Managing an Airbnb or VRBO comes with constant moving parts. Between coordinating turnarounds, answering late-night messages, and protecting your property, handling guest keys shouldn’t keep you up at night.
Upgrading your entry points with the best smart locks for short-term rentals isn’t just about avoiding a drive across town to hand over physical keys, it provides zero-friction check-ins for guests and protects your real estate investment.
There’s also a major tax advantage many hosts miss: smart locks, keypads, and digital security upgrades qualify as 5-year personal property or building equipment. That means they can be accelerated for immediate tax deductions through a cost segregation study, a strategy we see deliver massive returns for our cost segregation clients at Leyton who operate short-term rentals.
To help you choose the right lock, we evaluated the market’s leading options across four key pillars:
- Guest Access Management: Automating temporary pin codes tied to booking schedules.
- Reliability & Security: Physical build quality, dead battery contingencies, and weather resistance.
- Remote Management: App functionality, live access logs, and remote unlocking capabilities.
- Cost & Maintenance: Purchase price, battery life, and long-term upkeep.
Schlage Encode Plus Smart WiFi Deadbolt
- Score: 4.7 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$329 | Wi-Fi: Built-in
The Schlage Encode Plus leads the market by combining commercial-grade hardware with Apple HomeKey support. Guests can unlock the door with a tap of their iPhone or Apple Watch.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★☆☆ (3.8) |
Why it works for STRs: It connects natively to Airbnb and major Property Management Systems (PMS) like Hospitable and Guesty. The system automatically generates unique entry codes tied to the guest’s phone number that activate at check-in and expire at check-out.
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
- Score: 4.6 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$299 | Wi-Fi: Built-in
The standard Schlage Encode is the industry workhorse for vacation rentals. It delivers built-in Wi-Fi without requiring extra hubs plugged into your wall.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.5) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Why it works for STRs: It offers direct PMS code synchronization, Grade 1 security hardware, and a physical keypad that keeps working even if local Wi-Fi goes down.
Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Lever
- Score: 4.6 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$309 | Wi-Fi: Built-in
Designed for doors that lack a separate deadbolt, the Encode Lever puts smart access into a single handle-and-latch unit.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.5) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Why it works for STRs: It uses the same software ecosystem and automated guest code creation as Schlage’s deadbolts. It’s an ideal solution for interior owner closets, side doors, or garage entries.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi Keypad
- Score: 4.5 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$260 | Wi-Fi: Included
Featuring tactile rubber buttons, this model is built for high-turnover rentals where touchscreen smudges or wet hands can pose issues.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★★ (4.8) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★☆ (4.4) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.5) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4.2) |
Why it works for STRs: Physical buttons are easier for guests to operate in rain, snow, or bright sunlight. It pairs with DoorSense sensors so you know if the door is open or closed.
Schlage Arrive Smart WiFi Deadbolt
- Score: 4.3 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$199 | Wi-Fi: Built-in
A budget-friendly entry from Schlage that offers commercial-grade hardware under the $200 price point.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★☆ (4.2) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
Why it works for STRs: It gives cost-conscious hosts dependable app control and built-in Wi-Fi without requiring an external bridge.
Yale Assure Lock 2 Wi-Fi Touchscreen
- Score: 4.3 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$280 | Wi-Fi: Included
A sleek, key-free lock featuring a glass touchscreen keypad and modern aesthetic.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★☆ (4.5) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★☆ (4.2) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.5) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
Why it works for STRs: Integrates with rental platforms and features an auto-lock function that secures the door behind guests automatically.
Yale Approach Lock + Wi-Fi Keypad
- Score: 4.3 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$165–$200 | Wi-Fi: Included
A retrofit option designed to mount over your existing deadbolt on the inside of the door.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.2) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
Why it works for STRs: Keeps your exterior physical key identical, making it ideal for condos or properties with strict HOA requirements.
eufy Smart Lock S230
- Score: 4.3 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$180–$260 | Wi-Fi: Built-in
Features a high-capacity rechargeable battery pack that eliminates frequent AA battery swaps.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★☆ (4.4) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.2) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★☆ (4.5) |
Why it works for STRs: Cleaning teams can recharge the battery pack during routine turnarounds, eliminating emergency battery runs.
eufy Video Smart Lock S330
- Score: 4.3 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$350 | Wi-Fi: Built-in
Combines a 2K HD video doorbell, smart lock, keypad, and fingerprint scanner into a single device.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★★ (4.8) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★☆☆ (3.5) |
Why it works for STRs: Lets you visually verify check-ins and monitor unauthorized parties without installing a separate video doorbell.
eufy Smart Lock C210
- Score: 4.1 / 5.0
- Typical Price: ~$90–$100 | Wi-Fi: Built-in
An entry-level option providing built-in Wi-Fi and app control for under $100.
| Evaluation Category | Score |
| Guest Access Management | ★★★☆☆ (3.5) |
| Reliability & Security | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Remote Management | ★★★★☆ (4.0) |
| Cost & Maintenance | ★★★★★ (5.0) |
Why it works for STRs: Offers remote pin creation and real-time alerts on a budget.
Final Comparison Table
| Rank | Smart Lock Model | Price | Wi-Fi | Key STR Highlight | Score |
| 1 | Schlage Encode Plus | ~$329 | Built-in | Apple HomeKey + native PMS automation | 4.7 |
| 2 | Schlage Encode Deadbolt | ~$299 | Built-in | Grade 1 security + automated guest codes | 4.6 |
| 3 | Schlage Encode Lever | ~$309 | Built-in | Ideal for doors without a separate deadbolt | 4.6 |
| 4 | Yale Assure Lock 2 Keypad | ~$260 | Included | Tactile buttons for all-weather reliability | 4.5 |
| 5 | Schlage Arrive Deadbolt | ~$199 | Built-in | Commercial quality under $200 | 4.3 |
| 6 | Yale Assure Lock 2 Touchscreen | ~$280 | Included | Sleek glass screen + DoorSense auto-lock | 4.3 |
| 7 | Yale Approach + Keypad | ~$165–$200 | Included | Retrofit lock for condos and HOA doors | 4.3 |
| 8 | eufy Smart Lock S230 | ~$180–$260 | Built-in | Rechargeable battery reduces maintenance | 4.3 |
| 9 | eufy Video Smart Lock S330 | ~$350 | Built-in | Built-in 2K video doorbell for monitoring | 4.3 |
| 10 | eufy Smart Lock C210 | ~$90–$100 | Built-in | Best low-cost option with remote access | 4.1 |
Tax Strategy: Cost Segregation for Short-Term Rentals
Selecting the best smart locks for short-term rentals automates guest check-ins, but it also creates tax savings.
Many short-term rentals owners assume cost seg studies only apply to major structural components like roofing or HVAC units. However, an engineering-based study evaluates the entire asset, reclassifying eligible building systems into 5-year or 15-year recovery periods.
Smart locks, digital keypads, and access control hardware qualify as 5-year personal property.
By reclassifying these technology purchases alongside furniture and appliances, owners can leverage bonus depreciation to write off a substantial portion of these costs upfront in Year 1, reducing taxable income while streamlining operations.