The other electronic locks are “as is,” so an upgrade to smart technology requires the purchase of an entirely new lock. The Yale also offers the most customization. The Best Bike Lock for 2019: Reviews by Wirecutter. Using basic lockpicks, we were able to quickly unlock the Yale Assure Lock Touchscreen Deadbolt (YRD226) (a former alternative to our runner-up pick) and the Level Lock Touch (mentioned in The competition). Another issue is that in order for your lock to be “armed,” you need to lock it and then exit a ⅛-mile radius from your home. Only if you integrate with third-party platforms, No, and no API is available for third parties, Yes, if you choose to integrate with third-party platforms; customers may opt out of sharing data by emailing dataprivacy@allegion.com. What is HomeKit? Nov 11, 2020 - 5 Recommendations. An extremely similar model, the Yale Assure Lever (YRL256) Connected by August, works almost identically and fits single-hole doors that lack a deadbolt. There is no longer a need to give someone a key (that could be copied) or to hide one under the mat. It’s the one I’ve kept on my front door for long-term testing. A large proportion of today’s best smart door locks don’t necessitate the complete removal and replacement of all your existing hardware. Our pick, the Yale Assure SL Connected by August, is sleek and simple enough for most anyone. Our top pick, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro, is small and attractive, and can be used in … Programming the Yale lock is easy. Most smart locks can now trigger other smart devices as well as automated actions, such as turning lights on or off or changing the mode of a thermostat. Your front door lock is an unsung hero, quietly standing guard to keep thieves and rogues at bay. Here are the criteria: Security grade of 2 or higher: As a basic requirement, all of the locks we considered had an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) security grade of either 1 (the highest) or 2 (out of a possible 3). Is a username or password required to use this device? The Encode is smaller than its Schlage forebears (though not as small as the U-Bolt Pro), and it installs quickly. After 40 hours of research and interviews with locksmiths and security experts, the Schlage B60N deadbolt is the best door lock for most homes—it’s tough, secure, widely available, and universally recommended. The Yale has a sleek interface and easy programming, and is more customizable than the others we looked at. Recognition. The downside is that the keypad is difficult to use and it’s easy to miss a button, which in our testing forced us to start over with the code. If the batteries start to get low, the lock gives a number of warnings. If you have a recent Apple TV or an iPad, or an Apple HomePod smart speaker, you can set it up as a hub, which enables remote access to the lock and the ability to run automated actions. (To get the most out of the U-Bolt Pro, we highly recommend buying the $50 add-on Ultraloq Bridge, which allows for remote programming and control.) If you have a smart-home system that is entirely Nest-based, especially a Nest Hello doorbell, it’s a great option. Its tidy glass touchscreen keypad, the handsomest we’ve seen, wakes with a finger press, is second nature to operate for virtually anyone, and unlocks a door quickly and quietly. With those basic skills, we think the Encode is the best pick as a simple but smart gatekeeper for a vacation or rental property, especially as it’s the one lock we’ve tested that needs no explanation for anyone to figure out: Just enter your code, and it opens. For a detailed look at the way the companies we recommend manage and secure customer data, see Security, privacy, and smart locks. One extremely important note: Because the Assure Lock SL (YRD256) does not have a keyway, if the lock malfunctions for any reason, the door will be inaccessible and you could get locked out of your house. One especially important buying tip: If your door has a mortise lock, with the latch and bolt in an integrated unit, or a door handle and latch that are a single unit, none of the smart locks we reviewed will fit (we hope to test some soon). Their ability to add or delete multiple user codes comes close to a smart lock’s versatility, but using these doesn’t require any kind of connected device. The August Connect allows the lock to work wirelessly with other smart devices and platforms, though not as many as the August Smart Lock Pro. If these added features are appealing to you, we have a guide to smart locks. It functions almost identically but also has built-in Wi-Fi, which enables you to connect to it remotely without having to rely on a plug-in hub. Through the app you can track who locks and unlocks the door and when, based on which codes they use for entry. Fortunately, even limiting our search to models priced reasonably (under $200, approximately), we had multiple options from three established companies: Yale, Kwikset, and