Best smart locks (2026)
Smart locks run on batteries, so a power outage doesn't stop them. What matters is what happens when those batteries run down: every lock here has a backup, either a physical key or, on the Lockly, a 9V jump terminal as well. This page compares them on grade, power, backup and connection. Specs are from the makers' pages, read on the date in each card's notes; we haven't used these ourselves.
By Tom Calder · Updated November 9, 2026 · 7 products, all price-tracked
Our picks
Photo: AmazonSchlage Encode Plus
iPhone households who want tap-to-unlock
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Renters: fits inside, keeps your key
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Photo: AmazonLockly Vision Elite
A lock and video doorbell in one
as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · Details
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.All 7 compared
| Lock | Batteries | If the batteries die | Connection | Security grade | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 AA (included), up to 6 months (Schlage) · Physical backup key included; low-battery warning · Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz); Apple Home Key · ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA iPhone households who want tap-to-unlock | 4 AA (included), up to 6 months (Schlage) | Physical backup key included; low-battery warning | Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz); Apple Home Key | ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA | $284.97 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Grade AAA, Wi-Fi built in with no hub, and Apple Home Key so an iPhone or Apple Watch opens it. It runs on four AA batteries, so a power outage doesn't stop the keypad, and there's a physical key if the batteries go flat. Best for iPhone households who want tap-to-unlock Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you're on Android: the Encode does the same without the Apple extras. | |||||
 4 AA (included), up to 6 months (Schlage) · Physical backup key included; low-battery warning · Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz); Alexa, Google · ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA A strong Wi-Fi deadbolt for Android or Alexa homes | 4 AA (included), up to 6 months (Schlage) | Physical backup key included; low-battery warning | Built-in Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz); Alexa, Google | ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA | $229.31 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The same Grade AAA body and built-in Wi-Fi as the Encode Plus, without Apple Home Key. A key cylinder stays as the backup. Best for A strong Wi-Fi deadbolt for Android or Alexa homes Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to unlock with an iPhone tap: get the Encode Plus. | |||||
 4 AA (included) · 2 physical keys; app low-battery alerts · Wi-Fi (no hub) + Matter over Thread · ANSI Grade AAA One lock that works with Apple, Google and Alexa | 4 AA (included) | 2 physical keys; app low-battery alerts | Wi-Fi (no hub) + Matter over Thread | ANSI Grade AAA | $209 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A Grade AAA touchscreen lock with Wi-Fi and Matter, so it joins Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa. Two physical keys come in the box. Best for One lock that works with Apple, Google and Alexa Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you only use one smart-home system and don't care about Matter: the Halo Keypad does the rest. | |||||
 4 AA (included) · Backup key included on keyed models · Bluetooth + Wi-Fi module (2.4 GHz); Yale Access app · ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 A slim push-button keypad that works with gloves | 4 AA (included) | Backup key included on keyed models | Bluetooth + Wi-Fi module (2.4 GHz); Yale Access app | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 | $150 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Yale says it plainly: the lock is battery powered so you still have access in a power outage, and the back-up key opens it if the batteries die. Grade 2, a step below the Schlage and Kwikset Grade AAA locks. Best for A slim push-button keypad that works with gloves Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want the highest residential grade: Schlage Encode and Kwikset Halo are Grade AAA. | |||||
 4 AA (included) · Key backup (SmartKey, 2 keys); low-battery warning · Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub · ANSI Grade AAA Push-button Grade AAA lock you can rekey yourself | 4 AA (included) | Key backup (SmartKey, 2 keys); low-battery warning | Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub | ANSI Grade AAA | $164 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched Grade AAA, built-in Wi-Fi with no hub and Kwikset's SmartKey, which lets you rekey the cylinder to match your other locks. Two keys come with it for when the batteries are low. Best for Push-button Grade AAA lock you can rekey yourself Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want Apple Home or Matter: the Halo Select has both. | |||||
2 CR123 (included), up to 3 months (August) · Your existing deadbolt key keeps working · Built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth; no bridge · Not stated (uses your existing deadbolt) Renters: fits inside, keeps your key | 2 CR123 (included), up to 3 months (August) | Your existing deadbolt key keeps working | Built-in Wi-Fi + Bluetooth; no bridge | Not stated (uses your existing deadbolt) | $199.95 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched It replaces only the inside thumb-turn, so the outside of your door and your keys stay as they are. That also means the key always works if the batteries run down. Battery life is up to 3 months. Best for Renters: fits inside, keeps your key Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want to stop carrying keys: a keypad deadbolt does that. | |||||
2 rechargeable batteries + solar panel; up to 13 months (Lockly) · 9V backup terminal + 2 physical keys · Bluetooth; Wi-Fi via included Connect Hub A lock and video doorbell in one | 2 rechargeable batteries + solar panel; up to 13 months (Lockly) | 9V backup terminal + 2 physical keys | Bluetooth; Wi-Fi via included Connect Hub | — | $349.99 at Amazon as of Nov 9, 2026, 11:40 AM ET · DetailsProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.In stockCheck price → |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A deadbolt with a camera, fingerprint reader and keypad, a solar strip to top up its rechargeable batteries, and both a 9V jump terminal and physical keys if the power runs out. No ANSI grade is stated. Best for A lock and video doorbell in one Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you already have a video doorbell: a plain keypad lock is simpler. | |||||
ⓘ As an Amazon Associate, PreparedStates earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Amazon prices come from Amazon's own product data and can change at any time.
Before you buy
Backup entry: all of these have a physical key (August keeps your existing key).
Lockly adds a 9V terminal to power the keypad from outside.
Grade: Schlage Encode and Kwikset Halo are ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA, Yale Assure Lock 2 is Grade 2.
August uses your existing deadbolt.
Batteries: most take 4 AA; Schlage says up to 6 months, August up to 3 months on CR123 cells, Lockly up to 13 months per charge on its rechargeable batteries, topped up by a solar strip.
Connection: built-in Wi-Fi needs no hub, though several need 2.4 GHz.
Matter (Kwikset Halo Select) works with Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa.
Fit: check your door thickness and backset against the maker's fit guide before you buy.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test. When two products are close, commission can decide which one we pick. A clearly better product always wins. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
What happens to a smart lock in a power outage?
Nothing changes at the door: these locks run on their own batteries. Yale says its lock is battery powered so you still have access in a power outage. Remote control through the app needs your Wi-Fi, so it stops until the internet is back.
What happens if the batteries die?
Use the physical key. Every lock here has one or keeps yours. The Lockly Vision Elite also has a 9V terminal that powers it from outside. Schlage and Kwikset also warn you when batteries are low.
Are smart locks as secure as regular deadbolts?
Look at the grade. The Schlage Encode models and Kwikset Halo locks are ANSI Grade AAA; the Yale Assure Lock 2 is Grade 2.
Can I fit a smart lock in a rental?
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock replaces only the inside thumb-turn and keeps your existing key, so the outside of the door doesn't change. Check your lease first.