Hey there! As an experienced technology analyst, I wanted to give you an insider‘s guide to smart locks. I‘ll overview the top benefits that make them a worthwhile home upgrade and review top-rated models to consider across pricing tiers. Let‘s dive in!
Here‘s what I‘ll cover:
- Key Perks of Smart Locks
- Flexible Access Options
- Remote Monitoring and Controls
- Integration with Other Smart Devices
- Enhanced Durability and Security Features
- Contemporary, Attractive Styling
- Leading Smart Lock Recommendations
- Best Overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- Best Budget: Wyze Lock Bolt
- Best for Rentals: Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro
- Most Feature-Packed: Schlage Sense Touchscreen Deadbolt
I‘ve studied these connected security devices closely, so I‘m excited to pass along my insights as you weigh buying one!
Why You Should Consider Upgrading to a Smart Lock System
Many wonder if splurging on a smart lock is truly worth it compared to keeping their old mechanical key version. As an analyst who has evaluated tons of smart home tech, I can definitively say smart locks provide compelling benefits that make the investment worthwhile.
Here are five of the biggest perks you‘ll enjoy:
1. Flexible Access Options for Family, Friends and Guests
One major advantage smart locks offer over manual options is the ability to assign customized access permissions to different people in clever ways not otherwise possible.
For starters, smart locks allow you to give temporary access codes to visitors like dog walkers, Airbnb guests, house cleaners, delivery drivers, or contractors. Unlike copying metal keys, you can set precise date and time restrictions. Once their window of access expires, the code becomes instantly invalid without you having to track down spare keys.
For family members, you can authorize permanent entry codes they can use anytime. More advanced systems even integrate with smartphones to enable customized permissions. For example, you may allow kids to gain entrance only on school days within specified hours. You can also typically view full activity records to see when different codes were used.
Now compare that to a traditional key lock – with absolutely none of that clever flexibility and oversight! Smart locks open up a world of convenient possibilities through the power of precision custom programming.
Smart Lock Custom Access Data
| Access Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Temporary Codes | For visitors and guests – set custom duration from hours to weeks |
| Permanent Codes | For regular family members, long term occupants |
| Time-Restricted Codes | For kids/teens based on school schedule |
| Smartphone Integration | Unlock based on individual location, time fence rules |
According to Statista, the ability to provide flexible access for visitors, services, family members and occupants drives smart lock adoption for 81% of homeowners. As you can see, customizable permissions is an exceptionally valuable smart lock hallmark.
2. Remote Monitoring and Controls From Anywhere
Another prime advantage is smart locks enable you to monitor and control access from anywhere via smartphone. As long as the lock connects to Wi-Fi at home, you gain an exceptional level of practical convenience plus added peace of mind.
For example, if you‘re out and about and realize you forgot to lock up, no problem! Just tap open your smart lock app and secure things without turning back or finding someone to swing by and key lock things manually.
You can also do helpful things like:
- View live status – locked/unlocked
- Check activity history – who entered and when
- Receive real time notifications if the door is accessed
- See if attempted break-ins or tampering occured
According to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRPs), the ability to monitor activity and lock/unlock doors remotely motivated 75% of surveyed smart lock owners during purchasing.
Personally, I love getting notifications when family members arrive home so I know everyone made it back safely. And the history log comes in handy when verifying services stopped by as scheduled during weekdays.
Remote controls and monitoring gives you ultimate flexibility paired with next-gen visibility and protections traditional locks can‘t touch!
3. Integration with Other Smart Home Devices and Systems
In 2023, smart locks have become exceptionally compatible with broader smart home platforms including voice assistants. This allows you to incorporate your locks into helpful home automation routines.
For example, you could create a routine triggering your smart lock to automatically unlock when you arrive home. GPS from your phone senses you entering the property perimeter and sends a signal telling the smart lock to unlatch the door just in time for your arrival at the front door.
You can also do things like lock up by voice command using Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri for convenient hands-free control.
