"Best Smart Lock 2026: Yale, Schlage, and August Put to the Key Test"
A smart lock is the front-door upgrade that either feels like the future or like a liability. We mounted five on real doors, gave codes to family and a dog-walker, and tried to break our own habits. Here’s what survived daily life.
At a glance
- Best overall: Yale Assure Lock 2 — flexible, reliable, broad smart-home support
- Best retrofit: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock — keeps your existing keys and deadbolt
- Best for Amazon homes: Schlage Encode Plus — built-in Wi-Fi, solid build
What we tested
Five locks across two exterior doors, used by four adults and one dog-walker with a temporary code. We judged: install pain, app reliability, auto-lock accuracy, battery life, and what happens when Wi-Fi drops.
Yale Assure Lock 2
The Assure 2 is the most adaptable. It ships in modules so you pick Wi-Fi, HomeKit, or Z-Wave. The keypad is backlit and the auto-lock finally works without false “I’m still outside” trips.
Weakest point: you choose a radio module up front, so pick your ecosystem before buying.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August keeps your existing deadbolt and keys — a big deal for renters or shared doors. The auto-unlock as you approach is genuinely magical, and the built-in Wi-Fi means no bridge dongle.
Weakest point: it only replaces the inside thumbturn, so the outside still looks stock. If you want a keypad, buy the separate one.
Schlage Encode Plus
Schlage’s build quality is the best here — it feels like a tank. Built-in Wi-Fi and Matter-over-Thread support mean it talks to almost everything. The keypad is tactile and weatherproof.
Weakest point: the app is utilitarian, and it’s the priciest of the three.
Comparison
| Lock | Keeps old key | Built-in Wi-Fi | Ecosystem | Price class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Assure 2 | Optional module | Yes (module) | HomeKit, Alexa, Google | $$ |
| August Wi-Fi | Yes | Yes | Alexa, Google, HomeKit | $$ |
| Schlage Encode Plus | No | Yes | Alexa, Google, HomeKit | $$$ |
Who should buy which
- Yale if you want to choose your smart-home radio and a clean keypad.
- August if you rent or want to keep your physical key.
- Schlage if build quality and Matter support matter most.
FAQ
Are smart locks safe? The good ones use the same grade-2/1 deadbolt hardware as manual locks. The risk is convenience features, not the bolt. Use auto-lock and long codes.
What if the battery dies? Every model here has a 9V terminal or USB-C backup on the outside, and most warn you weeks ahead.
Can a contractor still get in? Yes — issue a temporary code and delete it after. That’s the real upgrade over hiding a key.
Verdict
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the one we kept on the front door: flexible, dependable, and the auto-lock finally behaves. August wins for renters; Schlage for anyone who wants tank-grade hardware.