Which smart door locks support Matter in 2026?

The Schlage Encode Plus, Yale Assure Lock 2 with the Matter module, Aqara U100, U400 and U500, Dreame Navo A10, SwitchBot Lock Ultra Vision Pro and Lockin V7 Max all support Matter.

Can I install a smart lock without changing my exterior hardware?

Yes. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen mounts entirely on the interior side of your existing deadbolt, so the outside of your door is unchanged and your existing keys still work.

What is the cheapest Matter over Thread smart lock?

The Dreame Navo Smart Lock A10 at around 180 dollars, which includes nine unlock methods including AI fingerprint recognition.

Smart Door Locks: The 2026 Directory

Smart door locks in 2026 split cleanly into two camps: retrofit locks that keep your existing deadbolt and keys, and full replacements that add fingerprint, Apple Home Key or ultra-wideband hands-free unlock. Matter over Thread is now the connectivity standard worth paying for, since it gives you local control that survives an internet outage and works across Apple Home, Google Home and Alexa at once. This directory covers every lock type, what each one actually fits, and where the money goes.

What is a smart door lock?

A smart door lock replaces or augments a deadbolt so it can be operated by phone, code, fingerprint, NFC card or voice, and can report its state to a smart home system. The three form factors are: retrofit units that mount over the interior side of an existing deadbolt and leave your exterior hardware untouched, full deadbolt replacements that swap both sides, and rim locks that mount on the door surface for gates, glass doors and classic European hardware. Connectivity ranges from Bluetooth-only to Wi-Fi to Matter over Thread, and that choice matters more than the unlock methods.

Buying guide

Renters and anyone who wants to keep their existing keys should start with the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen, which is the cleanest retrofit on the market. If you own the door and want the best all-round experience, the Schlage Encode Plus adds built-in Wi-Fi, Apple Home Key and Matter with no bridge — our Schlage vs August comparison covers that decision in detail.

Apple households willing to spend more should look at the Aqara U400, the first lock combining Home Key, Matter over Thread and UWB hands-free unlock, which retracts the deadbolt as you walk up. On price, the Dreame Navo A10 is the value story of 2026: Matter over Thread and nine unlock methods for under 200 dollars, a tier that used to start at 260. If you care most about entry method, see the best keypad door lock and the best fingerprint door lock. Awkward doors are the exception, and the Aqara Smart Rim Lock U500 exists specifically for iron gates and glass doors that defeat conventional deadbolts.