Best renter lock with Wi-Fi built in: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)
August clamps onto the inside of your deadbolt and connects straight to your Wi-Fi, so there’s no hub to buy. It works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home and senses whether the door is closed. Its CR123 batteries last around three months.
- Renter-friendly: outside and keys unchanged
- Wi-Fi built in, no hub
- Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home
- Bulkier than newer rivals
- About three months per set of CR123 batteries
Skip it if long battery life matters more than built-in Wi-Fi. The SwitchBot runs far longer on AAs.
Best budget renter lock: SwitchBot Lock Pro
The SwitchBot costs less and lasts 6 to 9 months on four ordinary AA batteries. It’s bulky, and remote access, voice control and Matter need the separate SwitchBot Hub, so budget for that if you want to unlock from work.
- Low price, no drilling, keeps your key
- 6 to 9 months on four AA batteries
- Door sensor included
- Bulky
- Remote access, voice and Matter need the SwitchBot Hub
Skip it if you want everything in one box. Remote access needs the separate hub.
Sleekest retrofit, best on sale: Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi
The Approach is slimmer and often heavily discounted. PCWorld ran into calibration and firmware glitches, so we’d only choose it over August when the price gap is big.
- Tom’s Guide’s best budget smart lock (July 2026)
- Slimmer than August
- Frequent deep discounts
- PCWorld hit calibration and firmware glitches
- Sources disagree on whether remote access needs a bridge
Skip it if you want the smoothest, most proven setup. August is the safer choice.
Before you install
Check the lease, photograph the original thumb-turn and keep every screw in a labeled bag. For the rest of your rental, see our smart home for renters guide. Want a keypad and camera on the outside too? The eufy E330 replaces the whole lock, which most landlords won’t allow. If you own your home and just want codes, see keypad locks that work without an app.
