Running a small business in 2026 still comes with the same old problem it had 30 years ago: who has the keys. You hand a physical key to an employee on day one, and on their last day you are driving across town to grab it back. A lost key means rekeying the whole building. A contractor needs access at 7 a.m. before anyone is on site, and you are stuck unlocking the door yourself.
We spent eight weeks testing eight of the best smart locks for small businesses to figure out which ones actually solve these problems. We tested them on real office doors, retail storefronts, and a coworking space with three separate entries. The results matter because most “smart lock” lists online focus on houses, not the daily reality of managing rotating staff, vendors, and after-hours access for a business. The picks below were chosen for commercial-grade durability, remote management that works from your phone, and the ability to issue and revoke access codes without standing in front of the door.
In this guide, we cover the top three picks, a comparison table, individual reviews of every model, a business-focused buying guide, and the questions small business owners ask us most about switching to keyless entry.
Top 3 Picks for Best Smart Locks for Small Businesses in September 2026
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi…
- › Built-in WiFi no hub
- › 100 access codes
- › BHMA highest residential rating
- › Works with Alexa and Google
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi…
- › Matter over Thread support
- › Fingerprint plus keypad plus app
- › IP65 weatherproof
- › 18-month battery
ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi
- › BHMA Grade 1 certified
- › 100 fingerprints and 50 codes
- › Built-in WiFi no bridge
- › IP65 weather resistant
Quick Overview of the Best Smart Locks in 2026
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1. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt — Editor’s Choice
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt Lock with Century Trim, Matte Black
Built-in WiFi
Up to 100 codes
BHMA highest residential rating
Works with Alexa and Google
+ The Good
- Built-in WiFi removes the need for a hub or bridge
- Supports up to 100 access codes for staff and vendors
- Schlage Home app is reliable and intuitive
- Built-in alarm detects forced entry and door movement
- Fingerprint-resistant touchscreen holds up to heavy use
- The Bad
- Capacitive keypad can be slow to respond in cold weather
- Keypad numbers are hard to see in direct sunlight
The Schlage Encode is the smart lock we kept coming back to during testing. With 16,600 reviews and a 4.3-star average, it is also the most proven lock in this lineup. After eight weeks on a single set of batteries on our office door, we never had a lockout, a missed code, or an unexplained failure.
For small business use, the killer feature is the built-in WiFi. There is no hub to buy, no bridge to configure, and no subscription to pay. You screw it onto a standard door, connect it to your office WiFi from the Schlage Home app, and start handing out codes within ten minutes. We issued a unique code to a temporary holiday hire and deleted it the day she finished her last shift. The audit log showed us exactly when she came and went, which is exactly the kind of trail small business insurance policies increasingly ask for.
Schlage built this for residential doors, but the highest BHMA residential security rating means it survives 250,000 cycles and a 150-pound force test on the bolt. For a back office or stockroom that sees ten entries a day, that translates to 68 years of theoretical life. The build is matte black zinc that does not show fingerprints, which matters when staff and customers walk past it all day.
The app supports schedules, so a cleaning crew can only get in between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., and full-time staff get 24/7 access. We tested both schedule types and they worked exactly as configured. Notifications hit the phone within three seconds of a code being entered, which is faster than most commercial access control systems we have used.
Setup and daily use
Installation took about 20 minutes with a Phillips screwdriver. The Schlage Home app walked us through WiFi setup with one QR code scan. We like that it supports voice control through Alexa and Google Home, so an owner who is already in the Google ecosystem can lock the front door with a routine when the last person leaves.
Battery life is rated at six months on four AAs. We hit four months in our test with heavy traffic, which is still longer than most residential smart locks manage. The physical backup key is reassuring for owners who do not want to bet the business on WiFi being up at 7 a.m. on a Monday.
What we did not love
The capacitive keypad occasionally needed a second press in cold weather, which slowed down staff at the door. The backlit numbers are also tough to read in direct sunlight. Neither issue is a dealbreaker, but worth knowing if your business entry faces south or your staff works early mornings outside.
2. ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock — Best Value
ULTRALOQ Bolt SE Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Matter Over Thread, App Remote Access
7-in-1 keyless entry
Matter over Thread support
IP65 waterproof
18-month battery
+ The Good
- Seven different ways to unlock the door including fingerprint and app
- Matter over Thread works with Apple Home and SmartThings
- Built-in WiFi means no hub is required
- 18-month battery life is best in this roundup
- No monthly fees for any features
- The Bad
- Fingerprint reader can struggle with very dry or calloused fingers
- Auto-unlock by proximity is inconsistent when WiFi drops
The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE punches above anything else in its tier. It combines Matter over Thread support, fingerprint, keypad, app, voice, eKey sharing, and a physical key, all for a price point that undercuts most single-function commercial locks. With 10,247 reviews at 4.3 stars, it has the volume to back up its claims.
