Here is the short version: the best smart locks for apartments are retrofits that mount on the inside of your door, because that is the only category that leaves the outside of the door, the existing key cylinder, and your landlord’s key completely untouched. Our top renter pick is the August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock, which fits over an existing single-cylinder deadbolt in about 10 minutes with no drilling. The CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 is the pick when you cannot drill and cannot leave anything permanent on the door, and it reaches the same inside-mounted position using an adhesive base. If your lease lets you swap hardware, the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the most capable lock in this group and our editor’s choice overall.
That constraint is the whole reason apartment locks are different. Leases routinely prohibit changing or rekeying a lock, landlords and maintenance staff need a working physical key at all times, and a new cylinder means a new key, which means a conversation you may not win. So we ranked the 10 locks below by renter fit first and features second, and we tagged every one with an honest verdict: yes, yes with written permission, or no.
We spent the last few weeks cycling through these locks on rental doors, including a 1930s single-cylinder unit and a newer building with narrower hardware, so the compatibility notes come from real doors rather than spec sheets. If you are still outfitting the rest of a small space, our guides to the best robot vacuums for apartments and the best smart locks for front doors cover the owner-occupied side of the same decision. Last updated for 2026.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Best Smart Locks For Apartments (October 2026)
These three anchor the list because they are the ones that survive a lease review. The other seven either replace the deadbolt outright or work offline, and we explain exactly where each of them falls.
August WiFi Smart Lock
- Fits over your existing deadbolt
- Interior-only install
- Keeps the landlord's key
CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5
- No-drill adhesive base
- Bluetooth and Matter
- Works with most existing keys
All 10 Apartment Smart Locks at a Glance in 2026
Every lock below has been sorted by how it attaches to the door, because that single fact decides whether you can install it in a rented apartment at all. Rows two and five in this list are the only true inside-mounted retrofits; the rest need the deadbolt removed.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode WiFi Deadbolt |
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| August WiFi Smart Lock 4th Gen |
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 ULTRALOQ Bolt SE |
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 eufy Smart Lock C220 |
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| CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 |
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 Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt |
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 Veise VE012W WiFi Lock |
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 TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint |
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 TEEHO TE001 Keypad |
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 Veise VE017 Smart Lock |
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1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt: Most Capable Lock, but Not the Most Renter-Friendly
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Built-in WiFi
Fits doors 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 in
4 AA for up to 6 months
100 codes plus backup key
Pros
- Built-in Wi-Fi with no hub or bridge
- Up to 100 access codes plus a physical backup key
- BHMA certified with a forced-entry alarm
- Screwdriver-only install on most standard doors
Cons
- Replaces the deadbolt so landlord approval is required
- About six months of AA battery life
- Fingerprint-resistant touchscreen can be finicky when wet or cold
The Schlage Encode is the strongest lock in this roundup on paper and the least forgiving one to install in a rented apartment. It is a full hardware swap: the existing deadbolt comes out, a new one goes in, and the cylinder that accepted your landlord’s key is gone with it.
We put it at the top because the brand behind it is the sturdiest here. It carries a limited lifetime mechanical and finish warranty alongside a three-year electronics warranty, and the fit is generous at 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick with either a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, which covers a large share of apartment doors.
Connectivity is where it wins outright. Built-in Wi-Fi means remote control and monitoring through the Schlage Home app with nothing else to buy, power, or shelve, and one account can manage up to 100 access codes, lock history, and several locks. The keypad, the app, and the voice assistants all draw on that same credential list, which is what makes it workable for a dog walker, a cleaner, and a roommate.
Battery upkeep is the trade. Four AA cells are included and rated at up to six months, with a low-battery indicator. That is two changes a year on a door you do not own, and if the cells die while you are away, your way in is the single physical backup key that ships in the box rather than a spare sitting in a drawer at home. Reviewers also note the fingerprint-resistant touchscreen can be finicky to wake in cold or wet weather.
How it fits an apartment door?
This is a Century trim deadbolt with a lever handle, so the bore, the backset, and the strike plate all have to line up with what is already in the door. The 2-3/8 and 2-3/4 inch backset options cover most standard US apartment entries, and the spec sheet puts the whole install at screwdriver-only.
