Get Your Lock On!
February 20, 2022
Upgrading to a smart lock can be a big step in your smart home evolution. I’d highly recommend doing your homework as it involves a lot more than just changing to a smart light bulb or plugging in a voice assistant. But the benefits can be tremendous as they allow you to monitor the status of your door, lock, and unlock it remotely. They improve the security of your home and can be easy to install if you have even basic DIY skills. And there are a quite a number of smart locks currently available depending on your budget, infrastructure or specific security needs.
Installing smart locks on your doors can remove the need to carry a key around. It adds convenience to your life and helps secure your home. Smart locks come in all shapes, sizes, and features so how do you choose the right one? Let’s look at some options that may be the perfect fit for your smart home.
First, you should prioritize how well the lock works in terms of safety — go for a quality lock that works as intended every time, including strength and durability. You want a lock that won’t break easily since locks are designed to prevent unwanted guests from entering your home while also giving you access.
The most common way of installing a smart lock is by replacing your front door’s deadbolt. The other more uncommon way is installing a combined lock and a lever that opens a door. Make sure to get the smart lock that works best for your situation, especially if you live in a rented apartment or home.
On top of this, there are different ways to unlock your smart lock. Some come with keypads that open using a code, while others use your fingerprint. Almost every smart lock allows you to unlock it using an app, but some leave the keyhole in case you need to get in the traditional way.
More advanced smart locks have built-in wifi, allowing you to control them from anywhere. Others require you to install a hub for the same effect. While others require you to be in Bluetooth range. If you want to use voice commands to control your smart lock, you’ll need to find one that’s compatible with your voice assistant — Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
Smart locks can also come with a wide variety of features. Some automatically unlock when you get home and lock when you leave your home. Others have a built-in siren. Some even allow you to assign different codes for multiple people and grant them temporary access.
Think carefully about what you’re looking for — check out the smart locks below to see if these might get the job done for you.
August Wi-Fi, (4th Generation) Smart Lock
If you’re looking for a compact smart lock that’s highly functional, then opt for the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock. It’s currently on sale and comes with several premium features that you’ll love.
This smart lock works with your existing deadbolt and keys, and you can install it within 10 minutes. You can get inside your home without a key by unlocking the lock through the August App. You have the option of setting the smart lock to automatically unlock when you get home and lock once you close your door.
If something happens to the lock or the app settings, though, you can still use your keys to get in. It’s handy to know that if something with the smart lock fails, you can still easily get inside your home.
The August Smart Lock uses DoorSense technology, allowing it to know the status of your door. You can easily see whether it’s open, closed, locked, or unlocked from your phone.
There’s also built-in Wifi so that you can control the lock from anywhere. You just need to make sure your phone is also connected to the internet. The lock’s compatible with many voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings and more.
You’re able to grant temporary access for others to enter your home, either once or regularly. This is perfect if you want to let in the dog sitter while you’re away from home. If you’d like, you can install an August Keypad to get in using a code. You can create unique codes for multiple people, so you can make sure security is tight.
All in all, this smart lock does practically everything you’d need it to and does it well. The August Wi-Fi lock is affordable and comes with many premium features such as multi-factor authentication.
Pros
- Built-in Wifi
- DoorSense technology
- Optional two-factor authentication
- Small and compact
- Compatible with many voice assistants
- Option to automatically lock and unlock
Cons
- No included keypad
The Wyze Smart Door Lock is your best bet for a budget-friendly smart lock option. It’s priced affordably at $130 and does everything you’d expect from a quality lock.
The Wyze Lock works with your existing lock and keys. It replaces your deadbolt, but it’s easy to install. Then, you can open the lock from anywhere through the Wyze app on Android and iPhone.
To do this, you’ll need to connect the included Wyze Lock Gateway to your internet, which connects the lock to your Wifi. Otherwise, you must be within the lock’s Bluetooth range to control it from the app. You also have the option of installing a wireless Wyze keypad to access your home with secret codes instead of the app.
