If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably love the convenience of having a smart home. Having everything under your control at the palm of your hand is a great feeling, and as smart home technology keeps advancing, the need for good security systems in your home increases.
Traditional lock-and-key systems are being replaced by smart locks that are becoming more and more popular in each year. That’s because smart locks can be paired and connected with compatible devices like a security camera, smart doorbell, smart lights, Ring video doorbell, and other smart devices.
One of my annoyances with smart home technology is that there’s not one or two universal connectivity protocols that will work on all devices. Technologies are split up, so we need to be careful when buying smart home devices because you need to look for compatible devices.
There are many smart locks out there that run on different technologies and network protocols. I’m going to take a look at the best smart locks that work with Google Home and Google Assistant for voice control.
To get a quick preview, these are the main 3 that I thought were the best and provided the best value.
What is Google Home?
If you’ve already got Google Home in your home, you already know. But for those who don’t, Google Home is a smart speaker that operates through voice commands to Google Assistant. Google Home is in the same smart speaker category as Amazon Echo Plus and Apple HomePod.
You talk to Google Assistant like you would Amazon’s Alexa or Apple’s Siri. Google’s voice assistant is the same one on Android phones, like Siri is to iPhones.
- Related: Top Smart Locks for Alexa
The convenience of having every aspect of your home under voice activation or in your hands with a smartphone is amazing. There are many benefits of building a smart home system powered by voice assistants like Google Assistant. You’ll be able to control smart devices like smart thermostats, smart bulbs, Roomba vacuums, and more that are on the same smart home platforms.
The hardest part of building out your smart home with smart devices will be finding the best compatible devices like we’re going to do here for smart locks and Google Home.
Smart Lock Compatibility Requirements with Google Home
Smart locks basically need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Google Home setup in order to utilize voice control. However, finding compatible devices with each other does take up quite a bit of time, and it can be stressful to choose between the many brands, makes and models.
Don’t worry! I’ve done the hard work so you don’t have to. Here’s my list of the 5 best smart locks that work with Google Home that’ll help you take another step forward to automating your home.
5 of the Best Smart Locks that work with Google Home
1. Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
The Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is an easy-to-install smart lock that you can access remotely, even without a smart home hub. The design is smart and it comes in a choice of two colors – Satin Nickel or a Matte Black finish.
The Schlage Encode lock comes shipped as a complete lock system assembly. The waterproof keypad, the deadbolt mechanism, and other assorted mounting hardware come standard. With the unique Snap ’n’ Stay mechanism, all you need to install it is a screwdriver, and a pair of hands.
Built-in WiFi gives this smart lock the ability to connect to your home’s WiFi network without the need for any external accessories or hubs.
By downloading the Schlage Home app or the Key by Amazon app on your smartphone, you’re able to control the lock and unlock functions remotely. When you need to operate the lock in person, the fingerprint-resistant touchscreen keypad is quick and responsive, with one touch locking for quickly securing your front door.
Pairing the Schlage lock with Google Home couldn’t be any easier. The Schlage Home app allows you to connect to your Google Assistant on your smartphone. Once that’s done, you can access your Schlage smart lock through voice activation commands, providing you with convenient, hands-free operation.
2. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation)
Coming in a simple, sleek design, the August WiFi Smart Lock is understated yet super intuitive. The small size and circular design means it seamlessly blends into your front door without sticking out like a sore thumb.
Even with its small size (2.8” in diameter), August has managed to fit the necessary hardware like WiFi. August has a simple installation process with one main piece that connects to the existing deadbolt on your door.
Using the August app, you can easily unlock your door on your smartphone or wearables, which means fumbling about to find your keys is a thing of the past. You can set it to automatically lock the door behind you when you leave and enter your home, one of the best smart features.
The August WiFi Smart Lock connects to WiFi seamlessly without the need for any additional WiFi adapter. It only requires a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network in order to connect it with your Google Home network.
Once you pair it with your Google Assistant, you can then control your August WiFi Lock with your voice. When it’s time to sleep, you can even check the front door’s lock status right from the comfort of your bed with its Door Sense feature!
The app will also allow you to create user codes for guest access. Guests only need to download the August app and you can share access to your home with them.
3. Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Deadbolt
A trusted brand in security since 1840, Yale is arguably the most popular brand of locks in the world. From traditional key-and-cylinder locks to the current generation of smart locks, there’s nothing that Yale hasn’t perfected when it comes to securing your home.
The Yale Assure Lock SL replaces your existing lock with a slim, key-free deadbolt mechanism that is controlled by a touchscreen keypad. The keypad itself is responsive and robust, and the backlit design on the touch panel keypad lets you input your access codes easily, even while in the dark.
With the bundled Connected by August kit, you’re able to control various features through the August App. By enabling the auto-unlock feature, the August app turns your smartphone into a remote key.
It unlocks the door when it senses that you and your smartphone are near, so no need to reach for the touchpad. There’s also the auto locking feature that locks the door automatically, which is super useful if you go to put your groceries down and forget to go back and lock the door.
The Yale Assure Lock SL has both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Once you pair your Yale Assure smart lock with your Google Home, you’ll be able to create keycodes, including temporary codes for certain people. You’ll also be able to track anyone accessing the smart door.
The setup process to pair the Yale Lock with Google Home is simple. Launch your Google Assistant app, add the August app, input your August account information, set an entry code on the next screen and voila – you’ve got yourself a voice-activated smart front door!
4. August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect with Wi-Fi Bridge
This is an earlier, 3rd-generation model of the August Smart Lock above. This earlier version comes in two parts, instead of just one piece on the 4th-gen model.
The 3rd Gen August Smart Lock Pro’s core component is the smart lock itself, which is similar to the shape of the 4th Gen model, but 45% smaller than the 3rd generation model. The other component is the Connect Wi-Fi Bridge that’s a WiFi adapter.
Like the 4th-gen August Smart Lock, you have an option to still use your existing keys as this does not replace the entire lock unit – it just replaces the deadbolt.
It can be set to lock automatically behind you as you come and go. Even though it comes in two parts, it’s still a simple installation process that’ll only take 10 minutes and a screwdriver.
One thing to note however is that the “Connect” unit, which acts as a WiFi dongle, has to be connected to a constant power source, as close as possible to the Smart Lock. Without it, your smart lock won’t be able to connect to anything, thus making it unable to be wirelessly controlled. It’s a slight inconvenience but hey – with the convenience this smart lock brings, its worth the extra effort required to set it up to work
5. Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt, Z-Wave Plus
The Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt, Z-Wave Plus is a strong, sturdy deadbolt smart lock that will replace your existing deadbolt.
The biggest draw to this smart lock is the fact that it is Z-Wave technology compatible. That allows it to connect to smart home hubs such as Wink, SmartThings, and with other devices in your home such as the Ring Alarm.
There are some good user experience and safety features that come with the Schlage Connect. The anti-smudge touchscreen backlit keypad makes it easy for you to input your access codes. If the lock senses a potential door attack, it’ll send you notifications straight away on your Schlage Home app.
There are up to 30 different access codes that you can create and share with family and friends. Keycodes are reprogrammable and like rekeying. Once your guests have no more need for the code, you can delete the code, and create a new one for another guest.
Once you pair it with your Google Home, you can then use voice activation for the lock’s functions. Access locking or unlocking, checking the battery status, and viewing the history log of all the recent activity that goes in and out of your front door.
Final Thoughts
There are many smart locks that work with Google Home, but we narrowed the list down to the five you read about above. We’ve narrowed it down even more by giving the top three smart locks that work with Google Home.
Editor’s Choice
The Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt gives the best mix of design and functionality, with features that are hard to beat – making it the overall winner this round.
Best Value
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is well-designed and has all the features you need from a smart lock at a great price.
Best Budget Friendly
Those on a budget will find that the Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Deadbolt fits all their home security needs at a low price.
Also check out the list of the best smart locks for seniors if you live with elderly people and need help to decide what lock features are best.
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions
Are Smart Locks Secure?
Smart locks are as secure as most other smart devices, computers, and your logins to various online accounts. There’s a risk of someone picking your smart door lock with a keyhole like a regular door lock, but it’s harder to pick the smart lock. If you get a smart lock without a key, you take away the picking lock risk.
Digitally, because smart locks use wireless technologies, there’s a risk of someone hacking the smart lock. You’ll want to setup unique, lengthy passwords with two-factor authentication for additional security.