Check your interior clearance before you order. A full trim deadbolt with a handle under the keypad is bulkier than a bare thumbturn, and on a narrow apartment door it can foul the trim or the security chain.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission. This is the lock to buy if you own the unit or if your landlord is already rekeying for a turnover, and it is the wrong answer for a tenant whose lease says no hardware changes.
If that is your situation, jump to the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock below, which does the same job on the inside of the door and never touches the cylinder.
2. August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen: The Retrofit That Keeps Your Landlord’s Key
August Home, Matte Black Wi-Fi Connected Smart Keyless Entry Door Lock (4th Generation), Electronic Door Lock Fits Your Existing Deadbolt in Minutes, AUG-SL05-M01-G01
Fits over an existing deadbolt
Built-in WiFi, no hub
About 10 minute install
Interior-only mounting
Pros
- Keeps the existing exterior cylinder and key working
- About 10-minute interior-only install
- Built-in Wi-Fi so no hub is needed
- Reliable activity logs and door ajar sensing
Cons
- CR123A cells often need replacing every three months
- No keypad included unless you buy one separately
- Auto-unlock geofence radius is small in dense buildings
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the lock we recommend to renters first, and the reason is structural rather than smart. It installs on the inside of the door over the existing single-cylinder deadbolt, which means the exterior cylinder stays exactly where it is and your landlord’s key still turns the bolt by hand.
Install time is genuinely about 10 minutes, and nothing is drilled because the unit uses the holes that are already there. The outside of the door looks identical afterwards, which is the point that gets it past most lease reviews and most building rules about exterior hardware.
Auto-Unlock and Auto-Lock with DoorSense are the features that make it stick in daily use. The app logs every entry, permanent and temporary codes can be shared with a sitter or a dog walker, and the door ajar sensor stops the bolt throwing while the door is still open. Built-in Wi-Fi means no bridge, so nothing else to plug into an outlet near the door.
The battery story is the weak point, and reviewers are blunt about it. Many owners replace CR123A lithium cells roughly every three months, and the app has no battery-level meter, only a critical-low email alert. On top of that, the keypad is not included, and the auto-unlock geofence is small enough to be annoying in a dense city building.
Whether your door will take it
August fits most single-cylinder deadbolts, and that single word is doing the work. If your door has a double-cylinder deadbolt with a keyhole on the inside as well, a mortise lock, or a multipoint locking system, this unit is not the answer and no amount of app tuning will change that.
Interior clearance is the other gate. Retrofit units are chunkier than a plain thumbturn, and on a narrow door the body can rub the frame when the door swings fully open.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: yes, with a heads-up. Interior-only, no drilling, no rekey, removable in minutes. We still recommend a short written note to the landlord because exterior appearance and entry logging are sometimes building-wide rules even when locks are not.
Budget ten minutes every three months for CR123A cells, or accept the three-month pattern as the ongoing cost of the cleanest install on this list.
3. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi: Most Entry Methods With Both Wi-Fi and Matter
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Matter Over Thread, App Remote Access
50 prints and 50 codes
Built-in WiFi
Matter over Thread
Up to 18 months
Pros
- Seven entry methods in one lock
- Built-in Wi-Fi plus Matter over Thread
- Up to 18 months on the low-energy Thread mesh
- ANSI BHMA certified and IP65 rated
Cons
- Replaces the deadbolt so landlord approval is required
- Matter features need a separate Thread border router
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi only and the router should be close
The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE is the feature-dense option here, with seven ways in: up to 50 fingerprints, 50 passcodes, the app, a web portal, shared eKeys and codes, voice control, and two mechanical emergency keys. Fingerprint recognition is the fast path in daily use and the reason most owners here keep it.
It is also the only lock in this roundup that runs two wireless architectures at once. Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi gives remote access with no hub, while Matter over Thread lets it join Apple Home and other Matter ecosystems through a Thread border router. The self-healing mesh is what underpins the long battery claim.
