You want to stop hunting for keys and lock the door from your phone, without paying a monthly fee to do it. In 2026, both of these locks deliver.
August WiFi Smart Lock — Top Pick
Retrofits in minutes so you keep your keys, adds built-in WiFi for remote control and hands-free auto-unlock, and integrates with the platforms you already own, all with no subscription. The August WiFi Smart Lock is the best all-round smart lock for most people in 2026.
In a hurry? That's our pick. Want the reasoning and the full comparison? Keep reading.
Smart locks used to mean ripping out your deadbolt, hiring a handyman, and then getting nickel-and-dimed by a subscription just to unlock your own front door. That era is over. The two most popular budget picks, the August WiFi Smart Lock and the Wyze Lock Bolt, both give you app control, auto-lock, and shared access with zero monthly fee, and they do it for the price of a nice dinner out.
But they solve the problem in opposite ways. August retrofits onto your existing deadbolt, so you keep your keys and your exterior hardware, and it leans on built-in WiFi plus deep smart-home integrations. Wyze replaces the whole deadbolt with a keypad and fingerprint reader for keyless entry at the lowest possible cost. Below you get the four locks worth your money, plus a plain-English breakdown of retrofit versus replacement, connectivity, fingerprint and keypad entry, platform support, and battery life, so you buy the right one the first time.
Key Takeaways
- A smart lock is either a retrofit (keeps your existing deadbolt and key) or a full deadbolt replacement, and that choice shapes everything else.
- For most people the August WiFi Smart Lock is our top pick: it retrofits in minutes, keeps your key, and has built-in WiFi plus wide integrations.
- Want the lowest-cost keyless entry with a fingerprint reader? The Wyze Lock Bolt is the value champion.
- Need premium build with a touchscreen keypad and Apple Home Key? The Schlage Encode Plus earns it.
- Want a refined, customizable deadbolt with swappable modules and strong platform support? The Yale Assure Lock 2 delivers.
Retrofit vs Deadbolt Replacement: The Choice That Decides Everything
Before you compare features, decide how the lock installs, because it changes what you buy and how you live with it. A retrofit lock like the August WiFi Smart Lock mounts onto the inside of your existing deadbolt. Your exterior hardware stays put, your physical keys still work exactly as before, and installation takes minutes with a screwdriver. That is a big deal if you rent, if you want to keep a matching set of house keys, or if you simply do not want to touch the outside of your door. You get smart control on the inside while nothing visible changes outside.
A deadbolt replacement swaps out the whole lock. The Wyze Lock Bolt, Schlage Encode Plus, and Yale Assure Lock 2 all take this route, which lets them add a keypad or fingerprint reader right on the door for true keyless entry. The trade-off is a slightly bigger install and, in some cases, giving up a traditional key entirely. If you love the idea of tapping a code or a fingertip and never carrying keys again, replacement is the way. If you want the fastest, least invasive upgrade that preserves your keys, retrofit wins.
There is no universally correct answer here, only the one that fits your door and your habits. Renters and key-keepers lean August. Anyone who wants a keypad or fingerprint built into the door leans toward a replacement lock. Nail this decision first and the rest of the comparison gets much simpler.
Connectivity, Access, and Battery: The Stuff That Bites Later
Connectivity decides whether you can lock the door from across town or only from the hallway. Built-in WiFi, as on the August WiFi Smart Lock and the Schlage Encode Plus, means remote control, status checks, and notifications straight from your phone anywhere, with no extra hub to buy. Bluetooth-only locks like the Wyze Lock Bolt keep costs down and battery life long, but you control them at the door, not from the office, unless you add a bridge. Decide whether true remote access matters to you before you spend, because it is the feature people most often wish they had bought.
Platform support is the other quiet dealbreaker. If you live in Apple Home, look for HomeKit and the tap-to-unlock Home Key that the Schlage Encode Plus supports; the Yale Assure Lock 2 offers swappable smart modules so you can match your ecosystem, and August plays nicely with Alexa, Google, and more. And here is the part that matters for your wallet: none of these four locks charges a subscription for core access. You get app control, auto-lock, and shared guest codes or keys for free, forever. That is exactly what a budget-minded buyer wants.
