Z-Wave Generation & Range

Older Z-Wave Plus locks rely on the mesh, so a powered repeater near the door helps. 700 and 800 series locks with Z-Wave Long Range talk straight to an LR-capable hub, which is ideal for detached garages and big houses.

Security Grade

BHMA (ANSI) grades rate physical strength and cycle life. Grade 1 is the toughest residential rating, Grade 2 suits most homes. Rekeyable cylinders like Kwikset SmartKey let you match existing keys in seconds.

Entry Method

Touchscreens look sleek and are easy to wipe, push buttons work better with gloves, and fingerprint readers skip codes entirely. Decide whether you want a physical key backup or a fully key-free lock.

S2 Security & SmartStart

S2 encryption protects lock commands from replay and sniffing, and SmartStart lets you add the lock by scanning a QR code. Both are standard on newer 700 and 800 series models.

Hub Compatibility

Home Assistant (Z-Wave JS), Hubitat, SmartThings, Ring Alarm and Alarm.com panels all support Z-Wave locks, but code management and status reporting vary. Check your hub’s lock support before you buy.

Kwikset’s HomeConnect 620 brings Z-Wave Long Range to a familiar keypad deadbolt. Its 700 series radio supports S2 encryption and SmartStart QR inclusion, it stores up to 250 user codes, and auto-lock can be set from 30 seconds to 10 minutes. Kwikset calls out Ring Alarm compatibility directly, so lock status and control show up in the Ring app. SmartKey rekeying and BHMA Grade 2 hardware round out a lock that feels like a sensible modern upgrade to the older SmartCode line.

The HomeConnect 918 is the touchscreen sibling of the 620, sharing the same 700 series Z-Wave Long Range radio, S2 security, SmartStart and 250-code memory. The illuminated glass keypad looks far more premium than push buttons, supports one-touch locking on the way out, and wipes clean easily. Like the 620 it is listed as Ring Alarm compatible and also works with SmartThings and other Z-Wave hubs. If you want Long Range but prefer a sleek touchscreen front, this is the one.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch is the only lock here with a fingerprint reader, so family members can simply touch and walk in. This version ships with Yale’s Z-Wave module in the box and lists SmartThings and Hubitat support, plus a backlit keypad and a physical backup key. The included DoorSense sensor lets Auto-Lock wait until the door is actually closed. Fingerprint enrollment and some app features run through Yale’s own app, so expect a little setup outside your hub.

If curb appeal matters, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touchscreen is the most elegant Z-Wave deadbolt you can buy. Its slim glass touchscreen sits nearly flush with the door, and the Z-Wave version joins your hub or alarm system for remote lock, unlock and status. Yale’s DoorSense and Auto-Lock combo is excellent, and the Yale Access app adds smartphone and Apple Watch control. Note that Yale states this model will not work outside the US or Canada.

The Assure Lock 2 Keypad gives you the same slim Yale body and Z-Wave module as the touchscreen model, but with physical push buttons. That is the smarter choice for doors that face direct sun, rain or snow, and for anyone who unlocks with gloves on. You still get DoorSense, Auto-Lock and app-based guest access, all in a footprint that looks tidy on modern and traditional doors alike.

The Kwikset SmartCode 916 has been a staple of Z-Wave installs for years. Its fast, quiet motorized deadbolt sits behind an illuminated touchscreen with 30 user codes, a 30-second auto-lock option and Kwikset’s SmartKey cylinder so you can rekey it to your existing house key in seconds. It is listed as Ring compatible and works with Alexa and Google Assistant through a Z-Wave hub. It lacks Long Range and the 250-code memory of the HomeConnect line, but it is often the easiest touchscreen Z-Wave lock to find at a good price.

The SmartCode 914 is Kwikset’s push-button answer to the 916. This Z-Wave Plus version (model 99140-019) stores 30 codes, supports remote lock and unlock through any Z-Wave hub, and keeps Kwikset’s SmartKey rekeyable cylinder. The buttons are easy to feel in the dark and do not suffer from glare like a touchscreen. Be careful when ordering: Kwikset also sells the 914 in a Zigbee version, so stick with the Z-Wave Plus listing linked here.

