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A smart lock is one of the few smart home upgrades you touch every single day. Done right, it means no more hunting for keys with grocery bags in your hands, no more hiding a spare under the mat, and no more wondering whether you actually locked the front door after you left. Done wrong, it means a dead battery, a flaky app, and a lock that fights your door frame.
With Amazon Prime Big Deal Days running October 6–7, 2026, smart locks are one of the most heavily discounted categories, so this is a good week to buy. This guide cuts through the noise: which lock fits which home, what the confusing terms (Matter, Thread, Home Key, ANSI grade) actually mean, and the questions shoppers ask most before they replace a deadbolt.
Quick picks: the best smart locks of 2026
- Best overall: Schlage Encode Plus (built-in Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key, top-grade deadbolt hardware)
- Most flexible across ecosystems: Yale Assure Lock 2 (Touch or Plus versions)
- Best for renters: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
- Best for Apple Home and Matter fans: Aqara Smart Lock U400
- Best invisible design: Level Lock Pro
- Best budget fingerprint lock: eufy Smart Lock C220
- Best lock + doorbell camera combo: myQ Secure View 3-in-1
Comparison table
| Lock | Best for | Ways to unlock | Connectivity | Install type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | Most homeowners, iPhone users | Keypad, Apple Home Key, app, key | Built-in Wi-Fi (no hub) | Replaces deadbolt | Check current price |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Mixed or changing ecosystems | Keypad or touchscreen, fingerprint (Touch), app, key (keyed models) | Swappable modules: Wi-Fi, Matter, Z-Wave and more | Replaces deadbolt | Check current price |
| August Wi-Fi (4th Gen) | Renters, keep your keys | App, auto-unlock, voice, existing key | Built-in Wi-Fi | Retrofit (inside only) | Check current price |
| Aqara U400 | Apple Home, Matter, hands-free entry | Fingerprint, keypad, NFC, Apple Home Key (incl. hands-free UWB), key | Matter over Thread | Replaces deadbolt | Check current price |
| Level Lock Pro | Design-first homes | Touch, Apple Home Key, key card/fob, app, key | Matter over Thread | Replaces deadbolt (hidden inside door) | Check current price |
| eufy Smart Lock C220 | Budget, fingerprint | Fingerprint, keypad, app, key | Wi-Fi | Replaces deadbolt | Check current price |
| myQ Secure View 3-in-1 | One device for lock + camera | Keypad, app, key | Wi-Fi | Replaces deadbolt | Check current price |
The picks in detail
1. Schlage Encode Plus — best overall
If you just want the smart lock that most reviewers and testers keep landing on, this is it. The Encode Plus has Wi-Fi built in, so there’s no bridge or hub to buy, and it supports Apple Home Key: you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock the way you’d tap a card at a checkout. Schlage’s deadbolt hardware is also among the toughest in the category, which matters more than any app feature if someone actually tries to force the door.
Who it’s for: homeowners who want strong physical security, a keypad for guests and kids, and Apple Home Key, without adding a hub. It also works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Keep in mind: built-in Wi-Fi drains batteries faster than Thread or Bluetooth locks, and installation takes a bit longer than a retrofit.
See the Schlage Encode Plus on Amazon
2. Yale Assure Lock 2 — most flexible
The Assure Lock 2 is the lock to buy if you’re not sure which smart home platform you’ll use in two years. Yale sells it with swappable connectivity modules, so the same lock can run on Wi-Fi, Matter, Z-Wave or other options depending on the module. The Touch version adds a fingerprint reader, and the Plus versions add Apple Home Key. You can also get it keyless, with no cylinder for anyone to pick.
Who it’s for: households that mix Alexa, Google and Apple devices, or anyone who wants an upgrade path instead of a dead-end lock. Yale announced some of its biggest Prime Big Deal Days discounts on several Assure Lock 2 versions this week, so it’s the pick most likely to be a bargain right now.
Keep in mind: there are many versions (keypad, touchscreen, Touch, Plus, with or without Wi-Fi), so read the listing title carefully before you buy.
See Yale Assure Lock 2 models on Amazon
3. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — best for renters
The August doesn’t replace your deadbolt. It replaces only the thumb-turn on the inside of the door, so the outside looks exactly the same and your existing keys keep working. That makes it the go-to answer for renters, condo owners with HOA rules, and anyone who doesn’t want to touch the exterior hardware. Installation usually takes a screwdriver and a few minutes.
Who it’s for: renters and anyone who wants auto-unlock as they walk up, with no change visible from the hallway or porch. Pair it with an August or Yale keypad if guests need a code.
Keep in mind: it doesn’t add a keypad by itself, and it doesn’t support Apple Home Key.
See the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock on Amazon
4. Aqara Smart Lock U400 — best for Apple Home and Matter
The U400 is one of the most feature-packed locks you can buy. It runs on Matter over Thread, so it works natively with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings, and it offers just about every way in: fingerprint, keypad, NFC, physical key and Apple Home Key. Its standout trick is hands-free Home Key using ultra-wideband (UWB): with a compatible iPhone in your pocket, the door can unlock as you approach.
Who it’s for: Apple households and smart home tinkerers who want the newest standards. If you already own an Apple TV, HomePod or another Thread border router, you’re set.
Keep in mind: Thread locks rely on a border router for remote access. Check whether your home already has one before you buy; our smart home hub guide explains which hubs cover Matter and Thread.
5. Level Lock Pro — best invisible design
From the outside, the Level Lock Pro looks like an ordinary deadbolt, because all of the motor and electronics hide inside the door itself. There’s no bulky keypad box or plastic housing. You unlock it with a touch, Apple Home Key, an included key card or fob, the app, or a regular key. It also runs on Matter over Thread and adds door-open detection.
