Best Smart Deadbolts (2026)
Quick Verdict: A smart deadbolt replaces your whole deadbolt for the strongest combination of security and smarts. The Schlage Encode Plus is the best overall — ANSI Grade 1, Wi-Fi, and Apple Home Key. The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the best value, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is the most versatile, and the Kwikset Halo is a strong Wi-Fi touchscreen alternative.
| Award | Lock | Best For | Security / Connectivity | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Schlage Encode Plus | Highest security + Apple Home Key | ANSI Grade 1 / built-in Wi-Fi | Premium (around $279) |
| Best Value | Yale Assure Lock 2 | Configurable, broad ecosystem | BHMA Grade 2 / module of choice | Mid (around $188) |
| Most Versatile | Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro | Fingerprint + every method | ANSI Grade 1 / Bluetooth + bridge | Mid (around $140) |
| Best Wi-Fi Touchscreen | Kwikset Halo | Anti-peek touchscreen, no hub | BHMA certified / built-in Wi-Fi | Mid (around $180–$230) |
| Best Standard Wi-Fi | Schlage Encode (BE489) | Grade 1 without Apple Home Key | ANSI Grade 1 / built-in Wi-Fi | Mid (around $249) |
How We Picked Best Smart Deadbolts
A smart deadbolt swaps your entire deadbolt, so its security grade and bolt strength matter as much as its smart features. We prioritized published ANSI/BHMA grades, reliable connectivity, and sensible entry options. All specifications below come from manufacturer listings and published reviews.
Our selection criteria:
- Verified specifications — Every spec below is drawn from manufacturer listings and published expert reviews. We have not bench-tested these locks ourselves; we report documented figures and general reception honestly.
- Security grade — We note ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or Grade 2 certification where the manufacturer publishes it, and flag locks that carry no published grade.
- Connectivity and ecosystem — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Thread/Matter, and which voice and smart-home platforms each lock supports.
- Real trade-offs — No lock is perfect. We list documented weaknesses — battery drain, hub requirements, finish limits — so you can judge fit.
- Price transparency — We use “around” pricing from retailer listings. Smart-lock prices fluctuate; always confirm the live price at checkout.
Best Overall — Schlage Encode Plus
Best for: Buyers who want the highest security grade with modern connectivity and Apple Home Key.
The Schlage Encode Plus is an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 deadbolt — the top residential rating — with documented forced-entry resistance, a 250,000-cycle durability figure, and AES-128 encryption on its built-in Wi-Fi. It adds Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, supports up to 100 codes, and works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home. No separate bridge is needed. It is the strongest all-round smart deadbolt available.
As a deadbolt replacement, the Encode Plus lets you upgrade the bolt itself, not just bolt smarts onto whatever is already on the door — which is why it can claim a true Grade 1 rating where retrofit locks inherit the strength of your existing hardware. Built-in Wi-Fi means it works the moment it is installed, with no separate bridge, and the Apple Home Key support is a genuine daily convenience in an iPhone household. If your priority is the strongest combination of physical security and modern connectivity on a main door, this is the deadbolt to buy.
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 with documented forced-entry resistance
- Apple Home Key plus up to 100 codes
- Built-in Wi-Fi — no bridge required
- 3-year electronics warranty
- Premium price (around $279)
- AA batteries with Wi-Fi drain faster than Z-Wave
- Larger interior escutcheon than retrofit designs
Best Value — Yale Assure Lock 2
Best for: Buyers who want a configurable Grade 2 deadbolt with the radio of their choice.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 lets you choose keypad or no keypad, key or keyless, and Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or Matter modules — so you pay only for what you need. It is BHMA Grade 2, tested to 250,000 cycles, and works with every major platform. The Yale Access app handles code sharing and entry logs. It is the most flexible deadbolt at a fair price.
- Configurable keypad, key cylinder, and radio module
- BHMA Grade 2, 250,000-cycle tested
- Works with Alexa, Google, Apple Home, and SmartThings
- Clean design in multiple finishes
- Grade 2 rather than Grade 1
- The radio module can add to the base price
Most Versatile — Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro
Best for: Buyers who want a Grade 1 deadbolt with fingerprint and every other entry method.
The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is an ANSI Grade 1 deadbolt with a fingerprint reader (100 prints), 50 codes, app control, auto-unlock, and a mechanical key. It is IP65 weatherproof and rated from -22°F to 149°F, with battery life up to a year on the standard model. The optional Wi-Fi bridge adds remote control. For the money, no other deadbolt offers as many ways in.
