The best smart lock lets you unlock or lock your front door using your smartphone making the traditional key redundant. As well as making life easier, a smart lock can also ensure forgetting or losing your keys is no longer an issue.
The best smart lock replaces the existing security on the front door, or other entrances in your home. They come in an array of styles from those that look like a traditional lock and conceal their smarts from passers-by to futuristic designs with touchscreens and keypads rather than keys. You can also choose from a range of finishes too, including silver and gold as you’d expect, and even sleek glossy black styling.
As with any of the best smart home devices, as well as using your smartphone to control a smart lock, you can also use your voice if you have one of the best smart speakers or smart displays in your home. This can come extremely handy when securing your home for the night – rather than having to bolt the door yourself, just ask your voice assistant.
The best smart locks can also be an integral part of your home security strategy, as they can work in tandem with other smart home devices. For example, if your home security camera or video doorbell detects motion outside your property, your smart lock will be automatically activated, ensuring the entrance to your property doesn’t provide an intruder with an easy route into your home.
When it comes to price, the best smart lock will set you back anywhere from $90 / £150, right up to $280 / £300. Smart lock deals are few and far between for most of the year – in fact, we see the best savings on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Last year, we saw some of the smart locks in this list discounted by up to 15%, which equates to as much as a $20 / £15 discount.
However, if you’re buying because you want the smart home gadget before Christmas, we’d recommend snapping up a deal now, rather than waiting for the holiday sales season to kick in. The supply chain issues that are being faced globally mean shipping times are taking far longer than usual. If you’re just concerned about getting the best price possible then hang on until Black Friday.
There’s plenty of choice when it comes to smart locks, with models from names familiar with home security such as Yale, nestling alongside newer brands including August and Kwikset, so choosing the best smart lock for you may leave you feeling confused. We’ve put a number of the most popular models to the test to discover just which is the best smart lock for 2021.
The best smart lock 2021
(Image credit: August)
How we test smart locks
To compare the best smart locks we assess how easy they are to install and control. We evaluate how quickly they respond to commands such as locking and unlocking the door, both when we’re at home and when we’re no longer close-by. We also check whether they integrate with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri, and how effectively the relevant voice assistant responds to commands to control the smart lock.
We also assess each model on its ability to replace different styles of door locks, as well as how durable it is, and the extra kit such as hubs that’s also available for the smart lock. We also consider whether it can be used with a key in case the Wi-Fi network, any functions that let you provide short term access to friends and family, and and that it didn’t require reading a thick instruction manual before use.
What to consider when buying a smart lock
If you’re trying to choose the right smart lock for you, there are a number of considerations you should take into account before deciding on the ideal model for you.
Some smart locks connect to your smartphone using Bluetooth, but that means you’ll only be able to lock the door if you’re close by. However if you’re the forgetful type that struggles to remember to lock the door, a design with Wi-Fi built-in or that uses a bridge to connect to the internet and relay instructions from the cloud, will ensure it can be locked or unlocked even if you’re no longer at the property.
The styling of the smart lock and whether it will fit with your current decor should also be contemplated; as there’s a wide array to choose from including traditional-looking devices that disguise their smarts to futuristic designs with keypads and touchscreens.
Not all smart locks integrate with all voice assistants, so check a model is compatible if you already use a voice assistant in your home, and whether it will integrate with other smart home devices you already own such as home security cameras, video doorbells and smart lights.
Also consider if you need the ability to give friends and family short-term access to the lock, and if so, does the smart lock offer activity logs so you can review who’s accessed your home and when.
Can smart locks be hacked?
Like any internet-connected device, there is a risk that smart locks could be hacked. However some good security practices will help minimize the risk. If there’s a default password on the smart lock, always change it and opt for a unique password, avoiding duplicating passwords from other accounts, and using a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters. Ensure it doesn’t contain personally identifiable information either. Make sure you home Wi-Fi also has a strong secure password and the firmware for smart lock is up-to-date.
How do smart locks work?
Smart locks are keyless devices that connect to your home Wi-Fi and can be opened by your smartphone, some also come with a keypad so a code can be entered to unlock it too. Most smart locks work with voice assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant so you can use your voice to unlock them too.
Some smart locks replace your existing lock completely, so you’ll need to be confident with DIY if you want to install them yourself, while others simply fit over the existing lock and require far less DIY.
Many of the best smart locks can be used with smart home hubs, such as the best smart speakers and smart displays, to create home automations. For example, you can secure your smart lock and arm your home security cameras with one command, or at a certain time if you’re leaving the house, or perhaps going to bed. It’s worth noting that not all smart locks will work with all voice assistants and smart home hubs, so if you already have an established smart home, check a device is compatible before you buy.