With their ability to secure, monitor, and provide instant access to our homes from anywhere in the world—or just for those times when our hands are full—Matter-compatible door locks are one of the major drivers behind the smart home revolution. But with the sheer amount of options on the market today, settling on the right one for your home can be overwhelming.
In this guide, we'll discuss potential considerations and showcase the best smart door locks that stand out for their exceptional security features, ease of use, and compatibility with multiple smart home platforms through Matter.
The best Matter-compatible smart door locks: what to look for
With its emphasis on interoperability, Matter has broken down the barriers between different smart home ecosystems, making the process of choosing a connected door lock much easier than in years past. Now, instead of worrying about how to set up a smart home device with Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, or Apple Home, you'll only need to look for the Matter logo on the box and scan its QR pairing code to get it up and running with your favorite ecosystem.
Thanks to Matter, you can instead turn your attention to other important aspects of smart door locks. While every need is different, taking into account the following considerations will give you a good starting point when shopping around:
- Design and aesthetics - Design plays an important role in the features offered by smart door locks. Do you want a modern lock with an expansive keypad, or do you prefer a lock with a more traditional look? Keeping your existing hardware can also help narrow down your options.
- Security - Most smart lock vendors are technology-first companies without proven security track records. If security is of the utmost importance, choose an established hardware vendor or carefully browse product descriptions for certifications and terms like bump and pick resistance or intrusion detection.
- Features - While Matter locks share the same base featureset of remote unlocking and locking, some vendors go above and beyond by offering facial and fingerprint recognition, NFC key card access, and presence detection. Be sure to include others within your household before making a decision.
- Connectivity - Factoring in your existing smart home network is also critical. If you don't already have or want a vendor-specific hub, then look for door locks with Wi-Fi or https://www.matteralpha.com/explainer/what-is-thread-matter-smart-home. Despite being easier to pair, Wi-Fi locks have shorter battery life than locks using other wireless protocols. And, although Thread is substantially better in this regard, it requires a Border Router for operation.
- Pricing - And last but not least, carefully consider your budget. If you only want the basics, you can score a Matter-compatible lock for around $100 or less. On the other hand, door locks are not something that most homeowners often replace, so spending more on a feature-rich option, or one from a trusted brand, may be a better choice in the long run.
With those considerations in mind, you should have a general idea of the type of lock that you are looking for. To help your search go even smoother, we've listed our top recommendations below.
The best Matter-compatible smart door locks
Aqara Smart Lock U400
Aqara's Smart Lock U400 is a versatile Matter-compatible deadbolt packed full of features and the latest wireless technologies that enhance your home's security and convenience. In addition to smart lock essentials like a touchscreen keypad and mechanical key slot, the U400 features a built-in fingerprint scanner, Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for hands-free entry, NFC key card support, and it even works with Apple's Home Key for Apple Watch and Apple Home users.
The U400 also includes a built-in Thread radio, allowing you to control it from anywhere through Matter without the need for an additional hub for up to six months on its rechargeable battery—as long as you have a compatible Border Router and Matter Controller in your home. And, if it happens to run out of battery while you are away, Aqara's emergency charging features allow it to be easily topped off via a USB-C cable, mobile phone, or power bank.
Aqara Smart Lock U400
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Level Bolt Smart Deadbolt
The Level Bolt takes a different approach to smart security with a unique invisible design that hides all of the Matter magic neatly inside your door. This clever lock works by utilizing your existing deadbolt hardware, so it won't ruin your home's aesthetic, and as a bonus, you can still use your original keys.
Like Aqara's U400, this lock supports Matter-over-Thread connectivity, which enables quick response times and excellent reliability without encroaching on your home's Wi-Fi. And while it doesn't include a rechargeable battery, Thread's ultra-low-power consumption allows this lock to run for up to a year on just a single CR2 lithium battery based on typical usage (8-10 events per day).
Level Bolt (Matter)
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Yale Smart Lock with Matter
Although it was designed through a partnership with Google, the Yale Smart Lock with Matter works with all the major ecosystems right out of the box. The joint effort leverages Yale's expertise in home security, with the lock being ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certified, and Google's unmistakable design language that complements its Nest Doorbell line perfectly with its sleek profile.
Available in three distinct finishes—Snow, Ash, and Matte Black—this premium deadbolt lock keeps it simple with large physical keys for entering access codes and a key slot. It also keeps it simple when it comes to connecting with your smart home, as it, like others in this guide, relies on Thread for seamless pairing—no Wi-Fi passwords to enter or extra hardware required outside of a Border Router.
Yale Smart Lock with Matter
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Kwikset Halo Select
Kwikset, one of the most trusted manufacturers of door hardware around, recently jumped on the Matter bandwagon with the release of the Halo Select Smart Door Lock—a slick touchscreen deadbolt with an emphasis on security. Available in Satin Nickel and Matte Black, Kwikset's lock features a DIY-friendly installation process that only requires a screwdriver, and Matter-over-Thread for effortless pairing.
On the security front, the Halo Select protects against break-ins with Kwikset's Smart Key system, which resists bumping/picking, and intrusion detection with the inclusion of an unobtrusive door sensor. Smart Key also allows for quick and easy re-keying of the lock in just a few seconds, all without needing a special trip to the hardware store.
Halo Select
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SwitchBot Lock Ultra
In our recent review of the SwitchBot Lock Ultra, we were immediately impressed by its ability to actually work with a two-stage security, uPVC, or patio-style door. We were also impressed by SwitchBot's expansive ecosystem of accessory devices—like the Keypad Vision Pro—that add additional capabilities to the lock, such as facial recognition, fingerprint entry, and physical keypads.
There are some downsides, though, as this lock relies on Bluetooth for its smart home connection. Bluetooth is often typically slower to respond to commands, has a shorter range than other wireless protocols, and requires a hub—either the SwitchBot Hub Mini, SwitchBot Hub 2, SwitchBot Hub 3, or the SwitchBot AI Hub—for Matter integration.
SwitchBot Hub 3
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Add security and convenience with the best Matter-compatible smart door locks
The best Matter-compatible smart door locks give your home an instant security and convenience upgrade with the ability to monitor and control all the happenings at your front door. Plus, with features like geofencing and auto unlocking, you'll never have to reach for the keys again—perfect for those times when your hands are full.
Aqara's Smart Lock U400 earns our top pick as it boasts an absolutely incredible amount of tech inside, providing tons of entry methods. One of which is Ultra-Wideband wireless, which detects presence automatically when close by, enabling the true key-free lifestyle that we just mentioned.
Looking for a lock that won't interfere with your home's decor? Level's invisible Bolt lock keeps the electronics out of sight while still giving you app-based controls and Matter's Multi-Admin capabilities that allow it to work with the smart home ecosystem of your choosing.
