Best smart locks UK (2026)
A smart lock trades a physical key for an app, a PIN code, or a fingerprint — useful if you're tired of hunting for keys, want to let a dog-walker or relative in remotely, or simply want to check your door is locked from your phone. The products vary more than they look at first glance: some clamp onto your existing lock and leave it working underneath, others replace it outright, and that distinction matters both for how disruptive the install is and for what it means for your home insurance. This comparison covers seven UK-available locks from Yale, Nuki, SwitchBot and ERA, checked against each manufacturer's own documentation for exactly what each one does and doesn't replace.
By Tom Calder · Updated 18 July 2026 · 7 products, price-tracked
Before you buy
The first decision is whether you want a retrofit unit or a full replacement. Retrofit smart locks — the Yale Linus L2, both Nuki Smart Locks, and the SwitchBot Lock Pro in this comparison — clamp onto or actuate the thumbturn of your existing cylinder from the inside, so the mechanism you already have, and the key that opens it from outside, stays in place. Full replacements, such as the Yale Conexis L1 and the ERA Protect Smart Universal Door Handle, swap out the entire handle or nightlatch assembly. Retrofit units are generally the simpler fit and the lower-risk choice if you're happy with your existing door hardware; replacements suit anyone wanting a genuinely keyless handle rather than an add-on.
The detail that catches people out is insurance. Most UK home insurance policies specifically require a BS3621-rated 5-lever mortice deadlock (or an equivalent standard such as BS EN 12209) on final exit doors, and a smart lock doesn't automatically satisfy that requirement just because it's expensive or well-reviewed. Clamp-on retrofit units that leave your existing cylinder in place (Yale Linus L2, Nuki Smart Lock Pro, SwitchBot Lock Pro) don't touch whatever BS3621 status your current lock already has, good or bad. The exception in this comparison is the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra, which installs by physically replacing your cylinder with Nuki's own Universal Cylinder — one that carries no BS3621 or Sold Secure rating of its own. None of the seven products here are themselves marketed as BS3621-compliant; some carry other genuine BSI standards (TS007 3-star, TS621:2018) that cover different things, so don't treat those labels as interchangeable with what your insurer is actually asking for. Read your policy wording, and check the certification of whatever ends up on your door, before assuming you're covered.
Access methods are broadly similar across the category — a phone app is standard, most also offer a PIN keypad or NFC/key card as an alternative, and several integrate with Alexa, Google Assistant or the newer Matter standard. Battery arrangements vary more meaningfully: some units use a sealed rechargeable pack (Yale Linus L2, both Nuki locks) that needs periodic charging via a magnetic or USB cable, while others run on standard AA batteries (Yale Conexis L1, Yale Keyless Connected, ERA Protect, SwitchBot Lock Pro) that you can replace yourself without removing the unit from the door. Several also include a secondary backup, such as a 9V terminal, so a flat battery doesn't lock you out entirely.
Before buying anything, check what your door and cylinder actually are. Retrofit units typically need a standard euro-profile (DIN) cylinder with an internal thumbturn — SwitchBot's Lock Pro is the exception in this comparison, additionally covering British oval and Swiss round cylinders. Handle-replacement products need a compatible UK 'Lift to Lock' multipoint mechanism and a specific door thickness range. Getting this wrong is the most common reason a smart lock ends up unreturned in a drawer, so confirm compatibility against the manufacturer's own documentation, not just the product listing photos.
Top pick: Nuki Smart Lock Pro (4th Generation). The more insurance-friendly of the two Nuki locks on test: it clamps onto the existing thumbturn rather than replacing the cylinder, so a BS3621-rated lock underneath stays exactly as it was. Built-in WiFi and Matter support mean no separate bridge is needed, and at £189 it undercuts the Ultra by a meaningful margin.