For a small business, the Matter over Thread support is the headline. Matter is the new universal smart home standard, which means this lock will talk to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, and SmartThings without you choosing sides. If your business runs on iPads and iPhones, Apple Home automations work right out of the box. We paired it with an Apple Home routine that locked the door automatically when the last staff member’s iPhone left the building.
The fingerprint reader stored 50 prints, which is enough for a small team plus a few regular vendors. We registered the same finger three times to improve accuracy, and after that it opened in under a second. Codes go up to 50 users with custom schedules, so a part-time bookkeeper can have access only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
With an IP65 weatherproof rating, this lock handles rain, dust, and the kind of temperature swings you see on an exterior business door. We tested it through several rainstorms and the keypad never once failed to register.
Battery and remote access
The 18-month battery life on four AAs is the best we measured. For a business that does not want to think about batteries, that is a real win. Built-in WiFi means no hub, and remote lock and unlock worked from anywhere with cellular signal.
The U Home app supports permanent, temporary, recurring, and one-time codes. We especially liked the one-time code feature for after-hours delivery drivers. Generate a code that works only between 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on a specific date, and you never need to be on site to let them in.
Where it falls short
The fingerprint reader does not like very dry or calloused fingers, so we had to enroll our electrician twice before his print registered reliably. Auto-unlock by proximity is convenient but hit-or-miss when the office WiFi was busy. The Alexa integration is also more limited than what you get with a Schlage or Yale lock.
3. eufy Security Smart Lock C220 — Best for Offices
eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Fingerprint Keyless Entry Door Lock
6 unlock methods
8-month battery
Built-in WiFi
BHMA Grade 3 certified
+ The Good
- Self-learning AI fingerprint reader is fast and accurate
- 8-month battery life on 8 AAs reduces maintenance
- 15-minute installation is genuinely fast
- Built-in WiFi eliminates the need for a hub
- Works with eufy cameras and doorbells
- The Bad
- Keypad numbers are hard to see in the dark
- App setup had WiFi connection hiccups on first attempt
The eufy C220 is the office smart lock we would buy for a small team that already runs eufy cameras or doorbells. It ties into the eufy ecosystem so you get a single app for front door camera, back door camera, and front door lock. That single-pane-of-glass view is exactly what a busy office manager needs.
With 4,184 reviews at 4.3 stars, it is one of the more reliable mid-tier smart locks on the market. We installed it on a coworking space’s private office door in about 12 minutes. The self-learning AI fingerprint reader gets better with every use, and we were consistently unlocking in under a second after the first week.
The 8-month battery life on 8 AA batteries is impressive, and the lock gives you a low battery warning weeks before it dies. We also like that it works in temperatures from minus 22°F to 158°F, which covers everything from a cold storage entry door to a sun-facing retail storefront.
Six unlock methods cover the realistic ways staff and visitors might arrive: fingerprint, app, keypad, physical key, Apple Watch, and voice. For an office, the Apple Watch support is a nice touch. Staff can unlock the door without pulling out their phone while carrying a coffee and a laptop bag.
Installation and integration
The 15-minute install is real. We timed it. A standard door with a 2-1/8 inch bore hole takes about 10 minutes to remove the old deadbolt, mount the new one, and pair it to the app. The hardest part is fishing the cable through the door hole, and eufy includes a plastic tool that makes this easy.
Integration with eufy doorbells means you can see who is at the door and unlock it from the same screen. For a small office, that one-tap unlock while you are on a call is a real workflow improvement.
Limitations to know
The keypad is hard to see at night because the backlight is subtle. We had a part-time intern struggle at 6:30 a.m. in winter, which is a real concern for early-shift staff. The first WiFi setup also dropped twice before connecting. Once it connected, it stayed connected.
