What is a Smart Lock?
Traditional locks can be changed into keyless access door locks for your home by installing a smart lock. The majority of smart locks are WiFi-connected and simple to lock and unlock with a touchscreen pin code or the lock’s mobile app. If your hands are full and you are outside your home, you will still be able to unlock the door and let visitors in.
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Know the Different Types of Smart Locks
There are numerous varieties of smart locks available. Smart locks typically come in two varieties: touchscreen and mechanical keypad. You can enter your code using a touchscreen smart lock. In order to prevent thieves from guessing your code using a keypad with worn-out numerals that could be your code, the best touchscreen smart locks are fingerprint-resistant. Some touchscreen keypads have biometric fingerprint entry so you can open the door with just one touch.
However, keypad smart locks require you to click a button in order to input your code in order to lock and unlock your door. Remember that some of the numbers are more prone to become worn out quickly. The majority of mechanical keypad locks, on the plus side, come with a conventional keyhole, allowing you to lock and unlock your door as usual if you’d like. It’s always a great idea to install a video doorbell camera.
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The Benefits of Smart Locks
The first step to keeping your house secure without worrying is installing smart locks. You won’t have to worry about forgetting to lock the door or where you put your keys before you left. There are a few significant perks to anticipate along with a wide range of options and features.
Keyless entry
You’ll be able to lock the door and toss away the key using smart locks. Smart door locks offer additional security keyless entry options including passcodes, fingerprints, and smartphone unlocking while still being convenient. When you provide your visitors a securely produced passcode that was established just for their usage, they’ll even have easy entry to your house.
Better safety and security
Thieves will have a difficult time getting through strong bump proof fixtures and cracking your passcodes. They might have a harder time getting your door open than with most conventional locks. The majority of smart door locks even have extra security features like adding extra digits before and after the code or shuffling it immediately after access. Additionally, you’ll always feel secure knowing who arrives and goes thanks to your smartphone’s immediate mobile notifications.
A smarter home
When you pair your smart lock with your Amazon Alexa, smart security system, or smart lighting, you’ll have additional control at your fingertips even when you’re not home. For more information on how connectivity is essential throughout your smart home, see our Buyers Guide for Home Automation Products.
Biometric entry
The best touchscreen smart locks let you lock and unlock your door using your fingerprint.
Voice commands
The majority of modern smart locks allow you to tell your voice assistant to lock or unlock your door hands-free by integrating with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Back-lit keypad
Your smart lock should have a backlight so you can easily unlock the door when you get home at night. The lighting should highlight the digits on the lock.
More ways to lock and unlock
For ease of accessibility, you should be able to unlock and lock your door using the keypad, your smartphone, your fingerprint, or other methods.
Automatic door lock
Some smart locks can be set up to automatically lock behind you in the event that you forget, ensuring the security of your home at all times.
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Buying A Smart Lock For The Home
Anti-theft smart door locks
Because of a few factors, burglars frequently struggle to open smart locks. Often, sophisticated anti-theft mechanisms make it difficult to break in. Lock bumping is a common infiltration technique in which the door is opened by vigorously pushing or banging against it. When using smart locks, the door lock has bump-proof features built in, such as a thin, robust bar that is integrated into the lock.
Think about purchasing a smart lock that doubles as a deadbolt. Door locks with deadbolts are reputed to be more durable than those with latches and springs. With additional heavy metal placed in, they extend the door frame’s protection. Deadbolts frequently need a key to open, although other locks can be opened quickly with a door knob or sliding latch. Simply explained, if a door has both a latch lock and a deadbolt installed, burglars may find it easier to unlock the latch, but the door won’t open because the deadbolt door lock requires a key from the outside to unlock the door – even while turning the doorknob.
Bluetooth vs Z-wave smart locks
The best low-power wireless connection alternatives are frequently Bluetooth smart locks, but bear in mind that Bluetooth technology is only intended to function over limited distances before disconnecting. The same is true for Bluetooth-enabled smart door locks. Fortunately, Bluetooth smart locks frequently come with a smartphone app for handy remote control.
Z-wave connected smart locks need a little more to make use of advanced technology. They need a hub, which is frequently provided with the smart lock. To deliver the low-power radio waves used by Z-wave and connect to your home internet, you should place the hub close to your door inside your house. The main advantage of Z-wave is that it was created specifically to link smart home gadgets. A Z-wave hub for smart door locks will provide the remote access required to verify your door and control additional functions using your smartphone and a mobile app.
Owning vs Renting
It all comes down to whether you’re purchasing or renting your house when choosing the ideal smart lock. Since installation involves drilling and removing the existing lock, some smart locks need expert installation, which property managers may not always be able to provide. Consider a deadbolt smart door lock that integrates with your existing lock if you’re renting your house. These are frequently battery-operated, Wi-Fi connected, and clean installation and removal only call for one screwdriver.
There are more smart door lock alternatives available to homeowners. With no installation constraints, you can pick a style that complements your house and door the best. You will have the authority to unmount the current lock and install the new smart lock of your choice. However, a smart lock conversion kit can convert your standard lock into a smart door lock if you’re seeking for locks that are simple to install without taking out your current lock. Change your lock’s interior for the converter smart lock’s design and keep your smart lock set up the same.
You may choose the smart door lock that’s perfect for you now that you are aware of their features and workings. Next, choose the best smart lock for your home using the knowledge you’ve gained from our experts.
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Smart Locks For The Home FAQs
What is a smart door lock?
In order to increase security and safety, a smart lock essentially replaces conventional door locks and keys with an electronic lock equipped with cutting-edge capabilities.
How do smart locks work?
Smart locks can be controlled via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Z-wave technology, which uses low-power radio waves. Since they are wire-free, they are frequently battery-operated for minimal energy usage and are simple to install. You will link the smart lock to your home’s Wi-Fi once it has been powered on so that you may lock and open your door. Additionally, smart locks can be integrated into a whole home security system for increased monitoring.
What types of smart locks are available?
To lock and unlock doors, smart locks provide a variety of alternatives. Passcodes, key fobs, and smartphone controls are the most widely used key-free entry methods. With a passcode, you can unlock a door by entering a string of numbers. The best digital door locks let you set up different passcodes for each member of the household. They also have anti-theft capabilities to prevent thieves from breaking in who might try to remember the code. The most common smart locks used by property managers that oversee rental properties are key fobs.
Key fobs let you program any fob to match any property and disable the master key if the renters change or the key is lost, so you don’t have to worry as much about losing the master key. Simply press the key fob against the lock to unlock the door, then open the door as directed by the supplier. Smart door locks with key fobs are also common among homeowners. Last but not least, smartphones can now access doors using the provider’s mobile app. To open the door without a key, just use the app. For added convenience, certain smart door locks allow voice requests from Google Assistant, Siri, or Amazon’s Alexa to open the door. There are further smart lock alternatives, such as face recognition, radio frequency identification (RFID) badges, and fingerprints.
Are there any door components for smart locks?
You should double verify the new lock’s specs and compare them to your door to ensure the lock fits precisely, even though there isn’t a certain door design that works for a smart lock. Make sure the existing deadbolt is compatible with your smart lock if you want to keep it; otherwise, your old keys won’t work if you decide to use them.