The SmartCode 888 uses a traditional tall touchpad escutcheon that suits classic front doors and replaces older Kwikset keypads cleanly. The Z-Wave Plus version holds 30 codes, offers auto-lock, and keeps SmartKey rekeying. It is not the newest or most elegant option here, but it is a simple, proven lock that integrates with Home Assistant, Hubitat and SmartThings without fuss.

Not every door has a deadbolt. The Yale Assure Lever replaces an existing knob or lever on single-hole doors, which makes it perfect for garage entry doors, side doors, offices and interior rooms you want to secure. Its backlit keypad has numbers that will not wear off, it supports unique entry codes for everyone you trust, and auto-lock relocks the lever after use. Add it to a Z-Wave hub or alarm system for remote control and alerts.

The Yale Assure SL is built for people who are done with keys. With no keyway on the outside, there is nothing to pick or bump, and the slim backlit touchscreen gives the door a clean, modern look. The Z-Wave version connects to SmartThings and other Z-Wave controllers for remote control and works with Alexa through a compatible hub. Because there is no key backup, keep fresh batteries in it and learn the emergency power procedure before you rely on it.

Want the safest all-round choice?

Get the Schlage Connect: proven on every major hub, with a built-in alarm and tough hardware.

Door far from the hub?

Pick the ULTRALOQ Bolt Z-Wave or a Kwikset HomeConnect lock for Z-Wave Long Range reach.

Running Ring Alarm?

The Kwikset HomeConnect 620 is listed as Ring Alarm compatible and holds 250 codes.

Hate remembering codes?

The Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch adds a fingerprint reader to a Z-Wave deadbolt.

Want to keep your house key?

Kwikset SmartCode 916 or 914 rekey to your existing key in seconds with SmartKey.

Door has no deadbolt?

Use the Yale Assure Lever for garage entry, side and interior doors.

Do Z-Wave smart locks need a hub?

Yes. A Z-Wave lock has no Wi-Fi, so remote control, alerts and automations come from a Z-Wave controller: Home Assistant with a Z-Wave USB stick, Hubitat, SmartThings, Homey, Ring Alarm or a pro alarm panel such as Alarm.com. Without a hub it still works as a normal keypad deadbolt. Yale models can also use their own app over Bluetooth for some features. If you are still choosing a controller, see our guide to the best Z-Wave hubs and USB sticks.

What is the difference between Z-Wave Plus and Z-Wave Long Range?

Classic Z-Wave and Z-Wave Plus use a mesh: messages hop through powered devices like plugs and switches. Battery locks never act as repeaters, so a lock at the edge of the house depends on a nearby powered node. Z-Wave Long Range (supported by 700 and 800 series chips) uses a star topology where the lock talks straight to the controller over a much longer distance. To use it, your controller and stick must support Long Range; otherwise most LR locks fall back to normal mesh Z-Wave.

Are Z-Wave locks secure against hacking?

Modern Z-Wave locks use encrypted commands. Newer models with S2 security use elliptic-curve key exchange and per-device keys, which defeats replay and sniffing attacks that affected some very old S0 devices. For best results, include the lock with S2 (enter the DSK PIN or scan the SmartStart QR code), keep hub firmware updated, and remember that physical strength (BHMA grade, strike plate, long screws into the frame) matters as much as radio security.

Will a US Z-Wave lock work in Europe or the UK?

No. Z-Wave uses different frequencies by region (around 908 MHz in the US and Canada, around 868 MHz in Europe and the UK), and the lock must match your controller. Every lock in this guide is a US-market product, and Yale explicitly says its Z-Wave Assure models will not work outside the US or Canada. US deadbolts also assume North American door prep (2-1/8 in. bore with 2-3/8 in. or 2-3/4 in. backset).

How long do the batteries last, and what if they die?

Most of these locks run on four AA batteries and last roughly 6 to 12 months depending on traffic, signal quality and features like auto-lock. Your hub will report battery level and most locks warn you at the keypad as it drops. If the batteries die completely, keyed models open with the physical key, while key-free locks rely on an emergency external power method described in the manual. Check the manual before using lithium cells, since some manufacturers recommend them and others advise alkaline.