Best Smart Lock for a Front Door
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best all around smart lock for a US front door because it pairs a Grade 2 residential security rating with built in Wi-Fi and Apple Home Key, so it needs no separate hub or subscription to unlock remotely. Most buyers compare app features and voice assistant support before checking whether their door even has a standard single cylinder deadbolt bore, and that door and lock type check, not the app, is what actually decides whether a given smart lock will fit.
Quick answer
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best overall front door smart lock, combining built in Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key and Grade 2 security without a hub or subscription. Renters or anyone who cannot swap exterior hardware should choose the SwitchBot Lock instead, since it retrofits over an existing thumb turn deadbolt.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Cross-checked manufacturer-published specifications before writing any recommendation
- Verified US market availability and configuration for every model discussed
- Owner-feedback themes are summarized as feedback, never presented as our own hands-on testing
- No invented star ratings; see the visible Research Score criteria on this page
- Checked US electrical and Wi-Fi compatibility before recommending any smart device
- For this category we verify each lock's ANSI/BHMA grade rating, module or hub requirements, and battery type directly against the manufacturer's current spec sheet, since third party Amazon listings sometimes carry outdated connectivity details left over from a prior model generation.
Research updated September 2026.
What Matters Most for This Category
Physical fit is the first filter, not the app. Nearly every lock on this list is built for a standard US single cylinder deadbolt with a 2-1/8 inch cross bore and a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, and a lock that does not match that prep simply will not install. The second real tradeoff is connectivity architecture: some locks have Wi-Fi built directly into the deadbolt, while others rely on Bluetooth and require an added hub or bridge for remote access and voice control, which adds cost and another device to manage. Battery type and a working mechanical key or code backup matter for life safety reasons, since a dead battery should never turn into a lockout. Subscription requirements are a smaller factor here than with video doorbells, since none of the locks below require a paid plan for basic locking and unlocking.
| Model | Best for | Key specs | Research Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | Best overall | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2, 4 AA batteries | 96/100 |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Best for future proof connectivity | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2, 4 AA batteries | 92/100 |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) | Best for keeping existing exterior hardware | Retrofits over existing single cylinder deadbolt, 4 AA batteries | 89/100 |
| Kwikset Halo Touch | Best for fingerprint entry | ANSI/BHMA Grade 2, 4 AA batteries | 86/100 |
| Level Lock+ | Best for an invisible, minimalist install | Fits within the door edge, invisible from both sides, CR2 battery, rated by Level for up to a year of use | 83/100 |
| Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro | Best value with biometric and keypad entry | Fingerprint, keypad, Bluetooth app, physical key, 4 AA batteries | 79/100 |
| SwitchBot Lock | Best for renters | Retrofits over existing thumb turn deadbolt, no cylinder change, SwitchBot Hub Mini or Hub 2 needed for remote and voice control | 75/100 |
Schlage Encode Plus
Best OverallPros
- Built in Wi-Fi removes the need to buy or manage a separate hub for remote access
- Apple Home Key allows tap to unlock from an iPhone or Apple Watch
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 rating from an established residential lock brand
Cons
- Replaces the entire exterior deadbolt hardware rather than retrofitting over what is already installed
- Costs noticeably more than basic keypad only deadbolts
The Encode Plus is a full deadbolt replacement with Wi-Fi built directly into the lock, so it connects to a home network without a separate bridge. It supports Apple Home Key, letting an iPhone or Apple Watch unlock the door with an NFC tap, and it also works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung SmartThings.
Yale Assure Lock 2
Most FlexiblePros
- Wi-Fi, Z-Wave or Matter module can be swapped later without replacing the lock body
- Touchscreen and physical keypad versions are both available
- Auto lock and geofenced auto unlock reduce reliance on manual app control
Cons
- The Wi-Fi or Z-Wave module is sold separately, adding to the total purchase cost
- Keypad only versions without a key cylinder leave no mechanical backup if electronics fail
The Assure Lock 2 uses a modular design that accepts a separate Wi-Fi, Z-Wave or Matter module, so the connectivity method can be added or swapped without replacing the whole lock. It is sold in touchscreen and push button keypad versions, and supports auto lock and geofenced auto unlock.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Best RetrofitPros
- Keeps the existing exterior keyway, keys and door hardware completely unchanged
- DoorSense confirms the door is actually closed, not just that the deadbolt is extended
- Built in Wi-Fi eliminates the bridge accessory the previous generation required
Cons
- The interior unit wraps the whole escutcheon and can look bulky on slim interior trim
- PIN code entry requires buying the separate August Smart Keypad, it is not included
The 4th generation August mounts on the inside of an existing deadbolt and turns the same cylinder, so the exterior keyway, keys and door hardware stay exactly as they were. It has Wi-Fi built in, unlike the 3rd generation model that needed a separate August Connect bridge, and its DoorSense sensor confirms the door is fully latched, not just that the bolt has thrown.