Schlage. The Best Smart Lock Deals This Week* August Smart Lock Pro + Connect, 3rd gen technology — $129.99 (List Price $229.99) Schlage Encode Wi-Fi Touch Screen Deadbolt … Our regimen included countless entrances and the experiences of a family of users (including two kids). We also installed several of the locks on a rig for longer-term testing. A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your lock from afar. Wirecutter is reader-supported. Learn more. The Eufy Secure Smart Lock Touch is a keypad lock with a built-in fingerprint reader. To our surprise, we were able to foil a few of these locks with both methods. The Best Smart Plugs and Power Strips for 2021. If you pop off to a neighbor’s house or the corner store, it won’t work, and you’ll need to consult your phone to open the door. The Yale has a very nice interface. Beyond this, the Kwikset models don’t have the versatility of the Yale lock. The Yale YRD256 Assure Lock SL has an excellent interface that makes it simple to use, program, and adjust feature settings. You don’t need to carry your keys anymore, whether you’re popping out for a quick run or you’re off to work for the day. Like the Yale lock, the programming is all done from the front keypad. You wake it with the press of three fingers or your palm, and then the keypad numbers appear. Our view is that, although there is no question that it is technically possible for any smart lock to be infiltrated electronically (and also mechanically), the real-world odds of a potential burglar using a sophisticated hack to enter your home, versus simply relying on the most popular manner of breaking into a door—by force, using something like a trusty crowbar—are vanishingly slim. If so, what data, and for what purpose (including location, tracking, marketing, or any other purpose)? Has a built-in alarm and 3 alert modes. We chose test models with a trigger or lock/unlock method that was quick, reliable, and quiet—and one that didn’t require directly using a smartphone app to lock or unlock the door, because we’ve found that, functionally, using a phone is no faster or barely more convenient than using a physical key. The best smart display for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The code doesn’t retract the deadbolt automatically, like on the Yale and most of the others. (Most smart locks, in contrast, use battery-friendly Bluetooth and then connect wirelessly to a plug-in adapter that allows them to connect to your Wi-Fi and accept remote control.). A Grade 2 lock is considered closer to residential level, with a bolt that is ⅝ inch thick and able to withstand five strikes of 75 pounds and 800,000 cycles. All of the locks have options for 2⅜ and 2¾ backsets, the standard dimensions for door locks. A tiny plug-in Wi-Fi adapter, which enables remote access and smartphone notifications, is included. One clever security feature lets you choose to press a string of random numbers before and after you enter your actual code, so that someone observing you won’t be able to see the code and memorize it (unless the observer can memorize long strings of numbers—in which case, use the fingerprint reader). He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. (Yale also sells a version with a built-in keyway, which we do not recommend—see How we tested for more details.) Creating new codes, whether at home or away, for arriving guests is wonderfully useful. The door mechanism also sounds suspiciously like the relatively aged Kwikset Kevo, which is to say it’s loud and a bit pokey. You can receive notifications whenever the door opens and closes, and keep tabs on who’s coming and going and when. Although we greatly prefer the feel of the keypads found on Schlage locks, the Yale Assure Lock SL’s other features, reliability, and overall aesthetics make it a far better buy for most people. August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect Hub - Zwave, HomeKit & Alexa Compatible - Silver. Installation of the Yale Assure Lock SL is an easy DIY task for most anyone who can hoist a screwdriver. In addition, when we tested it, the lack of remote access made it a nonstarter. If you’re a renter and you aren’t allowed to change your locks (or if you’re a homeowner who just doesn’t want to), the Wyze Lock is a low-cost yet full-featured option that connects easily to an existing deadbolt. The lock offers a wide array of customizations that others don’t have, such as volume control, language options, and a feature that automatically locks the door behind you. Of all the tested models, the Schlage BE365 is the least streamlined. Programming these is much more difficult than with both the Yale and the Schlage. Within the August app you can swipe through your August devices and see and control the lock status—a big red circle means locked, and green means unlocked. Does this device record and share location data? The Kwikset Halo Touch is a deadbolt replacement model with a modern-styled keyway and a fingerprint