Everything is smart these days isn’t it? Smart TVs, smart plugs and light bulbs, app operated kettles and central heating systems, even smart doorbells. Well, in a bid to not be left behind, door locks have also moved into the smart era and you can now purchase door locks with pin codes, fingerprint recognition and even operated from your phone. Keys are rapidly becoming a thing of the past. In this article we will take a look at some of the more common types of smart locks and try to answer some of the concerns that people have about them, such as what happens if the Wifi is down or the batteries run out?
What are smart locks?
Quite simply smart locks do exactly the same as your normal key operated lock, in that they secure your property from unwanted access, but they do this without the need for a key. They operate in 3 main ways: Fingerprint recognition, like your smartphone lock, pin code or smartphone app. Some can also be linked to your smart home assistant and you can use your assistant to lock your doors.
Are smart locks for everyone
Smart locks won’t work in all situations, the most common being if you need to do a little shimmy with your door when opening or locking it. You know those frustrating doors where you need to give it a little push or a pull to get it locked or unlocked? Smart locks won’t work on those doors because the whole idea is that you don’t really need to be in contact with the door to lock or unlock it. Because you’re not there to give it that nudge, the lock won’t work. Other than that, most smart locks are universal.
How to choose your smart lock
Because smart locks are all so different, you will need to take some time considering what type to get. Some are 100% keyless so you need to convince yourself that you trust the tech enough every time you need to use it. Some have a traditional key entry system too so you always have that back up, but you do then still need to carry a key with you. Some connect via WiFi and some via Bluetooth. Bluetooth connections are great if you just want to be able to use your lock with your phone as it only works at a relatively short range. These locks do not have voice assistant control and you can’t control them if you are not near the door. The advantage is that they use a lot less power than WiFi controlled locks so there is less chance of losing power. WiFi connected locks need additional components to connect them to a power source due to their additional power requirements, but they do have a lot more functionality to them. If you’re not a fan of going quite that technical then you have the options of fingerprint entry or key pad entry, the latter requires you to set a pin code which you then need to remember.
Burning Questions
- Are smart locks secure? The answer is yes, they are and, in many respects they are even more secure. For app or pin code operated systems, you can change the entry codes frequently and fingerprints give a clear security advantage. This means that it isn’t that easy to simply pick the lock. On the flip side, wifi can be hacked so there is no 100% guarantee of security. It might be worth considering using a non-WiFi system if security is your main concern
- What happens if I lose power? Most smart locks are battery powered so a power loss from the grid is unlikely to affect them (other than WiFi drop out) but the batteries can also drain and need replacing. Most smart locks do have an app which will give you plenty of warning that the battery is running out which will give you ample time to replace them. Others, like Yale smart locks, have external emergency power supply terminals to which you can attach a 9v battery and allow you to unlock them. As we have mentioned, many smart locks still have an old-fashioned key mechanism which can be used if power is lost. Ultimately, if you lose power and there is no emergency function or key function, then you are, we’re afraid locked out so it pays to be on the boil when it comes to keeping an eye on the battery level or have another means of entry.
- What if I lose my WiFi connection? For the most part, all that will happen is that you lose the ability to control the lock remotely, most locks will still allow key entry or Bluetooth entry.
Smartlocks are a great addition to your home security and the technology is very reliable these days, Techradar have published a great guide on the best locks on the market at the moment. Why not take a look and see if any take your fancy?
