Best Smart Locks Windows Central 2021

If you've ever forgotten your keys or found opening the door with full hands a hassle, then you should consider a smart lock, which is a Bluetooth-enabled device that replaces traditional locks and allows you to lock and unlock your door with the press of a button on your phone. Most of them also come with alternative ways to unlock your door, and some even automatically unlock when they detect your phone is in range. The market for smart locks is pretty competitive, but we feel that the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect is the best smart lock out there, as it offers a ton of features and versatility for a very fair price.

Best Overall: August Smart Lock Pro and Connect

The August Smart Lock Pro and Connect presents the ultimate balance between features, versatility, and price, making it our favorite choice.

When your phone is connected, the lock will automatically unlock the door whenever you are in-range, which is awesome if you're carrying in some heavy items. Alternatively, you can choose to use the lock's companion app to unlock the door yourself with a press of a button, and you can set up profiles for your family and friends so that they can use the lock.

The companion app includes an activity log that keeps track of every time the door is locked and unlocked, and the best part is, all of this can be done and viewed no matter how far away from your house you are. This is thanks to the Connect device that comes with the lock, which allows you to connect with your lock over the internet. On top of all that, you can choose to unlock the device with your voice, too. The voice feature is compatible with Apple, Google, and Alexa devices. As with all smart locks, you can choose to use your standard keys if needed.

Pros:

  • Convenient unlocking
  • Versatile voice control
  • Can control from anywhere
  • Can create profiles for others
  • 24/7 activity log

Cons:

  • No alternative mechanisms

Best Overall

August Smart Lock Pro and Connect

Jack of all trades

The August Smart Lock Pro and Connect is the ultimate balance between features, versatility, and price.

Best Elite Pick: Schlage Encode Smart

This pricey smart lock comes with all of the features that the August Smart Lock and Connect does, including the ability to interface with the lock over the internet, though it's worth highlighting that you can't use the voice system with Siri. In addition to that, it also comes with a keypad that can be used instead of the Bluetooth system, and you can create up to 100 different codes for yourself and your friends to use. The lock also has a built-in alarm system that will go off if someone tries to break it. It's a pricey option, but it's very worth it.

Pros:

  • Incredibly convenient unlocking
  • Keypad system
  • Can control from anywhere
  • Can create profiles for others
  • 24/7 activity log

Cons:

  • Very expensive
  • Can't work with Siri

Best Elite Pick

Schlage Encode Smart

Cream of the crop

Though very expensive, this lock's extensive capabilities are more than worth the the investment if you want something high-tier.

Best Spy-Resistant: Lockly Keyless Entry Lock

This clever smart lock uses a touchscreen that groups numbers into four different circles. Then, it changes the numbers around with each code entry, making it impossible for people to learn your code by watching what you press. On top of that, it has the same code distribution and Bluetooth capabilities that the Schlage Encode Smart does, though it's important to note that it does not have Wi-Fi compatibility. You also can't use your voice to unlock it like you can with some of the other options on this list.

Pros:

  • Random refresh prevents spying
  • Very convenient unlocking
  • Code entry system
  • Can create profiles for others
  • 24/7 activity log

Cons:

  • No voice compatibility
  • No Wi-Fi compatibility
  • A bit expensive

Best Spy-Resistant

Lockly Keyless Entry Lock

Great against onlookers

This smart lock offers a very nifty random refresh feature that makes it perfect for resistance against spies.

Best Camera Lock: Gate Labs Smart Lock

The Gate Labs Smart Lock works identically to the other keypad and code-based locks on the list, but with the added benefit of also having a motion-activated camera and an audio system that allows you to both see and communicate with whoever is outside your door. It also has Wi-Fi compatibility, which is always a big bonus. It may be expensive and it doesn't have voice control compatibility, but if you want the ability to see who's at the door without having to go to it, this is the lock for you.

Pros:

  • Very convenient unlocking
  • Keypad system
  • Can control from anywhere
  • Can create profiles for others
  • Camera/audio system

Cons:

  • No voice compatibility
  • Very expensive

Best Camera Lock

Gate Labs Smart Lock

Keep an eye on your front door

This smart lock comes with an audio/visual system that allows you to view and communicate with the people at your door.

Best Mid-Range Pick: August Smart Lock and Connect

This version of August's smart lock doesn't have any voice compatibility to speak of, but aside from that, it works exactly the same as the August Smart Lock Pro, and the Connect device allows you to use it with Wi-Fi and control the lock from anywhere. This makes it a very strong mid-range choice.

Pros:

  • Very convenient unlocking
  • Can control from anywhere
  • Can create profiles for others
  • 24/7 activity log
  • Fairly affordable

Cons:

  • No voice compatibility
  • No alternative mechanisms

Best Mid-Range Pick

August Smart Lock and Connect

Averagely awesome

Offering a solid amount of features for a good price, the August Smart Lock and Connect is an excellent mid-range pick.

Best Fingerprint Reader: Ultraloq UL3 Fingerprint Smart Lock

This smart lock comes with both a keypad and a fingerprint reader, and the latter comes in very handy if you want to quickly unlock your door but don't have your phone on hand. It also has some cool features with phones ⁠— you can knock on the screen of an iPhone to unlock the lock, and you can also shake an Android device to do it, too.

Pros:

  • Very convenient unlocking
  • Keypad and fingerprint reader
  • Can create profiles for others
  • 24/7 activity log
  • Fairly affordable

Cons:

  • No voice compatibility
  • No Wi-Fi compatibility

Best Fingerprint Reader

Ultraloq UL3 Fingerprint Smart Lock

Scan those fingers

Ultralog's smart lock offering allows you to unlock your door with your fingerprint, which can be useful in many situations.

Best Budget Pick: August Smart Lock

If you're looking to save money, we recommend buying the August Smart Lock as a standalone purchase. This version of it will lack both Wi-Fi and voice compatibility, but at this low of a price, getting a reliable and full-featured Bluetooth smart lock is a steal.

Pros:

  • Convenient unlocking
  • Can control from anywhere
  • Can create profiles for others
  • 24/7 activity log
  • Very affordable

Cons:

  • No Wi-Fi compatibility
  • No voice compatibility
  • No alternative mechanisms

Best Budget Pick

August Smart Lock

Save money while still winning

Though it lacks quite a few things, the August Smart Lock on its own is a very affordable smart lock.

Bottom line

Smart locks are a fantastic way to make locking and unlocking your door both easier and more convenient for you to do. Gone are the days of you worrying about lost keys or trying to get them out while you have an armful of produce; all you need with a smart lock is a Bluetooth-enabled phone. Many smart locks can be controlled from long-distance with internet and have alternative mechanisms, such as keypads, as well. They're generally pretty expensive, but the added convenience will be worth it for many people.

There's a ton of different smart locks out there, and each of the ones on this list has something different to offer that will surely appeal to someone out there. However, at the end of the day, we think that the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect takes the top spot as it offers an incredible blend of versatility and quality for a very good price. Unless you really care about having a keypad or fingerprint-reading mechanism, you're going to be completely satisfied with what the August Smart Lock Pro and Connect brings to the table.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Author:

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's relatively new to the writing scene, but he counters that lack of experience with a rock-solid work ethic and a desire to improve at every opportunity. You'll find him doing reviews, editorials, and general coverage on everything Xbox and PC. Follow him on Twitter.

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