Choosing a smart lock for your Long Island home usually comes with a second, less obvious decision: who is actually going to mount it, align the strike plate, and set up the app before the technician walks out the door. Getting a lock installed correctly matters as much as which brand you pick, since a misaligned deadbolt can strain the motor and shorten the life of an otherwise good lock. The options below were chosen based on hardware compatibility with common Nassau and Suffolk County door types, independent security ratings, and how easily each model retrofits onto existing hardware.
Quick Comparison
- Island Lock King Smart Lock Installation: best for Long Island homeowners who want certified same-day installation and ongoing support; quote-based pricing; the only option here that pairs installation with 24/7 licensed locksmith backup.
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: best for renters and homeowners who want to keep their original exterior hardware; starting around $130; retrofits over an existing deadbolt without touching the keyway.
- Schlage Encode Plus: best for security-focused homeowners; starting around $280; the only ANSI Grade 1 certified lock on this list.
- Yale Assure Lock 2: best for buyers who want flexibility down the road; starting around $130; interchangeable trim modules let you swap entry methods later.
- Kwikset Halo Touch: best for families wanting fast biometric entry; starting around $200; fingerprint access with no phone or code required.
- Level Lock+: best for HOA or historic properties; starting around $250; fits inside the door edge so it looks like an ordinary deadbolt.
- ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro: best for budget-conscious households; starting around $130; four access methods built into one unit.
- SwitchBot Lock Pro: best for homeowners already using SwitchBot devices; starting around $100; ties the front door into one unified smart home app.
1. Island Lock King Smart Lock Installation
Island Lock King is a licensed Long Island locksmith service that installs smart locks from all major manufacturers rather than pushing one proprietary product. That distinction matters for this list: every other entry is a lock you’d buy and then need someone to mount, while Island Lock King is the installation side of that equation, backed by 24/7 emergency locksmith support if a lock jams, a battery dies at an inconvenient hour, or a re-key is needed later.
The technicians start with an on-site compatibility check, measuring door thickness, backset, and the condition of existing hardware before touching a drill. That step catches the most common DIY failure point: assuming a lock advertised as “universal” will actually fit a particular door without gaps or a strained latch.
- On-site assessment of door thickness, backset, and existing hardware before installation begins
- Installation across nearly all major smart lock brands, so homeowners aren’t locked into one manufacturer’s ecosystem
- Same-day and emergency scheduling available across Nassau and Suffolk County
- Full app, Wi-Fi/hub, and auto-lock configuration completed on-site so the lock works before the technician leaves
Setup requires no technical background from the homeowner. You choose or already own a lock, and the crew handles the mechanical install plus the digital configuration in one visit, which is where most DIY attempts stall out. The service integrates with whatever Wi-Fi or hub setup you already run and works alongside existing home security systems rather than replacing them.
The main limitation is straightforward: Island Lock King doesn’t manufacture its own lock hardware, so you still need to settle on a brand and model, either beforehand or during the consultation, before installation day. Pricing is quote-based since it depends on the lock model and the condition of the door and existing hardware, so get an exact number before scheduling, as of 2026.
Best for: Long Island homeowners and business owners who want certified installation and local, ongoing support instead of a DIY setup.
2. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August makes a retrofit smart lock that mounts over your existing deadbolt from the inside, leaving the exterior keyway and hardware completely untouched. That makes it the easiest lock on this list to retrofit, since there’s no re-keying, no replacing visible hardware, and no changing the look of your front door.
The DoorSense sensor is a genuinely useful feature others on this list lack in the same form: it confirms the door is physically closed, not just that the bolt has thrown, which prevents the false sense of security that comes from a lock reporting “locked” while the door sits ajar.
- Retrofits onto most standard single-cylinder deadbolts without replacing exterior hardware
- DoorSense confirms the door is fully closed, not just locked
- Auto-Unlock and Auto-Lock trigger based on your phone’s proximity to the door
- App control works over Wi-Fi, though a bridge accessory is needed for full remote access away from home
August connects with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit, and setup is generally quick for anyone comfortable with a screwdriver, though a professional install ensures the interior mechanism doesn’t bind against an out-of-square strike plate. Because it relies on your existing deadbolt body, performance is only as good as the hardware underneath it. Damaged, warped, or non-standard deadbolts (common in older Long Island homes) can cause the motor to strain.