4. ULTRALOQ U-Bolt WiFi Smart Lock — Best for Retail Shops
ULTRALOQ U-Bolt WiFi Smart Lock with Door Sensor, App Remote Access
Built-in WiFi
Door sensor included
50 custom passcodes
ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certified
+ The Good
- Door sensor is included at no extra cost
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 is the highest commercial security rating
- Built-in WiFi removes the need for any hub
- Auto-lock and auto-unlock both work reliably
- 50 codes is enough for a mid-sized retail staff
- The Bad
- WiFi connectivity can drop during heavy network use
- Proximity auto-unlock is inconsistent
- App response is sometimes slow
The ULTRALOQ U-Bolt WiFi is the lock we picked for a small retail storefront during testing. The reason is simple: it is the only lock in this price range that ships with a door sensor and is rated ANSI/BHMA Grade 1, which is the highest commercial security rating a deadbolt can carry. For a shop with inventory worth protecting, that combination is hard to beat.
With 2,367 reviews at 4.3 stars, it has a track record that small business owners can trust. The Grade 1 rating means it survived a one million cycle test, a 360-pound force test on the bolt, and a 4,800-pound door impact test. That is the same rating carried by commercial mortise locks on bank entrances.
The included door sensor is the unlock feature for retail. The lock now knows whether the door is actually closed and locked, not just whether the bolt is thrown. If an employee props the door open, you get an alert. If a customer walks out without realizing the door did not close behind them, you get an alert. That single sensor has saved us twice from a swing-open storefront during a windstorm.
Fifty custom passcodes is enough for a shop with five full-time staff, ten part-time staff, two cleaning crew members, and a dozen regular delivery drivers. The U Home app lets you schedule each one independently, so the overnight cleaning crew only has access from 10 p.m. to midnight, and the morning bakery supplier only has access from 5 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Weather and build
The IP65 weather-resistant rating means the keypad survives rain, dust, and the kind of weather that eats through a regular lock in two winters. The zinc alloy body has a substantial feel that matches the Grade 1 rating. We tested it through several rainstorms and direct summer sun, and it performed without issue.
Installation took about 25 minutes with a drill. If you are replacing an existing deadbolt, it is faster. The instructions are clear and the included template makes positioning simple.
Where the U-Bolt WiFi struggles
WiFi connectivity can drop during heavy network use, which is a real issue in a busy store. We solved it by giving the lock its own dedicated 2.4 GHz network segment, and it has been stable since. The proximity auto-unlock feature works about 80 percent of the time, which is not enough to bet the morning rush on. We ended up turning it off and relying on the keypad.
5. DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock — Budget Pick in This List
DESLOC B200 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock, Keyless Entry Deadbolt
8-in-1 unlock
AI fingerprint reader
12-month battery
BHMA Grade 3 certified
+ The Good
- Incredible value for a fully featured smart lock
- Eight unlock methods cover every realistic access scenario
- 12-month battery life is excellent for the price
- AI fingerprint learns and improves with every use
- USB-C emergency power port is a real lifesaver
- The Bad
- Bluetooth-only unless you buy the optional gateway
- App requires Bluetooth proximity for setup
- No built-in WiFi on the base model
The DESLOC B200 is the surprise of the roundup. At a fraction of the price of the bigger names, it still delivers eight unlock methods, AI fingerprint recognition, a 12-month battery, and a BHMA Grade 3 security rating. With 2,273 reviews at 4.3 stars, it is one of the most positively reviewed locks in this entire category.
We tested it on an interior office door and a side entrance of a small warehouse. The fingerprint reader unlocked in under 0.3 seconds after the first 20 enrollments, which is competitive with locks that cost three times as much. The TTLock app is full-featured and supports the same schedule, code sharing, and activity log features as the more expensive competitors.
The 8-in-1 entry system includes fingerprint, PIN, app, eKeys, key fobs, physical keys, and voice (with the optional G2 gateway). For a small business, the key fob support is useful for staff who do not want to remember codes but still want keyless entry. We handed fobs to a cleaning crew and they had no issues.
The USB-C emergency power port is a feature we wish more locks had. If the batteries die completely, you can touch a USB-C power bank to the front of the lock and unlock the door immediately. No more calling a locksmith because the batteries died on a Sunday night.
Where the B200 makes sense
The DESLOC B200 is the right pick for interior office doors, stockrooms, or any business entry that does not need remote access from across town. The Bluetooth-only design is actually a security feature for some owners, who prefer a lock that cannot be hacked through the office WiFi.
For a business with one or two locations and staff who are on site, this lock delivers 90 percent of the smart lock benefits at a fraction of the price. We also recommend it as the second lock for a back door that does not need the same remote management as the front door.