- Grade 1 with fingerprint, code, app, auto-unlock, and key
- IP65 weatherproof; wide temperature range
- 100 fingerprints / 50 codes; up to a year of battery
- Excellent value at around $140
- Remote control requires the separate Wi-Fi bridge
- Bulky 8-AA interior body
- App less refined than Schlage or Yale
Best Wi-Fi Touchscreen — Kwikset Halo
Best for: Buyers who want a touchscreen Wi-Fi deadbolt with anti-peek security and no hub.
The Kwikset Halo is a Wi-Fi deadbolt that connects directly to your home router — no hub or bridge — for remote control through the Kwikset app and voice control with Alexa and Google. Its SecureScreen technology asks you to press random digits before your code to defeat fingerprint and smudge attacks on the touchscreen. It is BHMA certified to the highest grade performance standards Kwikset publishes.
- Built-in Wi-Fi — no hub or bridge needed
- SecureScreen anti-peek touchscreen
- Works with Alexa and Google
- Backlit touchscreen for night entry
- No Apple Home Key support
- Wi-Fi touchscreen drains batteries faster than keypad-only locks
- Larger exterior touchscreen panel
Best Standard Wi-Fi — Schlage Encode (BE489)
Best for: Buyers who want Grade 1 Schlage security and Wi-Fi without paying for Apple Home Key.
The standard Schlage Encode (model BE489) is the Encode Plus minus Apple Home Key. It keeps the ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 deadbolt, the backlit touchscreen, built-in Wi-Fi, up to 100 codes, and built-in alarm technology. Schlage rates it at up to six months of battery life on four AAs, with a limited lifetime mechanical warranty and 3-year electronics warranty. It is the value way into Schlage’s Grade 1 smart deadbolt line.
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 with a backlit touchscreen keypad
- Built-in Wi-Fi; up to 100 codes
- Built-in alarm technology for tamper detection
- Limited lifetime mechanical + 3-year electronics warranty
- No Apple Home Key (choose the Encode Plus if you need it)
- Wi-Fi battery life around six months
- Large exterior touchscreen escutcheon
Smart Deadbolt Buying Guide
ANSI/BHMA security grades
Grades run from 3 (basic) to 1 (highest). For a deadbolt on a main door, aim for Grade 1 (Schlage Encode line, Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro) or Grade 2 (Yale Assure Lock 2). The grade reflects forced-entry resistance and durability cycles.
Deadbolt replacement vs. retrofit
A smart deadbolt replaces the whole lock, letting you upgrade the bolt’s strength. Retrofit locks keep your existing bolt. If maximum security is the goal, a full Grade 1 deadbolt is the better path.
Connectivity options
Built-in Wi-Fi (Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo) needs no hub but drains batteries faster. Z-Wave and Matter modules (Yale) need a hub but last longer and integrate deeply with smart-home systems.
Entry methods
Decide your mix: a touchscreen or push-button keypad for codes, fingerprint for speed, app and Home Key for phones, and whether you want a physical key backup.
Battery life and alerts
Smart deadbolts use AA batteries (often four) or rechargeable packs. Look for low-battery alerts and check the rated life — Wi-Fi locks typically need fresh batteries every few to six months under regular use.
Smart Lock Features That Matter (Whatever You Buy)
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Thread and Matter
Every smart lock has to talk to your phone and, often, the wider internet. Bluetooth works only within about 30 feet, so a Bluetooth-only lock lets you skip a key at the door but cannot be controlled while you are away unless it is paired with a bridge. Built-in Wi-Fi (as on the Schlage Encode and Kwikset Halo) connects straight to your router for true remote control and alerts, at the cost of faster battery drain. Z-Wave joins a low-power mesh through a hub, trading the extra hub purchase for much longer battery life and deeper automation. Thread and Matter are the newer standards — locks like the Aqara U200 and Level Lock+ use them for fast, reliable local control that works across Apple, Google, Amazon, and SmartThings. Decide whether you truly need away-from-home control before paying the battery and complexity premium that Wi-Fi and Matter setups add.
Battery life and what drains it
Smart locks run on AA batteries, CR-cell coin batteries, or rechargeable packs. The radio is the biggest power draw: Wi-Fi locks may need fresh batteries every few to six months under regular use, while Bluetooth and Z-Wave locks commonly approach a year. Fingerprint readers, backlit touchscreens, and frequent auto-locking all shorten life. The practical lessons are to buy a lock with clear low-battery alerts, keep spares on hand, and — if a door sees heavy daily traffic or sits in a rental you visit rarely — favor a longer-lasting radio like Z-Wave or a Bluetooth lock with a bridge over a power-hungry standalone Wi-Fi model.
