The best smart locks you can buy right now

A smart lock is an easy solution to some common problems. Locked yourself out? Need to let a friend in to water the plants? Your latchkey kid lost their key? Hands are full, and it's raining cats and dogs? A smart lock solves all of these problems and more. 

One of the best smart home upgrades you can make, a smart lock gives you remote control over access to your house from anywhere, plus easy, key-free ways to unlock and lock your door. Smart locks also remember everything that happened, so they can tell you when and sometimes who unlocked your door.

For most people, control and convenience are big enough selling points. However, smart locks also work nicely with other smart home devices, including video doorbells and smart lighting. My favorite way to integrate locks in my home is with an evening smart home routine, which locks the doors, dims the lights, and sets my thermostat to sleep mode. We have four exterior doors, so it saves me from walking around the house at night checking everything is secure.

Having a connected lock on your door is as secure, if not more so, than a standard lock. Most smart locks have the same security ratings as their non-smart counterparts (see FAQ for more details), and it's harder to physically pick a lock without a traditional keyway. Plus, any smart lock is more secure than leaving a spare key under a flowerpot.

I've been testing smart door locks for five years and have installed over two dozen for this guide. Here are my top picks for your front door; whether you want the best of the best, don't want to replace your existing lock, are on a budget, or want a smart lock that doesn't look like a smart lock, I've got the best options for every need.

Best smart lock overall

Yale Assure Lock 2$116$16028% off$116$116$16028% offThis sleek Bluetooth smart lock supports Apple Home and will auto-unlock as you approach your door. For an extra $80, an onboard Wi-Fi module adds out-of-home control and more smart home support. There are also versions with a fingerprint reader and Apple Home Key, but not both.$116 at Amazon$116 at The Home Depot$129 at Best Buy