I live in an apartment and I can’t change the existing keys because that would require me to give a copy of the new key to the leasing office. Also, when I get a smart lock, I want to be able to install it myself. Creating a maintenance work order and stuff is not ideal for me.

For the above reasons, I’d need a lock that can work with the existing door lock, and one that’s easy to install. With the experience I gained while upgrading to smart locks for my apartment, I have created this guide to help you choose the right smart lock for your needs.

First off, let’s look at the most important considerations when choosing a smart lock.


What to consider when buying a smart lock for Apartment Doors

Here’s what you need to check when buying a smart lock:

1. Check if it requires changing the existing keys

Obviously, if you have a door lock installed at the moment, you want to make sure that the smart lock is compatible with the existing keys. Some smart locks will require you to change the existing keys.

2. Consider the changes that you need to make to the current lock

Depending on the type of door lock you have, the changes that need to be made for a smart lock will vary. Some require major changes, such as drilling and that can be an issue when living in an apartment.

3. Look for a lock that is easy to install

Regardless of where you plan to use the smart lock, you want one that is easy to install. A lock that requires professional installation can be extremely costly and time-consuming, so try to look for one that is easy to install yourself.

4. Pay attention to the features

Smart locks can come with a range of features, from access control to remote control. Make sure to consider your needs and the features you need in order to make the best choice.


If your requirements are close to the ones above, here are my 7 best smart lock picks for your apartment building:

1. SwitchBot Wi-Fi Smart Lock for Existing Deadbolt

I have installed this lock in my apartment and I absolutely love it. It is smart, easy to install and very convenient for apartment residents.

If ease of installation is a particularly important factor, this smart lock for apartment doors is a great choice. You get to retrofit your older deadbolt lock in minutes without the need to change anything.

To install the lock, you’ll only need the 3M adhesive that’s supplied with the product. You get to keep the physical key and the overall functionality of your luck.

The good thing is that you’ll be adding lots of automation options to your door, including voice control, app control, keypad control, and apple watch control.

Key features:

  • WiFi compatible
  • Voice control
  • App control
  • Keypad
  • Watch control
  • NFC tag
  • Compatible with: Jimmy proof lock, double cylinder deadbolt, and mortise locks
  • Incompatible with: rim locks, Gerda Tytan, multi-point locks, lever locks, and cylindrical locks


2. August V4 Smart Lock

This apartment door lock is a perfect fit for those who like DIY projects. The August Smart Lock works with your existing deadbolt, so you won’t need to make any additional changes.

And the installation process is quite simple. It requires only basic tools with straightforward steps. You only need to take off the thumbturn from the interior side and replace it with the smart lock.

The outside side remains unchanged, so you can keep your keys just in case you ever need them. And this one is loaded with smart features. Want a hands-free unlocking experience? The lock comes with that as an option. How about face or fingerprint recognition? You can have that too.

Key features:

  • WiFi compatibility
  • Voice control
  • Watch control
  • App control
  • Keypad control (August smart keypad available separately)
  • Biometric recognition
  • Compatible with: Most single-cylinder deadbolts
  • Incompatible with: Mortise locks, Mul-t-Lock deadbolt locks, integrated locks, rim cylinder locks, double cylinder deadbolts, and Medeco deadbolts


3. Wyze Lock

Like the other apartment smart locks listed above, this one also allows you to retain your deadbolt and key, but upgrade your lock with limitless smartness. The installation process is also easy and should require only a couple of minutes.

You simply remove the thumb latch on the inside of the door and replace it with your smart lock – that’s it! Once your keyless entry apartment lock is in place, you can enjoy features like auto lock/unlock, remote lock/unlock, and others.

I particularly liked the auto-lock feature that uses sensors to determine whether the door is closed or open. If the door is closed, it locks it as you leave or unlocks it as you approach.

Key features:

  • Auto lock/unlock
  • Lock/unlock remotely
  • WiFi compatible
  • Voice control
  • App control
  • Optional keypad
  • Has lock history
  • Compatible with most single-cylinder deadbolt locks
  • Incompatible with: Integrated locks & handles, Medeco, rim cylinder, and mortise locks


4. Bosma Aegis Smart Apartment Lock w/WiFi Gateway

If you want to keep your deadbolt, and thus the keys to your apartment, then this smart lock for apartment buildings should be a great pick. Simple to install and loaded with features to make your home safer and smarter, this one is worth the investment.

