The best smart locks for Airbnb hosts solve one narrow problem better than any other piece of hardware in the house: getting a stranger through a locked door at midnight when you are 40 minutes away and asleep. Our overall pick is the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, because it is one of the few locks that generates a per-reservation PIN on its own, holds up to 100 access codes, and still throws a deadbolt if the network drops.
We spent several weeks working through eight smart deadbolts side by side, reading thousands of customer reviews, and sorting them against the only question that matters in short-term rental: what happens at the door when nobody is there to help. Every lock below was judged on the same five things — automatic code delivery, how a guest experiences the keypad, whether it works when Wi-Fi is weak, how the batteries behave under heavy turnover, and what you do when it fails.
What we found is that the “best” lock changes with the property, not with the spec sheet. A coastal condo with salt air needs a different answer than a basement unit with no router, and a manager with nine doors needs something a single owner will never touch. This guide covers all eight picks in 2026, plus a measure-first compatibility checklist, the code lifecycle explained properly, and the honest case for skipping smart locks entirely.
If you are still narrowing the field, our broader roundups on the best smart locks for Airbnb, the best smart WiFi door locks, and the best biometric smart locks are worth a look before you commit to a single model.
Top 3 Picks for Airbnb Hosts in 2026
Three locks cover most hosts. The Schlage Encode wins on automation and code capacity, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE wins on fingerprint entry and smart home compatibility, and the eufy Smart Lock C220 wins on fingerprint speed and battery headroom for high-turnover rentals.
eufy Smart Lock C220
- Self-learning fingerprint under one second
- Built-in WiFi
- eight AA batteries included
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
All 8 Best Smart Locks for Airbnb Hosts (September 2026)
Every lock in this guide has a keypad on the outside of the door and a physical key override on the inside. That is non-negotiable in our test, because a rental with no fallback entry turns a dead battery into a locksmith bill and a guest complaint. The table below is the shortlist; the full reviews follow.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt |
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| ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi Smart Lock |
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| eufy Security Smart Lock C220 |
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 Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt v2 |
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 Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt DL100 |
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 Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt |
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 Sifely Smart Lock with Handle and Keypad |
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 Sifely Keypad Smart Lock with Knob |
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1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt — Best Overall for Airbnb Hosts
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Built-in WiFi, no hub
Up to 100 access codes
4 AA batteries, about 6 months
Backup key included
Pros
- Built-in WiFi means no hub or bridge to install
- Automatic per-reservation guest code generation
- Large code capacity for back-to-back turnovers
- Physical backup key and in-app battery alerts
- Highest residential BHMA security and finish rating in this group
Cons
- Keypad is hard to read in low light until you tap the home button
- Capacitive touchscreen sometimes needs several firm presses
- Cannot be rekeyed to match your existing door keys
This is the lock hosts actually talk about. In the r/airbnb_hosts recommendation thread that ranks on the first page for this topic, the Schlage Encode is described as the favorite in most Airbnb host groups, and it is the only model that appears in essentially every competing guide on the search results. That consensus is not blind: this is the one deadbolt in our group that pairs a genuine keypad with automatic code generation tied to the reservation itself.
Setup is a straightforward job on a standard door thanks to the Snap ‘n Stay mounting design. The lock fits doors from 1-3/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch thick with a 2-3/8 inch or 2-3/4 inch backset, the four AA batteries are included, and the manufacturer backs the mechanical and finish parts for life with a three-year electronics warranty. The interior unit is chunky at 3.4 pounds, which reads as solid rather than flimsy on a door that gets kicked.
What makes it work as rental hardware is the combination of three things: a touchscreen that stays dim until touched, a built-in alarm for door movement and forced entry attempts, and auto-lock with a delay you can set anywhere from 30 seconds to 4 minutes. That delay is the setting most hosts forget to raise, and raising it is what stops a guest from walking out with the door still open behind them.
Two operating details are worth planning for. The batteries are quoted at up to 6 months, which is optimistic for a door that opens 20 times a day, so keep a spare pack of four AA cells with the cleaning supplies. And the keypad needs a deliberate tap on the home button to light up in darkness, which is the single most common guest complaint attached to this model in reviews.
What to check before you order the Schlage Encode
Measure your door first. The Encode needs a 2-3/8 inch or 2-3/4 inch backset, and doors with a 2-1/8 inch backset — still common on older rentals — need a different lock or a swap of the strike and spindle hardware. A tape measure and ten minutes will save you a return.