That 18-month figure is the headline number on the box and the reason we rate it well on battery. The catch is the setup path: the Matter route is the point of friction for first-time users, and the Wi-Fi radio is 2.4 GHz only, so the router should sit within roughly 70 feet of the door.
Two mechanical keys ship in the box, which matters more than it sounds. Anyone who has ever been locked out by a dead battery will treat included keys as a feature rather than an afterthought. Note that no door sensor is included with the lock.
Connectivity choices before you commit
Decide early whether you want Wi-Fi, Matter, or both. Wi-Fi-only setup is the shortest path and needs nothing else. Adding Matter later means buying or already owning a Thread border router, and that is where new owners report the most friction.
Both radios are worth having only if your home already speaks Matter. Buying a border router to use a lock that works without one is how people end up with an expensive paperweight.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission. Like most locks in this group it is a full deadbolt replacement, so the existing key cylinder changes and your landlord’s master key no longer opens the door until someone rekeys it.
On battery, the Thread mesh path is genuinely strong. On the Wi-Fi path, treat the 18-month claim as a ceiling rather than a schedule.
4. eufy Security Smart Lock C220: Fingerprint and Wi-Fi Without a Bridge
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
Fingerprint plus keypad and app
Built-in WiFi
8 AA for about 8 months
BHMA Grade 3
Pros
- Self-learning fingerprint sensor that improves with use
- Built-in Wi-Fi so no bridge is required
- Six unlock methods including Apple Watch
- About 15-minute install that fits narrow bores
Cons
- Replaces the deadbolt so landlord approval is required
- About eight months of AA battery life
- Full-size fingerprint pad is awkward for small children
The eufy C220 pairs a self-learning fingerprint reader with built-in Wi-Fi, so remote control works without a bridge and the sensor gets better the more it is used. Unlock methods number six: fingerprint, the eufy Security app, keypad, physical key, Apple Watch, and voice assistants.
It also fits more doors than most of its size suggests. Removing the included spacer allows it to fit bores under 54mm, and the install is a 15-minute no-drill job. Certification is BHMA Grade 3 after more than 100,000 lock cycles, with an IP53 rating and an operating range from -22F to 158F.
Eight AA batteries run roughly eight months, which sits in the middle of this group: much better than the specialty-cell locks, shorter than the four-AA units rated at up to 365 days. It integrates with the wider eufy ecosystem, including routines that pair with eufy doorbells.
The full-size fingerprint pad is the detail households notice. It is comfortable for adults and genuinely awkward for small children, who are exactly the people you would hand a code to instead.
Door fit and finish choices
Two finishes, Black and Nickel, which is narrower than the palette most renters expect. If your building has a single doorman-mandated finish, check that before ordering.
The spacer trick for sub-54mm bores is worth knowing. Plenty of older apartments have smaller bores, and that spacer is the difference between a ten-minute install and a returned box.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission. The deadbolt is replaced, so key compatibility changes and the landlord’s key does not carry over.
At about eight months on standard AA cells, this is a low-maintenance choice for a household that does not want to hunt for specialty batteries twice a year.
5. CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5: The No-Drill Retrofit for Doors You Cannot Touch
CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5, Smart Lock, Bluetooth Electronic Deadbolt, Auto-Lock, Keyless Entry Door Lock for Front Door, Fits Your Existing Deadbolt, for Airbnbs Vacation Rentals
No-drill 3M adhesive base
Bluetooth and Matter
Two CR123A included
Pros
- No-drill adhesive install leaves the deadbolt untouched
- Works with most existing key cylinders
- Auto-lock timer adjustable from 3 seconds to 1 hour
- Open Bluetooth API and an open-source app
Cons
- Remote access needs the separately sold Hub3 bridge
- Adhesive base is very hard to remove once applied
- Setup changes only work while the phone is on Bluetooth
The Sesame 5 is the most genuinely renter-shaped lock here. It mounts over the inside of your existing deadbolt using a 3M adhesive base and a metal adapter, which means no drilling, no screws, and no change to the exterior. It works with most existing keys, and custom 3D-printed adapters are available if yours is unusual.
