Best Smart Locks for Sliding Doors
Sliding patio doors are one of the hardest openings to secure with smart hardware, because most smart deadbolts are built for hinged doors and simply will not fit a sliding panel. The good news is that a small group of retrofit smart locks, glass-door locks, and sliding-door-specific kits can bring keyless entry, app control, and auto-lock to a patio door without replacing the whole door.
Quick answer
For most US homes with a standard sliding patio door, the Level Lock Plus is the top pick because it hides all the smart hardware inside the door edge and works with the existing mortise pocket.
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 separate true sliding-door smart locks from hinged-door deadbolts that are frequently mislabeled as compatible, and we flag which picks need a mortise pocket, a glass door, or a full replacement handle set.
Research updated September 2026.
What Matters Most for This Category
The single biggest factor is your door's existing hardware. Sliding patio doors usually fall into three groups: wood or vinyl doors with a mortise pocket that can accept a retrofit deadbolt, glass doors that need a surface-mounted glass-door lock, and older doors where the only realistic path is replacing the whole handle and latch set. Measure your door thickness, the backset, and the distance from the edge to the lock bore before buying anything, and confirm the lock's app works with the smart home platform you already use. Battery life, auto-lock, and whether the lock keeps a physical key override matter more on a patio door than on a front door, since patio doors are a common break-in point.
| Model | Best for | Key specs | Research Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level Lock Plus | Best Overall | Retrofit deadbolt, hidden inside door, Standard mortise pocket, 1-3/8 in to 2 in doors | 93/100 |
| August Smart Lock Pro (4th Gen) | Best Value | Retrofit interior deadbolt cover, Single-cylinder deadbolt with standard backset | 90/100 |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi | Best Keypad | Full deadbolt replacement with keypad, Standard door prep, check sliding door bore | 89/100 |
| Schlage Encode Plus | Best for Apple Home Key | Full deadbolt with keypad, Standard deadbolt prep | 88/100 |
| Lockly Secure Pro Deadbolt Edition | Best for Renters | Deadbolt replacement with keypad and fingerprint, Standard deadbolt prep | 86/100 |
| Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi | Best Budget | Deadbolt replacement with keypad and fingerprint, Standard deadbolt prep | 84/100 |
| Prime-Line Sliding Door Loop Lock | Best Budget Non-Smart Option | Mechanical secondary loop lock, Most sliding patio doors | 78/100 |
Level Lock Plus
Hidden smart deadboltPros
- Keeps the door's existing exterior look with no visible smart hardware
- Works with Apple HomeKit and Matter for broad smart home control
- Supports auto-lock, key cards, and phone-based unlocking
Cons
- Requires a compatible mortise pocket, so not every sliding door qualifies
- No built-in Wi-Fi, so remote access needs a home hub
Level Lock Plus replaces the internals of a standard deadbolt so the outside of the door looks unchanged, which suits sliding patio doors where a bulky keypad would look out of place. Based on manufacturer specifications it fits doors 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick with a standard mortise pocket. Owner-feedback themes highlight the clean look and reliable HomeKit behavior, with the main complaint being the need for a hub for away-from-home control.
August Smart Lock Pro (4th Gen)
Retrofit on existing deadboltPros
- Keeps your existing exterior keyed cylinder
- Includes a Wi-Fi bridge for remote access and voice assistants
- Auto-unlock as you arrive and detailed entry history
Cons
- Only works if the sliding door already has a compatible deadbolt
- The interior unit is fairly large and visible
August Smart Lock Pro mounts on the inside of an existing deadbolt, so the exterior key cylinder stays exactly as it is. That makes it a practical retrofit for sliding doors that already have a deadbolt, and the included Connect bridge adds Wi-Fi for remote locking and Alexa or Google control. Based on comparison, it is one of the most flexible retrofits for mixed smart home setups.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Wi-Fi
Touchscreen keypadPros
- Backlit touchscreen keypad for code-based entry
- Built-in Wi-Fi means no extra bridge for remote access
- Works with Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit on supported versions
Cons
- Needs a standard deadbolt bore, which many sliding doors lack
- Full replacement means more installation work than a retrofit
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch swaps out the entire deadbolt for a touchscreen keypad unit with built-in Wi-Fi. It is a good fit for sliding doors that were built with a standard deadbolt bore, and it gives you code entry for guests plus app control without a separate hub. Based on manufacturer specifications, Matter support varies by version, so check the exact model before buying.
Schlage Encode Plus
Home Key and keypadPros
- Supports Apple Home Key for tap-to-unlock with iPhone or Apple Watch
- Built-in Wi-Fi for remote control without a hub
- Reputable ANSI Grade 1 security rating on the deadbolt
Cons
- Requires a standard deadbolt bore on the sliding door
- Premium price compared with basic retrofits
Schlage Encode Plus combines a keypad deadbolt with Apple Home Key, so an iPhone or Apple Watch can unlock the door with a tap. It is well suited to sliding doors that have a standard deadbolt prep, and the built-in Wi-Fi removes the need for a bridge. Based on comparison, it is one of the better options for Apple-centric households that still want a physical keypad.
