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Key Points
- In terms of price, Amazon happens to offer some of the cheapest smart locks. However, they lack the durability and more impressive features of top tier competitors.
- Yale is the clear winner in terms of versatility with its smart locks that are not only compatible with every smart house system and smart doorbell system but can also work without hub support.
- August smart locks are ideal in terms of ease of installation and operation.
Summary
Smart locks are becoming more ubiquitous as time goes on — nearly 9 million units are sold each year. They come in a wide range of designs with dozens of possible features. They benefit your home security and they can simplify your life. Deciding on which version to choose can be frustrating due to the sheer volume of options. We’ll compare three different brands to see how they stand up to each other. August, Yale, and Amazon are three of the most popular smart lock vendors, and they each have their own key features.
- Best for Affordability: Amazon
- Best for Effectiveness: August
- Best for Ease of Use: August
- Best for Versatility : Yale
- Best Overall: August
Best For Affordability: Amazon
It’s not unexpected for Amazon to have the most affordable prices. But like Amazon’s other items, their cheaper smart locks are generic, they have fewer functions, and lower durability. It’s the simplest choice for a DIY smart lock. They normally have the lowest prices, but the quality doesn’t match the more established smart lock brands.
The Amazon Basics Traditional Electronic Keyboard Deadbolt Door Lock is bare-bones but easy to install. Customize your entry code, and enjoy this keyless option at an affordable cost.
- Electronic single-cylinder deadbolt with customizable keyless entry, 1-touch/timed locking, and low-battery indication.0.Note: Measure your door's backset, cross bore and thickness to ensure you find the right fit.
- Create six customizable user codes plus single-use temporary codes for visitors or maintenance workers
- Customizable automatic door locking after 10-99 seconds for peace of mind
- Operates by electronic keypad or traditional key outside and thumb turn lock inside
- Fits door thickness of 1-3/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch; includes an adjustable latch to fit all standard door preparations
Best For Effectiveness: August
For home security, the August smart lock is effective and multifaceted. Not only does it offer the security of a standard smart lock, it has a 30-day guarantee, tech support, and a detailed app. The basic functionality of the smart lock mostly relies on the actual lock that is in the door. Sometimes it is part of the smart lock system, but most of the time the smart lock is a device that is placed over the lock that is already in place.
The ideal model is the August Wi-Fi 4th Generation Smart Lock. Use the August smart lock app to allow people to gain entry to your home, and it seamlessly works with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant, and other voice-activated systems. Plus, it’s super easy to install, working well with your existing deadbolt.
- UPGRADE YOUR EXISTING DEADBOLT: August smart locks fit on the inside of your door, making your regular deadbolt smarter, more secure and way more convenient. Keep your keys just in case (but you won’t need them).Connectivity Protocol:wi-fi.Note: Measure your door's backset, cross bore and thickness to ensure you find the right fit.
- GRANT ACCESS WITH THE AUGUST APP: Forget key copying. Quickly and easily share permanent, scheduled or temporary access to your home with friends, family and other people you trust, and never put a key under the doormat again.
- EASY TO INSTALL ON ANY DOOR: Even if you’re not so handy, installation only takes about 10 minutes. August locks fit perfectly over most single cylinder deadbolts and aren't much bigger than your original thumbturn.
- AUTO-LOCKS AND UNLOCKS: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is able to Auto-Unlock as you get home for totally hands-free unlocking (optional). With Auto-Lock and DoorSense, your home automatically secures once your door is closed, or after a set amount of time.
- WORKS SEAMLESSLY WITH YOUR SMART HOME: Built-in Wi-Fi allows your lock to work with your favorite voice assistant, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings and more.
Best For Ease of Use: August
August smart locks are simple to install and operate. The device simply covers the deadbolt that’s already installed in the door. Once in place, the system is controlled with the August App through any of your devices like Alexa. The ability to operate your smart lock and investigate the usage of the door are simple to learn and easy to maintain.
- UPGRADE YOUR EXISTING DEADBOLT: August smart locks fit on the inside of your door, making your regular deadbolt smarter, more secure and way more convenient. Keep your keys just in case (but you won’t need them).Connectivity Protocol:wi-fi.Note: Measure your door's backset, cross bore and thickness to ensure you find the right fit.