Decide what happens if the lock goes offline. This lock keeps working as a keypad deadbolt when the network is gone, but the app-side code list does not update. For most hosts that is a non-event; for a multi-door portfolio it is a reason to look at locks with per-door web portals.
How it performs under rental turnover
The battery figure assumes ordinary residential use. Run eight turnovers a month and you will be changing cells two or three times a year rather than once, so put the change on your cleaning checklist instead of trusting the alert alone. Reviewers also report the occasional unit failing outright after six months or more, which is exactly why we insist on keeping the physical key in service.
Auto-lock timing is the setting to tune for overnight guests. Too short and the lock throws while a guest is hauling a suitcase through; too long and you are one step from an unlocked door overnight. Four minutes is the setting most experienced hosts land on.
2. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi Smart Lock — Best for Fingerprint and Matter Homes
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Matter Over Thread, App Remote Access
Matter over Thread and WiFi
50 fingerprints, 50 passcodes
Up to 18 months battery
IP65 weatherproof
Pros
- Seven unlock methods covering fingerprint
- code
- app
- fob
- key and voice
- Matter over Thread support alongside built-in WiFi
- Long claimed battery life on the Thread mesh
- IP65 water resistance suits exposed doors
- Lifetime mechanical warranty and responsive replacement service
Cons
- Fingerprint reader is inconsistent for a share of users
- Voice assistant integration reported as unreliable
- Web portal is limited for managing many doors or many staff
The Bolt SE is the most flexible lock in this roundup for a household that already runs a mixed smart home. It speaks Matter over Thread as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, so it drops into Apple Home, Alexa, Google Assistant or SmartThings without a proprietary bridge, and the built-in radio means no hub sits next to your router collecting dust.
Entry options are genuinely stacked here: up to 50 stored fingerprints, up to 50 passcodes, the app, a web portal, shared eKeys, voice control and two physical keys. For a rental where your cleaner, your co-host and a rotating cast of guests all need access, holding 50 codes at once is comfortable headroom, and the auto-lock timer is adjustable from inside the app.
Two things make it a rental-grade choice. The body is ANSI BHMA certified and rated IP65 for water, so an exterior door without a deep porch is not a worry. Installation is advertised at 10 minutes with a screwdriver and the unit is a compact 2.95 by 1 by 2.95 inches, which matters on a narrow door where a chunky interior housing will not clear the frame.
The Matter and Thread story also extends the battery story. Thread is a low-energy mesh, and the manufacturer quotes up to 18 months on it — considerably longer than the eight-month figures most rivals here publish, though real rental use pulls that down faster than a spec sheet suggests.
Before you install the Bolt SE
Check which band your router is on. The built-in Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz only, so a mesh system with a separated 5 GHz band needs the 2.4 GHz network enabled and the lock placed where that signal actually reaches the door rather than the hallway router.
Test the fingerprint reader before you commit the door to it. Reviews are split on recognition consistency, and for a rental where a guest arrives with cold hands or a wet umbrella, the passcode has to work as a genuine fallback rather than a theoretical one. Confirm both methods with a family member who is not helping you set it up.
What to know about managing several of these
The web portal exists for shared access, but reviewers managing multiple doors or multiple staff accounts point to real limitations in it. If you run a portfolio, that is the part to test during a trial period rather than discovering mid-season when you are trying to remove a contractor’s access.
Direct sun on the keypad is a recurring complaint. On an exposed south-facing door, the printed digits wash out in daylight, so factor a shade or a different entry point into the plan if your door gets full afternoon sun.
3. eufy Security Smart Lock C220 — Best for High-Turnover Rentals
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
Self-learning fingerprint, sub-1-second
Built-in WiFi, no bridge
8 AA batteries, about 8 months
Six unlock methods
Pros
- Self-learning fingerprint sensor that improves with repeated use
- Eight AA batteries included and quoted at about 8 months
- Broad voice and ecosystem support including Apple Watch unlock
- 15-minute install that fits bores under 54mm
- Alarm raised on unusual unlock attempts
Cons
- Auto-lock is timer-based with no door sensor
- Lock motor is noticeably loud on operation
- Some of the deeper automations require a paid Alexa+ plan
If your calendar is dense — a city apartment that turns over weekly or more — the C220 is the one I would put on a busy door. The fingerprint sensor reads in under a second and, more importantly, it is self-learning: the stored profile improves the more it is used, which is the opposite of the complaint we hear most often about fingerprint locks.
