Smart locks are a wise investment. Your deadbolt is a great candidate for replacement because you presumably lock and unlock it every day. If you choose the wise route, you can remotely lock and open it from your phone if you forget or lock and unlock it using your voice. You can grant app-enabled access to house guests and maintenance personnel.
But where do you begin? This article will reveal factors to consider when purchasing a smart lock for your door. If you evaluate all of these factors, you should be able to see through the jargon and choose the best smart lock for you.
Support For Door Lock Command
Yes, your smartphone is a smart lock key, but what if you misplace it? When shopping for smart door locks, look for four-way access features such as passwords, RF cards, cylinder keys, or biometrics.
Some models include three of the most recent cool compatibilities-Amazon Alexa Key voice unlock/lock, Amazon Key, and Ring Alarm-all without the need for an additional Z-Wave hub.
Remote Control
Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi adapters allow for limited remote access to the locks. It’s sufficient to monitor your safety while you’re at home, but if you go too far out, you’ll lose the connection.
Smart locks that support Z-Wave technology can be integrated with home security systems. The home network is then connected to the internet, allowing users to monitor their door locks from anywhere. You can remotely open your door with these capabilities, eliminating the need to wait at home all morning for a courier.
Unlike Bluetooth locks, Z-Wave locks do not communicate directly with your handset. Instead, they’ll have to join a Z-Wave network. The hub can convert the Z-Wave signal from the lock to something your router can recognize, allowing you to access your lock from anywhere.
Life Of The Battery
Because batteries power smart locks, compare the expected battery life of the various models you’re considering.
Consider features that show you how much battery life is left and emergency power backup so you don’t get locked out due to a deadlock battery. Some types retain the normal key cylinder or if it’s double cylinder vs. single cylinder deadbolt as a backup, while others have a solar power battery backup.
Supports Z-Wave Technology
Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi adapters allow for limited remote access in a live streaming camera for church whenever you also need it. Remote access locks are sufficient to monitor your safety while at home, but if you go too far out, you’ll lose the connection.
Smart locks that support Z-Wave technology can be integrated with home security systems. The home network is then connected to the internet, allowing users to monitor their door locks from anywhere. You can remotely open your door with these capabilities, eliminating the need to wait at home all morning for a courier.
Personalized Access
Controlling access to your home remotely and separately is one of many ways to deal with people who need to come in while you’re away.
Some smart locks allow for personalized entry codes. You can give one code to your children and another to the gardener or dog walker. Depending on the model, you could create codes that run during specific hours or periods for maintenance personnel. Outside of these hours, the code will be inactive.
Furthermore, you can receive real-time alert notifications via text and email to notify you when the locks are unlocked and with what code. This convenient feature tells parents when their children have returned home from school or who has arrived late.
Alarms
Consider features such as security alerts such as buzz alarms when the lock is tampered with or when the door is left open.
A few little models include features that automatically switch to ultra-sensitive mode after the first alarm is triggered due to tampering, allowing them to detect the intruder’s return. The alarm can ring for a few seconds to a few minutes, and you can enable auto-off features.
Ratings For ANSI/BHMA Lock Standards
The quality of conventional and smart door locks is sometimes different. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) have established three standard lock quality designations based on resistance to picking, lock bumping, and other physical attacks as the number of locks or unlocks. The ANSI website states that the ANSI considers the lock’s durability, resilience, and latch duration.
Connectivity Of Apps
Smart locks work well as part of a smart home security system, but what makes them even better is that they can be managed and monitored via smartphone apps. These applications are free to use and do not require any special skills. Furthermore, these apps enable homeowners to take full advantage of all smart lock features.
The app connectivity provided by these smart locks is also required for communication with other devices. Similarly, these applications will allow you to assess the diagnostics of the locks and give any pertinent information associated with such devices.
Conclusion
A smart lock is a modern lock that can be unlocked or locked remotely with a single finger tap or voice command. There are various types of smart locks, just like oxygen valves available today, and it is in your best interest to understand the key features so you can select the best smart lock. Remote connectivity, the presence of the guest keys feature, long battery life, app connectivity, and many other features are worth considering.