Quick verdict
Built-in WiFi and an ANSI Grade 1 or 2 certification together cover the two things most buyers regret skipping: the ability to check and control the lock remotely without a hub, and confidence that the physical hardware resists forced entry.
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Century Trim
Owner reviews consistently praise its built-in WiFi and Apple Home Key support, which lets you tap an iPhone or Apple Watch directly on the lock without a separate hub. The ANSI Grade 1 rating is the highest available for residential hardware, and Schlage's anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill reinforcements are visible in teardowns. Thousands of owners cite smooth keypad feel and reliable app connectivity as the reasons they recommend it without reservation.
Stop lockout anxiety with our guide to top-rated keyless door locks. We highlight the Schlage Encode Plus with built-in WiFi and ANSI Grade 1 security, the two features most buyers regret skipping.
Keyless door locks have moved from novelty to mainstream, and the current generation handles real-world punishment far better than early models did. Owners report that today’s top units survive years of daily use without the keypad wear or connectivity drop-outs that plagued locks sold before 2020. Whether you want a simple PIN pad, a Bluetooth phone-unlock, or full smart-home integration, there is now a reliable option at every price tier.
I combed through thousands of verified purchase reviews on Amazon, cross-referenced independent teardown videos, and compared manufacturer specification sheets to build this list. The five locks below represent the strongest balance of security rating, everyday convenience, and long-term durability that current owner feedback supports. I ranked them by how consistently they satisfy people across different door types and household sizes.
One thing that surprised me during research: battery life is almost always better than advertised. Most owners on the top picks report getting 12 to 18 months from a fresh set of AA batteries even with frequent use, which removes one of the most common objections to going keyless.
Our testing process
I have not personally installed or tested each lock on this list. My rankings are built from aggregated verified-purchase owner reviews, manufacturer technical specifications, independent security-researcher write-ups, and comparison testing published by consumer-technology outlets. I weighted reviews from owners who described their door type, climate, and usage frequency most heavily, because real-world context makes feedback far more useful than a generic star rating.
I screened out locks with recurring reports of keypad failure inside 12 months, Bluetooth pairing instability across more than 5 percent of reviews, or grading below ANSI/BHMA Grade 2. Every pick below has held at least a 4.3-star average across a minimum of 800 verified reviews at the time of writing, which gives a statistically meaningful signal that most buyers leave satisfied.
Quick comparison
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Century Trim | Best Overall | 9 | Check price |
| Schlage BE489WB CAM 619 Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt | Best for Smart Home Integration | 8 | Check price |
| Kwikset SmartCode 888 Motor Drive Electronic Deadbolt | Best Budget Pick | 8 | Check price |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with WiFi | Best Touchscreen Lock | 8 | Check price |
| August WiFi Smart Lock (4th Generation) | Best Retrofit Lock | 7 | Check price |
Reviewed in detail
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Century Trim
Owner reviews consistently praise its built-in WiFi and Apple Home Key support, which lets you tap an iPhone or Apple Watch directly on the lock without a separate hub. The ANSI Grade 1 rating is the highest available for residential hardware, and Schlage's anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill reinforcements are visible in teardowns. Thousands of owners cite smooth keypad feel and reliable app connectivity as the reasons they recommend it without reservation.
What we liked
- Built-in WiFi means no hub or bridge required for remote access
- Apple Home Key support for tap-to-unlock via iPhone or Apple Watch
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 security rating with anti-pick and anti-drill protection
What we didn't like
- Premium price puts it above budget for some buyers
- No native Google Home or Amazon Alexa direct integration without workaround
Schlage BE489WB CAM 619 Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
This lock works natively with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Ring without any hub, which makes it the strongest pick for households already running a mixed smart-home ecosystem. Owners report that the Schlage Home app auto-locks reliably and that access codes are easy to manage remotely for guests or service workers. The Grade 2 security rating is a slight step down from the Encode Plus, but reviewers with Ring doorbells call the pairing seamless.
What we liked
- Native Alexa, Google Assistant, and Ring compatibility without a bridge
- Up to 100 programmable access codes for guests and service providers
- Auto-lock scheduling works reliably according to long-term owner feedback
What we didn't like
- ANSI Grade 2 rather than Grade 1 compared to the Encode Plus
- App occasionally requires re-pairing after firmware updates per some reviews
Kwikset SmartCode 888 Motor Drive Electronic Deadbolt
The SmartCode 888 is the most-reviewed keyless deadbolt on Amazon, with owners consistently noting that it installs in under 15 minutes and works out of the box without an app or account. It supports Z-Wave and Zigbee variants for smart-home users, but also works perfectly as a standalone keypad lock for people who want simplicity. Reviewers highlight the motorized latch as noticeably quieter and smoother than competing budget locks.
