{
  "category": {
    "slug": "smart-locks",
    "name": "Smart Locks",
    "description": "Smart door locks and deadbolts; video doorbells and security cameras are separate."
  },
  "url": "https://stierproducts.com/categories/smart-locks",
  "markdown": "https://stierproducts.com/categories/smart-locks.md",
  "updated": "2026-08-18T19:03:42.054Z",
  "productsRanked": 16,
  "summary": "On the stierproducts smart locks board, Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (#2, A tier) and Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt (#3, A tier). The board ranks 16 smart locks from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 18 Aug 2026, drawing on 299 outlet citations across the board. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Eufy Video Smart Lock E330, Eufy Smart Lock C34, Wyze Lock Bolt, and 3 others.",
  "method": {
    "summary": "Each category is researched in four independent runs, one per lens (expert consensus, value, reliability, community pulse). Every run ranks a board of candidates that deliberately includes products buyers cross-shop but should avoid. Placements score on a ranked ladder (LP), and tiers are derived from LP, so no tier is ever assigned by hand.",
    "url": "https://stierproducts.com/methodology"
  },
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "terms": "https://stierproducts.com/license",
    "covers": [
      "text",
      "rankings",
      "tiers",
      "lp",
      "verdicts",
      "pros",
      "cons"
    ],
    "excludes": [
      "images"
    ],
    "imageRights": "Product photographs are not covered: they belong to their respective owners and are reproduced to illustrate the product being reviewed. Do not redistribute them under this licence."
  },
  "tierMeanings": {
    "S": "Exceptional. Finishes top run after run; capped at 3 slots per category.",
    "A": "Excellent. Strongly recommended, beaten only by the very best.",
    "B": "Good. A solid choice with real caveats worth knowing.",
    "C": "Fair. Acceptable in the right situation, outclassed at its price.",
    "D": "Weak. Hard to recommend when better options cost similar money.",
    "F": "Avoid. The evidence points you elsewhere."
  },
  "products": [
    {
      "rank": 1,
      "tier": "S",
      "lp": 918,
      "name": "Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch",
      "brand": "Yale",
      "slug": "yale-assure-lock-2",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/yale-assure-lock-2",
      "verdict": "Yale’s Assure Lock 2 Touch offers solid build quality, long-term firmware support and a strong warranty.",
      "pros": [
        "Solid construction with durable materials",
        "Long-term firmware updates promised",
        "Strong manufacturer warranty",
        "Dual-mode touch & key",
        "Best overall balance of hardware, security and Wi-Fi integration"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Final price climbs depending on which connectivity module you add"
      ],
      "citations": 7,
      "distinctOutlets": 7,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/yale-assure-lock-2.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 2,
      "tier": "A",
      "lp": 802,
      "name": "Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt",
      "brand": "Schlage",
      "slug": "schlage-encode-plus-smart-wifi-deadbolt",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/schlage-encode-plus-smart-wifi-deadbolt",
      "verdict": "Schlage Encode Plus is praised for its robust construction and dependable firmware updates.",
      "pros": [
        "Robust build with high-quality materials",
        "Regular firmware updates to improve security",
        "Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control",
        "Adds Apple Home Key",
        "Top pick Wi-Fi deadbolt"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "The Arrive and U50 deliver most of the experience for far less",
        "Great lock, mediocre value"
      ],
      "citations": 5,
      "distinctOutlets": 5,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/schlage-encode-plus-smart-wifi-deadbolt.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 3,
      "tier": "A",
      "lp": 801,
      "name": "Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt",
      "brand": "Schlage",
      "slug": "schlage-arrive-smart-wifi-deadbolt",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/schlage-arrive-smart-wifi-deadbolt",
      "verdict": "The new Schlage Arrive offers the best combination of hardware, security and reliability.",
      "pros": [
        "High-security deadbolt mechanism",
        "Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control",
        "Strong build quality",
        "Robust hardware",
        "Top combination of hardware, security, reliability and feature set"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Costs meaningfully more than the U50 for a comparable daily experience"
      ],
      "citations": 6,
      "distinctOutlets": 4,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/schlage-arrive-smart-wifi-deadbolt.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 4,
      "tier": "B",
      "lp": 515,
      "name": "August Wi-Fi Smart Lock",
      "brand": "August",
      "slug": "august-wi-fi-smart-lock",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/august-wi-fi-smart-lock",
      "verdict": "August is the top smart lock for 2026, with easy installation, great design and seamless integration.",
      "pros": [
        "Easy plug-and-play installation",
        "Modern design that fits most doors",
        "Seamless integration with major smart home platforms",
        "Reliable Wi-Fi",
        "Best overall design and integration"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "2020-era, dated hardware riding on brand recognition",
        "Well-documented appetite for batteries",
        "The whole August line is being transitioned into Yale-branded successors",
        "The Yale Approach is the better buy"
      ],
      "citations": 14,
      "distinctOutlets": 14,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 9
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/august-wi-fi-smart-lock.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 5,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 492,
      "name": "Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint",
      "brand": "Ultraloq",
