Guest lockouts at 11pm cost you sleep, reviews, and sometimes refunds. A smart lock that actually works for short-term rentals eliminates the midnight phone calls, the key handoff logistics, and the security gaps left by previous guests who copied your physical keys.
Most consumer smart locks are built for convenience at home. STR locks need to survive turnover, cleaner access, guest confusion, and WiFi failures. The best lock is not the one with the most features — it’s the one that reliably creates guest codes, deletes them after checkout, survives a WiFi outage, and gives cleaners access without creating a security mess. These six picks were evaluated through that operator lens.
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| Lock | Best For | WiFi Required | HMS Integration | Code Capacity | Key Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Plus | Overall pick | Yes (built-in) | Hospitable, Guesty, OwnerRez, RemoteLock, Operto | 100 codes | Yes |
| Kwikset SmartCode 913 | Budget / simplicity | No | None | 16 codes | Yes |
| Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch | Guest experience | Yes (built-in) | Hospitable, Guesty, RemoteLock, Operto, Seam | 250 codes | Yes |
| igloohome Smart Deadbolt 02 | Rural / no WiFi | No (Algosync) | Hospitable, Guesty, Lodgify, Hostaway, Beds24 | 50+ codes | Yes |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | HMS integration | Yes (built-in) | Hospitable, Guesty, OwnerRez, RemoteLock, Operto, Seam | Unlimited (app) | Yes (existing) |
| Wyze Lock Bolt | New hosts / budget | No (Bluetooth) | None | 20 PIN + 50 fingerprints | Yes |
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
$279-$329 | 4.5/5 (4,800+ Amazon reviews)
The Encode Plus earns top placement by eliminating the hub entirely. It connects to supported HMS platforms through their native integrations — no bridge hardware cluttering the property. The 100-code capacity handles cleaners, maintenance, and overlapping guest schedules without purging entries constantly.
STR Use Case: Built-in WiFi eliminates hub requirements while supporting code automation through most major HMS platforms via their integrations.
HMS Integrations: Hospitable, Guesty, OwnerRez, RemoteLock, Operto
- No hub or bridge required — one less failure point per property
- 100 unique access codes handles cleaners, maintenance, and high turnover
- Apple Home Key provides an additional entry option for iPhone users already enrolled in HomeKit
- Premium pricing adds up across multi-property portfolios; WiFi activity draws more battery than Bluetooth-only locks
This is right for you if: You operate 1-3 properties, want HMS code automation without extra hardware, and value reliability over entry-level pricing.
Kwikset SmartCode 913 Electronic Deadbolt
$89-$119 | 4.3/5 (8,500+ Amazon reviews)
This lock does one thing well: keypad entry without connectivity complications. No WiFi means no remote failures and no app dependency. The SmartKey re-key feature resets the physical key backup in seconds — useful when a guest copies a key or a cleaner relationship ends.
STR Use Case: Reliable offline keypad lock for hosts who manually program codes and don’t need smart home infrastructure or remote access.
HMS Integrations: None — all code changes require physical access to the lock
- 16 user codes covers most low-turnover patterns with dedicated cleaner slots
- SmartKey re-key resets physical key compatibility in under a minute
- No WiFi dependency means no outages from router resets or internet failures
- Zero remote access — every code change and re-key requires being at the property
This is right for you if: You live near your property, manage fewer than 10 turnovers monthly, and want bulletproof simplicity over automation.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch with WiFi
$259-$299 | 4.3/5 (1,200+ Amazon reviews)
The fingerprint reader adds a third entry option alongside the keypad and physical key — reducing lockout calls when guests forget their code. The 250-code capacity handles high-frequency properties without constant purging. Note: fingerprint enrollment requires setup in advance, which may not suit every hosting workflow for short stays.
STR Use Case: Three entry methods reduce guest lockout calls; 250-code capacity supports larger portfolios without purging old entries.
