Improve the accessibility of your property, keep tabs on comings and goings, beef-up security, or simply add another device to your smart home set.
There are absolutely loads of reasons to consider fitting your home or business with a smart lock, aside from the novelty factor of being able to open your place with your phone or fingerprint. That is a pretty convincing reason, though.
By investing in a smart lock, you can greatly improve the accessibility of your property, keep tabs on comings and goings, beef-up security, or simply add another device to your smart home set.
Owing to the popularity of smart home security systems, the market is loaded with high quality smart locks, promising all kinds of functionality. Picking the best device from this selection isn’t easy though, especially with so many brands and features to consider.
To keep things simple, we’ve gone through all of the latest and greatest products, and put together a list of the best smart locks in the UK. The devices we have chosen offer up a selection of different functions, ranging from the simple to the not-so-simple. We think we’ve picked something to cover everyone.
These are the best smart locks for 2021.
Intuitive app • Unlimited virtual keys • Easy to install and set up
This might be one of the priciest models, but it’s one of the best, too.
The Smart Lock Pro from August is a solid piece of kit that would make a great addition to most homes.
It’s easy to install (working with existing deadbolts), painless to set up, and provides reliable keyless entry, with unlimited virtual keys. You can even share these keys with friends, family, or even the delivery guy for 10 minutes.
The accompanying app is intuitive and easy to use, providing quick and easy access to features like auto-lock, which can be a life saver. Yes, the August Smart Lock Pro is one of the priciest smart lock kits on the market, but we can confidently say it’s one of the best.
It’s easy to install (working with existing deadbolts), painless to set up, and provides reliable keyless entry, with unlimited virtual keys. You can even share these keys with friends, family, or even the delivery guy for 10 minutes.
The accompanying app is intuitive and easy to use, providing quick and easy access to features like auto-lock, which can be a life saver. Yes, the August Smart Lock Pro is one of the priciest smart lock kits on the market, but we can confidently say it’s one of the best.
User-friendly app • Five colour options • Time restricted virtual keys
Not the easiest to install
There’s a lot to like about this smart lock, especially the choice of five colours.
The Yale Conexis L1 is a well constructed lock that should fit in with the aesthetic of most modern homes, especially considering that it comes in five colours.
Installation isn’t as easy as some others on this list, but it’s pretty straightforward nonetheless. Once this device is installed, you get reliable keyless entry and a lock that works well with SmartThings.
The Conexis L1 allows you to send virtual keys to friends and family, including time-limited keys for those that are restricted to certain timeframes.
Yale’s app is also highly user-friendly and makes running the show pretty straightforward.
Installation isn’t as easy as some others on this list, but it’s pretty straightforward nonetheless. Once this device is installed, you get reliable keyless entry and a lock that works well with SmartThings.
The Conexis L1 allows you to send virtual keys to friends and family, including time-limited keys for those that are restricted to certain timeframes.
Yale’s app is also highly user-friendly and makes running the show pretty straightforward.
Easy to use app • Nice design • Tracks visitors
Not as “smart” as others on this list
A good looking lock that lets you see who has come and gone.
Schlage Sense
A good option for those who rent out their home on sites like Airbnb.
A well-known name in the world of smart locks, Schlage is a brand that has been tested and shown to be exceptionally secure.
The Shlage Sense isn’t as “smart” as other smart locks in our list, but it does what it does – offer keyless entry – exceptionally well. The lock will let you see who has come and gone from your property and at what time, whether they use a key or a PIN. It’s therefore a good option for those who rent out their home on sites like Airbnb.
The Sense is easy on the eyes, so you won’t have to sacrifice the nice look of your home for the beefed-up security. Schlage’s accompanying app is a breeze to use and there’s also a physical override for emergencies, something which is conspicuously absent from many top-contenders in the marketplace.
The Shlage Sense isn’t as “smart” as other smart locks in our list, but it does what it does – offer keyless entry – exceptionally well. The lock will let you see who has come and gone from your property and at what time, whether they use a key or a PIN. It’s therefore a good option for those who rent out their home on sites like Airbnb.
The Sense is easy on the eyes, so you won’t have to sacrifice the nice look of your home for the beefed-up security. Schlage’s accompanying app is a breeze to use and there’s also a physical override for emergencies, something which is conspicuously absent from many top-contenders in the marketplace.
IP44 weather resistant • Easy to use app • Easy to install • Modern design • Entry options
Might look a little out of place on older properties
Offers up modern design alongside some impressive technology, at a good price.
Yale ENTR
Offers up modern design alongside some impressive technology, at a good price.
