Locking and unlocking your door is one of the most routine tasks you can complete in your life, and every time you head out to work or leave to run errands, your first thought is to ensure that you’ve secured your home to prevent any intruders or thieves from gaining access. But while effective, traditional locks can also be cumbersome, and when you have arms full of groceries or small children you’re trying to wrangle, it can be frustrating trying to dig in your purse or pocket for your set of keys. To help combat this frequent challenge, more people have started incorporating smart home technology into their lives, and by swapping out those old-fashioned deadbolts for an upgraded version, you can now simplify your daily routine while also enhancing the security of your home.

With various shapes, styles, and systems available to you, smart locks have revolutionized the way people secure their homes and these innovative devices offer a seamless way for you to exit and enter your house, without the need for keys. With just the push of a button or the scanning of your fingerprint, you can access your property in an instant, and you can even grant guests and visitors immediate entry, even if you’re not around. Simple, beneficial, and shockingly easy to install, smart locks are a modern solution to an age-old problem, and they go a long way in making your home safer, smarter, and significantly more convenient. 

What is a Smart Lock?

A smart home device built for security, smart locks are convenient, easy-to-install gadgets that serve to replace a traditional deadbolt in favor of a more modern option that doesn’t require a physical key in order to open it. Instead of having to put in your key and turn, these locks work by using various unlock methods such as PIN codes, smartphone apps, voice commands, and even fingerprints, making them significantly more convenient and more fun. With the ability to grant temporary access to guests or service providers remotely, and the added benefit of integration with other smart home devices, smart locks not only bring a higher level of convenience to your daily life but also elevate your home's overall security, and they can provide you with complete peace of mind, both when you’re at home and when you’re away. 

Beyond making it easier to enter your home when you need to, smart locks also provide a host of of other benefits that make them such a preferred option among people, and some of the key reasons why they continue to grow in popularity include:

The big draw of smart locks is definitely the keyless entry, and if you hate fumbling around for your keys every time you get home, then these gadgets are perfect for you. Allowing you to enter your home effortlessly, smart locks offer a range of keyless entry methods and they also enhance security as you no longer need to worry about your physical keyset being lost or stolen. 

Do you have a friend or family member coming in from out of town but you’re stuck at work and can’t be home to let them in? Or are you expecting a package that you don’t want left on the porch, but have no way to grant entry to your delivery driver? Smart locks are able to eliminate these problems by allowing you to lock and unlock your door via an app, anywhere, anytime. You will also have the option to create temporary passcodes on some models, which can be given to friends, family, or even AirBnB guests as necessary. 

Most of the smart locks that are currently on the market have been designed so that they can seamlessly integrate with the other smart home technology you have installed, and whether that’s your Google Home or an Alexa, you can pair your devices together for greater control and flexibility. Sitting on the couch and can’t remember if you locked the front door? Simply ask your preferred smart home platform to check for you, and they will be able to not only let you know, but lock the door as well if you’ve forgotten to. 

Smart locks don’t just physically make your home safer by providing you with a sturdy and durable deadbolt, they can also go a long way in increasing security thanks to their enhanced, technologically advanced features. Often equipped with anti-tamper sensors, auto-locking capabilities, real-time alerts, and remote monitoring, you can feel confident that your home is adequately protected at all times and that you can check-in on your door’s lock status, anytime you want to. 

Lock Styles

Before purchasing a smart lock for your home, it’s essential that you understand the various styles that exist, as depending on your property and your needs, you may find that one particular style is better suited to your situation than the other. In general, the two main styles you will see include the traditional deadbolt as well as the retrofit design, and which one is right for you is often dictated by how in-depth you want the installation process to be. Renters, for example, who aren’t able to physically alter their front door, likely will need to opt for a retrofit design which doesn’t require the removal of your old lock and instead fits snuggly overtop of your existing deadbolt. With a retrofit smart lock, renters can enjoy the benefits of smart security without making any permanent alterations and they tend to be compatible with most existing locks which makes them an easy, affordable, and effortless solution for those seeking a non-invasive option. 

