Schlage Encode Plus

The best overall — a Grade AAA secure deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi (no hub) and Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock, plus a backlit code keypad and support for Siri, Alexa, and Google. A full replacement that doesn't trade security for convenience.

The Schlage Encode Plus is the best smart lock for most people because it pairs a genuinely secure deadbolt — Schlage's highest residential security ratings with strong anti-pick and anti-bump protection — with built-in Wi-Fi and Apple Home Key, no hub required. Unlike app-first locks it doesn't trade physical security for convenience. Home Key lets you unlock by tapping your iPhone or Apple Watch (working even when the phone's battery looks dead), and it adds a backlit code keypad, Siri/Alexa/Google support, and time-limited guest codes. It's a full deadbolt replacement, so it's less suited to renters, and it carries a premium price, but for a secure, hub-free, tap-to-unlock lock you own, it's the default.

▶ Video review

Is the Schlage Encode Plus Worth $300? 5-Month Review