Best Renter-Friendly Smart Locks That Need No Drilling

Your apartment door already has a deadbolt, and your landlord wants it back exactly as it is. But you lose keys, your dog walker needs access, and a keypad would make life easier. A smart lock solves this for renters only if it goes on without drilling new holes and comes off without a trace. This guide covers eight smart locks that install with a screwdriver into the existing deadbolt bore, judged on how little they change the door and how easily they reverse at move-out.

Quick Answer: Our Top 2 Picks

• Best overall retrofit for renters: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen - mounts over the inside of your existing deadbolt, keeps the landlord's keys working, and leaves the exterior untouched. Around $130.

• Best proven keypad for renters: Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt - a full deadbolt swap that needs no new holes, with a touchscreen keypad and up to 100 access codes. Around $229.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is for renters who want keyless entry without risking their security deposit. If your lease bans drilling, your landlord keeps a key, or you move every year or two, these locks install into the existing deadbolt bore and reverse in minutes at move-out.

That includes apartment dwellers tired of key copies, renters who host guests or pet sitters, and anyone who wants auto-lock so the door is never left unlatched. If you own your home and can drill a new bore freely, a general smart lock roundup will serve you better.

The Three Renter Install Types (and What Each Risks)

Renters face three install types. Retrofit locks mount over the inside of your existing deadbolt, so the exterior hardware and the landlord's keys never change, which makes them the most deposit-safe option. Replacement locks swap the whole deadbolt using the existing bore, with no new holes, but you must store the original hardware and reinstall it at move-out. Keypad add-ons and lever locks replace only the interior side or add a keypad plate, sitting between the two on reversibility.

Deposit impact runs in that order. A retrofit lock leaves zero trace because nothing about the door changes. A replacement lock leaves zero trace too, but only if you keep every original screw and plate and put them back. Drilling a new hole, enlarging a bore, or rekeying the landlord's cylinder is never deposit-safe, so no lock in this guide asks you to do any of it.

How We Picked These Locks

We picked smart locks that install with a screwdriver into a standard US deadbolt bore, with no new drilling and no hardwiring. Every model needed a strong buyer-review record (4.0 stars or more with at least 100 ratings) and a clear renter mounting path.

In total, we weighed 35,486 Amazon buyer ratings across the eight finalists, then read the top-rated and most critical 1-star reviews for each model and cross-checked them against manufacturer specs and independent coverage.

Specifically, we looked at:

• No-drill install. Retrofit over the interior deadbolt or replacement in the existing bore. Any lock needing a new hole was excluded.

• Move-out reversibility. You must be able to remove the lock and restore the original deadbolt in under 30 minutes.

• Review evidence. We read Amazon top-rated and 1-star reviews plus manufacturer specs. We did not lab-test these units.

• No required subscription. Basic locking, codes, and app control must work without a monthly plan on every pick.

Prices change often; treat figures below as what we saw in October 2026 and check the current price before you buy.

The 8 Locks: Quick Comparison

For most renters, a retrofit lock is the safest answer: the August Wi-Fi 4th Gen keeps everything about the door unchanged. If you want a keypad and do not mind storing the original deadbolt, the Schlage Encode is the most proven pick. The table compares all eight on what renters need.

Retrofit Locks: Zero Change to the Door

These three locks mount on the inside of your existing deadbolt. The exterior side of the door looks exactly the same, and the landlord's keys keep working. This is the most deposit-safe category in the guide.

1. August Home Wi-Fi Smart Lock, 4th Generation - Best Overall Retrofit for Renters

Best for: Renters who want zero change to the exterior of the door and strong smart-home integration.

The August Wi-Fi 4th Gen is the renter retrofit done right. It clamps over the interior side of your existing deadbolt, so the outside of the door, the keys, and the landlord's access all stay exactly as they were. Installation takes about 10 minutes with a screwdriver, and buyers consistently call it genuinely easy.

Reviewers praise the broad smart-home support, including Apple HomeKit, plus well-regarded app control and auto-lock and auto-unlock that many owners rely on daily. Basic locking, remote access, and guest access work without a required subscription, which matters for a renter watching recurring costs.

The complaints are real. Battery life is the top negative theme, Wi-Fi connectivity draws complaints, and auto-unlock reliability is mixed. Value-for-money sentiment is mixed at this price tier.

