What Are Smart Locks?
A smart door lock for a home is a door lock that you can control remotely from an app on your smartphone. You can unlock or lock the door with a tap of the button, whether you are on vacation, work, or home. Because of this device, you will never worry about forgetting to lock your house. Apart from its smart operation, you can even let in your family, friends, or roommate who forgets their keys.
Generally, you can control the smart lock with voice commands through assistance such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. There are several smart locking devices available in the market from which you can opt for one that is feasible for you.
Perks of Smart Door Locks
The best part of these locks is they offer you all the benefits of the traditional locks as well as a variety of additional features. For instance, it prevents theft from breaking into your house.
Here are some perks that almost every type of smart door lock for a home can provide you.
Peace of Mind
Okay! You may have forgotten or lost your keys many times. No matter how careful you are, this happens with everyone. However, having a smart lock takes keys out of the security equation and gives you relief even if you accidentally forget to take keys with you. Hence, it saves you from all the mental stress.
Moreover, you need not worry about locking the doors when you go out or at night. This is because smart locks will automatically close it and reopens when you arrive.
Convenience
Mostly, you can operate all the smart locks remotely via mobile apps or other ways. So, when the homeowner is within a programmed distance of their home, some of the locks open automatically. This feature comes in handy, especially if your hands are filled with shopping bags or groceries and you can’t open the door using a key.
Besides having a smart lock, you can keep your traditional deadbolts. Installing a smart device in your door doesn’t mean you have to remove all the security measures, but it means that you are free to move around without keys.
Flexible
As mentioned, most smart devices come with apps, keypads, and other security features which you can control remotely. This helps you provide access to your home to anyone you want, even if you are far from your house. Do you want to receive a package when you are away from home? If so, these locks can help you allow the delivery boy to walk into your home, keep the parcel, and leave.
Plus, you don’t need to worry about hiding keys to give your family or friends access when you are away from home. Fortunately, some manufacturers give you digitalized versions of your keys so that you can share them with your family and friends. You can also set a limit that how much time a person can spend in your house.
Stylish
Of course, smart locks are stylish, as these locks have a contemporary design and style that complements your door. You can say that a smart lock makes your door look cool. While smart locks are still not too common, they are great to make your impression on others while upgrading your security.
Things You Need to Consider
Before purchasing a smart lock for your house, you need to consider a few things. The first thing you need to know that smart locks are not cheap at all. They are double or triple the price of your standard lock.
Here are few things you need to know.
Door Compatibility
Do you have to push your door a bit harder to open it? If so, then the smart lock can’t tolerate that. Most smart locks have some requirements that may require changing the door itself. Many locks have certain door width criteria. On the other hand, some may need you to change your double cylinder deadbolt to tumb-turn.
These changes need money, as you will need professional help for them. As a result, the cost can exceed your budget. However, these problems don’t arise in modern homes, and you don’t need to worry about crossing the budget.
Phone Compatibility
By now, you may have already understood that mobile phone plays a big role in the smart lock system. It is not any phone, but predominantly smartphones. Not to mention, even Blackberry may not support these locks unless you have the latest model with advanced features. Plus, if you want to grant access to a third party, such as a housekeeper, they should also have smartphones.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth: Which Are Best For You?
These are the connections different smart locks can use to operate. Wi-Fi locks may need more power to work compared to others. They also become useless if your internet is not working, but they don’t need any additional hub. You can go for one that comes with an alternative entry method, such as a keyhole or a keypad, to avoid problems.
Furthermore, Bluetooth locks need less power and can work without Wi-Fi. It makes them more secure, as it is unreachable through any network hack. However, the inability to access them remotely is a significant drawback. So, if you pick a Bluetooth smart lock, it’s best to get a corresponding bridge with it. That said, make sure that you have checked all the company’s security measures in case of any trouble like a hack.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, a smart door lock for a home is the most secure and easy approach any homeowner can take advantage of. It helps you get relief from a range of regular worries, like carrying keys or locking the door every time. Plus, it gives you more control over your house, as you can even allow family or friends to get entry into your house when you are far from home.
What’s more, you don’t have to stay at your house waiting for your package to arrive. You can simply grant access to the delivery boy so that they can keep your parcel and leave your house.
