"Best Smart Lock for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals in 2025"

By the Secure Home Central team · Updated October 2026 · 4 min read

"Keyless entry, remote code management, no shared keys to track down. Here's the smart lock that actually works for short-term rentals."

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If you've ever driven across town to hand off a key, or dealt with a guest who "lost" theirs, you already know why hosts love smart locks. The right one lets you generate a fresh code for every booking, kill access automatically when checkout happens, and never worry about rekeying between guests. Here's what actually holds up to daily turnover.

Our top picks

Best Overall for Airbnb

Yale Assure Lock 2 (Wi-Fi)

Our rating: ★★★★½ 4.4

Deadbolt replacement smart lock · Keypad + app, optional fingerprint, Wi-Fi/Matter · Monitoring: No monthly fee · Storage: n/a (access logs in app) · around $180

Pros

Clean key-free keypad design with optional fingerprint
No subscription; Matter/Apple Home/Alexa/Google support
Shareable time-limited codes for guests and cleaners

Cons

Wi-Fi vs Matter module is a confusing buy decision
Battery drains faster with Wi-Fi module always on

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Price and availability last checked October 2026. We may earn a commission — it never changes our pick.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is built around a physical keypad, which matters more than almost anything else for short-term rentals — guests punch in a code with no app download, no Bluetooth pairing, no "can you text me the lock instructions again?" messages at 11pm. It supports Wi-Fi or Matter connectivity depending on the module you choose, so you can generate and revoke codes remotely from your phone the moment a guest checks out. The optional fingerprint module is a nice touch if you or a cleaning crew visit often and don't want to remember a code.

Best If You Want to Keep Your Existing Deadbolt

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen)

Our rating: ★★★★½ 4.3

Retrofit smart lock (keeps your key) · Fits over existing deadbolt, auto-lock/unlock, Wi-Fi · Monitoring: No monthly fee · Storage: n/a (access logs in app) · around $180

Pros

Retrofits over your existing deadbolt - keys still work
Auto-unlock as you arrive, auto-lock behind you
Great for renters; no exterior hardware change

Cons

Bulky interior escutcheon
Auto-unlock reliability depends on phone/Bluetooth

Check price on Amazon →

Price and availability last checked October 2026. We may earn a commission — it never changes our pick.

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock mounts over your current deadbolt and keeps your original keys working, which is handy if you're renting out a unit you also use occasionally yourself. Auto-lock and auto-unlock are great for a property you don't want to babysit, and Wi-Fi is built in so there's no separate hub. The catch for Airbnb hosts specifically: the base model's keypad is a separate accessory purchase, so budget for that if guest codes are your main use case.

How these fit into a bigger rental setup

A smart lock solves entry, but most hosts pair it with a camera at the door (not inside, for obvious privacy and legal reasons) so they can confirm check-ins happened and troubleshoot access issues remotely. If that's on your list too, our best video doorbell and best outdoor security camera guides cover options that don't require a subscription, which matters if you're running several properties and don't want five monthly camera bills stacking up.

<div class="tablewrap"><table><thead><tr><th>Model</th><th>Type</th><th>Key spec</th><th>Monitoring</th><th>Price</th><th>Rating</th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Yale Assure Lock 2 (Wi-Fi)</strong></td><td>Deadbolt replacement smart lock</td><td>Keypad + app, optional fingerprint, Wi-Fi/Matter</td><td>No monthly fee</td><td>~$180</td><td>4.4 ★</td><td><a class="btn" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Yale+Assure+Lock+2+(Wi-Fi)&tag=backuppowerce-20">Price →</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen)</strong></td><td>Retrofit smart lock (keeps your key)</td><td>Fits over existing deadbolt, auto-lock/unlock, Wi-Fi</td><td>No monthly fee</td><td>~$180</td><td>4.3 ★</td><td><a class="btn" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=August+Wi-Fi+Smart+Lock+(4th+gen)&tag=backuppowerce-20">Price →</a></td></tr></tbody></table></div>

How to choose

Keypad vs. Bluetooth-only: For guest-facing units, a physical keypad beats anything that requires guests to install an app. Not every guest is tech-comfortable, and a stuck app login at midnight is a bad first impression.
Remote code management: You want to generate a unique code per reservation and have it auto-expire. Check whether this requires Wi-Fi/internet at the lock itself, or whether it works through a cloud account even if the lock briefly drops connection — a lock that needs to be online to update codes can strand a guest if your router hiccups.
Battery life and warning: Rentals get heavy daily use. Look for a lock that gives low-battery alerts well in advance, and keep spare batteries in a drawer at the property — a dead lock with a guest standing outside is the single worst-case scenario for a host.
No subscription required: Both locks here work fully offline for code management with no monthly fee, which adds up fast if you manage multiple units. Save subscriptions for things like camera cloud storage where you actually need them.
Physical key backup: Even the best smart lock should have a manual key override. Give it to your cleaner or property manager in case of total battery failure or a software glitch.

If you're building out security for a rental property beyond just the door, it's worth reading up on how SimpliSafe, Ring, and Arlo monitoring plans actually compare before you commit to one ecosystem — a lot of hosts end up locked into a monthly fee they didn't need.

FAQ

Do smart locks work during a power outage?

Can I give every guest a different code without reprogramming the lock in person?

Is a smart lock alone enough security for a rental, or do I need a full alarm system?

Bottom line

For most Airbnb and vacation rental hosts, the Yale Assure Lock 2 is the safer bet — a real keypad means guests of any tech comfort level can get in without a hitch, and remote code management means you can run the whole turnover process from your phone. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is worth considering if you split time at the property yourself and want to keep your physical keys working alongside the smart features.