| Lock | Type | Access methods | Battery life | Insurance | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuki Smart Lock Pro (4th Generation)TOP PICK | Clamp-on — existing euro-cylinder stays in place | App, integrated WiFi, Matter, optional keypad | Rechargeable Power Pack, ~6 months claimed | Clamp-on — existing BS3621 lock underneath stays functional | £189.00at usual price | Check price → |
| SwitchBot Lock Pro | Retrofit — fits euro, British oval & Swiss round cylinders | App, NFC card; keypad/fingerprint needs optional Hub 2 | 4× AA, 6-9 months claimed | Clamp-on — existing lock stays; no BS3621 claim itself | £139.99at usual price | Check price → |
| Yale Linus Smart Lock L2 | Retrofit — fits over existing euro-cylinder thumbturn | App, PIN keypad, NFC tag, Alexa/Google voice | Built-in rechargeable, up to 6 months claimed | No BS3621 claim; companion cylinder is TS007, not BS3621 | £189.28at usual price | Check price → |
| Yale Conexis L1 Smart Door Lock | Full handle replacement, fits UK multipoint doors | App via Bluetooth, phone-as-key, Key Card/Tag | 4× AA (included), low-battery alert, tamper alarm | BSI-tested to TS621:2018 — a different standard from BS3621 | £162.49at usual price | Check price → |
| Yale Keyless Connected Smart Lock | Add-on for an existing nightlatch (not included) | Touchscreen PIN code entry, plus Key Tag and Key Fob options. | 4× AA, plus 9V emergency backup override | No BS3621 claim — your nightlatch's own rating applies | £62.70at usual price | Check price → |
| Nuki Smart Lock Ultra | Replaces existing cylinder with Nuki's Universal Cylinder | App (BT/WiFi/Matter), auto-unlock, optional keypad | Rechargeable, ~2hr recharge, months per charge | Replaces cylinder — no BS3621/Sold Secure claim of its own | £245.00at usual price | Check price → |
| ERA Protect Smart Universal Door Handle | Handle replacement for multipoint doors (not gearbox/cylinder) | Fingerprint (50 users), app, 2 encrypted key cards | 4× AA (not included) + 9V backup | PSTI-tested; multipoint's own lock rating is what counts | £309.00at usual price | Check price → |
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Nuki Smart Lock Pro (4th Generation)
Who it's for: Households who want to keep their existing BS3621-rated cylinder in place while adding WiFi-connected smart access with Matter support.
The more insurance-friendly of the two Nuki locks on test: it clamps onto the existing thumbturn rather than replacing the cylinder, so a BS3621-rated lock underneath stays exactly as it was. Built-in WiFi and Matter support mean no separate bridge is needed, and at £189 it undercuts the Ultra by a meaningful margin.
- Clamps onto the existing thumbturn without replacing the cylinder, so any current BS3621-rated lock stays functional underneath
- Built-in WiFi and Matter (over Thread) support without a separate bridge
- Around £56 cheaper than the Ultra at current discounted pricing (£189 vs £245)
- The previously sold '4th generation'-labelled listing is discontinued; current stock is the same physical design sold simply as 'Nuki Smart Lock Pro (Euro Profile)', so double-check you're buying the current listing
- Nuki itself makes no BS3621 or insurance-approval claim for the unit
- Full PIN/fingerprint entry needs the separately sold Keypad 2
Don't buy if Skip this if your existing cylinder isn't a standard euro-profile thumbturn; check compatibility against Nuki's own documentation before buying.
SwitchBot Lock Pro
Who it's for: Buyers wanting the widest cylinder compatibility, including British oval and Swiss round, not just euro-profile, at the lowest starting price in this comparison.
The broadest compatibility list here, built for British oval and Swiss round cylinders as well as standard euro-profile, and standard AA batteries mean no proprietary rechargeable pack to eventually replace. At a stable £139.99 it's competitively priced, though full keypad and fingerprint entry needs the separately sold Hub 2.
- Confirmed compatibility with British oval and Swiss round cylinders as well as euro-profile, not just one door type
- Runs on 4 x replaceable AA batteries rather than a sealed rechargeable pack
- Matter, Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT support built in
- Keypad and fingerprint entry both require the optional SwitchBot Hub 2, an extra purchase
- No BS3621 or insurance-approval claim made by SwitchBot
- Promotional pricing (seen as low as £90.99 with a time-limited code) fluctuates, so don't bank on the discounted figure
Don't buy if Skip this if you want fingerprint or keypad entry out of the box without buying a separate hub.
Yale Linus Smart Lock L2
Who it's for: Homeowners who want to add app and PIN access to an existing UK cylinder lock without swapping out their current deadlock.
A genuinely useful way to add smart control while keeping your existing mechanical lock and key in place, but it doesn't add insurance-rated security itself — Yale's own recommended companion cylinder is TS007 3-star rated, a different standard from the BS3621 most insurers ask for, so check the small print rather than assume.
