This smart lock earned high marks across the board in our testing. It carries the top-tier ANSI Grade 1 rating with heavy metal casings around the mechanisms and deadbolt, and includes a built-in alarm for added security. Installation is straightforward—Senior Editor Cat Bowen’s husband had it mounted, connected to Wi-Fi, and ready for her to test in about 20 minutes.

Everything is controlled through the Schlage app, with no hub or bridge required. You can create up to 100 access codes, set alerts, check activity logs, and manage Schlage locks across multiple residences. The lock is also compatible with Ring, Alexa, and Google Assistant. That said, the easiest ways to use it day-to-day are by punching in a code on the keypad or unlocking through the app on your phone.

Bowen has had this lock on her front door for over a year and loves it. “The simplicity is a huge part of the appeal,” she says. You can unlock or unlock remotely from anywhere through the app, which is handy for dog walkers and visiting family. Reviews Editor Tom Price also tested this model and was similarly impressed with how quick and painless the setup was.

The keypad and bolt are a touch slower to respond than some of the other deadbolts on this list, but not enough to feel like a real inconvenience. The bigger miss is the lack of auto-unlock and tap-to-unlock features, which is hard to overlook at this price point.

That said, Schlage does offer the Encode Plus, which adds Apple Home Key support so you can tap to unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch. It comes at a steeper price, and the tap-to-unlock feature is Apple-only, but the lock itself still works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and the Schlage app.

Schlage Encode Electronic Deadbolt Review

Key Specs

The original Wyze Lock Bolt was a strong value but had one glaring limitation: It operated on Bluetooth only, which meant no remote access without your phone nearby. The latest model fixes that with built-in Wi-Fi, and it adds a fingerprint scanner that Wyze says uses an AI learning algorithm to get faster and more accurate over time. At $80, it’s the least expensive lock on this list, yet still offers features like remote locking, biometric entry, and a respectable security rating.

That BHMA Grade 2 certification is worth calling out. Budget smart locks often skip third-party security testing entirely, so having an independently verified rating puts the V2 ahead of plenty of other budget options. The anti-peep keypad is a nice addition too, allowing you to punch in random numbers before and after your real code, so anyone snooping can’t easily pick out the actual digits. Battery life sits around eight months with two AA batteries, and you can power it through USB-C if the batteries die.

The main compromise is weather resistance. The IP53 rating means it can handle light rain and dust, but it’s not as durable as some of the more premium options on the list. If your deadbolt is under a covered porch or awning, that’s a non-issue. If it’s fully exposed to the elements, though, you may want to consider one with a higher IP rating.

Key Specs

Schlage’s Keypad Deadbolt is a straightforward, battery-powered lock that swaps your house key for a four-digit code. There is no Wi-Fi, no app, and no hub, so it’s as basic as they come. It runs on a single 9-volt battery that Schlage says lasts up to two years, and a dedicated low-battery indicator warns you before it dies. You can program up to 19 access codes, with two already pre-set out of the box for quick setup.

The silicone-coated keypad buttons light up when pressed, so punching in your code at night isn’t a guessing game. Security-wise, it carries an ANSI Grade 2 rating and a BHMA AAA certification, which means it’s well-suited for residential doors.

It’s available in several finishes, including matte black, satin nickel, and age bronze, so matching your existing hardware is easy. Installation requires just a screwdriver and fits standard door preps.

The tradeoff for this simplicity is the lack of remote access, activity logs, and smart home integration. If you just want to stop carrying a key, this is one of the most affordable and reliable ways to do it.

Key Specs

The Kwikset Halo Touch uses your fingerprint to unlock your front door, which means no codes to remember. It stores up to 100 fingerprints across 50 users through the Kwikset app, and you can set schedules by date or day of the week. There’s also a physical key backup and SmartKey Security, Kwikset’s re-keying system that lets you swap out the key cylinder yourself in seconds.

We tested it and found that it’s quick to re-key, so you won’t have to shell out money for a pricey locksmith visit, plus it’s easy to install and set up. It connects directly to your home Wi-Fi and works with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control, though there’s no Apple HomeKit support. The app handles remote locking, activity logs, and user management.

The design leans industrial, and it’s only available in two styles (contemporary and traditional), each in two finishes. It’s not the sharpest looking deadbolt on this list, but for biometric access with solid security credentials, the Halo Touch delivers.

Key Specs

The Assure Lock 2 with Wi-Fi and touch keypad gives you more ways to unlock your door than almost any lock on this list: fingerprint, access code, Apple Home Key, or a physical key. Having the ability to open your door in multiple ways means that getting locked out is far less likely.