Daily use runs through Bluetooth: iPhone, Apple Watch, NFC tags, and home screen widgets, with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri support. The auto-lock timer is unusually adjustable, running from 3 seconds up to a full hour, and it runs on SesameOS 3 with an open Bluetooth API and an open-source app.
Remote access from outside your home is where the design changes shape. It requires the Hub3 bridge, and the hub needs its own USB-C power cable, which is not included. Two CR123A 1800mAh batteries are in the box.
We want to be direct about the adhesive. It holds well, and it also holds so well that removing it is genuinely difficult. Plan the move-out removal carefully, and use heat sparingly so you do not take paint with you.
When this is the only option that works?
Reach for this one when a drilling ban is absolute, when the door is a metal unit you cannot screw into, or when the lease forbids any modification that leaves a mark. Very few competitors can claim all three.
Check your phone first. Some newer iPhone models have reported Bluetooth detection problems during initial setup, and setup changes can only be made while the phone is nearby on Bluetooth.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: yes, with permission, and expect to argue about the adhesive. Nothing is drilled and the deadbolt stays in place, which is a strong position, but a landlord who has seen tape residue on a door before will ask about removal.
On hub-free remote access, this is the second pick on our list only because the bridge is an extra purchase. If you already run a Matter or Home Assistant setup, that changes the ranking.
6. Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle: The One That Ships a Matching Lever
Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt with Handle, Built-in WiFi, APP Remote Control
Matching lever handle included
Built-in WiFi
0.3 second fingerprint
Up to 6 months
Pros
- Matching handle set in the box so no extra hardware
- Built-in Wi-Fi with no hub
- Four PIN types for family guests and cleaners
- 0.3-second fingerprint unlock
Cons
- Replaces the deadbolt so landlord approval is required
- Batteries are not included and must be alkaline
- Must sit within 33 ft of the router for stable Wi-Fi
The Philips WiFi Keypad Deadbolt is the practical pick when your apartment door has a separate lever handle and you do not want to source a matching one. Two door levers and the latch assembly are included, so a hardware swap does not become a hardware hunt.
Unlock options cover fingerprint, PIN, app, and voice, with fingerprint reads clocked at 0.3 seconds. The four PIN types are the feature that matters for a rented home: permanent codes, one-time codes, periodic, and recurring, all manageable from the Philips Home Access app alongside a real-time access history.
Auto-lock is adjustable from 0 to 180 seconds, and the keypad is backlit with an anti-peeping password option. Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi removes the hub entirely.
Two setup details catch people out. Batteries are not included and only standard 1.5V alkaline cells are recommended, and the door defaults to a right-opening configuration with a reset step for the other handing. Auto-lock is also off until you turn it on in the app.
Range and handing are the two things to check
Keep the lock within about 33 feet, or 10 meters, of the router. Apartment walls are thick enough that a door at the end of a hallway can sit outside that range even when the same router covers the living room.
Door thickness runs 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches, which covers standard US apartment doors. If your door is thicker, this is not the unit.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission. Replacing the deadbolt changes the key cylinder, and a handle swap is a larger visual change on the inside of the door than a retrofit makes.
Buy a pack of alkaline cells before the install, not after the first low-battery alert.
7. Veise VE012W WiFi Fingerprint Lock: Fastest Fingerprint With Unlimited One-Time Codes
Veise VE012W WiFi Fingerprint Smart Lock for Front Door, Satin Nickel
0.2 second fingerprint
Built-in 2.4 GHz WiFi
20 prints and 100 PINs
Grade 3 and IP55 rated
Pros
- Built-in Wi-Fi remote control with no gateway
- 0.2-second self-learning fingerprint reads
- Unlimited one-time codes for sitters and couriers
- AES-128 local data encryption with Grade 3 certification
Cons
- Eight AA batteries are required but not included
- Keypad can emit light leakage that reveals the pressed digits to bystanders
- App is English-only in places and setup can require a Bluetooth-range retry
The Veise VE012W is the quickest fingerprint reader in this group, with a claimed 0.2-second recognition rate from a self-learning chip and a 99.99% recognition rate. Entry methods number six, including 20 stored fingerprints, 100 custom PINs, unlimited one-time codes, two physical keys, the app, and voice.
