(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: 1,435 ratings on the Wi-Fi keypad listing (YRD410-WF1, Satin Nickel); may pool finishes.
CNET's best overall and Wirecutter's runner-up: sturdy, stylish and compatible with Alexa, Google and Apple Home. The Wi-Fi version eats batteries and warns you late (PCMag got locked out in the rain), and almost 3 in 10 Amazon ratings are 1 or 2 stars.
Top complaints
- Short battery life and late low-battery warning
PCMag says Yale rates the Wi-Fi model at about three months per set of AAs. Its own unit lasted seven weeks under heavy use, and the app shows no battery level until it drops below 20%. PCMag was locked out in a downpour before the warning arrived and had to power the keypad with a 9V battery. Amazon's summary says some owners' batteries last only four weeks and some report being locked out.
- Flaky auto-unlock and connections
Wirecutter's long-term tester says auto-unlock is a bit unreliable, sometimes unlocking only after he's inside. PCMag found that with the Wi-Fi module it sometimes failed to auto-unlock. Amazon's summary says Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are inconsistent, and that some units stopped working suddenly or broke after two months.
- Fiddly installation
Even after three installs, Wirecutter struggled to get the lock flush to the door, and Yale's wireless module must go in at a specific point before the batteries. PCMag's helper took about two hours, though he took his time, and the optional DoorSense needed a 5/8-inch hole drilled.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), PCMag review
What owners love
- Sturdy and good-looking
Wirecutter calls the all-metal housing notably heavy-duty and confidence-inspiring, and says the lock doesn't stand out on a door. CNET calls it compact and sturdy, and Amazon shoppers like its slim look.
- Works with Apple Home, Alexa and Google
PCMag had no trouble connecting it to Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant, and calls the Yale Access app simple and well organized. CNET says the app is excellent. Wirecutter notes you can't create or manage PINs in Apple's Home app.
- Door sensor and offline alerts
Wirecutter says the included DoorSense stops auto-lock from firing while the door is open and can alert you if it's left open. The lock also notifies you if it loses Wi-Fi, which Wirecutter says most smart locks don't.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT)
- You don't want to change batteries every few months
- You rely on auto-unlock
- You want a quick, fuss-free install
- Apple Home plus Alexa or Google households
- A sturdy, low-profile keypad with a door sensor
- Kids or guests who need simple codes
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- CNET: Best overall smart lock: compact, sturdy, excellent app and works with many platforms. It can be pricey, and not all models have fingerprint access.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Runner-up: excellent hardware and reliable performance, but harder to install and manage than the Schlage Arrive.
- PCMag: 4.0/5, Most Affordable HomeKit Lock. The cons are poor battery life on the Wi-Fi model, a short low-battery warning and iffy auto-unlock over Wi-Fi.