Key reasons to choose these smart locks

With motorized deadbolts and built-in connectivity with your home network or phone, smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your door remotely using an app, and a lot of them can sync with voice assistants, home automation platforms and home security systems, too.

They can be a big help if someone needs to drop something off while you're out of the house, if you have houseguests or renters who need access to your home, or if you can't seem to remember whether you locked the door after leaving home. Here are our top picks.

WHAT August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

THE COST $229.99

AVAILABLE FROM august.com

A retrofit August lock and a DoorSense open-close sensor to upgrade your existing deadbolt or other lock are among the great features. Wi-Fi comes built in with this version of the lock, so you won't need to pay extra for August's plug-in Wi-Fi Connect bridge to enable remote access with a smartphone app, or to sync up with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri (August supports all three).

It's also 45% smaller than previous August models, and it offers a good mix of features in the well-designed August app. That includes unlimited user access, auto-locking and unlocking, and a log of every action that happens at your front door. If you purchase August's wireless keypad accessory for $60, you can add coded entry into the mix, too.

WHAT Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro with Wi-Fi

THE COST $189.99

AVAILABLE FROM u-tec.com

If you're renting out your place using a service like Airbnb, then this coded smart lock makes sense to make it easy for guests to get in. With physical buttons that work regardless of the weather, it's about as foolproof as coded locks get. It features a built-in fingerprint sensor and a sneaky front face that flips down to reveal the keyhole. Plus, the lock's built-in Wi-Fi radio was a top performer in our range tests, which might make it an especially good pick for a door that's a couple of rooms away from your router. You can sync it with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice controls, too, though Apple HomeKit isn't supported.

WHAT Wyze Lock

THE COST $123.99

AVAILABLE FROM wyze.com

You'll get built-in Bluetooth for pairing with your phone at close range plus a plug-in Wi-Fi hub for connecting from afar or connecting via Alexa or Google Assistant. If you're interested in coded entry, you can add a wireless keypad accessory into the mix for an extra $30.

With a retrofit design, the Wyze Lock works with your existing deadbolt and key. It's admittedly plain-looking on the inside of your door, but it's easy to install and it worked well in our tests, making it a great budget pick.