One standout feature is Yale’s DoorSense sensor, a small magnet installed on the door frame that tells the lock whether the door is actually closed. If the door is open—like when you’re bringing groceries inside—the deadbolt won’t try to engage on its own after the auto-unlock timer expires. It’s a small detail that prevents a common annoyance with timed auto-lock features.

We also appreciate the auto-unlock function, which detects a paired device on your person and unlocks the door as you approach. The Yale Access app is clean and easy to navigate, and the lock integrates with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home, though Apple users get the most out of it, with Home Key support and the ability to share keys through Apple Wallet. It’s also compatible with Airbnb for hosts who want to manage guest access remotely.

The backlit keypad is easy to read at night, though we wish the physical keyhole had some illumination too. At ANSI Grade 2, the Assure Lock 2 is a solid pick for residential security, and the sheer range of access options makes it one of the most flexible smart locks on the market.

Key Specs

Aqara isn’t a household name in door locks, but the U100 deserves attention. It’s a full deadbolt replacement with a clean, utilitarian look, including a flat matte keypad and an embedded fingerprint reader. Available in shadow gray or silver, it’s one of the more understated locks on this list.

The fingerprint reader stores up to 50 prints, and the keypad supports permanent, temporary, and one-time codes with an anti-peep feature that lets you pad your real code with random digits. Apple users get a major perk, with built-in Home Key support, allowing you to unlock your door by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch, even when the device is out of battery.

A built-in gyroscope detects whether the door is open or closed and can trigger auto-locking, and there’s a hidden keyhole plus a USB-C emergency charging port as backup. The catch is connectivity. The U100 uses Bluetooth and Zigbee—not Wi-Fi—so without a separate Aqara hub (around $20), you can only control the lock when you’re within Bluetooth range.

The hub unlocks remote access, integration with Alexa, Google Home, and Matter, and the ability to check your lock status from anywhere. Its BHMA Grade 3 security rating is also the lowest of the three tiers, though the zinc-alloy construction and IP65 weather resistance are solid for the price.

Key Specs

The FamiLock S3 Max is the most feature-packed lock on this list. It combines a smart deadbolt, a 2K HDR doorbell camera, and a 4-inch interior video screen into one unit, so you don’t need to buy and install separate devices. The standout feature is palm vein recognition, which uses the unique vein pattern in your hand to unlock the door in about half a second. It’s not a gimmick either—user reviews report that it works in different lighting and weather conditions, and it’s easier for kids and older family members than fumbling with a fingerprint reader or keypad buttons.

The built-in camera captures a 150-degree head-to-toe view, which means you can actually see packages on the ground, and the rear screen lets anyone in the house check who’s at the door without pulling out a phone or looking through the peephole. Security-wise, the S3 Max carries an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 rating, putting it in the same tier as the Schlage Encode, and it supports Matter for integration with Apple Home, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa.

The tradeoff is price and power. At $399, it’s the most expensive lock on this list, and the rechargeable battery lasts roughly four months with all features running, which is shorter than simpler keypad-only models. There’s an emergency set of four AAA batteries as backup, but you’ll want to make recharging part of your regular routine.

If you don’t need a doorbell camera or video screen, there are better values available. But for a single device that covers your front door from every angle, the S3 Max is a great option.

Key Specs

The Lockly Visage uses dual infrared sensors to detect your face as you approach and unlock the door in about a second. After setting it up, we found that the facial recognition worked well in decent lighting. You may run into issues if it’s too dark out and you don’t have a porch light. Luckily, the Visage also supports your phone, PIN, and fingerprint.

Speaking of which, the Visage packs a fast 3D biometric fingerprint reader, Apple Home Key for tap-to-unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch, and Lockly’s patented PIN Genie keypad, which randomizes the position of the numbers on every use to prevent shoulder surfing. There’s also a physical keyway as a last resort.

The lock connects to Wi-Fi directly, so there’s no hub or bridge to deal with, and it works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home for voice control and routines. It ships with two rechargeable 10,000mAh batteries, each rated for up to eight months, so you can swap one in while charging the other without any downtime. It also holds up to 99 fingerprint profiles.

The Visage is one of the most expensive locks in this guide, and the small touchscreen can be hard to read in bright light. But with ANSI Grade 1 security and several unlock methods, it’s one of the most capable electronic deadbolts you can buy right now.

Key Specs