Best HomeKit Smart Locks
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Best HomeKit Smart Locks
In this post we cover the best HomeKit smart locks for your home. HomeKit enabled smart locks allow you to have seamless smart lock integration with your iPhone and allow you to control your smart lock with voice commands using Siri.
Smart locks are one of the most popular smart home upgrades you can make to your home and it’s because they can make your life easier. I have a Yale smart lock installed on my home and I love that I no longer need to take my keys with me when I’m going to walk my dog or when I go for a run. It’s a truly freeing feeling to go for a run without keys jiggling round in your pocket.
The best HomeKit locks we review below are all easy to use, simple to setup and can help you avoid being locked out of your own home.
What is a Smart Lock That Works With HomeKit?
Smart locks allow you to remotely control your deadbolt locks using your iPhone too lock or unlock your home remotely. Most of them also keypads that allow you to use keyless entry even when you don’t have your phone and assign temporary key codes to housekeepers, contractors or family members.
With a smart lock compatible with HomeKit the lock has native integration with your iPhone and Siri which can also enable voice control commands of your smart lock and integration with other smart home devices compatible with HomeKit. Some of the devices even allow you to control your smart lock right from your Apple Watch.
What is HomeKit? How Do HomeKit Smart Locks Work?
HomeKit is Apples home automation standard that directly interfaces smart home devices with Siri. This means if you have a HomeKit compatible device it can typically be controlled with your voice using Siri. HomeKit also provides custom integrations, and settings that you can use to control your smart home through the HomeKit interface.
There are a few ways that smart locks work with HomeKit, one type of smart light bulb connects directly to your wifi network and then connects to home kit though the app on your phone after being installed with manufacturer iOS app. Other smart locks that work with HomeKit connect via bluetooth directly to your phone rather than your home network.
What can you do with smart locks that work with HomeKit?
With standard smart lock configurations you can control your smart lock through your smart phone. Connecting your smart lock to HomeKit and Siri opens up a whole new world of smart home and smart lock control in that it allows you to control your smart locks using voice commands with Siri.
You can control your smart locks with Siri HomeKit voice commands by saying:
“Siri, lock my front door.”
“Siri, unlock my front door.”
“Siri, check the status of my door.” - Which will tell you if you left your door open or closed.
Adding Siri HomeKit voice control to your home is a true luxury and will take your smart home to the next level. I’ve lived with a smart lock in my home for almost 5 years and there’s nothing like laying in bed at the end of a long day and asking Siri with HomeKit if your front door is locked rather than getting out of bed to check and see if you locked your front door. To control your lock with voice all you need is an iPhone, Siri and a smart lock that works with HomeKit.
#1 Yale Assure Smart Lock (YRD226-CBA-619 Connected by August Touchscreen Smart Lock)
The Yale Assure lock connected by August is the gold standard in smart locks. It provides a touch screen, remote control with your phone and even has a backup keyed lock if you want to use it.
There are several different models of the Yale Assure smart lock but it’s important that you get the right smart lock that works with HomeKit which you can find here or click on the picture above. There are two Yale Assure models that work with Homekit with the main difference being that the other model eliminates the keyhole entirely.
If you are wary of using a smart lock or are not ready to make the full keyless transition the Yale Assure Lock still offers the flexibility to use a key or “hide” a spare key just in case. There is no reason for you to need the key as these smart locks are incredibly reliable and built by Yale a company that has decades of experience in the security industry.
With the the Yale August smart lock you can lock and unlock your smart lock remotely from your phone, share access with user codes and track the history of who is using the lock.
A unique feature of the Yale August smart lock that works with HomeKit is that it has a built in sensor that can detect if your door is open or closed which can give you that extra piece of mind that your home is secure.
The touch screen feature of this smart lock is probably my favorite feature, it’s a solid durable touch screen designed to withstand the elements and is simple to use. I find myself using the touch screen most often to open or close the clock and it’s much simpler that fumbling with keys.
I no longer worry about taking my keys with me when I go to take my dog for a walk because I can just lock the door and use the touch pad entry to get back in the house. The lock also has an auto lock feature so if I forget to lock the door, the HomeKit enabled smart lock will automatically lock it for me after a specified amount of time.