ANSI/BHMA security grades explained
Residential locks are graded by ANSI/BHMA from Grade 3 (basic) up to Grade 1 (highest). The grade reflects how much force and how many operating cycles a lock survives in standardized testing — a Grade 1 deadbolt like the Schlage Encode Plus is rated to withstand more forced-entry force and up to 250,000 cycles. For an exterior door, aim for Grade 1 or Grade 2. Remember that a retrofit lock inherits the mechanical strength of the deadbolt it sits on, so the quality of the underlying bolt matters as much as the smart electronics. A published grade is also a useful honesty signal: budget locks that omit any ANSI/BHMA rating may still be fine for a low-risk interior or secondary door, but they should not be your only defense on a main entrance.
How smart locks really fail — and how to avoid it
The headline fear with smart locks is remote hacking, but in practice that is rare against reputable brands that encrypt their wireless links with AES-128. The far more common problems are mundane: a weak or shared passcode, auto-lock left switched off so the door simply stays unlocked, dead batteries with no spares on hand, or a retrofit lock fitted to a misaligned deadbolt that then jams. Avoid these by choosing a unique code (never your street number or birth year), enabling auto-lock, keeping the right batteries in a drawer, and making sure your deadbolt throws smoothly by hand before you motorize it. Treat the smart features as convenience layered on top of a sound mechanical lock, not a replacement for one.
Voice assistants and smart-home integration
If you already use Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home, or Samsung SmartThings, check that your lock supports the right platform before buying. Most of the picks here work with Alexa and Google for voice status checks and locking by command — for security reasons, voice unlocking usually requires a spoken PIN. Apple Home support, and especially Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock (on the Schlage Encode Plus, Level Lock+, and Aqara locks), is the standout for iPhone households. The newer Matter standard is making cross-platform support less of a guessing game, since a Matter lock is designed to work across all the major ecosystems at once. The practical advice: pick the lock that natively supports the assistant your home already runs on, rather than buying a lock and hoping a bridge or workaround fills the gap later.
Installation and what to check on your door
Most smart locks install with a screwdriver in 20–30 minutes for a full deadbolt replacement, or about ten minutes for a retrofit that reuses your existing bolt. Before buying, confirm three things on your door: the backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the bolt hole, usually 2-3/8″ or 2-3/4″), the door thickness, and whether the existing bore hole is the standard 2-1/8″. Retrofit locks such as the August Wi-Fi and Level Lock+ are the safest choice for renters because they leave the exterior and the original key untouched and come off cleanly at move-out. If you are unsure your door meets the lock’s requirements, check the manufacturer’s compatibility guide before ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart deadbolt in 2026?
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best overall smart deadbolt: ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 security, built-in Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key, and up to 100 codes. The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the best value with its configurable design, and the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro is the most versatile thanks to fingerprint and six entry methods.
What ANSI grade should a smart deadbolt be?
For a main exterior door, choose Grade 1 (the highest residential rating) or Grade 2. The Schlage Encode line and Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro are Grade 1; the Yale Assure Lock 2 is Grade 2, tested to 250,000 cycles. Higher grades resist more force and last more cycles.
Do smart deadbolts need a hub?
Not always. Built-in Wi-Fi deadbolts like the Schlage Encode and Kwikset Halo connect directly to your router with no hub. Z-Wave and Matter-over-Thread versions of the Yale Assure Lock 2 do need a hub, but they trade that for longer battery life and deeper automation.
How long do smart deadbolt batteries last?
It depends on the radio. Schlage rates the Encode at up to six months on four AAs; Bluetooth and Z-Wave deadbolts often approach a year. Heavy daily use and Wi-Fi connectivity shorten battery life, so check the manufacturer’s rating for your configuration.
Can a smart deadbolt still be opened with a key?
Many can, if you choose a version with a key cylinder. The Schlage Encode line and Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro offer key backup; keyless versions (like the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch) rely on codes and battery instead. Pick based on whether you want a physical fallback.
Final Verdict
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best smart deadbolt of 2026 — Grade 1 security, built-in Wi-Fi, and Apple Home Key in one lock. If you don’t need Home Key, the standard Schlage Encode (BE489) delivers the same Grade 1 security for less.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the best value for its configurability and ecosystem reach, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro packs the most entry methods for around $140, and the Kwikset Halo is a fine hub-free Wi-Fi touchscreen alternative. Confirm live pricing before buying.
Last updated: June 2026
See our main guide: Best Smart Locks (2026). Related: Best Smart Locks for Your Front Door. Related: Best Keyless Door Locks. Related: Best Z-Wave Smart Locks.