Smart locks offer more upgrades to your home than you may expect.
When I’m asked about smart home gadgets, I typically suggest people start
or smart lock. Smart locks, in particular, are an obvious first step (and only step, if you prefer) into
, and they can benefit nearly anyone with a front door.
But many people without a smart lock in their lives still don’t know what it is, how it works or why they should spend money on one. It’s time for a clear explanation of this important home technology, and why I’m such a fan.
These powerful, connected locks are useful every day. We’ve tested the latest to find the best.
Retrofits typically only require replacing the thumb turn.
A smart lock replaces the standard deadbolt found on nearly any front door (and many other doors) in a residential building. Many models replace the deadbolt entirely, which tends to allow extra features like keypads and fingerprint readers. Other types replace only the indoor thumb turn, the knob used to move the deadbolt — a smart lock style
— which is often cheaper and easier to install. Either way, the door handle below the lock is usually left untouched.
and lets you control it from your phone using a corresponding app. This allows you to operate the lock remotely, anywhere you can connect to the internet (like at work, or on vacation). That ability comes with several valuable tricks.
The inside thumbturn is usually the only part of a lock replaced in a retrofit.
With remote locking and unlocking, you don’t have to be at home to let a pet sitter or guest inside. Most smart lock apps also let you create temporary passcodes or digital passkeys for guests, which grant access and then auto-delete after the timeframe ends.
These locks can also send alerts to your phone, notifying you when the door is locked or unlocked. You can review a history of locking/unlocking in the app, or even set the door to automatically lock after a set amount of time, so no one ever forgets to lock the door again. Those features are also handy for keeping track of someone
That’s only the start of what a high-quality smart lock can do.
From keypads and digital wallet keys to fingerprints, smart locks offer new ways to protect your home.
is the different access methods they open up (heh), some of which may be far better for your daily life than the classic key.
Most locks not only have app controls but can sense when an authenticated mobile device is near, and automatically unlock with a swipe. That’s getting both easier and more common now
this year, helping smart locks connect to digital wallets (Google, Apple, Samsung and so on) that you probably already use, making pass management very easy.
Other locks focus on fingerprint scanners, a biometric option that I found highly accurate and quite speedy in all my testing. It takes only a couple of minutes to add your family’s fingerprints, and then you don’t have to worry about people losing their keys or needing access to the home when you aren’t around.
More advanced smart locks can do a little of everything.
, another common component of smart locks. Keypads let you change and swap codes and issue temporary codes to workers or visitors, which isn’t as easy to manage with a fingerprint sensor. Both work well in my testing, but keypads take longer to set up and the different designs may confuse some first-time users.
A number of smart locks combine all these access options and more, so you can choose your preferred method. Most include an emergency key slot or standard key slot, too. However,
skip old-school keys entirely, so users don’t have to worry about anyone picking the lock.
Smart lock installation is surprisingly easy if you’ve got a screwdriver and a little time.
Don’t worry about how difficult a smart lock is to install. As I mentioned, they’ll work with most standard deadbolt designs, and are typically a DIY project. You shouldn’t need more than a sturdy screwdriver for a full deadbolt replacement.
Most locks have alternative options for slightly different deadbolt placements. Take a look at
: Renters should also check their lease and see what their landlord or property management company says. Typically, installing a new deadbolt is a step too far for tenants, although a retrofit may be more permissible. But landlords usually prefer to handle anything related to locks themselves.
There are even smart locks made specifically for them
Batteries are always installed on the inside housing, typically AAs.
How do smart locks accomplish all their tricks and maintain their Wi-Fi connections? The lock’s indoor housing also houses the battery. Some locks run on two to four AA batteries. Others use proprietary rechargeable batteries that you need to remove and recharge from time to time.
Either way, these batteries typically last at least a few months and up to a year, depending on how often the door is activated. Apps generally give you warnings or alerts when battery power is low.