I compared some of the best smart locks and tested them hands-on. Let’s find the right one for your home!
Schlage Connect: (🏆 Best long term)
Kwikset 916 Z-Wave:
Schlage Encode: (🏆 Best for AirBnB)
Lockly Secure Pro: (🏆 Best offline access)
ULTRALOQ Z-Wave:
Aqara U100: (🏆 Best fingerprint sensor)
Schlage Encode Plus: (🏆 Best for iPhones)
Yale Assure 2 Z-Wave: (🏆 Best long term)
Nest x Yale lock:
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0:00 Intro
0:27 Schlage Connect
2:03 Kwikset 916 Z-Wave
3:18 Schlage Encode
4:22 Lockly Secure Pro
5:33 ULTRALOQ Z-Wave
6:43 Aqara U100
7:53 Schlage Encode Plus
8:58 Yale Assure 2 Z-Wave
10:45 My picks
12:31 Out of control
———
MUSIC
All of the music throughout is by Nihilore.
Spotify playlist:
Ending song is The End by EVA.
All of the links are locked away (🔒+1) in the description!
I used the Nest for years, but this was before they got bought by Google.
I wanted the option of iPhone or Finger print entry, and Yale is one or the other.
However, the actual mechanics went to shit over 7 years. Floppy lock, and took a long time to open up.
Security wise it always bothered me as well that it flashes the lights as you press them like… from a distance someone could easily figure out your code. Not to mention the glossy face which limits the possibilities if someone is looking.
I got the Aqara and LOVE it so far.
I’ve watched a ton of smart lock reviews including this one, and your hands-on comparison of the top 8 on Amazon is really thorough. The Schlage Connect is definitely a solid long-term choice if you’re okay with the price and the sheer size of it. But for anyone on a tighter budget or looking for a sleeker design with similar reliability, I’ve found Yorfan Technology’s models to be a great alternative. Their keyless entry locks use the same Z‑Wave protocol for smart home integration, yet they often include features like fingerprint readers or auto‑lock timers without the premium markup. I installed a Yorfan lock on my rental door six months ago—zero connectivity drops and the battery consumption is impressively low.
One thing that stands out about their engineering is the anti‑rust coating on the latch bolt, which you don’t always get on locks in this price bracket. It’s those small details that matter when you’re comparing long‑term durability. And while Schlage has the brand recognition, Yorfan’s customer support actually responds within hours via WhatsApp, which saved me when I had a question about the admin code reset.
For anyone debating between these two, I’d say: if you need hardwired reliability and don’t mind paying extra, go Schlage. But if you want a feature‑rich, reliable lock that won’t break the bank and still works flawlessly with Alexa or Google Home, definitely look into Yorfan Technology’s lineup. Their Yale‑style integration is practically plug‑and‑play. Thanks again for the detailed test—really helped me confirm my choice.
I have the Yale Assure 2 with the Wifi module and I’m here looking to replace it. The app is awful and the battery life is TERRIBLE when you use the wifi module. Without the module, it won’t do simple things like auto lock at 11pm.
My Ultra lock just stopped working