Remote access runs on built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi with no gateway, and the app sends real-time notifications plus detailed access logs showing the unlock method and time. Codes come in permanent, recurring, time-limited, and one-time varieties, with an anti-peeping random-digit feature for codes entered in public.
Security details are better than the price tier suggests: AES-128 local data encryption, a zinc alloy cylinder, BHMA and ANSI Grade 3 certification, and IP55 water resistance.
The recurring complaints are practical rather than dramatic. Eight AA batteries are required and not included, the keypad backlight can leak which digits were pressed to someone standing close, and setup can need a second attempt if the app struggles with Bluetooth range.
Where the one-time codes earn their keep?
Unlimited one-time codes are the feature that changes how an apartment runs day to day. Issue a code to a courier, a dog walker, or a friend for the afternoon, and it stops existing afterward, so you never have to decide whether to collect a key.
Set the anti-peeping option on for any door that opens onto a shared hallway, since the backlight visibility complaint is a hallway problem rather than a private-door problem.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission. It is a full deadbolt replacement, so the existing cylinder and any master key that used to open it no longer apply.
On power, plan on supplying your own eight AA cells, and check the app rather than waiting for the first warning.
8. TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt: Best Offline Lock With a Fingerprint Reader
TEEHO TE002 Fingerprint Deadbolt with Keypad for Front Door, Matte Black
Fingerprint and keypad with no app
4 AA for up to 365 days
20 prints and 20 codes
Pros
- No app or Wi-Fi so nothing fails on connectivity
- Fast and forgiving fingerprint reader
- One-time PINs that delete themselves after use
- Screwdriver-only install with clear setup videos
Cons
- Replaces the deadbolt so landlord approval is required
- Auto-lock delay often resets to the shortest setting
- Only fits a 2-1/8 in (54mm) door bore
The TE002 is the lock we would put on a door that must never depend on a server. It has no app, no Wi-Fi, and no hub, so the failure modes that generate lockout stories simply do not exist here. Fingerprint, keypad, one-time PIN, and two physical keys are the whole feature set.
The fingerprint sensor unlocks in about 1 second, with recognition at 0.3 seconds, and it adapts over time as it learns your prints. Up to 20 fingerprints and 20 passcodes are stored, and one-time PINs delete themselves after use, which solves the courier problem without an app.
Battery life is the standout. Four AA cells are rated at up to 365 days, with a red indicator below 15 percent, and a silent mode for night entry. Certification is BHMA Grade 3 and IP54, with a 2-year warranty.
The most common owner complaint is specific and fixable in expectation: the auto-lock delay tends to reset to the shortest setting, which causes repeated rapid locking attempts on a high-traffic door. The bore is 2-1/8 inches, or 54mm, only.
What offline buys you and what it costs?
Offline means no remote unlock, no access log you can check later, and no temporary codes sent from a phone away from home. Everything has to happen at the door.
In exchange you get a lock that cannot be defeated by a dead router, a dead server, or a company shutting down an app. For some tenants that trade is clearly right.
Warranty coverage is two years on the whole unit, which is worth having on a lock with no app to reset remotely. A factory reset on the door takes under a minute using the manual keypad sequence.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission. This is a deadbolt replacement, and while you can often have it keyed to match an existing key, that conversation belongs with the landlord rather than with a locksmith.
Once a year on AA cells is the least demanding battery schedule of any lock in this roundup.
9. TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt: The Simplest Lock That Still Works
TEEHO TE001 Keyless Entry Deadbolt with Keypad for Front Door, Matte Black
Keypad only with no app or hub
20 codes plus one-time PIN
4 AA for up to 365 days
Pros
- Nothing to connect so it cannot fail on Wi-Fi
- 20 user codes plus a one-time guest PIN
- Backlit keypad for night entry
- Long claimed battery life on four AA cells
Cons
- Replaces the deadbolt so landlord approval is required
- Only fits a 2-1/8 in (54mm) door bore
- Auto-lock is off by default and must be turned on
The TEEHO TE001 is the highest-rated lock in this group and the least complicated by design. There is no app, no Wi-Fi, no account, and no hub, just a keypad, a physical key, and a bolt. It carries a 2-year warranty and a one-touch lock you trigger by holding any keypad key for 2 seconds.
