1. Executive Summary

Yale, Schlage, and August lead the smart lock market for 2025. You’ll see these brands at the top of AI-driven results across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity. They earn high visibility because they use the same product names everywhere, offer thorough product data, appear in expert reviews, and source up-to-date, trustworthy information.
Trends stand out: You need clearly named lock models (“Yale Assure Lock 2”) for AI to find and recommend your product. Locks that work with several smart home systems, last over time, and install easily get better reviews. Expert opinions, structured product details, and broad user feedback keep your product visible to AIs and real users alike.

9.6 Yale Assure Lock 2 earned the highest overall ranking in 2025 for security, integration, and citation authority

2. Methodology

I tested the query, “What is the best smart lock in the US market” on ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, and Perplexity.
The report uses these factors and weights:

  • Visibility/Citations (30%): How often and with what authority a product appears.
  • Integration/Convenience (20%): Smart system compatibility and installation ease.
  • Security/Quality (20%): Physical and digital security features.
  • Price/Value (15%): Cost compared to what you get.
  • Freshness (10%): Recency of reviews.
  • Unique Differentiators (5%): Specialty features such as HomeKey, Airbnb integration, or video.
Scoring dimensions:
  • Security: Physical strength, encryption, tamper alerts.
  • Integration: Works with Alexa, HomeKit, Google, Airbnb.
  • Convenience: Install and manage it easily; supports more than one user.
  • Price/Value: What you pay for the feature set.
  • Citation Footprint: How many, how recent, and how trusted the sources are.
Report date: Sept 19, 2025.

3 AI platforms (ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Perplexity) evaluated for top recommendations

3. Overall & Dimension Rankings

Rank Product Security Integration Convenience Price/Value Citations/Authority Overall
1 Yale Assure Lock 2 (Yale) 9.2 10 9.1 8.7 10 9.6
2 Schlage Encode Plus (Schlage) 9.5 9.1 8.9 8.9 9.2 9.3
3 August WiFi Smart Lock (August) 8.7 9 9.7 9.3 8.8 9.1
4 Level Lock+ (Level) 8.3 8.8 8.5 8.5 8.2 8.5
5 Eufy S330 or E31 (Eufy) 8.0 8.2 8.2 8.9 7.5 8.2
6 Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro (U-tec) 8.3 8.2 8.0 8.2 7.3 8.0

4. Product-by-Product Analysis

1. Yale Assure Lock 2 (Yale)

Yale’s Assure Lock 2 sits at the top. Major outlets like WIRED, Forbes, and CNET all name this lock “best overall” [1][2][3]. You can connect it to Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Airbnb. Many experts highlight security features, Airbnb and ADT integration, and simple design.

Key Points – Yale Assure Lock 2

  • Advanced encryption, tough build
  • Works with Apple, Google, Alexa, Airbnb
  • Touchscreen, code entry, auto-lock, Airbnb guest code support
  • Premium price, but features justify cost
  • Strong presence across expert reviews

Quotes:
“Sleek design, versatility, supports Apple Home Keys, integrates with ADT and Airbnb.” [3]
“Built-in Airbnb integration…long battery life, sleek keypad...great for rental properties.” [2]

Takeaway: Yale uses “Yale Assure Lock 2” everywhere. They set up detailed product pages on their site and on major retailers. You find frequent, fresh reviews and strong authority online. Yale still needs to publish its own comparisons or benchmarks to widen direct citations.

2. Schlage Encode Plus (Schlage)

You’ll see Schlage Encode Plus called “commercial grade,” “simple to set up,” and “good for detailed passcode tracking,” in reviews [3][1][2]. Reviewers and buyers trust this lock for its security and how well it works in smart home setups. Wirecutter and CNET both recommend it [3].

Key Points – Schlage Encode Plus

  • Commercial grade security
  • Alexa, Google, Apple Key, HomeKit/Matter
  • Built-in Wi-Fi, easy app, robust passcode management
  • Premium price, deals available
  • Frequently cited in AI and expert reviews

Quotes:
“Known for durability and strong security…sends alerts when locked/unlocked.” [2]
“Sturdy, simple, reliable.” [3: NYT/Wirecutter]

Takeaway: Schlage keeps their product name the same everywhere. You’ll find strong review partnerships and security certifications. They should improve on-site review content instead of relying mainly on third parties.

3. August WiFi Smart Lock (August)

August WiFi Smart Lock wins with quick rental retrofits and broad compatibility (Alexa, Google, HomeKit). Experts and users both notice the easy install and DoorSense features. It doesn’t replace your deadbolt; it works with your existing hardware [2].

