Here's why a smart lock should be the first smart home device you own

There weren’t many ways August could improve on its best-in-class retrofit lock. However, the model just released in May 2020 saw some serious real estate management with its own built-in WiFi hardware enclosed in a design that’s nearly half the size of its predecessor.

The new design, though only distinctive from the older version by size and a different grip along the side, is the product of a collaboration with industrial designer Yves Béhar. August's minimalism reaches further by nixing the need to for a separate connecting hub. Instead, the app gives a list of nearby networks just like you'd connect to WiFi on a laptop.

Landlords probably won't give the green light to ripping out the deadbolt on your apartment's door. Retrofit locks are a much safer option for renters, and the August lock is the market's most advanced retrofit lock that still provides options and smooth app functioning for roommates. 

August keeps entry short and sweet by forgoing keypads and scanners and relying on the app, auto-unlock based on your phone’s presence, or voice commands. Through the app, you can also set up timed or recurring guest access and turn on phone or Apple Watch notifications for things like someone attempting to manually unlock the door, or kids coming home. 

In case of emergencies: Since your original deadbolt is still in tact, your keys will work in case of a WiFi or power outage. To supplement the battery drainage that comes with built-in WiFi, the power source has been upped from AA batteries to CR123 batteries.

The internet agrees that it’s hard to beat the Yale Assure Lock SL. In fact, you’ll rarely see a “best smart locks” list that doesn't rank this model in the top three. That's not surprising — Yale has been building its home security expertise since 1840. (It’s the company to thank for the cylinder lock and pin tumbler safe lock.) 

The Connected by August stamp loops you into the painless app connectivity that August is known for. However, the biggest news is that this Assure model is WiFi-enabled (which ultimately means auto-unlock upon arrival is supported) and works with Google Home and Alexa instead of limiting to Apple Homekit or Z-wave hubs like its sibling locks.

Rental tenants losing their key is more than an inconvenience for the owner — it's a security risk for anyone else who stays there. The Yale Assure SL is 100% keyless and can be synced with the Airbnb app to automatically send temporary virtual keys to guests once they've booked. Up to 250 codes can be stored at once.

There’s not much to figure out about this touchscreen. A quick place of your palm on the keypad locks the door. Another touch of your palm lights up the numbers for you to enter your code and hit the check mark. (You can also use the app or enable auto-unlock).

In case of emergencies: There's no backup key in the event of battery failure, but you're not completely screwed. Two jumpstart nodes in the bottom can temporarily charge a dead lock with a nine-volt battery.

The circular keypad around an LED-lighted fingerprint scanner make the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro look more like the safe in a spy movie than a lock for the average front door. The heavy-duty vibe isn't elegant, but with six different ways to unlock the door, the design is appropriately badass.

At $179, the U-Bolt Pro is a pretty budget-friendly way to add biometrics to your home’s armor. Some users have reported the scanner being finicky on occasion, but for the most part, it recognizes fingers quickly and lights up green if it’s a match, and red if it’s not. Each person can create a user profile and add up to two fingerprints per profile — a much more effortless approach for kids who might forget a key and a PIN.

You can also use a passcode, voice commands with Google Assistant or Alexa, a button on the Ultraloq app, or location-based auto locking and locking. The shake-to-open feature is unique, though it probably won’t be your go-to. However, if you don’t feel comfortable with your door unlocking any time your phone is in a specified proximity to home (say, if someone else has your phone), Magic Shake lets you set a certain number of times that the phone has to be shaken for the deadbolt to release.

In case of emergencies: Inside the U-Bolt Pro (under the keypad, which can be pulled down) lies a standard Schlage cylinder that can be unlocked with the two physical keys included with your purchase.

We love the Schlage Sense (pronounced like vague, but with an "sh") because it boosts the usability of a regular lock without overcomplicating or being completely reliant on a phone or WiFi.

Unlike the Lockly's confusing screen, the Schlage's illuminated keypad and large numbers are easy on the eyes. Unlike the keyless Yale Assure SL, the Schlage keeps the old-fashioned keyhole that some just prefer, dammit.

Aside from setup and the occasional firmware update, the Schlage Sense can essentially operate smartphone- or tablet-free. When the app is needed, it's a breeze to use. Adding codes for new users and setting schedules (like locking every night at 10 p.m.) can be done with a click or two on the home screen. Caregivers or relatives can also use the app to manage the lock remotely.

Note: The Schlage Sense is for Echo devices and HomeKit, iPhone, and iPad users while the nearly-identical Schlage Connect works with Zigbee hubs like SmartThings, the Echo Plus, or a Ring doorbell. The third model in the Schlage family is the Encode. It doesn't require setting up a separate WiFi hub, but that built-in WiFi is a major battery drainer, which isn't the easiest for upkeep. The Sense can run on the same lithium-ion batteries for a year or more.

In case of emergencies: One mechanical key is included with the kit and can be used at all times. According to Schlage, the keypad accepts codes even if the power is out.

After considering the success of the Wyze Cam on Amazon, it's unsurprising that the Wyze Lock is an equally reliable choice for budget-friendly home security. And for $70 to $180-ish cheaper than competitors, it holds its own with a respectable selection of features.

This is a no-brainer for anyone who wants a snappy, no-fuss way to add connectivity to their door's inner latch while keeping the deadbolt and keys they already use. Built-in door position detection means that you won't even have to set up an independent piece like DoorSense requires, though there are reports of this function requiring frequent recalibration to work reliably. The tamper alarm, which sounds if the lock is jammed or if manual entry is being forced, is a nice touch.

All of this practicality does extend to its looks though, so don't expect it to style nicely with an ornate bronze doorknob. The Wyze Keypad is similarly drab but offers a way in the house that doesn't require a smartphone. This $20 plastic addition comes with mounting screws that some customers feel could be easily pried by a stranger. Otherwise, the app, auto-lock and unlock, and Google or Alexa voice commands can do the job. Customers who love this lock admit that they have beef with the inaccuracy of auto-unlock, which often doesn't recognize that you've entered the geofenced radius.

In case of emergencies: Your current keys can unlock the door if the smart lock is down.

When you have a lot of people going in and out of your home, your smart lock needs options. The meticulous security features that arm the Lockly Secure Pro go far past the traditional keypad, and it's easily the most elegant way to bring high-tech biometrics to your home's security.

Biometric smart door locks offer unparalleled home protection for one huge reason: They require your physical presence to open. This can provide some serious peace of mind when you're states away from your property and can't monitor it for months at a time. If multiple families take advantage of the home throughout the year, registering the prints of all family members is a more organized, more secure way of managing than making everyone (especially kids) remember a passcode. The Lockly can store 99 fingerprints at a time.

You can also use the app to unlock the door when you're not home, set up auto lock and unlock, use a voice command, or text one-time codes to newcomers without them downloading the app. 

The chances of a stranger guessing your door's four-digit code are low, but it's natural to be paranoid — especially if you have multiple residents bringing guests over all the time. Lockly's proprietary Pin Genie technology makes it nearly impossible for someone to peek. Combinations of digits are randomly generated around four circles on the touchscreen, so nosy eyes can't memorize the location of each digit in your passcode.

In case of emergencies: As long as you're in close range and your lock's battery is sufficiently charged, the onboard Bluetooth receiver lets you unlock the door with your phone even if the WiFi is out.