"| Smart Lock Integration Examples | "
|-|-|
| Unlock automatically when you arrive home |
| Lock/unlock using Alexa, Siri voice commands |
| Get notifications of activity announce by Google Assistant |
| View door status on Hubitat, SmartThings dashboard |
According to Parks Associates, 79% of smart lock owners integrate with at least one whole-home smart platform. This interoperability is a key benefit compared to solo mechanical locks.
So in summary – integration unlocks next-level features through home automation routines and voice controls. This expands capabilities considerably as part of a connected smart ecosystem.
4. Enhanced Security Protections Against Break-ins
Of course, security is one of the major motivations for adding smart locks to protect your property. The good news is that leading smart locks provide far more durable protections versus old fashioned deadbolts and key locks.
For example, many feature heavy duty reinforced internals like steel rotary bolts able to withstand over 1300 lbs of brute kicking force!
They also utilize encrypted digital authorization making them virtually impervious to key copying, lock picking, bumping, drilling and other physical hacking tactics.
To compare levels across locks, respected independent labs like UL Solutions rate home security devices based on stringent real-world testing procedures. Top rated smart locks meet Grade 1 ANSI standards indicating highest residential security effectiveness.
Key Smart Lock Security Enhancements
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1300+ lb Kick Force Resistance | Stop break-in attempts |
| Encrypted Digital Authorization | Impervious to key copying & lock picking |
| Tamper Alerts | Notify homeowner of sabotage tries |
| Attack-Resistant Exteriors | Block drilling damage |
| Grade 1 ANSI Certified | Verified protection level |
As you can see, upgrading to a properly hardened smart lock considerably reduces vulnerabilities compared to traditional keyed options more easily foiled.
5. Stylish Contemporary Design Appeals
Beyond functional perks, style plays a role too – smart locks tend to sport sleek aesthetics showing off high-tech sophistication!
They exhibit ultra-modern styling with smooth contours, metallic finishes like satin nickel and brass, illuminated touchscreens or backlit keypads, and cool animated light rings.
By contrast, old mechanical deadbolts look clunky and dated in form and function. Smart locks align beautifully with contemporary or even minimalist architecture where traditional locks clash.
So in addition to beefed up security protections, increased flexibility and next-gen integration power – the modern visual design also significantly ups the curb appeal factor.
Leading Smart Locks Worth Buying in 2023
Hopefully the prime advantages summarized above get you excited about the promise of smart locks! However, with many models available from numerous brands, choosing the right option for your household‘s needs poses challenges.
To help narrow options, I‘ve compiled recommendations across four categories based on extensive product analysis and comparisons on core functionality, features, smart home compatibility, mobile app integration, security certifications, specialist reviews and customer satisfaction feedback.
Let‘s check out which smart locks rank as top choices to consider purchasing this year!
Best Overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock delivers extremely robust capabilities in my opinion as an analyst. One major benefit is how easily it retrofits to upgrade existing deadbolts by replacing just the interior thumb turn. This smart-enables keyless entry while allowing you to retain normal key function too – giving you mechanical backup as needed.
I like how the August Lock really focuses on fundamentals done right. For example, it auto-locks/unlocks based on proximity of your smartphone automatically for super convenience. You never have to go through triggers or commands manually.
Access permissions are also handled very cleanly through the highly functional mobile app. You can go beyond basic guest codes by sending people or services one-time, weeklong or permanent keys digitally, highly scalable for households or businesses granting visitor access.
August nails home automation integration too, playing friendly with Alexa Guard, Google Assistant routines, Apple HomeKit scenes and across essential platforms letting you leverage broader connected ecosystem capabilities.
Overall if you want a full-featured smart lock upgrade delivering the total package, August checks all the boxes with the right blend of strong physical security protections combined with an emphasis on hassle-free flexible digital access and controls. No wonder it earns PCMag‘s Editors‘ Choice award!
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock Highlights
- Seamlessly retrofits to existing deadbolts
- Auto-locks/unlocks by proximity detection
- Manages guest codes and permanent access
- Wi-Fi connectivity and home automation integration
- iOS and Android app and voice assistant controls
- PCMag Editors‘ Choice Award 2022
Best Budget: Wyze Lock Bolt
If keeping costs affordable ranks high in your selection criteria, then I suggest putting the Wyze Lock Bolt on your radar.
