If you’ve spent any time searching for “ADT smart lock,” you’ve probably noticed something confusing: there isn’t really such a thing. ADT doesn’t manufacture locks. What it sells is a short, hand-picked list of locks from Yale and Kwikset that have been built or certified to talk directly to ADT’s security panels over Z-Wave. Once you understand that, the whole shopping process gets a lot simpler, because you’re no longer looking for “the ADT lock.” You’re looking for the lock that fits your specific ADT setup, your door, and your budget.
This guide walks through what actually matters when you’re pairing a lock with an ADT system, then breaks down the strongest options on the market right now.
Why bother pairing a lock with your ADT system
A decent standalone smart lock will let you in with an app or a keypad code and call it a day. That’s fine on its own, but it means your front door is disconnected from everything else your security system is doing. An ADT-compatible lock closes that gap. Lock the door, and the system can arm itself automatically. Disarm the alarm from your phone, and the door can unlock right along with it. Every lock, unlock, and access event shows up in the same activity log you’re already checking for your cameras and sensors, and you can hand out time-limited codes to a house sitter or contractor without creating a separate account or app just for the lock.
None of that convenience is free, though. Locks built for deep ADT integration usually cost more than a comparable standalone model, and several of the best features only work if you’re paying for an active monitoring plan. If you’re not planning to keep ADT monitoring long-term, some of what you’re paying for in these locks won’t do much for you.
What to check before you buy anything
Confirm which ADT platform you’re actually on
This is the step people skip, and it’s the one that causes the most returns. ADT has run multiple platforms over the years — Command, Pulse, and the newer ADT+ — and they don’t all support the same lock hardware or the same features. A lock built specifically for ADT+ may not pair with an older Command panel at all, and features like fingerprint-to-disarm are often locked to one platform exclusively. Check your system before you check your cart.
Look at the connection protocol
Most locks designed for ADT run on Z-Wave, since it’s the protocol ADT panels and the ADT+ base station are built around. It tends to be more stable for direct panel integration than locks that rely on Wi-Fi and a separate bridge or app, which can introduce extra points of failure. If a lock lists Wi-Fi or Matter support instead of Z-Wave, double check that it’s actually meant to talk to your specific ADT hardware and not just a general smart home hub.
Weigh build quality, not just features
A touchscreen and an app are nice, but the lock still has to function as, well, a lock. Look for an ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating, which tells you how well it resists physical attacks like forced entry or bumping. Make sure there’s a reliable backup entry method — a keypad code or a physical key — for the day your phone dies or the app glitches. And check how the lock handles low battery: a clear alert inside the app and on the keypad beats finding out you’re locked out the hard way.
Measure your door before you order
Backset, bore diameter, and door thickness all vary, and a mismatch is the single most common reason a DIY smart lock install stalls halfway through. Manufacturer listings post these specs clearly, so it takes two minutes to confirm your door will actually accept the lock you’re about to buy.
The best ADT-compatible smart locks right now
Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch — best for full ADT+ integration
If you’re running ADT+, this is currently the most tightly integrated lock ADT offers, and it’s priced accordingly at around $280. It’s built on Yale’s newer Z-Wave hardware and was among the first locks to support a fingerprint-based credential system that lets you unlock the door and disarm the alarm — or lock up and rearm it — with a single touch. No phone, no code, just your fingerprint.
Beyond biometrics, you’ve still got a keypad code, app control, a physical key backup, and a “trusted neighbor” access feature that now recognizes fingerprints too, so a regular visitor like a dog walker can let themselves in without needing your phone or a shared code. It connects straight to the ADT+ base station rather than routing through a third-party bridge, holds up to 250 codes and 20 fingerprints, and typically runs about six months on a set of batteries.
The trade-off is exclusivity: this integration only works with ADT+. It won’t pair with Pulse or Command, and the fingerprint-to-disarm feature specifically requires a higher-tier monitoring plan plus a compatible camera. If your system isn’t ADT+, this lock’s best features simply won’t be available to you, no matter how much you spend on the hardware.
