Last Updated on July 22, 2024
Our Favorite | Comparison Table | Limitations of Smart Locks | Kwikset Halo Review | Schlage Encode Review | Yale Assure Review
Related articles:
- If you are looking for sliding door solutions, check out our article on Smart Locks for Sliding Doors
- Can smart locks be used on outdoor gates?
In 2020 lock manufacturers finally got the concept of smart locks dialed in for the average consumer. Gone are the complicated hardware and software components to set them up, the apps that run them are more intuitive, and the designs are now compatible with standard door preparation, meaning to install one, you won’t typically have to do any drilling on an existing door.
For 2024, they continue to improve the smart locks and their appearance.
Phoenix’s ACME Locksmith Recommends the Yale Assure Connect by August
The best residential smart lock is the Yale Assure Connect by August (CBA). It can be purchased as a non-WIFI, affordable electronic lock and upgraded later (with an upgrade kit) to get all the remote smart lock features. It can sense if the door has been left open. It has the ability to swap lock cylinders so practically any existing house key can be used as the override key. It is fully integration into the AirBnB platform for owners who rent their homes. And Furthermore, it can be purchased as non-WIFI, very affordable basic electronic lock to be easily upgraded later with the CBA upgrade kit.
No other smart lock offers all of these capabilities, and other smart locks require you to purchase all the smart lock features (there’s no upgrade path).
We sell both versions of the Yale lock on our website Purchase the Yale Connect by August Smart Lock.
We’ve done three detailed reviews of the most popular 2024 smart locks available. We’re ready to declare our favorite smart lock of 2024. The smart locks we reviewed in detail are the:
Kwikset Halo Detailed Review on YouTube.
Schlage Encode Detailed Review on YouTube.
Detailed Yale Assure Connect by August Product Review
You can see some differences between these smart locks looking at the chart we’ve created to compare their features.
Table: 2024 Smart Lock Comparison
| Finding the Best Smart Lock of 2024 | ||||
| Feature | Yale CBA | Schlage Encode | Kwikset Halo | SECURAM EOS |
| Lock Grade What are Lock Grades | 2 | 1 | 2 | Not Yet Graded |
| Voice Assitance | Amazon Alexa Google Assistant, Siri |
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
Amazon Alexa, Google Home |
| Lock Warranty | 1 Year Electronic Limited Lifetime Mechanical/Finish |
3 Year Electronic Limited Lifetime Mechanical/Finish |
1 Year Electronic Limited Lifetime Mechanical/Finish |
1 Year Electronic 1 Year Mechanical/Finish |
| Max User Codes | 250 | 100 | 250 | 9 |
| Is Door Open Sensor | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Multiple Keyways Supported | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Redo Setup on WiFi Change | Yes | No – according to customer support but no documentation on this. |
Yes | No |
| Code Guessing Protection | Fingerprint Resistant Screen | Fingerprint Resistant Screen | Random Number Generator | Random Number Input |
| BioMetric | No | No | Another Version, No Pin Code | Yes |
| Single Use Codes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| AirBnB Integration | Yes | No | No | No |
| Door Thickness | 1-3/4 to 2-1/4 Optional Gasket for 1-3/8 |
1-3/8 to 1-3/4 Thick kit for Up to 2-1/2 |
1-3/8 to 2 | 1-3/8 to 2 |
| Fire Rating | 20 Minutes With Add-On Kit |
No | 20 minutes | No |
| Our YouTube Review of the Smart Lock | Yale CBA | Schlage Encode | Kwikset Halo | SECURAM EOS |
| Current Amazon Price | ||||
| Supported by All the Smart Locks Reviewed | ||||
| One Touch Locking | ||||
| Standard Door Prep | ||||
| Auto Relock Feature | ||||
| Key Override Option | ||||
| Monitor by Phone | ||||
| Tamper Alarm | ||||
| Wifi Supported 2.4Ghz | ||||
| Locked Unlock Status | ||||
Limitations of Smart Locks
All smart locks require a 2.4Ghz router, which can be problematic with routers that dynamically choose between 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz, such as the new routers by Cox in my state, Arizona. We learned this the hard way during an installation when we couldn’t get one of the smart deadbolts to connect.
So if you are using 5Ghz or dynamic switching, you’ll need to set your router to transmit a dedicated 2.4Ghz band.