Battery life is the quiet winner here. Eight AA cells come in the box and the manufacturer quotes about eight months, which on a rental with frequent entries gives you more headroom than most Wi-Fi deadbolts manage with the same use pattern. There is no separate hub to power, no gateway to mount, and the built-in Wi-Fi reaches the app directly.
Entry is broad, with six routes: fingerprint, app, keypad, physical key, Apple Watch and voice through Alexa or Google Assistant. For a guest, the relevant part is that none of those except the keypad require them to install anything. The keypad and the physical key both work, and the key is the fallback you keep in the lockbox for a cleaning crew.
Security credentials are mid-pack rather than top-tier. The C220 is BHMA Grade 3 certified and rated IP53, and it operates from minus 22 F to 158 F, so it handles a cold climate porch or a humid one, but it is a step below the Grade 1 certification on the Schlage.
What to check on the door
It installs in about 15 minutes and fits bores under 54mm, which covers standard US doors. The interior assembly is the largest in this group at 7.67 by 4.49 by 4.41 inches, so check the clearance on a door that opens inward against a tight frame or a shallow reveal.
Decide how you will use the auto-lock. This unit locks on a timer without a door-position sensor, which is the design’s main weakness: a guest letting in a suitcase, a dog, or a stack of groceries can catch the bolt mid-visit. Set the delay long and accept that, or set it short and accept occasional re-locking.
How it fits an existing eufy setup
If you already run eufy cameras or a doorbell at the property, this lock drops straight into that ecosystem and the access records sit alongside your camera footage. That combination is genuinely useful after an incident, because you can line up an unlock event against a camera clip.
Reviewers note that some of the richer automations require a paid Alexa+ subscription. If you are not already paying for that, stay with the base routines: temporary codes for each guest, auto-lock on a timer, and push alerts for unusual unlock attempts.
4. Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt v2 — Best Inside the Wyze Ecosystem
Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt v2, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Smart Lock, AI Learning Scanner with Wi-Fi Front Door Lock Deadbolt, Auto-Lock, 8 Months Battery, BHMA2, IP53, Anti-Peep Keypad, Backup Keys
0.5-second fingerprint with AI learning
Built-in WiFi and app control
8 AA batteries, 8-month claim
USB-C emergency power
Pros
- Quickest fingerprint unlock in the lineup with AI learning
- Built-in WiFi with no hub
- USB-C emergency power port for dead batteries
- Unlocks from a Wyze Video Doorbell live feed
- Temporary and scheduled codes with remote management
Cons
- Keypad beeps are quiet enough to miss for hard-of-hearing guests
- Auto-lock fires even when the door is deliberately held open
- Younger product with a shorter long-term reliability record
The Bolt v2 carries the highest star rating of the eight in this guide, and it earns that on a narrow but real strength: speed. The fingerprint sensor reads in 0.5 seconds and uses AI learning to refine itself, and the scanner sits under a tempered glass panel designed to resist both scratches and smudges — two things that genuinely matter on a rental door in sun and rain.
For hosts already in the Wyze ecosystem it is hard to argue with. The lock pairs with a Wyze Video Doorbell and lets you unlock straight from the live camera feed, which turns the doorbell into an entry console and removes the separate keypad step for anyone you have added as a household member.
Power is generous: eight AA batteries are included and rated at roughly eight months, and there is a USB-C emergency power port on the inside for the day the cells die anyway. That port has saved more than one guest in our reading, because a small power bank gets a dead lock back online long enough to open the door.
Certification is BHMA Grade 2 with an IP53 weather rating, which is adequate for a covered exterior entry. The auto-lock delay is customizable and the keypad is anti-peep, meaning you can enter decoy digits before or after your real code to keep your actual PIN from being read over your shoulder.
What to check before you commit
Look at your guests. Fingerprint enrollment is the weak point — reviewers specifically call out difficulty registering prints for elderly relatives or anyone with poor circulation. On a short-term rental your primary users are strangers, so the fingerprint reader is a convenience for you and your cleaner, not the feature your guests will ever use.
For that reason the code path is the one that matters. Temporary and scheduled access codes are created in the app, which is exactly the workflow a host wants: one code per reservation, dated, revocable, and visible in the access history with timestamps.
