6 Best Smart Locks for Airbnb & Vacation Rentals (2026)

Updated August 2026

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A smart lock on a rental property has one job: let the right person in at the right time without creating another problem for the owner.

That sounds simple. It isn't.

The lock has to work for guests who have never seen it before, cleaners coming in between stays, maintenance workers who may need temporary access and an owner who might be hundreds of miles away when something goes wrong.

For most Airbnb and short-term rental owners, we think the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the best choice.

It has built-in Wi-Fi, keypad entry, remote management, temporary access codes, a physical key backup and direct Airbnb integration. It also avoids paying extra for features that matter more at your own home than at a rental.

If you own a vacation home that you also rent out, the Schlage Encode Plus becomes more interesting. If you want better door-status awareness, look closely at the Yale Assure Lock 2.

Here are the locks we'd consider first.

Choosing the right lock is only the first step. Our guide to Airbnb smart lock guest codes explains how to create, schedule, share and remove access codes between reservations.

*Manufacturer pricing checked in August 2026 and subject to change.

For a broader cross-platform comparison—including which models have built-in Wi-Fi, Matter, Apple Home and Airbnb support—see our Smart Lock Compatibility Chart

The Schlage Encode isn't the newest lock here, and for a rental property that's fine with us.

We'd rather have proven hardware, a keypad guests immediately understand and remote controls that don't require extra equipment.

Wi-Fi is built into the Encode, so you don't need a separate bridge for normal remote access. Through the Schlage Home app, you can lock or unlock the door, check its status, review activity and manage access codes.

The Encode supports up to 100 codes, which gives you plenty of room for guests, cleaners, property managers and service vendors.

Its biggest advantage for short-term rentals is the direct Airbnb integration.

Once connected, Airbnb can create a unique code for a reservation and provide it to the guest. That means you don't have to manually create a new PIN every time someone books.

For a busy rental, that matters more than fingerprint readers or flashy smart-home features.

The Encode does not support Apple Home Key. We don't see that as much of a drawback for an Airbnb.

Guests need a reliable code, not access to your smart-home ecosystem.

Best fit: Airbnb hosts who want straightforward remote access and reservation-based code management without adding extra hardware.

The Yale Assure Lock 2 is the closest competitor to the Encode.

Yale offers versions specifically aimed at vacation-rental hosts, and compatible models can connect directly with Airbnb.

What separates Yale is DoorSense.

A smart lock can tell you the deadbolt is extended, but that doesn't necessarily mean the door is fully closed. DoorSense adds awareness of whether the door itself is open or shut.

That's useful on a rental.

Guests don't always pull a door completely closed behind them, and knowing the actual door position is more valuable than simply knowing the lock tried to engage.

Yale also offers several versions of the Assure Lock 2, including fingerprint and Apple Home Key models.

The downside is that the product line can be confusing. Locks that look almost identical can have different connectivity and access features.

If you're buying specifically for Airbnb, confirm that the exact model you're ordering supports the Wi-Fi configuration and integration you need.

Best fit: Owners who want Airbnb automation but place a higher value on door-status monitoring and Yale's access features.

August takes a different approach.

Instead of replacing the entire deadbolt, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock replaces the hardware on the inside of the door. Your existing exterior lock and key can remain in place.

That's useful if you want to preserve the appearance of the door or keep your current keys.

For a rental, we'd pair it with the keypad. Airbnb supports compatible August locks when they're set up with the appropriate keypad and connectivity.

The retrofit design is August's biggest advantage.

It's also the reason we'd rank it below Schlage and Yale for a property where you're starting from scratch. There are simply more pieces involved.

If you're already replacing the entire deadbolt, we'd rather use an integrated lock.

Best fit: Properties where you want smart access without changing the exterior deadbolt.

The Encode Plus is one of our favorite smart locks for a primary residence.

For a dedicated Airbnb, though, the regular Schlage Encode usually makes more sense.

The key upgrade is Apple Home Key, which allows compatible iPhones and Apple Watches to unlock the door with a tap.

That's excellent when you live in the house.

It's less useful when most people entering the property are temporary guests using keypad codes.

The equation changes if you also use the property yourself.

Guests can use their reservation codes while you and your family use Apple Home Key during personal stays. In that situation, the extra cost is easier to justify.

The Encode Plus also supports the same direct Airbnb integration as the standard Encode.

Best fit: Vacation homes that are part personal residence, part short-term rental.

The Yale Approach adds smart access without replacing the exterior side of the deadbolt. That renter-friendly design also earned it a place in our guide to the best smart locks for renters.

When configured with compatible Wi-Fi equipment and a keypad, it can work with Airbnb's smart-lock integration.

The Approach also supports DoorSense and Yale's remote-management features.

We'd consider it if you're already using Yale products or specifically want a retrofit installation.

Otherwise, the Schlage Encode or Yale Assure Lock 2 is a cleaner choice for a new installation.

Best fit: Owners who want to preserve exterior hardware and prefer Yale's ecosystem.

The Schlage Arrive is here for a different reason.

If you're managing a traditional rental rather than a nightly or weekly vacation rental, you may not care about Airbnb integration at all.

