Smart Locks in 2026: Are They Worth It?

Smart locks have gotten really good. In 2026 you can unlock your front door with your phone, a PIN, your fingerprint, your voice, or an Apple Watch. But are they actually worth it? Or are you better off sticking with a solid deadbolt?

The main selling point is convenience. No more hiding keys under the mat. No more calling a locksmith because you're locked out. No more wondering who has copies of your key floating around. You create temporary codes for guests, cleaners, or dog walkers and delete them whenever you want.

If you own rental property or run an Airbnb, smart locks are a no-brainer. Generate a unique code for each guest, set it to expire at checkout, and forget about key handoffs entirely. That alone pays for the lock in a couple months.

The downsides are real though. Smart locks need batteries (usually lasting 6-12 months), they can have connectivity hiccups, and they cost more than traditional locks ($150-350 installed). Some models have been hacked in security research, but actual break-ins through smart lock hacking? Extremely rare.

Our picks for 2026: Schlage Encode Plus (best overall, Apple Home Key support), Yale Assure Lock 2 (best looking, works with multiple smart home platforms), and Kwikset Halo (best value, easy install). All three have a physical key backup if the battery dies.

Installation really matters here. A badly installed smart lock is worse than no smart lock at all. At Locksmith Auto, we install and configure smart locks starting from $150 (lock not included) or $250-400 with the lock. We make sure everything is aligned right, connected to your WiFi, and we walk you through the app setup before we leave.