Making your home smarter seems to be all the rage these days. There are smart speakers, smart TVs and other accessories that let you control your life with your voice. One of the biggest conveniences in a home can be from installing smart locks, so you never have to fish a key out again and can manage guests easier. These are the best ones that support Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant.
Modern chic
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect
Staff pick
The Smart Lock Pro is a stylish lock that works with most existing deadbolts, meaning you don’t need to replace your keys to use it. You can lock and unlock the door with an Alexa command, or the door can automatically unlock as you approach it with your smartphone. It supports smart home standards like Z-Wave Plus and Apple’s HomeKit, and includes a Connect bridge that allows it to work over Wi-Fi.
From $213 at Amazon
Smart yet simple
August Smart Lock, 3rd Generation
The standard Smart Lock doesn’t support HomeKit, even when attached to an August Connect (which isn’t included), but it works just fine with Alexa for considerably less than the Pro. You can create guest “keys” for friends’ phones with a set expiration date, which makes it an ideal choice for Airbnb hosts, or anyone who might hire babysitters or cleaners and don’t want to give out a physical key.
$132 at Amazon
Tamper alerts
Schlage Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt
If you leave your phone at home, having a backup way to get back in your house is important. A physical key is always smart, but a PIN may be more convenient. With the Schlage Camelot, you can lock and unlock your door with Alexa (with a hub, sold separately), and the touchscreen is fingerprint resistant, so you won’t give away your PIN. You can also set up alerts to tell if someone is trying to tamper with the lock or force their way inside.
From $155 at Amazon
Touch sensitive
Yale Assure Lock
The Asure Lock works perfectly with Alexa — with the additional purchase of a hub — and you can manage the lock from anywhere. It can remember 250 unique PIN codes, so you can assign codes to guests without giving out our master PIN. You can also lock every code out of the lock at once just in case something goes wrong. There are two physical keys included if you need them as well, and installation just takes a few minutes and a screwdriver.
$145 at Amazon
Traditional approach
Kwikset SmartCode Deadbolt
A more conventional-looking option, the Kwikset SmartCode Deadbolt uses regular old buttons to authenticate users. As with the other options, you can control it with your voice with Alexa, provided you purchase a hub. It supports up to 30 unique code, and if you forget to lock the door, it will automatically lock itself after thirty seconds. The lock operates on four AA batteries, though these are not included.
$159 at Amazon
Great for renters
Kwikset Kevo Convert
Like the August locks, the Kevo Convert only replaces your interior lock, meaning you don’t have to replace your keys — perfect for rental homes. It automatically unlocks when you approach it, and it can automatically lock after 30 seconds. If you purchase the Kevo Connected Hub, you’ll be able to operate the lock with Alexa, too. You can also send eKeys to your guests’ smartphones, or lock any guest out remotely.
From $140 at Amazon
We like how inconspicuous Kwikset’s SmartCode looks, and August’s Smart Lock Pro, though expensive, supports a wide range of smart home standards. It also works without replacing your external lock, as does the Kevo Convert, making both great options for people renting apartments or houses where they’re not allowed to swap out the front locks.
