We also run through the wireless setup process to see how difficult it is to connect the locks to a smartphone and other smart home devices, such as smart speakers and displays.įor more on our tests and what to consider as you shop, see our door lock buying guide. Our testers factor these features into our ratings for ease of remote access, convenience, and security add-ons. The models that fail-at least half do-go through another round, this time with a reinforced box strike plate (a basic DIY upgrade that improves security) installed on a new lock sample.įor smart locks, we investigate features such as smartphone alerts, remote locking and unlocking, geofencing (the ability to automatically lock or unlock the door based on your phone’s location), voice and smart home app control (via Amazon Alexa, Apple Home/Siri, Google Home/Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings), shareable electronic keys, access logs of who comes and goes, and tamper alarms. They repeat the test with the ram raised to increasing heights, up to eight times or until the lock fails. To evaluate both smart and conventional locks, CR engineers conduct kick-in tests using a custom-built jig that swings a 100-pound steel battering ram against a locked door. Also see my hands-on review of the Yale Assure Lock 2. The app provides an access log that shows who comes and goes, and lets you create and share electronic keys and PIN codes. You can also receive alerts if the door is unlocked or left ajar. It adds WiFi connectivity, along with several additional features, including remote control via the Yale Access app and integrations with voice assistants and smart home apps (Amazon Alexa, Google Home/Assistant, and Samsung SmartThings). The module looks like a memory card or game cartridge and plugs into a slot in the back of the lock. Out of the box, this lock works with Apple Home/Siri and offers Bluetooth connectivity, but it also comes with the Yale WiFi Smart Module and DoorSense door open/close sensor, worth $80, for no extra charge. It’s also very easy to set up, connect to WiFi, and control remotely when you’re not home. This keyless model performs well in our tests, holding up well against kick-ins and attacks from a cordless drill. The remaining options are WiFi-capable smart locks, fingerprint locks, and smart locks that support the Apple Home Key feature.Īs its name suggests, the Yale Assure Lock 2 is the successor to the Yale Assure Lock SL, listed above. Since they don’t connect to the internet, you can’t control and monitor the lock when you’re away from home. Another two picks are Bluetooth-only smart locks, meaning they don’t come with a WiFi adapter (one model offers an adapter sold separately). Because the exterior part of your deadbolt will remain, you can still use your physical keys but also lock and unlock the door from a smartphone app. Two of our picks are retrofit smart locks, which only replace the part of the lock that’s on the interior side of your door. The list includes models from August, Bosma, Eufy, Kwikset, Schlage, and Yale. “Depending on the model, you can view the status of your lock from anywhere and track who opens your door and when.”īelow you’ll find the 10 best smart locks from our tests, listed alphabetically and split into five categories. “Smart locks can add an invaluable level of peace of mind,” says Misha Kollontai, CR’s test engineer for door locks. It’s a combination of hardware and software that third-party lock makers can leverage, so you can unlock your door with just a tap from an iPhone or Apple Watch. In addition, Apple has now indirectly entered the smart lock market with the creation of its Apple Home Key system. There are even some models with built-in fingerprint scanners, allowing you to unlock your door with the tap of a finger. Either way, you can create, revoke, delete, and limit access to certain time periods with a few swipes on your smartphone. Instead, many smart locks have keypads for PINs and/or electronic keys, where the “key” lives in an app on your smartphone and communicates with your lock wirelessly. conventional deadbolts is that you never have to carry a physical key. One huge advantage that you get with smart locks vs.
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