Written By: John Fox | Security expert / Locksmith 30 Years Experience
A lot of door locks labeled “smart” are not compatible with some of the most common smart home devices. You would think that if a lock is smart, it must be able to work with smart doorbells and smart alarms such as Ring. But even some of the most popular smart door locks, such as August, are not currently compatible with Ring.
We tested some of the best door locks that work with Ring, and here’s all you need to know about these products.
Best Overall
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1. Schlage 716 Connect Smart Deadbolt
The Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt is another strong and secure lock that is also compatible with Ring. The Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt also works with other smart home devices such as Samsung Smart Things, Wink, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. This allows you to lock or unlock your door from anywhere via the internet.
The Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt also uses Z-wave technology to communicate with other smart home devices such as Ring and SmartThings, which makes it quite power-efficient, resulting in good battery life. Z-wave technology also makes sure no one hacks into your smart home and unlocks the door remotely.
You can store up to 30 codes in the Schlage Deadbolt. The screen is also fingerprint resistant; you don’t leave any fingerprints when you type the code. This prevents anyone from guessing your code based on looking at the screen. The Schlage lock also has a built-in alarm that does off if someone tries to pick the lock or break-in.
The Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt comes in five beautiful finishes with a 3 year mechanical and finish warranty. The lock includes 4 AA batteries and can fit all standard doors of thickness 1-3/8” to 1-3/4”.
Features:
- Keypad: Yes
- Smart Home Compatible: Yes
- Door Thickness: 1-3/8” to 1-3/4”
- Keyhole: Yes
- WiFi: No
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Runner-Up Best
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2. Kwikset SmartCode 914 Deadbolt
Kwikset is well known for producing smart locks that are also quite sturdy, durable, and secure. The SmartCode smart lock is one of the most featureful and most secure locks you can find. It uses advanced Z-wave plus technology to communicate with other devices in the home. Z-wave technology allows the SmartCode smart deadbolt to communicate with other smart home devices using much lower power than WiFi, which results in an extended battery. Z-wave devices are also a lot more hack-proof than WiFi devices.
The SmartCode is also pick-resistant. Kwikset challenged locksmiths at the Associated Locksmiths of American, and the Kwikset SmartCode 914 Deadbolt turned out to be the most difficult to unlock without a key, even by professionals who already know the locking mechanism.
The Kwikset SmartCode lock also has SmartKey Security. If you suspect that someone has copied your key, SmartKey Security allows you to change your key in seconds.
Alongside Ring, the Kwikset SmartCode smart lock also works with other smart home devices such as Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Vera Smart Home Control. The SmartCode lock comes with 2 keys and 4 AA batteries. The latch has an adjustable basket that can fit doors of thickness 2-3/8” to 2-3/4”.
The Kwikset SmartCode 941 deadbolt comes in three finishes, namely Satin Nickle, Venetian Bronze, and Lifetime Polished Brass.
Features:
- Keypad: Yes
- Smart Home Compatible: Yes
- Door Thickness: 2-3/8” to 2-3/4”
- Keyhole: Yes
- WiFi: No
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Best for Ring Doorbell
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3. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
If you don’t have a Ring Alarm or Alexa or any other WiFi-enabled smart home devices that you could connect to your lock, The Kwikset is the smart lock you need to buy. As the name suggests, the Schlage Encode Smart Deadbolt can connect to the internet via built-in WiFi. This is different from most locks connected to the internet via a hub like Amazon Alexa. This allows you to remotely control the lock from anywhere directly through the Schlage app and not through some other device. However, you can still pair the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt with Amazon Alexa and your Google Assistant. It also works with Amazon keys and Schlage Home.
The ability to connect to WiFi directly makes this lock perfect for if you don’t have a Ring Alarm but have a Ring Doorbell.
The lock allows you to program up to 100 codes for family and friends. It also offers temporary access features through the Schlage Home app or Amazon Key app.
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt also has a built-in alarm making it more lockpick-proof. It also has a low battery indicator, and the screen is lit up, allowing you to see the screen even in the dark. The screen is also fingerprint-proof, ensuring you don’t leave any marks on the screen and invite intruders.
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt comes in four finishes with a 3 year mechanical and finish warranty. The lock is guaranteed to fit all standard doors of thickness 1-3/8 inches to 1-3/4 inches.
Features:
- Keypad: Yes
- Smart Home Compatible: Yes
- Door Thickness: 1-3/8” to 1-3/4”
- Keyhole: Yes
- WiFi: Yes
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Best Value
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4. Kwikset 99140 2nd Generation
This incredibly popular lock is one of the sturdiest smart locks you can find. At first sight, it looks like a traditional lock from the front, but it has LEDs that turn on when you unlock it or lock it, which gives away its smart nature. While Kwikset costs less than other well-built smart locks, it does not lack security or strength.