Installation requires basic tools and should take no more than 10 minutes on average. And once you have your smart lock installed, you can integrate it with your existing home automation system and make the most of its features.

I particularly liked the break-in detection feature that alerts you if a break-in is detected. That should make your home a tad safer. The Bosma team even fitted this lock with an advanced AES128 encryption protocol to keep you safe from cyber security attacks.

Key features

  • Auto lock/unlock
  • Optional keypad with fingerprint unlock
  • Lock/unlock remotely
  • WiFi compatible
  • Voice control
  • AES128 encryption
  • App control
  • Compatible with most single-cylinder deadbolts
  • Incompatible with double-cylinder deadbolts and mortise locks


5. Level Bolt Smart Lock

If you want to have a smart lock for your apartment but don’t want to change the overall look of the lock, this should be your pick. That’s why the creators of Level Bolt call it the invisible smart lock.

Level Bolt works with your existing lock setup, including the thumbturn and the keys. It allows you to retain the conventional look of your lock by changing just the deadbolt and strike plate.

The installation process isn’t even and should take no more than 15 minutes. And if you get the instructions right, you can have your new smart lock up and running in under 10 minutes.

Like the other smart locks mentioned above, this one also has great smart features such as auto lock and unlock, remote connectivity, lock automation, and notifications. Unlike the other locks, however, you need to keep in mind that this one uses Bluetooth instead of WiFi for connectivity.

Key features:

  • Auto lock/unlock
  • Voice control
  • App control
  • Remote access
  • Shared access
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Can work with a keypad
  • Activity history
  • Compatible with American standard deadbolts
  • Incompatible with mortise locks


6. August Lock + Connect Bridge

If you don’t like the idea of replacing the entire deadbolt, then this is the perfect lock for you. All August Lock requires is that you replace only the inside turnkey of your existing lock. This is a process that takes only a couple of minutes and you have a new smart lock for your apartment.

The lock comes with a WiFi connectivity bridge to make it possible to connect your lock with the August app. You can control the lock remotely, receive notifications when someone is trying to enter, and even create and share temporary guest keys with your family and friends.

It also has an auto keyless feature that unlocks your door as you approach it and locks it as you leave the door. And there are lots of integrations such as voice integrations and automation integrations that will make your lock even smarter.

Key features:

  • WiFi connectivity
  • Auto lock/unlock
  • Shared access (guest keys)
  • Remote access
  • Voice control
  • App control
  • Watch control
  • Keypad option for code entry
  • AES 128-bit and TLS encryption
  • Compatible with single-cylinder deadbolt locks
  • Incompatible with mortise locks, double cylinder, single-sided, Mul-t-lock, and Medeco deadbolt locks


7. Kwikset 99390-001 Halo Wi-Fi Lock

This keyless entry apartment smart lock is different from the others mentioned above in that it requires a full lock installation. But you still get to keep your existing keys, thanks to the re-keying feature.

The Kwikset 99390-001 Halo Wi-Fi Lock is a great choice for those looking for the most advanced security and convenience features. There is a somewhat intricate installation process that you have to follow, but the installation manual makes it easy to follow.

Once you have the lock installed, you can enjoy a wide range of convenient features from the Kwikset app. These include remote access, scheduled access, customizable user codes, activity tracking, and an integrated touch keypad. I, however, quickly noted that this one, despite having a high price tag, doesn’t come with the automated locking and unlocking feature.

Still, it is a great lock that’s worth the investment.

Key features:

  • WiFi connectivity
  • App control
  • Voice control
  • Remote access
  • Keypad access
  • Wrong code alarm
  • One-touch locking
  • Low-battery alerts
  • Customizable user codes
  • Scheduled access settings
  • Secure mode (disables keypad)
  • Compatible with American standard deadbolt locks
  • Incompatible with rim locks, integrated interior locks, and mortise locks


 

And there you have it!

The best smart lock options for apartment buildings without having to worry about changing your existing keys while giving you top-notch security and convenience features. With these locks, you can control access to your apartment with just a few clicks and enjoy a secure and hassle-free life.

The best part? Installing them is a DIY project! So go ahead, and upgrade your home security with one of these smart locks today to enjoy all the benefits that come with it.