      "slug": "ultraloq-bolt-fingerprint",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/ultraloq-bolt-fingerprint",
      "verdict": "The Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint is the best overall smart lock because of its reliability and solid build.",
      "pros": [
        "Reliable operation with minimal downtime",
        "Solid construction using durable materials",
        "Multiple unlocking methods (fingerprint, key, code)",
        "Excellent battery life",
        "Low firmware update frequency"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Unreliable fingerprint",
        "Less refined app ecosystem and slightly rougher software"
      ],
      "citations": 13,
      "distinctOutlets": 13,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 8
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/ultraloq-bolt-fingerprint.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 6,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 461,
      "name": "Level Lock Pro",
      "brand": "Level",
      "slug": "level-lock-pro",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/level-lock-pro",
      "verdict": "The Level Lock Pro is the top pick for its blend of standard-door look, robust build and comprehensive smart features.",
      "pros": [
        "Standard-door appearance that blends with existing hardware",
        "Robust construction using high-grade materials",
        "Comprehensive feature set including keyless entry, remote control, and integration with major smart home ecosystems",
        "Premium build quality",
        "Looks like a standard lock but offers advanced smart functions"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Premium price",
        "Tiny CR2-style battery compromises",
        "History of reliability complaints",
        "Good only because it is expensive - an Aqara U50 does more for a third of the price"
      ],
      "citations": 34,
      "distinctOutlets": 25,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 9
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/level-lock-pro.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 7,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 451,
      "name": "Aqara Smart Lock U100",
      "brand": "Aqara",
      "slug": "aqara-smart-lock-u100",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/aqara-smart-lock-u100",
      "verdict": "Aqara U100 is praised for price, but its build quality and firmware updates lag behind competitors.",
      "pros": [
        "Very affordable price",
        "Cross-platform compatibility with Apple",
        "Fingerprint, Apple Home Key, keypad, and Matter",
        "Quality build at a mid-range price",
        "The Verge's long-standing Apple Home Key recommendation"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Weak build quality compared to peers",
        "Firmware updates are infrequent and slow",
        "Inconsistent connectivity",
        "Limited support for non-Apple ecosystems",
        "Short warranty"
      ],
      "citations": 51,
      "distinctOutlets": 43,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 2,
        "ofRuns": 7
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/aqara-smart-lock-u100.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 8,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 446,
      "name": "Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi",
      "brand": "Yale",
      "slug": "yale-approach-lock-with-wi-fi",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/yale-approach-lock-with-wi-fi",
      "verdict": "A budget-friendly deadbolt that still offers Matter support and a reliable keyless entry system.",
      "pros": [
        "Budget-friendly",
        "The best retrofit option for renters",
        "Mounts over the existing deadbolt's interior thumbturn and installs in minutes",
        "Leaves exterior hardware untouched",
        "Includes Wi-Fi (with the Connect module) at a mid-range price"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Retrofit is a narrower use case than full deadbolt replacement"
      ],
      "citations": 2,
      "distinctOutlets": 2,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/yale-approach-lock-with-wi-fi.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 9,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 399,
      "name": "Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro with Wi-Fi",
      "brand": "Ultraloq",
      "slug": "ultraloq-u-bolt-pro-with-wi-fi",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/ultraloq-u-bolt-pro-with-wi-fi",
      "verdict": "Offers a sleek design, fingerprint entry and Matter support without breaking the bank.",
      "pros": [
        "Sleek design",
        "Former Wirecutter favorite whose reputation was earned in its day",
        "Shares Ultraloq's well-regarded lock hardware lineage"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Superseded by the Bolt Fingerprint",
        "Finicky Wi-Fi add-on reliability",
        "Battery drain complaints",
        "PCMag's high Ultraloq scores reflect the newer hardware, not this aging model"
      ],
      "citations": 2,
      "distinctOutlets": 1,
      "thinlySourced": true,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 5
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/ultraloq-u-bolt-pro-with-wi-fi.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 10,
      "tier": "C",
      "lp": 382,
      "name": "Kwikset Halo Select",
      "brand": "Kwikset",
      "slug": "kwikset-halo-select",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/kwikset-halo-select",
      "verdict": "Kwikset’s Halo Select delivers reliable performance, good battery life and a solid warranty.",
      "pros": [
        "Reliable operation with minimal downtime",
        "Long battery life for keyless entry",
        "Manufacturer warranty included",
        "Battery-powered",
        "Matter support with Wi-Fi plus Thread radios"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Weak build quality",
        "Limited feature set",
        "The line is newer, with less long-term reliability data"
      ],
      "citations": 22,
      "distinctOutlets": 19,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 6
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/kwikset-halo-select.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 11,
      "tier": "D",
      "lp": 330,
      "name": "Eufy Video Smart Lock E330",
      "brand": "Eufy",
