The 5 Best Smart Deadbolt Locks for Home of 2026
Swapping a dumb deadbolt for a smart one used to mean choosing between a lock that looks great and one you can actually trust. Do you keep your existing hardware with a retrofit like Best Overall, go with a certified security-first option like Best for Maximum Security, or build around a hub so Best for Home Assistant Integration reports every lock event to your dashboard? Budget shoppers and Apple households have their own paths too, with Best Value and Best for Apple/HomeKit Homes each solving a different problem. Our overall pick keeps rising to the top of owner recommendations for a simple reason: it changes nothing about how your door looks from the outside. Here is how each pick earns its spot, and who should skip it.
| Product | Security | Smart Integration | Reliability | Ease Of Install | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Best OverallAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Keypad | 7.0 | 8.5 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 8.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best ValueKwikset SmartCode Pembroke | 7.5 | 6.0 | 7.5 | 9.0 | 9.0 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best for Apple/HomeKit HomesLevel Lock+ (Wi-Fi) | 8.0 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 7.0 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best for Maximum SecuritySchlage Encode Plus | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 6.5 | See PriceAmazon |
 Best for Home Assistant IntegrationSchlage BE469 Camelot Z-Wave | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 7.0 | See PriceAmazon |
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Keypad
Best for
This is for homeowners who want to go keyless without touching their existing deadbolt, keys, or door hardware. It is the right call over the Schlage Encode Plus if you would rather keep your current exterior look than pay more for a certified security rating, and the right call over the Level Lock if you are not locked into Apple's ecosystem and want built-in Wi-Fi instead of a Bluetooth hub requirement.
Why we love it
This is the smart lock owners recommend most often, and it earns that reputation by installing entirely on the inside of the door so your existing deadbolt, keyway, and exterior finish never change. At $109 it undercuts the Level Lock and the Schlage Encode Plus on price while still offering built-in Wi-Fi, so there is no separate hub or bridge to buy. It talks to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri out of the box, and the included keypad gives you a backup entry method that does not depend on your phone. Auto-lock and auto-unlock work off a door sensor, which most long-term owners say holds up well once installed correctly. It is not flawless: some owners see the sensor misreport the door as open if it is not seated precisely, and there is no physical key backup if the battery dies. Still, for the price and the fact that your door looks untouched, it is the easiest first smart lock to recommend.
Pros
- Installs inside the door, keeping your existing deadbolt and keys
- Built-in Wi-Fi, no separate hub needed
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri
- Included keypad gives phone-free backup entry
Cons
- No physical key backup if the battery dies
- Door sensor can misreport lock state if not aligned correctly
- Battery life runs shorter than some rivals, around three months for some owners
Verdict
Yes, if you want the most recommended retrofit smart lock at a reasonable price and do not need a certified forced-entry rating. If a physical key backup or top-tier security certification matters more to you, look at the Kwikset SmartCode or the Schlage Encode Plus instead.
Kwikset SmartCode Pembroke
Best for
This is for buyers who want years of trouble-free daily use over the newest app features, especially anyone who can grab it in a matching-hardware bundle. Choose it over the August if you would rather have a lock that falls back to a normal mechanical deadbolt when the battery dies, and skip it if you specifically want Wi-Fi out of the box, since that requires a roughly $100 add-on kit here.
Why we love it
At $94 this is the cheapest pick on the list, and it is Commercial Grade 2 (BHMA AAA) certified for security, durability, and finish, tested to 500,000 open-close cycles. Unlike the August, it keeps working as a standard mechanical deadbolt if the battery ever dies completely, since the electronics sit on top of a real key-and-cylinder lock rather than replacing it. Rekeying is genuinely simple, which matters if you want matching locks across several doors. The catch is that Wi-Fi is not built in: getting app-based remote control means buying a separate conversion kit, and owners of the newer Wi-Fi-equipped models report a laggier, glitchier app than the base Z-Wave version. Battery life is also inconsistent, with some owners reporting a battery that dies with little warning.
Pros
- Lowest price on this list at $94
- BHMA Grade 2 certified, tested to 500,000 cycles
- Falls back to a normal mechanical deadbolt if the battery dies
- Simple rekeying across multiple doors
Cons
- Wi-Fi requires a separate conversion kit, about $100 extra
- Newer Wi-Fi models reported as laggy or glitchy
- Battery life can be inconsistent
Verdict
Yes, if price and long-term mechanical reliability matter more to you than out-of-the-box smart features. If you want Wi-Fi and app control included from day one, the August gets you there without an add-on purchase.
Level Lock+ (Wi-Fi)
Best for
This is for Apple households that want a smart lock that leaves no visible sign of being a smart lock, inside or outside the door. Choose it over the August if a fully invisible install matters more than the lowest price, and skip it if you are on Android, since the ecosystem is built around Apple Home Key and HomeKit first.
Why we love it
Where the August mounts visibly on the inside of your door, this one replaces only the internal guts of your existing deadbolt, so there is no visible technology on either side of the door at all. It is built from 440C stainless steel and rated AAA by BHMA for security, durability, and finish, and it supports tap-to-unlock with Apple Home Key directly from an iPhone or Apple Watch. The included Level Connect Wi-Fi bridge handles remote lock and unlock plus activity history, which is a meaningful step up from a Bluetooth-only setup. Long-term owners in Apple households consistently describe it as working exactly as advertised, with no visible wear on the mechanism. The tradeoff is that it is Bluetooth-based at its core, so full remote control still depends on a HomeKit hub like an Apple TV or HomePod, and Android support is not the focus here.
