Best Smart Locks Compared: Schlage Sense Pro vs Aqara U400 vs Level Lock Pro vs Yale, Kwikset, Eufy and Ultraloq

Price and Value: Yale Undercuts Everyone, Aqara Offers the Most per Dollar

At $159.99, the Yale Assure Lock 2 costs less than half as much as the Schlage Sense Pro ($399), and it is the cheapest lock here with a published price. The trade-off is a 3.5 rating, inconsistent Matter and Thread support, and a base model without fingerprint or tap-to-unlock entry.

The Aqara U400 is the value standout. At $269.99 it is $129 cheaper than the Schlage and $79 cheaper than the Level Lock Pro ($349), yet it has the highest rating in the group at 4.2. The Eufy E330 ($299.99) costs only $30 more than the Aqara and adds a camera and doorbell, which makes it good value if you were going to buy a video doorbell anyway. Neither the Kwikset Halo Select Plus nor the Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter has a published price, so we can't judge their value.

Hands-Free UWB: Schlage Sense Pro vs Aqara U400

Only two locks here support ultra-wideband hands-free unlocking through Apple Home Key: the Schlage and the Aqara. The Schlage has the more refined version. Its unlocking is direction- and motion-aware, so it only triggers when you reach the door, and reviewers say it is faster and more reliable than geofencing or Bluetooth auto-unlock. It also offers more codes (250 vs 75), a stronger security rating (BHMA Grade 2 vs Grade 3) and built-in Wi-Fi.

The Aqara answers with more ways in. It adds a keypad and fingerprint reader alongside UWB and Apple Wallet tap, all for $129 less. However, its housings are bulky on both sides of the door, and reviewers want better battery life. The Schlage runs on 4 AA batteries for up to 9 months. Both locks limit hands-free unlocking to Apple devices, and Schlage notes that Android support via Aliro is still pending. Android households get no UWB benefit from either one.

Apple Home Key and Matter: Who Plays Best Across Ecosystems

The Schlage, Aqara and Level Lock Pro all combine Apple Home Key tap-to-unlock with Matter over Thread. That makes them the strongest picks for a mixed smart home. The Ultraloq also supports Matter over Thread but lacks NFC Apple Home Key. The Kwikset is the only lock with a verified Matter 1.3 certification and runs as a low-power Thread device. Its summary, however, does not verify Home Key, battery life or build quality.

The Yale takes a different route to compatibility. It works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and Z-Wave, so it is the only option here for Z-Wave hubs. Its Matter and Thread support is reported inconsistently, though. And no single Yale model offers both a fingerprint reader and Apple Home Key, which the Aqara does.

Fingerprint and Entry Options: Ultraloq, Eufy and Aqara

If fingerprint entry matters most, three locks qualify. Reviewers call the Ultraloq reader fast and excellent. It also offers keypad, app, Apple Watch, auto unlock and a physical key. Its weaknesses are a motor described as loud and grinding, and a separate $50 bridge for remote access.

The Eufy E330 reader responds in 0.3 seconds and stores up to 50 fingerprints. It adds keypad, app, voice and physical key entry, plus something no rival offers: a 2K camera and video doorbell with 8GB of local storage and no subscription. The catch is that one battery powers everything, so the lock goes down while it charges. Its camera also shows less vertically than some dedicated doorbells.

The Aqara U400 is the only lock that pairs a fingerprint reader with UWB hands-free unlocking. That makes it the most versatile entry option in the group.

Design, Power and Remote Access

The Level Lock Pro wins on looks. Its hardware sits inside the door, so it passes for a standard deadbolt, and this is the opposite of the Aqara's bulky housings. It also has built-in door sensing and the longest stated battery life here, at about a year, beating the Schlage's 9 months. It costs $349, though. Remote access requires a Level Connect bridge or a third-party Thread border router, and the keypad is a paid add-on.

On remote access, the Schlage is the most self-contained because it has built-in Wi-Fi. The Yale comes close with its optional Wi-Fi module, which avoids its $79 bridge. The Ultraloq needs a $50 bridge, and the Level needs a bridge or border router. For power, the Schlage and Ultraloq use replaceable batteries, while the Aqara and Eufy rely on rechargeable packs. The Eufy's single 10,000 mAh battery means the whole device is offline while it charges.

Verdict: Which Smart Lock Should You Buy?

Best overall and best value: Aqara Smart Lock U400. It has the highest rating (4.2), UWB hands-free unlocking, fingerprint, keypad and Matter, all for $269.99. Accept the bulky design and middling battery life.

Best premium hands-free lock: Schlage Sense Pro. Choose it for the most polished direction-aware UWB, Grade 2 security, 250 codes and built-in Wi-Fi, if $399 and Apple-only hands-free unlocking don't bother you.

Best for discreet looks: Level Lock Pro. It is the only invisible design here and has about a year of battery life, but budget for a bridge or border router.

Best budget pick and for Z-Wave users: Yale Assure Lock 2. At $159.99 with the broadest ecosystem support, it is the cheapest way in.

Best all-in-one: Eufy E330. Buy it if you want a lock, 2K camera and doorbell with no subscription.

Best fingerprint reader: Ultraloq Bolt Fingerprint Matter. Pick it if you can live without Home Key and with a noisy motor.

The Kwikset Halo Select Plus has verified Matter 1.3 credentials. Without pricing or verified battery and build data, though, we can't recommend it over the alternatives yet.