      "slug": "eufy-video-smart-lock-e330",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/eufy-video-smart-lock-e330",
      "verdict": "The Eufy Video Smart Lock E330 stands out for fast fingerprint access, reliable app controls and excellent overall value.",
      "pros": [
        "Fast fingerprint authentication",
        "Reliable mobile app with remote control",
        "Competitive price point for the feature set",
        "Versatile video lock",
        "Good design"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Inferior build quality",
        "Lock, camera, and doorbell crammed into one bulky unit",
        "Large premium for camera hardware you will not use if you do not want a door camera",
        "Camera and doorbell functions fall outside this category's scope"
      ],
      "citations": 33,
      "distinctOutlets": 30,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 4
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/eufy-video-smart-lock-e330.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 12,
      "tier": "D",
      "lp": 317,
      "name": "Eufy Smart Lock C34",
      "brand": "Eufy",
      "slug": "eufy-smart-lock-c34",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/eufy-smart-lock-c34",
      "verdict": "Consumer Reports names it one of the best locks for security and battery life. Forbes lists it as a favorite for its video-smart capability.",
      "pros": [
        "Excellent battery life",
        "Strong security",
        "Video-smart functionality",
        "Budget Wi-Fi deadbolt",
        "No hub needed"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "CR's lab ratings apply to Eufy's lineup broadly rather than to this specific model"
      ],
      "citations": 5,
      "distinctOutlets": 5,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/eufy-smart-lock-c34.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 13,
      "tier": "D",
      "lp": 284,
      "name": "Wyze Lock Bolt",
      "brand": "Wyze",
      "slug": "wyze-lock-bolt",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/wyze-lock-bolt",
      "verdict": "Wyze Lock Bolt is often marketed as a budget option, but reviews note frequent firmware glitches and limited support.",
      "pros": [
        "Low price point for entry-level smart lock",
        "Budget benchmark",
        "Fingerprint reader and auto-lock",
        "Bluetooth app control with no hub required",
        "Nothing else in the budget bracket comes close on core lock performance"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Frequent firmware glitches reported",
        "Limited customer support options",
        "Buggy firmware",
        "Unreliable battery life",
        "Missing advanced security features"
      ],
      "citations": 26,
      "distinctOutlets": 22,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 4,
        "ofRuns": 9
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/wyze-lock-bolt.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 14,
      "tier": "F",
      "lp": 166,
      "name": "Schlage Encode (original)",
      "brand": "Schlage",
      "slug": "schlage-encode-smart-wifi-deadbolt-original",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/schlage-encode-smart-wifi-deadbolt-original",
      "verdict": "Schlage Encode’s original model suffers from frequent connectivity issues and a short warranty.",
      "pros": [
        "Good battery life",
        "Strong security and build",
        "Recognized by Consumer Reports",
        "Built-in Wi-Fi deadbolt from a mainstream brand",
        "Earned a strong reputation when it launched in 2019"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Frequent connectivity problems reported",
        "Short warranty period",
        "Coasting on a reputation earned in 2019",
        "Wirecutter now passes it over in favor of the Arrive, which offers better hardware and reliability for the same or less money",
        "No Apple Home Key and older internals"
      ],
      "citations": 58,
      "distinctOutlets": 46,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 3,
        "ofRuns": 8
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/schlage-encode-smart-wifi-deadbolt-original.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 15,
      "tier": "F",
      "lp": 135,
      "name": "Nuki Smart Lock",
      "brand": "Nuki",
      "slug": "nuki-smart-lock",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/nuki-smart-lock",
      "verdict": "Nuki offers a solid build, reliable connectivity and good support for long-term use.",
      "pros": [
        "Solid construction with durable materials",
        "Reliable Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity",
        "Good customer support",
        "Retrofit design",
        "The strongest Euro-style retrofit"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Inconsistent firmware updates",
        "Questionable physical durability",
        "A premium price",
        "A niche buy for specific door types rather than a value play"
      ],
      "citations": 36,
      "distinctOutlets": 33,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 2,
        "ofRuns": 6
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/nuki-smart-lock.webp"
    },
    {
      "rank": 16,
      "tier": "F",
      "lp": 42,
      "name": "Lockly Visage",
      "brand": "Lockly",
      "slug": "lockly-visage",
      "url": "https://stierproducts.com/products/lockly-visage",
      "verdict": "Lockly Visage provides a durable design, dependable firmware and strong customer support.",
      "pros": [
        "Durable design with high-quality materials",
        "Regular firmware updates for security",
        "Responsive customer support",
        "Facial-recognition for quick access",
        "Highly rated by multiple outlets"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "The worst value in the category",
        "Reviews find the facial recognition inconsistent",
        "Fingerprint reader has mixed reliability reports",
        "Busy, over-marketed feature stack - expensive as a substitute for good",
        "A Schlage Arrive plus a video doorbell costs less and works better"
      ],
      "citations": 36,
      "distinctOutlets": 30,
      "thinlySourced": false,
      "flaggedToAvoid": {
        "runs": 1,
        "ofRuns": 8
      },
      "image": "https://stierproducts.com/images/products/lockly-visage.webp"
    }
  ]
}