- Retrofits onto your existing cylinder with no locksmith drilling required
- Mechanical key keeps working as a backup at all times
- Cheaper on Amazon (£189.28) than Yale's own direct site, which lists it from £220 RRP
- Sold via an Amazon Marketplace seller (Rarewaves) rather than dispatched by Amazon directly, so it's worth checking return terms
- Battery life is 'up to' 6 months and varies with usage and signal, not a fixed figure
- Doesn't itself carry a BS3621 rating — the companion cylinder Yale suggests is a different (TS007 3-star) standard
Don't buy if Skip this if you need a lock that is itself BS3621-insurance-rated; check your existing deadlock's own certification instead, since the Linus L2 doesn't add one.
Yale Conexis L1 Smart Door Lock
Who it's for: Households wanting to replace their entire door handle with a keyless smart handle rather than just adding an actuator.
A full handle replacement that's genuinely BSI-tested to its own standard, TS621:2018, with a tamper alarm and PIN lockout as useful extras. But TS621 is a smart-lock-specific standard, not the BS3621 mortice deadlock standard insurers usually name, so it isn't an automatic insurance tick.
- Replaces the whole nightlatch/handle assembly rather than just adding an actuator
- BSI-tested to TS621:2018 with a tamper alarm and lockout after repeated wrong PIN entries
- Works via Bluetooth from your phone without needing a separate hub
- The exact bundle we sourced (Satin Chrome with Sync Alarm Module) is currently out of stock, so price and finish depend on what's available
- TS621:2018 is a different BSI standard from BS3621 and isn't confirmed to satisfy insurer wording that specifically names BS3621
- Runs on 4 x AA batteries rather than a rechargeable pack
Don't buy if Skip this if you'd rather keep your existing mechanical handle in place; this replaces it entirely, which is more work to fit than a clip-on retrofit unit.
Yale Keyless Connected Smart Lock
Who it's for: Budget buyers who already have, or are happy to separately buy, a 60mm-backset nightlatch and just want PIN-code entry added.
The cheapest lock in this line-up, and the 9V backup override is a sensible touch, but it's genuinely an accessory — you supply your own nightlatch, and the insurance-relevant rating rests entirely on that separate purchase, not this unit.
- Lowest price point in this comparison at £62.70
- 9V backup battery connection if the main 4 x AA batteries fail
- Touchscreen PIN plus Key Tag/Fob options for household members
- The nightlatch is sold separately, so you're buying an accessory, not a complete lock
- No BS3621 or insurance-approval claim of its own, so the paired nightlatch's certification is what matters to your insurer
- Price varies notably by finish (£62.70 Chrome versus up to £99.99 for other finishes)
Don't buy if Skip this if you want a single product that is itself the door lock; you'll need to source and fit a compatible 60mm-backset nightlatch separately.
Nuki Smart Lock Ultra
Who it's for: Buyers wanting the most integrated Nuki experience (built-in WiFi and Matter) who are happy to replace their cylinder entirely and check BS3621 compliance separately.
Technically the most capable Nuki on test, with integrated WiFi, Matter support and a genuinely fast two-hour recharge — but installing it means physically swapping your existing door cylinder for Nuki's own Universal Cylinder, which carries no BS3621 or Sold Secure rating of its own, so it needs a clear-eyed insurance check that the clamp-on Nuki Pro doesn't.
- Built-in WiFi and Matter support without needing a separate bridge
- Recharges fully in around two hours via the included magnetic cable
- Works with the optional Keypad 2.0 for fingerprint or PIN entry
- Replaces your existing door cylinder rather than clamping onto it, so any BS3621-rated lock you currently have is removed, not left in place
- Nuki makes no BS3621 or Sold Secure claim for the Universal Cylinder that comes with it
- At £245, even discounted from £309 RRP, it's the most expensive lock in this comparison
Don't buy if Skip this if you need to keep a BS3621-rated cylinder in place for your insurance; look at the Nuki Smart Lock Pro instead, which clamps onto your existing cylinder without replacing it, or Nuki's separate Ultion-cylinder bundle if you want BS3621 compliance built in.
ERA Protect Smart Universal Door Handle
Who it's for: Households with a UPVC or composite front door on a multipoint lock who specifically want fingerprint entry on the handle itself.