It stores 20 individual user codes, plus a temporary single-use guest code that deletes itself once entered. That combination is enough for a family, a roommate, and a cleaner, which covers most apartments without any network involvement.
Four AA cells are rated at up to 365 days with a red low-battery indicator, and the housing is aluminum alloy with IP54 weather resistance, anti-peeping user code protection, and a solid lock cylinder. ANSI Grade 3 is the security rating.
The trade-offs are honest. There is no fingerprint and no app access, so codes get typed every time. Auto-lock is off by default and has to be enabled deliberately, and the bore is 2-1/8 inches, or 54mm, only, so it will not fit a 38mm hole.
Why the highest rating is not a full replacement?
A 4.5 average across thousands of reviews reflects a lock that does one thing reliably. Our top rating is a statement about consistency, not about feature depth.
If your building already hands out a building key and the problem you are solving is not losing that key, the added complexity of a connected lock may not be worth it.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission, and rekeying through the landlord. A keypad deadbolt that replaces the cylinder is exactly the change most leases name explicitly.
The reset function, which you run before first use to auto-detect door handing, also resolves most of the setup problems owners report.
10. Veise VE017 Smart Lock: Best Multi-Tenant Access for Shared Apartments
Veise VE017 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with App Control, Satin Nickel
Multi-tenant user management
8 unlock methods
Fits 38mm and 54mm bores
4 AA for about 12 months
Pros
- Multi-tenant user management suits shared apartments
- Sub-0.2-second fingerprint with local data storage
- Works with both 38mm and 54mm bores
- USB-C emergency port for a dead battery
Cons
- Remote access and voice control need the separately sold G1 gateway
- Replaces the deadbolt so landlord approval is required
- Batteries are not included
The Veise VE017 is built for the case most apartment reviews mention and almost no product addresses: several adults sharing one door. Multi-tenant smart user management in the KK Home app lets you authorize users, change permissions, pause or delete access, and read activity logs per person.
Unlock methods number eight, including a sub-0.2-second fingerprint reader with Swedish FPC technology, an app, fob cards, PINs, shared codes, voice, and a mechanical key. Four password modes cover one-time, duration-limited, permanent, and recurring codes, with anti-peeping privacy codes on top.
Two details stand out for renters. Data is encrypted and stored on the device with AES-128 rather than sitting only in the cloud, and a USB-C emergency port means a dead battery is a cable problem rather than a locksmith problem. Bore compatibility covers both 38mm and 54mm, and door handing is auto-detected.
The reason it sits tenth is the gateway. Remote lock and unlock, app control, and voice assistants all require the separately sold Veise G1 Gateway, so out of the box this is a local-access lock with a remote-access upgrade path. Four AA cells run about 12 months and are not included.
Managing access without handing out keys
This is the lock to consider if roommates or family members turn over constantly. Deleting a user in the app revokes their codes and fobs in one action, which removes the unreturned-key problem that haunts shared rentals.
Intrusion defense triggers real-time alarms and temporary lockouts after failed attempts, which is a genuine advantage on a door that is shared with people you did not choose.
Landlord and battery verdict
Renter verdict: with written permission. Deadbolt replacement, so the key relationship changes and the landlord should be the one who decides about rekeying.
Add the gateway before you commit. If you never plan to unlock from outside the home, the local feature set is already enough.
What to Look For in an Apartment Smart Lock?
These are the criteria that separate a lock you can live with in a rental from one you have to argue about. If a product fails the first three, keep shopping even if the feature list is long.
Retrofit Design. The unit mounts over the inside thumbturn of an existing single-cylinder deadbolt, or mounts on the inside only, and leaves the exterior cylinder alone.
Physical Key Access. Your landlord’s existing key, and any building master key that opens it, should still turn the bolt by hand after the install.
Easy Removal. You should be able to lift the unit off, put the original thumbturn back, and test the key in a few minutes at move-out.
