✅ TOP RENTER-FRIENDLY LOCKS:
► Best Overall (August Wi-Fi Smart Lock): https://amzn.to/3KnExkO
► Best “Stick-On” Install (SwitchBot Lock): https://amzn.to/4pzXrEa
► Best Invisible Design (Level Bolt): https://amzn.to/4p8WOl2
Do you rent your apartment but still rely on dumb metal keys? It feels like living in the Stone Age, except the cave rent is $2,000 a month. You want the convenience of auto-unlocking, guest access, and checking if the door is locked from bed, but you have a landlord who thinks “smart home” means installing a dimmer switch in 1998.
The biggest hurdle for renters is the hardware. Most smart locks require you to replace the entire deadbolt mechanism. If you do that, your landlord’s master key won’t work, and you can kiss your security deposit goodbye faster than a toupee in a hurricane.
As your Savvy Tech Advisor, I’ve curated the solution. These are the best “Retrofit” Smart Locks. These genius devices install over your existing lock hardware on the inside of the door. From the outside, nothing changes. Your landlord’s key still works, you don’t have to drill any new holes, and you can take the smart lock with you when you move.
Here are the top 3 renter-friendly smart locks for 2025 that let you upgrade your door without angering your landlord.
1. Best Overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is widely considered the king of the retrofit category. Its design is brilliant: you simply unscrew the thumb-turn (the latch you turn to lock the door) on the inside of your door and replace it with the August unit.
Why it’s perfect for renters:
- Exterior stays the same: From the hallway, your door looks 100% standard.
- Key backup: Your original physical key still works perfectly.
- No hub needed: It connects directly to Wi-Fi, so you can check your lock status from work or let the dog walker in without needing extra bridges plugged into your wall.
It’s reliable, easy to install, and prevents you from looking like a squirrel hiding nuts every time you stash a spare key under the mat.
2. Best “Zero-Tool” Install: SwitchBot Lock
If the idea of using a screwdriver makes you sweat, or if your landlord has a strict “touch nothing” policy, the SwitchBot Lock is your savior. This device doesn’t even require you to unscrew the thumb-turn.
Why it’s perfect for renters:
- Adhesive Install: It literally sticks to your door using industrial-strength VHB tape (which can be removed cleanly later).
- The “Grabber”: It has a mechanical arm that physically grabs your existing lock’s thumb-turn and twists it for you.
- Universal Fit: Because it sits on top of the lock, it works with almost any deadbolt design.
It looks a bit robotic—like a small droid is clinging to your door for dear life—but it installs in seconds and leaves absolutely no trace when you move out.
3. Best “Invisible” Design: The Level Bolt
If your building has strict rules about “uniformity” or aesthetics, the Level Bolt is the ninja move. Unlike the August or SwitchBot, which are visible boxes on the inside of your door, the Level Bolt replaces the internal deadbolt mechanism inside the door hole itself.
Why it’s perfect for renters:
- Totally Invisible: You reuse your existing outside keyhole and your existing inside thumb-turn. Nobody can tell it’s smart.
- Strength: It meets the highest industry standards for security.
It’s the perfect crime, assuming the crime is convenient keyless entry. Just make sure you save the old internal bolt mechanism to swap back in when you move!
Conclusion: Safe for Your Deposit
Renting doesn’t mean you have to live dumb. With these retrofit options, you can enjoy the magic of your door unlocking automatically as you walk up with groceries, without ever risking your lease.
Choose the one that fits your budget and DIY comfort level, and stop fumbling for keys in the dark. Your landlord will never know the difference, but your daily life will feel infinitely smarter.