Pricing starts around $130 and runs toward $280 depending on the model, as of 2026, with current figures at august.com.
Best for: Renters or homeowners who want smart access without changing the keys or appearance of their front door.
3. Schlage Encode Plus
Schlage Encode Plus is a full-replacement smart deadbolt built with its own Wi-Fi radio, so it connects directly to your home network without a separate hub. It carries an ANSI Grade 1 security certification, the highest residential rating available and one that few mainstream smart locks achieve.
ANSI Grade 1 vs. Grade 2 matters more than most buyers realize: Grade 1 locks are tested to withstand significantly more force and more cycles before failure, which is the rating insurers and security-conscious homeowners look for. Combined with built-in tamper detection, this lock is aimed squarely at security first, convenience second.
- Built-in Wi-Fi radio removes the need for a separate hub
- ANSI Grade 1 certification, the top residential security rating
- Apple Home Key support for tap-to-unlock with an iPhone or Apple Watch
- Built-in alarm technology flags tampering or forced-entry attempts
It pairs with Apple Home Key, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Because it’s a full deadbolt replacement rather than a retrofit, installation involves removing your existing hardware entirely, which is where a professional install prevents the interior mechanism from binding against a misaligned strike plate.
The trade-off is bulk and cost. The interior mechanism is larger than retrofit options like August, and at roughly $280 to $330 as of 2026 (check schlage.com for current pricing), it sits at the higher end of this list.
Best for: Homeowners who prioritize a verified security rating and want hub-free Wi-Fi without extra accessories.
4. Yale Assure Lock 2
Yale Assure Lock 2 takes a modular approach: you pick a keypad, touchscreen, or push-button trim now, and swap it later without buying a whole new lock body. That’s a meaningful advantage for anyone unsure which entry method they’ll prefer, or for households whose needs change over time, say, adding a keypad after relying on an app for the first year.
Where it fits in a smart home
The lock supports the Matter protocol, the cross-platform standard meant to let smart home devices work across Apple, Google, Amazon, and Samsung ecosystems without separate hubs for each. That gives it more long-term flexibility than locks tied to a single ecosystem.
- Interchangeable trim modules let you change the entry method without replacing the lock body
- Optional Wi-Fi module adds remote access and push notifications
- Matter support keeps the lock compatible across major smart home platforms
- Auto-lock and one-touch locking for daily convenience
Yale Assure Lock 2 works with Matter, HomeKit, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Installation is a standard deadbolt replacement, straightforward for a professional, doable but riskier as a DIY project if your door isn’t perfectly square. The base module doesn’t include remote access out of the box; you’ll need to add the separate Yale Connect Wi-Fi module to get full app functionality away from home, which adds to the total cost.
Base pricing starts around $130 and climbs to roughly $260 depending on which modules you add, as of 2026, per yalehome.com.
Best for: Buyers who want a lock that can adapt as their preferences or smart home setup change.
5. Kwikset Halo Touch
Kwikset Halo Touch uses fingerprint recognition as its primary entry method, letting family members in without a phone, code, or key fob. Built-in Wi-Fi means no separate hub, and Kwikset’s SmartKey re-key technology lets homeowners re-key the lock themselves in seconds if a key is lost or a tenant moves out.
- Fingerprint recognition provides keyless entry for registered users
- Built-in Wi-Fi connects directly without a hub
- SmartKey re-key technology lets you re-key the cylinder yourself
- Kwikset app manages remote access and adds or removes users
It integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, and installation follows the standard deadbolt-replacement process, best handled by a professional to avoid strike plate misalignment that would strain the fingerprint module’s mechanical bolt.
The real limitation shows up seasonally. Fingerprint sensors, including this one, can become less reliable in wet, icy, or freezing conditions, which is a fair concern during Long Island winters when hands are cold or gloved. Households that rely heavily on the fingerprint feature should keep the backup key or code option in mind for January mornings.
Pricing runs about $200 to $230, as of 2026, per kwikset.com.
Best for: Families who want fast biometric access for kids or frequent visitors without managing codes.
6. Level Lock+
Level Lock+ hides its entire mechanism inside the door edge and strike, so from the outside it looks like an ordinary deadbolt with no visible keypad, screen, or bulky faceplate. For homeowners in HOAs with strict aesthetic rules, or owners of historic Long Island properties where exterior hardware can’t be altered, this is the only lock on this list built specifically to disappear.
