A smart lock is judged on security first, then on how you get in — keypad, app, fingerprint, phone tap — and how hard it is to install. Our pick is the Yale Assure Lock 2, with an SR Score of 89, for the best mix of security, access options, and proven reliability. The Schlage Encode Plus (88) is the runner-up and the choice for Apple users wanting Grade 1 security with Home Key.
The ranking
| Rank | Lock | Best for | Price / access | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yale Assure Lock 2 | Best overall | ~$188 / keypad + app | 89 |
| 2 | Schlage Encode Plus | Apple Home Key + Grade 1 | ~$279 / keypad + Home Key | 88 |
| 3 | Aqara Smart Lock U200 | Best value + Matter | ~$229 / fingerprint + keypad | 87 |
| 4 | August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Easiest renter retrofit | ~$193 / app | 85 |
| 5 | Level Lock+ | Invisible retrofit | ~$329 / Home Key + app | 84 |
| 6 | Schlage Encode | Reliable keypad | ~$249 / keypad + Wi-Fi | 83 |
| 7 | Wyze Lock Bolt | Budget fingerprint | ~$90 / fingerprint + keypad | 80 |
Methodology
The Lock Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria:
- Security (30) — BHMA/ANSI grade, tamper resistance, encryption.
- Access methods (25) — keypad, app, fingerprint, Home Key, auto-unlock.
- Value for money (20) — price for the package.
- Installation (15) — retrofit vs. full replacement, ease.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — tester track record.
Security leads. Access is weighted heavily because daily convenience is why people buy a smart lock. Re-weight Installation up and the retrofit August and Level climb for renters.
Yale Assure Lock 2
The best overall, around $188. A reliable keyless deadbolt with a touchscreen keypad, app control, and module options for Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or Apple Home Key — the most balanced pick here.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 26/30 |
| Access methods | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 17/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: Wi-Fi and Home Key need add-on modules rather than being built in to every version.
Schlage Encode Plus
The Apple and security pick, around $279. BHMA Grade 1 commercial-grade security with built-in Wi-Fi and Apple Home Key, so you tap an iPhone or Watch to unlock.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 29/30 |
| Access methods | 23/25 |
| Value for money | 14/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the priciest mainstream lock, and Home Key is most useful inside Apple’s ecosystem.
Aqara Smart Lock U200
The value-and-Matter pick, around $229. A retrofit-capable lock with a fingerprint reader, keypad, USB-C rechargeable battery, and Matter support so it works across Apple, Google, and Amazon.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 25/30 |
| Access methods | 24/25 |
| Value for money | 18/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: a newer brand in the US with a shorter reliability record than Yale or Schlage.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
The renter retrofit pick, around $193. It attaches to your existing interior deadbolt, keeping the exterior and your keys, and wins the easiest-install category with 10-15 minute setups.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 23/30 |
| Access methods | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 16/20 |
| Installation | 15/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: no built-in keypad, so guest access leans on the app or an add-on keypad.
Level Lock+
The invisible-retrofit pick, around $329. Its motor hides entirely inside the deadbolt, so the door looks unchanged, with Apple Home Key and app access.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 25/30 |
| Access methods | 21/25 |
| Value for money | 12/20 |
| Installation | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: the most expensive here, and the hidden-motor design has a smaller battery.
Schlage Encode
The reliable keypad pick, around $249. Built-in Wi-Fi and a sturdy touchscreen keypad with Schlage’s strong hardware reputation, minus the Plus model’s Home Key and Grade 1 rating.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 25/30 |
| Access methods | 20/25 |
| Value for money | 14/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: pricier than the Yale for fewer access options.
Wyze Lock Bolt
The budget pick, around $90. A keyless deadbolt with a fingerprint reader and keypad at the lowest price here, ideal for adding keyless entry cheaply.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Security | 21/30 |
| Access methods | 20/25 |
| Value for money | 19/20 |
| Installation | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 7/10 |
Trade-off: no built-in Wi-Fi for remote control without an add-on, and a less proven security record.
How to choose
Start with whether you own or rent. Owners who want the best balance should take the Yale Assure Lock 2; if you are deep in Apple and want top-grade security, the Schlage Encode Plus adds Home Key and a Grade 1 rating. Renters who cannot swap the deadbolt should retrofit with the August Wi-Fi or the invisible Level Lock+, both of which leap up the list when you re-weight the rubric toward Installation. Want fingerprint entry and cross-platform Matter without paying flagship money? The Aqara U200 is the value champion. On a tight budget, the Wyze Lock Bolt adds keyless entry cheaply. Decide rent-versus-own first, then access method, and the score follows.
Verification
- Yale Assure Lock 2 — ~$188, keypad + module options verified via Smart Lock Mfg and Tom’s Guide.
- Schlage Encode Plus — $279, BHMA Grade 1, Apple Home Key verified via Smart Home Explorer.
- Aqara Smart Lock U200 — $229, fingerprint, USB-C, Matter verified via Smart Home Explorer.
- August Wi-Fi / Level Lock+ / Schlage Encode — retrofit, pricing (~$193 / ~$329 / ~$249) verified via Smart Lock Mfg and Tom’s Guide.
- Wyze Lock Bolt — ~$90, fingerprint + keypad verified via Tom’s Guide.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best smart lock in 2026?
- The Yale Assure Lock 2 for most homeowners: the best combination of security, features, and reliability. For top-grade security and Apple Home Key, the Schlage Encode Plus; for renters who can't change the deadbolt, the August Wi-Fi retrofit.
- Can renters use a smart lock?
- Yes. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and Level Lock attach to your existing interior deadbolt, so the exterior hardware and key stay the same — usually a 10-15 minute install and fully reversible when you move out.
- Are smart locks secure?
- The better ones are. Look for a BHMA/ANSI grade: the Schlage Encode Plus is Grade 1 (commercial-grade), the strongest here. Most break-ins target doors and frames, not the lock electronics, so a strong deadbolt still matters most.
- What is Apple Home Key and Matter?
- Home Key lets you unlock by tapping an iPhone or Apple Watch; the Schlage Encode Plus and Aqara U200 support it. Matter is a cross-platform smart-home standard so a lock works with Apple, Google, and Amazon alike — the Aqara U200 supports it.