Another nice feature of this smart lock is that it can directly integrate with dozens of different apps and other smart home products to increase functionality. If you run an Airbnb the lock directly integrates with your Airbnb account to provide remote check in through Airbnb and will automatically assign codes for your guests. It also has works with HomeAway in this manner. The Yale August smart lock provides one of the most comprehensive and user friendly control interfaces that gives you the most functionality out of a HomeKit Smart lock.
With HomeKit and this smart lock you can lock the door, unlock the door or check the status all by using HomeKit and Siri by saying commands like “Siri, lock my door.”
If you already have an existing standard deadbolt the Yale August Smart Lock is simple to install and can be done with a screwdriver or a drill. The simple user interface and easy installation make this one of the Best HomeKit smart locks and anyone looking to upgrade the security of their home should consider this reliable smart lock.
#2 Yale Assure Smart Lock (YRD256-CBA-0BP) - Keyless Touch Screen
This lock works almost identically to the Yale Assure smart lock listed above except it eliminates the Key for a full keyless touchscreen. This smart lock also works with HomeKit and provides all of the same software features and user interface as the #1 HomeKit smart lock but goes full keyless to provide a cleaner and more high tech front door appearance.
Choosing between the Keyed or completely Keyless entry is really a matter of personal preference. I went with a completely keyless smart lock for one of my exterior doors and have not had any issues with it. I also love it’s low profile and great looks on the door. It looks beautiful without the key and has a much smaller footprint.
But people who wonder about going Keyless with a HomeKit smart lock always have a few questions and reservations so we hope to answer those for you below.
What happens if the wifi goes down? Will my smart lock still work?
The smart lock will still work with the programed user codes that are stored internally on the lock. You won’t be able to program new user codes on the HomeKit smart lock while your wifi is down or control it from your phone but it will allow you to use the keypad even when the wifi is down with the programed codes to gain access to your home.
What happens when the batteries run out on my smart lock?
The Yale assure smart lock will alert you of low batteries prior to the lock running completely out of power. In our testing the Yale smart lock provided a significant time (2-3 weeks) before the batteries were actually completely dead. I wouldn’t wait that long, and your results might be different based on usage, temperature and other factors. However if you do let the batteries go completely dead, you can power up the lock to gain access from the outside by placing a 9V battery on two terminals located on bottom of the outside of the lock to temporarily power up the smart lock and to enter your code and gain access to change the batteries.
Key or Keyless HomeKit Smart Lock?
It’s a personal preference, both of the Yale Assure smart locks are high quality and work almost identically. I prefer the completely keyless entry smart lock because I think it looks better on my door and because if it doesn’t have a key it’s impossible to pick. But both are great locks and you cant go wrong with either of these two smart locks that work with HomeKit.
Schlage is a reliable lock and security brand with a tenure just as long as Yale. However the Schlage gets a slightly lower ranking than both Yale locks because the software side of the HomeKit smart locks is not quite as polished as the Yale Assure locks connected with August. But don’t get me wrong these are still great HomeKit locks that will allow you voice control of your smart lock with Siri.
The Schlage smarts sense deadbolt has both a key and a touch screen but most users will find that they use the touch screen more than anything else. The lock allows remote control of your phone with both bluetooth and wifi if you select the version with the wifi control module which is what we recommend.
But out of the box the smart lock will connect to your iPhone and HomeKit via bluetooth meaning that you can lock and unlock your smart lock with Siri and HomeKit using just your iPhone, iPad or Apple watch and voice.
You can say things like “Siri, unlock my front door.” or “Siri, lock my front door.”
The lock in it’s standard configuration will work only with HomeKit voice commands when the lock is within bluetooth range of your phone which typically seems to be about 80FT. If you want to make the connection stronger or enable homeKit control of the Schlage lock from outside your home you will need to to use another HomeKit capable device in your home like the Apple TV, or Apple HomePod.
The other HomeKit capable device works as an internet bridge to allow HomeKit control of your home even when you are out of the house. However in our opinion when you are outside the house it is easier and more reliable to control the Schlage Sense lock using the built in Schlage software on the Schlage App, and to purchase the Schlage Sense HomeKit Lock with the included Wifi Module and Bridge. You can save a little bit of money by purchasing the bluetooth only version that is compatible with HomeKit but the wifi version will offer you more features and also work with homeKit.
Overall the touch screen interface is clean and durable in 3 years of using Schlage touch screen lock the touch screens have not faded and reliably work even in the harsh winter conditions in Chicago. Schlage is a great brand with reliable service and support.
