

Most smart locks offer a mobile app that allows you to control the lock with the push of a button. However, smart locks use the same standards and pre-drilled holes as a standard lock, so installation shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. That includes the deadbolt and strike plate. Replace: Other smart lock designs require you to completely remove and replace your old lock. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes to get the lock working. Retrofit: Smart locks that retrofit your current door lock use the existing cylinder and deadbolt hardware by attaching to the inside of your door. You’ll need to decide if you want to retrofit your deadbolt or replace your entire door lock system. Once connected to the router, you can access your smart lock from anywhere with WiFi access.īestReviews Features to consider Installationĭepending on the type of smart lock you purchase, the installation may be easier than or at least similar to replacing a normal door lock. Some smart locks can automatically connect to WiFi while others require an extra device, smaller than a Z-Wave compatible hub, to connect to the internet.
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If the smart lock will be the only device using the Z-Wave compatible hub, you may be happier with a smart lock that uses Bluetooth or WiFi that doesn’t require the extra equipment. You can integrate a Z-Wave smart lock with other Z-wave devices in your home, such as light controls or home security systems. The connection range is about 120 feet, but the signal can bounce up to four times, relaying through other Z-Wave devices in your home. From there, you can control the smart lock from anywhere with WiFi. Instead, they use a Z-Wave hub, which connects the Z-Wave signal to a router. Z-Wave smart locks don’t use a mobile app. Some locks are Bluetooth-only, while others can connect to an app that can be accessed over WiFi. Some Bluetooth smart locks will automatically unlock the door when you are detected, which means you don’t even need to take your phone out of your pocket. Bluetooth smart locks have excellent battery life of a year or more. Smart locks that are Bluetooth enabled require your phone to be within 40 to 300 feet of the smart lock to activate it. There are three communication protocol types and some smart locks can use more than one.

The right one for you will depend on how you want to use the smart lock, and which communication protocol you may already use in your home. Smart locks come in different styles and designs, but they are defined by the type of communication protocol they use. Their versatile appearance means you should be able to find one that accentuates your home. Smart locks come in many different finishes and styles. Don’t forget to check our top five smart lock picks as a starting place for your search. We’ve provided a shopping guide with information on the different types of smart locks, as well as the available features so you can find the right smart lock for your home. Staying up with technology and trends can be exhausting. New smart lock designs and features are coming out all the time.

While smart locks are no safer than a regular lock, they do give you more control over security, and, at the very least, keep you from standing in front of the door in the rain with groceries hanging from your elbow. They allow you to enter your home without a key, and sometimes without doing anything more than standing within proximity of your front door. Well, there is! Smart locks are the next generation of convenient security. Standing on your doorstep with four bags of groceries on one arm while you dig through your purse or pockets to find your keys makes you think: there must be an easier way get into your home.
