Smart door lock buying guide

What is a smart lock for a home?

Smart door locks are deadbolt front door locks that can be operated in a number of ways - either with a smartphone, a fingerprint reader, passcodes and combinations, or with voice commandto Alexa or google phone to activate smart door locks.

Everyone has probably at some point locked themselves out of their home after misplacing their keys, and possibly had to crawl in a window if you don’t have a key hidden. Smart door locks and simple combination front door locks that can be operated from a smart phone or even just with a passcode means you never have to worry about losing your keys – though you do now need to at least remember the combo : )

Are smart door locks safe?

Smart homes and home automation are becoming common terms and are a growing trend in green home construction for reasons of safety, energy-efficiency and convenience, but the capability of opening doors remotely does raise legitimate concerns for homeowners. Smart locks are as solid and safe as standard deadbolt locks, the difference is only in how they open.

Can smart door locks be hacked?

Yes, smart door locks with remote control capabilities can be hacked, but in general, security experts don’t consider them much more dangerous for home break-ins原因有几个——入侵者不会通过看你的门就知道它是不是一个蓝牙智能锁，这也不可能被认为是打开你的门的最简单的方法。因此，破解智能锁目前并不会让你面临更大的入室盗窃风险。密码锁也不是，入侵者不太可能站在你的门口试图猜测你的密码来打开它，所以实际的风险没有感知到的风险大。

Do smart locks need power?

Yes, smart door locks have electronic features that need power to run.They are not hard-wired to your home (that would be tricky the way a door opens and closes), smart locks have batteries that power the LED lights on passcode keypads, wireless chips, and of course the motor that engages and disengages the deadbolt lock.

Bluetooth smart door locks

Bluetooth enabled smart door locks are the most common smart locks on the market because they are fairly cheap, easy to install, and after downloading an app onto your phone you are ready to go.
Bluetooth smart locks operate on a low-power frequency and only connect to your phone occasionally, so they are the most energy-efficient when considering battery life. Bluetooth smart lock batteries may not need to changed for up to 2 years.

How long do smart lock batteries last?

Bluetooth or Z-Wave will usually last between 1-2 yearsbefore needing a battery change, but locks that connect to your home WiFi will probably need to be replaced ever 1-3 months.

Smart door locks with a camera

Some smart locks have integrated video cameras that record a clip whenever the door has been unlocked, it can also offer you visual identification of who is at the door.
There are a variety of features that smart locks with cameras offer, below is a list of they types of features you should know about before you make your choice so you can find one that best suits your needs.

Some locks have cameras only, some come with audio features so you can communicate with someone at the door

• Monthy video storage for a fee
• Infrared night vision cameras
• Motion activation (this saves batteries by only activating when someone is present)
• Wide angle fish-eye lenses for seeing visitors as well as parcels on a door mat.

The best smart locks of 2020

Arlo August Smart Lock Pro + Connect

这款名为Arlo August Smart Lock Pro的智能锁具有wifi功能，可以与Alexa进行语音控制，安装时只需要一个标准的飞利浦螺丝刀。你可以通过智能手机在任何地方控制、监控、锁或解锁你的前门。

August Home Smart Lock - Keyless Home Entry (Dark Gray)

Like the Smart Lock Pro, the August Home Smart Lock also works with Alexa for voice control (hub required and not included of course)
这为您的智能家居提供了安全、无钥匙的入口。你可以通过你的手机锁门和开锁，控制无钥匙访问，跟踪谁来了谁走了。使用现有的键连接到现有的死螺栓。
It locks automatically when you leave and unlocks when you arrive. DIY smart lock installation is done with a screwdriver in about 10 minutes.

Yale Assure Lock Touchscreen Keypad (Satin Nickel)

The Yale Assure Lock works with Alexa for voice control (Wink or SmartThings hub required, Alexa device and hub not included) This fits on standard doors replaces existing deadbolts and is installed with just a screwdriver.
With a controller you can create up to 250 unique passcodes that can be shared with friends and family, and 25 without a controller. It unlocks with a 4-8 digit passcode, has backlit touchscreen keypad and can be controlled from a smart phone.

Voted 1 Smart Door Lock brand for 2017 by CEPro

August Smart Lock + Connect, Satin Nickel

The Satin nickel August Smart Lock has voice control with google phones or Alexa. It offer total control to Lock or unlock your door, grant keyless access, track who comes and goes from the August Smart Door Lock App.
它很容易连接到现有的死螺栓，所以你可以继续使用现有的钥匙。包括August connect Wi-Fi bridge，它可以将你的锁连接到云端，这样你就可以立即获得完整的语音和远程访问功能。

Schlage Sense Smart lock deadbolt (satin nickel)

By downloading the Schlage Home app, the Schlage Smart lock deadbolt works with Android smartphones, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, the Apple Homekit via Apple TV, HomePod or iPad7
It offers a user activity log and sends instant notification to your smartphone when the door is unlocked.
Hands-free voice control also requires the Schlage Sense WiFi Adapter and Alexa or Google Assistant device, none of which are included.

Weiser Kevo Smart Lock Conversion Kit (satin nickel)

Weiser Kevo Smart Lock Conversion Kit upgrades your existing deadbolt into a smart lock that you can control using your Smartphone.
The Kevo Convert features an optional auto lock that will lock your door 30 seconds after unlocking
Easily installation in minutes with a screwdriver, your current lock's exterior hardware stays the same.
Use your phone to lock/unlock your Kevo Convert within Bluetooth range, or utilize a Kevo Plus hub to remotely lock or unlock your door from anywhere (available through the Kevo app)
Kevo convert is compatible with Weiser, Kwikset, Baldwin Prestige, Baldwin Reserve, Baldwin Estate, and Schlage standard deadbolts.

Team with a smart doorbell with camera

为了实现对前门的终极控制，将智能门锁与带有摄像头和警报器的智能门铃组合在一起。我把这个与我的Alexa家庭中心连接起来，这样我就可以查看谁在打电话，并轻松地远程开门。

Now you know more abouttouchelss smart home door locks, keyless entry and home monitoring. Read more here aboutsmart home automation, programmable thermostats and energy efficiency Smart homes & devices - energy efficient automated home design Choosing efficient home appliances and electronics 'Smart' sewage backup and flood prevention devices Find more about green home constructionin the EcohomeGreen Building Guide pages- also, learn more aboutthe benefits of a free Ecohome Network Membership here.