Smart Locks: Brands, Uses, and Benefits
What is a smart lock?
A smart lock is a small device you install on your door that gives you the capability to remotely lock or unlock it via an app or smart-home technology. Some smart locks can also monitor your home, send safety alerts, control access codes, and allow for keyless entry. Smart locks are electronic and typically work on Bluetooth or on a Wi-Fi network.
Benefits of smart locks
The benefits of using smart locks are largely about security and convenience.
Security
- Secure mode of entry: Everyone you approve can use a key, their fingerprint, facial recognition, a pin code, or app access to unlock and open the doors to your home.
- Monitoring and alerts: Smart locks can monitor all access in real time and can be set to send a notification to you when someone uses a door. Some locks can sound an alarm when there’s an unauthorized opening attempted. Pairing smart locks with cameras can give you more monitoring ability.
- Scheduled access: You can set certain people to have specific passcodes and control passcodes from anywhere.
- Deterrence: If it’s clear your door and home is being monitored and is very difficult to break into, it could stop a problem before it happens.
Convenience
- Remote control: You can lock and unlock your door from anywhere.
- Smart integration: You can integrate, automate, and control the lock with voice commands and through home automation platforms like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.
Can you install a smart lock yourself?
Most smart locks come with step-by-step instructions and the necessary hardware to be installed. In some cases, professional installation or locksmithing may be the better choice if you need expert help removing the old hardware, need help setting up the needed technology, or do not have the specialized tools.
Installing a smart lock involves removing the existing deadbolt and latch, then attaching the new mounting plate and adapter, then the smart lock itself. Additional reasons to consider hiring a professional include if a component such as a fingerprint pad must be precisely installed or if the door itself requires additional work such as leveling.
Smart locks and smart home compatibility
Most smart locks brands and models work with multiple smart-home systems. However, it’s important to check for compatibility before making a purchase. If you already use Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Assistant, Z-Wave, or another smart system, it makes sense to get a smart lock that works with what you’re already using.
| Apple Home | Amazon Alexa | Google Assistant | Ring Z-Wave | Samsung SmartThings | Phillips Hue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yale Assure Lock 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Lever | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Level Lock Plus | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| August Wi-Fi Smart Lock | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Lockly Visage Zeno Series Facial Recognition Deadbolt | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Kwikset Home Connect 620 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Best smart lock brands
The best smart lock brand for you will be the right combination of compatibility, price, ease-of-use, and the features most important to you. Here’s a list of the best brands we found across numerous review articles and trusted sources online.
August
August smart locks are small and designed to look traditional and unobtrusive while still having the smart and security features you need. August has a geo-tracking auto-unlock setting which can be set to unlock a door when your phone gets inside a set distance from the door.
August earns high marks for being fast and simple to install. The brand is known for being easy to use and durable. August locks are Grade 1 on the ANWI/BHMA (America National Standards Institute/Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association) rating scale which sets standards and rates many categories of home-related hardware. Smart locks are rated from Grade 1 (most durable) to 3.
Lockly
Lockly offers multiple models with fingerprint entry technology and pin code keypads with security features like the numbers on the pad’s buttons changing locations with every use. Lockly also has smart locks which can send video to your device.
Schlage
Schlage is a more traditional door hardware company now with smart lock models. Some Schlage models feature an alarm when an unauthorized security breach or attempt to use the lock is sensed.
Schlage gets good marks for being easy to install and is Grade 1 by the ANWI/BHMA.
Ultraloq
Ultraloq smart locks are often reviewed as a budget-friendly choice with the important security features, tech such as fingerprint entry, and good marks for installation and durability, with a Grade 1 ANWI-BHMA rating.
Yale
All Yale smart locks have keypads for keyless or phoneless entry and control. Yale smart locks have automatic locking settings which are easy to customize and control. They also get good reviews for being easy to install.
Yale smart locks are Grade 2 on the ANWI/BHMA scale.
Smart lock shopping considerations
The importance of certain factors and features with smart locks comes down to what you need. Here are the main considerations to keep in mind so you can improve your safety with a device and budget that works for you.
- Security features: Security features of smart locks generally include automatic locking, alarms, notifications, activity logs, remote control of access, and biometric access.
- Tech privacy features: Encryption, anti-hacking technology, and data protection are important security features in today’s connected world. Consider a company’s reputation for taking your home and your data’s safety seriously and the measures they take to ensure it.
- Cost: Smart locks can range in price from under $100 to about $400. If you need to hire help with installation or your internet system, there could be additional expenses.
- Compatibility and integration: It’s key to know what you’re buying is compatible and easy to set up with the smart home system you already have or wish to use.
- Ease of use: You don’t want a new smart lock that is too complicated for you, your kids, or anyone else who will be regularly using it.
- Battery and power specifications: Most modern systems for homes don’t need wiring, but if a model needs wiring or other power or internet network requirements, it’s important to know this ahead of making a purchase. Battery life, battery charging, and how a lock will notify you of a low battery are good considerations to look at.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the disadvantages of a smart door lock?
Disadvantages of smart locks include the cost, the possibility of a data security breach, a technology malfunction, or a dead battery. A system’s complexity could be a drawback, too.
Can you put a smart lock on any door?
A smart lock can be installed on any door with or capable of having a deadbolt. Doors with irregular dimensions may not work with a smart lock.
Do smart locks work when the power is out?
Smart locks use battery or backup power to work when the power is out in your home.
Do smart locks need WiFi?
Smart locks are designed to work even if their wireless connection goes down. A smart lock might use WiFi (or Bluetooth or Z-Wave) for additional automations and integration with a smart home system.