Quick answer: for a front door, pick a smart deadbolt that’s certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.40, the standard for residential deadbolts [1], and decide how you want to open it: phone, fingerprint or a keypad code. If you rent or don’t want to change the outside of your door, a retrofit lock that replaces only the inside thumbturn is the easy route. Whatever you buy, treat its app like a bank login: unique password and two-factor authentication [2].
At a glance
- Standard to look for
- ANSI/BHMA A156.40, Residential Deadbolts [1]
- Security testing
- 17 tests, including 1,350 lb of force against the bolt [1]
- Grade A durability
- 400,000 open-and-close cycles for dead latches [1]
- Finish testing
- Salt spray corrosion test to ASTM B117 [1]
- App security
- Change default passwords; turn on two-factor authentication [2]
How we chose
We picked these locks from their makers’ published specs and certifications. We didn’t install or test them ourselves.
- A156.40 certification where it applies. The standard sets requirements for residential deadbolts and deadlatches, with security, durability and finish tests [1]. Three of our picks state an A156.40 certification on the maker’s page [5][6][7]. The fourth, August, is a retrofit that works with the deadbolt you already have, so the bolt’s rating is whatever your current deadbolt’s is [8].
- A way in when the electronics fail. We list each lock’s backup: a key, a jump-start battery terminal, or your existing key.
- Security features in the app. We favored locks whose makers describe an encrypted connection or an access history in the app [5][7][8], because the FTC’s advice for connected devices starts with passwords, two-factor authentication and updates [2].
- No recall. We searched the CPSC recall database on November 6, 2026, for each brand and for “smart lock,” “electronic lock” and “deadbolt,” and found no recalls for these locks [4].
Our picks
Best for: iPhone households that want to tap to unlock
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB)
It has Wi-Fi built in, so there's no hub, and it works with Apple home keys: tap an iPhone or Apple Watch to lock or unlock. It holds up to 100 access codes, and a built-in alarm detects attempts to force the door [5].
- ANSI/BHMA A156.40 Grade AAA (security, durability, finish); ANSI/BHMA A156.36 Commercial Grade 1 [5]
- Up to 100 access codes; one backup key included [5]
- 4 AA batteries; up to 6 months of battery life with typical use, per Schlage [5]
- Needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network; works with Apple Home, Alexa and Google Assistant [5]
- Fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick [5]
- Limited lifetime mechanical and finish warranty; limited 3-year electronics warranty [5]
Safety check: Certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.40 Grade AAA per Schlage. No CPSC recall found for Schlage (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: Wi-Fi locks use batteries faster than Bluetooth-only ones; Schlage rates it for up to six months per set [5].
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Kids, older relatives or anyone who forgets codes
Kwikset Halo Touch Traditional Fingerprint Wi-Fi Smart Lock
A fingerprint opens it, and you can enroll up to 100 fingerprints for 50 people from the Kwikset app, then remove them the same way. It connects straight to Wi-Fi with no hub, and it also takes a key [7].
- ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA per Kwikset [7]
- Up to 100 fingerprints (50 users); 100 codes listed in the specs [7]
- SmartKey Security cylinder you can rekey yourself; 2 keys included [7]
- 4 AA batteries, included [7]
- Fits doors 1-3/4 to 2 inches thick [7]
Safety check: Certified ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA per Kwikset. No CPSC recall found for Kwikset (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: Kwikset lists a minimum door thickness of 1-3/4 inches [7], so it may not fit thinner doors. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant; Kwikset's page doesn't list Apple Home.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Renters, or anyone who wants to keep their current deadbolt and key
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen, AUG-SL05)
It mounts on the inside of the door over most single-cylinder deadbolts, so the outside looks the same and your keys still work. A DoorSense sensor reports whether the door is closed and locked, and Wi-Fi is built in, with no bridge needed [8].
