A smart lock can feel like you have a doorman at your service 24/7. No more need for physical keys that you’re desperately looking for, while carrying bags and bags of groceries.
Smart locks can now use your location to automatically unlock and lock your door. Let’s compare the best smart locks with geofencing and auto unlock here.
Automatic locking and unlocking are made possible via Bluetooth, GPS and Geofencing technology on your smartphone. Our phones are almost always with us in our pockets or purses, so there’s no extra physical key or device to carry.
If you’re in a hurry, here’re the best smart locks with auto unlock and geofencing.
Geofencing is a relatively new feature with smart door locks. Not many smart lock makers have this feature yet. Let’s look at the top smart door locks first. After that, let’s explore this technology a little deeper in a section further down.
4 Best Smart Locks With Geofencing and Auto Unlock
If you’re looking for smart locks with geofencing and auto unlock functionality, we’ve compiled 4 of the best smart locks that fit the criteria – read on for more.
1. Best Overall – August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation)
This slimline smart lock from August replaces the deadbolt mechanism on your door and has awesome functionality, fitting everything you need in a smart lock in a small package.
The August Smart Lock doesn’t replace your existing deadbolt too, so no need to replace your keys.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built-in straight out of the box enabling voice assistant control, along with other features like auto-lock/unlock function comes as a standard feature on this nifty little thing.
Use voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Home. If you have an Echo smart speaker, you can tell Alexa to lock the front door and check on the door’s open/closed status.
You won’t need to worry about your keys or remember whether you locked the door behind you as you left home this morning. All you need is your smartphone with the installed August app to lock the door on the road.
The August app is one of the best things that comes with August smart locks. You’ll see below that the Yale smart locks also use the August app through a partnership.
The August app gives you remote control over your door and lock. You’re able to lock, unlock, and monitor what’s going on at the door.
One thing that August locks don’t have is a keypad. August is about simplicity and the current lock is as simple as it gets. But if you like a back up option and don’t want to carry a backup key around, you can get the August Smart Keypad.
The Smart Keypad will give you the ability to use access codes you set up on the mobile app. You’ll also be able to set up temporary codes for friends and family that are coming over. Or you can give them permanent codes, it’s up to you.
2. Best Value – Yale Assure Lever – Connected by August – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Touchscreen Lever Lock
The Yale Assure Lever replaces the existing lever or doorknob, and gives you that much needed upgrade to smart lock specifications and features.
Through a partnership with August, Yale is able to use Connected by August and take advantage of auto unlock feature, DoorSense, voice control, and more.
This smart lock detects if you’re approaching the house via bluetooth, and automatically unlocks the door for you.
If you don’t have your phone with you, the backlit keypad lets you input access codes to gain entry. Simple, functional, and responsive.
The Yale Assure Lever will also lock the door behind you as you enter or leave, making sure that your front door is always kept secure. That comes in handy when you’re carrying multiple items.
All door and lock activity (entered code, potential door attack) is logged and you can turn on real-time notifications to keep tabs on exactly what happens at your front door for the utmost security.
3. Best Budget Model – August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect with Wi-Fi Bridge
The August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect with Wi-Fi Bridge is the earlier model of the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen listed as our best overall smart lock.
Essentially, the features on this model are similar to the later one, with two notable differences. The first difference is size as the 4th Gen model is 45% smaller than the 3rd Gen model.
The second difference is that the 4th Gen model has WiFi connectivity built-in to the lock. The 3rd Gen model needs the Connect WiFi Bridge device that comes with it.
Having an extra device isn’t a big convenience, but it can be annoying if you don’t have any wall outlets by the door to plug the Connect into. The Connect’s location can’t be too far away from the August lock or they won’t be able to talk to each other.
4. Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Deadbolt
Yale has been a trusted name in home security lock technology. The Yale Assure Lock lives up to the company’s quality reputation.
This is different from the Yale Assure Lever above because the earlier one has a Lever handle with the keypad.
This Yale Assure Lock base model only has a keypad and doesn’t have a door handle. But they have versions that come with a door handle. Click to go to the Amazon page and check out their various types of door handles.
The Yale Assure replaces your existing deadbolt and the touchscreen keypad gives you complete keyless access to your home’s front door.
Once you pair your smartphone to the smart lock via the August app, your phone becomes your key. The Auto Unlock feature on the Yale Assure allows you to walk towards your door and it’ll automatically unlock for you.
It also comes with all the features and benefits of the Connected by August partnership.
What is Geofencing?
As its name suggests, geofencing refers to the ability of your smart lock to detect your location to trigger the next action – unlocking or locking the door.
Geofencing draws an outer virtual boundary (fence) of up to 300 feet around your neighborhood area and an inner boundary around your home. The lock will constantly search for your smartphone.
Using GPS and Bluetooth, geofencing detects your smartphone crossing inside the fence, it’ll trigger it’ll go into increased awareness mode to prepare to unlock when you’re close. In this mode, the lock will start taking frequent digital proximity snapshots tracking when you enter the inner boundary.
When you enter the inner boundary around your home, like parking your car in your driveway, the auto unlock feature will activate on your front door. No need to take out any keys, just walk up to your door and open it.
Pros and Cons of Geofencing
You’ve probably guessed by now that at the core of geofencing is GPS technology. Virtual boundaries, taking snapshots of your location, and proximity awareness is powered by GPS.
Although it’s a great feeling to have your door automatically unlock, there are some drawbacks to it as well.
Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of geofencing that we’ve found.
Geofencing Pros
- Convenience – Geofencing allows the ultimate keyless entry experience. No need to lift a finger to unlock your front door as you arrive home.
- Security – Your smart lock recognizes only you, and nobody else. So you know you’re the only one coming back to an already unlocked front door as you drive up the street coming home.
Geofencing Cons
- GPS, Data & Bluetooth have to be left on – In order for geofencing to work properly, you need all 3 of these functions to be switched on 24/7 (or at least whenever you’re coming home or leaving). If any of these features are turned off, it results in your smart lock not locking itself as you leave, or not unlocking as you arrive.
- “Power Saving Mode” can result in limited functionality – If your smartphone is running out of battery, it may switch to “power saving mode.” This mode disables most background actions on mobile apps, including your smart lock app. Without the app running, your phone’s GPS might be turned off, which means your smart lock can’t detect you arriving home and won’t unlock like it should.
Final Thoughts on the Best Smart Locks With Geofencing
Best Overall
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) wins this round for the Best Overall Smart Lock. It has a simple, yet elegant design, yet packs so much functionality hidden underneath. If you’re looking for a lock that’s easy to install and easy to pair with your smartphone – this is what you’re looking for.
Best Value
For the best value category, the Yale Assure Lever – Connected by August – Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Touchscreen Lever Lock is a tough one to beat.
As it overhauls the entire handle mechanism at your door, it is suitable for those with or without deadbolts, meaning anybody can install it. It has great features and provides some pretty awesome security measures that help keep your home safe at any time of the day.
Best Budget Friendly
The August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Gen) + Connect with Wi-Fi Bridge is perfect for those conscious about their budgets. It has all the features you’d want from a top smart lock at an attractive price.
If you’re looking for posts on other smart door lock use cases, check out these posts.
- Best Smart Locks for Seniors
- Best Smart Locks for Sliding Glass Doors
- Best Smart Locks for Storm Doors
- Best Smart Locks for Outdoor Gates and Fences