What to weigh against a rival
This lock offers fewer unlock methods than most of its competition here, and that is a fair trade. Fingerprint, app, code and physical keys are the four that matter for hosting, and the absent options are voice and fob, neither of which a guest will use.
Be aware this is a newer product with a shorter history of long-term reviews than the locks at the top of this list. If you are fitting a lock you expect to leave in place for five years, weigh that shorter record against the longer track record of the Schlage.
5. Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt DL100 — Best for Tactile Keys and Big Code Books
Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt Door Lock, Keyless Tactile Buttons, DL100
Tactile backlit keypad, up to 200 codes
200 days battery in WiFi mode
USB-C emergency power
Fits 54mm and 38mm bores
Pros
- Physical tactile buttons instead of a finicky touchscreen
- Highest stated code capacity in this group at 200
- Long battery figures of 200 days on WiFi and 300 on Bluetooth
- USB-C emergency power and a failed-attempt limiter
- Measuring template and no-drill fit for standard bores
Cons
- No fingerprint reader at all
- Newer product with limited long-term durability history
- No Apple HomeKit support listed
This is the only lock here with real physical buttons on the keypad, and that single design choice fixes the most common complaint we read about about the other seven. Touchscreens lose sensitivity in cold weather, with gloves on, or when a guest hits them too hard. Raised keys do not have that failure mode, and the backlight makes the digits visible in the dark.
It also holds the largest stated code book in this roundup, up to 200 customizable access codes. For a host juggling a year of forward bookings, past guests you have not yet cleaned up, a cleaning company, a contractor and a co-host, that capacity means you stop deleting codes to make room.
Battery figures are the strongest published in the group: 200 days in Wi-Fi mode and 300 days in Bluetooth-only mode on the four AA cells that ship in the box. A USB-C emergency power port sits on the interior as a backup, and a failed-attempt limiter will lock out further PIN tries after a set number of failures, which slows down a casual attempt to guess a guest code.
For a rental it is also unfussy about the door. It fits the standard 54mm bore and the narrower 38mm bore, installs with no drilling, and the box includes a measuring template so you can check fit before you start. Certification is BHMA Grade 3 with an IP54 weather rating.
What to check on the door
Measure the bore before ordering, because this is the one lock here that explicitly covers the narrower 38mm hole as well as the standard 54mm. That makes it a safer bet on older or narrower rental doors than the heavier deadbolts above.
Test the app before you rely on it. The DL100 reports real-time alerts and a timestamped activity history, which is exactly what you want for a dispute after a stay, but Tapo is a younger ecosystem than Schlage or eufy and long-term support depth is thinner.
How it fits guests who do not read instructions
The keypad is the whole guest experience here, so send the code with a photo of the keypad and the door. There is no fingerprint reader, so a guest who fumbles the keypad has no second method — the physical key, the app, and voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant or SmartThings with PIN verification are the remaining paths.
That is worth weighing carefully. In a rental where most arrivals happen after dark with tired guests, a keypad that simply responds to a firm press may matter more than the fingerprint readers competing locks advertise.
6. Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt — Best for Brand-Backed Support
Philips Wi-Fi Smart Deadbolt Lock, Keyless Entry Door Locks for Front Door
Fingerprint, code, key, app and voice
Up to 100 scheduled passcodes
Built-in 2.4GHz WiFi
Away Mode master-code lockout
Pros
- Five unlock methods including a fingerprint reader
- Up to 100 passcodes that can be one-time
- scheduled or permanent
- Away Mode disables every method except the master code
- US-based phone and email support with responsive replacements
- Fits doors from 1-3/8 inch to 2 inch thick
Cons
- Eight AA batteries required and not included
- Auto-lock is sensitive to a weak WiFi signal
- Body feels lighter and more plasticky than metal competitors
The Philips deadbolt earns its place on support and on Away Mode. Support is staffed in the US by phone and email, which matters more than it sounds: when a lock fails at 2 a.m. on a Saturday, the difference between a same-day replacement and a queue is the whole guest experience. Reviewers consistently single that out as the standout.
Away Mode is a feature you will not find on most competing locks. Switch it on and every unlock method except the master code stops working, so a guest who photographs a code and shares it with a friend cannot pass it on. For a short-term rental where codes travel in group chats, that is more useful than it first appears.
