Are you still unlocking your doors with keys? If yes, what decade are you living in? Just kidding, but in all seriousness, there are many options out there. You don’t need to even set up a smart lock with the wireless capability; it could just be a keypad that is set up for quick entry. The time of hiding keys under the rug or forgetting them is long gone! This is a smart time when a lot has become automated. A lot of the devices we use can be automated and connected! Thus, if you want your house to be up to date, you need to secure it with a smart lock.
A smart lock can be one of the best technological advancements. It not only ensures security but also makes your life hassle-free.
What Is a Smart Lock?
Smart locks are the new way of controlling who can get in and out of your house. Say goodbye to traditional locks and keys. This is one way of making sure your home has all that this technology-based time demands.
One of the more essential benefits of having a smart lock is that it identifies the authorized people. Moreover, there is no more hassle of taking your keys with you. You can open your doors with one thing that you will never forget – your phone!
Does It Cost Much?
While it saves you from the trouble of handling a key, it does not demand a lot of investment. However, there are a range of factors that differentiate smart locks and their prices. Hence, how costly a smart lock is, depends on the features that you are looking for. The price range starts around $100 and can go up to $300+.
Some come with Bluetooth control, while some you can control with your phone. Then, there are those that you can operate through voice commands. For instance, the August Smart Lock has both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, whereas Schlage Sense needs Bluetooth only.
How to Install It?
Don’t worry, as the installation of the device is not much of a task. If you are comfortable using a screwdriver and a little DIY, you should be able to change out the lock without much hassle. In the event that you have to cut out any holes and you’re not confident using a drill or hole saws, you may need to hire someone. This would be if you currently don’t have a deadbolt already or you have an unusual lock installed. Almost all smart locks will come with all the components required for installation outside and inside the house. Most will even come with the screws required, and you can adjust with your old style lock as well. Thus, you don’t need to fret about getting rid of your old ways and switching to the new system.
Can You Operate It with Voice Commands?
Imagine yourself saying ‘Google lock the door’ or ‘Alexa lock the door’ and seeing the magic! This is probably one of the most exciting and convenient features of a smart lock. You can operate it through the various home assistants like Alexa or Google Home.
In all honesty, getting a smart lock is your way of moving ahead in your life. It will make your life hassle-free in more than one way.
Is There Any Installation Cost?
This depends on how you are getting it installed. If you are calling a professional from the company, you will have to pay them a higher amount, which could make installation expensive for you. However, if you are calling a locksmith, they will also charge you but less than the company professionals. You can also save all that money by installing the smart lock yourself. Just google some installation videos, and you will be good to go.
Most of the time, a Philips screwdriver is all that’s needed. You would simply unscrew your old lock and take it out. If you just bought a dead-bolt, than you only need to remove this portion. Once you have taken your old lock, you can make your new smart dead-bolt and go through the instructions on putting it together.
Most of the time, you will have a bolt that slides into the side of the door. Then 2 pieces, one on the outside and one on the inside, that go through the bolt mechanism. After you screw it the two pieces together, obviously from the inside, then you can throw the batteries in and start the setup.
Each lock will vary for setups and installs, so always read the instructions thoroughly. Also, it’s good to note that there are locks that go over top of your existing lock, making installing even easier.
Small Tip:
If your lock seems sticky or hard to unlatch. It could be due to something not seated right or too tightly. Let off the two screws for the lock, holding the two pieces together and readjust.
Does Installing a Smart Lock Help?
How can you even think that it won’t? It is not only much safer, but it also allows you to monitor your house as the owner of the device can track the opening of doors. It creates a somewhat safe environment against forced entry.
It also saves you from the struggle of changing locks and switching keys. Now, all you have to do is change the previous codes. This does make a smart lock a more straightforward method of securing your house.
What Are Some of the Important Features?
If you are ready to install a smart lock, you must be wondering, what does a smart lock actually offer? So, here’s a round-up of all the important features that a smart lock can offer:
· Control through your phone and web
· Sensors used for unlocking
· One time or guest use access
· Advanced security
· Quick access to backup
· Codes for security
· Track record of activities
· Long battery life
· Connection with home system
· Connection with Bluetooth and voice commands
· Touch control
And much more!
What Are Some of the Top Options?
August Smart Lock
You can unlock it through your mobile application or web. It is excellent for those who have the Apple HomeKit system. As compared to Yale or Schlage, it connects through both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
It can respond to voice command through Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, and Nest Secure. This makes it the only one with the ability to connect with all sorts of integrations. Yale doesn’t have voice connectivity, whereas Schlage only connects to Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
The installation device has to be placed inside the house like its Pro version, whereas others need to be installed both indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, its location access is incomparable.
Yale Assure Lock
It allows you to easily change the passcode and comes with a touchscreen keypad. It also offers a tamper alarm, which is missing in August and August Pro.
It can be unlocked through a mobile application like other smart locks, but unlike August, it doesn’t offer web access. Furthermore, it can connect only through Z-Wave, unlike August and August Pro, which support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as well. It can be installed both indoors and outdoors.
August Smart Lock Pro
It can be unlocked through mobile applications and web, unlike Schlage and Yale. Moreover, it needs only be installed inside the house. It is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT but can’t be connected to Google Home. It offers connectivity through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Z-Wave, unlike Yale which connects to Z-Wave only. Moreover, it sends updates through emails and push notifications like August and Remote Lock Edge.
Schlage Encode
It can be controlled only through phone, unlike August and August Pro. It supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Home, whereas Yale doesn’t have any voice command present. It connects through Bluetooth but also offers network connectivity. You can set it up with Home Kit, Alexa, Ring, and Google Home.
Using the Amazon App “Key”, you can link your Schlage with your Ring doorbell app to control from either application. You could then see who is at your door and give access to certain people.
Lockly Secure Plus
It can be unlocked only through the mobile application. Its connectivity is limited to just Bluetooth, though with the purchase of a hub, it can be accessed wirelessly as well. A bonus for this lock is it has a handy fingerprint ready. It can store up to 90 different fingerprints as well. Thinking here, you could scan both of your hands, so there’s no guessing which finger to use as well. It also doesn’t offer options for voice commands out of the box. But with the help of the hub, it can work with Google Home and Alexa.
Nest X Yale
This one of the more expensive on the list. It can be controlled through both the mobile and web applications and comes with quite an easy installation process. However, it connects through Wi-Fi only, and voice commands are supported through Nest.
These are some of the top brand picks that there currently are for smart locks. They are being widely used and are many users’ favorites. Also, because of the large companies behind them, there are constant updates being pushed. And the devices are made with higher quality. These couple notes to keep in mind when looking at those cheap knock off brand names.
Also, one thing to note is with any lock that uses Bluetooth strictly. There can be a delay by the time you get near the lock, and it can connect. This can be quite frustrating, waiting for 20 seconds for your lock to recognize the signal. For this reason, it may be a good option to keep an eye out for lock that is WiFi capable or where you can purchase an additional hub.
Using WiFi, you would be able to send signals from anywhere and even setup routines or IFTTT applets for unlocking when you’re at your home or connected to your home network.