Lockly Secure Pro Deadbolt Edition
Fingerprint and keypadPros
- Fingerprint reader plus keypad for multiple entry options
- Offline access codes that work without Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi included for remote control and monitoring
Cons
- Still needs a standard deadbolt bore
- Fingerprint readers can be finicky in cold or wet weather
Lockly Secure Pro adds a fingerprint reader alongside a keypad, which is handy on a patio door where you may be carrying things and do not want to fish out a phone. It includes Wi-Fi for remote access and supports offline codes, so guests can get in even if the network drops. Based on manufacturer specifications it fits standard deadbolt prep, so confirm your sliding door has that bore first.
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi
Affordable fingerprint deadboltPros
- Lower price than most fingerprint deadbolts
- Multiple entry methods including fingerprint, code, app, and key
- Auto-lock and tamper alerts in the app
Cons
- Build feels less premium than the top picks
- Requires a standard deadbolt bore
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi brings fingerprint and keypad entry in at a lower price than most competitors. It is a reasonable budget option for a sliding door that already has a standard deadbolt bore, and it covers the basics like auto-lock and app alerts. Based on owner-feedback themes, the main trade-off is a less premium feel than the higher-priced picks.
Prime-Line Sliding Door Loop Lock
Simple secondary securityPros
- Very low cost and easy to install with basic tools
- Adds a visible secondary barrier against forced opening
- No batteries, apps, or pairing to worry about
Cons
- Not a smart lock, so no keyless entry or app control
- Only a secondary lock, not a replacement for the primary latch
Prime-Line's sliding door loop lock is not a smart lock, but it is worth mentioning because many sliding doors cannot accept a smart deadbolt at all. It is a mechanical secondary lock that adds a visible barrier and costs very little. Based on comparison, it is a sensible add-on even if you also install a smart lock elsewhere on the door.
Who Should Avoid the Top Pick
Skip smart locks altogether if your sliding door is a full glass panel with no wood or vinyl stile to bore into, since most retrofit and deadbolt replacements will not mount safely. Also avoid buying a hinged-door smart deadbolt and assuming it will fit a sliding panel, because the latch and strike geometry is different and the door will not close or lock correctly.
Before You Buy
Measure your door thickness, the backset from the door edge to the center of any existing bore, and the distance from the edge to the lock. Confirm whether the door has a mortise pocket or a standard deadbolt bore, and check the lock's app against the smart home platform you already use. Finally, decide whether you need a physical key override, since that affects which models are realistic for a patio door.
FAQs
Can I put a smart lock on a sliding door?
Yes, but only certain types work. Retrofit deadbolts like Level Lock Plus and August Smart Lock Pro can work if the sliding door already has a compatible deadbolt bore, and full deadbolt replacements like Yale Assure Lock 2 or Schlage Encode Plus work if the door has standard deadbolt prep. Glass-only sliding doors usually cannot take a smart deadbolt at all.
Do smart locks work on glass sliding doors?
Most standard smart deadbolts do not, because there is no wood or vinyl stile to bore into. Glass sliding doors typically need a surface-mounted glass door lock or a mechanical secondary lock instead, and smart options for that specific setup are limited.
What is the best smart lock for a patio door?
For a sliding patio door with a compatible mortise pocket, the Level Lock Plus is the top pick because the smart hardware stays hidden inside the door. If the door has a standard deadbolt bore, the August Smart Lock Pro or Yale Assure Lock 2 are strong alternatives.
Do I need a hub for a smart lock on a sliding door?
It depends on the model. Locks with built-in Wi-Fi, such as the Yale Assure Lock 2 and Schlage Encode Plus, do not need a separate hub for remote access. Bluetooth-only locks like the Level Lock Plus need a compatible home hub for control when you are away.
Will a smart lock fit my sliding door's existing holes?
Only if the door has a standard deadbolt bore or a compatible mortise pocket. Measure the backset and door thickness, and check the manufacturer's compatibility list before buying. Many sliding doors use a different latch style and will need a full handle set replacement instead.
Are smart locks worth it on a sliding door?
They can be, especially if the door is a main entry point and you want keyless entry, auto-lock, and entry history. If the door cannot accept a smart deadbolt, a mechanical secondary lock plus a door sensor or camera is often the more practical security upgrade.
Our verdict
The Level Lock Plus is the best overall smart lock for sliding doors because it hides the smart hardware inside the door and works with an existing mortise pocket. If your sliding door has a standard deadbolt bore, the August Smart Lock Pro and Yale Assure Lock 2 are the strongest alternatives, and if it cannot take a deadbolt at all, a mechanical secondary lock is the realistic path.