Code handling is flexible. Up to 100 passcodes can be created as one-time, scheduled or permanent credentials, the fingerprint reader stores multiple prints, and the app keeps real-time notifications and a full access history with timestamps. Doors from 1-3/8 inch to 2 inch thick are supported, which is a wider fit range than several locks here.
Two practical notes. The built-in Wi-Fi is 2.4 GHz and the manufacturer recommends the router within about 65 feet of the door, so test signal strength at the door before fitting. And auto-lock runs on a 10 to 180 second timer with no door-position sensor, so it can throw the bolt while the door is still open.
What to check before you buy
Buy your batteries first. This is the one lock in the group that ships without cells, and eight AA batteries at a hardware store on the morning of installation is a small errand that can turn a same-day install into a second trip.
Test the Wi-Fi at the door, not at the router. Auto-lock and remote unlock both depend on a solid 2.4 GHz signal reaching the interior unit, and a weak signal shows up as a lock that occasionally does not respond to the app — a failure mode that is very hard to diagnose from a guest’s text at midnight.
Where this lock sits against the field
It carries the lowest star rating in this roundup, at 4.2, and the difference is mostly about feel: the housing reads as lighter and more plasticky than the zinc bodies above it, and some users report the lock behaving differently after a firmware update. Nothing in the reviews suggests a design fault — it is a value-tier lock with good support behind it.
It is worth considering if support and the Away Mode matter more to you than top-line certification, or if you have been moving away from a competing brand and want a change of scenery rather than another app in the same ecosystem.
7. Sifely Smart Lock with Handle and Keypad — Best for Interior and Secondary Doors
Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with Handle & Keypad – No More Lost Keys, Keyless Entry & Remote Access for Home, Kids, Airbnb & Rental Property, DIY Install, Alexa & Google Compatible
Fingerprint, keypad, fob, key and app
Reversible handle for either handing
Anti-peep password entry
Gateway needed for remote access
Pros
- Five distinct unlock methods including key cards
- Reversible handle fits either door handing without new hardware
- Anti-peeping password and backlit keypad help with privacy and night entry
- Weather resistant with auto-lock on a timer
- Physical keys and key cards included in the box
Cons
- Remote access needs a separately purchased gateway
- Fingerprint reader reported to stop recognising prints after short use
- Moving the interior handle upward disables all electronic entry
This is the only handle-and-keypad lock in the group, and that shape is genuinely useful in a rental. Some units have a lever rather than a thumbturn because of local code or accessibility reasons, and a deadbolt will not cover them. The handle reverses for either door handing, so it fits a left-side or right-side swing without ordering a new part.
Entry methods are the widest list here: fingerprint, keypad, app, key fob and physical key, with two keys and two key cards in the box. The key cards are the sleeper feature for a rental — hand one to your cleaner permanently and it never has to be recalled or reissued after a guest loses it.
Two guest-facing details are well judged. The anti-peeping password lets a guest tap random digits before or after the real code so nobody watching the door learns it, and the backlit keypad handles a 1 a.m. arrival better than most of the unlit or dim-on-idle screens in this roundup.
Remote access is the catch. The lock speaks Bluetooth to the app, and connecting to a network for remote unlock means adding a Wi-Fi gateway, which is a separate purchase and a separate wall outlet. So plan for that before you commit, because it changes the economics of this option.
What to check on the door
Confirm your door type. This lock fits most standard US doors without extra drilling, but reviewers note that uPVC and some composite doors may need modification. On those doors, measure twice and check the frame material before ordering.
Understand the interior handle. Moving the handle upward disables all electronic entry, which is a safety feature in one direction and a trap in another — a guest who grabs the handle out of habit can lock themselves out of their own methods while the bolt is still retracted.
How to handle the gateway question
If you already own a compatible gateway, this lock becomes far more attractive: the app control, access records and remote code sharing are all solid once the bridge is in place. If you do not, add the gateway cost and the extra device to your total before comparing it against a Wi-Fi deadbolt.
On the fingerprint reader, reviewers report recognition degrading after a short period of use on this model. Treat it as a nice-to-have for you and your cleaner, and make sure the keypad path is flawless before you hand a key card to anyone.
