Another box on the porch usually means another smart lock to test. Over the years I've installed over 30 of them, enough that my front door eventually needed repairs.
This year, 10 new models crossed my workbench, and the category has taken its biggest leap since keypads went wireless. Smart locks remain one of the first upgrades clients ask about, whether they're securing a new construction home or adding convenience to the one they're selling, so let's walk through where the technology stands.
Hands-Free Unlocking Changes the Front Door
The headline this year is ultra-wideband, or UWB, technology that measures the distance and direction of your phone. A UWB lock can tell the difference between a homeowner arriving and someone lingering on the porch. The door unlocks as you reach it, hands full, phone still in your pocket.
Two locks deliver this today. The Aqara U400 offers hands-free unlocking, a fingerprint reader, touchscreen keypad and traditional key. The Schlage Sense Pro pairs hands-free unlocking with a sleek design where a hidden keypad appears when touched. It also supports emerging technology that will eventually bring hands-free unlocking to more smartphones.
After living with both, the Sense Pro earned the spot on my own door. The Aqara wins on versatility and price, and its speed genuinely impresses. The Schlage won me over with the build quality, smoothness of the motor and a look that blends into a front entry.
Fingerprint and Facial Recognition Improve
Anyone who has fumbled with a fingerprint reader wearing gloves in a Minnesota January knows the limits of earlier technology. Newer locks offer alternatives. The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max reads the vein pattern beneath your palm, working in any lighting and recognizing up to 50 users.
Facial recognition has matured as well. The MyQ Secure View unlocks with a glance, and Desloc's upcoming V150 Plus uses 3D facial recognition designed to reject photos and video. In my testing, facial recognition has proven the most dependable of the bunch; I couldn't fool it.
The Lock Becomes a Doorbell
A growing category combines the deadbolt, video doorbell and security camera into a single device. The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max includes a camera, doorbell and 4-inch interior screen so anyone inside can see the front step without picking up a phone. Footage is stored locally with no monthly fee.
The MyQ Secure View takes a similar approach with color night vision and two-way audio. Live viewing and motion alerts are free, while advanced features require an optional monitoring plan. These all-in-one units shine on doors without room for a separate doorbell or a window overlooking the front step, a common situation in townhomes and condos.
Solving the Battery Problem
Battery life is everything in this category. A smart lock with a dead battery has failed at its one job. Two different solutions stood out this year.
The Desloc V150 Plus, launching later this year, charges itself through a solar panel that works even in low light, like that found on shaded porches. Its battery can last more than six months without solar power, with emergency charging and traditional keys as backups.
The UltraLoq Bolt Home Key takes the traditional route with eight AA batteries lasting up to a year, while allowing an iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock the door with a tap.
Emergency charging ports have also become common across the category — a welcome safety net.
Proven Performers for Everyday Clients
Cutting-edge features aside, most clients want a lock that simply works. The Kwikset Aura keeps a physical numbered keypad visible at all times, supports 250 access codes and includes SmartKey, which lets an owner re-key the lock in about a minute.
Its sibling, the Halo Select+, adds built-in Wi-Fi and Apple Home Key, allowing users to unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch while retaining a traditional key backup.
And the Schlage Encode Plus, the lock that guarded my own front door reliably through years of Minnesota winters, remains the model I've recommended to more friends and clients than any other.
What This Means at the Closing Table
Smart locks earn their keep in a real estate practice well before moving day. Temporary access codes simplify entry for stagers, photographers and contractors on a listing.
At closing, remind sellers to factory-reset the lock and transfer the app account. Encourage buyers to reset codes or re-key on day one. A Kwikset SmartKey makes that task almost effortless.
Buyers touring new construction increasingly expect keyless entry as standard equipment, and a door that unlocks itself makes for a memorable showing moment.
Looking ahead, emerging technology promises hands-free entry across major phone platforms. My personal wish for 2027 is a security feature that requires additional verification when something seems off. The front door is quickly becoming the smartest part of the house.
