Since 1840, Yale Locks has been designing some of the best door locks around.
However, standard deadbolts are getting phased out for locks that work with a smart home system such as Nest, Google Assistant, and other smart home devices.
Keyless entries have become a very popular alternative to traditional door locks, with multiple companies producing some fantastic locks. But Yale Locks is proof that even veteran companies have a lot to offer the new age.
So what are the best of the best? After all, if these locks are so great, then the best of them must be fantastic. They are, at least we certainly think so.
So here are 10 of the best Keyless Entry Yale Door Locks.
Our Picks
Table of Contents
| Product | Details | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best Overall: Google Nest X Yale Lock | This Google Nest-compatible lock is attractive, functional, user-friendly, and secure. | Check Price |
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Runner Up: Yale Assure Lock SL | This lock allows you to give digital keys to guests, monitor entries, and set tamper alarms. | Check Price |
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Best Apple Watch Compatible: Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Connect to any smart home app including the Apple Watch for touchless control of door locks. | Check Price |
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Best Voice-Controlled: Yale Assure Lock SL – Key Free Smart Lock With Touchscreen Keypad | Hands full? Just ask Siri to unlock the door for you with this voice-controlled door lock. | Check Price |
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Best Smart Lock With Handle: Yale Assure Smart Keypad Lever With Z-Wave Plus | Go for a classic look with this smart lock that works with smart home devices and has a key backup. | Check Price |
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Best For Door Protection: Yale Security Real Living Keyless Push Button Deadbolt | Secure your door with this gasket smart deadbolt with a backlit screen or voice control. | Check Price |
How Did We Choose The Best Keyless Yale Locks?
There are a lot of fantastic Yale locks on the market. So how did we choose the best ones to test and review?
Style
We considered the style and flexibility to mesh with various home styles when choosing the best keyless deadbolts and smart locks.
We feel that if you do your best to make your home beautiful, your locks should do their best to emphasize the beauty and not hinder it.
These keyless locks come with multiple styles and color options so that you can pick and choose what works for your abode.
Reliability
If you are looking for the best smart lock, you have to look for reliability. However, reliability means different things to different people. One person’s peace of mind isn’t necessarily peace of mind for another. Yale understands that, and so do we.
We put together a list of locks with different levels of customer support and backup options, including backup keys and backup power sources, just in case you forget your code or your keyless lock runs out of power.
Extra Features
A Yale smart lock has to have some great extra features to compete with the other smart locks out there. We found Yale locks that could compete with other lock companies like Kwikset, August Smart Lock, and Schlage.
This means we needed to find the Yale smart lock that could be compatible with all sorts of different smart home devices and could connect to your smartphone.
This allows for different features, such as locks that can auto-lock, have various passcodes for guests and family members, and remotely lock or unlock your door from hundreds of miles away.
Yale’s entire lineup of smart locks are capable of all of that and more.
If it’s keyless you’re after for the locks in your home or office, check out our guide to the Best Keyless Cabinet Locks!
Best Keyless Yale Locks Reviewed
1. Best Overall: Google Nest x Yale Lock
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 5/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Polished Brass, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel | Material: Brass/Metal | Voice Assist: No | Compatibility: Nest, wifi | Key Backup: No
What We Liked
- Ability to send out individual codes to other people for guest access
- Can set to a privacy mode which disables the keypad
What We Didn’t Like
- Nest setup can be frustrating and not user-friendly
This one is the best smart lock on our list for myriad reasons, including the basic yet stylish design.
This smart lock comes in Oil Rubbed Bronze, Polished Brass, and Satin Nickel, including a backlit touchscreen keypad. It is compatible with your Nest home setup, which is a plus if you want to integrate it with the rest of your smart home devices.
We love this lock because it has many interface options: you can use the touchpad to lock and unlock it, but you also have the option of using your phone.