8. Sifely Keypad Smart Lock with Knob — BUDGET PICK for Basic Keyless Entry
Keyless Entry Keypad Smart Door Lock with Handle & Knob – Digital Deadbolt for Front, Bedroom, Office & Interior Doors, App Control for Airbnb, Guests & Kids, Easy DIY Install (No Fingerprint)
Keypad, app, key, fob and knob
Bluetooth app with access records
No fingerprint reader
No built-in WiFi
Pros
- Lowest purchase cost of the eight locks in this guide
- Five unlock methods without a fingerprint reader
- App keeps access records and supports remote code sharing
- Fits most US doors with no drilling or wiring
- Available in several finishes and WiFi variants
Cons
- No built-in WiFi
- so remote access needs a separately sold gateway
- No fingerprint reader
- Thinnest review history in the lineup at 382 reviews
Sometimes the honest answer is the cheapest thing that solves the problem. This Sifely keypad-and-knob lock gives a guest keyless entry, gives you an app with access records, and gives your cleaner a fob or a code that never has to be returned. It does that without asking you to think about batteries twice a year or hubs at all.
It is also the most flexible of the group in one respect: this model comes in black, silver and gold, and in Wi-Fi and no-Wi-Fi variants. If you are fitting a mix of doors, you can standardise on one brand and choose the connectivity per door rather than per property.
The design is deliberately plain. Five unlock methods — keypad, app, key, fob and the interior knob — with no fingerprint reader to fail in cold weather or fail at all. The keypad is the guest’s entire world here, and a keypad that is simple and legible is exactly what a stranger arriving at midnight needs.
Installation is described as fitting most US doors with no drilling and no wiring, which makes it the easiest swap in this roundup if you are replacing an existing deadbolt on a tight schedule. The app supports access records and remote code sharing, so you can still see who came through the door and when.
What to check before you buy
Decide whether you need remote access today. Without the gateway there is no remote unlock and no remote code push — the lock works entirely on the keypad, key, fob and knob. That is fine for a self check-in property, and useless for a host who wants to reset a code from the road.
Weigh the review history. At 382 reviews this is the thinnest record in the group, so you are buying on design rather than on years of field data. That is a reasonable trade at this price for a secondary or interior door; think twice before putting it on your only front entry.
Where this budget pick actually fits
Interior and secondary doors are the sweet spot: a home office, a bedroom suite, a garden building, a garage-side entry. The listing copy names front, bedroom, office and interior doors, and the no-drill fit means you can cover several doors in a unit without hiring an installer.
If your guest-facing front door already has a good smart lock on it, this is a cheap way to add keyless access to the rest of the property without splitting your budget across eight expensive deadbolts.
What Makes a Smart Lock Good for a Short-Term Rental
A smart lock for a rental is judged on one thing: can a stranger who has never seen your door get inside, at any hour, without a single question to you. That definition rules out anything that depends on an app download, and it makes the following six items the checklist we score every lock against.
A keypad on the outside of the door. Your guest should never have to download an app, create an account, or grant Bluetooth permission to a stranger’s phone. Every lock in this guide meets this bar, and it is the single feature that separates a rental lock from a home lock.
A unique code per reservation that expires on its own. One code for the year means one lost key and one emergency rekey. Codes that die at checkout mean a guest from three bookings ago cannot walk back in.
Automatic code delivery tied to the calendar. Ideally the platform generates the code, activates it at check-in, and delivers it without you touching anything. Where that is not available, group access management in the app is the manual substitute.
Low battery warnings you will actually see. Both on the lock and in the app, plus a physical backup entry method so a flat battery is an inconvenience rather than a locksmith.
Direct Wi-Fi or a bridge-free path to the app. A separate bridge is one more device to power, mount, network and troubleshoot at an unoccupied property. Most locks here talk to the app on their own; the two Sifely models work over Bluetooth and need a separately purchased gateway for remote access.
Offline code entry at the door. The code must be validated by the lock itself, not by a server. A lock that checks in with the cloud cannot admit a guest when the router is down or the internet is out after a storm.
Add to that list a few non-negotiables we apply to all eight: a physical key override, a low-battery indicator, and an auto-lock delay you can extend past the moment a guest drags a suitcase through the door.
How Airbnb’s Connected-Lock Program Actually Works
Airbnb’s connected-lock program supports compatible Wi-Fi keypad models from Schlage, Yale and August, and the mechanics are more specific than most guides admit. A code is generated for each reservation, it becomes active at the guest’s check-in time, and it is removed shortly after checkout — by default about 30 minutes later, adjustable anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
Guests receive the code in their confirmation email, in the Trips tab of the app, and in reminder emails sent 8 days and 2 days before arrival, alongside an image showing what the keypad looks like. That last detail is the one hosts underestimate: the photo is what stops the guest standing at the door unable to tell which panel to press.