At roughly $199, the Arrive gives landlords built-in Wi-Fi, remote access and support for up to 250 access codes.

That makes it useful for managing tenants, contractors, property managers and maintenance workers without handing out physical keys.

As of August 2026, Airbnb does not list the Arrive among the models supported by its direct smart-lock integration.

For a long-term rental, that may not matter.

Best fit: Traditional landlords who want remote access management without paying for vacation-rental features.

Compare the two directly in our Schlage Arrive vs. Encode guide before deciding whether Airbnb integration is worth the extra $100.

A long feature list doesn't automatically make a lock better for a rental property.

We'd focus on six things.

A guest should walk up to the door, enter a code and get inside.

They shouldn't need to download an app, pair Bluetooth or figure out which smart-home platform you're using.

For rentals, a keypad remains the simplest solution.

Using the same code for every reservation defeats much of the purpose of installing a smart lock.

A past guest should not still be able to open the property months later.

The best rental setups automate this process so each reservation gets its own code with a defined start and end time.

If a guest can't get in, the problem becomes yours.

A good rental lock should let you check its status, create or remove codes and unlock the door remotely.

That's why we'd avoid a Bluetooth-only lock for a property you manage from somewhere else.

No electronic lock is immune to dead batteries, network problems or hardware failures.

We prefer having a physical key backup or another secure way to get into the property if something fails.

Figure that out before the emergency, not during it.

A battery warning at your own house is mildly annoying.

A battery warning at a property 600 miles away is an operating issue.

Use fresh batteries, pay attention to alerts and make replacement part of your maintenance routine.

Smart deadbolts don't like fighting badly aligned doors.

If the deadbolt rubs against the strike plate or needs pressure on the door before it can lock, fix that first.

Poor alignment makes the lock work harder and can create problems that look like electronic failures.

For one or two Airbnb properties, Airbnb's direct smart-lock integration can be very convenient.

Airbnb currently supports compatible models from Schlage, Yale and August for eligible properties in the United States and Canada.

Larger operators should look beyond Airbnb.

If your properties are also listed on Vrbo, Booking.com or a direct-booking site, your property management software may become the better place to automate access.

Before buying the same lock for several properties, check whether your PMS can:

A good lock matters.

The system around it matters more as your portfolio grows.

Usually not.

Fingerprint readers are useful for owners, cleaners or property managers who enter frequently.

Guests still need a simple universal way to get inside.

That's the keypad.

We wouldn't pay more for a rental lock just because it has a fingerprint reader.

For a dedicated Airbnb, probably not.

Home Key is excellent at a primary residence. It's fast and convenient if your household uses iPhones and Apple Watches.

Rental guests are different.

A keypad code works regardless of what phone they own.

If the property is also your vacation home, Apple Home Key becomes more useful. That's where the Encode Plus starts to justify its premium.

The Schlage Sense Pro is one of the more interesting smart locks released in 2026.

It adds newer technologies including Matter over Thread and ultra-wideband hands-free unlocking, and Schlage says it can work with Airbnb.

At roughly $399, we wouldn't make it our first choice for a dedicated rental.

Most of its headline features benefit the person who uses the lock every day. Airbnb guests primarily need a reliable keypad code.

The Sense Pro may eventually become a stronger rental recommendation. Right now, we'd rather spend less on the proven Encode.

If we were buying today:

Schlage Encode is our choice for most Airbnb properties.

Yale Assure Lock 2 is the strongest alternative, particularly if DoorSense appeals to you.

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock + Keypad makes the most sense when you want to preserve existing exterior hardware.

Schlage Encode Plus is worth the upgrade when you personally use the property and want Apple Home Key.

Schlage Arrive deserves serious consideration for a traditional long-term rental where Airbnb integration isn't relevant.

None of these locks will make a rental property run itself.

The right one can eliminate one of the most annoying parts of running it: getting the right people through the door without handing out keys.

We think the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is the best overall smart lock for most Airbnb properties. It combines built-in Wi-Fi, keypad entry, temporary codes, remote management, physical key backup and direct Airbnb integration.

Airbnb currently supports compatible smart locks from Schlage, Yale and August for eligible listings in the United States and Canada.

With a compatible connected smart lock, Airbnb can automatically create a unique code for a reservation and provide it to the guest.

We give Schlage a slight edge because the Encode combines the features most Airbnb hosts need in a simple package. Yale is a strong alternative if you value DoorSense or prefer Yale's hardware.

Usually not for a dedicated rental. The standard Encode provides most of the important rental features for less money.

The Encode Plus makes more sense if you also stay at the property and want Apple Home Key for yourself.

If you want remote management and Airbnb's direct smart-lock integration, you'll need a compatible lock connected to Wi-Fi.

It isn't required, but we prefer having a secure backup method of entry in case the electronic lock fails.

We evaluate rental-property smart locks differently from locks intended primarily for homeowners.

For this guide, we prioritized:

We reviewed current manufacturer specifications and Airbnb compatibility information available in August 2026.

For a rental property, the best smart lock isn't the one with the most features.

It's the one that works without making you think about it.