Best smart locks 2021 | Android Central

Best
smart locks
Android Central
2021

Best overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

Unlike many of the other smart locks that you’ll find on the market, it isn’t immediately apparent when you have an August Wi-Fi Smart Lock installed on your front door. That’s because the device is installed inside your home, so there’s no indication of the smart lock from your front porch. The latest model is still a little bulky but is much smaller than previous generations.

One of the things that makes this particular lock so great is that buyers don’t need any additional bridges when using this device since it has its own built-in Wi-Fi. That means that buyers can lock and unlock the door anywhere as long as they have access to the August app and a good internet connection. You can also view the activity of any entry where an August smart lock is installed by checking the app. If you want, the app allows you to change the settings to automatically lock when you leave home or unlocks when you approach. Plus, it works beautifully with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and other smart home assistants.

In addition to being the best cheap smart lock, we like the August Smart Lock because no one can tell it’s a smart lock from a street view. It allows you to keep your handle and lock in place but adds a smart component that’s only visible from inside your home. It isn’t the most pleasant thing to look at from the inside, but you probably won’t be looking at it much.

One of the things that makes it so inexpensive is that it doesn’t have Wi-Fi built-in. Instead, it uses a Bluetooth connection to let your phone control it. If down the road you decide you want to control it with Wi-Fi or a voice assistant, you can purchase the August Connect hub separately.

August Smart Lock’s app also has an activity log so you can see who has been coming and going through your door. The DoorSense feature even allows you to check your phone and see if your door is shut or open. For additional convenience, you can make it so your door automatically unlocks when you approach your smartphone and locks when you walk away. It’s perfect for when you’re carrying home armloads of groceries. Despite being a high-tech device, this lock will only take you around 10 minutes to set up.

If you’re looking for a smart lock that offers a sleeker design, you’ll be interested in the Schlage Camelot Connect Smart Door Lock. It looks beautiful, and there are a couple of colors to match the look of your front door. This lock features a built-in alarm, and you can cycle through three different alert modes to let you know if there is any activity going on at your door. It also has an impressively long battery life and will alert you via a yellow light when it requires new batteries.

Open your door using a key or give out up to 30 access codes to your kids or guests so they can get in the house without a key. You’ll even be able to monitor who comes in and out of your home using the activity log. You will need a Z-Wave hub, like a Wink hub or a SmartThings hub to control your door via an app or by using a voice assistant like an Amazon Alexa device or Google Assistant. Buying both the lock and the hub makes this an especially expensive option.

If you’re looking for something that securely bolts your door shut without costing too much, then this is the smart lock to get. It features a keypad and a physical key slot so you can open it manually if necessary. You’ll need either a Zigbee or Z-Wave hub to control it via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, but this isn’t necessary if you simply want to use it as a keypad entry. If you prefer to keep your front door locked, enable the 30-second auto-lock.

It comes in three colors to match your door: Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze, and Polished Brass. If you want to make sure that it matches the color of your handles, you can upgrade to the Smart Lock Keypad + Handleset. Unfortunately, there isn’t a battery life indicator on the device, so you’ll need to pay attention and replace batteries as needed.

If you’re worried about people spying on you or guessing your code, then the Lockly Secure Pro can help you feel more secure. The screen houses three-button locations with different numbers inside them. Every time the device turns on, the numbers scramble around, so you have to pay more attention each time you enter your code. It also makes it a lot harder for anyone to mimic your code after watching you type it in. Additionally, this unit has a fingerprint reader on the right side to remember up to 99 fingerprints. This makes it a great lock not only for homes but for businesses as well.

The downside to the screen is that you cannot adjust the brightness, so it might be hard to see the buttons at certain times of the day. It comes with a Wi-Fi hub, so you don’t have to purchase one separately to get it to connect to your internet. There’s also a small kit inside the box that you can attach to your door, which notifies the app if the door is open. That way, you know for sure if your house is secure. This is a relatively expensive smart lock, but that’s not too surprising given the extra security features.

For those wanting to ditch the house keys altogether, the Yale Assure Lock SL – Key Free touchscreen smart lock is just the trick. It features a sleek design that will look good on any front door, and it’s easy to install. It comes in three colors to match your entry and handle. Since this lock uses DoorSense, you’ll be able to tell if your door is open or closed if you purchase the Connected by August version.

On that note, something significant to be aware of is that there are four different smart versions of this lock: one that uses Connected by August, one that works with Zigbee, another that’s compatible with HomeKit, and lastly, a version that connects with Z-Wave. Depending on which version you purchase, it will work with Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google Assistant, Xfinity Home, SmartThings, Wink, and even ADT. You’ll need to buy the version that uses the control options you like, be aware that the price changes depending on which version you purchase.

This Lockly smart lock works like something from a Mission Impossible movie. It’s a bit expensive compared to others, but it also includes several additional features. There are four ways to open the lock – via fingerprint, keycode, a physical key, or unlocking it with your smartphone. It employs a 3D fingerprint sensor, which ensures that the lock doesn’t respond to lifted prints. This is one of the most secure keypads since the numbers continuously change positions. This means that if someone was watching while you entered the access code, the buttons will move, and they won’t guess the code correctly. You get three attempts to enter the code before the keypad requires you to enter the correct code twice.

Owners can also give out access codes to friends and family, so they don’t need a physical key to open the door. You’ll also be able to monitor the unlock history to see if something strange has been going on with your door. Something we appreciate about this lock is the physical keypad disablement button. Simply slide it to the off position to prevent anyone from using the keypad. If you’re the kind of person that prefers to keep your front door locked at all times, then you’ll appreciate the auto-locking feature. Set it to lock anywhere between 5 seconds and 5 minutes after opening the door. Just be aware that the deadbolt will lock regardless of whether or not the door is open. It comes in three colors so you’ll be able to choose the look you like best for your home.

The Nest X Yale Lock is a pricey option, but it has many great features that make it a great purchase. Anyone whose home is decked out with Google smart devices will be able to lock, unlock, and check the status of this Yale lock simply by talking to Google Assistant. Remember that since this is a Nest device, it doesn’t work with Amazon Alexa. You can also use the Nest app to control the deadbolt from just about anywhere or come up with temporary access codes to give to family or friends.

Are you worried about security? If someone starts messing with your lock, you’ll get a notification on your phone letting you know that something is going on. On top of that, if you have the Nest Secure alarm system, you can connect it to this lock, making it so that it disarms the alarm whenever you unlock the lock. This keeps your home secure without making it inconvenient for you. You’ll find that this lock comes in three different colors, so you can find a look that fits your door: Oil-Rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel, and Polished Brass.