Pecking in your key code is simple, and the mechanism is among the quietest we’ve tested. Based on our testing, the best smart lock overall is the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. For deadbolts, Grade 1 is the top ranking, reserved for a commercial-use lock with a 1-inch-thick latch bolt that’s able to take 10 strikes of 75 pounds and a million open/close cycles. And although we appreciate its clever token system for letting owners create and share new PIN codes remotely without having the lock ever connect to the internet, that also means you can’t control it remotely or get notifications when the lock is triggered. For something that may need to be referred to from time to time, folding and unfolding this gigantic sheet to get to the programming section is tedious. The hardware is easy to install, and in our testing it worked well—and unlike our previous budget pick, the August Smart Lock, it’s whisper quiet. This feature is especially attractive for owners of rental properties. Currently the Wyze Lock works with its companion app but can also pair with Amazon Alexa, which lets you use voice commands to lock the door; you can also use Alexa to unlock the door if you program a PIN code. This full-motion mount will let you extend your TV up to 15.2 inches from the wall. The Yale was also the most attractive among those we tested, taking up the smallest footprint and having the lowest profile. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. Using this test rig (rather than actual doors) allowed us to easily run tests side by side in a standardized setting, removing the variety of fit and operation issues common to exterior doors, many of which can affect any lock’s performance. The rounded edges and a stylish metallic trim add to the nice look. The Schlage comes with a randomly generated programming code, which can be changed once the lock is set up. Such security concerns are a particular source of contention for smart-home skeptics, who worry that allowing a door lock to be accessible over the internet makes it fundamentally vulnerable. The first type is an add-on device that replaces the interior thumb turn of your door’s existing deadbolt but not the deadbolt mechanism itself. Our pick, the Yale Assure SL Connected by August, is sleek and simple enough for most anyone. We tested it on an internal door for several months, and we love how quiet it is. It does not have the 9-volt terminals, like the Yale. If the Yale Assure is not available or if you’re not ready to go with a fully automated electronic lock, we like the Schlage BE365 Keypad Deadbolt. With those basic skills, we think the Encode is the best pick as a simple but smart gatekeeper for a vacation or rental property, especially as it’s the one lock we’ve tested that needs no explanation for anyone to figure out: Just enter your code, and it opens. Schlage’s Leimer explained the appeal of the manual lock: “A lot of people like the idea of knowing that their deadbolt actually locked because they turned the bolt themselves.” During testing we felt the nice satisfaction of manually engaging with the deadbolt. More recent testing has shown greatly improved accuracy, but overall we believe carte blanche geofence triggering is essentially risky, most especially for city dwellers who are more susceptible to an opportunistic thief (who may be in the vicinity when a door is mistakenly unlocked). Some can be installed inside the house to replace the deadbolt, for example, with an option to open either with your standard key still or the smartphone app. The Wyze Lock offers some impressive features, including a built-in presence sensor that alerts you via a chime and a smartphone notification when you’ve left the door open or ajar. Kwikset Premis Smart Lock. During installation it measures and confirms that you are within adequate range of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an especially nice touch. We also much prefer simply being able to press in our code rather than first waking the lock, inputting a code, and then having to hit the checkmark, which seems like a needless step. The ability to manage or even create new codes on the fly makes the lock especially suited to owners of vacation homes and short-term rental properties. The best smart thermostat overall, the Ecobee SmartThermostat looks and acts much like the Ecobee4, but with a few big improvements. So, for example, a code could be given to a contractor while work is going on, but once the job is done, the code can be deleted. Once you input your code correctly, pressing the checkmark causes the screen to flash, and with a gentle whir the lock activates. In the world of smart locks, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is the closest we’ve come to finding The One: It has lovely precision-made hardware, it offers multiple ways to get into your home quickly (including via fingerprint), it’s whisper quiet, and we think it’s just the right size and style to be at home on any door. Hacking Smart Locks. Last, the Yale has the most streamlined look of any lock we tested. Through the app you can track who locks and unlocks the door and when, based on which codes they use for entry. The touchscreen buttons are easy to press, even with bulky gloves on. Here are the most loved connected-home devices from the Wirecutter staff. The Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock (2nd Gen) is our top pick in our guide to the best smart lock. The Schlage models don’t have this feature at all, and the Kwikets can only be set to 30 seconds. If the batteries start to get low, the lock gives a number of warnings. This model has most of the same features as our top pick but is a replacement for a doorknob or lever handle instead of a deadbolt. We also wanted a model that had clear and easy-to-reference instructions. If you prefer to have traditional key access to fall back on, you’ll need to go with another pick. Inc.com Touch to open technology, beautiful designs that complement any hardware or architecture, and it's easy to use. The Kwikset Kevo is a previous pick but has become notably dated, and as some commenters have pointed out, it is seemingly unique among smart locks in that it isn’t compatible with a large variety of popular Android devices—you can render it incompatible if you buy a new phone. It is significantly larger because it contains a complete door-lever mechanism, but otherwise it worked wonderfully in our tests and was also noticeably quieter than typical smart locks we have tested in the past, emitting just a brief whir. Creating new codes, whether at home or away, for arriving guests is wonderfully useful. The Best Smart Locks. Our goal was to find a lock that offered the best balance of convenience, security, and useful smarts while requiring as little technical complexity, ongoing management, or troubleshooting as possible. So, in a way, the Schlage is like a traditional deadbolt, but with an added keypad