A smart lock is an electronic device that allows locking doors without using keys, remotely. Thereby, you can use them as an element of a smart home system. We will tell you about the principle of their work, their advantages, the smart devices on the modern market, and you can choose the best smart lock.

They are installed on both entrance and interior doors. You can use them as a stand-alone locking device or in a complex with standard locks. Their main feature is remote control through various devices — smartphones, tablets, central hubs.

There are different ways to open and close depending on the specific model:

• Using a password on a panel, usually located directly next to the front door.
• Using a plastic card with an electronic chip attached to the readout device.
• Through a key fob that acts as a remote control.
• Via biometric sensors capable of reading a picture from the retina or fingerprints.

To control the lock using the internet, you should connect it to the central hub of your smart house system or directly to a smartphone or computer via a wireless Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. You need a special application on your mobile device compatible with iOs, Windows, or Android. After connecting the intelligent lock to the remote control device, you can give it commands, as well as receive information:

• If the doors are open or closed at the moment.
• Notifications if someone tries to enter.
• When combining the device with a video surveillance camera, you can get an image on your smart device (phone or tablet) and decide whether to give a command to unlock the door or not.

In addition, the best hi-tech smart lock can be integrated with intercoms, which allows installing them on the entrance doors of the apartment block. For autonomous operation, the device is supplied with built-in batteries, therefore, the smart lock is not blocked in case of a power outage.

Safety and other benefits

Compared to regular locks, electronic ones provide a higher level of security due to the following factors:

• All the information between the user and the smart device is transmitted over a closed channel, with a certain degree of protection against unauthorized leakage.
• The best smart locks for home, equipped with an electronic key in the form of a fob or a plastic card, usually have about 100 billion possible combinations. Therefore, finding the code for it is a very difficult task even for special hacker programs.
• Additional protection of biometric readout device for fingerprint or retina can provide even greater protection against smart intruders.
• An exception is a mechanical action on the door (via crowbar, grinder, sledgehammer). However, even in this situation, the smart lock will be able to send a signal about the burglary to the owner’s smartphone, or directly to the emergency control panel.

In addition to increased security, such a lock compares favorably with the regular one due to:

• automated remote control,
• accounts that display all information: when the door was opened, which tenant used the electronic key, etc,
• remote control over the front door by transferring information to your smartphone or tablet,
• work scenarios, sending passwords to guests, if necessary, setting their validity time.

How to install

Modern models are suitable for any type of a door, metal or wood. You can use them on any premises: at home, in offices, or public buildings. The whole process of installing consists of several steps.

1. First, install the locking mechanism in the door panel. Installation features depend on the specific model, its design, as well as on the type of the panel. This procedure is similar to the installation of a regular key lock.
2. Connect the homekit smart box, equipped with rechargeable batteries for autonomous operation, to the locking mechanism. As a rule, it is located in the immediate vicinity and is with a wire with plugs. It can include various technical elements: biometric or magnetic reader, touchscreen display.
3. The next step is testing the main functionality: the possibility of free opening and closing of the locking mechanism by the command from the electronic unit.
4. Connect the smart lock to the remote control system. To do this, follow the instructions of the device kit.

The best devices review

We offer our version of the top 10 smart locks on the smart electronics market today.

Kwikset Kevo Contemporary

This simple and stylish solution attracts, above all, with its ease of use. A smart lock has the minimum possible features: automatic detection of the smartphone proximity, automatic user identification, one-click opening after authorization, key generation, adjustment of access rights.

For all its simplicity, Kwikset Kevo is comfortable and functional. It is enough to approach it. The system will detect the proximity of your smartphone, identify you, and allow opening the door. If the user walks outside while the owner of the castle is inside, Kwikset Kevo will correctly determine that the visitor should not be allowed in without proper identification. To integrate the device into a smart home system, you will need to purchase an additional Kevo Plus adapter.

Homematic KeyMatic

It looks quite simple in its features. The closing actuator is controlled by a rather large remote control included in the supply package. The remote control not only serves to open and close the smart lock but can also be equipped with two additional buttons with smart home functions. For instance, you can turn on the light or heater. KeyMatic system is the best smart lock for the elderly. The remote control has large buttons and allows the elderly user to quickly open the door from the inside.

You can install the device over the old lock cylinder. Homematic does not offer the original system App but there are many trusted third-party apps like Pocket Control (HM) or Orbylon. In addition, this device is the best and budget smart lock. Its average cost is about 170 Euros compared to 200-250 for other models.

