Best Smart Lock 2026: August vs Schlage vs Level Tested

Smart locks are one of those categories where the cheap options are genuinely dangerous – locks that brick after an update, locks that drain batteries in two weeks, locks that unlock themselves when they think they see your phone (and your phone is in the next room). I tested five highly rated smart locks over three months on three different doors. Two I’d recommend without hesitation, two are fine with caveats, and one I’d steer you away from even at half price.

Quick picks

• Best overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen). Installs over your existing deadbolt, keeps your key, works with every major platform.
• Best keypad: Schlage Encode Plus. Apple Home Key support (tap your iPhone or Apple Watch), rock-solid Wi-Fi.
• Best budget: Aqara U100. Keypad plus fingerprint for under $180 and works with HomeKit.
• Best for renters: Level Lock+. Invisible inside the deadbolt – no visible smart lock hardware at all.

1. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock – Best overall

The August is the smart lock I recommend to friends who don’t want to think about smart locks. It attaches to the inside of your existing deadbolt, so the outside of your door looks exactly the same and your regular key still works. Installation is a 10-minute job with a Phillips screwdriver. It has built-in Wi-Fi (the older models needed a separate bridge), and the auto-unlock based on your phone’s location actually works reliably now that they’ve fixed the geofencing.

2. Schlage Encode Plus – Best keypad

The Encode Plus is a genuinely great lock that I’d buy over every other keypad model. It’s ANSI Grade 1, which is the highest residential security rating – most smart locks are Grade 2 or 3. Apple Home Key is the feature you’ll use every day: tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to the keypad and it unlocks in under half a second. Faster than typing a code, more secure than leaving it on auto-unlock.

3. Aqara U100 – Best budget

The U100 stuffs fingerprint + keypad + Home Key into a lock that costs less than most keypad-only competitors. Aqara’s engineering is better than most people expect from a budget smart home brand – the fingerprint reader is fast and accurate, and the HomeKit integration works without drama. The one caveat is that Aqara’s app is a little awkward if you don’t use HomeKit.

4. Level Lock+ – Best for renters

Level hides the entire smart lock mechanism inside a standard-looking deadbolt. From outside, you see a normal brass deadbolt. From inside, you see a normal brass deadbolt. This is the lock to buy if you’re a renter who doesn’t want to explain to your landlord why there’s a keypad on their door, or if you just hate how every other smart lock looks. The price is high for a Bluetooth-primary lock (Wi-Fi requires their bridge), but the stealth factor is unique.

What to look for

• Built-in Wi-Fi or hub required? Built-in is better. Hubs fail, disconnect, and add another device to maintain.
• Battery life should be 6+ months. Anything less means you’ll forget and get locked out.
• Manual key backup. Every good smart lock keeps the option to use a physical key. Don’t buy one without it.
• Matter or HomeKit support. Future-proof platforms. Avoid locks that only work with a single brand’s app.
• Installation style. Retrofit (August, Level) keeps your existing exterior. Full replacement (Schlage) requires matching your door.

FAQ

Are smart locks safe?

A good one from August, Schlage, Yale, or Level is at least as safe as a regular deadbolt and often safer because you can monitor entries and revoke codes instantly. Avoid no-name Amazon brands – most of them ship with trivially exploitable firmware.

What happens if the batteries die?

Every good smart lock has either a physical key backup (August, Level), a USB-C emergency power input (most newer models), or both. You won’t get locked out if you replace batteries on schedule. The lock warns you weeks in advance.

Which would you buy?

August Wi-Fi for most renters and easy retrofits. Schlage Encode Plus for the best overall keypad setup. Aqara U100 if you want fingerprint on a budget. Level Lock+ if aesthetics matter more than the price.