Renters shouldn't have to choose between security and their deposit. We tested the best retrofit smart locks that install without drilling — adhesive mounts, thumb-turn swaps, and hidden internal replacements that keep your landlord's key working and leave zero trace when you move out.
You want a smart lock. Your landlord says no holes. That's the classic renter's catch-22 — and it's exactly why retrofit smart locks exist. These locks install entirely on the interior side of your door, using either adhesive pads or a simple thumb-turn swap. No drilling, no permanent modification, no lost deposit.1
The best part? Your landlord's original key still works from the outside. You get keyless entry, remote access, and auto-lock — and when you move out, everything goes back to exactly how it was in under ten minutes.2
Here are the four best smart locks for renters, ranked by how easy they are to install and remove.
Best for: Renters who can't (or won't) touch a screwdriver.
The SwitchBot Lock uses heavy-duty 3M adhesive to stick onto your existing deadbolt thumb-turn. That's it. No screws, no wiring, no replacing anything. The motor physically turns your existing lock from the inside, and the included keypad lets you enter codes without a phone.2
Installation takes about three minutes. Removal is just peeling off the adhesive — no residue, no damage. It connects via Bluetooth, and you can add the Wi-Fi hub for remote control.
The trade-off: It sits on top of your existing thumb-turn, so it's bulkier than other options. And because it's battery-powered, you'll want to keep an eye on the charge level.
Best for: People who want full smart lock features with minimal hardware change.
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the gold standard for retrofit locks. You unscrew your existing interior thumb-turn, replace it with the August module, and screw it back in place. The exterior of your door — including the landlord's keyhole — stays completely untouched.1
August connects directly to Wi-Fi (no separate hub needed), supports Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa, and includes features like auto-unlock as you approach and auto-lock when you leave. The app is polished and reliable.
The trade-off: You do need a screwdriver to swap the thumb-turn. It's still non-destructive, but it's one step beyond the SwitchBot's adhesive approach.
Best for: Anyone who wants a smart lock that looks like a regular lock.
The Level Bolt hides entirely inside your door. You replace the internal deadbolt mechanism — the part inside the door hole itself — while keeping your original exterior keyhole and interior thumb-turn. From the outside, nobody can tell you have a smart lock.3
It works with Apple Home, Google Home, and Alexa, and supports Home Key on iPhone and Apple Watch for tap-to-unlock. The battery lasts up to a year and is hidden inside the bolt mechanism.
The trade-off: Installation is more involved — you need to remove and replace the internal deadbolt assembly. It's still non-destructive, but it takes longer than the other options here. And because it's Bluetooth-only, you'll need a separate bridge for remote access.
Best for: Smart home enthusiasts who want future-proof connectivity.
The Anona Holo is a newer entrant with strong Matter support, meaning it works seamlessly with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings out of the box. It installs as a retrofit — replacing only the interior thumb-turn — and keeps the landlord's key functional.
Matter support means you're not locked into one ecosystem, and the lock can be controlled locally (no cloud dependency) if your smart home hub supports it.
The trade-off: Matter is still maturing, and early adopters may encounter occasional connectivity quirks. The brand is less established than August or Level.
| Pick | Installation Method | Connectivity | Exterior Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| SwitchBot Lock | Adhesive (3M) | Bluetooth + optional Wi-Fi hub | None |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Thumb-turn swap | Wi-Fi (built-in) | None |
| Level Bolt | Internal deadbolt replacement | Bluetooth + optional bridge | None |
| Anona Holo | Thumb-turn swap | Matter / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | None |
Keeping the landlord's key functional is non-negotiable. All four locks above let the original key work from the outside — no rekeying, no changing locks, no permission needed.
Ease of removal is just as important. Adhesive mounts (SwitchBot) peel off cleanly. Thumb-turn swaps (August, Anona) take one screw to reverse. Internal replacements (Level Bolt) take a few more minutes but leave no trace.
Connectivity matters for your daily use. Wi-Fi locks (August) don't need extra hardware. Bluetooth locks (SwitchBot, Level Bolt) need a hub or bridge for remote access. Matter locks (Anona) work across ecosystems but are newer to the market.
If you want the absolute easiest install, get the SwitchBot Lock — it's peel-and-stick simple. If you want the best overall smart lock experience that still respects your rental agreement, get the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. If you want something completely invisible, get the Level Bolt. And if you're building a Matter-based smart home, the Anona Holo is worth a look.
All four let you lock your door with your phone, keep your deposit, and leave the place exactly as you found it.
Disclosure: AskBuy earns a commission if you purchase through the links above. We only recommend products we've researched and believe are genuinely good for renters.
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