Availability note: at the time of our research (October 10, 2026), Amazon's listing showed only a used unit from a third-party seller, with no new units sold by Amazon. Check current availability on the listing page before you buy. At 4.1 stars across 10,706 ratings, the review record is the deepest in the retrofit category, and we saw it around $130. Check the current price on Amazon.

2. Nuki Smart Lock (US Deadbolt Version) - Best Premium Retrofit for Renters

Best for: Renters who want a premium-feeling retrofit lock that is marketed specifically for rental use.

The Nuki Smart Lock US Deadbolt is the retrofit alternative built for the rental market. Like the August, it mounts over the inside of the existing deadbolt in about 15 minutes, keeps the original keys working, and changes nothing on the exterior. The brushed-metal hardware feels a step above the plastic retrofits, and buyers praise the battery life.

Remote access and auto-unlock work over built-in Wi-Fi with no required subscription for basic locking. The renter benefit is identical to the August: a true retrofit with zero exterior change and no drilling.

The review record is thin, with only 141 ratings at 4.1 stars, and 15 percent are 1-star. Wi-Fi connectivity, build quality, and responsiveness all earn mixed mentions, and value-for-money sentiment is mixed at $199. This is the pick for renters who want the premium retrofit feel and accept a smaller review record. We saw it at $199. Check the current price on Amazon.

3. Yale Approach Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt Retrofit - Best Budget Retrofit for Renters

Best for: Budget-conscious renters who want Yale's retrofit simplicity and auto-unlock without paying August prices.

The Yale Approach is the budget retrofit. It mounts over the interior deadbolt like the August, installs in about 10 minutes with a screwdriver, and keeps the landlord's hardware and keys unchanged. Auto-lock and auto-unlock work well according to buyers, and the appearance earns consistent praise.

The trade-offs are compatibility and review depth. Thumbturn adapter fit varies by existing deadbolt, so check your deadbolt model against Yale's compatibility list before you buy. With 142 ratings at 4.2 stars and 10 percent 1-star reviews, reliability sentiment is mixed. The keypad bundle variants fall below our review-count bar, so this pick is the Wi-Fi retrofit alone; pair it with your phone for entry.

At $104.95, it is the cheapest retrofit in this guide. One fulfillment note: the listing we checked was sold by a third-party seller with slow delivery (late October to early November), not Prime-fast, so order early. Check the current price on Amazon.

Replacement Locks: Swap It, Then Swap It Back

These five locks replace the whole deadbolt using the existing bore. No new holes, no drilling. You must keep the original deadbolt hardware in a labeled bag and reinstall it at move-out. The payoff is keypads, fingerprint readers, and deeper features the retrofits cannot match.

4. Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt - Best Proven Keypad for Renters

Best for: Renters who want a proven keypad deadbolt with strong brand backing and guest-code management.

The Schlage Encode is the most reviewed lock in this guide by a wide margin: 4.3 stars across 16,670 ratings, a best-seller in deadbolts with over 5,000 bought in the past month at the time of research. The touchscreen keypad holds up to 100 access codes, so guests, cleaners, and pet sitters each get their own code. Built-in Wi-Fi means remote locking and voice control with no hub.

Installation is screwdriver-only into the existing deadbolt bore, with no hardwiring and no new holes. Keep the original deadbolt and swap it back at move-out. Basic features need no subscription.

Reliability is the top negative theme in buyer sentiment, and auto-lock and Wi-Fi connectivity earn mixed mentions. It runs on 4 AA batteries with roughly a 6-month life, so budget for battery swaps across a lease. For renters who want the keypad category's safest bet, the review depth here dwarfs everything else. We saw it at $229. Check the current price on Amazon.

5. eufy Security Smart Lock C220 - Best Fingerprint Value for Renters

Best for: Renters who want fast fingerprint unlocking with Wi-Fi at a mid-range price.

The eufy C220 puts a fast fingerprint reader on the door for $119.99. Reviewers praise the fingerprint speed, build quality, and easy installation into standard deadbolt bores with no new drilling. Built-in Wi-Fi gives remote control with no hub, and over 3,000 units sold in the past month at the time of research signals a healthy buyer base.

