Smart Locks
Your smart home can be more helpful
Keep your home safe with smart locks
Smart locks are a great way to upgrade the standard deadbolt lock on your front door, offering peace of mind and convenience.
What are smart locks and how do they work?
Smart locks are a great way to bring entryway of your home to the 21st Century and add another element to the smart home. Replacing a standard deadbolt, they offer keyless entry and, in some cases, even remote access via Wi-Fi.
Most smart locks work using a pin code, app, fingerprint, or a combination of these to permit entry. Ones that use Wi-Fi can be remotely accessed from a smartphone app (or even smartwatch, smart speaker, or tablet) so you can lock and unlock the door from anywhere, set schedules, and more. Smart locks with Bluetooth work once you get within close proximity to the door and/or use a fingerprint. Some even work with voice control.
With features like scheduling and lock/unlock alerts, emergency chargers or back-up keys (batteries usually last up to a year), and two-factor authentication and other security features, smart door locks can be a welcome addition to any home.
What are the advantages of a smart lock?
A smart lock makes it simple to get into your home without having to fumble in a purse or pocket for keys, or even bring them with you. If you’re carrying bags of groceries, smart locks that support popular voice assistants make it easy to get in, hands-free, without having to awkwardly insert a key while your hands are full.
They are safe, secure, easy to install, and tamper-proof. Share unique pin codes or even fingerprint access with others, like a dog walker, neighbor, family members, friends, or even part-time renters. Many are compatible with other smart home devices like alarms, smart speakers, security cameras, and more.
Smart locks help eliminate worry of whether you locked the door or not before leaving, with many even including sensors that can automatically lock the door once it’s closed or send an alert if it’s not locked so you can remotely lock it.
Which are the best smart locks for Airbnb and other short-term rentals?
One particular use for smart locks is for Airbnb and other short-term rentals. The best smart locks for Airbnb will not only include features like the ability to share different secure pin codes (some can store as many as 20) but also one-time or time-sensitive pin code authorization. Set up a renter with a pin code that will only work through the duration of their stay and becomes inactive once that timeframe elapses.
A smart lock with door lock/unlock and entry/exit alerts as well as a history of records is also useful for short-term renters who can ensure that renters aren’t having unauthorized parties, for example, and to know when they come and go.
Smart locks are especially great for those with kids, pets, elderly family members, or anyone who simply wants to be able to easily lock and unlock the door both when arriving home and remotely.