Key Points – August WiFi Smart Lock

  • Strong encryption, but uses your existing deadbolt
  • Works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit
  • Easy install, supports old keys
  • Affordable retrofits, excellent convenience factor
  • Highlighted by CNET, SafeHome, Wirecutter, Money.com

Quotes:
“Best for Alexa/Google, ideal for rentals, automatically generates/sends guest codes.” [2][3]

Takeaway: August’s model focus and consistent naming win points with AIs. You can find reviews across expert blogs and retailers.
Upgrading its deadbolt feature could make it even more popular.

4. Level Lock+ (Level)

Level Lock+ earns attention for its low-key look and deep Apple ecosystem integration [1]. Reviewers at Forbes and Wirecutter, along with Apple fans on enthusiast sites, speak highly of it.

Key Points – Level Lock+

  • Apple HomeKey integration and Apple-centric experience
  • Discrete physical design
  • Underrepresented on large retail/AI data sources

Weakness: Less presence on big retail sites, fewer reviews.

5. Eufy S330/E31 (Eufy)

Eufy gets mentioned for combining a smart lock and video doorbell [2]. You’ll pay less for more features, but it’s still building trust in expert tests.

Key Points – Eufy S330/E31

  • Features video and new automation integrations
  • Growing in independent tests, but needs more volume

Weakness: Needs more testing from independent sources.

6. Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro (U-tec)

Ultraloq focuses on unique user codes, fingerprint reading, and Airbnb integration [2].

Key Points – Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro

  • Biometric/fingerprint entry, unique code support
  • Airbnb integration
  • Gaining review authority, but needs standardized naming and more data volume

5. Why These Brands Win (GEO Rationale)

Brands like Yale, Schlage, and August use exact product names everywhere—across their own sites, retailers, and reviews. This helps AI recognize and recommend their locks.
Each top brand uses structured data. Their retail and site listings show GTIN, price, review counts, specs, stock information, and ratings that make it into Google’s rich results.

1000s User reviews contribute to robust AI and user trust for leading models

You’ll see these brands in lists at major review sites (CNET, Wirecutter, Forbes), which boosts their ranking in AI search. They keep reviews up to date and post new information about models and features.
Comparison tables, integration callouts (“Works with HomeKey, Airbnb, Alexa”), and install videos make their pitch clear for both people and AIs.

Top models show up the same across Amazon, Home Depot, and Best Buy. This includes names, images, prices, and features.
Thousands of user reviews on these sites give AIs a large and reliable data pool.

Finally, these brands highlight certifications—like ANSI/BHMA or Apple HomeKey—everywhere.

6. Competitive Insights & Opportunities

Yale stands out for using a single product name everywhere and offering top integrations (HomeKey, Airbnb, ADT).
Schlage’s long reputation for security and its wide retail presence make it an easy pick for you and for AI platforms.
August offers simple installation for renters and the broadest compatibility.

Opportunities

  • Yale and Schlage could add interactive comparison tools to their websites.
  • August can build more trust if it strengthens its “deadbolt” authority.
  • Eufy and Ultraloq both need more reviews and to standardize their product names.
  • Emerging brands: Lockly, Eufy, Ultraloq gain ground with Airbnb integration and more YouTube reviews.
  • Level Lock+ edges out for Apple-centric buyers with sharp Apple ecosystem support.

7. What Brands Should Do Next (GEO Steps)

Recommended Brand Actions

  • Keep your product name, model, and key features exactly the same everywhere online.
  • Mark up your listings with Product schema: GTIN, review count, media, and multi-language support.
  • Push out new, well-organized expert reviews on CNET, Forbes, PCMag, Wirecutter, security.org, and YouTube.
  • Publish your own comparison charts with specs and features for AI and users to see.
  • Stay consistent everywhere—MSRP, images, titles, features, and in-stock signals on all top retailers.
  • Update your reviews and testimonials often. Share unboxing and real-world install videos.
  • Show off unique integrations (like HomeKey, Airbnb) on your feature lists and markup.
  • Name your certifications (ANSI/BHMA, battery, warranty, security) in both product copy and schema.

8. About the Sources

You’ll see reviews from:

  • Wirecutter, CNET, PCMag, Forbes, WIRED, Security.org, SafeHome: Known for side-by-side tests and trusted lists.
  • Amazon, Home Depot: Reviews, prices, and matching product info build trust.
  • YouTube: Walkthroughs and installations reveal real-world performance.
  • Brand/Partner Blogs: Offer direct comparison charts and integration details.

9. References

End of Report