If you can’t or don’t want to replace your deadbolt, use Wyze Lock, a deadbolt adapter with rugged, reliable hardware and a great app.
The Schlage Encode WiFi Lever for doors without deadbolts is a doorknob replacement lock with the same attractive features as our top picks.
Deadbolt replaceable smart lock
our picks
This easy-to-install, sharp-looking Schlage deadbolt works perfectly, is intuitive to use, and provides rugged security.
compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
Of the dozens of smart locks we’ve tested, Encode is one of the easiest to install and the most intuitive to use. Although it lacks some of the high-tech features found in other picks, such as a fingerprint reader or door status sensor, it’s a very sturdy commercial-grade lock with a built-in alarm and very easy operation. It is definitely the best choice for anyone who wants to have a reliable, predictable, and dependable guardian at the front door of their home.
If you need Apple Home compatibility, the more expensive Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt has the same functionality, with the addition of Apple’s Home Key, which you can tap on your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock Encode. I am.
runner-up
This fast, quiet, and super easy-to-use deadbolt replacement features a great fingerprint reader and compatibility with Apple Home Key.
compatibility: Apple Home and Home Key.Amazon Alexa and Google Home
The Aqara Smart Lock U100 is a deadbolt alternative with a keypad and the best fingerprint reader we’ve tested. It also has the quietest and fastest mechanism. The U100 is one of the first locks to support Apple Home Key, allowing you to unlock your door by holding your iPhone or Apple Watch or by tapping it against your face (we still prefer the fingerprint reader). The U100 does not have built-in Wi-Fi, so for remote access and notifications, use an Apple Home hub device (Apple TV, HomePod, or HomePod mini) when used with Apple HomeKit. need to do it. If you use the Aqara app, Alexa, or Google Home, use your network or Aqara hub.
This is also great
The best features of this compact, versatile, and quiet smart lock are its fast (but sometimes glitchy) fingerprint reader, and its rubber numeric keys are a hit with most people.
compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi is a versatile smart lock with a comfortable low-profile design and a fast, quiet mechanism. It has built-in Wi-Fi and can be unlocked with a numerical code, using an app, a physical keyway, and a fingerprint. A fingerprint scanner is recommended for unlocking, but it’s much more clunky than Aqara and may require regular troubleshooting. Raised number buttons are more predictable to use than poking at numbers on a keypad or touchscreen. No matter which method you use to trigger U-Bolt Pro WiFi, it will respond immediately. After extended testing, we encountered battery drain issues that affected some other users, which the company acknowledged (see below for important information).
deadbolt adapter smart lock
budget selection
Fast, quiet, and easy to install, this deadbolt adapter has a built-in sensor that detects when the door is ajar, and also includes a small plug-in Wi-Fi adapter.
compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
If you can’t (or simply don’t want to) replace the door locks in your rental property, the Wyze lock is a low-cost, yet full-featured model that easily connects to your existing deadbolt. Installation is easy as it comes with a small plug-in Wi-Fi adapter. In our long-term testing, Wyze Lock performed consistently well. You can unlock using a code instead of the app (or have auto-unlock turned on), especially when combined with the optional Wyze Lock keypad. Wyze Lock has several features not found in our other products, including a built-in door sensor that alerts you with a chime or smartphone notification when someone leaves the door open or ajar.
Lever handle type smart lock
our picks
A nearly identical model to our top pick, this keypad smart lock replaces the doorknob with an accessible lever handle rather than a deadbolt.
compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Home
For those who don’t have a deadbolt on their door, we recommend the Schlage Encode WiFi Lever smart lock. It’s a perfect replacement for doorknobs and levers, and like its siblings, it includes a keypad, physical keyway, and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote access via an app. Encode levers have physical lock and unlock buttons in a keypad-less housing, making them easier to use than other levers. By default, Encode auto-locks after opening (the period is configurable), but if you want to keep it unlocked in “passing through” mode, you can press the unlock button. If you want to lock and continue automatic locking, press the lock button.