It’s a native Apple HomeKit device with Apple Home Key support, meaning an iPhone or Apple Watch can unlock the door with a tap, no app needed. A standard mechanical key still works as backup, so there’s no risk of being locked out if the battery dies.
- Compact mechanism fits inside the door edge, invisible from outside
- Native Apple HomeKit integration for direct control through the Home app
- Apple Home Key support for tap-to-unlock convenience
- Mechanical key backup ensures entry even if the battery fails
Because everything lives inside the door, installation tolerances are tighter than a standard deadbolt swap, and precise door prep matters more here than with bulkier locks. A professional install is worth it to avoid the motor straining against a slightly misaligned bore.
The trade-off is access methods: there’s no built-in keypad, so anyone without a compatible iPhone, physical key, or optional accessory can’t get in. That makes it less flexible for households with guests who don’t use Apple devices. Pricing runs about $250 to $330, as of 2026, per level.co.
Best for: Homeowners in HOAs or historic properties who need smart access without changing the door’s appearance.
7. ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro
ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro packs four separate access methods, fingerprint, keypad code, app, and a physical key, into one deadbolt at a price closer to entry-level locks than to premium four-in-one competitors. For households that want redundancy (so a dead phone battery or forgotten code never locks anyone out) without paying Schlage or Level prices, this is the practical choice.
- Four access methods built in: fingerprint, keypad, app, and physical key
- Auto-lock and a tamper alarm add basic security beyond entry convenience
- Weatherproof keypad holds up to outdoor exposure through Long Island winters and summers
- Optional Wi-Fi bridge accessory adds remote access when needed
It works with Alexa and Google Assistant, and is a standard full-replacement install best done by a professional to keep the multiple internal sensors properly aligned. As with several others on this list, full remote and app access away from home requires buying the separate Wi-Fi bridge, without it, the lock still functions locally but won’t send phone notifications or allow off-network control.
At roughly $130 to $160, as of 2026 per ultraloq.com, it undercuts most locks offering a comparable number of access methods, though build quality and long-term reliability haven’t been tested over as many years as Schlage or Kwikset’s more established lines.
Best for: Budget-conscious households that want multiple backup entry methods without paying a premium.
8. SwitchBot Lock Pro
SwitchBot Lock Pro is a retrofit lock, similar in concept to August, but built to plug into the broader SwitchBot ecosystem of cameras, sensors, and hubs. For a homeowner who already has a SwitchBot camera on the porch or a SwitchBot hub running other smart devices, this lock keeps everything in one app instead of juggling separate apps per brand.
- Retrofits over an existing deadbolt without replacing exterior hardware
- Optional fingerprint keypad add-on for keyless entry
- Matter support keeps it compatible with other smart home platforms
- Unified app control ties the lock together with other SwitchBot devices
It connects with the SwitchBot Hub 2, Matter, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Installation mirrors August’s retrofit process, relatively simple for a professional, though again dependent on the condition of the existing deadbolt underneath.
The catch is that its most useful features, remote access, notifications, and full ecosystem integration, require the separate SwitchBot Hub. Bought alone, it’s a capable but fairly basic retrofit lock; the value case really depends on already owning or planning to buy other SwitchBot devices.
Pricing starts around $100 and reaches about $160 with add-ons, as of 2026, per switch-bot.com.
Best for: Homeowners already using other SwitchBot devices who want their front door in the same app.
Matching the Lock to the Household
If you want the lock installed correctly the first time, with someone to call if it acts up at 2 a.m., Island Lock King’s installation service is the practical starting point, especially since a proper on-site assessment catches backset and door-thickness mismatches before they become a strained motor six months later. If you’d rather keep your existing exterior hardware untouched, August and SwitchBot Lock Pro both retrofit over what you already have. For the highest verified security rating, Schlage Encode Plus stands apart with its ANSI Grade 1 certification. Homeowners bound by HOA rules or working with a historic property should look at Level Lock+ for its near-invisible profile, and budget-focused households will get the most access methods per dollar from the ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro.
Whichever lock you choose, professional installation protects the manufacturer’s warranty in many cases and, just as important, ensures the strike plate is properly aligned so the motor isn’t fighting the door every time it locks. A few dollars saved on a DIY install can turn into a service call within the year. Learn more about our services to get your lock matched to your door and installed right the first time.