Last Updated: May 2026 | Reading time: 8 min
The best smart lock for most people is the August Smart Lock Pro — it installs in about 10 minutes over your existing deadbolt interior, requires no rewiring, and your original keys still work. It adds app control, auto-lock, and smart home integration without changing anything visible from outside. For the most advanced hands-free experience, the Aqara Smart Lock U400 is the 2026 standout: the first US smart lock with UWB, which unlocks your door automatically as you approach.
Quick Picks
| Lock | Best For | Hub Required | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| August Smart Lock Pro | Best overall retrofit | Yes (included) | ~$150 |
| Aqara Smart Lock U400 | UWB / hands-free | No | ~$230 |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Design + HomeKit | No (WiFi built-in) | ~$180 |
| Schlage Encode Plus | Grade 1 security + WiFi | No | ~$230 |
| Kwikset Halo Touch | Fingerprint | No | ~$160 |
| Eufy Smart Lock S230 | Budget WiFi | No | ~$130 |
Best Overall: August Smart Lock Pro
Price: ~$150 | Hub: August Connect WiFi included | Installation: 10 min
The August Smart Lock Pro is the least disruptive way to add smart lock capabilities to any home. It installs on the interior side of your existing deadbolt — the exterior knob or handleset stays unchanged. Your original keys still work. From outside, nothing has changed.
- Interior-only retrofit — existing keys still work; exterior hardware unchanged
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock — locks when you leave, unlocks when you approach
- DoorSense — senses whether the door is actually closed before auto-locking
- Guest access via app — create and revoke access for housekeepers, family, Airbnb guests
- Works with everything — Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Ring
Best UWB / Hands-Free Entry: Aqara Smart Lock U400
Price: ~$230 | Hub: Aqara Hub M3 recommended | Installation: 30–45 min (full lockset replacement)
The Aqara U400 represents a genuine step forward in smart lock technology. UWB uses precise spatial positioning to detect your phone within centimeters — so the lock knows exactly when you’re at your door and unlocks automatically, without you taking anything out of your pocket. In early 2026, Aqara added Samsung Wallet Digital Home Key support, making the U400 the most interoperable digital key lock in the US market.
- UWB hands-free entry — door unlocks as you walk up; works with iPhone 11+ and recent Samsung Galaxy
- Samsung Wallet Digital Home Key — added 2026; works alongside Apple Wallet
- NFC + fingerprint + keypad + physical key — five unlock methods, so you’re never locked out
- Apple HomeKit native — set automations directly in the Home app
Best Design: Yale Assure Lock 2
Price: ~$180 | Installation: 20–30 min
Yale makes the best-looking smart locks on the market, and the Assure Lock 2 is their flagship in 2026. A large backlit keypad, no keyhole on the exterior, and finishes that actually match real door hardware. It supports Apple HomeKit natively — one of very few smart locks to do so without a bridge.
Best Built-In WiFi: Schlage Encode Plus
Price: ~$230 | Hub: None required | Installation: 30 min
The Schlage Encode Plus is the pick when physical security is your top priority. Schlage locks are ANSI Grade 1 certified — the highest residential security standard — with a hardened steel bolt and anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill protection built in. WiFi is built directly into the lock. No bridge, no hub, no extra hardware.
Best Fingerprint: Kwikset Halo Touch
Price: ~$160 | Hub: None required | Installation: 20 min
The Kwikset Halo Touch reads fingerprints in under one second and stores up to 100 prints locally in the lock. Built-in WiFi means you don’t need a hub, and the fingerprint unlock method is the one people actually want to use once they have it.
Buying Guide
Retrofit vs. Full Replacement? Retrofit locks (August-style) install over your existing interior thumbturn. Keeps existing keys. Great for renters. Full-replacement locks (Schlage, Yale, Aqara) are more secure but require more installation effort.
| Platform | Best Picks |
|---|---|
| Apple HomeKit | Aqara U400, Yale Assure Lock 2, Schlage Encode Plus |
| Amazon Alexa | August Pro, Schlage, Kwikset Halo Touch |
| Google Home | August Pro, Kwikset Halo Touch, Eufy S230 |
| SmartThings | August Pro, Yale, Schlage |
FAQ
What is the best smart lock in 2026? The August Smart Lock Pro is the best for most people — easy retrofit install, keeps existing keys, and works with every major smart home platform. For the most advanced technology, the Aqara Smart Lock U400’s UWB hands-free entry is the standout new feature in 2026.
Are smart locks secure? Yes — top smart locks like the Schlage Encode Plus carry the same ANSI Grade 1 physical security certification as traditional deadbolts. Smart locks don’t weaken the physical security of your door.
What happens if my smart lock battery dies? Most smart locks come with a backup entry method: a physical key override, a 9V battery contact on the exterior that powers an emergency unlock, or NFC via your phone. Most also send low-battery alerts via app well in advance.
Last updated: May 2026. SmartHomeSecured.com is reader-supported — we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate Disclosure