As for homeowners who want a more permanent change, the traditional deadbolt style of smart lock can be a more worthwhile choice, as these will fully replace your existing lock for a more comprehensive and integrated smart home set-up. While the installation process is a bit more involved, most models are designed to still be user-friendly and you should be able to complete the full installation process on your own without needing to hire a professional technician. With the deadbolt style smart lock you will typically find that they include more features and benefits than the retrofit options, and this makes them the most popular and preferred choice when feasible. 

Smart Lock Technology

Not all smart locks rely on the same technology to operate, and depending on the brand and model you select, it may utilize one of 3 core communication methods to connect with and interact with your smartphone and other smart home devices. Each of the potential options will have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, so you’ll want to understand how each one works, and the benefits to each, in order to make the right choice for your home. 

A short-range wireless technology that works with devices in limited proximity to one another, bluetooth connections are mainly utilized during initial set-up of the device, configuration, and possibly for control when at home and within up to 100 feet of your smart lock. The benefit to bluetooth is that it pairs seamlessly and quickly with any enabled devices nearby, however, it limits your range of control as you won’t be able to interact with your lock when you’re outside of the short proximity. 

Specifically designed for smart home devices, z-wave technology is what connects your Google Home, Alexa, or other smart home hubs to your lights, locks, and systems within your house. For those trying to build a smart ecosystem, z-wave communication is an absolute must, but the devices that utilize it can be more costly and the set-up can be a bit more intricate. 

The most commonly seen technology when browsing smart locks, WiFi-enabled devices are the easiest to set-up and control and they give you significant flexibility as they allow you to manage and monitor your doors right from your smartphone. Requiring little more than a home WiFi network, they offer numerous advantages and they will still connect seamlessly with your full smart home ecosystem so long as they are compatible with the specific hub you own. 

How Do They Unlock?

Allowing you to finally ditch that house key once and for all, smart locks offer multiple methods for entry that are quick, easy, and incredibly convenient. In some models, you may be able to utilize more than one type of entry method to suit your preferences, or you may be limited to a single method every time. Because of how much variety there is, you’ll want to explore all potential options to see what you feel is best, and then look for locks that incorporate that specific technology into their design. Some of the most common unlock methods you’ll likely encounter when browsing smart locks include:

Smart locks with keypads feature a touchscreen with numbers which is where you will enter your unique PIN code every time you want to lock or unlock the door. In many cases, these models will also allow you to create individual PINs for each family member who lives in the home, and you can also set-up temporary codes for guests, delivery drivers, and visitors. 

Most smart locks will include a free app alongside your purchase, and these apps serve as your main point of control for all aspects of your device. Through the integrated app, you should be able to lock and unlock your door instantly, and this can be done when you’re standing in front of your door, or remotely if you need to allow access to a guest or visitor. 

Some of the more advanced smart locks are set-up so that they can be opened using your fingerprint or facial recognition, and these are some of the easiest options as they are incredibly fast and won’t require you to stop and enter a code or pull out your phone to access an app. However, this technology can sometimes be a bit finicky, and it can also be one of the more expensive options which needs to be taken into consideration if you're a budget-conscious shopper.

Geofencing takes app control one step further, and this unique unlock method still requires a smartphone but doesn’t require you to take it out of your pocket in order to gain entry into your home. Instead, your smart lock will have a built-in proximity sensor that can detect that your smartphone is in range, and as you approach the door will automatically unlock for you. 

If you have connected your smart lock to your smart home system, then you should be able to lock and unlock your door whenever you’d like using nothing more than simple voice commands. Integration with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri ensure you don’t have to get up and walk over to the door every time you want to make sure it’s properly locked, and it provides a hands-free solution that is both convenient and secure. 

Bottom Line

With so many unique and beneficial options on the market, the world of smart locks is vast and exciting and these handy little devices can make a big impact on your life as they streamline your day to day activities and allow for easier and more convenient entry into your home. Utilizing advanced technology, and pairing seamlessly with other devices for a connected ecosystem, smart locks can go a long way in helping you feel more secure, and they ensure complete peace of mind that your home is protected 24/7. Featuring flexible access control, remote management, and an added layer of convenience, these modern solutions are a worthwhile addition to any home and they suit the needs of both homeowners and renters alike thanks to their varied installation methods and options. If you’re ready to upgrade your home and want an affordable way of doing so, then now is the time to explore some of the available models to see which one fits best with your needs, budget, and lifestyle.