Additionally, you can assign guest passcodes to trusted individuals to allow access when you are not home, such as family members, pet sitters, or housekeeping and caretaking staff.
This feature allows each person to have their own passcode to unlock your home or business, and once the code or codes are no longer needed, you can delete them.
You can also set your lock to privacy mode, which will prevent any of the codes from working just in case you need a little alone time at home and don’t want to be disturbed.
See Price on Amazon2. Runner Up: Yale Assure Lock SL
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 3/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Black, Bronze, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel | Material: Stainless Steel | Voice Assist: Yes (With Alexa) | Compatibility: Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Wink, Z-Wave Smart Home | Key Backup: Optional
What We Liked
- Can give out multiple codes and delete them when no longer needed
- Beautiful design
- Multiple options available including keyed and unkeyed
What We Didn’t Like
- Requires a hub to interact with your phone
This particular Yale lock has both a keyless and backup-key option. It is easy to install: all you need is a screwdriver and the instructions, and you’ll be all set.
We love this Yale lock because you can set different codes for different people.
Each family member and guest can have a unique code. Other visitors like maintenance workers who need to come by when you’re not home can use a separate code, so you know who’s in the house and when.
One downside we noticed with this lock is that to connect this lock with your smartphone app, you need to purchase the Access Upgrade Kit separately.
However, the lock can still operate without it.
See Price on Amazon3. Best Apple Watch Compatible: Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Black, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel | Material: Stainless Steel | Voice Assist: Yes (With Alexa) | Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, AirBnB, Philips Hue, Apple HomeKit | Key Backup: No
What We Liked
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock feature
- Communicates freely with iPhone and Apple Watch
- August DoorSense will unlock and lock the door automatically
What We Didn’t Like
- Limited connectivity
This Yale lock is a very simple and modest-looking one, but within its simple look are a lot of features that we love.
To start, you aren’t limited to this specific model because although some folks may be content going completely keyless, we understand that others may like the reassurance of a backup plan.
This model gives the option of a typical key entry and comes with a backup key.
The smart lock also comes in black, oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, and is a BHMA Grade 2 certified deadbolt. It’s also completely motorized and quiet.
Something we especially like with this lock is the DoorSense auto-lock/auto-unlock feature, which will lock after you close the door. You don’t even have to think about it!
Now, if you want to go completely keyless and are worried about the lock dying on you, this is where a common feature of the Yale smart locks comes in.
If the battery in the lock dies and you find yourself locked outside, there is a terminal at the bottom of the touchpad that allows you to hook up a 9-volt battery, which will give you the power to type in your code and unlock it.
Since this is an August DoorSense smart lock, it can interact with the August app. However, something to keep in mind is that some reviewers have had issues with the app communicating with the lock.
On the brighter side, this lock can interact with your phone and even your Apple Watch. A very cool feature that allows for remote access to lock and unlock the door from anywhere.
See Price on Amazon4. Best Voice-Controlled: Yale Assure Lock SL – Key Free Smart Lock with Touchscreen Keypad
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Reliability | 4/5 |
Colors: Satin Nickel | Material: Alloy Steel | Voice Assist: Yes (With Siri) | Compatibility: Siri, Apple iPhone, Apple TV, Yale Secure App | Key Backup: No
What We Liked
- Can set a schedule for specific passcodes
- Voice-controlled
What We Didn’t Like
- Not great against the elements and weather
Similar to the previous lock, but with added features, this Yale Assure smart lock still maintains a simple and modest look.
At first glance, it is merely a backlit touchscreen. But connect your phone to it, and it opens up a world of interesting features.
Like the standard Yale Assure smart lock, this one has an auto-lock setting and can accept multiple passcodes given to family members or guests.
In addition to all of those features, you also get Siri compatibility, which allows voice activation.
Another feature we love with this particular lock is keeping track and getting notified when the door is unlocked or locked.
