Is A Smart Lock A Smart Idea? (2024)

FAQs

Is it a good idea to have a smart lock? ›

Smart locks can add both convenience and safety to your home. This convenience and safety are greatly enhanced when your lock is integrated into a larger home security system. Smart locks are just one of many smart devices you can have in your home.

Smart locks can help simplify the process of unlocking your door while maintaining optimum security. Smart locks offer many methods to unlock doors, such as through smartphones, NFC Cards, passcodes, fingerprints, or keys.

Cons Of Having A Smart Lock

Smart locks communicate with your phone, usually via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If your phone is stolen, you lose it or it dies, you could get locked out if you don't have a backup plan (like logging in to your account on another device).

Smart locks are an extension of home automation into home security. As a connected device, smart locks can be considered a part of the internet of things (IoT). Many smart lock systems use mobile apps or websites to allow homeowners to grant access to third parties by sending a virtual key.

A lot of information on how to hack smart locks can be found on the internet these days. However, it's not as simple as it appears. If your lock is installed correctly and it has the newest firmware, hacking it will be extremely difficult.

These home automation products not only improve the lives of homeowners but also protect them and keep the home and family safe. Connected smart locks not only connect with and control all the security devices, but they can also control the other devices in the home.

Overall, a smart door lock can be an effective way to prevent home burglaries. Its advanced security features and remote control capabilities make it a valuable addition to any home security system.

Yes, the battery in the smart lock will drain faster if you connect it to the Wi-Fi Bridge. The connection between these two devices will consume the battery of the smart lock. If there are other questions on the smart lock, please contact eufy customer support for further assistance.

However, most smart locks have backup batteries that kick in during a power outage, so they'll continue to work even if the power is out. And even if your smart lock doesn't have a backup battery, you can usually still open it manually with a key or override code.

With that in mind, most smart locks last for about 6 to 12 months on a single set of fresh batteries or a fresh charge. Wi-Fi locks can be an exception to this rule, though, often lasting a few months at a time before requiring a change of batteries.

What are alternatives to smart locks? ›

Keyless security lock

The best alternatives to Lock Smart are PERI Duo Case, Fido, and OnlyKey. If these 3 options don't work for you, we've listed a few more alternatives below.

With a smart lock, you can remotely control your home entrances from near or far. This way, you can lock and unlock doors for family and friends, get notified about front door activity, and even manage your door with the sound of your voice.

While smart locks offer ease of access and they can be locked from anywhere, if you forget to lock up, they are very similar to traditional locks when it comes to security. Since most smart locks work with a traditional deadbolt, they are just as secure as traditional locks.

As most smart locks are compatible with standard deadbolts, they are every bit as secure. The security of a smart lock or a regular lock depends on how you feel about them, since they probably both use the same locking mechanism. Smart locks improve safety and convenience in many different ways.

Thanks to the two-cylinder Key Control Deadbolt with SmartKey Security, you can have one master key for all your units and unique keys for all of your tenants.

Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are usually used on a home's exterior door. Available in single- and double-cylinder styles, deadbolts are rated according to their strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A Grade 1 is the highest grade and provides the most security.

In addition, smart locks have the most advanced security features, making them almost impossible to hack or pick. So your locksmith cannot open your smart lock unless they have advanced IT skills, special tools, and programming skills.

Does a Smart Home Increase a Home's Value? Smart home technology can definitely add to market value. Appraisers make what they call “adjustments” when they compare tech-enabled homes with similar but tech-deficient houses. Smart homes command higher prices and may be easier to sell as a result.

However, only some smart locks require a Wi-Fi connection for regular operation. Locks that do not require a Wi-Fi connection are usually connected via Bluetooth or Z-Wave. While Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks are more susceptible to hacking, they offer more advanced features than non-Wi-Fi smart locks.

Smart locks cost more because they are simply more secure. Some smart locks and digital locks come with an alarm system to keep out intruders. These type of locks alerts you when there is a breach in security with a built-in alarm that makes loud noises or alerts you through your phone.

Why do burglars not pick locks? ›

Since picking a lock requires a specific skill set to be successful, most burglars damage or remove doors and windows to gain entry when locked because it is faster and easier for them than using tools.

Don't leave keys on the inside of door locks or window ledges near the door as burglars can break a window and reach inside and unlock the door. Remove keys from view and keep them in a safe place. Don't leave your name and address on any key tags.

Hedges and plants - Prickly bushes and hedges around a garden can act as a deterrent to a burglar. Lighting and driveways - Get an outdoor light with a sensor that comes on when someone's around and don't underestimate the deterrent of a gravel drive. It makes quite a noise when walked on and can deter burglars.