reader. A convenient alternative is an electronic lock: In the middle ground between traditional keyed locks and fully connected smart locks, these keyless locks open with a code entered on a touchscreen or a keypad. Yale recommends changing the lock’s battery once each year. You can also have the lock set off its internal chime if the door stays open for too long, which can be useful (or aggravating if you are the spouse of a writer and product reviewer and you just want to open the door to let in some fresh air, for crying out loud). Reputable manufacturer: With the security of your home at stake, we only considered locks from long-standing reputable lock manufacturers. A battery pressed against these can power the lock enough to enter a code and get inside. Technically, the U-Bolt Pro provides six methods of triggering the lock (including shaking your phone when you’re in front of it); however, the most useful and, we think, the most likely to be used are the fingerprint and door code methods. As such, we recommend this lock only if you have ready access to another entrance, such as a back door or a garage. That meant avoiding unknown brands with rudimentary websites and no apparent phone number. You can set up and manage almost all models in both categories by using a companion smartphone app, and some can integrate with smart-home platforms and controllers such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, or Samsung SmartThings; they might also allow you to control them through a third-party app that consolidates multiple smart devices into a single dashboard or interface. Even Leimer mentioned this to us: “It’s big and bulky and beefy looking.” The keyway is integrated into the thumb turn, creating a large protrusion out the front of the lock. We’ve been covering locks for years, including traditional keyed locks and smart locks. The included Connect adapter plugs into an electrical outlet and wirelessly pairs with the lock. The true distinctions emerged in firsthand tests, when we could look beyond the spec sheets and see what it would be like to live with these. Amazingly, the Wi-Fi doesn’t seem to especially tax the batteries, which in our tests lasted several months without fail. Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. We rarely missed a number or hit the wrong one, even while wearing leather work gloves. In short: It’s important to consider security, we do our best to recommend only products from companies that are responsible and competent, and the smart locks we recommend are as safe as or safer than their mechanical counterparts (which, for instance, can’t alert you when your front door is unlocked or opened). Also included is a plug-in Connect Wi-Fi bridge, which becomes the intermediary between the lock and your home’s internet network. If you live in a suburban or rural location, we think the risks are more of a personal judgment call. And although we appreciate its clever token system for letting owners create and share new PIN codes remotely without having the lock ever connect to the internet, that also means you can’t control it remotely or get notifications when the lock is triggered. July 23, 2019 [ad_1] Our testing pool after a few rounds of security testing. So I know we haven’t answered the original question “Are Smart Lock safe?” At least not directly. The August Smart Lock Pro is the most widely compatible smart lock we’ve ever tested, and August has consistently updated and improved its products over time. So, in a way, the Schlage is like a traditional deadbolt, but with an added keypad option. Once you’ve secured it to your door, you pair the lock to the Wyze app and then plug in and pair the included Wi-Fi adapter, which acts as the wireless go-between for your smartphone and lock when you aren’t within close proximity. It’s also the only lock in our test group with a built-in alarm, a soul-shattering shriek powerful enough to rouse the deceased—you can arm it to trigger if someone attempts to bust the lock or if the door is rammed. It doesn’t offer remote access, which isn’t essential; however, it has the largest internal housing we’ve ever seen and a similarly large external one, so we’d recommend looking for one of the many other smaller devices available. Unlike most smart locks, it has Wi-Fi built-in, so it connects directly to your home network (whereas most locks use Bluetooth to connect to a plug-in adapter that then connects to your Wi-Fi network). The Schlage was the only lock we tested with the highest security grade of 1, and it has a traditional keyway that can open the door, in case the battery dies or if that’s your preference. The smart locks we recommend are as safe as or safer than their mechanical counterparts (which, for instance, can’t alert you when your front door is unlocked or opened). With different codes for different people, you can know who’s coming and going in your house. While we think easily picked locks are indeed a security flaw—for which there