Pros
- No visible technology inside or outside the door
- 440C stainless steel build, AAA rated by BHMA
- Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock from iPhone or Apple Watch
- Included Wi-Fi bridge for remote access and activity history
Cons
- Bluetooth-based, needs a HomeKit hub for full remote control
- Built primarily around Apple's ecosystem, less suited to Android households
- Costs more than the Kwikset SmartCode for a narrower feature set
Verdict
Yes, if you are deep in the Apple ecosystem and want a lock that looks like it was never touched. If you are not on Apple devices, the August gives you broader voice-assistant support for less money.
Schlage Encode Plus
Best for
This is for homeowners who want certified forced-entry resistance first and treat smart features as a bonus, not the main event. Pick it over the August or the Kwikset SmartCode if you specifically want the highest available security rating on this list, and consider the Schlage BE469 instead if you want a similar security tier but need Z-Wave for a hub-based system like Home Assistant.
Why we love it
This is the highest-rated lock on the list for physical security, carrying Schlage's top BHMA certification for security, durability, and finish, a step above the Grade 2 hardware in the Kwikset SmartCode. It has built-in Wi-Fi with no separate hub required, manages up to 100 access codes, and works with Apple HomeKit and Apple Home Key for tap-to-unlock, alongside Alexa and Google Assistant. A locksmith among owners specifically reports consistently positive feedback from customers who buy it, and no meaningful reliability complaints turned up. The main tradeoff is price: at $319 it costs nearly three times what the August does, and that premium buys certified security more than extra convenience.
Pros
- Top BHMA security, durability, and finish certification
- Built-in Wi-Fi, no separate hub needed
- Manages up to 100 access codes
- Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock plus Alexa and Google Assistant support
Cons
- Most expensive pick on this list at $319
- Overkill if you do not need certified forced-entry resistance
- Full smart features require the Schlage Home app and a stable Wi-Fi connection
Verdict
Yes, if certified physical security is your top priority and the price fits your budget. If you want similar security with Z-Wave for a hub-based smart home instead of Wi-Fi, look at the Schlage BE469.
Schlage BE469 Camelot Z-Wave
Best for
This is for Home Assistant and Z-Wave users who care more about accurate, local lock-state reporting than about built-in Wi-Fi or Apple integration. Choose it over the Schlage Encode Plus if your smart home already runs on Z-Wave rather than Wi-Fi, and expect to swap batteries more often as the tradeoff for that local integration.
Why we love it
Where the Schlage Encode Plus connects over Wi-Fi, this one runs on Z-Wave, which owners specifically praise for reporting whether the door was unlocked by keypad, by code, or by hand, a level of detail that matters for automations. It shares the same top BHMA security, durability, and finish certification as the Schlage Encode Plus, plus a built-in alarm with three alert settings and a touchscreen keypad that stores up to 30 codes. It runs on four AA batteries rather than a proprietary pack, which makes replacements cheap and easy to find anywhere. Home Assistant users specifically call out its reliability as a local Z-Wave device, without the cloud dependency some Wi-Fi locks carry. The recurring complaint is battery drain: several owners report burning through a set of batteries every nine to twelve weeks, faster than the spec sheet implies.
Pros
- Reports exact unlock method (keypad, code, or manual) to Home Assistant
- Top BHMA security, durability, and finish certification
- Built-in alarm with three alert settings
- Runs on easy-to-replace AA batteries
Cons
- Burns through batteries faster than expected, every nine to twelve weeks for some owners
- Requires a Z-Wave hub or controller, no direct Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection
- Costs more than the August for a narrower, hub-dependent use case
Verdict
Yes, if you run Home Assistant or another Z-Wave hub and want accurate local state reporting more than built-in Wi-Fi. If you do not already have a Z-Wave controller, the Schlage Encode Plus gives you the same security tier without needing one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do smart deadbolts still work during a power outage?
Yes, since nearly all of them run on standalone batteries rather than home power, so a blackout does not lock you out. The real risk is a dead battery, which is why locks with a physical key backup or a mechanical override, like Best Value, are worth prioritizing if you want a fallback.
Is a smart deadbolt as secure as a traditional lock?
It depends entirely on the certification, not the smart features. A Grade 1 rated lock like Best for Maximum Security or Best for Home Assistant Integration resists forced entry as well as or better than a traditional deadbolt, while some budget smart locks only carry a Grade 2 rating.
Can I keep my existing keys with a smart lock upgrade?
Retrofit models like Best Overall and Best for Apple/HomeKit Homes install over or behind your current deadbolt, so your existing keys and exterior hardware are untouched. Full-replacement locks generally come with new keys and a new cylinder instead.
Do I need a smart home hub for a smart lock to work with my phone?
It depends on the radio the lock uses. Built-in Wi-Fi locks connect straight to your phone with no extra hardware, Bluetooth locks like Best for Apple/HomeKit Homes need a home hub such as an Apple TV or HomePod for remote access, and Z-Wave locks like Best for Home Assistant Integration need a Z-Wave or SmartThings-style controller.
How long do smart lock batteries actually last?
Real-world battery life varies more than spec sheets suggest, from a few months on some Wi-Fi models to well over six months on Bluetooth or Zigbee locks with lower radio demands. Locks that eat batteries quickly, like Best for Home Assistant Integration, are still worth it if accurate state reporting matters more than swap frequency to you.
Honorable Mentions
Yale Assure Lock Deadbolt
Owners report years of reliable daily use and exceptionally long battery life, especially when paired with a Zigbee module, though some models cannot manage codes from a phone.
See PriceAmazonUltraloq Latch 5
Fingerprint unlock and long battery life make it convenient day to day, but some owners report the fingerprint reader degrading over time.
See PriceAmazonAqara U400
Fully local Matter-over-Thread operation and standout UWB walk-up detection make it a standout for multi-ecosystem smart homes, though walk-up detection is currently iPhone-only.
See PriceAmazon
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