Best Smart Locks for Front Doors
A front door smart lock has to do more than open with a phone. It needs to survive weather, keep working when the Wi-Fi drops, and still let family in without a key. This guide ranks seven real, currently sold smart locks by how well they fit a main entry door, based on manufacturer specifications, owner feedback themes, and comparison of features rather than hands-on lab testing.
Quick answer
The Schlage Encode Plus is the best overall pick for most front doors because it combines a real keyway, built-in Wi-Fi, and Apple home key support in a proven deadbolt design.
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 specifications against manufacturer documentation before publishing
- We prioritize locks with a physical key override and ANSI/BHMA deadbolt ratings, since a front door lock that fails during a power or network outage is a security problem, not a convenience feature.
Research updated September 2026.
What Matters Most for This Category
For a front door, the two things that matter most are the backup entry method and the wireless protocol. A keypad or physical key means you are never locked out when batteries die or Wi-Fi drops, and built-in Wi-Fi avoids the extra bridge that Bluetooth-only locks require for remote access. Also check your door's backset and cross bore before buying, because most smart deadbolts fit standard 1-3/8 inch and 1-3/4 inch doors but not every mortise or glass-panel setup.
| Model | Best for | Key specs | Research Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt | Best Overall | Built-in Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth, Keypad, physical key, Apple home key | 94/100 |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) | Best for Renters | Built-in Wi-Fi plus Bluetooth, App, auto-unlock, keypad sold separately | 90/100 |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi | Best Keypad Design | Wi-Fi (module included on Wi-Fi model), Keypad plus optional keyway version | 89/100 |
| Kwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock | Best Fingerprint Entry | Built-in Wi-Fi, Fingerprint, keypad, physical key | 87/100 |
| Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi Smart Lock | Best Multi-Method Entry | Wi-Fi (on Pro WiFi model), Fingerprint, code, app, key, shake to open | 85/100 |
| Level Lock Plus with Keypad | Best Hidden Smart Lock | Bluetooth plus HomeKit, Wi-Fi via Level Connect, Keypad, app, physical key | 83/100 |
| Wyze Lock Bolt Fingerprint Deadbolt | Best Budget | Bluetooth only, no Wi-Fi, Fingerprint and keypad | 80/100 |
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
Best OverallPros
- Built-in Wi-Fi means no separate hub for remote access
- Physical key override plus keypad gives two backup entry methods
- Apple home key and Schlage Home app cover both major phone platforms
Cons
- Costs more than most keypad deadbolts
- Bulkier interior assembly than a standard deadbolt
The Encode Plus is the rare smart lock that keeps a real keyway while adding Wi-Fi, a keypad, and Apple home key support. It is built on Schlage's residential deadbolt platform, so it fits standard doors and carries a Grade 1 rating. For a main front door, that combination of redundancy and connectivity is hard to beat.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
Renter FriendlyPros
- Installs over your existing deadbolt so the exterior hardware stays unchanged
- Built-in Wi-Fi removes the need for the August Connect bridge
- Auto-unlock and door-sense features work well for hands-full entry
Cons
- No built-in keypad, so code entry needs an add-on
- Requires a compatible single-cylinder deadbolt to retrofit
August's fourth-generation lock keeps your existing keys and exterior trim, replacing only the interior thumb turn. That makes it the least invasive option for renters or anyone who does not want to swap exterior hardware. Built-in Wi-Fi means remote access works without a bridge.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad with Wi-Fi
Slim KeypadPros
- Slim, modern keypad that looks less bulky than most smart deadbolts
- Available in keyed and keyless versions plus several finishes
- Works with major smart home platforms including Alexa, Google, and Apple Home
Cons
- Wi-Fi support depends on buying the correct module version
- Some features need the Yale Access app rather than a native platform app
The Assure Lock 2 is Yale's current flagship, and the keypad version is the one most front doors want. It is noticeably slimmer than older smart deadbolts and comes in keyed or keyless configurations. Buy the Wi-Fi model if you want remote access without a plug-in bridge.
