Smart Locks: Key Features, Drawbacks, and Top Recommendations
Smart locks are among the most important components of smart buildings and homes. They are a crucial element in the internal security services of smart homes. Even beyond security, they offer the convenience of locking and unlocking the door remotely.
Today, there are hundreds of types of smart locks worldwide, with prices ranging from moderate to several hundred dollars. This variation is due to differences in the quality of the smart lock, the numerous services it offers, and the brand or manufacturer. All of this raises the most important question: Do you need a smart lock? How can it benefit you? What are the pros and cons of having one? And what are the best options available?
What Are Smart Locks and Why Do You Need One?
Smart locks are used internally or externally in homes or rooms as a replacement for the traditional locks we are accustomed to using. Unlike conventional locks, smart locks bring modern features that align with cutting-edge technologies, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT). These features include the ability to control the lock via a smartphone or voice commands, or even having the lock recognize you from a distance and unlock the door for you without any intervention. Additionally, smart locks incorporate security mechanisms that prevent others from accessing your home, such as alarm systems and warning alerts.
There are many reasons why you should consider getting a smart lock. First, you can trust your home’s security to modern technologies instead of outdated ones. Secondly, if you want to transform your home into a smart home and include new technologies like smart locks, smart locks offer multiple unlocking methods that free you from carrying keys all the time. You can also customize the lock for other family members, allowing them to unlock it with a fingerprint, facial recognition, or even through the official app on your smartphone.
Smart Lock Pros and Cons You Should Consider
Like any modern technology, smart locks have pros and cons that should be discussed, which will help you decide whether getting a smart lock is worth it.
Smart Lock Advantages:
- Ease of Locking and Unlocking: You don’t need a metal key in your pocket or to provide multiple copies for every family member. You can set up the smart lock to recognize users’ fingerprints, set a shared PIN code, and more.
- Ensuring the Door is Locked Even When You’re Away: How often have you left your home and wondered if you locked the door? Now, you can take out your smartphone and check. If it’s not locked, you can simply select the lock option, and you’re done.
- Additional Security Features: If someone tries to unlock or break into the door, you will receive a notification on your smartphone, or sometimes the alarm may also go off.
- Sending Notifications About the Door’s Status: Did you forget to lock the door after 10 PM? Don’t worry; the smart lock can notify you about it and tell you to lock the door. Additionally, you can schedule the door to lock itself at certain times (for example, after 12 AM).
Smart Lock Disadvantages:
- Sometimes Expensive: Compared to traditional locks, they are, of course, more expensive, with prices of smart locks reaching hundreds of dollars depending on the quality and various capabilities of the smart lock.
- May Require Additional Services and Maintenance: For example, changing the battery from time to time, and some smart door locks even require a monthly subscription to their digital services. Not all, but only a few.
What Are the Best Smart Lock Recommendations Currently Available?
You’ll find hundreds of smart lock options available. Some are good, and others are okay. However, there are some smart locks that truly deserve praise and are worth getting, including:
- Moorgen Smart Lock: Simple in design yet remarkable in features, offering various unlocking technologies such as fingerprint recognition, passwords, and even an IC card provided by the company. It also includes facial recognition technology.
- Ring Smart Lock: Ring offers a package of smart devices specializing in smart locks and smart doorbells. Particularly the latest versions come with additional features like using your phone to unlock the door, fingerprint recognition, or facial recognition.
- Wyze Lock: Wyze is a company that specializes in creating all kinds of smart home devices, from smart surveillance cameras to door locks and even air conditioner controllers. Their prices are moderate, and they provide good technical services in integrating both software and hardware for the smart lock.
- Xiaomi Smart Door Lock: Xiaomi is a company that loves to involve itself in everything new, from smartphones to smart homes, and even smart cars. They have an excellent smart lock, the Xiaomi Smart Door Lock, which comes with all the technologies you need in a smart door lock.
Of course, there are many options in the market and many companies as well. However, these are the leading choices at the moment, and choosing them offers you the full benefits of a smart lock at very reasonable prices.