Fingerprint recognition is also the mixed theme: it works well for most fingers but not all, so households with kids or older relatives should keep a backup entry method. Battery life and Wi-Fi connectivity earn mixed mentions too, though the battery stretches up to 8 months per the manufacturer.

This is a replacement lock, so store the original deadbolt for the move-out swap-back. At 4.2 stars across 4,285 ratings, it is the value fingerprint pick, and we saw it at $119.99 (29 percent off list). Check the current price on Amazon.

6. Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt - Best Budget Fingerprint Lock for Renters

Best for: Renters on a tight budget who want fingerprint plus keypad without paying for Wi-Fi they may not need.

The Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt is the budget champion of this guide: 4.5 stars across 3,238 ratings at $79.98. The fingerprint reader plus backlit keypad covers every entry style, installation takes about 20 minutes with clear instructions, and it carries BHMA certification with a fire rating, which is rare at this price.

The honest trade-off is connectivity. This lock is Bluetooth only, with no built-in Wi-Fi, so remote access is limited compared with the Wi-Fi models above. If you need to lock the door from work or let a guest in while you are out, this is not the pick. Buyers also report mixed fingerprint recognition and mixed auto-lock behavior.

Like the other replacements, it fits the existing deadbolt bore with no new drilling; keep the original hardware for move-out. Note that the original Wyze Lock retrofit appears discontinued on Amazon US, so this bolt is the current Wyze pick for renters. We saw it at $79.98. Check the current price on Amazon.

7. SwitchBot Lock Ultra with Keypad - Best Fingerprint and Keypad Combo for Renters

Best for: Renters who want fingerprint, keypad, and built-in Wi-Fi in one package with a rechargeable battery.

The SwitchBot Lock Ultra bundles everything: fingerprint reader, keypad, app remote control, and built-in Wi-Fi with no hub. Reviewers find it effective and good value, with strong battery runtime on the rechargeable cell and reliable auto-locking. Installation fits standard US deadbolt bores with a screwdriver and no new drilling.

Two honest notes. First, this is a full-replacement lock, not a retrofit: the original deadbolt must come out and be stored for the move-out swap. The original SwitchBot Lock retrofit appears discontinued on Amazon US, so this Ultra is the current SwitchBot option for renters. Second, the review record is small at 158 ratings (4.3 stars), with 12 percent 1-star reviews whose specific complaint themes could not be verified from the listing.

For the feature list at $209.99, it undercuts the Lockly below while matching it on paper. Check the current price on Amazon.

8. Lockly Secure Pro Wi-Fi Deadbolt - Best Anti-Peep Keypad for Renters

Best for: Renters who want the most feature-dense lock: an anti-peep keypad, fast fingerprint, and built-in Wi-Fi.

The Lockly Secure Pro's headline feature is the PIN Genie keypad, which shuffles the digit positions so nobody can guess your code from fingerprints or shoulder surfing. Add fast fingerprint recognition, built-in Wi-Fi with no hub, offline guest codes, and USB-C emergency power if the batteries die, and it is the most feature-dense lock in this guide.

Installation fits doors 1-3/8 to 2 inches thick with no new drilling; as a full replacement, the original deadbolt goes into storage until move-out. The review record is small (146 ratings, 4.4 stars), and Wi-Fi connectivity earns mixed mentions.

At $259.99 (Prime member price at the time of research), it is the premium pick. Renters who want the shuffling keypad and every backup entry method will find it worth the premium; everyone else gets 90 percent of the function from the picks above. Check the current price on Amazon.

How to Choose the Right No-Drill Smart Lock

Start with the install type, not the brand. A retrofit lock (August, Nuki, Yale Approach) is the right call if your landlord is strict, because the exterior never changes and the original keys keep working. A replacement lock (Schlage, eufy, Wyze, SwitchBot, Lockly) is the right call if you want a keypad or fingerprint reader and you are willing to store the original deadbolt.

Work through these decisions in order:

1. Landlord strictness. Strict lease or hands-off landlord? Choose retrofit. Relaxed landlord who approved in writing? Replacement opens up keypads.

2. Keypad or phone. Keypads suit households with kids, guests, or spotty phone batteries. Phone-only retrofits suit solo renters who always carry their phone.

