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Yale

Yale Approach Lock with Wi-Fi + Keypad: the downsides first

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#2 of 8
$RetrofitScore 4.2/5
24%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Very small sample: 90 ratings, pooled across with- and without-keypad versions.

Wirecutter's adapter pick and Tom's Guide's best budget lock: slim, quick to fit over your existing deadbolt, with fast, accurate auto-unlock. Remote control needs a plug-in Wi-Fi bridge, the motor is noisy and it doesn't work with Apple Home.

Top complaints

  • Needs a plug-in Wi-Fi bridge

    Without the included Yale Connect bridge it works only over Bluetooth. The bridge takes up an outlet and is larger than most smart plugs (Wirecutter, Tom's Guide). Tom's Guide says Wi-Fi would be better built into the lock, as on the August.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Tom's Guide review, Tom's Guide
  • No Apple Home

    Wirecutter and Tom's Guide both note it doesn't support Apple Home. Tom's Guide says Matter support was promised by software update.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Tom's Guide review
  • Noisy motor

    Tom's Guide lists a noisy motor as a reason to avoid it, in both its review and its buying guide.

    Source: Tom's Guide review, Tom's Guide

What owners love

  • Minutes to install

    Wirecutter says anyone with a screwdriver can install it in a couple of minutes. The four adapters fit standard deadbolts with no issues, where rival adapters failed. Tom's Guide's install took under 10 minutes, and Amazon shoppers call it easy.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Tom's Guide review, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)
  • Slim and good-looking

    Wirecutter calls it the best-looking lock it has tested: shallow, with rounded edges. Tom's Guide says it sticks out only 1.6 inches.

    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Tom's Guide review
  • Snappy auto-unlock and door sensor

    Tom's Guide found auto-unlock snappy and accurate, unlocking in 2.1 seconds on average. Wirecutter says the included DoorSense works well and stops auto-lock from firing while the door is open.

    Source: Tom's Guide review, Wirecutter (NYT)
Good for
  • Keeping your existing deadbolt and keys
  • A slim retrofit on a budget
  • Alexa, Google Home or SmartThings users

Scores (tap for why)

  • Reliable locking4.0
    Why 4.0?Wirecutter says it works quickly and reliably, and Tom's Guide found auto-unlock accurate. Amazon has too few ratings to judge.
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Tom's Guide review
  • App & smart home3.5
    Why 3.5?Works with Alexa, Google, Philips Hue and SmartThings, but needs the plug-in bridge for remote access and has no Apple Home (Wirecutter, Tom's Guide).
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Tom's Guide review
  • Easy install5.0
    Why 5.0?A couple of minutes for Wirecutter and under 10 for Tom's Guide, with adapters for most single-cylinder deadbolts. It doesn't fit mortise or rotary locks.
    Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Tom's Guide review

What experts say

  • Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for a deadbolt adapter: works quickly and reliably and installs easily. The bundle includes a keypad and Wi-Fi bridge, but there's no Apple Home support.
  • Tom's Guide: Best budget smart lock (updated 2026-07-17). Easy retrofit with good auto-lock and auto-unlock, but it needs a separate Wi-Fi bridge and the motor is noisy.
  • CNET: Not on its list: a great retrofit with a keypad add-on, but CNET prefers Yale's Matter lock for anyone willing to replace the deadbolt.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked smart locks whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in smart locksSchlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt

Wirecutter's top pick: easy to install, top-grade hardware and rubber keys that are simple to use. But the Schlage app is slow, it doesn't work with Apple Home or Matter, and it has no door sensor, so auto-lock can throw the bolt while the door is open.

Its catch: slow app, settings only in bluetooth range#3 in smart locksAugust Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Gen)

PCMag's and CNET's favorite retrofit: it fits over your existing deadbolt, keeps your keys and works with almost every platform. The catch is batteries that PCMag says last up to three months (some Amazon owners say six weeks) and a bulky body. Some owners also report random auto-unlocks.

Its catch: short battery life#4 in smart locksSchlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt

Tap your iPhone or Apple Watch to unlock, with a built-in alarm and Schlage's top-grade hardware. But it costs around $300, setting it up through HomeKit locks you out of features in Schlage's app, and a quarter of Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars.

Its catch: homekit setup trade-offs and connection issues

Head-to-head

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