Buying guide
Smart Locks Buying Guide (2027)
How to choose a smart lock in 2027: security grades, unlock methods, batteries, and platform fit explained.
Start with the security grade
ANSI/BHMA grades measure physical attack resistance: Grade 1 survives the most force, Grade 2 is strong residential, Grade 3 is basic. A Grade 1 or 2 smart lock on a properly installed deadbolt with a long strike plate into the stud is the meaningful security baseline. Electronics do not compensate for a weak strike plate; the inexpensive reinforced strike upgrade matters more than any app feature.
Count your unlock methods
Every lock should offer at least three independent ways in: code, phone, and physical key is the gold standard. Fingerprint adds speed; HomeKey adds phone-dead resilience. Single-method locks create lockout risk: a keypad-only lock with dead batteries and no key override is a lockout waiting to happen. Redundancy is the feature.
Batteries: warnings matter more than life
All smart locks need new batteries periodically; what separates good from bad is the warning system. Demand multi-week low-battery alerts across app, sound, and LED, plus a 9V jump-start terminal or key override for the worst case. WiFi models drain faster than Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Zigbee models; hub users get meaningfully longer battery life.
Match your platform
Apple HomeKit with HomeKey, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings: pick the lock that speaks your system natively, because voice unlock, automations, and guest sharing all flow through the platform. Mixed-platform households should standardize on keypad codes as the universal method and treat phone features as bonuses.
Start with our top 3
The three highest-ranked products in our full smart locks ranking. Read the in-depth review where one exists, or jump to the product in the ranked list.
Schlage Encode Plus
Apple HomeKey plus WiFi, in a Grade 1 deadbolt.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 1
- Unlock methods: Apple HomeKey, keypad, key, app
Kwikset Halo Touch
Fingerprint unlock with WiFi, at a mid-range price.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
- Unlock methods: Fingerprint, keypad, key, app
Yale Assure Lock 2
The flexible keypad lock that fits every smart home.
- Security grade: ANSI/BHMA Grade 2
- Unlock methods: Keypad, key, app
Questions, answered
What door measurements do I need?
Backset (2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches), door thickness (standard 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches), and bore diameter (standard 2-1/8 inches). Measure before ordering; most returns in this category are fit issues, not product defects.
Can a smart lock work during a power outage?
Yes. Locks run on batteries, not house power, so they keep working. WiFi-dependent remote features fail if the router is down, but keypad, fingerprint, and key all work locally.
Should I replace all my locks or just one?
Start with the most-used entry, usually the front or garage door. Live with it for a month before standardizing; you will learn which unlock method your household actually uses.
Do smart locks work with existing keys?
Retrofit locks like August keep your existing key. Full replacements come with new keys and keyways; Kwikset SmartKey models let you re-key to match your other doors yourself.