Best for: households already on ADT+ who want the fewest steps possible between “walking up to the door” and “inside, alarm disarmed.”
Yale Assure Lock — best value for ADT+ or ADT Blu
This is the more affordable sibling to the Touch model, and it’s a solid pick if you like Yale’s hardware but don’t need biometrics. You still get keypad entry, remote lock and unlock through the ADT app, and the same reliable Z-Wave connection to your hub. What you lose is the fingerprint sensor and the newer credential-sharing tricks that make the Touch model feel a bit more futuristic.
For a lot of households, that’s an easy trade. If your main goal is remote control, activity logs, and integration with your existing ADT setup — not fingerprint unlocking specifically — this lock gets you there for meaningfully less money.
Best for: ADT+ or ADT Blu customers who want solid integration without paying a premium for biometric features they may not use daily.
Kwikset SmartCode 916 — best for older ADT panels and long-term flexibility
The SmartCode 916 has been a go-to for ADT households for years, and it’s stuck around for good reason. It’s Z-Wave Plus certified, which means it plays nicely not just with ADT Command and older Pulse setups, but with a wide range of other smart home hubs as well. That broad compatibility makes it a smart choice if you’re not fully locked into staying with ADT forever, or if your household is running an older panel that newer Yale locks simply won’t pair with.
The touchscreen uses a randomized digit display so your entry code can’t be guessed from fingerprint smudges on the screen, and Kwikset’s SmartKey system lets you rekey the cylinder yourself in seconds without calling a locksmith. What it doesn’t offer is the deeper arm/disarm choreography or biometric handoff you get from Yale’s newer lock — you’re getting reliable remote lock and unlock plus code management, not a fully orchestrated smart home routine.
Best for: anyone on an older ADT Command or Pulse system, or anyone who wants a lock that isn’t tied exclusively to one security provider.
Do you need to buy the ADT-branded version specifically?
Not necessarily. Technically, most Z-Wave-certified smart locks can pair with an ADT Command panel, even ones ADT doesn’t sell directly. ADT recommends sticking to its own curated lineup because the company has explicitly tested that hardware, which tends to mean smoother installs and simpler support calls if something goes wrong. If you’re comfortable doing your own troubleshooting, a third-party Z-Wave lock can save you money. If you’d rather things work correctly the first time without a support call, buying through ADT is the safer, if pricier, route.
When it’s actually worth replacing your current lock
Not everyone reading this needs a new lock today, and it’s worth being honest about who actually benefits from upgrading.
You’re a good candidate to upgrade if:
- Your current lock isn’t a smart lock at all, and you’re already paying for ADT monitoring — you’re leaving a genuinely useful integration on the table.
- You’re on an older ADT platform and just switched to ADT+, since your existing lock may not support the newer arm/disarm and biometric features.
- You’re constantly juggling spare keys for family, dog walkers, or cleaners, and would benefit from time-limited digital codes instead.
- Your existing smart lock is several years old and its batteries or Z-Wave radio are becoming unreliable — a common failure point that shows up as dropped connections or delayed status updates in the app.
You probably don’t need to upgrade if:
- Your current lock already integrates cleanly with your ADT platform and does what you need — a fingerprint sensor is a nice-to-have, not a must-have, for most households.
- You’re not planning to keep active ADT monitoring, since several of the best features on these locks depend on it.
- Budget is tight and your existing lock is mechanically sound; a $200–$280 upgrade is hard to justify purely for convenience features you might use once a week.
The bottom line
There’s no single “best” ADT-compatible smart lock — there’s the best one for your specific system. If you’re on ADT+ and want the most seamless entry experience available, the Yale Assure Lock 2 Touch delivers it, at a price that reflects how much it’s doing. If you want most of that convenience without the biometric premium, the standard Yale Assure Lock is the more sensible buy. And if you’re on an older ADT panel or just want a lock that isn’t married to one provider, the Kwikset SmartCode 916 remains one of the most dependable options out there. Whichever direction you go, confirm your ADT platform and your door’s measurements before you buy — that one step prevents nearly every headache people run into with these installs.