- Retrofits most single-cylinder deadbolts; check August's compatibility tool [8]
- 2 CR123 batteries; up to 3 months of battery life, per August [8]
- Wi-Fi (2.4 or 5 GHz) and Bluetooth Low Energy [8]
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit [8]
- 1-year warranty [8]
Safety check: August's page lists no lock certification; security depends on your existing deadbolt. No CPSC recall found for August (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: It has no outside keypad; a keypad is a separate purchase. The batteries last about three months, the shortest here [8]. Ask your landlord before changing any lock hardware.
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Best for: Keyless entry with no Wi-Fi, no app and no account
Schlage Touch Keyless Touchscreen Deadbolt, Century Trim (BE375)
It's a stand-alone keypad deadbolt: codes are entered on the door, and nothing connects to the internet. With no keyway, there's no cylinder to pick, and a 9-volt jump-start feature gives backup access if the battery dies [6].
- Certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.40 and A156.36; Grade 2/AAA per Schlage [6]
- 2 pre-set 4-digit codes; stores up to 19 codes [6]
- One 9-volt battery [6]
- Fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches; thick-door kit to 2-1/2 inches [6]
- Limited lifetime mechanical and finish warranty; 3-year limited electronics warranty [6]
Safety check: Certified to ANSI/BHMA A156.40 per Schlage. No CPSC recall found for Schlage (checked 2026-11-06).
Watch out: There's no key at all, so keep a spare 9-volt battery by the door. You can't check or change codes remotely, and it holds fewer codes than the Wi-Fi picks [5][6].
See it on Amazon → We chose it from specs and safety records; we haven't tested it ourselves.
Secure the lock’s app, too
A smart lock is only as safe as the account that controls it. The FTC’s advice for internet-connected devices at home [2]:
- Change any default username and password, and don’t reuse a password from another account.
- Turn on two-factor authentication where the lock’s app offers it.
- Keep the firmware and app updated.
- Check access logs for activity you don’t recognize.
Your home Wi-Fi matters as well. The FTC says to use WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal encryption on your router, change the router’s default admin password, and keep its software updated [3].
What matters when you buy
- The certification on the spec sheet. Look for ANSI/BHMA A156.40 and, if listed, the AAA rating in security, durability and finish [1][5][7].
- Door fit. Measure door thickness and backset before you buy; Kwikset’s Halo Touch needs at least a 1-3/4-inch door [7].
- Battery type and life. AA, CR123 and 9-volt locks all need fresh batteries on a schedule; note which kind before the low-battery warning comes on [5][6][7][8].
- Your phone and home system. Apple home keys are on the Schlage Encode Plus [5]; check that a lock works with the assistant you already use.
Sources
- Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association: A156.40-2025 Residential Deadbolts (Hardware Highlights)
- Federal Trade Commission: Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home
- Federal Trade Commission: How To Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recalls
- Schlage: Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt (BE499WB) specifications
- Schlage: Touch Keyless Touchscreen Deadbolt with Century Trim (BE375) specifications
- Kwikset: Halo Touch Traditional Fingerprint Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Lock
- August: Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Common questions
What does ANSI/BHMA Grade AAA mean on a smart lock?
ANSI/BHMA A156.40 is the standard for residential deadbolts. It covers security, durability and finish tests, including 17 security tests such as loading the door against the bolt with 1,350 pounds of force. A lock marked AAA has earned the top residential rating in all three areas.
Can a renter install a smart lock?
A retrofit lock such as the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock replaces only the inside thumbturn of an existing single-cylinder deadbolt, so the outside of the door and your key stay the same. Check your lease and ask your landlord before you change any lock.
What happens to a smart lock when the batteries die?
It depends on the lock. The Schlage Encode Plus and Kwikset Halo Touch come with a physical key. The Schlage Touch has no keyway; it uses a 9-volt jump-start feature for backup access.
Are smart locks safe from hackers?
No connected device is risk-free. The FTC says to change any default password, turn on two-factor authentication where it's offered, and keep the device's software updated. A keypad lock with no Wi-Fi or app avoids the online risk entirely.