exists a number of solutions that should have been employed by the manufacturer—we understand that our fingerprint hack is more of a parlor trick than a real-world concern, since it is all but impossible for a thief to replicate. Typically around $140, it’s more expensive than most, but it also offers much more convenience. If you prefer to have traditional key access to fall back on, you’ll need to go with another pick. These features trigger the lock based on your location (also known as geofencing), via some combination of Bluetooth, cellular signal, GPS, and Wi-Fi. This gives a little time if you’re bringing groceries or packages in from the car or if you have kids in tow that slowly wander in the house behind you like little lost ducklings. For some people, especially those who live in urban environments, the risk is just not worth taking, and so opting for another smart lock may be the best route. Here are the results for our smart lock picks. If you find these sounds distracting, they can be muted. The U-Bolt Pro is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but unlike the Assure Lock SL, it doesn’t work with Apple HomeKit or Samsung SmartThings. Wirecutter takes security and privacy issues seriously and, as much as possible, investigates how the companies whose products we recommend deal with customer data. It’s a keypad model that is completely keyless, and you can trigger the lock using a code or an app. WeGotServed.com Sleeker and more secure… with an extended range of third-party integrations.Terry Walsh. The Schlage has a higher security grade than the Yale, but it lacks a few features (like language options) and is also a little fussier to program. While they differ from one another in the keypad/touchscreen style and the backup option (one has the 9-volt terminals, two have the keyway), the guts and functions are all similar. This keypad smart lock allows for quick exit or entry without needing to carry keys (or even a smartphone). The package includes a small radio module that you physically insert in the Assure Lock SL during setup; the module allows the lock to integrate with Apple HomeKit, which includes voice control via Siri (HomeKit works only with Apple devices). Unlike our other picks, which have a keypad or fingerprint sensor (or both), the Wyze Lock requires that you use an app to unlock it, which for everyday use isn’t much more convenient than using a key (Wyze has introduced a wireless keypad, which we plan to test). It’s pretty, and the fingerprint reader works well, but you can’t readily share access to your home like you can with keypad models (you’d need to register a fingerprint for every visitor). Is a user's identifying data (email addresses, Wi-Fi logins) encrypted when stored in the cloud? Sharing access with other people is as simple as telling them a code of your choosing, which you can restrict or delete as necessary using the August app—no need to force guests to download an app or register for anything. This attractive smart lock is a product of Nest and Yale. However, if you have One Touch Unlock enabled, when you arrive home it recognizes your smartphone’s signal, and you can simply press the keypad to unlock the door—most of the time. The volume and auto-lock feature both have multiple settings, and the movement of the deadbolt is quieter and quicker than with others. The Wyze Lock offers some impressive features, including a built-in presence sensor that alerts you via a chime and a smartphone notification when you’ve left the door open or ajar. Another important note: Use the August app as instructed, not the Yale app, which a few readers have found to be problematic or even nonfunctional. It also offers wide compatibility with other smart-home devices. It still needs a manual turn to retract the bolt. A number of useful settings within the August app let you turn the button-press sound on and off, change the volume level, enable one-touch locking, and so on. After testing four of the newest standing desks, we recommend the Uplift V2-Commercial due to its wide height range, customizability, and excellent stability. With this lock, the keypad only unlocks the ability to use the deadbolt, it does not withdraw or extend the deadbolt itself—you still need to twist the thumb turn manually. In our testing over the past few years, we’ve had multiple instances when devices auto-unlocked when they shouldn’t have—both when we were home and away (the worst case was late at night when we were at home and in bed). Jon Chase is an editor leading smart-home coverage at Wirecutter. For most people, though, once they get used to the process, it becomes second nature. We noted how loud each lock was and how the buttons felt and responded to our fingers, with and without gloves on. This model has most of the same features as our top pick but is a replacement for a doorknob or lever handle instead of a deadbolt. It also has a security grade of 2, which still meets our requirements but is lower than