3. Wi-Fi or not. Remote access needs Wi-Fi (or a hub). The Wyze Bolt's Bluetooth-only design is cheaper but cannot lock the door from work.

4. Battery plan. Retrofit and replacement locks all run on batteries. Check who pays for replacements and how often: 6 to 8 months is typical.

5. Budget. Retrofits run about $105 to $199; keypad replacements run about $80 to $260. The cheapest strong pick is the Wyze Bolt at around $80.

What Renters Should Check Before Buying

Three checks prevent 90 percent of smart-lock problems for renters. First, read your lease for clauses about locks, alterations, and keys; some leases require the landlord to hold a working key at all times. Second, get written approval from your landlord before you change anything, describing the exact lock and install method, and confirm who holds keys during your tenancy. Third, check door compatibility: standard US deadbolt bores, door thickness (most locks fit 1-3/8 to 2 inches), and the thumbturn adapter fit for retrofits.

Never modify the exterior side of the door, never rekey the landlord's deadbolt cylinder, and never drill a new bore without written approval. This is general guidance, not legal advice.

Install It in Minutes

Every lock in this guide installs with a screwdriver and no new holes. Retrofit locks take about 10 to 15 minutes: remove the interior thumbturn, mount the smart lock over the existing deadbolt tailpiece, and pair the app. Replacement locks take about 20 minutes: remove the old deadbolt, slide the new one into the existing bore, attach the interior assembly, and pair the app.

Renter-specific install tips:

• Photograph the original deadbolt first. Take close-up photos of the exterior, interior, screws, and strike plate before you touch anything.

• Bag and label every original part. Screws, plates, and the old deadbolt go in one labeled bag, stored where you will find it at move-out.

• Test the bore fit before pairing. Slide the lock in and turn it manually; a sticky deadbolt is a door problem, not a lock problem.

• Check thumbturn adapter fit for retrofits. August, Nuki, and Yale ship adapters; if none fits your deadbolt, stop and return the lock rather than forcing it.

• Pair the app and test every entry method. Fingerprint, code, app, and the physical key should all work before you call the install done.

For more no-drill install walkthroughs, see our guide on how to install a video doorbell in a rental without drilling.

Move-Out: Remove It and Leave Zero Trace

Removal mirrors the install and takes under 30 minutes. For a retrofit lock, unmount it from the interior deadbolt, reattach the original thumbturn, and the door looks untouched. For a replacement lock, remove the smart deadbolt, reinstall the original deadbolt from your labeled bag using your day-one photos, and test it with the landlord's key.

Then photograph the restored door and hardware for your move-out records. The whole point of a renter smart lock is reversibility, so a clean swap-back is the final test it was built to pass. Pair this with a damage-free entryway camera from our Wyze vs Ring vs eufy comparison for renters for a full no-drill security setup.

Final Verdict

For most renters, the August Wi-Fi 4th Gen is the best no-drill smart lock: a true retrofit that changes nothing about the door, with the deepest review record in its category. If you want a keypad, the Schlage Encode is the most proven pick by an enormous margin. On a budget, the Yale Approach retrofits for about $105 or the Wyze Bolt replaces for about $80. Whatever you choose, get your landlord's approval in writing, keep the original hardware, and compare it against our no-drill video doorbell picks for renters to secure the whole entryway.

Sources

Everything below was accessed on October 10, 2026.

• Amazon product pages for all eight models: buyer ratings and review themes from top-rated and critical 1-star reviews, 35,486 combined buyer ratings weighed (August Wi-Fi Smart Lock 4th Gen, SwitchBot Lock Ultra with Keypad, Nuki Smart Lock US Deadbolt, Yale Approach Smart Wi-Fi Retrofit, Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, eufy Security Smart Lock C220, Wyze Auto-Lock Bolt, Lockly Secure Pro Wi-Fi).

• Manufacturer spec pages (August, SwitchBot, Nuki, Yale, Schlage, eufy/Anker, Wyze, Lockly): install methods, compatibility, battery, and subscription terms.

• Independent coverage: Reddit r/homeautomation ("Best renter friendly smart lock?"), August renters page, CNET, SafeHome.org, Wirecutter/NYT (Yale Approach pick), PCMag, SafeWise, and the SmartEye Solutions renter lock roundup for renter sentiment and comparison context.