Best of · Security
Best smart locks in 2026
Full replacements, retrofits, and the one we would put on a street-facing door.
Our pick: Yale Assure Lock 2 for most doors
Yale
Assure Lock 2 (Matter)
9.0$229+
Best primary-door lock if you can replace the hardware.
Pros
- • Solid bolt
- • Matter
- • Keypad options
Cons
- • Door prep must be standard
SwitchBot
Lock Ultra
8.4$149+
Best retrofit.
Pros
- • No cylinder swap
- • Thread
Cons
- • Visible interior
Level
Lock+
8.1$329
Best invisible look.
Pros
- • Clean hardware
- • Apple-friendly
Cons
- • Price
- • Install precision
A lock is not a gadget. If the motor fails you are not “rebooting a bulb.” These picks are the ones we would put on a door that faces a sidewalk.
Best overall: Yale Assure Lock 2
Replace the lock, get a real bolt, add Matter, and stop thinking about it. The keypad models are the ones to buy; Bluetooth-only trims are a different, worse product.
Best retrofit: SwitchBot Lock Ultra
Renters and historic doors. Read the full review for install alignment tips.
Best disappearing act: Level Lock+
When the interior aesthetic is the brief. Budget and door compatibility are the taxes.
Skip
Any lock that is Wi-Fi only with no Matter path, and any brand whose app requires an account to unlock from the driveway. That is not a smart lock. That is a subscription to your own house.
Questions we get
Are smart locks safe?
A good smart lock on a good door is safer than a cheap deadbolt you never remember to turn. Keep a physical key, use Thread or a wired hub, and disable unused cloud sharing.