Take Your Smart Home to the Next Level With a Smart Front Door Lock
If you want to take your smart home to the next level, installing a smart front door lock is an easy way to go. These locks let you unlock the door using a smartphone app, a physical key, or a digital code.
Some have techy designs and gadgetry, while others are designed to blend in and look like a regular lock from the outside.
Features
A smart lock gives you the convenience of keyless entry with the added security of controlling access from your smartphone. They also allow you to monitor who comes and goes. Some models keep an activity log, cataloging every time the door is opened, making it easy to see when your kids get home from school or when the dog walker or house cleaner stops by. Look for features like Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to view entry and exit logs in real-time, proximity unlocking with your smartphone, keypads so visitors can enter using their own code, and biometric access such as fingerprint recognition or voice control.
In addition, smart locks that connect to your home’s Wi-Fi network can be paired with your other smart devices such as lighting and security systems, allowing you to lock your door with a single command. You can even program your smart lock to automatically turn on your lights, lower the temperature in your home, and arm your security system when you leave.
Smart locks can be installed over your existing deadbolt or replaced with a new lock that replaces the current bolt on the outside of the door. They’re also easy to install, requiring only about 10 minutes to install add-ons and 20 to 30 minutes for a model that replaces your deadbolt.
Security
Many smart locks let you eschew keys, opening your deadbolt with a smartphone app, keypad, fingerprint scanner, or touch recognition. They also have built-in alarms that sound if someone tries to tamper with the lock or force it open. Some have a ANSI/BHMA security rating to provide extra peace of mind.
Wi-Fi connectivity can help you see entry and exit logs in real time, as well as monitor who is coming and going. This is especially helpful if you’re a parent who wants to know that the kids got home from school safely, or that the dog walker smart front door lock or house cleaner arrived on time. Some locks, like Vivint’s Kwikset Smart Locks, even send visitor notifications to a mobile device or a touch-screen base station, such as a Vivint Smart Hub, so you don’t have to keep track of the keys and remember to lock up every time.
If you’re a renter or simply don’t want to change your existing deadbolt, look for add-on models that attach to the top of the door, such as the August WiFi Smart Lock ($250) and the Wyze Lock ($108). Other smart locks replace the existing deadbolt and are installed in minutes with no tools required. They usually support voice commands via assistants such as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant and come in different finishes including satin nickel and black. They can also be automated to automatically lock after a set time or when you arm your smart home system.
Design
Many smart locks look just like your traditional door lock. However, they’re not all created equal. The most important design features to consider are whether you want a keypad or touchscreen entry, a lock that supports geofencing (which automatically unlocks your door when you arrive home), and whether the smart lock integrates with other devices.
Most smart locks replace your existing deadbolt and work with a key or remote key fob. They can also work with other smart home gadgets, such as sensors, to give you a range of monitoring options, including doorbell video and linger detection that shows who’s at the door before you answer it.
Some models, such as the Kwikset SmartCode Electronic Deadbolt, don’t use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity and simply add a numeric keypad or a touchscreen to a standard door lock. This is a good option for people who want the convenience of giving code access to house or pet sitters or guests without having to distribute extra keys.
Most of the replacement locks we’ve reviewed have a traditional or contemporary style, and most come in a silver or black finish. A few, such as the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock and the Yale Assure Lock 2, offer a modular design that lets you build your ideal lock by adding on options like a keypad or geofencing.
Control
A smart front door lock removes the need for a standard key and can allow you to unlock your home remotely with a smartphone app or when within proximity. You can also give digital “keys” to friends, family members or service providers (like a dog walker or house cleaner) and set a specific schedule for when those virtual keys will work—for example, Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Smart locks can offer many other features that make your life easier and improve security, too. Some have a back-lit keypad that helps you find the right pin code in the dark; others can let you know when your kids get home or when someone tries to break into your house with a mobile alert smart front door lock and a chime. Some models are also compatible with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
To enable the most features, look for a model that uses either Z-Wave technology or Wi-Fi. If you want to integrate your smart lock into a home automation system and take advantage of mobile alerts, consider a model that works with Bluetooth or has a built-in Zigbee hub. And if you’re worried about the battery drain on some Bluetooth-only models, you can opt for one that has a built-in Wi-Fi module (though that will require filling another outlet in your home and may cut into your budget). Regardless of which technology you choose, look for a certification from an industry body, such as ANSI or BHMA, to ensure it meets certain standards for operational function, pull strength and number of key torque cycles.