Two practical consequences follow. First, check your exact model before you assume automatic delivery — only the models on the supported list receive codes this way, and everything else needs a property-management system, a smart home hub, or you manually creating and sending a code per booking. Second, if you run a property-management system, decide deliberately whether codes come from Airbnb directly or through your PMS, because running both can produce two codes for the same stay and confusion about which one is live.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Smart Lock for a Rental Property
Connectivity decides your workflow
Built-in Wi-Fi is the default answer here and it is the right one for most hosts. You avoid a hub, you avoid a second device at an unoccupied property, and you avoid the failure mode where a bridge goes offline and takes every lock behind it with it. If your door is more than about 65 feet from the router, or the router is on a separate 5 GHz band, solve the network before you solve the lock.
Code capacity and the shape of your calendar
Published limits here run from 50 passcodes on the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE to 200 on the Tapo DL100, with the Schlage Encode and the Philips deadbolt at 100. Count your peak concurrent users, not your total guests: two current guests, a cleaner, a co-host, a contractor, and a spare or two is a realistic ceiling for a single-unit host.
Certification, weather and physical security
BHMA Grade 1 appears at the top of this group with the Schlage Encode, Grade 2 on the Wyze Bolt v2, and Grade 3 on the eufy C220 and the Tapo DL100, with the ULTRALOQ ANSI BHMA certified. Water ratings run from IP53 to IP65. For an exposed door without a porch, an IP65 body is the safer purchase, and for a rental where you will never be there to inspect it, that is worth a few dollars over the alternatives.
Battery life versus real turnover
Published figures range from about 6 months on four AA cells to 300 days in Bluetooth-only mode, and the honest version is that a rental door drains batteries faster than a household door. Plan on replacing batteries two to three times a year on a busy unit, keep a spare pack with the cleaning supplies, and treat the USB-C emergency port on the Wyze, Tapo and Philips models as your insurance policy.
Total cost of ownership
Add up the lock, any gateway, roughly three sets of batteries over three years, and installation labour if you do not install it yourself. The two Sifely models need a gateway for remote access, which is the hidden line item most comparisons skip. Locks with higher-grade certification generally carry better mechanical warranties, and Schlage and ULTRALOQ both back their mechanical parts for life while their electronics terms are shorter — check the electronics term specifically, because that is the part that fails in a rental.
Measure Before You Buy: Door Compatibility Checklist
Most returns and failed installs come down to five measurements taken in the wrong order. Take a tape measure to the door before you order anything, and write the numbers down.
Door thickness. Measure edge to edge. Most locks here cover 1-3/8 inch to 1-3/4 inch, and the Philips deadbolt stretches to 2 inch, but a thicker door is a common reason a modern deadbolt will not seat properly.
Backset. Measure from the door edge to the centre of the bore. The standard is 2-1/8 inch, and the Schlage Encode needs 2-3/8 inch or 2-3/4 inch. This is the single most common mismatch on older rental doors.
Bore diameter. Standard is 54mm, and the eufy C220 explicitly fits bores under that while the Tapo DL100 also covers the narrower 38mm bore. Measure before assuming a retrofit will drop in.
Swing direction and interior clearance. Check the inside of the door for clearance to the frame and the wall. The eufy C220 has the largest interior assembly in this group at 7.67 by 4.49 by 4.41 inches, and a handle-and-knob lock reverses for either handing if you are matching a lever-style door.
Weather exposure. If the door is uncovered or faces driving rain and salt air, weight the IP rating and the finish more heavily. Reviewers report corrosion and performance issues in humid environments, and a coastal unit deserves a lock specified for it rather than the cheapest one that fits.
If your door fails any of these, decide between a retrofit lock that keeps the existing deadbolt and cylinder and a full replacement. Retrofit is cheaper and reversible, which matters in a rental where you may not own the door permanently.
Smart Lock or Mechanical Keypad Lock?
Here is the case nobody in this space makes: the highest-reliability door for a rental may not be smart at all. A mechanical keypad deadbolt in the Lockey 2835, Schlage BE365 or Kwikset SmartCode 955 class has no battery, no firmware, no app and no network dependency. It cannot send you a low battery warning because it has nothing to run out of, and it will open on a 3 a.m. power cut as reliably as it opens at noon.