You can also set a schedule for particular passcodes to work, so if your pet sitter usually comes between 1pm and 3pm, you can keep it scheduled for that time and update it if they are coming at different times.
We didn’t particularly like that the notifications don’t alert you to which passcodes were used to unlock and/or lock the door, and the fact that this smart lock is not perfect against the elements.
The touchpad itself risks wear and tear from harsh weather, so keep that in mind when you install it.
See Price on Amazon5. Best Smart Lock with Handle: Yale Assure Smart Keypad Lever
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 5/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Satin Nickel | Material: Alloy Steel | Voice Assist: Yes (With Alexa) | Compatibility: Z-Wave smart home or alarm system and app (i.e. Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Wink, etc.) | Key Backup: Yes
What We Liked
- Comes with a backup key
- Can unlock from anywhere
- Has a lever door handle
- Can customize a time for auto lock
What We Didn’t Like
- Keypad interface can be difficult
This Yale smart lock is the first on our list to have a handle, and that is something we really like because a lock is more aesthetically pleasing if it has a handle to match.
This lock also comes with a backup key option for added peace of mind.
Voice activation is also an option for this lock as it is compatible with Alexa or any Z-wave smart home application. It allows you to create unique passcodes for people like the other smart locks on our list, and it also has an auto-lock feature.
We like this particular auto-lock feature because you can customize your auto-lock time.
This lock gives extra peace of mind because if you leave the house and start to wonder if you locked the door, you can check your phone to see the lock status.
If it’s unlocked, you can press a button on your smartphone to secure your domain.
The keypad, on the other hand, could be a bit better. We noticed that it wouldn’t light up until you began to type on the keypad. It also speaks when it unlocks and locks, which was jarring.
There is also a physical key as a backup just in case the lock runs out of power.
See Price on Amazon6. Best for Door Protection: Yale Security Real Living Keyless Push Button Deadbolt
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 5/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Oil rubbed bronze, Polished Brass, Satin Nickel | Material: Metal | Voice Assist: Yes (With Alexa) | Compatibility: Z-Wave smart home or alarm system and app (i.e. Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Wink, etc) | Key Backup: No
What We Liked
- Full gasket design to protect the door
- Can lock and unlock with your phone from anywhere
What We Didn’t Like
- A bit laborious to set up passcodes
As with all of the Yale smart locks, this one has a simple and streamlined design, but it also has a level of style with oil-rubbed bronze, polished brass, or satin nickel.
It’s small, but something we like about this one is that the illumination of the keypad is very nice and allows you to safely plug in your passcodes in the dark.
This Yale smart lock has an emergency 9V terminal to give you peace of mind if it runs out of battery and has a full gasket design to avoid any damage to your door.
Once again, you can hook this up to a hub, which is sold separately to lock or unlock from anywhere. We love the simple design on this one and the different available style options.
One issue that we have, and this is true with some other reviewers, is that setting up the codes can be a bit laborious and time-consuming.
However, this lock will be a great friend to you once you are set up.
See Price on Amazon7. Runner Up with Handle: Yale Assure Lever, Wi-Fi Smart Lever
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 3/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Satin Nickel | Material: Metal| Voice Assist: Yes (with Alexa) | Compatibility: Google Assistant, Siri, Yale Access App, wi-fi | Key Backup: No
What We Liked
- Door unlocks automatically when you arrive home
- Create a schedule for passcodes
What We Didn’t Like
- Does not have a backup key
The Yale Assure Lever is a Yale smart lock with multiple features and possibilities.
With our second smart lock with a door handle on this list, you can have it with either a keypad or a touch screen, depending on how you prefer to plug in your code.
Our favorite feature of this particular lock is the ability to unlock the door hands-free. Once you walk up to the door, it will automatically unlock you. Talk about a warm welcome home.
This is because of the connectivity with your phone since it will sense its presence, and if you don’t have your phone on you, you can just plug in your passcode and walk on in.
