Smart Locks
Best Smart Lock for Renters (2026): Our 5 Picks Ranked
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Specs below come from each product's Amazon listing; we do not test products in person.
For renters, the CANDY HOUSE Sesame 5 leads: it mounts with 3M adhesive tape over your existing deadbolt with no tools and no damage, and it auto-locks from 3 seconds to 1 hour. If you want a fingerprint reader and a keypad, the SwitchBot Lock Ultra adds both with a 12-month battery.
Starting out? See the main guide: Best Smart Lock
Top picks at a glance
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Best OverallCANDY HOUSE Sesame9.8 View on Amazon -
9.7 View on Amazon -
Also Greateufy Security Smart Lock FamiLock C329.7 View on Amazon -
Also GreatAnona Holo Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Keypad9.3 View on Amazon -
Also GreatNuki Smart Lock9.2 View on Amazon
Compare the specs
Ranked on fingerprint reader, keypad, auto-lock, phone app control, works with alexa / google from each listing, plus how many buyers have rated it. A dash (—) means we could not confirm that figure from the listing.
| Pick | Fingerprint reader | Keypad | Auto-lock | Phone app control | Works with Alexa / Google | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. CANDY HOUSE Sesame | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 0.3 lb | — |
| 2. SwitchBot Smart Lock Ultra with Keypad | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.93 lb | — |
| 3. eufy Security Smart Lock FamiLock C32 | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| 4. Anona Holo Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Keypad | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | — |
| 5. Nuki Smart Lock | — | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | — | 2-year |
CANDY HOUSE Sesame
It fits your existing deadbolt with 3M adhesive tape, no tools, and auto-lock from 3 seconds to 1 hour.
- Auto-lock
- Phone app control
- Works with Alexa / Google
Good for
- Renters who want no-drill mounting on an existing deadbolt
- Buyers who want NFC tags and Apple Watch control
Skip it if
- You want auto-lock longer than 1 hour
- You want auto-lock shorter than 3 seconds
It mounts with strong 3M adhesive tape, with 3 sets of tape in the box, plus a metal base adapter and screws. It works with 99% of keys, and a custom 3D-printed adapter can be requested with a photo of your key. Auto-lock sets from 3 seconds to 1 hour. It works with iPhone, Apple Watch, and NFC tags, and supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. Remote control runs through Hub3, and it supports Matter. It weighs 0.3 lb.
SwitchBot Smart Lock Ultra with Keypad
It adds a fingerprint reader and a keypad to a self-adhesive mount, with a 12-month battery and Matter support.
- Fingerprint reader
- Keypad
- Auto-lock
- Phone app control
- Works with Alexa / Google
Good for
- Renters with standard apartment door locks in the US
- Buyers who want fingerprint plus keypad entry
Skip it if
- You want a lock under 2.93 lb
- You want a battery life longer than 12 months
It mounts with a self-adhesive method and fits most standard apartment door locks in the US, with no need to replace the lock core. The fingerprint reader recognizes in 0.3 seconds and stores up to 100 fingerprints, and the keypad adds PIN entry. The Triple Power System gives 12 months of continuous use, and a quiet mode runs at night. It supports Matter and works with Apple HomeKit through the SwitchBot Hub mini, plus Alexa and Google Assistant. It weighs 2.93 lb.
eufy Security Smart Lock FamiLock C32
It pairs 0.3-second fingerprint unlocking with built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and a USB-C emergency backup.
- Fingerprint reader
- Auto-lock
- Phone app control
- Works with Alexa / Google
Good for
- Buyers who want a lock for interior doors
- Renters who want built-in Wi-Fi without a hub
Skip it if
- You want a lock for a front door
- You want a lock for a non-standard door
It fits standard interior doors and installs in 15 minutes with only a screwdriver. The fingerprint array unlocks in 0.3 seconds with 360-degree recognition. Built-in 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi allows remote authorization and management without a hub. Four AA batteries last over 5 months, and a USB-C cable with a power bank unlocks the door if power runs out. It works with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Anona Holo Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Keypad
It pairs a keypad with auto-lock and anomaly detection, plus temporary passcodes for guests.
