Lockin has stuffed pleny of clever ideas into this smart lock, but it feels like it's a few firmware updates away from something I'd trust to guard any of my entry doors. Lockin claims a history dating back to 2014--as well as the involvement of Hartmut Esslinger, best known as a key Apple Computer designer in the 1980s--but it wasn't until CES 2025 that the company really touched down with a major presence in the smart lock space. Though Esslinger has a reputation for minimalism, the new Lockin Veno 7 Pro really does come loaded with everything. It's a hub-free Wi-Fi lock with ANSI grade 2 and IP65 certifications that allows for access via a numeric touchpad, fingerprint reader, or palm vein scan--in addition to support for its mobile app and a physical key. A very wide-angle camera mounted on the front of the device also lets the unit work as a video doorbell, complete with a ring button that illuminates when someone comes near.

Every month, Engadget features what our editors are currently into, whether it be video games, podcasts or gadgets. These are not official reviews; they're simply our first-hand experiences. This week, Senior Editor Devindra Hardawar dives into Yale's Assure smart lock. What if you could go through life without worrying about carrying your keys and potentially being locked out of the house? That's something I've always dreamed of, but it wasn't possible when I was renting in Brooklyn.

Most smart locks come in the form of a deadbolt, though you'll find the latch-and-lever design an occasional option. If, like many homes, you already have both on your door, you're faced with a bit of a dilemma when it comes to upgrading to smart tech. The common solution is to update the deadbolt, then stop using the locking mechanism on the latch altogether. But many people prefer the added security of having two locking mechanisms, so then what: Install two smart locks? Lockly, which last combined a smart lock and a video doorbell into a bizarre but effective product, has come up with a solution of sorts, putting both a latch and a deadbolt in a single, if exceedingly awkward, mechanism.

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of deals here. Available for $130, this Google Home Hub bundle allows you to get the Home Hub at the typical holiday sale price of $130 but includes 2 Home Minis, a $50 value. It's a great way to jump into smart speakers and displays at a discount if you like the Google ecosystem.

Schlage's Sense Smart Deadbolt is now compatible with Google Assistant, giving users with enabled devices voice control over their lock. By saying, "OK Google, is my door locked?" or "OK Google, lock my door," Sense owners can check on the status of their deadbolt or lock it using Google Assistant. The company announced that Google Assistant support was on the way during CES earlier this year. Schlage Sense locks also work with Siri and the company introduced the ability to unlock Sense deadbolts with Alexa earlier this month. To use Google Assistant with your Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt, you'll have to get a Schlage Sense Wi-Fi adaptor, through which you can also lock and unlock the smart deadbolt with your phone.

One of our favorite smart locks is getting even smarter. Schlage announced today that Google Assistant control is coming to its Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt. Using Google Assistant on Google Home or iOS or Android smartphones, you'll be able to lock the deadbolt by saying, "OK Google, lock my door." If your OCD kicks in and you can't remember if you locked up, you can ask "OK Google, is my door locked?" The Google Assistant capabilities will require the Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter ($70) to get remote access to the lock.

You can already unlock Schlage's Sense smart deadbolt with your voice through Siri, but you now have another choice if you're not a fan of Apple devices. The smart lock is now compatible with Amazon Alexa, so you can lock/unlock it or check out its status by barking out voice commands through an Echo speaker or any of the e-retail giant's Alexa-enabled devices. If you want to play with the integration a bit more, you can fire up the Alexa app and create "routines" for your smart devices triggered by key words. For instance, you can create a sequence that automatically locks your front door and switches off the lights when you say "good night." Schlage has another smart lock with Alexa integration through either Wink or Samsung SmartThings, but Sense could be the better choice if you don't have plans of automating all the appliances in your home.

This is a new low on our new top pick for best robot vacuum. While this robot vacuum hasn't been on the market long, this is the best price we've seen, a good bit below the $220 street price. Since we don't have a lot of data on the RoboVac, it's hard to say how long this sale will last. The Eufy RoboVac 11 is our new top pick in our guide to the best robot vacuums. Liam McCabe wrote, "The Eufy RoboVac 11 is the smart-money pick for most people who want a robot vacuum cleaner. In our testing and research, the RoboVac 11 was the most likely to complete a cleaning cycle on its own, without getting stuck and waiting for a human to rescue it. That's the most important part of a robot vacuum's job, and the Eufy 11 does it better than almost any other model we've seen, even those that cost hundreds more. It's also quieter than most other bots, is one of the lower-cost models to come with a remote control, and the brand (an offshoot of Anker) has a good track record for customer service. Its cleaning power is not particularly strong, and its semi-random navigation system may miss patches of floor. But the 2.5-hour battery life (among the longest we've seen) helps to offset those limitations. Overall, it's good enough to keep the floors tidy in just about any home if you run it at a few times per week, yet costs much less and comes with fewer caveats than any other robot vacuums that can say the same."

For those not in the know (this won't be many of you), HomeKit is a home automation framework created by Apple that developers can use to send data across applications and devices. It means that information from your thermostat, light switches, lightbulbs, blinds, locks and other smart-home devices can be shared using a common standard and with approved security practices. For now, the only way to interact with HomeKit is through Siri, but rumors suggest that the system may soon be getting a dedicated app. In the case of the Smart Lock, upgrading to HomeKit actually means buying a new device; the hardware differs slightly from the original model introduced two years ago. Thanks to HomeKit, one can control the August Smart Lock by speaking to the phone and saying things like "Close the door" or "Is the back door open?" and have it react accordingly.