option. Still, it remains our chief method of triggering the lock. Note, too, that all startups begin in the same position and many go on to become established brands—August, founded in 2012, is one example. With 2½-pound increments for the first 25 pounds (and 5 … In the plus column, they make entering and leaving your home far more convenient by freeing you from having to carry keys (and in some cases a smartphone, too). The Lockly Vision is another smart lock that includes a built-in doorbell. But still, a dead battery is a possibility if the warnings are ignored or if the lock is on a rarely used second home. We also like the DoorSense accessory, a small mountable magnet that tells the lock whether the door is open or closed so that the deadbolt doesn’t engage before the door is shut. Forget to unplug the iron this morning? Yale recommends changing the lock’s battery once each year. It’s made up of Hardened molybdenum that makes it more resistance to sawing and cutting compared to cheaper locks. The true distinctions emerged in firsthand tests, when we could look beyond the spec sheets and see what it would be like to live with these. It also offers wide compatibility with other smart-home devices. After seeing the finalists firsthand, ease of use proved to be a major factor in our ultimate decisions. We rarely missed a number or hit the wrong one, even while wearing leather work gloves. Unlike our runner-up, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro doesn’t integrate with many smart-home platforms, which some users may be interested in. That last point deserves special emphasis, as models we’ve dealt with in the past have suffered from some reliability issues. Like the popular August line of smart locks, the Wyze Lock is a conversion kit that adds smarts to traditional mechanical deadbolts. It’s noteworthy that while a handful of models consistently made reviewers’ short lists, no lock has been a consensus pick. The BE365 has a keyway, so there is a traditional backup if the battery dies (or the key can just be used like a normal lock). Our tests included the use of companion apps on both iOS and Android smartphones, though all long-term testing was performed using an iPhone 11. As with all other August devices, its usefulness is wholly dependent on its auto-unlock feature, which requires that you leave the vicinity of your home for several hundred feet before it can be triggered. It functions almost identically but also has built-in Wi-Fi, which enables you to connect to it remotely without having to rely on a plug-in hub. We have yet to meet a set-it-and-forget-it smart-home device. The process for scanning a fingerprint will be familiar to anyone who has done it with a smartphone: You repeatedly place, adjust, and reposition your finger over the scanner (you can store two fingerprints per user). It’s a very good lock, but simply not as good as other picks. If you pop off to a neighbor’s house or the corner store, it won’t work, and you’ll need to consult your phone to open the door. Is a username or password required to use this device? No; transport to the cloud is encrypted, and access to data is restricted to August-owned devices and requires 2FA, Yes; also, fingerprint images are encrypted and stored only on the device. After 40 hours of research and interviews with locksmiths and security experts, the Schlage B60N deadbolt is the best door lock for most homes—it’s tough, secure, widely available, and universally recommended. The Schlage Sense, a HomeKit-enabled model virtually identical to the Schlage Connect, is a previous pick. By Wirecutter | Earns commissions. In gaining its smaller internal housing, the Encode unfortunately shed compatibility with Apple HomeKit, though it can still integrate with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. To function, the Touch relies on proximity to your smartphone and a touch to its housing. (Most smart locks, in contrast, use battery-friendly Bluetooth and then connect wirelessly to a plug-in adapter that allows them to connect to your Wi-Fi and accept remote control.). Some models include a little magnet, which you install near the lock, to determine when the door is closed or open; that ensures you don’t lock the deadbolt when the door is left ajar, which is helpful. Is a user's identifying data (email addresses, Wi-Fi logins) encrypted when stored in the cloud? With these models you have an easier code-changing interface, and you can add or delete codes from anywhere via an app and monitor the use of the lock. The Yale YRD256 Assure Lock SL has an excellent interface that makes it simple to use, program, and adjust feature settings. If you want only a HomeKit keypad lock, it’s worth considering. Leave Your Keys Behind With the Best Smart Locks We spent more than three months researching all of the top-rated smart locks currently available and put 10 leading … Apr 28 2016 Our pick, the Yale Assure SL Connected by August, is sleek and simple enough for most anyone. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 Dumbbells adjust smoothly from 5 to 52½ pounds when you turn dials at either end of each weight. Our pick, the Yale Assure SL Connected by August, is sleek and simple enough for most anyone. You can give a babysitter, nanny, or house cleaner ongoing or last-minute access. Street Price: $60; Deal Price: $50 Available for just a shade under $50, the Roku Streaming Stick+ is a bargain at this price as it usually sits at $60 or more. The Assure combines the hardware-security chops of Yale with the smart-home finesse of August. ... By Wirecutter | Earns commissions. What makes the Wyze Lock a standout is its built-in proximity sensing, which indicates whether the door is properly shut or has been left open. If you only lock the door at night—or you’re the sort of person who leaves the house without forgetting anything, then drives off and returns only once that day—it might be a good option. To aid in our selection process, we consulted professional reviews from sites such as CNET, PCMag, Reviewed, and Tom’s Guide, as well as owner feedback on Amazon and other retailer sites. We also reach out to all the companies that produce our top picks and ask them to respond to an extensive questionnaire to confirm issues that we think should be of primary concern for any potential buyer. If so, what data, and for what purpose (including location, tracking, marketing, or any other purpose)? The companion app, which is very similar to the August one in terms of organization, walks you through the necessary steps and lets you manage users and codes in a straightforward way, without fuss or confusion. A unique feature of the Yale is that it can be upgraded to a smart lock with the installation of a small module on the inside portion of the lock (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, HomeKit, Z-Wave, or Z-Wave Plus, depending on your system and needs). 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