What Are the Best Airbnb Locks?

Over a decade of hosting has taught us that a great Airbnb experience goes beyond fluffy pillows and fancy coffee. One tiny detail can make or break a guest’s trip – the dreaded key fumble at check-in.  Fumbling for keys is SO 2015. Today, it’s all about finding the best smart lock for Airbnb to elevate that guest experience and offer keyless entry for your vacation rental.

As property managers with multiple properties, trust us, we’ve felt the sting of unreliable smart locks. Batteries dying, buggy apps, complicated codes – they’ve all added wrinkles to our hosting journey. But these struggles led us to the holy grail – the perfect Airbnb smart lock for our properties. 

Table Of Contents:

• Finding The Best Airbnb Lock
  • Why Choosing The Right Airbnb Lock Matters
  • Not All Airbnb Smart Locks Are Created Equal
• Discovering The Best Smart Lock Airbnb Option for My Needs
  • What Makes The Yale Assure The Best Airbnb Lock?
• Hot Tip: We use Breezeway to help us manage our Airbnb maintenance needs. Things like changing the lock batteries are always pre-scheduled with Breezeway! Check out all of our trusted tools right here!
• The Right Airbnb Smart Lock
• Ready to Start your Airbnb Hosting Journey?

Finding The Best Airbnb Lock

After years of trial and error, we can confidently say we’ve found the right lock solution for our Airbnbs. Forget wading through countless brands and features, because we’re here sharing the wisdom we wish we had from the start. We’ve taken the guess work out of it! We’ll explore what truly matters in an Airbnb smart lock reviews and why our current favorite has earned its place as the MVP of our hosting setup.

Why Choosing The Right Airbnb Lock Matters

Imagine this: a guest lands at your property after a long day of travel. They’re tired, hungry, and the last thing they want is a check-in obstacle course.

A reliable smart lock for short-term rentals streamlines the entire process. They punch in their unique code, waltz right in, and bam – you’ve scored major brownie points. That means five-star reviews, glowing recommendations, and most importantly, more bookings.

However, a subpar lock throws a wrench into the guest experience Glitching apps, finicky keypads, dead batteries – they turn your guest’s dream vacation into a nightmare (and a logistical headache for you.).

Not All Airbnb Smart Locks Are Created Equal

Trust us on this, we’ve tried out many Airbnb locks. Here’s a glimpse into my less-than-stellar smart lock adventures.

• The “Popular Kid” Lock That Let Me Down: Schlage Encode. This lock was all the rage in the hosting community.  It seemed like everyone swore by it, but spoiler alert – the hype fell flat. The app was clunky, the connectivity was spotty at best, and don’t even get me started on the abysmal battery life.
• The Lock That Nearly Made Me Swear Off Technology: August Lock. This smart lock, oh boy, this one really tested my patience. Picture this: multiple panicked phone calls from guests locked out at 10 pm, frantic attempts to reset codes remotely, and yes, even a few emergency locksmith visits. Let’s just say we parted ways on very bad terms.
• The “Too Good To Be True” Budget Option: Kwikset. When this cheaper smart lock arrived on my doorstep, I had a fleeting moment of “did I stumble upon a hidden gem?”.  That quickly evaporated.  The lock felt flimsy, the software was clunky, and it lacked features that are essential for Airbnb hosts.

Discovering The Best Smart Lock Airbnb Option for My Needs

After years of testing and enduring unreliable smart locks, I discovered the Yale Assure lock. It’s been the game changer for all my rental properties over the last three years. I wish I found it sooner.

What Makes The Yale Assure The Best Airbnb Lock?

Here’s what sets the Yale Assure apart. It goes beyond the “best smart lock” features – this one’s a reliable partner in crime fighting:

• Built-in Backup: Remember those nightmare scenarios of guests being stranded? This lock comes with a keyed version (don’t settle for anything less.) providing an old-school backup if the battery dies. And a little birdie told me to always keep a spare key hidden nearby (just in case.) I keep a hidden lock box near the door. I like to keep additional keys offsite at my office, too, for maximum preparedness. With a keypad lock, you can grant access to guests easily.
• Battery Life for the Win: The Yale Assure boasts a superhero-level battery that goes the distance. And to make my life even easier? It sends me alerts before it gets low – talk about proactive. No more surprise battery replacements or frantic last-minute runs.
• Flexibility Meets Integration: Remember all those people who need access to your Airbnb? Think cleaners, maintenance, even your favorite dog walker. This lock seamlessly integrates with both guest management systems, *and* it has enough individual codes for your entire team. No more juggling keys or compromising security. Win-win.
• Customer Service That Actually Cares: Yale’s got my back with stellar customer support – something that’s a *must-have* for any Airbnb host. But wait, it gets better – I even have a direct line to a support agent (yes, a real person.). They’re a quick email or Zoom call away if I need them.  Try getting *that* with your average smart lock. 

This lock delivers peace of mind, convenience, and a smooth check-in experience every single time. And for any host – isn’t that priceless?

Hot Tip: We use Breezeway to help us manage our Airbnb maintenance needs. Things like changing the lock batteries are always pre-scheduled with Breezeway! Check out all of our trusted tools right here!

The Right Airbnb Smart Lock

Choosing the right tools is essential when you’re in the business of creating five-star guest experiences. It took me several years of trying out different models, but ultimately choosing the best smart lock for my Airbnb properties elevated my hosting game to the next level. Do yourself (and your ratings.) a favor and upgrade that lock situation – it’s a game changer waiting to happen.

Happy Hosting!

Want More Airbnb Resources?:

• Wondering which amenities will elevate your listing? Check out episode 366 of our Thanks For Visiting podcast: “Hosting Hotline: Five-Star Patio Amenities to Differentiate Your STR”
• We have more tips and tricks for hosts on our YouTube page here.

Ready to Start your Airbnb Hosting Journey? 

Our Hosting Handbook is our play by play guide for short term rental hosts. This course has everything you need to confidently and efficiently begin your Airbnb business. Check it out right here!

TFV Trusted Airbnb Tool: Breezeway

We absolutely love using Breezeway in our Airbnb business—it’s been a game-changer for keeping everything running smoothly. We’re excited to share this fantastic tool with our audience and hope it helps you as much as it’s helped us! Click here to learn more.