP55) and Yale Assure Lock 2 (IPX5) lead the pack here.
Why Smart Locks Matter More in 2026 Than Ever Before
I want to end with something broader, because it connects to a theme I’ve been writing about a lot this year.
We’re living in a moment where the physical and digital layers of our lives are merging faster than most people realize. The same AI systems that are changing how we work, create content, and build brands are now integrated into our homes. Imagine unlocking your door with your Apple Watch, and that action triggers your Philips Hue lights to turn on and your smart thermostat to adjust — that’s not science fiction. That’s what smart home enthusiasts are doing right now in 2026.
Smart locks are the entry point (literally) to this connected home experience. And in 2026, with Matter becoming the universal standard across Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung, the ecosystem fragmentation that held smart homes back for years is finally dissolving. A lock you buy today that supports Matter will work with whatever platform you switch to tomorrow.
If you’ve been on the fence, this is the year to make the move. The best smart locks of 2026 are mature, affordable, and genuinely useful. And the convenience is real.
Feisworld’s Take
If you only take one thing from this guide, it’s this: you don’t need the most expensive smart lock. You need the right one for how you actually live.
For most people reading this, the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra is where I’d start. It’s the only lock on this list that lets you keep your existing keys, installs in minutes, works across every major smart home platform via Matter, and handles Airbnb guest codes natively. It’s the lock I recommend when friends and colleagues ask, and they ask a lot.
If your home is all-in on Apple, the Schlage Encode Plus earns its premium with Home Key alone. If you want the best value and you enjoy tinkering with smart home automations, the Aqara U200 at $169 is hard to argue with. And if you rent, the August Wi-Fi is still the safest, most landlord-friendly choice.
If this guide helped you make a decision, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment below, or find me on YouTube — I read every message.