Finally, battery. These locks run on AA cells or a rechargeable pack, and real-world life ranges from several months to about a year depending on use and connectivity. WiFi locks sip more power than Bluetooth ones, which is the price of remote access. All four warn you well before they die, and swapping batteries takes a minute. Judge the whole picture, install style, connectivity, entry method, platform, and battery, and the right lock for your door becomes obvious.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Install | Entry | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August WiFi Smart Lock | Overall pick | Retrofit, keeps your key | App + auto-unlock | Built-in WiFi |
| Wyze Lock Bolt | Best value | Deadbolt replace | Fingerprint + keypad | Bluetooth (BLE) |
| Schlage Encode Plus | Premium build | Deadbolt replace | Touch keypad + key | Built-in WiFi + Home Key |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Customizable premium | Deadbolt replace | Keypad (modules vary) | Swappable smart modules |
1. August WiFi — Best Overall
August WiFi Smart Lock
The August WiFi Smart Lock is the one we hand to almost anyone who asks. It retrofits onto your existing deadbolt in minutes, which means you keep your current keys and nothing changes on the outside of your door, ideal for renters and anyone who does not want to swap hardware. Built-in WiFi lets you lock, unlock, and check status from anywhere with no separate hub, and the auto-unlock feature senses your approach and opens the door hands-free as you walk up.
Where it really shines is flexibility. It works with Alexa, Google, and other smart-home platforms, you can hand out digital guest access instead of copying keys, and every core feature runs without a subscription. It is compact, quick to fit, and it plays nicely with the setup you already own. If you want the least invasive smart lock that keeps your keys and still does everything remotely, this is it.
Pros
- Retrofits onto your existing deadbolt so you keep your keys
- Built-in WiFi for true remote control with no extra hub
- Auto-unlock opens the door hands-free as you approach
- Wide smart-home integrations with Alexa and Google
- All core features work with no monthly subscription
Cons
- No built-in keypad or fingerprint, so entry leans on your phone or key
- WiFi draws more battery than a Bluetooth-only lock
- Retrofit design keeps your existing exterior hardware, not a new look
2. Wyze Lock Bolt — Best Value
Wyze Lock Bolt
The Wyze Lock Bolt is the smart-money pick for keyless entry. It replaces your deadbolt with a unit that has both a fingerprint reader and a keypad built right into the door, so you can unlock with a fingertip or a code and stop carrying keys altogether, all for a price that undercuts nearly everything else. The fingerprint sensor is fast, and adding codes for family or guests takes seconds in the app.
It keeps costs down by running on Bluetooth rather than built-in WiFi, which means you control it at the door and enjoy long battery life, with no subscription for any of it. If your goal is simple, reliable keyless entry without paying flagship prices or a monthly fee, the Lock Bolt stretches every dollar. You give up remote-from-anywhere control, but for a door you mostly operate in person, that is a smart trade.
Pros
- Lowest cost of any lock here for real keyless entry
- Fast built-in fingerprint reader plus a keypad on the door
- No subscription for codes, app access, or fingerprints
- Long battery life thanks to efficient Bluetooth
- Quick to add codes for family and guests in the app
Cons
- Bluetooth-only, so no true remote control from anywhere
- Full deadbolt replacement rather than a keep-your-key retrofit
- Fewer deep smart-home integrations than pricier rivals
3. Encode Plus — Best Premium Build
Schlage Encode Plus
If build quality and a top-tier Apple experience matter most, the Schlage Encode Plus makes the case. Schlage deadbolts have a reputation for being genuinely tough, and this one pairs that solid hardware with a sleek touchscreen keypad and built-in WiFi for remote control with no hub. It still keeps a physical key backup, so you have a fallback if the electronics ever sit idle.
Its standout trick is support for Apple Home Key, letting you tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, which feels like magic and works even in a low-power state. Between the WiFi remote access, the durable Schlage build, and the deep Apple integration, it is the premium pick for buyers who want the most refined, longest-lasting lock and are willing to pay for that finish. Core access, as with the others, carries no subscription.
Pros
- Durable, well-built Schlage deadbolt that feels flagship-grade
- Built-in WiFi for remote control with no separate hub
- Apple Home Key lets you tap your iPhone or Watch to unlock
- Sleek touchscreen keypad plus a physical key backup
- No subscription required for core access and control
Cons
- Among the most expensive options here
- Full deadbolt replacement, so you lose your existing hardware
- WiFi and premium features draw more battery than simpler locks
4. Assure Lock 2 — Most Customizable
Yale Assure Lock 2
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the pick for buyers who want to tailor a lock to their exact setup. Its clever swappable-module design lets you choose your connectivity, so you can match WiFi, a specific smart-home platform, or a leaner option, and change it later if your needs shift. You can also pick a keypad version or a sleek key-free design, giving you a refined, modern deadbolt that looks and works the way you want.