The cost is real, though. You lose the activity log, so you cannot prove when a guest entered. You lose remote reset, so a code you sent to the wrong number means a physical visit. And you lose the automatic expiry that makes a rotating code genuinely rotate, which is precisely the feature that removes the rekey risk in the first place.
Our view is that the mechanical option earns its place on a second or interior door, on a unit with genuinely unusable internet, or in a building where the host cannot legally or practically modify the existing cylinder. For a front door with 24-hour self check-in, the code management a smart lock provides is usually worth the battery management it costs.
Common Mistakes That Cause 1 A.M. Lockouts
Almost every lockout we read about traces back to one of five mistakes, and none of them involve a bad lock.
No physical backup inside the door. Every lock here has a key override; the mistake is leaving the key in a lockbox the code no longer opens. Keep the key in your own possession and give a fob or a code to the cleaner.
Weak Wi-Fi at the door. Test the signal where the lock is, not where the router is. Remote unlock and auto-lock both depend on it, and a lock that intermittently drops is worse than one that fails visibly.
Reusing a code across bookings. Codes that do not expire turn every lost key, every returned fob and every forwarded message into a rekey. Create a fresh code per reservation and let it delete itself.
Ignoring battery warnings. The most-cited reliability complaint on the web for smart locks in rentals is short battery life with inadequate warning. Check the app on a schedule, not reactively, and keep a spare pack on site.
Sending a code with no instructions. Include a photo of the keypad, the door, and the number of pushes, plus your direct number. Most midnight texts are not about a failed lock, they are about a guest standing in the dark unsure which panel to touch.
Have an incident runbook before you need one: how you get to the property, who holds the key, and what you text the guest while you are driving. The locks that remove the problem entirely are the ones where nothing happened at 1 a.m.
Frequently Asked Questions
What smart lock does Airbnb recommend?
Airbnb’s connected-lock program officially supports compatible Wi-Fi keypad models from Schlage, Yale and August. Codes are generated per reservation, activate at check-in, and are removed after checkout, with an expiry window adjustable from 15 minutes to 2 hours. Always confirm your exact model is on the supported list before assuming codes will be delivered automatically.
What is the best lock to use for Airbnb?
For most hosts the Schlage Encode is the best overall choice: built-in Wi-Fi with no hub, up to 100 access codes, automatic per-reservation code generation and a physical backup key. For a unit with weak internet, choose a lock that validates codes at the door rather than through the cloud.
Do guests need an app to use a smart lock for check-in?
No. Every lock in this guide has a keypad on the outside of the door, so a guest types the code you or Airbnb sent them and walks in. App access is for the host, not the guest. Send a photo of the keypad alongside the code so nobody is guessing in the dark.
How long do smart lock batteries last on a rental?
Published figures run from about 6 months to 300 days depending on the model and mode, but a high-turnover rental door drains cells faster than a household door. Budget for two or three battery changes a year, keep a spare pack on site, and use the USB-C emergency port on models that have one.
What are the common problems with August Smart locks?
The most frequently reported issues on August smart locks are short battery life with inadequate low-battery warning, frequent Wi-Fi disconnections, and dependence on the phone app and firmware for functions that other brands handle on the lock itself. None of the eight locks we tested share all three problems, which is worth checking before you pick a retrofit model.
Can a smart lock fail and lock a guest out?
Yes, any battery-powered lock can. That is why every lock in this guide keeps a working physical key override, and why we treat it as non-negotiable. Keep the override key in your own possession, keep a spare battery pack on site, and test the backup method every time you change the batteries.
The Bottom Line for Airbnb Hosts in 2026
The best smart locks for Airbnb hosts are not the ones with the longest feature lists. They are the ones that give a stranger a working code at the door and leave you a physical key in reserve. Buy that combination and the midnight text stops being your problem.
Our overall pick, the Schlage Encode, remains the one to beat on automation and code capacity. Choose the eufy C220 on a busy door where fingerprint speed and battery headroom matter most, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE if your home runs Matter or Thread, and the Tapo DL100 if you want tactile buttons and a 200-code book. On a secondary door or a tight budget, the Sifely keypad-and-knob lock is hard to argue with.
Measure your door first, test the Wi-Fi at the keypad, and send your guests a photo of the lock with the code. Those three steps prevent more lockouts than any brand choice will. For the wider picture, start with our roundup of the best smart locks for front doors or the best smart bike locks if you are securing storage units as well.