With this lock, you can also create unique codes for others, and even schedule when those codes can be used. With Alexa or Google Assistant, you can also voice-activate the lock.
We weren’t fans of the fact that this didn’t come with a backup key. However, the lack of a tumbler also means it can’t be picked or bumped open.
See Price on Amazon8. Best Simple Smart Lock: Yale Security YRD120-NR-605 Key Free Touchscreen Deadbolt, Polished Brass
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Polished Brass | Material: Metal | Voice Assist: Yes (With Alexa) | Compatibility: Google Assistant, Siri, Yale Access App, wi-fi | Key Backup: No
What We Liked
- Simple design with only a deadbolt
- Beautiful finish
What We Didn’t Like
- No connectivity
This smart lock is for those who enjoy something on the simpler side. First, the look of this smart lock is lovely, as its polished brass finish is shiny and appealing.
The touchscreen is a very durable glass that can face the elements and ensure that the numbers on the screen don’t wear out.
The touchpad is all backlit, and the light activates with a gentle tap to not create any problems when entering your passcode. Once you want to lock it, touch any button, and it will lock.
Much like the other Yale smart locks, this one has a backup terminal for a 9V battery, just to give you some reassurance.
When we say this is simpler, we mean it, especially compared to the others on this list. This particular lock does not have any kind of wi-fi compatibility or connectivity to any smart home applications.
If you’re looking for a reliable and simple smart lock without all of the technological setups, this is your lock.
See Price on Amazon9. Best Auto Lock: Yale Security YRD120-NR-0BP Yale T1L Lock Oil Rubbed Bronze
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 5/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 |
| Reliability | 4/5 |
Colors: Oil Rubbed Bronze | Material: Stainless Steel | Voice Assist: Yes (With Alexa) | Compatibility: Alexa, Z-wave Smart Home, Zigbee | Key Backup: No
What We Liked
- Can create and delete passcodes
- Auto-lock feature
What We Didn’t Like
- Not weather-proof
- Acrylic on touchpad sensitive to the sun
With its oil-rubbed bronze finish, this backlit touchscreen is a stylish choice for your door.
It also comes with gaskets, so your door won’t sustain any damage from installing this smart lock.
This smart lock does not have a physical key for a backup, but it does have a terminal for a 9V battery to plug into and charge your lock in a pinch.
It also allows you to create and delete unique passcodes for other family members, guests, or frequent visitors.
Another feature we also like is the ability for this smart lock to auto-lock.
Most smart locks on our list are pretty good against the elements, but this particular lock has some issues with weather and the sun.
Its beautiful design is susceptible to rain, and the acrylic on the touchpad can wear out from the sun’s rays so it might be best used not in direct sunlight and somewhere tucked away from intense weather conditions.
See Price on Amazon10. Best with Backup Key: Yale Security YRD226-ZW2-619 YRD226ZW2619 Touchscreen Deadbolt, Satin Nickel
Product Ratings
| Aesthetic | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 5/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 |
Colors: Black Suede, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Satin Nickel | Material: Stainless Steel | Voice Assist: Yes (With Alexa) | Compatibility: Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Wink, Z-wave Smart Home | Key Backup: Yes
What We Liked
- Simple and reliable deadbolt design
- Multiple finish options to choose from
- Super quiet operation
What We Didn’t Like
- Does not come with a matching handle
This Yale Lock comes in four color choices and two separate touchpad options: one with a physical key and one without.
You have the option to be brave and go keyless, or you can also be sure that you always have a backup key. Not all features and options are available in all finishes but the keypad is backlit and warns when the batteries are getting too low.
The deadbolt is also a BHMA Grade 2 Certified deadbolt that is fully motorized and super quiet, so you don’t have to worry about waking the neighbors when you get home.
This lock easily replaces your current deadbolt with just a screwdriver and a couple of minutes.