Kwikset Halo Touch
Best BiometricPros
- Fingerprint recognition gives a fast backup entry method alongside the app and code
- SmartKey Security cylinder can be rekeyed by the owner without removing the lock
- Built in Wi-Fi needs no separate bridge for remote access
Cons
- Owner feedback threads note fingerprint reader accuracy can drop in cold or wet weather
- Costs more than single method Kwikset deadbolts that only offer a keypad
The Halo Touch adds a fingerprint reader alongside app and code entry, with built in Wi-Fi that skips the hub. It uses Kwikset's SmartKey Security cylinder, which lets an owner rekey the physical lock themselves without removing it from the door.
Level Lock+
Most DiscreetPros
- Fits inside the door edge so it is nearly invisible from outside and inside
- Apple Home Key NFC unlock is built in without an extra accessory
- Keeps the existing exterior keyway and keys, no new exterior hardware to install
Cons
- Remote access away from Bluetooth range requires buying the separate Level Connect Wi-Fi Bridge
- The slim profile has no built in keypad, so PIN code entry is not available on the lock itself
Level Lock+ fits entirely within the edge of the door, so from either side it looks almost like a standard deadbolt with no visible keypad or bulky faceplate. It supports Bluetooth and Apple Home Key over NFC out of the box, and keeps the existing exterior keyway and keys in place.
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro
Best ValuePros
- Bundles fingerprint, keypad and Bluetooth app control in one lock at a lower price point
- Includes physical keys as a mechanical backup entry method
- Auto lock engages the deadbolt automatically after a configurable delay
Cons
- Wi-Fi remote access requires purchasing the separate Ultraloq Wi-Fi Bridge
- Smaller installed base than Schlage, Yale or Kwikset means a shorter track record of long term app support
The U-Bolt Pro combines a fingerprint reader, keypad and Bluetooth app control in one deadbolt at a lower price than most Wi-Fi native competitors. It includes physical keys as a mechanical backup and offers an auto lock feature that engages the bolt after a set delay.
SwitchBot Lock
Best for RentersPros
- Installs over the existing deadbolt without replacing the cylinder or exterior hardware
- Can be removed and the original manual lock restored at move out
- One of the lowest cost options on this list that still offers app control
Cons
- Remote unlock and voice assistant control require buying a separate SwitchBot Hub
- Full featured setup with PIN entry means buying the lock, hub and keypad as separate purchases
SwitchBot Lock mounts over an existing thumb turn deadbolt without replacing the cylinder or any exterior hardware, so it can be removed and the original lock restored when moving out. Remote unlock and voice control need an added SwitchBot Hub Mini or Hub 2, and PIN code entry needs the separate SwitchBot Keypad accessory.
Who Should Avoid the Top Pick
The Schlage Encode Plus fully replaces the deadbolt hardware and requires standard single cylinder deadbolt door prep, so it will not help renters who are not allowed to swap exterior hardware or owners with a mortise or multi point door lock. Those buyers should look at the SwitchBot Lock or Level Lock+ instead, since both retain the existing exterior lock hardware.
Before You Buy
Measure your door's thickness, most smart deadbolts fit 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches, and confirm the backset, either 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches, and check that you have a standard single cylinder deadbolt bore rather than a mortise or multi point lock before buying. Check whether the model needs a separate Wi-Fi bridge or hub for remote access and factor that cost in, and confirm your home router broadcasts a 2.4GHz band if the lock has built in Wi-Fi.
FAQs
Does a smart lock need a monthly subscription to work?
No, the deadbolts covered here from Schlage, Yale, August, Kwikset, Level, Ultraloq and SwitchBot lock and unlock through their free apps without a required subscription, though some brands offer optional paid tiers for extended activity history.
What happens if the batteries die?
Every lock on this list keeps a mechanical backup, either a physical key cylinder or, on keypad only Yale Assure Lock 2 units, a temporary external 9V contact to power the keypad, so a dead battery alone should not lock you out.
Do I need a hub for remote access away from home?
Locks with built in Wi-Fi such as the Schlage Encode Plus, Yale Assure Lock 2 with its Wi-Fi module, August 4th Gen and Kwikset Halo Touch connect directly to your router, while Bluetooth first locks like Level Lock+, Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro and SwitchBot Lock need an added bridge or hub for remote unlock and voice control.
Should shoppers trust the spec sheet on an Amazon listing by itself?
Amazon listings can lag behind a manufacturer's current generation, so cross check the model number, ANSI/BHMA grade and connectivity details against the brand's own product page before buying.
How do I know if my front door will fit any smart lock?
Check for a standard single cylinder deadbolt with a round 2-1/8 inch cross bore and either a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, since that is the door prep nearly every US retrofit smart lock, including every model on this list, is designed around.
Our verdict
For most US homeowners replacing a standard front door deadbolt, the Schlage Encode Plus is the strongest choice because it combines a Grade 2 security rating, built in Wi-Fi and Apple Home Key support without requiring a separate hub or ongoing subscription. Renters and anyone who cannot alter their exterior door hardware should choose the SwitchBot Lock instead, since it retrofits over the existing thumb turn deadbolt and can be removed when they move out.