Smart Door Locks

Go keyless with a smart door lock

Automating your front door is a convenient and secure option to better your home security. Lock and unlock your door from your smartphone and keep track of everyone coming and leaving. They're simple to install with step-by-step assistance from the locks’ smartphone app.

What makes a door lock smart?

Smart door locks have motors and actuators that receive commands in the form of electric signals. Smart door locks can be installed over your existing lock from the inside and connected to your smartphone via WiFi. You'll still be able to use your original keys but you can also unlock the doors using a smart keypad, touchpad or smartphone. With connectivity to a smartphone app, the features are abundant.

Highlights of a smart door lock

All smart door locks aim to automate your front-door security system. Yet, they differ in terms of the installation process, design, connectivity and compatibility with other smart products in your home. There are some key benefits to consider to make sure you are buying the smart door lock that is right for you.

Zigbee, Z-wave, RFID or Bluetooth

You're able to access the door lock on your smartphone because it transmits information to your home network via radios. Zigbee and Z-wave use a mesh network built on many devices that communicate with each other. Bluetooth and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) use radio waves from your smartphone Bluetooth ID and key cards respectively to signal the latch to unlock. All four methods use minimal power but need to be paired with a bridge to connect to your home network. There's only a handful of locks that depend on WiFi. These consume a lot of power and regularly need battery replacements. Therefore, you should be aware of the method of connectivity and find the one that is convenient for you.

Does the door lock work with your smart home?

Purchasing a smart device is an investment in home automation. When all your smart gadgets can communicate with each other, you get the true experience of an automated home. Locks that work with either the Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Apple HomeKit will be compatible with other smart devices that work with these voice assistants. This means you can pair the smart locks with smart lights, cameras, speakers and more. As a result, you can control these interconnected gadgets using just your voice. Schedule them to turn on or off at a certain time. Creating recipes like “Ok Google, goodnight” can lock your doors, turn off the lights, and close the blinds.

The makings of a smart door lock system

Smart door locks often come in bundles with other devices. Here are some of the accessories that maximize the benefits of your smart lock.