# Smart locks in 2026

*Matter over Thread, HomeKit-only, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave and Zigbee locks, and what each needs*

> A smart lock's connection type decides what it needs. Matter over Thread locks need a Thread border router and a Matter controller. Bluetooth and HomeKit-only locks need a home hub for remote use, Wi-Fi locks connect directly, and Z-Wave and Zigbee locks need a controller radio. Home Key tap-to-unlock appears on locks of every type.[^1][^2][^3][^4][^5]

- Canonical page: https://smarthomecanon.com/guides/smart-locks-in-2026
- Last checked: 2026-10-18

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Published | 2026-10-18 |
| Author | Smart Home Canon |

## Matter over Thread locks

A Matter over Thread lock joins the home's Thread mesh and pairs with any Matter controller. It needs a Thread border router, which many homes already have in a HomePod or Apple TV 4K on HomeKit. A border router connects the Thread mesh to the home network. A Matter controller does the pairing and control. Apple states that Thread accessories need a Thread-enabled home hub such as an Apple TV 4K or HomePod, and that a Thread-enabled iPhone can pair them locally.[^1][^6]

Level's Lock and Lock Pro are built this way. The Level Lock is a replacement deadbolt with Matter over Thread built in, and Level lists remote use through a Matter-over-Thread hub or the Level Connect Wi-Fi Bridge. Both locks are Matter certified.[^2][^7][^8]

Aqara's U200 and U400 also list Matter over Thread. Aqara says the U400 needs a Thread-enabled Matter controller from each platform it connects to. Aqara lists the Aqara Hub M3 for the U200's remote unlocking and automations. The Yale Smart Lock with Matter is a keypad deadbolt with Matter over Thread built in, and Yale states that it needs a Thread border router and a Matter controller.[^9][^10][^11]

Home Assistant is a Matter controller in its own right, so a Thread lock there depends on which radios are added. The Connect ZBT-2 runs either Zigbee or Thread at one time, and Nabu Casa recommends a separate adapter for each protocol rather than multiprotocol use.[^12][^13]

The eufy Smart Lock E32 lists Matter over Thread together with Wi-Fi, and names HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings as supported platforms.[^14]

## HomeKit-only and Bluetooth locks

Some locks reach HomeKit natively over Bluetooth without Matter. Level lists its earlier Bolt (Wi-Fi) as HomeKit-enabled, with a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV needed as a home hub for remote control. Level states that this Bolt cannot be updated to Matter.[^15][^16]

Aqara lists the Smart Lock U100 as compatible with HomeKit and Home Key. Aqara says remote password management requires an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub.[^17]

A home hub also matters for these locks. Apple describes a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV set up as a home hub as what lets the owner control accessories away from home and run automations.[^3]

## Home Key

Home Key is Apple's tap-to-unlock feature for iPhone and Apple Watch. Level lists Home Key on the Level Lock with an iPhone XS or later and an Apple Watch Series 4 or later. The Level Lock Pro lists Home Key tap and NFC key fobs, and Yale lists Home Key on the Assure Lock 2 Plus.[^2][^7][^18]

Home Key appears on locks of every connection type. The Aqara U100 lists it with an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub for remote passwords, the U200 and U400 list it through Matter over Thread, and the Schlage Encode Plus lists it on a Wi-Fi lock. Aqara adds UWB hands-free unlock to the U400, and says UWB needs a Thread-enabled HomeKit home hub.[^17][^10][^9][^19]

## Wi-Fi locks

A Wi-Fi lock connects to the router directly, so remote control needs no extra hub. The Schlage Encode Plus is a touchscreen deadbolt with built-in Wi-Fi that needs no hub for the Schlage Home app. Schlage lists HomeKit with Home Key tap on it, and a HomeKit home hub for remote control and scenes.[^19]

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock has Wi-Fi built in and needs no bridge, and August lists Apple HomeKit among its platforms. The earlier August Smart Lock (3rd generation) uses Bluetooth, and August sells a Connect Wi-Fi Bridge that adds remote access.[^20][^21]

Yale's Assure Lock 2 Plus has Bluetooth built in, and Yale lists a Wi-Fi Smart Module that adds remote access to the Bluetooth version, and sells a version with Wi-Fi.[^18][^22]

## Z-Wave and Zigbee locks

Z-Wave and Zigbee locks need a controller or coordinator radio, which in Home Assistant means a supported adapter. Home Assistant lists a supported Z-Wave adapter as a prerequisite for Z-Wave and describes the Zigbee coordinator as a hardware radio adapter.[^4][^5]

The Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt (Z-Wave Plus) pairs with a Z-Wave hub or security system that is sold separately. Yale lists a Z-Wave Plus smart module for the Assure Lock 2 with Bluetooth as coming soon. The Aqara U100 uses an Aqara Zigbee 3.0 hub for remote passwords.[^23][^24][^17]

