The best smart locks to recommend to STR investor clients

Yale Assure Lock 2 — Best overall

Best for: most STR clients

Starting price: ~$260

Native Airbnb integration via the Yale/August app. Built-in Wi-Fi (no hub required) on the Wi-Fi version. 9-12 months on four AA batteries. Matter compatible (Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Alexa). 250-code capacity, more than the Schlage models. Available in touchscreen and physical keypad variants.

Skip if: your client wants ANSI Grade 1 (highest residential security rating) — Schlage Encode Plus is the answer there.

What to tell your client: "This is what the professionally managed vacation rental down the street is using. It just works."

Schlage Encode Plus — Best for security-conscious clients

Best for: security-sensitive urban or luxury properties

Starting price: ~$329

Built-in Wi-Fi, no hub. ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 (the highest residential rating). Native Airbnb integration. 3-year warranty (longest in the category). Apple Home Keys support.

Skip if: your client wants the cheapest path to native Airbnb integration — Schlage Encode (standard) is $30 cheaper for the same core integration.

What to tell your client: "If the property is in a high-traffic urban market or stores expensive amenities, Schlage's Grade 1 rating is worth the upgrade."

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen) — Best for HOA/condo restrictions

Best for: HOA, condo, or historic properties

Starting price: ~$200 + ~$50-$80 keypad

Retrofits onto the existing deadbolt without changing the exterior — critical for condos, historic districts, and any HOA that restricts hardware changes. Native Airbnb integration (Yale/August share parent company). 6-9 month battery life.

Skip if: your client's property has no exterior restrictions — Yale or Schlage are sturdier.

What to tell your client: "If you can't change the door's exterior, August is the only good answer. Tell your HOA you're not modifying the hardware."

igloohome Deadbolt 2S — Best for properties without reliable Wi-Fi

Best for: remote cabins, beach houses, mountain properties

Starting price: ~$160-$200

Patented algoPIN technology generates time-sensitive offline codes — the lock never needs to be online. Critical for remote cabins, beach houses with spotty Wi-Fi, and mountain properties. ~12-month battery life.

Skip if: your client's property has reliable internet — a Wi-Fi lock is better.

What to tell your client: "If the property is off-grid or has unreliable Wi-Fi, igloohome is the only lock that doesn't break."

Schlage Encode (standard) — Best value with native Airbnb integration

Best for: cost-conscious clients who want native integration

Starting price: ~$299

Same core integration as Encode Plus, slightly lower spec on the security rating (Grade 2) and warranty (1 year). The value play when Grade 1 isn't a priority.

Skip if: your client wants Grade 1 — Encode Plus is the upgrade for the security-conscious.

Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro — Best budget option with fingerprint

Best for: cost-sensitive clients already on Hospitable or Hostaway

Starting price: ~$189

Six entry methods including fingerprint. No native Airbnb integration — requires a PMS-level integration through Hospitable, Hostaway, or RemoteLock.

Skip if: your client wants the simplest possible setup — the PMS layer adds a step.

What to tell your client: "If price matters and your PMS handles code generation, Ultraloq is real money saved."