The Kwikset Signature Series 2nd Gen Smart Lock is compatible with Ring and other smart home devices. It also uses Z-wave plus technology to communicate with other devices resulting in extended battery life and hack resistance.
The Kwikset Signature Series 2nd Gen Smart Lock allows you to enable an auto-lock option that unlocks your door 30 seconds after you unlock it. This can guarantee that even if you leave your phone near the door, it won’t stay unlocked.
The lock also has Kwikset SmartKey security which allows you to reset your key if you suspect that a copy of your key has been stolen. You can reset the within 30 seconds with 3 simple steps.
One interesting feature in the Kwikset Signature Series Lock is that its latch is tapered designed. This allows the door to close and lock even if the door is not completely aligned with the frame. The deadbolt latch is motor-driven.
The lock also allows you to store 30 user codes and a master code. Communication is secured with 128-bit encryption, while the lock design is original and patented, providing pick resistance.
The Kwikset Signature Series 2nd Gen Smart Lock can fit indoors of a thickness of 1-3/8” to 2”.
Features:
- Keypad: No
- Smart Home Compatible: Yes
- Door Thickness: 1-3/8” to 2”
- Keyhole: Yes
- WiFi: No
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Best with Smart Hub
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5. Yale Real Living Assure Lock
Yale produces some of the best-looking locks in the smart locks market. But the Yale Real Living Assure Lock is not just a beauty; it’s also a beast.
The lock has a surprisingly sturdy build. If you look at the lock, you’ll notice that there’s no keyhole. This is because Yale believes physical keys to be a thing of the past. Being keyless solves one of the problems of traditional locks that smart locks have adopted despite not needing to; the vulnerability of being lock picked.
Traditional locks can be quite easy to pick if you have the right tools and have a little practice. In fact, there are not a lot of lock designs that can’t be picked. Most locks, even with pick resistance and claims of being “unpickable,” are exposed regularly on YouTube by people picking these locks within a minute. This makes traditional locks almost obsolete against serious intruders.
Since the Yale Real Living Assure Lock can only be unlocked with a code, there is no way anyone is getting past your lock.
The lock also has auto-lock and a backlit screen, allowing you to see the screen even in the dark. You don’t have to worry about getting locked outside if the battery runs out either; you can power the lock with a 9v battery and unlock the door with your code.
The Yale Real Living Assure Lock can fit in standard doors with a thickness of 1-3/4” to 2-1/4”. The installation process is quite intuitive too, as the app walks you through the steps.
Features:
- Keypad: Yes
- Smart Home Compatible: Yes
- Door Thickness: 1-3/4” to 2-1/4”
- Keyhole: No
- WiFi: No
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Value Editorial and Buying Debates
Are smart locks more secure?
Smart locks can offer more security in certain aspects than traditional locks. For example, if someone stole your key or if someone has your key whom you no longer want to grant access to, you will have to change your lock if you have a traditional lock. Most traditional locks do not allow you to reprogram the key. However, most smart locks allow you to change the code instantly. A lot of smart locks allow you to change the code within a minute.
Smart locks often also have other security features, such as a built-in alarm that goes off if someone attempts to pick the lock or enters the wrong code a number of times. (1)
Here’s more information on how secure are smart locks, for your additional reference before deciding to either buy one or not.
What is the best lock for Ring Doorbell?
If you wish you had a ring doorbell but not a Ring Alarm, a door lock compatible with Ring that also has WiFi would work best for you. One great lock with such a description is the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt. (2)
Can smart locks be picked/hacked?
Smart locks that also have a keyhole can theoretically be picked just like a traditional lock. However, some of these locks have an alarm that goes off if someone tries to pick the lock. Smart locks that do not have a keyhole cannot be picked. Since smart locks are encrypted, they cannot be hacked easily either. (3)
Wrapping Up
If you have a Ring Alarm, you may choose from any of the discussed locks depending on your preferences. However, if you have a Ring Doorbell but not a Ring Alarm, we encourage you to choose the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt since it will allow you to access your door lock and your doorbell remotely from anywhere.
For other important product guides, you may check below;
References
(1) security features – https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/security-feature
(2) WiFi – https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/wireless/what-is-wifi.html
(3) encrypted – https://searchsecurity.techtarget.com/definition/encryption
Our Recommendation Again
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Written by
John Fox
Senior Writer & Director
John Fox has been working as a security consultant for over 20 years. During his time in the industry, he’s learned about what it takes to ensure your home and family are always safe. With Safe Now, he’s tried to take those two decades of experience and share it with others. His goal now is to help others figure out how to make the right choices for their businesses and families.