Homeowners can expect to pay around $330 to have a smart door lock installed, although the price ranges from $200 to $460 on average. The national average cost to install a smart door lock is $330, with most homeowners paying somewhere between $200 and $460.

The highest drain on your batteries within the Kevo system is the motor that drives the lock mechanism. Make sure that the deadbolt and strike are aligned properly so that there is no unnecessary resistance, as this will make the motor work harder to lock/unlock and will drain the batteries more quickly.

The smart lock itself, being an electronic device, requires a power supply in the form of a battery. So your lock will include a small, hidden battery compartment. ADTs smart door lock operates off of four AA batteries and will notify you when the battery level is getting low and needs replacing.

Jamming and Hacking

Another disadvantage of the electronic door lock system is security breach. There are possibilities for cyber hackers to access your electronic security system by jamming its functionality.

What's the main difference between a smart lock and electronic lock? The key distinction between smart and electronic locks is that smart locks can unlock using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology, while electronic locks require some form of physical interaction or proximity to the key.

Unlimited amount of times.

For hardware: Our waterproof hardware means the smart lock can withstand prolonged heavy rain.

What is the least secure lock? ›

ANSI Grade 3 door locks are the least secure of the three security lock ratings. These locks are designed to keep the lock from opening until a key is inserted in the lock and turned.

Overall, Schlage takes the crown as our most recommended brand. Even if you have to pay a little more for Schlage locks, the added features and functionality of those models makes them stronger and better to use overall than Kwikset counterparts.

With smart locks, you can access your home without a physical key. Some smart locks also add another layer of convenience with auto-lock and auto-unlock settings. Certain locks also come with a built-in video camera and intercom or can connect to your existing smart device.

Or are they more secure than traditional locks? The answer is that they can be. If a keyless lock means you're more likely to lock your doors every time you leave, less likely to hide a key underneath a doormat, or make tons of extra keys to share that you eventually lose track of, then yes, they can be more secure.

Smart door locks allow you to lock and unlock your front door remotely through your smartphone or the smart lock's keypad — without needing a physical key. And when paired with a doorbell camera, you can see what's going on outside your doorstep around the clock, view recorded footage, and talk to guests.

Yes, a higher price can ensure a higher quality of the lock's material and the mechanism itself. In this way, your lock will have a much higher resistance level than a cheap door lock. In addition, even the appearance of a higher-quality and cost-effective door lock can cause thieves to bypass your door.

Smart locks themselves will not come complete with a built-in alarm, so you'll need to purchase one of these separately. Though, as we outlined above, Z-Wave devices are interoperable with a range of other smart home products including home alarm systems.

Yes, smart locks are as safe as traditional locks. Here's why. We have trusted traditional locks to secure our homes for centuries without questioning their capabilities. However, most standard locks are vulnerable to picking, not to mention how easy losing or misplacing a key is.

What's the must-have accessory for any smart home? It's a smart lock, of course! Smart locks play an important role in the access control of your smart home, which is why the global smart lock market size is projected to reach USD 6.74 billion by 2030.

Deadbolt door locks are the most secure type of key lock and are usually used on a home's exterior door. Available in single- and double-cylinder styles, deadbolts are rated according to their strength from Grade 1 to Grade 3. A Grade 1 is the highest grade and provides the most security.

Can a locksmith open a smart lock? ›

Smart Locks

These are locks that have not been made using traditional locking mechanisms. Therefore, the locksmith is not going to be able to use the typical set of tools to open these locks. In order to open a smart lock, the locksmith needs to have advanced IT and programming knowledge to get the lock to unlock.

While smart locks offer ease of access and they can be locked from anywhere, if you forget to lock up, they are very similar to traditional locks when it comes to security. Since most smart locks work with a traditional deadbolt, they are just as secure as traditional locks.

Burglars love to see unlocked doors and windows, making it easier (and safer) to commit a crime. So, the best way to protect your home from being burglarized is also the simplest: keep your windows and doors locked.

However, only some smart locks require a Wi-Fi connection for regular operation. Locks that do not require a Wi-Fi connection are usually connected via Bluetooth or Z-Wave. While Wi-Fi-enabled smart locks are more susceptible to hacking, they offer more advanced features than non-Wi-Fi smart locks.

The adoption of smart locks still needs to be prevalent in the United States compared to the adoption of other smart home devices. According to a recent Consumer Technology Association (CTA) study, about 69% (translates to 83 million households) of U.S. households now own at least one smart home device.