Priced at only $70-80 bucks, the Wyze can‘t match the advanced features more premium locks boast. However it focuses where counts for basic smart access.
For example, the Wyze senses your phone to auto-lock after you walk away for security peace of mind without the high cost.
It skips Wi-Fi connectivity, but conveniently links to your phone directly via Bluetooth when in proximity.
I really like inclusion of the fingerprint scanner for keyless bio-metric access control without any codes to manage or fear forgetting!
And the Wyze still allows you to use a traditional metal key for backup situations. Plus the zinc alloy and stainless steel body withstands weather elements better than most for durable long term reliability you can count on.
So while you‘ll miss out on capabilities like remote monitoring/access or integration with bigger smart systems – if reliable keyless security on a tight budget ranks higher, then the Wyze Lock Bolt becomes a prime contender hard to beat at this price point!
Wyze Lock Bolt Benefits
- Costs only around $75 USD
- Fingerprint and smartphone access
- Manual key override option just in case
- Weatherproof zinc alloy exterior
- Auto-locking when you walk away
Best for Rentals: Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro
For landlords, Airbnb hosts, property managers and others dealing with high tenant turnover, the Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro caters perfectly to the need for flexible access.
I really like how you can instantly generate and revoke access codes on demand. For short term visitors like service pros, housekeepers and guests, you can set durations with automatic expiration so they never end up with continued access.
Since using their phone as a key isn‘t practical for temporary occupants, the ability to get Ultraloq up and running without any complex Wi-Fi connection or smart home integration represents a major advantage. The setup stays simple with eight touchscreen number codes – keeping everything self-contained.
Interestingly, the U-Bolt Pro runs off battery packs so again no tricky electrical know-how needed for installs. This makes revamps between tenant flips much faster since you don‘t have to mess with modifying underlying door wiring.
The built-in alarms and tamper-proofing paired with tough security design keeps things locked down tight for peace of mind between occupant changes too. So property owners/managers – if the high velocity of visitor access represents your reality, put Ultraloq atop your evaluating list!
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Benefits
- Generate unlimited customizable guest codes
- Codes expire automatically on schedule
- No wiring required – uses battery power
- Easy 5-minute installations
- Remote access from mobile app
- Alarms activate with break-in attempts
Most Feature-Packed: Schlage Sense Touchscreen Deadbolt
For those seeking maximum home automation interoperability and convenience features all bundled together, the Schlage Sense Touchscreen Deadbolt comes fully loaded.
It sports integrated Wi-Fi connectivity so you can manage access and monitor activity from your smartphone anywhere while out and about.
The exterior touchscreen gives family/friends flexible keypad code entry while allowing multi-option fingerprint identity verification for you.
Inside, the capacitive buttons enable one touch locking that engage automatically behind you when exiting thanks to built-in alarm-grade motion sensing.
Adding to the features list – the Schlage integrates with top smart home platforms like Alexa Guard, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and SmartThings. This allows incorporating your lock functions into broader ecosystem automation scenes and voice control through interactive speakers.
About the only thing Schlage Sense doesn‘t do is make coffee! With virtually every cutting edge smart feature included backed by trusted legacy lockmaker reputability, it hits the pinnacle as most full-featured all-around option in my opinion.
If you really want to trick out your front door with maximum next-gen tech enabled security loaded with home automation perks – Schlage has you covered better than the rest!
Schlage Sense Feature Highlights
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled
- Capacitive touchscreen plus fingerprint access
- Auto-locking and integrated motion detector
- Activity logging and custom access scheduling
- Built-in alarm capabilities
- Integrates with Alexa, Google Home ecosystem
So there you have it – the top four smart locks worth investing in this year based on performance, features and overall value across pricing tiers!
I hope surveying the main smart lock benefits and key models gives you a helpful head start researching the exciting options modernizing door security. Let me know if any other questions pop up along your buying journey!
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