Yale’s partnership with ENTR has resulted in a great smart lock.
The Yale ENTR is a lock that offers up modern design alongside some impressive technology. The ENTR is easy to install, and gives you the option to enter your home using the app, remote control, PIN pad, or fingerprint scanner, making it one of the most versatile smart locks in this list.
Yale’s app makes managing entry quick and easy, with options for guest keys, time restrictions, and access limitations set out clearly.
The Yale ENTR is a lock that offers up modern design alongside some impressive technology. The ENTR is easy to install, and gives you the option to enter your home using the app, remote control, PIN pad, or fingerprint scanner, making it one of the most versatile smart locks in this list.
Yale’s app makes managing entry quick and easy, with options for guest keys, time restrictions, and access limitations set out clearly.
Two-factor authentication • Good battery-life • Fast fingerprint sensor • Knock to open feature
Fingerprint sensor can be buggy
One of the best fingerprint sensors in the smart lock market, when it works.
Ultraloq UL3
Advanced fingerprint technology uses a scratchproof, dustproof, and waterproof sensor.
The UL3 from Ultraloq is a modern-looking smart lock that has been well designed and constructed.
It offers access to your property via your smartphone, fingerprint, and code (and a key, if you find yourself in a tight spot). The UL3’s “knock to open” feature is also great, allowing you to tap your phone with your hand to open your door.
The lock can store up to 95 different codes, and each code can be from 4-7 digits long. The fingerprint sensor is as fast as any we’ve seen, providing quick and easy access.
The UL3 is easy to install, weatherproof, and has a surprisingly good battery-life.
It offers access to your property via your smartphone, fingerprint, and code (and a key, if you find yourself in a tight spot). The UL3’s “knock to open” feature is also great, allowing you to tap your phone with your hand to open your door.
The lock can store up to 95 different codes, and each code can be from 4-7 digits long. The fingerprint sensor is as fast as any we’ve seen, providing quick and easy access.
The UL3 is easy to install, weatherproof, and has a surprisingly good battery-life.
Good for businesses • Logs entries • Supports over 500 fingerprints • Solid battery
Not the best looking lock
The fact that this device supports over 500 fingerprints makes it the perfect device for commercial use.
ZKTeco DL-L7000
The fact that this device supports over 500 fingerprints makes it the perfect device for commercial use.
This lock from ZKTeco is a well-designed piece of kit that offers a good standard of performance without the cost associated with some of its competitors.
You can gain access to your home or property via a fingerprint scanner, password input, and traditional key. The lock supports over 500 fingerprints, making it a good choice for commercial users.
The lock itself is easy enough to fit and while it is a bit chunkier than other locks on the market, it isn’t unnecessarily ugly. It might not suit homes with a more traditional aesthetic, though.
Battery life is solid and there’s an alarm equipped as well, which will alert you to low battery and interference. If you’re keen to stay on top of who is coming and going in your place, you can rely on the lock to keep good records.
You can gain access to your home or property via a fingerprint scanner, password input, and traditional key. The lock supports over 500 fingerprints, making it a good choice for commercial users.
The lock itself is easy enough to fit and while it is a bit chunkier than other locks on the market, it isn’t unnecessarily ugly. It might not suit homes with a more traditional aesthetic, though.
Battery life is solid and there’s an alarm equipped as well, which will alert you to low battery and interference. If you’re keen to stay on top of who is coming and going in your place, you can rely on the lock to keep good records.
Security features • Easy to install • Pleasing design • Encryption • Good value
A brilliant smartlock that may look simple, but is in fact surprisingly advanced.
Yale Keyless
Access your home via a PIN code, key card, key tag, remote fob, and Smartphone app.
The Keyless is another Yale contender (which isn’t really surprising, given its place in the market) in the list.
The Keyless is a brilliant smartlock that may look simple, but is in fact surprisingly advanced. It comes with a touchscreen for PIN access, and if this doesn’t work for you, there is always the key card, key tag, remote fob, and Smartphone app.
The lock itself is neatly designed and easy to install. It’s also built with a tamper alarm, bank level encryption, and incorrect pin code features. All these features combine to keep you safe.
The Keyless is a brilliant smartlock that may look simple, but is in fact surprisingly advanced. It comes with a touchscreen for PIN access, and if this doesn’t work for you, there is always the key card, key tag, remote fob, and Smartphone app.
The lock itself is neatly designed and easy to install. It’s also built with a tamper alarm, bank level encryption, and incorrect pin code features. All these features combine to keep you safe.