No Drilling and No Adhesive on Landlord Surfaces. Screws into existing holes are fine. New holes, and tape on exterior faces, are the two things that cost tenants money.
Battery Service You Can Handle. Standard AA cells you can buy anywhere beat specialty lithium cells you have to source, and a physical key or emergency power port beats a cloud unlock.
Retrofit, Overlay, or Full Replacement: Know Which One You Are Buying
These three words get used interchangeably in listings, and the difference decides whether the lock is legal in your lease. Products move through them in order of how much they touch the door.
Retrofit, inside-mounted. A motor sits on the interior thumbturn and drives your existing bolt. The cylinder is untouched, the landlord’s key works, and removal takes minutes. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the clearest example.
Overlay with a mounting base. A base plate attaches to the door, with screws or adhesive, and the lock body mounts onto it. Nothing is drilled, and the deadbolt stays, but an adhesive base can leave residue. The CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 sits here.
Full deadbolt replacement. The old deadbolt is removed and a new one installed with a new cylinder. Exterior hardware changes, keys change, and your landlord’s key no longer opens the door until someone rekeys it. Everything from the Schlage Encode to the TEEHO TE001 sits here.
Only the first two are what most apartment leases mean when they prohibit changing the lock, and only the first is a clean five-minute removal.
Compatibility Pre-Check: Will Any of These Fit Your Door?
Most returns in this category happen before the box is opened. Spend five minutes on this check and you will know which half of the list applies to you.
Identify the cylinder type. Look at the inside of the door. A thumbturn under a rose or handle means a single-cylinder deadbolt, which is what retrofits need. A keyhole on the inside as well means a double-cylinder deadbolt, and a rectangular case in a mortise lock or a multipoint system means no retrofit in this roundup will mount.
Measure the bore. Most US deadbolts use a 2-1/8 inch, or 54mm, hole, and a fair number of older and narrower doors use 1-1/2 inch, or 38mm. Several locks here fit only 54mm, so measure before ordering.
Measure the backset. From the edge of the door to the center of the bore, usually 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches. Deadbolt replacements that do not match need a new strike plate.
Check interior clearance. Retrofit bodies and full trim handles are bulkier than a thumbturn. Open the door fully and look for interference with the frame, the trim, or a security chain.
Check door thickness. Most locks here fit 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches, with a few reaching 2 inches. Thicker modern doors need the wider range.
Battery Life and Lockout Prevention
Battery life is the decision that renters feel most, because a dead lock on a door you do not own is a locksmith problem. Here is what each product runs on, using the figures each manufacturer publishes and reviewers report.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock: two CR123A lithium cells, and many owners change them roughly every three months because of the built-in Wi-Fi radio. Specialty cells, and the app only warns at a critical level.
CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5: two CR123A 1800mAh cells are included, and the Bluetooth-only path is gentle on them.
Schlage Encode: four AA cells included, up to six months.
eufy C220: eight AA cells, roughly eight months.
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE: up to 18 months on the Thread mesh path, and the included Wi-Fi radio uses more.
Philips WiFi Keypad: up to six months, alkaline cells only, not included.
Veise VE012W: eight AA cells, not included.
Veise VE017: four AA cells, about 12 months, plus a USB-C emergency port.
TEEHO TE002 and TE001: four AA cells, up to 365 days claimed, with a red indicator below 15 percent.
Two habits prevent nearly every lockout story. Read the low-battery warning the day it arrives instead of next month, and confirm before you leave that a physical key works and that you are carrying it. The Veise VE017’s USB-C port is the only emergency power input listed in this group, so on the others an emergency 9V terminal or a spare key is the backup plan.
Asking Your Landlord for Permission
You can put a smart lock on your apartment door, provided the lock does not change the cylinder, and you do not need a locksmith for the install. What you do need is a conversation, because most leases prohibit changing or rekeying a lock outright, and some buildings regulate exterior appearance separately from locks.
Check the lease and any building handbook for three things: whether locks may be changed or rekeyed, whether anything may be attached to the inside of the door, and whether exterior hardware is covered by a separate rule. Then send a short written request. Written matters, because it defines the terms of removal later.
