As 2025 winds down, more business owners are choosing to leave traditional keys behind. Smart locks are gaining popularity day by day due to their ease of use and strong security features.
If you are a business owner looking for a practical, cost-effective security upgrade for offices, retail stores, medical practices, restaurants, or commercial buildings, this blog is for you. Here, we will discuss the best door locks for your business and how a commercial locksmith in Birmingham can help you.
Why Businesses Are Switching to Smart Locks
Traditional keys create more problems than most owners expect. They’re easy to lose, hard to track, and expensive to manage over time. Every lost key often means rekeying locks, cutting replacements, and hoping no one finds it.
Smart locks eliminate those risks by replacing keys with PIN codes, mobile access, fingerprints, or virtual keys. Instead of wondering who has access, you can see it clearly and revoke it instantly.
Some of the biggest advantages of smart locks for businesses include:
- No more rekeying after employee turnover
- Controlled access for staff, vendors, and contractors
- Detailed activity logs showing who entered and when
- Remote access management from your phone
- Improved accountability and security
For businesses in Birmingham, where staff turnover, shared spaces, and high foot traffic are common, smart locks make everyday operations smoother and safer.
Best Commercial Locks in 2026
Yale Assure Lock 2
The Yale Assure Lock 2 consistently ranks as one of the best smart locks on the market, and for good reason. Its biggest strength is flexibility.
This lock allows business owners to start simple and expand features over time. You can install the basic touchscreen version and manage access with PIN codes. Later, if your needs grow, you can add a Wi-Fi or smart home module without replacing the entire lock.
Why businesses love it:
- Supports up to 25 unique PIN codes
- Allows scheduled access for employees
- Compatible with Apple, Android, Alexa, and Google Assistant
- Modular design means no full replacement later
- Fits standard commercial doors easily
Battery life is impressive, often lasting over a year on four AA batteries. The lock also provides clear low-battery warnings weeks in advance, so you’re never locked out unexpectedly.
For small to mid-sized businesses that want a future-proof solution, the Yale Assure Lock 2 is an excellent choice heading into 2026.
Schlage Encode Plus
If your business runs primarily on Apple devices, the Schlage Encode Plus is hard to beat. Its standout feature is Apple Home Key integration, which allows employees to unlock doors simply by tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch.
This tap-to-unlock feature is fast, secure, and eliminates the need to open apps or enter codes during busy hours.
Benefits:
- Stores up to 100 PIN codes
- Ideal for large teams or rotating staff
- Built-in Wi-Fi (no hub required)
- Activity log tracks up to 100 recent entries
- Supports Apple Wallet credentials
The Encode Plus is especially popular in offices, coworking spaces, and professional environments where speed and convenience matter.
Installation precision is important for this lock, as the motor requires proper alignment. This is where professional smart lock installation in Birmingham makes a big difference in long-term performance.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
Not every business owns its space. If you’re renting, sharing, or working under strict landlord rules, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is one of the smartest options available.
Instead of replacing the entire lock, August installs over the interior side of your existing deadbolt. From the outside, nothing changes, your landlord sees the same lock they approved.
Why it’s ideal for renters:
- Fully reversible installation
- No exterior hardware changes
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
- Works with Alexa, Google, and Apple HomeKit
One standout feature is DoorSense, which tells you whether the door is actually closed, not just locked. This is incredibly useful for businesses where staff may rush during closing hours.
August’s virtual key system allows you to send temporary access to vendors, cleaners, or contractors with exact time limits. Once the time expires, access shuts off automatically.
Battery life averages 6 to 9 months, with multiple advance warnings before replacement is needed.
Also read: Why Businesses Need High-Security Lock Systems
Kwikset Halo Touch
If you want biometric access without paying premium prices, the Kwikset Halo Touch offers solid value for small businesses.
It supports both fingerprint access and PIN codes, making it convenient for teams that want flexibility without carrying phones or remembering long codes.
Features include:
- Stores up to 50 fingerprints
- Supports 100 PIN codes
- Built-in Wi-Fi (no hub required)
- SmartKey system allows easy rekeying
The main limitation is durability. The Halo Touch is rated Grade 3, which is fine for offices, studios, and low-to-moderate traffic entrances. However, it may wear out faster on high-traffic retail doors.
For budget-conscious businesses that still want modern access control, it’s a strong option.
How to Choose the Right Smart Lock for Your Business
Not every lock fits every business. The right choice depends on how your space operates.
Ask yourself:
- How many people need access daily?
- Do employees work fixed or rotating shifts?
- Is the space owned or rented?
- Do you need audit logs for compliance or accountability?
- Is the entrance high-traffic or low-traffic?
A quiet office has very different needs from a busy retail store or restaurant. Choosing the wrong lock can lead to faster wear, poor user experience, or wasted money.
Why Professional Smart Lock Installation For Your Business Matters
Even the best smart lock won’t perform well if it’s poorly installed. Door alignment, strike plate positioning, and motor calibration all affect reliability.
Professional installation ensures:
- Smooth locking and unlocking
- Longer hardware lifespan
- Proper integration with existing security systems
- Reduced risk of future lockouts
For businesses, downtime caused by lock issues isn’t just inconvenient; it costs money.
So, What Should You Buy in 2026?
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- 1-10 employees, flexible growth: Yale Assure Lock 2
- Apple-focused workplace: Schlage Encode Plus
- Rental or shared space: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- Fingerprint access on a budget: Kwikset Halo Touch
Any of these options is a massive upgrade from managing physical keys.
Get Expert Help Choosing the Right Smart Lock
At AFA Locksmith Birmingham, we help businesses choose smart locks that actually fit their needs. We don’t push the most expensive option; we ask the right questions.
- How much traffic does your door see?
- How many people need access?
- Do you need integration with existing security systems?
Based on your answers, we recommend a solution that works today and scales into the future.
If you’re ready to upgrade, contact us today for professional smart lock installation in Birmingham and start 2026 with smarter, safer access control. Our commercial locksmiths in Birmingham will help you choose and install the best locks according to your needs.