the other Schlage. We’ve also added several models to The competition, and created a new Other locks we like section. Also available are useful security settings, such as timed lockouts based on too many incorrect attempted entries, a feature designed to thwart suspicious guessers. It’s helpful to keep the instructions nearby, but we used them less and less as time went on. OK! Programming is relatively simple—but with no voice prompts, the instructions are more necessary than with the Yale. The touchscreen buttons are easy to press, even with bulky gloves on. We would have much preferred the instructions in booklet form or even a separate little programming cheat-sheet card to tuck in the kitchen drawer. For this guide, we spoke with Greg Leimer, product manager for Schlage Residential Electronic Locks, and Jason Tu, product marketing manager in the hardware and home improvement division at Spectrum Brands, which makes the Kwikset, Baldwin, and Weiser lines. May 3, 2018 - Integrate your home with the best smart home gear the universe has to offer. The Best Smart Locks. Nov 11, 2020 - 5 Recommendations. We could ask Alexa if the door was locked or unlocked, and also have Alexa unlock it (to do so, you have to state aloud a custom PIN). We’ve installed locks, tested them, and even picked them to arrive at the best recommendations. The newer Secure Pro model is available for purchase with a wireless bridge, but at $300 it’s not a good value compared with our picks. *At the time of publishing, the price was $100. But still, a dead battery is a possibility if the warnings are ignored or if the lock is on a rarely used second home. It’s keyless convenience but stops short of device connectivity. The Lockly Secure Plus keypad lock (deadbolt version) is in many ways a great smart lock, but we found it to be oversized, and the quality of the plastic internal components is inferior compared with the metal ones of our top picks. The Schlage comes with a randomly generated programming code, which can be changed once the lock is set up. Pecking in your key code is simple, and the mechanism is among the quietest we’ve tested. Street Price: $60; Deal Price: $50 Available for just a shade under $50, the Roku Streaming Stick+ is a bargain at this price as it usually sits at $60 or more. The Best Smart Locks. This is a problem shared by every lock we’ve tested that has an auto-unlock feature, and we think it has a lot to do with the instability of wireless and GPS signals, which these locks rely on to detect when a device owner is in range. ... Wirecutter is a list of the best … Other models, specifically the Kwiksets, were much harder to program and included taking apart the interior portion of the lock to access a programming button and tiny switches. In the world of smart locks, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is the closest we’ve come to finding The One: It has lovely precision-made hardware, it offers multiple ways to get into your home quickly (including via fingerprint), it’s whisper quiet, and we think it’s just the right size and style to be at home on any door. The face of the U-Bolt Pro has durable but soft rubber number buttons that encircle a fingerprint reader in the center; the front face pulls down to reveal a hidden keyway, a nifty design move. If your door is a single-hole model—that is, with a doorknob or lever and no deadbolt—the Yale Assure Lever (YRL256) is the smart lock to get. These switches are so small, we used a toothpick to move them, and even that felt bulky. That convenience comes with a price, though, as smart locks cost considerably more than their non-smart counterparts. . For our tests we were able to control the lock by voice using Alexa and an Echo device, as well as using Siri via an iPhone, but we had issues getting Google Assistant to cooperate. Codes can be added or deleted at any time. At this writing I have four smart locks installed in my home, as well as three smart thermostats, five smart bulbs, five smart switches, two smart outlets, two smart smoke detectors, two smart water valves, a smart security system, a smart doorbell, two smart cameras, a smart noise detector, six smart speakers, and a smattering of sensors. The Vivint Smart Home security system is reliable and easy to use, but expensive and quirky unless you want the convenience of a pro install and maintenance. Note, too, that all startups begin in the same position and many go on to become established brands—August, founded in 2012, is one example. This grading is based on testing involving durability, security, and finish. At $140, the Yale is on the upper middle end of the price range. If you value such an ability, be sure to check a model’s compatibility with your existing (or intended) smart devices before buying. The capacitive keypad is nearly identical to those on previous picks from Schlage, the Sense and Connect, and we think it’s the most intuitive version to use, as the numbers have a textured surface and give