We love that you can unlock this deadbolt from anywhere using one of many compatible Bluetooth and wi-fi devices. Keep in mind that you may need to buy a hub that is not included with the lock for some of the remote options.
It is just a deadbolt, which is great if you have a door handle that you love. We think it would step it up a notch to have a door handle that comes bundled with this deadbolt.
It is possible to buy the handle separately, though, which we recommend because this lock looks good and looks even better with the handle to match.
See Price on AmazonComparison Chart
| Product | Best Overall | Runner Up | Best for Apple Watch | Best Voice Controlled | Best with Handle | Best for Door Protection | Runner Up with Handle | Best Simple Lock | Best Auto Lock Option | Best with Backup Key |
| Overall Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 | 3.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 | 4/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Aesthetic | 5/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Affordability | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Reliability | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
The Winner
In our opinion, the best smart lock that Yale has is the Google Nest x Yale Lock. It is a good-looking smart lock, and it is very functional and reliable.
As far as smart locks go, this one is a high-end, affordable option considering what it is capable of. You can create and delete multiple passcodes for various people or visitors to your house.
However, our favorite aspect of this particular lock is the privacy mode. This keeps people from unlocking your door and disturbing your much-needed rest. We especially like that it can connect to your Nest to become a part of your smart home hub.
This Yale smart lock is a top choice for us as it’s proof of how far this door lock company has come in innovation and design.
How To Choose the Best Yale Lock
All of these Yale Keyless Locks are fantastic, you really can’t go wrong but it really depends on what you are looking for.
Are you looking for style? Voice capability? Or maybe you’re looking for peace of mind with a backup key.
What do you look for when looking for your best smart lock? Here are the things we recommend keeping in mind as you shop.
Backup Key
For this particular feature, you have two options, and both are quite good. If you are looking for a lock with a handle and a lot of smart home compatibility, we suggest the Yale Assure Lever.
That smart lock has a backup key option and a slick handle. On the other hand, if you don’t want the handle, that’s okay. That’s where the Yale Security Touchscreen Deadbolt comes in.
It has the backup key but doesn’t have a handle and comes with a lot of compatibilities.
Voice Capability
Whether through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, nearly all smart locks have voice capability.
Voice control is fantastic, especially if your hands are full of groceries, covered in dirt, and you don’t want to muck up the touchscreen, or you just want maximum convenience.
If you’re interested, we suggest the Yale Security lock, which is compatible with Alexa, or you could go with our top voice-activated lock, the Yale Assure SL.
Honorable Mentions
1. Yale Key-Free Electronic Touchscreen Lock, T1L Classic Design – Satin Nickel – Considered for Weatherproof Smart Lock
This particular Yale lock didn’t make our main list, because it didn’t have compatibility with your smartphone app and we already had a more simplified lock on our list that we really enjoyed: The Yale Security Key Free.
However, we wanted to mention this one, because it is a simple lock that is really good against the elements and allows you to share up to 25 key codes.
2. Yale Assure Lever – Smart Touchscreen Keypad Lever Lock with Z-Wave Plus – Considered for Most Stylish Handle
This lock model is similar to another lock on our list, but we wanted to mention this because of how it looks. It is a beautiful oil-rubbed bronze keypad with a lever.
This touchscreen is backlit, has an auto-lock function, and with its darker color can blend with many home styles. Overall we like the Yale Assure Smart Keypad Lever with Z-Wave Plus better, but these are similar and both are worth a look.
3. Yale B1L Lock Keypad Deadbolt in Satin Nickel – Considered for an Affordable Option
Our final Honorable Mention is an older model Yale lock. Since a lot has changed since this classic keypad lock came out, it didn’t make our list because it doesn’t have as many features as the other locks.
However, this lock is by no means antiquated. It is compatible with Z-Wave and Alexa. Although it does require the respective hubs for those particular features.
Overall we preferred using the Yale Assure Lock SL because it works well, stores many passcodes, and was reliable during our tests.
