Smart locks are no longer a niche gadget. They are becoming a standard part of modern homes and workplaces. They remove the hassle of physical keys, give you more control over who can enter, and allow you to manage access from anywhere. Whether you want to simplify day to day entry, manage a rental property or upgrade your office security, the right smart lock can completely change how you think about your door. If you are starting your research, this smart lock buying guide will walk you through the essentials.

The challenge, of course, is choice. There are many smart locks on the market, and they don’t all work the same way. Some replace your entire cylinder and focus on physical security. Others sit on top of your existing hardware and lean more toward convenience and smart home integrations. This variety is exactly why people look for an honest smart lock comparison when searching for the best smart locks of 2026.

This buying guide will compare four leading smart locks in Europe:

• Bold Elite
• Nuki Smart Lock Pro (Gen 5)
• Salto Neo
• Yale Linus Smart Lock L2

Each of these locks follows a different approach to security, design, and connectivity. Below, you will find a quick comparison table, followed by a deeper look at what really sets them apart.

After comparing the four locks on paper, it’s time to look at what matters in everyday use. How secure are they in practice? How often do you need to charge them? And how well do they fit into your smart home or access system?

Smart locks come in two main types: those that replace your cylinder and those that fit over the existing one. Each approach handles security in a different way.

The Nuki Pro and Yale Linus L2 are retrofit locks. They mount on the inside of the door over your existing cylinder and key. From the outside, the door often looks the same as before, including the keyhole. These locks use a motor to turn your original key so the lock operates without you needing to turn it manually.

The Bold Elite and Salto Neo replace your old cylinder completely. They give you a new SKG*** certified cylinder that doesn’t have an external keyhole. You activate the lock digitally and then open it by turning the knob manually from the outside.

While an over the cylinder design is convenient to install, it also has some drawbacks because it keeps the exposed keyhole in place which makes the lock vulnerable to attacks such as core pulling. Independent electronic door locks test results have shown that doors with an exposed cylinder can still be opened through core pulling. Because of this, you may need to buy a separate core-pull protection fitting, which adds extra cost if you want a higher level of security. There’s also the risk of accidentally activating the lock from the app while you’re not at home, causing the door to open slightly. Since the lock doesn’t close the door fully, someone needs to be physically present to push it shut again.

Cylinder-replacing smart locks remove your original cylinder and replace it with a new SKG***-certified cylinder without an external keyhole. Because of this, the core pull method can’t be used and common mechanical attack points are removed. However, since these systems rely on a manual turn from the outside, you still need to remember to lock the door before leaving, as you can’t secure it remotely.

Battery life directly affects how often you need to maintain your smart lock. Longer-lasting batteries mean fewer moments of checking, charging, or replacing, while shorter battery life requires more regular attention.

The Nuki Pro and Yale Linus L2 use rechargeable battery packs. These locks rely on a motor to turn your existing key, which means the battery needs to support frequent power-intensive movements. Because of the motor and the active connections such as Wi-Fi or Thread, they require recharging every few months.

The Bold Elite and Salto Neo use single use batteries. Bold uses one CR123A battery and Salto runs four LR1 batteries. These last a long time because the locks do not contain a motor that needs to turn the cylinder. Power is only used for the electronics, so the battery drain stays very low and only requires replacement every few years.

Rechargeable systems mean you do not need to buy new batteries, but you must remember to charge them regularly (between 3 to 6 months). Manual systems with single-use batteries can run for years with minimal attention. When the batteries run low, you will receive multiple timely notifications, and you can simply replace them. Your choice is simply between recharging more often, or having long-lasting power that needs minimal attention other than replacing the batteries now and then.

Smart features can vary widely between systems. Some locks focus on home comfort and automation, while others are built for large-scale business use. The integrations a lock supports strongly influence where it fits best.

The Nuki Pro and Yale Linus L2 focus mainly on home environments. They offer a broad range of smart home integrations including voice assistants, routines and automations with their Matter certification. This makes them convenient for daily use at home, especially when combined with other connected devices. Their ecosystem is designed for homes rather than larger commercial setups.

The Salto Neo is built for businesses and large facilities.It supports many door types and offers several professional ways to unlock the door.  Their SKG*** cylinder provides the highest level of protection against break-ins. The system is designed for places that need strict access control across many users and doors. Because of its high price and the lack of smart home integrations, it isn’t meant for private homes.

The Bold Elite brings both worlds together. It supports smart home use and is Matter certified, so it integrates easily into connected homes. At the same time, Bold offers a Web Portal that allows businesses to manage many locks and users efficiently. With its SKG*** cylinder, it provides strong security for both homes and professional environments. Both your digital keys for home and work are all accessible in one app. This combination delivers home-level convenience and business-level control in one system, and it does so at an affordable price.

If you are trying to understand which option might be the best smart lock for your home or business, the answer depends on what you value most.

Bold Elite
Ideal if you care most about security, durability and peace of mind, both for your home or business. It replaces the entire cylinder with a SKG*** high security model and removes the keyhole, which eliminates  common burglary methods. The manual mechanism, long battery life and simple installation make it a strong choice for homeowners, businesses and hosts who want reliable, low-maintenance protection.

Nuki Pro
A great option for automation fans and smart home users. Built-in WiFi, a motorised mechanism and compatibility with multiple smart home systems make it very flexible. If you want fully remote locking and unlocking and don’t mind the regular charging that comes with it, Nuki fits that profile well. Just keep in mind that your physical security still depends on upgrading the existing cylinder if it isn’t already high security.

Salto Neo
A strong fit for businesses, offices and multi-user environments. It offers high-quality hardware, strong protection and broad compatibility with many door types and access methods. Salto delivers detailed control over who can enter which door and when, supported by professional grade credentials and management tools. You do pay a high price for this level of capability and installation takes around 20 minutes.

Yale Linus L2
A solid choice for households that want flexibility and integration at a lower price point. It offers motorised convenience and supports major smart home platforms, making it easy to fit into an existing setup. You get remote control and automation in a familiar hardware brand, with the regular charging and maintenance that come with motorised designs.

In the end, all four products make your door smarter in their own way. Each lock offers its own balance of security, convenience, and connectivity, and the right choice depends on what matters most to you. Whether you prefer full automation, long battery life, enterprise-level access control, or a simple and reliable everyday setup, this guide should help you compare the differences with clarity. With that understanding, you can buy a smart lock with confidence, knowing it matches your needs and the way you use your home or workspace.