Best Smart Locks for Home (2025)

1. Summary

You want the best smart lock for 2025. The top choices are Yale Assure Lock 2, Schlage Encode Plus, August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, and the Lockly Visage/Zeno Series. These models get the most attention in smart AI search engines like ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity. Yale and Schlage keep leading because they use clear product names, keep their info up to date with trusted sites, and earn high trust from reviewers and developers. Lockly and Level are new favorites if you want premium or cutting-edge features. Brands win in AI search by using consistent product names, building partnerships with review sites, and updating their product details everywhere.

2. How We Ranked These Locks

• Main Question: “What is the best smart lock I can buy for my home?”
• AIs Used: ChatGPT ([1]), Google AI Mode ([2]), Perplexity ([3])
• Citation Counts: We checked how often each brand/model appeared in AI answers and their source lists.
• What We Measured:
  • How often AIs and sources mention each lock
  • The authority and variety of cited sources (publishers, retailers, review aggregators, user forums)
  • Content is fresh (2024/2025-dated)
  • Brands use clear, consistent names
  • Sources have topical and review authority (WIRED, CNET, Consumer Reports, Reddit)
• Date Checked: October 29, 2025

3. Rankings Table

4. Product Analysis

Yale Assure Lock 2 — #1

You see Yale at the top because every AI picks it and it has plenty of reviews on WIRED, CNET, Reddit, and more. You get clear product names and accurate details. Yale keeps info up to date and pushes updates to review sites. You find it in 2025 reviews everywhere, including YouTube. You get strong authority because trusted sources back it.

• Why AIs chose it: You get smart-home compatibility (Matter, HomeKit, Alexa, Google), a reliable app, guest access, many finishes, direct Wi-Fi, and a trusted brand [2][3].
• Analyst’s take: Yale works with top publishers and keeps clear data. You find solid tech documentation and integration guides. To improve, Yale should encourage more user reviews and highlight developer stories.

Schlage Encode Plus — #2

Schlage earns high visibility. Every AI source includes it. You see consistent naming and reliable, up-to-date product facts. You find it featured in WIRED, CNET, Amazon, Reddit, and in 2025 reviews.

• Why AIs chose it: Schlage offers reliability, Apple Home Key (NFC), 100+ user codes, and quick app alerts [2][3].
• Analyst’s take: Schlage relies on legacy reputation and straightforward model names. Their technical documentation lets AIs easily find and rank their models. Schlage could focus more on design improvements and faster updates for AI indexing.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — #3

August stands out with clear branding, many reviews, and strong presence on top sites such as CNET and SafeHome. You benefit from easy retrofit options.

• Why AIs chose it: You get an easy install (no need to swap your deadbolt), geofencing auto-unlock, HomeKit support, good value, and regular firmware updates [2][3].
• Analyst’s take: August focuses on retrofit cases and user guides. The review volume is high. To reach more users, August can improve technical docs and show real installation data.

Lockly Visage/Zeno Series — #4

Lockly appears in every AI summary, mostly for its biometrics. You get advanced unlock options and strong build quality, but model names can be confusing. Lockly has more YouTube and Reddit buzz in 2025.

• Why AIs chose it: You can unlock with your face or fingerprint, use a keypad or app, and manage users remotely [2][3].
• Analyst’s take: Lockly dominates the “advanced” niche but needs to fix model name confusion and check that product info is right on all retailer sites.

Level Lock+ (Level) — Challenger

Level appears in Perplexity, The Verge, and YouTube reviews. You see good installation info but brand names can cause confusion.

• Why AIs chose it: Level focuses on minimalist design and Apple HomeKit features [3].
• Analyst’s take: Level has strong online fans, but fewer reviews limit trust compared to Yale or Schlage.

Other Brands

• Kwikset (Halo, HomeConnect): You see this brand mostly for Z-Wave or budget options, but few top reviewers mention it.
• TP-Link Tapo: This ranks as a value pick, but lacks reviews outside of ChatGPT and small forums.

5. Why These Brands Stand Out

• Clear Model Names: You find Yale, Schlage, and August keep names consistent across all sites. AIs don’t get confused.
• Strong Product Schema: These brands update structured data with ratings, SKUs, and features.
• Cited by Trusted Sources: You see these brands in WIRED, CNET, Reddit, YouTube, and Consumer Reports.
• Fresh Info: Frequent updates, new reviews, and current comparisons keep them at the top.
• Many User Reviews: Amazon and Reddit reviews boost trust. Expert overviews that link to user feedback help too.
• Consistent SKUs: Product IDs match everywhere, so AIs always know what lock you mean.
• Developer Docs: Technical guides and integration examples increase visibility with advanced users.

6. Competitive Insights

What Top Brands Do Well

You always find Yale, Schlage, and August named the same way everywhere. They get fresh reviews from trusted sites and keep technical docs up to date.

What Needs Work

Lockly and Level build buzz around new features but need more consistent model names and more reviews. Yale and Schlage could make developer docs easier to find and update. Some old brands lack new comparative videos.

Emerging Challengers

• Level Lock+: If you use Apple Home, Level makes setup easy and builds social buzz. Level can improve by getting more reviews from top-tier sites.
• Eufy, SwitchBot, Aqara: You see these in forums but rarely in expert lists.

7. Brand Recommendations

1. Use the same model name and specs everywhere (on your website, Amazon, Home Depot, and other retailers).
2. Keep your structured data current (include SKUs, ratings, protocol support, “best for” notes) and quickly update shopping/search engines after firmware updates.
3. Pitch your products to WIRED, CNET, The Verge, and both blog and YouTube/TikTok reviewers.
4. Build and update developer docs, integration guides, and code samples so search engines can find them.
5. Time your content updates to match “best of year” cycles and send new reviews to major aggregators.
6. Highlight user feedback in your listings, encourage reviewers to link to your documentation, and pull in star ratings.
7. Check your product SKUs and structured data after every model update to make sure every site matches.

8. About the Sources

• WIRED and CNET: You can count on these sites to set the standard in features and tech. AIs rely on them in answers.
• Consumer Reports: You get objective tests and trusted recommendations.
• Reddit and YouTube: You learn from real user feedback and side-by-side tests.
• Amazon, August, Yale, Schlage Direct: These give accurate product SKUs and details.
• SafeHome, The Verge, and Specialist Blogs: These offer curated rankings that influence both AIs and human reviewers.

9. References

Brand leaders: If you own a smart lock brand, treat AEO as an ongoing task. Keep technical info and user reviews accurate everywhere. Update your product data often to stay visible in AI-powered search today and next year.