You can set Wyze’s lock to automatically unlock when you’re home and lock when you close your door on the app. You can also view the history of everyone who’s unlocked and locked the door. It even knows the position of your door, so you can check if it’s opened or closed anytime.
The Wyze Smart Lock works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use voice commands to control it. If you’re away from home and want to use voice commands, you have to remember to talk to your voice assistant on the respective app and not the Wyze app.
Pros
- Relatively cheap but still functional
- Fast and easy installation
- Optional to automatically lock and unlock
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity with Gateway
Cons
- Bulky
- Keypad sold separately
If you want a smart lock that maximizes security, the Schlage Camelot Smart Lock may be the one for you. It’s not the most budget friendly option but this smart lock is designed with Airbnb and rental property owners in mind. It’s ANSI Grade 1 certified, which is the highest residential security rating. Better still, it’s easy to install and doesn’t require any wiring.
The touchscreen is durable, resistive, and has a matte finish to protect against fingerprints and smudges. This prevents thieves from identifying passcodes after repeated use. The Schlage lock also has a strong motorized deadbolt that opens and closes the door.
In addition, the Camelot comes with a built-in alarm with three different modes. The first mode uses two short beeps whenever the door opens or closes. The second is the tampering mode — a 15-second alarm goes off whenever somebody tampers with the doorknob. The last mode is a loud three-minute alarm that activates whenever someone tries to force open your door. You can feel confident that nobody will get past your door without you knowing.
The Schlage lock works with Amazon Alexa, but it requires a Z-Wave hub that’s sold separately. This allows you to control the lock remotely from your phone or online. The lock integrates seamlessly with Z-Wave technology as you can control it and other Z-Wave compatible devices from the Z-Wave.me app on Android and iPhone.
I particularly like the Z-Wave integration. For those of you that have been following my posts, you know my plan around connectivity in our smart home build revolves around Z-Wave. Don’t get me wrong, there’ll still be Wifi supported technologies in our home as capabilities we desire may not be supported by Z-Wave. My preference for Z-Wave is driven by a desire for local or edge compute versus internet or cloud. In simple terms, if my internet is out, my Z-Wave supported devices will still operate as normal.
You’ll receive notifications to your phone whenever there’s activity with your lock, so you know exactly what’s going on. This is perfect if you want to create a four-digit code for one or many of your guests or visitors.
Pros
- Can manually update codes for each Airbnb guest
- ANSI Grade 1 certified
- Seamless Z-Wave integration
- Three different alarm modes
- Easy installation
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Z-Wave hub not included
This is another August smart lock option, as it’s excellent for Amazon Alexa users. It’s a relatively inexpensive lock too that will work flawlessly with your other Alexa products.
It does require an August hub to connect to Alexa. However, the hub allows you to control the lock from anywhere. If you’re not home or need to let others into your home, the hub is definitely worth it.
With Alexa, you’re able to use voice commands to check the status of the lock. You can also lock or unlock it by asking Alexa to do it for you.
The biggest difference between this August Smart Lock and the one above is that it works with your existing lock and keys. You just need to replace the thumb turn of your deadbolt, which you can do within minutes using a screwdriver. Then you can leave your keys at home since you can quickly get in by going to the August App or commanding Alexa to unlock the door.
You also have the option to automatically unlock the door when you get home and lock it once your door’s closed. The lock uses DoorSense technology to let you know what activity is going on, whether your door’s open, closed, locked, or unlocked. And you’ll receive a notification informing you when the batteries are low so you don’t need to worry about the lock running out of batteries.
You can grant temporary access for anyone entering your home, either once or on a recurring basis. For more accessibility, you can purchase an August lock to open the lock using codes.
Pros
- Very affordable
- DoorSense technology
- Optional two-factor authentication
- Small and compact
- Option to automatically lock and unlock
Cons
- No included keypad
- Short battery life
If you’re an Apple HomeKit user, you’ll want to go with the Kwikset Premis Smart Lock. It’s another fairly inexpensive lock that integrates perfectly with Apple’s smart home ecosystem.
