Smart locks help to keep your home secure with little effort on your end. As part of a smart home system, smart locks provide the same seamless automation that you would expect out of your other smart home devices.
With all the different choices of brands, makes and models of smart locks on the market today, how do you choose? Of course, you’ll want to find one that’s compatible with your smart home system to help keep your home secure.
For Apple HomeKit users, there are plenty of smart locks, but will any match up to Apple’s design, performance quality, and closed smart home ecosystem? Let’s take a look at the contenders for the best smart locks that work with HomeKit.
For those in a hurry, here are the best HomeKit smart locks:
What is Apple HomeKit?
Apple HomeKit is Apple’s platform and framework to manage smart homes and devices using any of Apple’s devices and the Home app. You can use it to control smart thermostats, smart lights, robotic vacuums, and of course smart locks.
We all know Apple’s operating systems are not open-sourced like Android, so it’s sometimes harder to find smart home devices that’ll work out of the box with Apple. But the closed ecosystem isn’t all negative.
The biggest advantage of Apple devices is their ease-of-use because they control all aspects of their systems. If you’ve ever used an iPhone, iPad, Macbook, iMac, Apple TV, HomePod and other Apple devices and computers, you know how easy and intuitive they are to use.
Let’s get into a comparison of the best smart locks compatible with HomeKit to help keep homes safe and secure.
Smart Lock Compatibility With Apple HomeKit?
The HomeKit system uses mainly bluetooth to connect to your smart lock, so you’ll need to find a bluetooth compatible smart lock in order for it to work effectively to keep your smart home secure.
Once you pair your door lock to your HomeKit, you are able to use voice commands through Siri to control its functions and features. Additionally, if you own an Apple Watch, unlocking and locking your front door is a breeze – you can connect it directly to your smart door lock via bluetooth, bypassing the need for your iPhone altogether.
If you’re on the lookout for compatible locks with your HomeKit smart home system, read on below for our list of 5 of the best smart locks for HomeKit.
5 Best Smart Locks That Work With HomeKit
1. Best Overall – August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation)
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is 45% smaller than the previous 3rd Gen August lock, but it still manages to fit in impressive functions like built-in WiFi and auto locking / unlocking.
The intricate engineering by August, it works with any Wi-Fi network and offers full functionality straight out of the box without the need for any additional WiFI bridge or devices to be connected in between.
With the Auto-unlock function, you never have to worry about searching for your keys again. It detects and automatically unlocks the door for you as you approach with your smartphone and that large bag of groceries.
The August lock will also automatically lock behind you on a timing that you set through the August app. The same app allows for remote locking/unlocking, as well as sending virtual keys to your family and friends for temporary or permanent access.
Battery life is also estimated to last up to six months. Unfortunately, if it runs out of battery power, you won’t have physical keys to open the door, only digital keys.
The August app will give you access to lock activity and lock status from the convenient control of your smartphone.
HomeKit users can connect your August lock seamlessly, allowing you to access all of its functions through your Siri-Enabled devices for complete hands-free convenience.
Last but not least, August brings simplicity and design aesthetic to locks like Apple does to their devices. If you’re a fan of Apple, you’ll probably also like August.
The August lock is easy to install and doesn’t require you to replace your existing lock. The lock sits on the interior side of the door, so the exterior side stays the same in form and function.
2. Best Value – August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect with Wi-Fi Bridge
This smart door lock is the earlier model of the 4th Gen August Lock. It shares similar features such as the Auto-lock/unlock, remote access and secure key sharing.
The two main differences between the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) and the August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) are the size and the built-in WiFi connection. The 4th Gen August Lock is 45% smaller than the 3rd Gen.
No built-in WiFi for the 3rd Gen means that it needs the included Connect device as a WiFi bridge for wireless connectivity. The Connect Bridge will need to be plugged into the wall for continuous power and placed close to the lock itself.
The 3rd Gen model gives the same features and functions as the newer 4th Gen version, but at a cheaper price and larger size. You will need one more device for WiFi connectivity, but that’s not a big deal. It does have Z-Wave connectivity too.
When it comes to smart home compatibility, this door lock is great and pairs easily to your home system for full hands-free, voice control operation through your iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod, Apple TV, and other Apple devices.
3. Best Budget-Friendly – Kwikset Premis Touchscreen Keyless Entry Smart Deadbolt
The Kwikset Premis Touchscreen Smart Lock is optimized for Apple’s ecosystem of devices. You get remote capabilities through the HomePod, Apple TV, iPhone, and others.
The Premis is able to be locked and unlocked in various methods: Siri, the Premis app, and a keycode entered on the SecureScreen touchscreen.
SecureScreen randomizes the numbers shown on the lock, so even if someone’s watching from afar, they won’t be able to know which numbers you pressed.
To unlock with Siri or the Premis app, you will need a 4th generation Apple TV or newer. The Premis lock connects to the Apple TV, which connects to your smart phone.
Rushed out of the house and forgot if you had locked the front door? The Premis app will let you know the status of the door lock and if it’s unlocked, you’ll be able to lock it remotely.
The Premis app allows you to create and assign up to 30 customizable user codes to family members, friends, guests, dog walkers, and other service providers.
Create a key code for your dog walker, so they can take the dog out for a walk. And receive a notification whenever the door is locked and unlocked.
4. Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Deadbolt
As a trusted name in home security, Yale doesn’t disappoint with the Assure Lock SL. I
The Yale lock features a keyless access entry system, meaning you’ll never need to use keys again. The deadbolt mechanism is connected to a sleek, touchscreen keypad that’s responsive to the touch when entering access codes.
With the included Connected by August Kit, the lock comes standard with many of the August lock and app benefits.
As you approach your front door with your smartphone, the Yale Assure Lock SL automatically unlocks the door and then relocks after you enter. If you happen to forget your phone, there’s still the touchscreen keypad on the Yale lock. Either way, there are no standard keys to lose nor copied.
The DoorSense sensor on this lock allows you to check lock status whenever. It’ll also send you alerts if your front door is left open for too long, ensuring you have maximum security for your home.
You’ll be able to lock and unlock through Siri and other voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant too.
And if you’re ever away from home and forgot to lock the door, you’ll be able to do it remotely with the August app. On the flip side, if you have a guest who arrived early and you’re still out, you can unlock the door for them.
5. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is sleekly designed, especially the matte black. I’m partial to the modernistic look and feel of the black texture.
Looks aside, the Schlage Encode has Wi-Fi built in, so you don’t need any extra accessories to use it in your smart home setup.
The capacitive touchscreen is fingerprint-resistant and features easy one-touch locking for convenience.
A built-in alarm sensor sets off an alarm and sends you immediate notifications if it senses a potential security breach at your door – maximizing security for your home.
The Schlage Home app allows you to seamlessly pair your lock with your Apple HomeKit smart home system, letting you control your lock via Siri-enabled devices like the HomePod using voice commands.
If you happen to be reading this and have Amazon Alexa or Google Home as your voice assistant, you’ll be happy to know it also works with both of those.
Final Thoughts
Best Overall
The best overall HomeKit smart lock is my favorite, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen). It’s easy to use, stylish, functional and feels right at home with Apple’s ecosystem.
Best Value
Great value comes with the previous August model, the August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect with Wi-Fi Bridge. The only negative might be the extra Connect device you’ll need to plug in for WiFi connectivity.
Best Budget Friendly
The Kwikset Premis is the best option for those with a tighter budget.
Whichever HomeKit smart lock best fits your needs and door, any of these five smart locks will work with HomeKit.
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