Installing this HomeKit enabled lock requires only a screwdriver and most people will be able to install the smart lock in 15 to 30 minutes.
Version 1 Schlage Smart Sense HomeKit Lock - This lock works with bluetooth to connect to HomeKit and if you have a homeKit hub device like Apple TV or HomePod it will allow you to have remote control through HomeKit even when you are not home. But if you don’t have one of these devices HomeKit control will only work when you are within bluetooth range of the lock.
Version 2 Schlage Smart Sense Home Kit Lock With Wifi Adapter - This lock will work with bluetooth and HomeKit but also connects to your wifi network. This means you can control your smart lock with HomeKit when you are inside your home, and use the Schlage app to control your smart lock from anywhere in the world that you have connection to lock, unlock your door or program new access codes.
Best HomeKit Smart Locks Without a Keypad
We ranked all of the smart locks that work with HomeKit that don’t have a built in keypad lower than the smart locks that do have a built in keypad. Why? Because I have found in living with smart locks having a keypad is essential because it’s much easier than fumbling for your phone while carrying groceries. Also to control the smart lock with your phone it requires your phone to be on, charged and working otherwise you can end up locked out or using needing to use a manual key to get back in which defeats the purpose.
The keypad is the most used aspect of a smart lock in my home and I can’t imagine living without it because it’s simple to use, convenient and makes sense. It takes only a second to press the keypad numbers to open the door and is way faster than using keys or your smart phone for home entry. However some people like the look of a traditional or they are limited from installing a smart lock by their rental agreement or condo association. All of the remaining best HomeKit smart locks can be stealthy installed so that no one would ever know you had a HomeKit enabled smart lock installed on your door.
August was one of the original innovators in the smart lock space and they have greatly refined their product over the years and now even have a smart doorbell that works with the August Lock. August has also partnered with brand name security companies like Yale to provide their excellent software to high quality locks. August is doing something right and it shows. But the one downside of the August Lock is that it does not have a built in Keypad. You can get an add on remote keypad that works with the August Lock Pro, but in my opinion you are better of getting a smart lock with the keypad built in.
The August smart lock pro allows for full home kit control and can connect locally to your phone or Apple Watch for HomeKit control but the August App is also connected to your wifi network and allows for remote control of your lock from anywhere with an internet connection.
Without a keypad the August lock works a little differently than the other HomeKit smart locks we listed above. You can either press a button on the August App, tell Siri to unlock the door or enable GPS proximity control to automatically lock and unlock the door when you approach and leave the house. The lock will also provide a history of when the door was opened or closed and who used their code to gain entry.
If you are in an apartment or condo association that won’t allow you to modify your door or install a non standard lock this is the perfect smart lock for you as it will allow stealthy smart lock control with no one even knowing. It also has a super easy installation and setup that can easily be reversed and the old lock hardware installed when you move so you can take your smart lock with you.
The other smart locks on this list require a little more installation time so it wouldn’t necessarily make sense to take the lock with you when you move but the August lock is super simple to install or remove. This makes the August lock the best HomeKit smart lock for renters who want to take smart home control with them wherever they go.
The lock is powered by 2AA batteries and will also alert you when the power is starting to go low, but if the batteries go dead, or your phone is dead you won’t be able to get in the house. So you should hide a spare key somewhere on your property or give a spare to a friend in case of emergency. Having a good hiding spot or a “Fake Rock” can be a great option for keeping the spare in safe hands.
Best HomeKit Smart Lock Summary
We have listed the top 4 HomeKit smart locks in this post. Why didn’t we list all of the smart locks that work with HomeKit? Well because these were the 4 best locks that we found in our testing that were reliable and could be depended on to secure your home but also to let you back in. There are over a dozen smart locks that are certified to work with Apple HomeKit but not all of them deliver the user experience that we expect of a smart lock.
If a smart lock does not work, you’re locked out and that’s not a good thing, that’s why we were very specific in selecting the best smart locks in this category to compare and rank for you based on our interactions with the locks above. Now that’s not to say that the other HomeKit smart locks aren’t good, it’s just that they didn’t meet our standards or we didn’t test them. If you feel there is a HomeKit smart lock that we should add to this please leave a comment below.
If you are looking for the all around best smart lock I would recommend either the Yale Assure Smart Lock without a key or the Yale Assure smart lock with a key as the two best smart locks on this list that will work and operate essentially with a slightly different look and profile.