- Keypad
- Auto-lock
- Phone app control
- Works with Alexa / Google
Good for
- Buyers who want a keypad and temporary guest passcodes
- Renters with single-cylinder deadbolts
Skip it if
- You want a battery life longer than 6 months in Wi-Fi mode
- You want a lock that installs without a screwdriver
It installs on the inside of the door with a screwdriver and fits most single-cylinder deadbolts. The inertial sensor detects a closed door and locks automatically, and an alarm sounds through the buzzer or app notification if the lock jams or stays open. Four AA batteries last 4 to 6 months in standard Wi-Fi mode, with a low power mode for longer use. Temporary and one-time passcodes can be shared with guests from the app. It supports Alexa and Apple HomeKit with Matter and no hub.
Nuki Smart Lock
It mounts over your deadbolt in under 15 minutes with no drilling, and unlocks in under a second.
- Auto-lock
- Phone app control
- Works with Alexa / Google
- 2-year warranty stated
Good for
- Renters who want auto-unlock on arrival
- Buyers who want Matter over Thread support
Skip it if
- You want a warranty longer than 2 years
- You want a lock that mounts outside the door
It mounts on the inside of the door over the deadbolt in under 15 minutes with no drilling, guided by the app. Auto Unlock opens the door as you arrive, and digital keys can be shared while activity shows in the app. Your key stays as backup. It works with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Matter over Thread. Tamper alerts and real-time monitoring are built in. The battery charges in 2 hours and lasts for months, and it carries a 2-year warranty.
How to choose
Mounting that suits a rental
A renter needs a lock that installs without changing the door. The Sesame 5 mounts with 3M adhesive tape and no tools, the SwitchBot uses a self-adhesive mount, and the Nuki and Anona mount on the inside of the door over the existing deadbolt with no drilling. Check that the lock fits your existing deadbolt type before buying: the Anona fits most single-cylinder deadbolts, and the SwitchBot fits most standard apartment door locks in the US.
Entry methods compared
Entry methods decide how you and your guests get in. The Anona also creates temporary and one-time passcodes for guests, and the Nuki shares keys from the app. The Sesame 5 works with NFC tags, iPhone, and Apple Watch instead. Pick the method your household uses daily.
Power and connectivity
Battery life differs across the list: the SwitchBot runs 12 months, the eufy runs over 5 months on 4 AA batteries, and the Anona runs 4 to 6 months in standard Wi-Fi mode. The Nuki battery charges in 2 hours and lasts for months. For remote control, the eufy has built-in Wi-Fi, the Sesame 5 connects through Hub3, the Anona connects over Wi-Fi with no hub, and the Nuki uses Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Matter over Thread.
FAQ
Do these locks need drilling to install?
No. The Sesame 5 mounts with 3M adhesive tape, the SwitchBot uses a self-adhesive mount, and the Nuki mounts over the deadbolt with no drilling. The Anona installs on the inside of the door with a screwdriver, and the eufy installs with only a screwdriver.
Which locks have a fingerprint reader?
The SwitchBot and the eufy have fingerprint readers, both unlocking in 0.3 seconds. The SwitchBot stores up to 100 fingerprints, and the eufy uses a large-area array with 360-degree recognition.
Can renters control these locks from a phone?
Yes. All five work with a phone app: the Sesame 5, SwitchBot, eufy, Anona, and Nuki each list app control. The Sesame 5 needs Hub3 for remote control, while the eufy has built-in Wi-Fi for remote management.
How long do the batteries last?
The SwitchBot runs 12 months on its Triple Power System, the eufy runs over 5 months on 4 AA batteries, and the Anona runs 4 to 6 months in standard Wi-Fi mode. The Nuki battery charges in 2 hours and lasts for months.