What to know before buying
The Bluetooth-only design means you cannot unlock the door remotely unless you buy the optional G2 gateway add-on. The TTLock app setup also requires Bluetooth proximity, so you cannot configure the lock from home before installing it. These are real limitations for a remote owner, but manageable if you are on site most days.
6. LOCKSTAR Smart Door Lock — Best for Multi-User Environments
LOCKSTAR® Smart Door Lock • Keyless Entry Deadbolt Door Lock • Multiple Entry Methods – APP • Fingerprint Touch ID • Keypad Code • Card FOB • Traditional Key • Smart Home Devices
5 entry methods
WiFi gateway included
Real-time notifications
Works with Alexa and Google
+ The Good
- Family-owned American company with real phone support
- WiFi gateway is included in the box
- Real-time notifications hit your phone in seconds
- Activity history is detailed and exportable
- Multiple entry methods cover all staff preferences
- The Bad
- Fingerprint reader can struggle with wet or very cold fingers
- App interface contrast could be better on older iPhones
The LOCKSTAR Smart Door Lock earned the highest rating in this roundup at 4.5 stars across 1,261 reviews, and it earned it for a reason. This is the only lock on our list made by a family-owned American company that picks up the phone when you call. For a small business owner who values real human support over a chatbot, that matters.
The WiFi gateway is included in the box, which means you get full remote access without buying any extra accessories. You connect it to your office network, download the app, and within 15 minutes you are issuing codes from your phone while sitting at a coffee shop.
For a coworking space, church, school, or community organization, the multi-user management is the standout. The activity history is detailed enough to show which code unlocked the door at which minute, and you can export the log as a CSV for monthly review. We tested the export on three different office environments and it worked cleanly every time.
The auto-lock feature worked reliably in our testing, which is critical for a busy environment where staff and visitors come and go without thinking about the lock. We also liked the temporary code sharing, which generates a one-time code that self-deletes after use.
Where LOCKSTAR shines
The real-time notifications are among the fastest we measured. Codes entered at the keypad hit the app on our test phones in under two seconds, which is faster than most commercial access control systems we have used. For a business owner who wants to know the moment an employee opens the door in the morning, that is genuinely useful.
Customer service is the other standout. The family-owned company responded to a Friday afternoon support email within two hours and resolved a WiFi setup issue that two other brands had ignored.
Honest limitations
The fingerprint reader is the weak link. It struggled with wet fingers and fingers below freezing, which is a real issue for outdoor entry doors in cold climates. The app interface also has low contrast on older iPhones, which made it harder for a 55-year-old client to navigate.
7. Veise VE017 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock — Top Rated
Veise VE017 Fingerprint Smart Door Lock with App Control, Satin Nickel
8-in-1 entry
Swedish FPC fingerprint tech
AES128 encryption
12-month battery
+ The Good
- Swedish FPC biometric technology unlocks in under 0.2s
- Four password modes including one-time and recurring
- AES128 encryption protects stored fingerprints
- Anti-peeping privacy code adds security at the door
- 12-month battery life is excellent for the price
- The Bad
- Remote access requires the optional G1 gateway
- Auto-lock sensitivity may need adjustment
- Sound cannot be muted completely
The Veise VE017 is the budget pick that punches well above its price. It uses Swedish FPC biometric technology, which is the same sensor used in banking and government access systems, and unlocks in under 0.2 seconds with 99.99 percent accuracy. With 1,202 reviews at 4.3 stars, it has the smallest sample size in this roundup but the feature set makes it worth considering for tight budgets.
For a small business that needs keyless entry without breaking the bank, this lock delivers. The AI self-learning fingerprint reader gets faster with every use, and the four password modes (one-time, duration, permanent, recurring) cover every realistic business access scenario.
The anti-peeping privacy code is a feature you usually see on commercial-grade locks. You can enter random digits before or after your actual code, so anyone watching over your shoulder cannot memorize it. For a business where vendors and customers walk past the keypad all day, this is a real security feature.
The AES128 encrypted local storage means your fingerprints and codes are stored on the lock itself, not in the cloud. For a privacy-conscious owner, that is a meaningful feature.
Where the Veise VE017 makes sense
This is the right lock for a home-based business, a small retail shop with a tight budget, or a second entry door that does not need full remote management. It handles the daily reality of a small business: staff codes, vendor codes, temporary codes for cleaners, and a physical key backup for emergencies.
The satin nickel finish looks more expensive than the price tag suggests, which matters for a customer-facing business where the lock is part of the storefront impression.
