Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices? I get it. Here’s a simple breakdown of how to find the perfect smart lock for your home.

I was standing in the hardware aisle, staring at a wall of door locks, and I felt completely lost. A few years ago, you just had to pick a color: brass or silver. Now? It’s a whole universe of smart home gadgets. If you’re thinking about upgrading your home’s security and convenience, you’ve probably found yourself wondering about the best smart locks and where to even begin. It just seems like there are a lot of options, right?

I get it. I recently went through this exact process for my own house, swapping out every single exterior lock. It felt like a huge project, but breaking it down made it so much easier. So, let’s grab a coffee and talk through it. This isn’t about finding the one “perfect” lock for everyone, but about finding the perfect one for you.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Smart Locks

Before you even look at specific brands, it helps to ask yourself a few simple questions about how you live. Your answers will narrow down the options fast.

• How do you want it to connect? This is the biggest differentiator. You’ll mainly see Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
  • Bluetooth locks connect directly to your phone when you’re nearby (usually within about 30 feet). They are amazing for battery life but won’t let you lock or unlock the door when you’re away from home unless you buy a separate Wi-Fi bridge or hub.
  • Wi-Fi locks connect directly to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This is awesome because you can check your door’s status, lock it, or unlock it from anywhere in the world. The tradeoff? It uses more power, so you’ll be changing batteries more often.
• Keep your keys or go all-in? Some smart locks are a full deadbolt replacement—you take the old one out and put the new one in. Others are “retrofit” models that only replace the interior thumb-turn, letting you keep your existing deadbolt and keys. The August Smart Lock is famous for this, and it’s a fantastic option for renters who can’t change the locks.

• How do you want to unlock it? The whole point is to not need a key, right? Most smart locks offer multiple ways in:

  • Your Smartphone: The most common method.
  • Keypad: Punch in a code. Super handy for guests or if your phone dies.
  • Fingerprint: Some newer models include a fingerprint scanner for super-fast access.
  • Voice Commands: “Hey Google, lock the front door.”
  • A Physical Key: Almost all smart locks still have a traditional keyway as a backup. Don’t worry, you won’t get locked out if the batteries die.

Key Features of the Best Smart Locks You’ll Actually Use

Once you have the basics figured out, you can look at the fun stuff. It’s easy to get drawn in by a long list of features, but these are the ones I’ve found genuinely useful.

1. Auto-Unlock: This is the magic. The lock uses your phone’s location (a feature called geofencing) to know when you’re getting close to home. By the time you reach the door, it unlocks automatically. Walking up with an armful of groceries and hearing that click is a genuinely great feeling.

2. Guest Access: This is probably my most-used feature. You can create temporary or recurring digital “keys” for anyone. I have one for my dog walker that only works on weekday afternoons and another for my parents that works anytime. No more hiding a key under the mat or worrying about who has a copy. You can see who comes and goes and delete their access with a tap.

3. Activity Feed & Notifications: Most smart lock apps have a log that shows you exactly when the door was locked or unlocked and by whom. It’s a simple feature, but it provides incredible peace of mind. You can even get notifications on your phone, so you know the moment your kids get home from school.

A Few Great Models to Get You Started

While I can’t tell you which lock is perfect for you, here are a few consistently well-regarded options to start your research with.

• August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: This is the king of retrofitting. It’s incredibly easy to install over your existing deadbolt, the app is fantastic, and it has all the core features you need.
• Schlage Encode Plus: A powerhouse of a lock. It’s a full replacement with a built-in keypad, Wi-Fi, and it supports Apple Home Key, which lets you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock the door. It’s known for being incredibly reliable.
• Wyze Lock: For those on a budget, Wyze offers a surprisingly solid and affordable option. It’s a retrofit model like August and covers all the basic smart features without the premium price tag. CNET has a great rundown of smart locks if you want to see a full comparison.

Ultimately, choosing the best smart locks for your home is about making your life a little bit easier and more secure. Don’t get bogged down in the tech specs. Think about your daily routine and which features would bring you the most convenience and peace of mind. For me, it was absolutely worth the upgrade.