The buyer question · Updated Jun 16
Best Smart Locks
We put this question to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity every week — then check their pick against the people who actually used it.
Power ranking
The top products right now.
This week?
Nest x Yale Lock surged twenty-one positions to claim the number five spot, the biggest climb in this week's smart lock rankings. The Wi-Fi Smart Lock in its fourth generation also moved up, jumping from ninth to third. Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt holds the top position, while two newcomers, Smart Lock U100 and Secure Pro, entered the rankings at sixth and ninth respectively. Assure Lock 2 and Vision Elite both lost ground, dropping ten spots apiece.
What AI values here
Smart locks are evaluated primarily on biometric access and connectivity options, with fingerprint recognition and wifi connectivity being the most common features across top picks. Installation ease and smart home integration standards like HomeKit and Matter matter when comparing models.
How What AI Would Buy works
The ranking
Machines rank
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & Perplexity pick — we merge them into one list.
The check★
People check
Real reviewers who used these products weigh in beside them.
The verdict
You decide
They agree, we say so. They split, we show you the gap.
Act one
What the machines think.
Three AI models read the category and rank every product. They agree on the very top — and split harder than anywhere else below it.
Model by model?
How each AI ranked it.
All three models open with the same #1 when they agree — below it their lists diverge. Each column is one model's own ranked picks; the lead pick sits a touch larger, and a lone tag marks a product only one model chose. The board below merges them into one machines-only top 10.
- #1
Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Waveonly here
- #2
Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
- #3
Level Lockonly here
- #4
Smart Lock U300only here
- #5
Visage Zeno Seriesonly here
- #1
- #2
- #3
WiFi Smart Lock (4th Gen)only here
- #4
- #5
- #1
- #2
- #3
- #4
- #5
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the AI rank and the reviewer score in one frame. The story here isn't a hidden gem — it's whether the machines and the room land together.
Race chart?
6 weeks of rank trajectories.
Before you buy
Questions buyers ask.
Which brand smart door lock is best?
Schlage's Encode Plus and Yale's Assure Lock 2 both rank at the top. Schlage emphasizes Apple Home Key and HomeKit support without needing a hub. Yale's Assure Lock 2 focuses on a touchscreen keypad and auto-lock features.
Is Schlage or Yale better?
Both are top picks. Schlage's Encode Plus is valued for HomeKit integration and not requiring a separate hub. Yale's Assure Lock 2 is valued for its touchscreen interface and voice control support.
What is the highest rated smart lock?
The Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt ranks as a top pick. It offers Apple Home Key, HomeKit compatibility, and WiFi control without needing a hub.
What should I look for in a smart lock?
The best smart locks emphasize WiFi connectivity so you can control and monitor access remotely. Look for models that balance reliable installation with keyless entry options, auto-lock features, and integration with your phone ecosystem.
What are the different ways to unlock a smart lock?
Top models offer multiple entry methods. Options include keypad codes, fingerprint readers, mobile app control, and voice commands. Some also support Home Key on compatible phones.
Do the AI assistants agree on the top pick?
Not quite — they split across 4 different picks. Claude leads with Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt; ChatGPT leads with Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with Z-Wave; Gemini leads with August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen); and Perplexity leads with Eufy FamiLock S3 Max.
If the pick isn't right for you?
The other picks still in rotation.
Beyond this question
Where the winner shows up elsewhere.
context & history
A smart lock replaces keys with codes, cards, or your phone. You gain convenience and a record of who entered when. You trade the simplicity of a key for a device that needs power, internet, or both. The real question is whether you want to manage another gadget on your door.
What separates the strong options is how they handle power loss and connectivity. Yale and Level Lock build into your existing deadbolt. August and Nuki mount outside. Some work only through Wi-Fi. Others use Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Zigbee. Check what your phone requires, what your door permits, and what happens when the battery dies.
Across the radar?