How to Buy the Right Smart Lock for Your Front Door

For homeowners, one of the most significant concerns is home security. Adding smart home devices can vastly improve home security without shelling out for an entire home security system. Smart devices provide remote access so that users can monitor and control their homes simply from their smartphones.

When considering home security smart devices, the focus should revolve around the most vulnerable parts of the house, including direct access areas, such as doors and windows. Smart locks replace the traditional locks in a home but add more convenient security features than a standard deadbolt.

Worrying about break-ins can directly affect your comfort and peace of mind. In this case, installing a smart lock to the front door may be a good idea. The following article will break down the pros and cons of the smart door lock.

Why Upgrade to Smart Locks?

Any type of smart gadget can add benefits like convenience and comfort. But other smart devices can provide many more advantages to a home. For example, smart locks for doors include many features of convenience and security that can offer an all-around peace of mind for the homeowner. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of smart locks.

Every home should have a few layers of security. It begins outside, where security can be enforced through lighting, like a porch light or walkway lights. After this comes the entrance to a home, where the door lock becomes the highest priority in home security. Of course, if the lock is outdated or can be easily manipulated, the house is not secure. But smart technology has been able to improve lock manipulation by engineering smart locks with sensors and other features. The Nest door lock, for example, will notify homeowners every time someone interacts with it. It's a lock that is secure, tamper-proof and cannot be picked or manipulated.

While most people are used to keys, keyless entry is much more convenient and offers a bit more security. It's no secret that house keys tend to get lost and sometimes even forgotten in the door itself. In addition, if a key is hidden outside the home, it can be uncovered by an intruder. There are better options available, such as the Yale Lock, so homeowners no longer have to deal with the hassle that comes with carrying, hiding, or distributing keys to their front door. Because of smart technology, the door will automatically unlock as you approach, as long as you have your phone with you. If you don't have your phone, you can use the keypad.

If a close friend or relative shows up and you want to grant access to the home while you’re at work, a smart lock makes it easy to let them in, and check the lock status when they leave. So, depending on the type of smart lock you choose, you can pair it with a mobile app on your smartphone to allow remote access or create and send unique entry codes to friends, family, or neighbors.

Unsecure homes can leave homeowners with constant anxiety as to whether their home and valuables are safe. The addition of smart technology, such as the Nest Yale Lock, can make your home a less likely target. Criminals are good at spotting home security that may cause them problems, and a device like a smart lock may convince a prowler to rethink burglarizing your home.

Consider the types

When looking for the right smart lock, homeowners can choose from a few different options. While the designs are endless, the major difference is the type of connection. The connection refers to how the smart lock communicates with your smartphone because this determines how efficiently it functions. Most locks have three primary communication methods to connect to other smart devices within a home.

Some consider Bluetooth a more reliable option to Wi-Fi, especially if you're internet connection is spotty. With this type of connection, a delayed response is rare. Bluetooth is also less likely to drain your battery and will still work in the case of a power outage. This type of connection is relatively independent and rarely affected by external factors, making it a good choice.

However, Bluetooth doesn't have the same range as Wi-Fi. Devices need to be pretty close to the lock to connect, which can be a drawback. Bluetooth is most convenient for users who do not have a fully automated home since it doesn't require a hub to access the smart lock. The August smart lock is an excellent example of a smart lock that can connect via Bluetooth.

Wi-Fi may be the most common type of communication protocol for smart homes everywhere. The best thing about it is that if a smart lock is compatible with Wi-Fi, you can access it from nearly anywhere with an internet connection. There are smart locks in which this technology can be added; however, many locks come with built-in Wi-Fi. The one drawback of a Wi-Fi connection may be that it will drain the lock's battery much quicker, which can be a problem if there is no backup.

However, interacting with a smart lock through a Wi-Fi connection will enable homeowners to remotely monitor and control their lock regardless of the battery issue. You can enable, disable and change access codes from anywhere, making it an extremely reliable choice for any home. Wi-Fi smart locks also include more features than other types. The August Wi-Fi smart lock is an excellent example of a smart lock that can wirelessly connect to your in-home Wi-Fi.

Z-wave may not be the most popular choice, but Z-Wave communication protocols are an option with smart locks. These smart locks require a Z-Wave compatible hub. Any other home device cannot connect to it without the hub, which creates a dependency that may not be the most convenient. However, once this connection has been established, the connection can be made from anywhere within 120 feet. The range can be maximized by removing obstructions, but only to a maximum of 600 feet – this makes the Z-Wave connection the least popular option out of the three.

What are your needs?

Before purchasing a smart lock, consider your setup. Think about how you want to interact with the device, like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for instance. Some people may work all day and want to access the smart lock from work, while others might spend most of their time at home. This setup might change the type of lock that fits your situation since not all smart locks have the same specifications. The Nest door lock is a good choice because it includes all the main features most look for in a smart lock.

When browsing for smart locks, customers will find that there is quite a variety. For example, there are features such as scheduled security codes, access to certain people (for example, deliveries from Amazon), as well as the history of any interactions that have occurred with the lock while you might have been away. In addition, some smart locks allow you to lock, unlock or check the current status with voice assistants, like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. And finally, there are the standard features like mobile alerts, remote control, and custom scheduling.