Kwikset Halo Touch Fingerprint Smart Lock
FingerprintPros
- Fingerprint reader means no code to remember or share
- Built-in Wi-Fi avoids a separate hub
- Keeps a traditional keyway as a fallback
Cons
- Fingerprint readers can struggle with wet or very dry fingers
- App experience is less polished than some competitors
Kwikset's Halo Touch swaps the usual code-first approach for a fingerprint reader on the exterior. It still includes a keypad and a physical key, so you are not dependent on the reader alone. Built-in Wi-Fi handles remote access and status checks.
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi Smart Lock
6-in-1 EntryPros
- Offers more entry methods than almost any lock at this price
- IP65 rating suits exposed front doors
- Fingerprint and keypad both work without a phone
Cons
- Brand support and app updates are less established than Schlage or Yale
- Build feel is lighter than premium deadbolts
Ultraloq markets the U-Bolt Pro WiFi as a multi-method lock, and it genuinely covers fingerprint, code, app, and key entry. The IP65 rating is a real advantage for doors that face rain or direct sun. It undercuts the big brands on price while offering more ways in.
Level Lock Plus with Keypad
Invisible TechPros
- Electronics hide entirely inside the door, so nothing looks smart
- Keeps your existing exterior hardware and key
- Works with Apple Home and other platforms via the Connect bridge
Cons
- Remote access needs the separate Level Connect bridge
- Higher price for fewer visible features
Level's approach is to put the smart hardware inside the deadbolt itself, so the door looks completely normal from both sides. The Plus bundle adds a keypad for code entry. It is the pick for anyone who dislikes the look of typical smart locks.
Wyze Lock Bolt Fingerprint Deadbolt
Budget PickPros
- Very low price for a fingerprint deadbolt
- Fingerprint and keypad entry without a phone
- USB-C port lets you power it if batteries die
Cons
- No Wi-Fi, so no remote access or away-from-home control
- No physical key override on this model
The Wyze Lock Bolt is the cheapest way to get fingerprint entry on a front door. It trades remote access for a low price, relying on Bluetooth for app setup and management. A USB-C port on the outside provides emergency power if the batteries run flat.
Who Should Avoid the Top Pick
Skip a smart lock for your front door if you rent and your lease forbids hardware changes, if your door has a non-standard mortise lock or glass panel that no retrofit kit fits, or if everyone in the house relies on a single phone with no keypad or key backup. Also avoid Wi-Fi-only locks with no keyway or keypad if you travel often, since a dead battery plus no backup method means a locksmith call.
Before You Buy
Measure your door's backset and cross bore, and confirm whether your existing deadbolt is single-cylinder, because most smart deadbolts assume a standard preparation. Check the wireless protocol against your smart home setup, since Bluetooth-only locks need a bridge for remote access while built-in Wi-Fi models do not. Finally, decide up front whether you need a physical key, a keypad, or both, because that single choice eliminates most of the market.
FAQs
Do smart locks work without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Keypad, fingerprint, and physical key entry all work locally. Wi-Fi or a bridge is only needed for remote control and status checks from outside the home.
Can I keep my existing keys with a smart lock?
Only with retrofit models like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock or Level Lock, which reuse your existing deadbolt and exterior hardware. Full replacements come with their own keyway or are keyless.
Are smart locks safe for a front door?
A reputable smart deadbolt with an ANSI/BHMA rating and a physical key or keypad backup is generally as secure as a standard deadbolt. The bigger risk is being locked out by a dead battery or network outage, which backup entry methods solve.
How long do smart lock batteries last?
Most take AA or CR123 batteries and last several months to about a year depending on how often the lock is used and how strong the Wi-Fi signal is. Low-battery warnings appear in the app before failure.
Will a smart lock fit my door?
Most fit standard doors with a 1-3/8 inch or 1-3/4 inch thickness and a standard 2-3/8 inch or 2-3/4 inch backset. Mortise locks, glass-panel doors, and unusual preparations usually need a different solution.
Do smart locks work with Alexa, Google, and Apple Home?
Many do, but support varies by model. Schlage, Yale, August, and Level generally cover the major platforms, while some budget locks are app-only or Bluetooth-only.
Our verdict
For most front doors, the Schlage Encode Plus is the best balance of security, backup entry, and connectivity, with a real keyway, keypad, and built-in Wi-Fi. Renters and anyone who wants to keep their existing hardware should look at the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock or Level Lock Plus instead. Budget buyers who only need local fingerprint and code entry can save significantly with the Wyze Lock Bolt, as long as they accept losing remote access.