Affiliate Disclosure
Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. We do not buy, install, or physically handle the cameras we cover; our rankings come from aggregated owner reviews, ratings and expert consensus. Commissions never change our verdicts. How we rank · full disclosure.
Short version: a smart lock replaces or retrofits your deadbolt with keypad, fingerprint or app-based entry, removing the need for a physical key while adding remote access, guest codes and activity logs. Most buyers should start with a keypad-equipped deadbolt from an established brand — it is the most universally reliable entry method, and nearly every well-reviewed lock includes one as a fallback even when fingerprint or app entry is the headline feature.
How we work: we do not buy, install or physically handle these locks. Every ranking here comes from aggregated owner reviews, star ratings weighted by review volume, and expert consensus. Method on how we rank; funding on our affiliate disclosure. Ready for models? Go to best smart lock for the full ranked field.
Top 3 Recommended Smart Locks
The Schlage Encode carries the deepest review base of any smart lock tracked on this site, backed by one of the highest ratings we track. Built-in WiFi means remote lock/unlock and activity monitoring with no separate bridge accessory required, unlike many Bluetooth-only rivals. It supports keypad entry with up to 100 codes plus auto-lock and auto-unlock. Owners consistently rate the built-in WiFi as the reason they chose it over cheaper Bluetooth-only alternatives.
Why You Should Get This
If you want built-in WiFi with no extra hub purchase, backed by the deepest review base in the category, this is the default starting point.
Benefits
- Built-in WiFi, no separate bridge required.
- Deepest review base of any smart lock tracked on this site.
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock included.
Pros and Cons
- No bridge accessory needed for remote access.
- Up to 100 keypad codes.
- Largest, most trustworthy review base.
- Higher price than budget keypad-only deadbolts.
- WiFi connection draws more battery than Bluetooth-only locks.
- No fingerprint entry option.
Features
- Built-in WiFi.
- Keypad entry, up to 100 codes.
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock.
The TEEHO TE001 holds the highest star rating of any lock tracked on this hub, from a genuinely simple ANSI-graded keypad deadbolt with no app, WiFi or subscription involved. A backlit keypad makes night entry easier without a phone. A deep base of verified owner ratings backs a rating well above several smart-home-connected competitors. It is the pick for buyers who want reliable keyless entry without any of the connectivity complexity.
Why You Should Get This
If a code at the door is all you actually want, with no app to configure and no WiFi to troubleshoot, this is the highest-rated way to get it.
Benefits
- Highest star rating of any lock tracked on this hub.
- No app, WiFi or subscription required at all.
- Backlit keypad for reliable night entry.
Pros and Cons
- Simplest, most reliable entry method in this comparison.
- Fraction of the price of WiFi-connected locks.
- No connectivity to troubleshoot.
- No remote access or activity log.
- No fingerprint or app entry option.
- Codes must be set at the lock itself, not remotely.
Features
- ANSI Grade keypad deadbolt.
- Backlit keypad.
- No app or subscription required.
The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE adds Matter over Thread compatibility to WiFi and app remote access, making it the pick for buyers already running a broader Matter-based smart-home setup. It includes keypad entry and holds a deep base of verified owner ratings at a solid rating. Owners consistently value the wider ecosystem compatibility over single-app-only competitors. It sits mid-price between the simplest keypad deadbolts and premium WiFi-native locks.
Why You Should Get This
If your smart home already runs on Matter or Thread and you want a lock that plugs into that same ecosystem, this is the natural fit.
Benefits
- Matter over Thread compatibility for broader smart-home integration.
- App remote access included.
- Strong review base for a newer connectivity standard.
Pros and Cons
- Matter/Thread support future-proofs the ecosystem choice.
- App remote access.
- Solid mid-tier pricing.
- Smaller review base than Schlage Encode.
- No fingerprint entry.
- Matter/Thread setup adds complexity for non-technical buyers.
Features
- Matter over Thread compatibility.
- App remote access.
- Keypad entry.
Keypad, Fingerprint or App: Choosing an Entry Method
A keypad is the most universally reliable method — no phone, no biometric sensor, just a code, and it’s the fallback built into almost every lock on this hub regardless of its headline feature. Fingerprint adds genuine convenience for the primary household but is worth pairing with a keypad backup, since sensors can misread wet, dirty or injured fingers. App-only control (via Bluetooth or WiFi) is the most convenient for remote access and guest codes but should not be your only entry method — a dead phone battery locks you out entirely without a physical backup.
WiFi vs Bluetooth vs Z-Wave/Matter
Built-in WiFi gives you remote lock/unlock and status checks from anywhere with no extra hardware, at the cost of higher battery draw than Bluetooth-only models. Bluetooth-only locks work reliably at the door and often cost less, but need a separate bridge accessory for remote access. Z-Wave and Matter locks integrate into a broader smart-home hub (SmartThings, Home Assistant, Apple Home) rather than connecting directly to your phone, which suits buyers already running one of those ecosystems.
More Smart Locks Worth Knowing About
Best for a second-door lock with simple touchpad entry to match a smart front door.
Best for fingerprint entry on a back or side door.
Best for a budget-friendly fingerprint deadbolt with auto-lock.
How We Rank
Every product ranked on this hub is scored the same way the rest of the site is: aggregated owner star ratings weighted by review volume, recurring themes in negative reviews, and specification differences owners raise unprompted. We never buy, install or physically test these locks, and every star rating and review count comes from licensed Amazon data. Full method on how we rank.
More Options
Best for a premium touchscreen deadbolt with broad smart-home module compatibility.
Best for a household already running Google Home wanting tight native integration.
Best for a matching keypad-only deadbolt for a second door at low cost.
Looking for a Video Doorbell Instead?
A smart lock controls who gets through the door; a video doorbell shows you who’s there before they knock. The two pair well together but are different products — see the video doorbells hub if you’re after a camera rather than a lock.