The Best Smart Locks for Tennessee Homes (2025)

Smart locks are only 'smart' if they hold up in the real world. In Nashville that means salt air near the coast, humidity everywhere, and a hurricane season that can knock out Wi-Fi. Here are the models we recommend after installing thousands of them across the Middle Tennessee.

Best overall: Schlage Encode / Encode Plus

Built-in Wi-Fi so it does not need a hub, real ANSI Grade 1 or 2 build quality, and a physical key override. The best balance of security, connectivity and long-term reliability for most Nashville homes.

Best value: Kwikset Halo

Wi-Fi, keypad, physical key backup, and easy to install. Not as heavy-duty as the Schlage but a very solid mid-price choice for townhomes and condos.

Best for Apple/Google ecosystem: August Wi-Fi

Retrofits over your existing deadbolt so you keep the same key. Excellent app, native HomeKit support and quiet operation. Best for renters or homeowners who want minimal cosmetic change.

What to skip

Ultra-cheap no-name smart locks from marketplaces. Battery drain, weak physical security and 'cloud accounts' that suddenly vanish are common — a great smart lock costs more upfront and less over its lifetime.