Best Smart Lock for Front Door (2026)

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) solves a problem that most smart locks ignore: what if you can't replace your deadbolt? August's retrofit design installs over your existing deadbolt's interior thumb turn in about 10 minutes — no tools beyond a screwdriver, no new holes, no landlord permission needed. Your existing keys still work from the outside. You're just adding smart functionality to the inside. For renters, condo owners, or anyone in a building with key control policies, this is the only sensible choice.

The 4th Gen model finally baked Wi-Fi directly into the lock, eliminating the separate Wi-Fi bridge that older August locks required. That's a meaningful improvement — one less device to power, one less point of failure. The August app is polished and feature-rich: auto-lock and auto-unlock (using your phone's location), guest access via the app, activity logs, and DoorSense, which tells you whether the door is actually closed and locked. Auto-unlock works surprisingly well — it detects when you're approaching home and unlocks as you reach the door, without you touching your phone.

Smart home integration is broad. August works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, and SmartThings. It doesn't support Matter natively, but the coverage across major platforms is solid enough that most people won't notice. The lock itself is compact and unobtrusive — it doesn't scream "smart lock" from the outside, which is a genuine security benefit since it doesn't advertise that your lock can be attacked digitally.

The trade-off is that there's no keypad. Entry is app-only or physical key — there's no code you can give to a guest who doesn't have a smartphone. If you need keypad access, August sells a separate keypad accessory, but that adds cost and complexity. Battery life is also shorter than the competition at around 3 months on 4 AA batteries, likely due to the integrated Wi-Fi radio running constantly. Keep a spare set of batteries on hand.

The Schlage Encode is the Encode Plus without Apple Home Key — and at ~$170, that $60 savings is real money. If you're not in the Apple ecosystem or simply don't care about NFC tap-to-unlock, the Encode delivers the same BHMA Grade 1 security, the same built-in Wi-Fi, and the same 100-code capacity as its pricier sibling. It's the most capable keyless entry door lock you can buy at this price point, and it's been on the market long enough that the firmware is rock-solid.

The keypad is the same capacitive touchscreen design — backlit, responsive, and durable. Schlage's build quality is genuinely best-in-class at this tier. The deadbolt throw is solid, the housing doesn't rattle, and the finish holds up to weather and daily abuse better than Yale or Kwikset equivalents. I've had an Encode on a south-facing door in direct sun for two years and it still looks and works like new.

The Schlage Home app gives you full remote access, activity logs, and code scheduling. Alexa integration works well for voice commands. The one platform gap is Google Home and Apple Home — the Encode supports neither natively. If you're a Google or Apple household, step up to the Encode Plus or look at the Yale below. But for Amazon Alexa users or anyone who just wants a reliable, no-fuss smart lock with a keypad, the Encode is the sweet spot.

Setup takes about 15 minutes and the instructions are clear. The lock runs on 4 AA batteries with roughly 6 months of life — same as the Encode Plus. One minor gripe: the app occasionally takes a few seconds to reflect status changes, which can be mildly annoying when you're checking remotely whether you remembered to lock up.

If your smart home is a patchwork of Alexa devices, Google Nest speakers, Apple HomePods, and a SmartThings hub, the Yale Assure Lock 2 is the only lock that plays nicely with all of them. It's Matter-certified, which means it works natively with every major smart home platform — Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, SmartThings, and any other Matter controller — without needing separate integrations or workarounds. For mixed-ecosystem households or anyone future-proofing their setup, that's a significant advantage.

The touchscreen keypad is clean and modern — a full capacitive display rather than individual buttons, which looks sharp but can be slightly harder to use with gloves or very cold fingers. Yale offers the Assure Lock 2 in multiple configurations: Wi-Fi only, Z-Wave, or Zigbee, so you can match it to your existing smart home infrastructure. The Wi-Fi version connects directly without a hub; the Z-Wave version integrates deeply with platforms like SmartThings or Hubitat for more advanced automations.

Security is solid — BHMA Grade 2, which is one step below the Schlage's Grade 1 but still well above the minimum for residential use. The lock supports up to 250 access codes, more than any other pick here, which makes it ideal for Airbnb hosts or anyone managing multiple users. The Yale Access app is clean and reliable, and the activity log is detailed enough to see exactly who entered and when.

The main trade-off versus the Schlage options is build feel. The Yale is lighter and the housing feels slightly less substantial — not flimsy, but noticeable if you're coming from a Schlage. Battery life is around 6 months on 4 AA batteries. At ~$180, it's priced competitively, and the Matter certification alone makes it worth the slight security rating compromise for smart home power users.

The Kwikset Halo Touch is the best fingerprint smart lock you can buy for a front door without spending north of $300. It stores up to 100 fingerprints, unlocks in under a second with a touch, and has a backup keypad for when fingers are wet, dirty, or you need to give access to someone without enrolling their print. Built-in Wi-Fi means no hub, and the Kwikset app handles remote access, activity logs, and code management. For families with kids who lose keys, or anyone who just wants the most frictionless entry experience possible, fingerprint unlock is genuinely transformative.

The fingerprint reader is capacitive and fast — I clocked it at about 0.5 seconds from touch to unlock in ideal conditions. It handles dry and slightly damp fingers well, though very wet hands (coming in from rain) can cause occasional misreads. Kwikset recommends enrolling each finger twice at slightly different angles, which improves reliability significantly. The keypad backup is a nice safety net, and the lock also ships with physical keys for emergencies.

Smart home integration covers Alexa and Google Home, which handles most households. Apple Home is notably absent, which is a real gap for iOS-heavy families. The Kwikset app is functional but less polished than Schlage's or Yale's — it gets the job done but feels a generation behind. The lock itself uses Kwikset's SmartKey security cylinder, which allows rekeying without a locksmith but is rated BHMA Grade 2, same as the Yale.

At ~$150, the Halo Touch is the most affordable pick on this list and the only one with fingerprint unlock. The trade-off is that it's the weakest on smart home integration breadth and app quality. If biometric entry is your priority and you're not deep in the Apple ecosystem, it's a strong buy. If you want the most secure or most integrated lock, look higher up the list.