HMS Integrations: Hospitable, Guesty, RemoteLock, Operto, Seam
- Triple entry methods (fingerprint, keypad, physical key) reduce lockout scenarios
- 250 access codes supports portfolios with overlapping cleaner and guest schedules
- Built-in WiFi connects without additional hub hardware
- Fingerprint sensor reliability drops in extreme cold or with wet fingers; fingerprint setup requires advance enrollment which adds friction for some hosts
This is right for you if: You want maximum entry redundancy, manage high-frequency properties, and are willing to configure fingerprint access as part of your setup process.
igloohome Smart Deadbolt 02
$169-$199 | 4.1/5 (950+ Amazon reviews)
Algosync solves the rural property problem. The lock generates time-sensitive PIN codes through cryptographic sync — no WiFi required at the property. For hosts managing cabins or beach houses with unreliable internet, this approach removes connectivity anxiety from the equation entirely.
STR Use Case: Algosync generates time-sensitive PIN codes without requiring WiFi at the property — ideal for rural, remote, or seasonally-occupied listings.
HMS Integrations: Hospitable, Guesty, Lodgify, Hostaway, Beds24
- WiFi-independent code generation works in areas with zero internet infrastructure
- Auto-synced PIN codes through Airbnb integration automate the booking flow
- Mid-range pricing scales reasonably across 5+ property portfolios
- No remote verification of actual guest entry; lock status only visible within Bluetooth range
This is right for you if: You manage properties in areas with spotty or no WiFi and need automated code delivery without internet dependency at the lock.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation)
$199-$249 | 4.2/5 (12,000+ Amazon reviews)
The retrofit design wins in properties where changing exterior hardware isn’t an option. It mounts over your existing deadbolt, preserving the original key and exterior appearance. The integration list is the deepest of any lock in this roundup — connecting to virtually every major HMS platform.
STR Use Case: Retrofit install preserves existing hardware while enabling the widest HMS integration options of any lock tested.
HMS Integrations: Hospitable, Guesty, OwnerRez, RemoteLock, Operto, Seam
- Retrofit installation requires no exterior hardware changes
- Widest HMS compatibility of any lock in this roundup
- Auto-lock and DoorSense confirm door closure remotely
- Keypad sold separately — without it, guest code entry is not possible; the lock body alone only supports app and auto-lock access
This is right for you if: You need maximum HMS flexibility, can’t or won’t replace exterior hardware, and plan to add the keypad accessory for guest code entry.
Wyze Lock Bolt Fingerprint Keypad
$69-$89 | 4.3/5 (3,800+ Amazon reviews)
At this price point, the feature set is hard to argue with. Fingerprint plus keypad entry, IP65 weather resistance, and capacity for 50 fingerprints and 20 PIN codes covers a single property comfortably. Bluetooth-only means code changes require either proximity or the optional Wyze Gateway — plan for that before deploying remotely.
STR Use Case: Low-cost fingerprint and keypad entry for single-property hosts testing the STR market; remote code management requires the separate Wyze Gateway add-on.
HMS Integrations: None
- Sub-$100 price point lowest barrier to entry for new hosts
- Dual fingerprint and PIN entry gives guests two ways in
- IP65 weather resistance handles exposed exterior installations
- Bluetooth-only — remote code changes require the Wyze Gateway ($20 add-on) or physical presence at the lock
This is right for you if: You’re managing one property on a tight budget and either live nearby or plan to add the Gateway for remote access.
What to look for in STR-grade smart door locks
HMS integration depth matters more than the integration existing at all. Some locks connect to your platform but only push codes — they cannot pull reservation changes or auto-delete expired access. Before purchasing, confirm whether your exact HMS can create, update, and remove access codes automatically for that specific lock model.
Turnover frequency determines code capacity requirements. A lock holding 16 codes works for monthly rentals. High-frequency properties churning 30+ guests monthly need 100+ code slots to avoid constant purging and manual re-programming between stays.
Offline backup prevents the 2am catastrophe. WiFi fails, routers reset, power blinks. Every STR lock needs a physical key backup or offline code generation. Hosts who can’t be on-site cannot afford a lock that stops working when the internet drops.
How we evaluated these products
Each lock was assessed through the STR operator lens: HMS integration depth, multi-property scalability, remote management capability, offline resilience, and guest friction reduction. Amazon review volume and ratings provided baseline reliability data, but integration capability and code management weighted heaviest in final rankings.
Products were excluded for shallow HMS connections, proprietary ecosystems that lock hosts into single platforms, and code capacity under 15 slots. Locks requiring subscription fees for basic functionality were also deprioritized — operators need predictable costs, not recurring charges on hardware they already purchased.
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