ever so slightly as you press them. Smart locks expand this control to your phone or device. After seeing the finalists firsthand, ease of use proved to be a major factor in our ultimate decisions. For instance, the Wyze Lock is set to auto-lock a few seconds after you unlock and then open and shut the door, something we discovered after popping outside for a minute, hearing a whir, and then turning around to realize we were locked out of our house. A smart lock lets you go key-free and control your lock from afar. During installation it measures and confirms that you are within adequate range of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, an especially nice touch. It does not have the 9-volt terminals, like the Yale. We tested the Alfred DB1 and were largely impressed, especially with its touch-to-unlock mechanism, which worked well if not perfectly—several times we arrived home and touched the keypad, but the lock failed to unlock. This lock would greatly benefit from an included set of complete programming instructions, preferably separate from the installation instructions. (Yes, I learned this from experience—don’t bust my chops.) So while mechanical quality and proper installation of a lock are absolutely critical factors, our focus in testing continues to be on the experience of using these devices, most especially their consistency, reliability, and ease of use. One final not-small note of concern about the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is that the company that makes it, U-tec, is just a few years old, so unlike established brands such as Yale, Schlage, and Kwikset, it may not have the same ability to handle customer support, security testing, and software updates, among other things. A top name in locks for almost a century, Schlage successfully combines trusted security and the latest smart technology with this top-quality model. (Yale also makes a version of this model with a keyway, which we do not recommend—see How we tested for more details.). In most of these cases, to accommodate a new smart lock, you need to replace that integrated unit with a standalone doorknob or lever and possibly a deadbolt—and all that extra work and hardware may end up being cost-prohibitive. Locks are graded on their ability to withstand brute-force entry attempts based on criteria devised by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Wyze Lock currently integrates with Alexa, which enables you to lock the door using voice, and Google Assistant support is planned. Buy on Amazon. An individual plug is just $13, and the company's other smart home products have generally been very reliable. It also has a built-in sensor to detect when your door is ajar and includes a tiny plug-in Wi-Fi adapter. It is significantly larger because it contains a complete door-lever mechanism, but otherwise it worked wonderfully in our tests and was also noticeably quieter than typical smart locks we have tested in the past, emitting just a brief whir. This is not possible with the other locks. This is subjective, and the logo on the interior side is a little too noticeable for our tastes, but what can’t be disputed is that the exterior portion of the Yale has the lowest profile and the smallest footprint. Some models include a little magnet, which you install near the lock, to determine when the door is closed or open; that ensures you don’t lock the deadbolt when the door is left ajar, which is helpful. This feature is especially attractive for owners of rental properties. As with all other August devices, its usefulness is wholly dependent on its auto-unlock feature, which requires that you leave the vicinity of your home for several hundred feet before it can be triggered. The Wyze Lock isn’t a deadbolt replacement; instead it attaches to your existing keyway and all its smart bits are tucked into the internal housing, a slim metal unit with a thumb turn for engaging the deadbolt. Some can be installed inside the house to replace the deadbolt, for example, with an option to open either with your standard key still or the smartphone app. When you’re accessing the lock from outside, the glass touchscreen is dark by default. The ability to manage or even create new codes on the fly makes the lock especially suited to owners of vacation homes and short-term rental properties. The Lockly Vision is another smart lock that includes a built-in doorbell. The August Smart Lock Pro + Connect is the HomeKit smart lock pick in our guide to the best HomeKit-compatible devices. The deadbolt on the Schlage doesn’t automatically retract like it does on the Yale, so once the code is entered, it still needs to be turned and unlocked manually. To function, the Touch relies on proximity to your smartphone and a touch to its housing. After another round of testing, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is our new top pick; the Yale Assure Lock SL (YRD256) is now our runner-up. 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