Fingerprint access for up to 50 users and a 9V backup supply are useful multipoint-door-specific features, and it's tested to PSTI, the UK's product security standard for connected devices. But stock across every UK retailer we checked was unusually patchy at time of writing, so treat availability as unconfirmed until you've checked directly with a retailer.
- Fingerprint recognition for up to 50 users plus two encrypted key cards included
- Tested to PSTI, the UK's product security standard for connected devices, and GDPR compliant per the manufacturer
- 9V backup power supply if the main batteries fail
- Stock was inconsistent across every UK channel checked, sold out direct from the manufacturer, listed as discontinued by one retailer, and unavailable on the sourced Amazon listing, so confirm availability before you commit
- Replaces only the door handle, not the multipoint lock's gearbox or cylinder, so the insurance-relevant mechanism is whichever is already fitted
- Batteries are not included in the box
Don't buy if Skip this for now if you need something you can buy and fit this week; check stock directly with a retailer first, since availability was patchy across every UK channel at time of writing.
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We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, track its UK price and stock on a schedule, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Where we've bought and used a product ourselves we say so on its review; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
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Common questions
Will fitting a smart lock affect my home insurance?
Possibly. Most UK home insurance policies require a BS3621-rated 5-lever mortice deadlock (or an equivalent standard such as BS EN 12209) on final exit doors. Many smart locks clip onto the inside thumbturn of an existing lock and leave it in place, so cover is generally unaffected — but a few physically replace the existing cylinder with one that isn't itself BS3621-rated. Always check your specific policy wording and the certification of whatever ends up on your door.
What's the difference between BS3621, TS007 and TS621?
They're three different British/BSI standards. BS3621 covers mechanical 5-lever mortice deadlocks and is the one most home insurance policies name specifically. TS007 (used to rate one Yale companion cylinder mentioned above, at 3-star) covers cylinder anti-snap security. TS621:2018 (used for the Yale Conexis L1) is a separate standard for electronic/smart locking devices. None of these are interchangeable with each other for insurance purposes, so check what your policy actually asks for.
Do I need to remove my existing lock to fit a smart lock?
It depends on the product. Retrofit units, like the Yale Linus L2, Nuki Smart Lock Pro, and SwitchBot Lock Pro in this comparison, clamp onto or actuate the existing thumbturn and leave the underlying cylinder in place, so your current key still works. Others, like the Nuki Smart Lock Ultra, replace the cylinder itself, and handle-replacement products (Yale Conexis L1, ERA Protect) swap out the door handle or nightlatch assembly. Check the 'type' detail for each product above before buying.
What happens if the battery dies?
Every lock in this comparison has a backup. Battery-powered units (Yale Conexis L1, Yale Keyless Connected, ERA Protect, SwitchBot Lock Pro) run on replaceable AA batteries, some with a 9V terminal as an emergency override. Rechargeable units (Yale Linus L2, both Nuki locks) need charging before they run flat, and most retrofit designs also retain the original mechanical key as a fallback if you're locked out.
Do smart locks work with any UK door?
No, compatibility depends on your existing cylinder or lock type. Retrofit units generally need a euro-profile (DIN) cylinder with an internal thumbturn, though SwitchBot's Lock Pro also covers British oval and Swiss round cylinders. Handle-replacement products like the Yale Conexis L1 and ERA Protect Smart Universal Door Handle are designed for UK 'Lift to Lock' multipoint systems on UPVC, composite, aluminium or timber doors. Check your own door and cylinder type against each manufacturer's compatibility information before ordering.
Is a subscription required to use these locks?
None of the products in this comparison require a paid subscription for core locking and unlocking, based on the manufacturer information we verified — control is via the maker's own free app (Yale Home, Nuki, SwitchBot, ERA Smart Home). Optional accessories like keypads or hubs are separate one-off purchases, not subscriptions.
Can I still use a physical key as backup?
On the retrofit units (Yale Linus L2, Nuki Smart Lock Pro, SwitchBot Lock Pro), yes — the original mechanical key continues to work because the existing cylinder isn't removed. On full handle or cylinder replacements (Yale Conexis L1, Nuki Smart Lock Ultra, ERA Protect), physical backup comes via the manufacturer's own key card or tag rather than your old front door key, so check what each product actually supplies.