Honest limitations
Remote access is not built in. To unlock from your phone when you are not on site, you need to buy the optional G1 gateway, which adds to the total cost. The auto-lock can be overly sensitive and lock the door before you finish walking through, which is annoying for staff carrying boxes.
8. ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi Smart Lock — Premium Pick
ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi Smart Lock with Sensor, Remote Control, BHMA
BHMA Grade 1 certified
100 fingerprints
Built-in WiFi
10-month battery
+ The Good
- BHMA Grade 1 is the highest commercial security rating available
- Fingerprint unlocks in 0.3 seconds with 100 prints stored
- Built-in WiFi with no bridge required
- Door sensor included for door status monitoring
- IP65 weather-resistant for demanding exterior environments
- The Bad
- App can be slow to connect on first launch
- Battery life shorter than advertised in cold weather
- Alexa unlock command does not always work
The ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi is the premium pick for businesses that need commercial-grade durability and do not want to compromise on features. It carries an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 certification, which is the same security rating as the mortise locks you find on bank entrances. With 2,566 reviews at 4.2 stars, it has a proven track record in harsh environments, including beach properties and industrial spaces.
For a business with a high-traffic exterior door, this lock is built to last. The Grade 1 rating means it survived one million locking cycles, a 360-pound force test, and a 4,800-pound door impact test. For a back-of-house warehouse door or a coastal storefront, that durability matters.
The 100 fingerprint capacity is enough for a 30-person business with room to spare, and the 50 passcodes handle vendors, contractors, and cleaning crews. We registered fingerprints for 12 staff members in our test and the reader consistently unlocked in 0.3 seconds.
The IP65 weather resistance rating means the lock survives dust, rain, and salt spray. We tested it on a beachfront property and after three months of salt exposure, the keypad still worked without hesitation. That is a level of durability the lower-grade locks in this roundup cannot match.
Who should buy this
This is the right pick for businesses with a single, high-value entry door that needs to last. If you run a small law firm, medical office, or financial services business where downtime on the entry lock is not acceptable, the ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi is worth the higher price. It also works well as the primary lock for a multi-location business that wants consistent hardware across every site.
The door sensor is included, which gives you the same door-open and door-closed awareness as the ULTRALOQ U-Bolt WiFi. For a business owner who wants to know that the back door actually closed after the last person left, that is a real safety feature.
Limitations at this price
The app can be slow to connect on first launch, which is annoying when you are trying to unlock the door remotely. The 10-month battery life is shorter in cold weather, and we got closer to 7 months on a Minnesota winter test. Alexa unlock also failed more often than we would like, which forced us back to the app for hands-free unlocking.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Smart Lock for a Small Business
Buying a smart lock for your business is different from buying one for your house. The questions are not the same, the stakes are higher, and the wrong choice costs more than a rekeying fee. Here is what to think about before you spend a dollar.
ANSI/BHMA Grade Rating Explained
The ANSI/BHMA grading system rates a deadbolt’s security, durability, and finish on a three-tier scale. Grade 1 is the highest rating a residential or commercial deadbolt can carry, and Grade 3 is the minimum. For a small business entry door that sees more than 10 cycles a day, we recommend at least Grade 2. For a back-of-house or high-value inventory door, Grade 1 is worth the upgrade.
Grade 1 locks survive 1,000,000 locking cycles, a 360-pound bolt force test, and a 4,800-pound door impact test. Grade 2 locks survive 800,000 cycles. Grade 3 locks survive 500,000 cycles. The ULTRALOQ U-Bolt WiFi, ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi, and Schlage Encode all carry commercial-grade certifications that hold up to real business use.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Matter?
Wi-Fi-connected locks let you manage access from anywhere with cellular signal. Bluetooth-only locks are cheaper and harder to hack, but require you to be on site (or buy a gateway) to manage codes. Matter over Thread is the new universal standard that lets a lock talk to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, and SmartThings without you picking sides.
For a small business with rotating staff, vendors, and after-hours deliveries, built-in WiFi is worth the upgrade. For a single-location shop with a stable staff, Bluetooth-only is fine. For a multi-location business or an owner who wants future-proof hardware, Matter over Thread is the right choice today.
Employee Access Management and Codes
The number of codes a lock stores matters more than the number of unlock methods. A lock that holds 50 codes handles a small business. A lock that holds 100 codes handles a mid-sized team plus vendors, contractors, and cleaners. Anything below 25 codes will be tight for a business with rotating staff.
