7 Best Smart Locks for Landlords

A tenant moves out on Friday, the cleaner is coming Saturday, and the new tenant wants to pick up keys Sunday. That kind of handoff is exactly why so many owners start looking for the best smart locks for landlords. The right lock can cut down on key copies, reduce late-night lockout calls, and make turnovers a lot easier. The wrong one can create headaches fast.

For landlords and property managers, a smart lock is not just a gadget. It is part of your turnover process, your maintenance routine, and your liability picture. You need something that works consistently, is easy for tenants to understand, and does not turn every battery issue into an emergency call.

What makes the best smart locks for landlords?

The best choice usually comes down to four things: how access is shared, how reliable the hardware is, how easy it is to manage across turnovers, and whether the door itself is a good fit. Many landlords start with app features, but in the field, the basics matter just as much. A strong deadbolt, correct door alignment, and proper installation often matter more than one extra feature in the app.

For most rental properties, keypad entry is the first thing to insist on. Tenants do not always want to rely on their phone, and batteries do not care whether it is a weekend. A keypad gives you a practical backup and keeps access simple for housekeepers, maintenance vendors, or family members who need a temporary code.

Remote code management is the next big factor. If you manage multiple units or short turnover windows, being able to add and delete codes without driving across town saves real time. Some locks do this very well. Others advertise it, but only work smoothly if you add extra hubs, subscriptions, or brand-specific accessories.

7 smart locks landlords should actually consider

1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt

This is one of the safest bets for landlords who want dependable hardware and straightforward remote management. It has built-in WiFi, a keypad, and a strong reputation for durability. In rental settings, that matters. You want a lock that can handle frequent use without becoming finicky after a year.

The main upside is simplicity. You can create, change, and remove codes remotely without adding a separate hub. The trade-off is battery life. Built-in WiFi can drain batteries faster than Bluetooth-only models, so you need a simple maintenance plan.

2. Yale Assure Lock 2

Yale makes several versions of the Assure line, and that flexibility is part of the appeal. Some models offer WiFi, others use Bluetooth or support different smart home systems. For landlords, the keypad versions make the most sense.

Yale is a strong option if you want a cleaner look and broad compatibility. The catch is that you need to be careful about which model you are buying. Features vary more than some owners expect, and not every version includes remote access right out of the box.

3. Kwikset Halo

Kwikset Halo is attractive for landlords who want a recognizable brand and built-in WiFi without a lot of extra setup. It is relatively easy to use and gives you the basics most rental owners need, including remote code changes.

Its biggest selling point is convenience. Its biggest question mark is long-term toughness compared with heavier-duty options. For a lightly used condo or single-family rental, it may be a perfectly reasonable fit. For a high-turnover property with constant vendor traffic, some owners prefer a more rugged lock body.

4. Lockly Secure Pro

Lockly stands out because of its PIN Genie keypad, which changes number locations to reduce code guessing from fingerprints or wear patterns. That can be useful in rentals where many people may see codes entered over time.

It also offers strong feature depth, including remote access options and fingerprint capability on some models. That said, extra features are not always an advantage in landlord situations. The more complicated the lock, the more tenant questions you may end up fielding.

5. August Smart Lock with keypad

August takes a different approach. Instead of replacing the entire exterior hardware, many August models retrofit onto the inside of an existing deadbolt. That can be helpful if you want to keep a certain exterior look or avoid changing visible hardware on a door.

For landlords, the downside is that August often makes more sense in owner-occupied homes than in rentals. It can work well, but it is usually less straightforward for properties where you want one all-in-one keypad deadbolt and minimal confusion. If you go this route, pairing it with an external keypad is almost mandatory.

6. Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro WiFi

Ultraloq gets attention because it packs in a lot of features for the price. Depending on the model, you may get WiFi, keypad entry, app access, key backup, and fingerprint access.

That value can be attractive, especially if you are outfitting several units. But landlords should think carefully about whether they need every feature. Fingerprint entry sounds nice, yet in many rentals, simple temporary codes are easier to manage and explain.

7. eufy Smart Lock C220 or similar models

eufy has become a practical mid-range option for owners who want app access and keypad entry without paying top-tier pricing. Some models are easy to install and user-friendly enough for tenants who are not especially tech-savvy.

The issue is less about capability and more about fit. If this is for one unit you manage closely, eufy may be enough. If you oversee multiple doors and need stronger support, longer track record, or heavier-duty hardware, a more established lock brand may give you fewer surprises over time.

How to choose the right smart lock for a rental

The best smart locks for landlords are not always the ones with the longest feature list. They are the ones that match the property and the way you manage it.

If you run long-term rentals, focus on durability, keypad access, easy code deletion, and a clear battery warning system. You may only change codes a few times a year, but when you need to do it, it should be fast and dependable.

If you manage short-term or high-turnover units, remote management becomes more valuable. In that case, built-in WiFi is often worth the extra battery drain because it saves travel time and makes scheduling cleaner.

If your property has older doors, sticking a smart lock onto bad hardware is asking for trouble. A sagging door, sticky latch, or misaligned strike plate can make even a good lock act unreliable. That is why installation matters. Sometimes a landlord thinks the lock is defective when the real issue is door alignment or a worn deadbolt opening.

Features worth paying for and features you can skip

A keypad is worth paying for. Remote code management is usually worth paying for too. Audit trails can be useful in certain cases, especially for vacation rentals or maintenance-sensitive properties, but many long-term landlords rarely use them.

Fingerprint readers are a maybe. They can be convenient, but they add another layer of setup and troubleshooting. For most standard rentals, codes are easier to manage than biometric access.

Voice assistant integration is usually low priority for landlords. It might appeal to some tenants, but it is not a core property-management feature. Physical key override, on the other hand, is still useful. A backup option matters when batteries die, a tenant gets confused, or a device has to be reset quickly.

A few practical cautions before you install

Not every smart lock belongs on every rental. If the property is in a rougher environment, exposed to direct sun, weather, dust, or constant heavy use, lock quality matters more. Cheaper units may look fine online but wear out faster in real-world use.

You also need a plan for battery changes. Smart locks are not install-and-forget hardware. Someone has to check battery status, replace batteries proactively, and make sure tenants know what low-battery warnings look like.

Then there is the tenant factor. The best system is one that your tenant can use without calling you every week. Clear code setup, simple instructions, and reliable keypad response beat fancy features every time.

As a locksmith, I can tell you that many smart lock problems start before the first code is ever created. The lock may be installed on a door that binds, the deadbolt may not throw cleanly, or the frame may be slightly off. That is why repair-first thinking matters. Sometimes a quick adjustment to the door or hardware saves you from blaming the wrong part.

So which smart lock is best?

If you want the short answer, Schlage Encode is one of the strongest all-around choices for many landlords because it balances reliability, remote access, and straightforward use. Yale Assure Lock 2 is close behind if you choose the right version. Kwikset Halo and eufy can make sense for owners who want a simpler or more budget-conscious option.

But the real answer is that the best lock depends on the property, the door, and how hands-on you are as a landlord. A single-family rental with stable tenants has different needs than a multi-unit building with frequent vendor access. Buying the right lock is only half the job. Installing it properly and matching it to the door is what makes it work day after day.

If you are comparing options, think less about which model has the most features and more about which one will cause the fewest problems six months from now. That is usually the smarter investment.