- GRANT ACCESS WITH THE AUGUST APP: Forget key copying. Quickly and easily share permanent, scheduled or temporary access to your home with friends, family and other people you trust, and never put a key under the doormat again.
- EASY TO INSTALL ON ANY DOOR: Even if you’re not so handy, installation only takes about 10 minutes. August locks fit perfectly over most single cylinder deadbolts and aren't much bigger than your original thumbturn.
- AUTO-LOCKS AND UNLOCKS: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is able to Auto-Unlock as you get home for totally hands-free unlocking (optional). With Auto-Lock and DoorSense, your home automatically secures once your door is closed, or after a set amount of time.
- WORKS SEAMLESSLY WITH YOUR SMART HOME: Built-in Wi-Fi allows your lock to work with your favorite voice assistant, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings and more.
Best For Versatility: Yale
Yale has a beautiful line of smart locks that works with every smart house system and smart doorbell system. They also work without hub support. Some locks require a hub to connect, but they are becoming less prevalent. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth smart locks can connect without hub support, so having a lock without hub connections isn’t much of an issue anymore.
For maximum versatility, we’re smitten with the Yale Assure model, which features the Assure lever, which operate via Wi-Fi and works with the Yale app as well as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and other smart home programs.
- Replaces your existing lever or knob on doors with a single hole (no deadbolt) that are 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" thick with just a screwdriver
- Your door will unlock automatically as you get home and have your phone on you - If you don't have your phone, just use the keypad
- Lock, unlock and check lock status with voice assistants including Alexa, Hey Google and Siri. Alexa can also provide notifications when your battery is running low so you can proactively replace them.
- Set up smart reorders through Dash Replenishment to make sure you always have replacement batteries when you need them. - No additional hub needed
- Add your Yale Assure smart lock to your smart home system - works with Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings, Hey Google, Amazon Alexa and HomeKit.
Best Overall: August
August is the overall winner for smart locks. They have been a leader in this industry since 2012 and they have clearly put a lot of effort into staying there. Yale and Amazon locks are fine and functional, but the August brand is simply more convenient to use and has more features to enjoy than the other brands on the market. Their accessories and support services are also top shelf. The other brands are serviceable and they can get the job done, but August simply out classes and outperforms the competition.
How To Pick The Best Smart Locks of 2022: Step by Step
When it comes to selecting the best smart lock for your home, the three most important features to keep in mind are:
- Price
- Features
- Usability
Price
Prices on smart locks can vary wildly depending on the quality of the lock and the features offered. Set a general price range for what you were expecting to pay for a smart lock. You’ll be able to tell if the options in that range will suit your needs. Hopefully, the locks in your range will have the capabilities that you are looking for. It’s easier if you have fewer requirements such as lock timers or fingerprint scanners.
Features
Smart locks are unique to themselves in what features they offer. Some use a keypad, some have a fingerprint scanner, and some have specialized options available through your smart phone or Alexa. Narrow down your choices to a list of smart locks that offer the specific features you personally require.
Usability
The lock won’t be of much use if it’s difficult to install or if the interface is confusing. You’re now at the point where you know how much you want to spend and what features you are expecting to have. These two pieces of information will allow you to narrow down your options to only a few. Do a little research on how easy each option is to set up and use. If you choose a smart lock that is frustrating to use, it’s likely that you’ll use it less and less. This defeats the purpose of using a smart lock in the first place. Conversely, having a smart lock with a system that is easy and enjoyable to use will likely be used significantly more often. It will be effective and it will build your confidence in your home security.
What To Know Before Buying a Smart Lock
Knowing what your new smart lock will be capable of is the general concept. Some locks focus on durability while others focus on features. Ideally, you won’t have to choose between durability and functionality, but that usually causes the price to rise. Finding the right balance between these variables will lead you to find the right lock for your door.
Using a Smart Lock: What it’s Like
Using a smart lock is quite simple. After a simple DIY installation and setting up the app controls you will have control of your new smart lock. You’ll have the ability to not only manipulate the locking mechanism, but you’ll also be able to interact with the other features of the smart lock. You’ll be alerted when your lock or doors have been used. You’ll be able to set timers to lock and unlock the door for specific times. You’ll also have the peace of mind knowing that you’ll be aware of anything going on at your home.
Up Next
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Last update on 2023-03-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
