If there’s one thing in your home that’s accessible from anywhere, it’s the front door lock.
Think about it: something you use every day (at least before social distancing became an issue) and acts as a barrier to keep you, your family and your belongings safe from the outside world. You may not be particularly nervous about a thief in a ski mask stealing an antique vase you don’t own, but you’ve turned your car around and knocked the door open at least once in your life. You almost certainly double-checked that you locked it. And parents know all too well how hard it can be to keep kids on track with physical keys.
A smart lock is the solution to almost all of these problems. Depending on the model, unlock or unlock with a toggle in the smartphone app, enable auto-unlock to unlock the door when your phone is within a certain distance, or use voice commands , enter your passcode, scan your fingerprint, or schedule it to auto-lock at a specific time each day. Guests can also be sent temporary codes or timed temporary access.
What can a smart lock do besides locking and unlocking?
Think of it as two-factor authentication for your door. Just like Gmail sends a notification when it detects a login attempt from an unfamiliar device, Smart Lock sends a notification when someone tries to unlock your door at an odd time (e.g. no one is home). (work or school hours when you’re not supposed to be there), or if someone is trying to guess or force you to enter the code. A real-time feed of who’s in and out helps a parent or her Airbnb owner monitor the comings and goings of their children and guests.
Every home has one person who never closes the door completely. It’s a fact of life. DoorSense is a he/4/he/1 size sensor that attaches to a door or doorway and alerts you if the door has been left ajar for more than a few minutes.
Smart lock and accessibility
Switching home security from traditional locks and keys to smart locks can liberate the elderly (or those with disabilities). A smart lock is a lifesaver if you lose your keys, and it removes one thing from your “to do” list by locking your door at a specific time each night. Voice integration lets you control your locks with simple commands instead of getting out of bed after getting comfortable. Having a caregiver or relative have their own code is much more practical than distributing multiple spare his keys.
United States of America today(opens in new tab) spoke with a 68-year-old New York City resident whose apartment was switched to smart locks. Her main concern was her total addiction to technology. What about seniors who don’t have smartphones or who may have trouble remembering passcode digits?These barriers quickly reduce the accessibility of Smart Her Lock. In such cases, you will need to purchase a smart lock that also works with mechanical keys if desired.
Related Video: The Best Home Security Cameras of 2019
Which smart lock should I choose?
Your schedule, your child’s schedule (if you have one), and other smart home devices (if you have one) will be major factors in determining which automation features work best in your home. .
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Retrofit and deadbolt replacement: An aftermarket lock adds connectivity to your current deadbolt, retains the keys you were already using, and allows you to operate it by phone, auto-unlock, or voice command. A full deadbolt replacement is a slightly more rugged and open possibility for the keypad and fingerprint sensor, but it requires more manual work and requires the use of new keys. Otherwise, you’ll have to remove all mechanical keyholes.
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Keyless lock: The key is not to carry your keys with you all the time, but it’s nice to have a backup in case your WiFi, power supply, or lock battery dies. Some smart locks can be jump-started with a 9-volt battery instead of a key. This is useful if you are concerned about lock picking.
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Smart home compatibility: Echo, Google, HomeKit, or SmartThings household? Some smart locks integrate particularly well with certain smart home systems, and it’s always nice to have them all in the same loop.
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Comparison between WiFi adapter and built-in WiFi: A WiFi connection is required to be able to access the smart lock from your smartphone when you are on the go. Most purchases come with a separate hub to connect the lock to your home network, and others already have WiFi built-in. Without WiFi, the app can only be used when you are within Bluetooth range.
With just a few minutes of use of the screwdriver (usually included in the kit), pairing your smartphone with your new headphones, you can install your smart lock. After syncing the lock with a serial number or QR code, the app will guide him through setting up his Wi-Fi, PIN or fingerprint, locking schedule, commissioning and all other steps. No wiring required.
Here are the best smart locks for 2020:
