This Table of Contents
What are Smart Locks?
Smart locks are intelligent locking systems allowing users to securely and conveniently access their doors. These locks use biometric data, keypads, or even smartphones to enable secure access. Smart locks are becoming increasingly popular as they provide an extra layer of security from intruders, reducing the risk of robbery and burglary. Additionally, smart locks can be integrated with other smart home devices, providing users with an all-in-one solution for home security.
Smart locks come in various designs and styles, enabling users to choose the perfect product for their home security needs. In addition, these locks can be installed on multiple door types, allowing users to access their doors without requiring keys. Smart locks also provide a range of additional features, such as auto-lock and voice activation, that make home security even more convenient.
What are the Different Types of Smart Locks?
There are various types of smart locks on the market today, including deadbolt, lever-style, mortise, and retrofit locks. Deadbolt locks are the most common type of smart locks, and they offer increased security with their hardened steel construction. Lever-style locks replace existing knobs and levers, providing an aesthetic solution that can install in minutes. Mortise locks are less common but install on sliding and screen door installations. Finally, retrofit locks fit over your existing lock, transforming your traditional lock into a smart lock.
Deadbolt
Deadbolt locks are the most popular type of smart locks due to their hardened steel construction, durability, and ability to install in minutes. Deadbolts are available in various sizes, ranging from single-cylinder to double-cylinder models. They are also available with multiple finishes, allowing you to customize your smart lock to suit your home’s decor. In addition, Deadbolt locks offer additional features, such as keyless entry and wireless access control, providing users with unparalleled convenience and security.
Lever-Style
Lever-style locks provide a unique solution to access control. They replace existing knobs and levers, making installation fast and easy. Lever-style locks are usually constructed from sturdy materials, such as hardened steel, and are available in various finishes to suit your home’s decor. Additionally, many lever-style locks have advanced features, such as keyless entry and voice activation, for increased convenience.
Mortise
Mortise locks are a less common type of smart lock but usually install on sliding and screen doors. They fit into a mortise pocket, providing a secure and seamless installation. Mortise locks are typically made from high-quality materials, such as stainless steel, and are more secure than traditional locks. Additionally, many mortise locks come with advanced features such as keyless entry and voice activation, providing users with increased convenience and peace of mind.
Retrofit
Retrofit locks are ideal for those who want to upgrade their existing lock to a smart one. Retrofit locks fit over your existing lock, transforming it into an advanced smart lock. In addition, these locks are available in various sizes and finishes, allowing you to customize the look of your lock to match the style of your home. Retrofit locks are also affordable, making them an excellent choice for those looking to upgrade their home security on a budget.
What are the Benefits of Smart Locks?
Smart locks offer a variety of benefits that traditional locks cannot match. For example, you can assign individual entry codes to your family, friends, or service providers, allowing them to access your home securely and conveniently. Additionally, you can lock or unlock your doors remotely via the app on your smartphone. And with no more lost or hideaway keys, you can rest assured that your home is always secure.
Assign Individual Entry Codes
With smart locks, you can easily assign unique entry codes to your family members, friends, or service providers, allowing you to control who has access to your home and giving you greater peace of mind. Additionally, these codes can be changed or revoked at any time, providing you with an extra layer of security beyond traditional locks. Furthermore, with entry codes, you can keep track of who has entered your home and when giving you even more control over who can enter.
Lock or Unlock Remotely
Smart locks offer the convenience of locking or unlocking your doors remotely via the app on your smartphone, allowing you to control access to your home from your phone, ensuring that your home stays secure at all times. Additionally, this feature can come in handy when you forget to lock your doors or when an unauthorized visitor attempts to enter your home.
No More Lost or Hideaway Keys
Smart locks provide an additional layer of security by eliminating the need for hideaway keys or lost keys. With a smart lock, you can securely store digital entries and assign unique codes to your family members, friends, or service providers, ensuring that only those with designated entry rights can access your home, giving you peace of mind. Plus, you can change or revoke codes anytime, giving you complete control over who can access your home.
Create Temporary Entry Codes
Another great feature of smart locks is the ability to create temporary entry codes, allowing you to grant access to your home to someone temporarily, such as a delivery person, without giving them a permanent key. Entry codes are more secure than giving out a permanent key and give you greater control over who can access your home. Furthermore, you can easily revoke the code once its purpose is served, providing you with an extra layer of security and peace of mind.
Integrate with Smart Home
Smart locks are also compatible with smart home systems, allowing you to integrate your locks into a single home automation system. This will enable you to control multiple connected devices with one app, giving you complete control over your home security system. Additionally, you can set up automated scenes, such as locking all the doors when you leave for work, ensuring that your home is always secure. Smart locks are an excellent way to upgrade your home security and give you peace of mind by knowing your home is always protected.
What Features do Smart Locks Offer?
Smart locks offer a variety of features that provide homeowners with a secure and convenient way to access their homes. Automatic locking is a feature that allows the locks to re-lock after a set period, eliminating the need to lock your doors manually. Keypads, biometrics, and key fobs are three common ways to gain access to your home, offering convenience and security. Video locks allow you to view who is at your door without having to open it. At the same time, secure keypad lockout prevents unauthorized entry by temporarily disabling the keypad after too many incorrect entries.
Automatic Locking
Automatic locking is a great feature that provides additional security for smart locks. This feature allows the locks to automatically re-lock after a pre-determined amount of time, eliminating the need to lock your doors manually. At the same time, helping to protect your home from intruders and gives you peace of mind knowing that your home is always secure. Furthermore, you can also set up automated scenes, such as locking all the doors when you leave for work so that you don’t have to worry about forgetting to lock your doors.
Keypad
Keypads offer a convenient way to access your home without needing keys. Instead, you can assign unique entry codes to your family and friends, giving you complete control over who can access your home. Keypads are also durable and tamper-resistant, protecting your home from unauthorized access. Plus, they are easy to install and require very little maintenance, making them an ideal option for those who want secure access to their home without the hassle of dealing with keys.
Biometrics
Biometrics provides an additional layer of security to smart locks. This technology utilizes fingerprints, retina scans, and facial recognition to identify and grant access to authorized users. Biometric smart locks are more secure than traditional locks and keys, as they eliminate the need for physical keys, which can be lost or stolen. Additionally, biometric locks are swift and efficient, granting access in just a few seconds. While biometrics is the fast way to enter your home, they cannot give temporary access on the fly as you need their data stored before granting them access.
Key Fobs
Key fobs offer a convenient and secure way to access your home. Key fobs are small, lightweight devices that provide keyless entry using RFID technology. Ensures that only those with authorized fobs can access your home, giving you peace of mind. Key fobs are also incredibly durable and tamper-resistant, providing an added security layer. However, key fobs are the same as keys, just slightly more convenient.
Video Lock
Video locks are an advanced feature that allows you to see who is at your door without having to open it. This feature uses a video camera and speaker, enabling you to communicate with the person at your door. It also gives you extra security, as you can verify the person’s identity before granting access to your home. Video locks are a great way to ensure your safety and security while allowing you to see who is at your door without having to open it.
Secure Keypad Lockout
Secure Keypad Lockout is a great feature that helps to protect your home from unauthorized entry. This feature temporarily disables the keypad after too many incorrect entries, protecting your home from potential intruders. It also allows you to set the number of attempts before the lock is disabled, giving you the freedom to choose the best level of security for your home. Once the keypad is locked out, it will remain locked out for a set period, deterring would-be intruders and preventing them from guessing your code. However, you can still gain access via phone app or biometrics during this lockout.
Smart Locks Considerations?
Before purchasing a smart lock, it’s essential to consider your current door size and setup. Ensuring that the smart lock you choose is ANSI/BHMA certified will give you peace of mind knowing that your lock meets the highest security standards. Additionally, consider if you need a backup power supply or physical key in an emergency. Moreover, ensuring that your smart lock is compatible with your home’s hub and any other smart home protocols is crucial.
Current Door Size and Setup
When selecting a smart lock for your home, it’s essential to consider the current door size and setup. Make sure the lock you choose is compatible with your door and will fit properly. Smart lock manufacturers try to accommodate multiple-size doors. Usually, the most critical measurement is the door thickness. Additionally, it would be best if you noted your current hardware. For example, if you only have a door knob, you will want to replace it with a lever-style smart lock, or you will have to modify your door to fit a deadbolt. Pro-tip: If you decide to go with a deadbolt, you will also want to switch out the door knob with a non-locking one. You don’t want a dumb lock with a smart lock; you will be asking for trouble.
ANSI/BHMA Certificated
Smart locks are certified by the ANSI/BHMA certification standard. This certification means that the smart lock has passed rigorous security testing, ensuring it is secure and reliable. By using a certified smart lock, you can rest assured that your home is as secure as possible. The ANSI/BHMA certification also uses a grade level ranging from 1 to 3, with 1 being the highest standard. Therefore, most smart locks should be at least a Grade 2.
Battery Life
When selecting a smart lock, you want to pay special attention to the device’s expected battery life. Smart locks usually require two AA batteries. However, some models may need more. Generally, you can expect a battery life of around six months, but this can vary depending on the manufacturer and usage. You will want to ensure that your smart lock has a low battery warning, especially if you cannot access the lock physically.
Backup Power or Key
Since most smart locks are battery-powered and, as such, are subject to limited battery life, making sure your lock has a backup battery or a physical key will ensure you will always be able to access your home. Trust me; you don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t get into your home.
Hub Compatibility
Ensure your chosen lock is compatible with your current smart home hub. Smart locks come in various communication protocols, including Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. You should check with your hub manufacturer to ensure the lock is in the compatible device list. This will ensure you can control your lock from your smart hub.
Maximum Entry Codes
Smart locks also give you the ability to generate multiple user entry codes. However, the number of codes you can generate will vary depending on the type of lock. Therefore, it is vital to take note of the maximum number of codes your chosen lock can generate to ensure it will meet your needs. Most locks will allow you to generate up to 30 codes.
Price
One of the last considerations when selecting a smart lock is the price. Smart locks can range from around $100 for basic models to upwards of $400 for the more advanced models. Therefore, consider how much you are willing to spend and determine the features you need for your setup. Additionally, purchasing a certified lock will help ensure you get what you pay for and a quality product that meets your needs.
Conclusion
Ultimately, no matter which smart lock you choose, it will be a great addition to your smart home and provide you with peace of mind and security. Please don’t get too caught up with features, as our end goal is to integrate these with our smart home. Doing this will open up advanced features like sending notifications or sounding an alarm.
