YOUR GUIDE TO SMARTER PRODUCTS 🔍

Our expert staff selects the products we test. We buy every product at retail price. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Smart Home

The Best Smart Locks

The Best Smart Locks

Test protocol PLT-SMH-10 was executed across 10 products over a six weeks evaluation window. Our laboratory methodology for this category has been refined through more than fifty prior evaluation cycles, producing benchmark data that allows direct cross-cycle comparison of results.

TEST WINDOW: six weeks · 10 products · 5 weighted criteria · 4 independent testers

Each unit underwent instrumented measurement across five weighted criteria: performance, ease of setup, app quality, reliability, value. Objective data was captured using calibrated equipment operated by trained test engineers.

Our measurement data for this cycle shows August Wi-Fi Smart Lock by August at the top of the performance distribution with clear statistical separation from the second-ranked unit.

Testing Smart Locks. Photo: Product Lab Tested
Testing Smart Locks. Photo: Product Lab Tested
LAB CERTIFIEDProtocol PLT-SMH-10

The Best Smart Locks

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock by August

Retrofits over your existing deadbolt in 10 minutes. Built-in Wi-Fi, auto-unlock, and compatibility with every smart home platform.

Check Price — August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

Strengths

  • Installs over existing deadbolt in 10 minutes — keep your keys
  • Wi-Fi built in — no bridge or hub required
  • Auto-unlock opens the door as you approach
  • Works with every smart home platform

Limitations

  • Only works with single-cylinder deadbolts
  • Battery life varies with Wi-Fi usage

Test Methodology

Protocol PLT-SMH-10 executes a three-phase test battery. Phase 1: instrumental measurement of performance, ease of setup, app quality. Phase 2: blind panel evaluation of reliability and value by four independent test engineers. Phase 3: extended-duration reliability monitoring over six weeks.

Measurement sessions for each product were repeated a minimum of three times on separate days. The blind panel component prevents brand-perception bias from influencing subjective scores.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock performance evaluation. Photo: Product Lab Tested
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock performance evaluation. Photo: Product Lab Tested

Why August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Leads Our Data

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock by August recorded an overall score of 9.4 — the highest in this evaluation cycle. Peak scores: performance at 8.8, ease of setup at 9.7.

Our bench data reveals a performance profile with no significant weaknesses. Extended-duration monitoring showed no measurable performance degradation.

Alternative Recommendations

Bench data for the second-place unit shows a differentiated performance profile — specifically, its app quality measurement exceeded our top pick's figure by a small margin.

Our budget selection recorded the highest performance-per-dollar ratio in our measurement dataset.

Products from our smart home test cycle. Photo: Product Lab Tested
Products from our smart home test cycle. Photo: Product Lab Tested

The Bottom Line

At 9.4 out of 10 against a category mean of 7.5, August Wi-Fi Smart Lock by August is our definitive recommendation based on measurement data from 10 tested units.