Look for schedules, not just codes. The best business smart locks let you set a code that only works on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon, so a part-time bookkeeper only has access during her actual shift. The Schlage Encode, ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, eufy C220, and LOCKSTAR all support this.
Battery Life and Power Backup
Most smart locks run on AA batteries. Budget 6 to 18 months between changes depending on traffic and connectivity. Wi-Fi locks drain faster than Bluetooth-only locks. Cold weather cuts battery life by 20 to 40 percent, so if your business is in a cold climate, add a USB-C emergency power port to your shopping list.
The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, DESLOC B200, and Veise VE017 all include USB-C emergency power ports, which is the difference between a 30-second fix and a 30-minute locksmith call when the batteries die.
Weather Resistance and Commercial Durability
For an exterior business door, look for at least an IP54 weather resistance rating. IP65 is better for storefronts in heavy rain, snow, or coastal areas. Indoor office doors do not need a high IP rating, but the build quality still matters because business doors see more cycles than residential ones.
Pair your smart lock choice with our picks for sliding door smart locks if you have multiple entries, and consider label makers to mark which code belongs to which staff member or vendor. For a complete small business security setup, also see our guides to paper shredders and Kensington locks for laptop security.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best smart lock for a small business?
The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt is our top pick for most small businesses in 2026. It combines built-in WiFi for remote management, support for up to 100 access codes, a BHMA highest residential security rating, and a 4.3-star rating across more than 16,000 reviews. For businesses on a tighter budget, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE offers Matter over Thread support and an 18-month battery at a lower price.
How many access codes can a smart lock hold?
It depends on the lock, but most business-ready smart locks hold between 25 and 100 user codes. The Schlage Encode and ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi both support 100 codes. The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, eufy C220, ULTRALOQ U-Bolt WiFi, DESLOC B200, LOCKSTAR, and Veise VE017 all support at least 50 codes. For a small business with rotating staff, vendors, and cleaners, 50 codes is the practical minimum.
Can smart locks work without Wi-Fi?
Yes. Bluetooth-only smart locks like the DESLOC B200 and Veise VE017 work without Wi-Fi, but you cannot manage them remotely without buying a separate gateway accessory. Wi-Fi connected locks like the Schlage Encode, ULTRALOQ Bolt SE, and eufy C220 will still unlock with a code or fingerprint during a Wi-Fi outage, but you lose remote management until the network comes back.
Are smart locks safe for businesses?
Yes, when you choose a lock with a strong security rating. Look for ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or Grade 2 certification, AES encryption for stored credentials, and tamper alarms. The ULTRALOQ U-Bolt WiFi and ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi both carry Grade 1 certification, which is the same rating used on commercial bank locks. Avoid no-name Amazon brands with no BHMA certification if your business handles cash, inventory, or sensitive data.
Do smart locks void insurance?
Most business insurance policies do not void coverage for smart locks, but they may offer discounts for Grade 1 or Grade 2 certified locks with audit trail features. Check with your insurer before installing. Locks like the Schlage Encode and ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi maintain a full activity log, which can support insurance claims after a break-in or theft.
How long do smart lock batteries last?
Most AA-powered smart locks last between 6 and 18 months on a single set of batteries, depending on traffic and connectivity. The ULTRALOQ Bolt SE leads this roundup at 18 months, followed by the DESLOC B200 and Veise VE017 at 12 months. Cold weather can cut battery life by 20 to 40 percent, so plan accordingly if your business is in a northern climate. Many locks now include a USB-C emergency power port for backup.
Final Verdict
After eight weeks of testing eight smart locks across office doors, retail storefronts, and a coworking space, the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt remains our top pick for the best smart locks for small businesses in 2026. It has the highest review count of any lock in this roundup at more than 16,600 reviews, the BHMA highest residential security rating, built-in WiFi for remote management, and a price that fits a small business budget.
For businesses on a tighter budget, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE delivers Matter over Thread compatibility, fingerprint plus keypad plus app access, and an 18-month battery at a fraction of the cost. For a high-traffic or coastal entry door, the ULTRALOQ Bolt Fingerprint WiFi earns its premium pick status with Grade 1 commercial security certification and weather resistance that holds up in harsh environments.
Whichever lock you choose, switching to keyless entry is one of the highest-ROI upgrades a small business can make. You stop losing money to rekeying fees, you cut the time you spend managing physical keys, and you gain a real audit trail of who came and went. That is the kind of operational upgrade that pays for itself in the first quarter.
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