Each of these models have key overrides. There are also available models without them, but at ACME Locksmith we highly recommend having a key override, because electronic components can fail, especially when exposed to our hot Arizona sun. Choose the smart lock version you prefer, with or without the key override.
Kwikset Halo Review
See our Kwikset Halo Detailed Review on YouTube.
We like the Kwikset Halo because it definitely has the most stylish design of the three. It’s also has the most flexibility in how codes can be assigned, and a high number (250) of available codes that come with the product.
Unique Features
My favorite feature of the Kwikset Halo is its SecureScreen™ feature to keep people from guessing codes based on fingerprints on the lock face.
It’s the only one of the locks we evaluated that has a 20-minute fire rating without needing an upgrade purchased.
The lock’s key override can be easily rekeyed by the home owner, not needing a locksmith.
The key override is highly pick-resistant and bump-proof, without needing to upgrade to a high-security cylinder.
Drawbacks
There is no door sensor to tell if the door is actually open or closed.
Notifications to your phone from the lock are a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ option; you cannot select to only receive particular alerts, so either you get every notification (which can be annoying) or none at all (even worse.)
If you change your WIFI, you have to factory reset the lock and start the programming process all over. Who hasn’t had a router go bad on them? This is a big drawback.
Summary
It’s not that this is a bad lock. All of the these smart locks are good locks, and for many home users, especially ones who already have Kwikset locks on their home, this can be a great smart lock.
Buy Kwikset Halo Smart Deadbolt on Amazon
Schlage Encode Review
See our Schlage Encode Detailed Review and the
Features
We liked the Schlage Encode also.
It’s best feature is that it’s a Grade 1 lock – the highest grade available (Learn About Lock Grades), it comes with better hardware that make the installation more robust, and it’s also the easiest to install as both halves of the lock will ‘snap’ together and hold the smart lock pieces in place while you screw in the bolts.
It allows up to 100 user codes, which is plenty for most.
It is the ONLY smart lock (that we’ve seen) with a 3 year electronics warranty (the others featured here have only a 1 year warranty).
Drawbacks
There are no single-use codes available, but you can set one for a very limited time frame to get around this.
If you change the length of a code (4-8 numbers), ALL codes will get deleted and have to be reentered.
The range of doors this lock will fit on out-of-the-box is the most limited. And, if you have a non-standard thicker door, it can be a hassle to get an extension kit. However, once you’ve added the thick door kit, at additional expense, it does become the only smart lock to go up to a 2 1/2 inch door.
Not a lot of resellers are carrying the lock. We did find them on Amazon at the best price here.
Yale Assure Review
Yale Assure Connect by August Product Review
That leaves us with the Yale Assure Connect by August. The only real drawback to this lock is that it is a grade 2 product (learn about ANSI lock grades). Grade 2 locks are robust residential locks, there is no doubt, but it is second to Schlage’s grade 1 lock rating.
You can Buy the Yale Connect by August on our website.
Yale has just released the second generation of this lock, the Yale Assure 2. The Yale Assure 2 offers all the same great features but with a bit more modern design and there’s no longer any need for the wall-plugged-in HUB to connect to the WIFI. Check out pricing on Amazon.
Features
In nearly every other metric, the Yale lock is the most versatile.
It can be purchased as a PIN code electronic lock only, and upgraded later to get all the smart lock features. So if you’re on a budget or not sure you want all the smart lock features, it’s your best option.
It’s the only lock here that will tell you if the door is actually open – not just if the lock is locked or unlocked, but if the door is open.
It works with more voice / personal assistant platforms than either competitor.
It works with the widest range of door thicknesses without additional purchases.
But the best feature of this lock is that the cylinder it uses can be replaced to use a different keyway. So whether you have a Schlage, Kwikset, or a number of other popular keyways, this lock can get a cylinder to match. Even some high-security lock cylinders can be used.
The Yale Assure Connect by August Smart Lock is our Best AirBnB choice for its full integration with the AirBnB platform, and for the above reasons, the Yale Assure Connect by August Smart Lock is the overall Best Smart Lock for 2024 as well.
Other Great Locks
If you’re looking to enhance the security of your home and are looking for the best home locks you can find. Our article on lock brands has some tremendous suggestions.
Disclosure: As an Amazon / Google Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.
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