This lock only works with Apple HomeKit and no other voice assistants. The Premis was exclusively designed to work with HomeKit, and you can use Siri for more hands-free capabilities. However, this requires a HomeKit hub such as Apple HomePod or an Apple TV as a smart home hub Kwikset smart lock to work.
You must have the Kwikset Premis App to use Siri, allowing you to use voice commands to monitor the lock’s status and control it from anywhere. Otherwise, you’ll need to open the app within Bluetooth range to lock or unlock the Premis.
The Kwikset Premis is ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certified, a highly rated residential security rating — which means it’s incredibly durable. The Premis replaces your lock, but you can install it yourself within minutes using a screwdriver. It has a Kwikset SecureScreen so you can’t see fingerprints, preventing thieves from copying entry codes.
You have the option to auto-lock your door whenever it’s closed, as well as set off the alarm whenever codes are input incorrectly. You can also create customizable codes for up to 30 people and get notified whenever somebody enters or leaves your home.
Pros
- Exclusively designed for Apple HomeKit
- Use Siri from anywhere with a HomeKit hub
- ANSI/BHMA Grade 2 certified
- Fast installation
- Option to automatically lock and unlock door
Cons
- Not compatible with Android
- Doesn’t support other voice assistants except HomeKit
Google and Nest teamed up to create one of the best smart locks, the Google Nest x Yale Smart Lock. This is the lock you need if you use Google Home.
Since Google helped design the lock, you should know that it will work seamlessly with Google Home, especially with Google Nest products such as Nest video doorbells and Nest cams. Setting up the Nest x Yale is simple as you only need to swap it with your existing deadbolt.
This smart lock connects to Wifi using the included Nest Connect. You’re required to set up the Connect to control the lock from anywhere from the Nest app on iPhone or Android. It does automatically lock when you’re away from home, though. On the Nest app, you can check the lock’s status and control it, too.
The Nest x Yale is secure and tamper-proof, so don’t worry about somebody breaking into your home. You’ll receive alerts whenever someone tampers or actually uses the lock. If you’re at home, you can turn on Privacy Mode which disables the keypad altogether — meaning nobody can enter your home using the keypad then.
If numerous people come and go from your home, you can assign multiple passcodes and set schedules to let them in. There’s no key slot, so you don’t have to worry about someone using your key to get inside.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Google Home and Nest products
- Option to automatically lock and unlock
- Control from anywhere with Nest Connect
- Privacy Mode to disable keypad
- Sleek and professional design
Cons
- Pricey
- Doesn’t integrate as well with other smart home products
As you can see, the smart locks available out there offer a lot of flexibility depending on your individual needs — cost, voice assistant integration, compatibility with other smart home devices, network protocol, etc. Plus many offer multiple colors and finishes to satisfy just about any aesthetic concern.
I really like the automation and ability to verify status of the lock state via app or voice assistant. Have you ever left the house and wondered if you remembered to lock the door? Those days are gone with smart locks like these. Or being able to remotely open the door so your neighbor can put your Amazon deliveries inside the front door while you’re away. And all with the same peace of mind for the security of your home with door locks you already know and trust.
You have a good idea what my preference is from my comments above. Have you considered a smart lock or installed one at your home? Is it one of the models I highlighted above? If not, which did you decide on and why?
Let us know your thoughts on all this in the comments, DMs and email. We really enjoy hearing from you. Thanks again to all those following Debbie and I through our home building journey. It’s great to hear your success stories and suggestions as we move through the process. And if you like the content I’m posting each week, don’t forget to ‘Like’ and ‘Follow.’ Until next week …
In full disclosure, I’m not an affiliate marketer with links to any online retailer on my website. When people read what I’ve written about a particular product and then click on those links and buy something from the retailer, I earn nothing from the retailer. The links are strictly a convenience for my readers.