## Power and ways to unlock

- Level Lock Pro: one CR2 battery, rated for 9 to 12 months depending on use, with the Level Home app, Home Key, two key fobs or a physical key.[^7]
- Yale Smart Lock with Matter: Yale lists a battery life of up to 12 months.[^25]
- Aqara Smart Lock U400: a removable rechargeable battery rated up to 6 months, with a fingerprint reader of up to 50 prints, a touchscreen keypad and NFC.[^9]
- Schlage Encode Plus: four AA batteries rated up to 6 months, with up to 100 touchscreen codes, Home Key tap or the app.[^26]
- Schlage Connect (Z-Wave Plus): four AA batteries rated up to 1 year, with up to 30 access codes on the touchscreen.[^23]

## Bridges and remote access

A bridge adds a connection the lock does not have. The Level Connect Wi-Fi Bridge gives Level locks remote access, and Level includes one in the Bolt Connect pack for the earlier Bolt (Wi-Fi). Aqara's B50 is a Wi-Fi lock that reaches Matter through an Aqara hub, and Aqara names the M3, G5 and M100 hubs for that.[^27][^15][^28]

## Related pages

- [Works with HomeKit: native, Matter and bridges](https://smarthomecanon.com/guides/does-it-work-with-homekit) (Guide)
- [Which devices need a hub](https://smarthomecanon.com/guides/do-i-need-a-hub) (Guide)
- [Thread border routers by platform](https://smarthomecanon.com/guides/thread-border-routers-by-platform) (Guide)
- [Level smart locks](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/level-smart-locks) (Product line)
- [Yale Assure Lock 2](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/yale-assure-lock-2) (Product line)
- [August smart locks by generation](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/august-smart-locks) (Product line)
- [Aqara smart locks](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/aqara-locks) (Product line)
- [Schlage smart locks](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/schlage-smart-locks) (Product line)
- [eufy smart locks](https://smarthomecanon.com/lines/eufy-smart-locks) (Product line)
- [HomeKit](https://smarthomecanon.com/platforms/homekit) (Platform)

## Sources

[^1]: OpenThread Border Router - OpenThread. https://openthread.io/guides/border-router (platform documentation, checked 2026-10-18)
[^2]: Level Lock - Level. https://level.co/level-lock/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^3]: Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV as a home hub - Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102557 (platform documentation, checked 2026-10-18)
[^4]: Z-Wave - Home Assistant. https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/zwave_js/ (platform documentation, checked 2026-10-18)
[^5]: Zigbee Home Automation - Home Assistant. https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/zha/ (platform documentation, checked 2026-10-18)
[^6]: Pair and manage your Matter accessories - Apple Support. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102135 (platform documentation, checked 2026-10-18)
[^7]: Level Lock Pro - Level. https://level.co/level-lock-pro/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^8]: Matter DCL: all models for vendor 4767 (Level Home). https://on.dcl.csa-iot.org/dcl/model/models/4767?pagination.limit=500 (Matter certification database, checked 2026-10-18)
[^9]: Smart Lock U400 - Aqara US store. https://us.aqara.com/products/smart-lock-u400 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^10]: Smart Lock U200 - Aqara US store. https://us.aqara.com/products/smart-lock-u200 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^11]: Yale Home US shop: Yale Smart Lock with Matter. https://shopyalehome.com/products/yale-smart-lock-with-matter (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^12]: Matter - Home Assistant. https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/matter/ (platform documentation, checked 2026-10-18)
[^13]: Home Assistant Connect ZBT-2. https://www.home-assistant.io/connect/zbt-2/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^14]: Smart Lock E32 product page, eufy US store. https://www.eufy.com/products/t85f2j11 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^15]: Level Bolt Connect product sheet. https://level.co/downloads/Prosumer-Lock-Connect-Front-2.pdf (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^16]: Level: Matter smart lock guide. https://level.co/matter-smart-lock-guide/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^17]: Smart Lock U100 - Aqara US store. https://us.aqara.com/products/smart-lock-u100 (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^18]: Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Apple Home Keys - Yale Home US shop. https://shopyalehome.com/products/yale-assure-lock-2-plus-with-apple-home-keys (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^19]: Schlage Encode Plus works with - Schlage. https://www.schlage.com/en/home/smart-locks/schlage-encode-plus-works-with.html (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^20]: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock - August. https://august.com/products/august-wifi-smart-lock (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^21]: August Smart Lock (3rd generation) - August. https://august.com/products/august-smart-lock-3rd-generation (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^22]: Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus with Wi-Fi and Apple Home Keys - Yale Home US shop. https://shopyalehome.com/products/yale-assure-lock-2-plus-with-wi-fi-and-apple-home-keys (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^23]: Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt (Z-Wave Plus) BE469ZP - Schlage. https://www.schlage.com/en/home/products/BE469ZPCAMFFF.html (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^24]: Smart modules - Yale Home US shop. https://shopyalehome.com/pages/smart-modules (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^25]: Yale newsroom: Yale Introduces Its Latest Smart Lock for Google Home (2025-03-28). https://shopyalehome.com/blogs/news-room/yale-introduces-its-latest-smart-lock-for-google-home (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^26]: Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt BE499 - Schlage. https://www.schlage.com/en/home/products/BE499WBCAMFFF.html (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^27]: Level Connect Wi-Fi Bridge - Level shop. https://level.co/products/connect-wifi-bridge/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)
[^28]: Smart Lock B50 - Aqara US site. https://www.aqara.com/us/product/smart-lock-b50/ (manufacturer, checked 2026-10-18)