PCMag's 2026 smart lock ranking puts the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint first

What PCMag ranked and how

As pcmag.com reported in its updated buying guide, the site has tested smart locks for more than a decade. Reviewers install them in their own homes and judge ease of use, fingerprint scanner accuracy, touchpad responsiveness and extras such as voice control, access schedules, auto-lock and geofencing. Geofencing means the lock reacts to where your phone is, for example unlocking as you arrive.

The guide covers ten locks. They range from models that replace your whole deadbolt to retrofit options that suit renters. The editors' note says the latest update, dated November 3, 2026, added the Level Lock Pro. The other picks were rechecked for currency and availability.

The top pick: Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint

PCMag calls the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint the best smart lock overall. It earned a 4.5-star rating, which PCMag defines as outstanding and best in class, plus an Editors' Choice award. The reviewers credit its reliability and versatility.

It is a full lock set with interior and exterior plates plus the deadbolt, latch and strike hardware. The outside plate is zinc alloy with a satin nickel trim and an IP65 weatherproof rating. It has a circular backlit number pad, a fingerprint scanner and a traditional keyway.

It has built-in Bluetooth and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, so you can control it from afar without a separate hub. It works with Alexa, Google and HomeKit, and it has a sensor that reports whether the door is open or closed. The downsides are the price and the lack of Matter support.

Faces, palms and fingerprints

Many of the picks go beyond a keypad. The Lockly Visage Zeno Series adds facial recognition, which PCMag calls its most unusual feature. It also takes fingerprints, a keypad code, Apple Home Keys (which let an iPhone or Apple Watch act as the key) and voice commands.

The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max and the Lockin Veno Pro both scan palms and double as 2K video doorbells. Eufy adds an interior screen for viewing the camera feed from inside, and both store video locally. The Lockin Veno Pro offers optional solar power, though the panel costs extra.

Simpler options remain. The Desloc Smart Lock D110 Plus is described as reasonably priced and offers an app, voice control, a fingerprint scanner, a keypad and a keyway. The Kwikset Halo Touch also covers phone, voice, key and fingerprint.

Matter, Thread and the compatibility catch

Matter is a shared standard meant to let smart-home devices from different brands work together. Thread is a low-power wireless network for such devices. A Thread border router is a device that connects Thread gadgets to your home network. The Eufy FamiLock S3 Max supports Matter. The Lockin Veno Pro supports Matter and Thread.

The Aqara Smart Lock U400 supports Matter over Thread and works with many platforms, but it lacks Wi-Fi and needs a Thread-enabled Matter controller. The Level Lock Pro, the new addition, works with Apple Home Key and Matter, but you need a Thread border router for remote control. It has no built-in Wi-Fi, and its keypad is sold separately.

Platform support differs lock to lock. The Desloc and the Kwikset Halo Touch do not support HomeKit or IFTTT, a service that links apps with simple if-this-then-that rules. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock works with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, IFTTT and more.

Trade-offs to weigh

Almost every pick lists price as a drawback. Others have specific weaknesses. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has short battery life. The Yale Assure Lock 2 has a sleek design and an Apple Watch option. PCMag also flags poor battery life on its Wi-Fi model, a short low-battery warning, and uneven auto-unlock over Wi-Fi.

The Desloc ships without batteries, and the Aqara does not include NFC cards. PCMag also lists current deals, including the Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi with keypad at $195, down from $259. Deals change quickly, so check the price yourself.