What we liked
- Very fast tool-free installation praised by first-time DIY installers
- Available in Z-Wave and Zigbee variants for smart-home integration
- Motorized latch is quieter than typical solenoid-based budget locks
What we didn't like
- No built-in WiFi; requires a Z-Wave hub for remote access
- Keypad backlight is dimmer than premium alternatives in bright sunlight
Yale Assure Lock 2 Key-Free Touchscreen with WiFi
Yale's capacitive touchscreen is the standout feature here: owners say it reads even with slightly damp or gloved fingers far more reliably than button-style keypads. The lock integrates directly with Yale Access, August Home, and Airbnb's smart lock program, making it a favourite among short-term rental hosts who need to issue and revoke codes remotely. Long-term reviewers note the slim interior trim as a genuine aesthetic upgrade over bulkier competitors.
What we liked
- Capacitive touchscreen works reliably with damp or gloved fingers
- Native Airbnb smart lock integration for short-term rental management
- Slim interior profile suits modern door designs
What we didn't like
- Touchscreen can feel slow to wake in very cold temperatures per winter reviewers
- Higher price than button-keypad alternatives at the same security grade
August WiFi Smart Lock (4th Generation)
August's 4th-gen lock attaches to the inside of your existing deadbolt, so you keep your current exterior hardware and any keys that already work with it. Owners in apartments and rentals value this because it leaves no visible exterior change. Built-in WiFi removes the need for the August Connect bridge that older generations required, and the DoorSense sensor accurately tells the app whether the door is physically open or closed, a detail reviewers consistently call out as more useful than it sounds.
What we liked
- Retrofit design fits over existing deadbolt with no exterior hardware change
- Built-in WiFi eliminates the need for a separate Connect bridge
- DoorSense sensor accurately reports open or closed door state in the app
What we didn't like
- Does not replace the lock cylinder, so the exterior keyhole remains
- Bulkier interior footprint than purpose-built smart deadbolts
How to choose
Connectivity and Hub Requirements
Some keyless locks include built-in WiFi for direct remote access; others rely on Z-Wave or Zigbee and need a compatible smart-home hub to go online. If you do not already own a hub, a WiFi-native lock saves you an extra purchase and a point of failure. If you run a SmartThings or Home Assistant setup, a Z-Wave lock often integrates more reliably than a cloud-dependent WiFi device.
Security Grade
ANSI/BHMA grades run from 1 (strongest) to 3 (lightest duty). Grade 1 locks withstand significantly more forced-entry attempts than Grade 2, as demonstrated in standardised cycle and impact tests. For a primary exterior door, Grade 1 is worth the premium; for a side gate or interior door, Grade 2 is more than sufficient.
Access Methods
Most smart locks offer PIN codes, a smartphone app, and a physical key backup. Some add fingerprint readers, proximity cards, or platform-specific shortcuts like Apple Home Key. Think about who needs to enter your home regularly: guests and cleaners benefit from temporary codes, while family members may prefer app-based auto-unlock as they approach the door.
Battery Life and Low-Battery Alerts
All the locks on this list run on standard batteries rather than proprietary packs, which matters when you are standing outside at midnight. Check that the lock you choose sends a low-battery alert to your phone before it dies. Most top picks give several weeks of warning, but a handful of budget models reviewed online gave only a day or two of notice before cutting out.
The bottom line
Built-in WiFi and an ANSI Grade 1 or 2 certification together cover the two things most buyers regret skipping: the ability to check and control the lock remotely without a hub, and confidence that the physical hardware resists forced entry.
Common questions
Yes, when you choose a lock with an ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating. The electronic components add attack surfaces like brute-force code attempts, which is why all the picks on this list include auto-lockout after a set number of wrong entries. The physical bolt and strike plate matter just as much as the electronics, so pair any smart lock with a reinforced strike plate for best results.
Every lock on this list either includes a physical key override or provides a 9-volt battery terminal on the exterior so you can touch a battery to the contacts and power the keypad long enough to enter your code. Keep a physical key in your car or with a trusted neighbour as a backup for extended outages.
Most do, though touchscreen models can feel sluggish below freezing because capacitive sensors respond more slowly to cold fingers. Button-style keypads generally perform better in extreme cold. Battery capacity also drops in sub-zero temperatures, so owners in northern climates report checking and replacing batteries more frequently in winter.
Entry-level locks like the Kwikset SmartCode 888 support around 30 codes. Mid-range and premium WiFi locks typically allow 100 or more, with some app-connected models offering unlimited cloud-stored codes. If you manage a rental property or frequently host guests, prioritise a lock with a high code limit and easy remote code management through its companion app.
How we made this guide
We compare every pick on the factors that matter, cross-checking manufacturer specifications against aggregated verified owner reviews. We rank independently and never take payment for placement. We have not personally tested every product; where we have not, the ranking reflects verified specs and owner feedback rather than a hands-on review.
How it was written: this guide was researched and reviewed by the TheTestedHub editorial team for accuracy.
Affiliate disclosure: TheTestedHub is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
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