A request that tends to get approved is specific about reversibility. Something along these lines: you plan to mount an interior retrofit over the existing deadbolt, no drilling and no rekeying, the existing key continues to open the door, and you will remove it and restore the original thumbturn before move-out. Offer to send photos after install.
What to avoid is a full deadbolt replacement request, because that is the one thing most landlords will refuse outright since it changes which keys open the unit.
Move-Out: Removing the Lock Without Losing Your Deposit
Reversibility is the second thing renters care about most, right after the key. The whole process takes about ten minutes if you do it in the right order.
Disable any automations, schedules, and geofencing rules in the lock’s app.
Delete every user, guest code, fob, and shared key from the app before you remove power.
Remove the lock from your smart home ecosystem and any Matter or Home Assistant pairing.
Factory reset the lock while it is still mounted, so codes are wiped from the device and not only from the cloud account.
Remove any exterior keypad or base, including adhesive-mounted parts, using heat sparingly and cleaning residue off the finish.
Reinstall the original thumbturn and strike, then confirm the bolt throws smoothly and the door closes without catching.
Test the landlord’s original key from outside, then lock and unlock from inside a few times.
Photograph the restored interior and exterior of the door and send them to the landlord with your forwarding address.
Step seven is the one people skip, and it is the one that proves the deposit point. If the original key does not work, you want to know in an empty apartment rather than on move-in day somewhere else.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart lock for a renter in an apartment?
The August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the best smart lock for a renter in most apartments, because it mounts on the inside of an existing single-cylinder deadbolt, installs in about 10 minutes, and keeps the exterior cylinder and your landlord’s key working. The CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 is the pick when drilling and permanent adhesive are both ruled out.
Can I put a smart lock on my apartment door?
Usually yes, if the lock mounts inside the door and leaves the existing key cylinder in place, but your lease and building rules decide. Many leases prohibit changing or rekeying locks while interior-only retrofits are commonly accepted. Get written approval first, and never drill or rekey without it.
What is the best door lock that doesn’t require drilling?
The CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 mounts with adhesive over an existing deadbolt, and the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock uses the existing bore and screw holes, so both stay entirely inside the door. Handle adhesive-mounted units carefully at move-out, because residue is the one mark a landlord can hold against a security deposit.
Can my landlord still use their key after I install a smart lock?
Yes with a retrofit, no with a full deadbolt swap. A retrofit mounts over the inside thumbturn and drives the existing bolt, so the outside cylinder still turns the bolt with the original key and any master key that opens it. A replacement deadbolt installs a new cylinder, which changes which keys work.
What are the downsides of smart locks?
The recurring downsides are battery service, dependence on an app or network for the smart features, bulk on the inside of the door, and a real risk of locking yourself out if the device fails while you are away. A smart lock also does not strengthen a weak door, frame, or strike plate, and fingerprint readers can struggle with wet or dirty fingers.
How hackable are smart locks?
The main risks are weak app passwords, unpatched Bluetooth or Wi-Fi radios, and shared PINs that nobody revokes after a roommate leaves. Locks with on-device encryption, two-step verification on the app account, and a working physical key fallback limit the damage. Keep firmware current and delete codes you no longer need.
The Verdict: Which Apartment Smart Lock Should You Buy?
Buy the August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock if your door has a single-cylinder deadbolt. It is the best smart lock for an apartment because it is the only pick in this roundup that changes nothing a landlord owns, needs about 10 minutes, and hands the physical key back to whoever you answer the door for. Add the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 if drilling and permanent adhesive are both off the table.
Buy the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, our editor’s choice, if you own the unit or your landlord is already rekeying. It has the strongest warranty, the most code capacity, and no hub to own, and the ownership behind it is the reason we trust it for a decade on the same door.
Skip every full deadbolt replacement on this list if your lease prohibits lock changes, and do not drill, rekey, or replace a cylinder without written approval. If you want more of a small-space setup around that door, the best turntables for apartments and the best countertop dishwashers for apartments cover the rest of a studio. We will keep updating these picks through 2026 as new hardware lands.