Beyond the flexibility, Yale is a trusted lock name with a solid, resonant build and clean styling that suits any door. The keypad is responsive, guest codes are easy to manage, and core access stays subscription-free. If you want a premium, customizable deadbolt that adapts to your ecosystem rather than forcing you into one, the Assure Lock 2 is a genuinely smart, future-proof choice.
Pros
- Swappable smart modules let you match your exact ecosystem
- Choose a keypad or a clean key-free design
- Refined, modern styling with a solid, trusted build
- Easy guest-code management with no subscription for core access
- Future-proof: change connectivity later as your needs shift
Cons
- Premium pricing, especially once you add modules
- Full deadbolt replacement rather than a keep-your-key retrofit
- Choosing the right module combo can confuse first-time buyers
Which Should You Choose?
Pick the August WiFi Smart Lock if you want to keep your keys
If you rent, want a matching set of house keys, or simply do not want to touch the outside of your door, the August WiFi Smart Lock is the clearest choice. It retrofits in minutes onto your existing deadbolt, adds built-in WiFi for remote control and hands-free auto-unlock, and integrates with the smart-home platforms you already use. It is the best balance of easy install, remote access, and everyday convenience on this list.
Pick the Wyze Lock Bolt if you want cheap, keyless entry
Chasing the lowest cost while ditching your keys for good? The Wyze Lock Bolt gives you a fingerprint reader and a keypad built into the door for less than anything else here, with no subscription for any of it. You trade remote-from-anywhere control for a Bluetooth connection and long battery life, and for a door you mostly operate in person, that is a smart, budget-friendly trade.
Pick the Schlage Encode Plus or Yale Assure Lock 2 if premium matters
Some buyers want the most refined lock, not just the cheapest. The Schlage Encode Plus pairs a tough build with built-in WiFi and Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, ideal for Apple Home users. The Yale Assure Lock 2 counters with swappable modules that match your exact ecosystem and let you future-proof. Both cost more, but the durability, styling, and platform depth are what you are paying for, and it is worth it if that matters to you.
Ready to Ditch the Key Hunt for Good?
The August WiFi Smart Lock lets you keep your keys, lock the door from anywhere, and walk in hands-free, with no monthly fee. Check current pricing and see why it wins our August vs Wyze matchup for 2026.
Explore Brainstamped's Free ToolsFrequently Asked Questions
For most people, the August WiFi Smart Lock is the better pick. It retrofits onto your existing deadbolt so you keep your keys, adds built-in WiFi for true remote control and hands-free auto-unlock, and integrates widely with smart-home platforms. The Wyze Lock Bolt is the better choice if you want the lowest-cost keyless entry with a fingerprint reader and do not need remote-from-anywhere access.
No. All four locks here, the August WiFi Smart Lock, Wyze Lock Bolt, Schlage Encode Plus, and Yale Assure Lock 2, give you app control, auto-lock, and shared guest access with no subscription for core features. That is a big reason budget-minded buyers gravitate to them: you pay once for the hardware and never get charged monthly just to unlock your own door.
A retrofit lock like the August WiFi Smart Lock mounts onto the inside of your existing deadbolt, so your keys and exterior hardware stay the same and installation takes minutes. A replacement lock like the Wyze Lock Bolt swaps out the whole deadbolt, which lets it add a keypad or fingerprint reader on the door but is a slightly bigger install. Renters and key-keepers usually prefer retrofit.
It depends on the model. The Wyze Lock Bolt has both a fingerprint reader and a keypad built into the door for true keyless entry. The Schlage Encode Plus uses a touchscreen keypad and Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, and the Yale Assure Lock 2 offers keypad options. The August WiFi Smart Lock instead keeps your physical key and adds app control and auto-unlock rather than a built-in keypad.
Battery life ranges from several months to about a year depending on use and connectivity. Bluetooth locks like the Wyze Lock Bolt sip less power and last longer, while WiFi locks like the August WiFi Smart Lock and Schlage Encode Plus draw more for their remote access. All four warn you well before they run out, and swapping batteries takes only a minute.