Xiaomi Aqara Smart Door Lock S2

This is the best and expensive smart lock and considered one of the best solutions for integration into the overall digital home security system. It is equipped with a fingerprint scanner, there is a built-in NFC identification system. The door can be opened with a key fob or a programmed code via smartphone. You can open the door with a simple key, identification with a digital code is provided. In this case, you can turn on the redundancy system with the addition of extra characters in order to make it more difficult for an attacker who is nearby to remember the combination.

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If there are three unsuccessful attempts to open the door, an alarm is sent to the owner’s smartphone. Connection to smartphones based on iOS or Android is available through the downloaded application, which allows the owner to determine who entered the premises and when, as well as to track the entire history of door actions. Eight AA batteries power the lock. If you use Aqara Smart up to 10 times a day, the battery will last for 6 months.

August Smart Lock

The clever lock from the American company August Home is an overlay on a regular lock. You can lock and open doors from a smartphone or tablet. It is also able to recognize the location of the owner via his smartphone. Communication with the owner is established via Bluetooth or WiFi. For this, the Z-Wave protocol is used. August Home Smart Lock features also include integration with video cameras and microphones.

Goji Smart Lock

The device is powered by 4 AA batteries. The manufacturer claims that they will last for 1 year. It communicates with a smartphone via Bluetooth LE or Wi-fi. The lock consists of two parts. On the front, there is a display and indication. On it, the lock addresses the user, for example, “Welcome, John”. This block is hinged and it closes the usual keyhole. Also in this block, there is a camera that allows you to get a photo on your smartphone of those who tried to open the door.

The inner side of the smart device looks more like a regular lock, rectangular with rounded corners. The doors are opened from a smartphone or a special Bluetooth key fob. You can send the keys to your guests on their smartphones. They have a limited validity period, and you can deactivate or change access settings whenever you want.

OkidoKeys

It is a smart lock that uses 256-bit AES encryption. This best homekit runs on Android and iOS via Bluetooth 4.0. In addition to being controlled from a smartphone, the lock also “understands” RFID tags. You can set up an access schedule for each guest or tag to exclude their unauthorized access at the wrong time. Tags can be applied to a key fob, plastic card, or bracelet.

Dana SmartLock V3

This is the best and newest smart lock from a Danish manufacturer. V3 is sold in four variants: Bluetooth, Bluetooth and Z-Wave, Bluetooth and ZigBee, or HomeKit model. The last three options are interesting if you intend to combine the lock with a smart home system. For example, if you have an Amazon Echo Plus, it can interact with the blocking system via ZigBee.

If you are using a smart home center with a Z-Wave receiver, V3 is the best choice. You can open all Danalock V3 models with a smartphone (or Apple Watch). If you don’t want to take the electronic key out of your pocket, just install the Bluetooth beacon on the door. If you stand with busy hands in front of the door, your smartphone will connect to the lock and provide immediate entry.

Schlage Sense Smart Deadbolt

A smart lock is compatible with Apple’s HomeKit technology and can be controlled by Siri. Also compatible with Samsung’s SmartThings. On the outside, there is a backlit touchscreen and a numeric keypad. By connecting the Schlage Sense Wi-Fi Adapter, you can control the device from an iOS or Android smartphone and open the doors from anywhere in the world via the internet. You will also receive a low battery notification. The application allows you to assign virtual keys for guests, and if they do not have smartphones with this App, they can enter using the access code by entering it from the keyboard.

Yale Assure

The doors open if you bring your smartphone and turn your hand as if you were opening the lock with a regular key. Communication with the device is via Bluetooth. In addition, you can open the doors after entering the code through the touch screen with a keyboard. It is located on the outside part of the lock. It can cooperate with Z-wave intelligent systems and others through ZigBee protocols, there is compatibility with the Apple Homekit module.

Samsung SHS-H705

Eight AA batteries power the biometric lock. It differs from previous models in that it has both a keyboard and a fingerprint scanner for accessing the house. The memory can store up to 100 prints. After five unsuccessful attempts to open, both the touch panel and the fingerprint sensor are disabled for 3 minutes. If the doors are opened 10 times a day, the batteries will last for 10 months of operation.

The best modern smart lock is capable of providing a high level of security for home or office. Most models are perfect for smart home systems and can be remotely controlled using gadgets.