Who it’s for: homes where looks matter, such as a historic door or a sleek modern entry, and Apple users who want reliable Home Key.
Keep in mind: there’s no keypad on the lock, and it’s one of the pricier options.
See the Level Lock Pro on Amazon
6. eufy Smart Lock C220 — best budget fingerprint lock
If you want fingerprint unlocking without paying premium prices, eufy’s C-series is the value play. The C220 combines a fingerprint reader, a keypad, Wi-Fi app control and a backup key, with no subscription. It’s a sensible pick for a side door, a garage entry, or a first smart lock.
Who it’s for: budget shoppers and families with kids who’d rather tap a finger than remember a code.
Keep in mind: budget locks generally carry lower security grades than Schlage or Yale, and there’s no Apple Home Key.
7. myQ Secure View 3-in-1 — lock and doorbell camera in one
Chamberlain’s myQ Secure View puts a smart deadbolt, a keypad and a video doorbell camera into a single device. If your front door needs both and you don’t want two batteries and two apps, it’s an unusual and genuinely handy option.
Who it’s for: people who don’t yet own a video doorbell and want the simplest single-device setup.
Keep in mind: if you already have a doorbell you like, a standalone lock is the better buy. Compare doorbell options in our best video doorbell guide.
See the myQ Secure View on Amazon
What about Ultraloq?
Ultraloq locks like the U-Bolt Pro are popular because they pack fingerprint, keypad and Wi-Fi into a low price, and they show up in many Prime Day deal lists. They’re worth considering on a tight budget, but Wirecutter has reported ongoing technical and customer-service concerns with the brand, so we’d lean toward eufy at a similar budget or stretch to Yale.
How to choose a smart lock
1. Replace or retrofit?
A deadbolt replacement (Schlage, Yale, Aqara, Level, eufy) swaps your whole deadbolt and usually adds a keypad or fingerprint reader outside. A retrofit (August, Yale Approach) leaves the exterior and your keys alone and only motorizes the inside. Renters should start with retrofit.
2. Pick your ecosystem first
- iPhone household: look for Apple Home Key (Schlage Encode Plus, Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus, Aqara U400, Level Lock Pro).
- Alexa or Google household: almost every pick here works; Wi-Fi locks are the easiest setup.
- Mixed or future-proof: Matter-compatible locks or the Yale Assure Lock 2 with a Matter module.
3. Wi-Fi vs Thread vs Bluetooth
Wi-Fi locks need no hub but use more battery. Thread locks are fast and battery-friendly but need a border router (an Apple TV, HomePod mini, recent Nest hub, or similar) for remote control. Bluetooth-only locks work from your phone nearby but need a bridge for remote access.
4. Check your door
Measure the door thickness and backset, make sure the deadbolt slides smoothly by hand (a lock motor can’t fix a misaligned strike plate), and check whether your door gets direct sun or rain if you’re considering a touchscreen.
5. Security grade
Locks are rated by ANSI/BHMA. Grade 1 is the toughest, Grade 2 is common for good residential locks, and Grade 3 is entry level. For a main front door, Grade 1 or 2 is worth it.
Shopping during Prime Big Deal Days? See our full Prime Big Deal Days smart home deals roundup for hubs, thermostats, doorbells and more.
FAQ: what people ask about smart locks
Are smart locks safe? Can they be hacked?
Reputable smart locks use encrypted connections, and real-world break-ins almost always involve physical force, not hacking. The bigger risks are weak hardware and weak habits. Choose a well-rated deadbolt, turn on two-factor authentication in the app, keep firmware updated, and don’t share permanent codes when temporary ones will do.
What happens if the battery dies?
You get plenty of warning first: low-battery alerts in the app and usually on the lock itself. If you ignore them, most locks have a physical key backup, and many keyless models have a USB-C port or 9-volt contacts outside so you can power the lock long enough to enter a code.
What happens if the Wi-Fi or power goes out?
The lock keeps working. Keypads, fingerprint readers, keys and Bluetooth unlocking all work locally. You only lose remote features like unlocking from work or getting notifications until the internet comes back.
How long do smart lock batteries last?
It varies with the radio and how often the door is used. Thread and Bluetooth locks typically last longer than Wi-Fi models, which often need fresh batteries every few months. Rechargeable packs are increasingly common.
Can I install a smart lock myself?
Yes. Most take a screwdriver and 15–45 minutes. Retrofit locks like August are the easiest. If your deadbolt sticks or your door is unusually thick, fix that first or check the lock’s fit guide.
Are smart locks good for renters?
Retrofit locks are the best choice for renters because they leave the outside of the door and the landlord’s keys untouched. Keep the original thumb-turn so you can reinstall it when you move out, and check your lease first.
Do I need a subscription?
None of the locks in this guide need a subscription for core locking, codes or app control. The myQ Secure View’s camera may offer optional paid features for video history, so check before you buy.
What is Apple Home Key?
Home Key stores a digital key in Apple Wallet. You tap your iPhone or Apple Watch on the lock to open it, even if the phone’s battery is low. Some newer locks, like the Aqara U400, also support hands-free unlocking with UWB as you approach.
Is now a good time to buy a smart lock?
Yes. Prime Big Deal Days (October 6–7, 2026) is one of the two biggest Amazon sales of the year for smart home gear, and brands like Yale have announced notable discounts. The next big window is Black Friday, but there’s no guarantee prices will be lower then.
The bottom line
Most homeowners should get the Schlage Encode Plus. If you want maximum flexibility or the best Prime Day value, go with the Yale Assure Lock 2. Renters should pick the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Apple-first homes will love the Aqara U400 or Level Lock Pro, and budget shoppers can start with the eufy C220. Whatever you choose, check the current price on Amazon this week, since smart lock deals during Prime Big Deal Days can change by the hour.
