The Best Smart Locks for 2026: Schlage, Yale, Aqara and More
By Claire Whitmore. Last updated October 2026.
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A smart lock makes coming and going effortless. No more fumbling for keys with grocery bags, no more hiding a spare under the mat, and you can let in a dog walker, housekeeper or guest from anywhere. The best ones are also sturdier than many ordinary deadbolts.
We based our picks on Wirecutter’s January 2026 testing of smart locks, with notes from Consumer Reports, WIRED and CNN Underscored. Wirecutter’s reviewer has tested smart locks since 2015. We haven’t tested these locks ourselves. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Quick answer: the Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the best smart lock for most people. The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the runner-up with Apple Home support. To keep your existing deadbolt and keys, get the Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Type | Best for | Works with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt | Deadbolt replacement | Best overall | Alexa, Google Home |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Deadbolt replacement | Runner-up; Apple Home | Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home |
| Aqara Smart Lock U100 | Deadbolt replacement | Best fingerprint; Apple Home Key | Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Matter |
| Eufy Smart Lock C34 | Deadbolt replacement | Best budget | Wi-Fi; Matter with a hub |
| Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad | Deadbolt adapter | Keep your existing lock | Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings |
| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Lever | Lever replacement | Doors without a deadbolt | Alexa, Google Home |
| Level Lock Pro | Hidden deadbolt | Most discreet | Apple Home, Matter |
From Wirecutter’s January 2026 guide.
The best smart locks
1. Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt: best overall
Best for: most front doors.
Wirecutter’s top pick combines robust hardware, simple installation and controls, top-tier security and reliability. Schlage’s locks earn ANSI Grade 1 or BHMA AAA, the top ratings, and come with extra-long 3-inch screws and a thick steel strike plate that locksmiths recommend against kick-ins. Its rubber keys are easy to feel in the dark, and it unlocks as soon as you enter a code. It has built-in Wi-Fi. It lacks a tamper alarm, door sensor and fingerprint reader, Wirecutter had trouble with Google Home, and the Schlage app is slow.
Pros
- Top security ratings
- Easy install
- Tactile keypad
Cons
- No door sensor or alarm
- Clunky app
2. Yale Assure Lock 2: runner-up
Best for: Apple Home households.
Wirecutter’s runner-up has built-in Wi-Fi, a push-button keypad, a backup keyway and heavy all-metal housings. It works with Alexa, Apple Home and Google Home, includes a door sensor to prevent auto-lock errors, and notifies you if it goes offline. Installation can be fiddly, and you can’t manage PINs in Apple Home. It was about $197 at Wirecutter’s update.
Pros
- Wide compatibility
- Door sensor included
- Sturdy build
Cons
- Fiddly installation
3. Aqara Smart Lock U100: best fingerprint
Best for: Apple fans who want to unlock with a touch.
Wirecutter says it has the best fingerprint reader it has tested and the quietest, fastest mechanism. It supports Apple Home Key and Matter. It lacks built-in Wi-Fi, so remote access needs an Apple home hub or an Aqara hub (from about $25), and PINs must be at least six digits. Aqara confirmed a keypad defect in a small percentage of units and will replace them free.
Pros
- Excellent fingerprint reader
- Fast and quiet
- Apple Home Key
Cons
- Needs a hub for remote access
- Six-digit PINs
4. Eufy Smart Lock C34: best budget
Best for: value shoppers.
Listed at $140 but often under $100, the C34 has built-in Wi-Fi, auto-lock, passcode scrambling and Matter support with a hub. It’s BHMA Grade 3, fine for homes but below Schlage’s commercial grade, and lacks the 3-inch screws. It has a touchscreen and a bulky interior housing.
Pros
- Low price
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Cons
- Lower security grade
- Bulky
5. Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad: best adapter
Best for: renters and anyone keeping their keys.
Wirecutter’s pick for retrofitting replaces only the interior thumb turn of most single-cylinder deadbolts, so your keys still work. It installs in minutes, includes a Wi-Fi bridge, a wireless keypad and a DoorSense sensor, and is the best-looking lock Wirecutter has tested. It doesn’t support Apple Home.
Pros
- Keep existing keys
- Easy install
- Door sensor
Cons
- No Apple Home
- Plug-in bridge required
6. Level Lock Pro: most discreet
Best for: design-conscious homes that want an invisible smart lock.
The Level Lock Pro hides its electronics inside the door, so it looks like an ordinary deadbolt. It supports Apple Home Key, key cards, fobs and Matter. Wirecutter notes it’s $350, needs an extra hub for remote access and requires a phone, card or fob.
Pros
- Invisible design
- Many unlock options
Cons
- Expensive
- No remote access without a hub
Are smart locks secure?
Wirecutter says that in a decade of testing and research it has yet to find a single real-world case of a smart lock being electronically hacked. Burglars typically come through unlocked doors or kick in locked ones, according to Wirecutter’s reading of FBI statistics. That makes hardware strength matter most: look for ANSI Grade 1 or BHMA AAA ratings and long strike-plate screws. Because smart locks notify you of entries, Wirecutter believes most homes are more secure with one.
One caution: Wirecutter considers auto-unlock (geofencing) risky, especially in cities, because an accidental trigger can leave your door unlocked.
How to choose a smart lock
Type
Choose a full deadbolt replacement for the best security and features, an adapter to keep your keys, or a lever replacement for doors without a deadbolt.
How you’ll unlock
Keypads are the most useful for families and guests, Wirecutter says. Fingerprint readers, phone taps, fobs and auto-unlock are extras.
Platform
Match the lock to Alexa, Apple Home or Google Home. Built-in Wi-Fi avoids a separate hub.
Security rating
ANSI Grade 1 or BHMA AAA is best. BHMA Grade 3 is adequate for homes.
Privacy
Wirecutter reviews each maker’s data practices. Schlage, Yale and Aqara say they don’t sell consumer data.
Installation tips
- Measure your door thickness and backset, and check that your deadbolt is single-cylinder if you’re buying an adapter.
- Use painter’s tape to hold the exterior housing in place while you swap the interior, as Yale suggests for the Approach Lock.
- Install the 3-inch strike-plate screws if your lock includes them, or buy them separately.
- Photograph the setup code in the instructions and keep the manual, as Wirecutter advises for the Schlage Arrive.
- Set up a few guest codes, and test the lock with the door both open and closed before relying on it.
Who benefits most from a smart lock
Wirecutter says keypad locks are especially useful for households with kids too young for phones, and for rental and vacation-home owners who’d otherwise juggle key exchanges. They’re also handy if you regularly let in cleaners, dog walkers or contractors, since you can give each a code and revoke it later. Notifications tell you when someone comes and goes, which many caregivers and parents value. If you rent, an adapter like the Yale Approach keeps the landlord’s lock and keys in place.
Pair it with other smart security
A smart lock works best with a video doorbell so you can see who’s at the door, plus smart lighting from our smart lighting guide for arrival scenes.
How we researched this guide
We don’t test locks in-house. Our picks come from Wirecutter’s January 2026 testing, with notes from Consumer Reports, WIRED and CNN Underscored. Prices change often.
FAQ
What is the best smart lock?
Wirecutter’s top pick is the Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt.
Can smart locks be hacked?
Wirecutter has found no real-world cases of electronic exploits in a decade of research.
Can I keep my existing keys?
Yes, with an adapter like the Yale Approach Lock.
Which smart lock works with Apple Home?
The Yale Assure Lock 2, Aqara U100 and Level Lock Pro.
Do smart locks still have keys?
Many, including the Schlage Arrive and Yale Assure Lock 2, keep a backup keyway.
