Smart Door Locks
The security of your home or office is important for anyone. Therefore, if you are thinking about securing your front door, a high-quality door lock does the job just fine. The truth is that of all the different types of home gadgets and appliances, the smart door locks are among the most popular. Aside from being some smart deadbolts that secure your home, they will allow for more control as well. You can lock and unlock your door with just a simple touch and you can even create digital codes for your family, friends or anyone else you regularly admit into your home, including your housekeepers or nanny.
There are dozens of models available on the market, so it’s quite difficult to find a model that suit your needs. Therefore, in order to help you make the right decision, we present you 5 of the most efficient yet easy to use door locks on the market. Take a look at this comparison chart below and choose the model that best fits your needs.
Top 5 Smart Door Locks Comparison
Smart Door Locks Reviews
Schlage Z-Wave
1. Schlage Z-Wave
If you are looking for an easy to use door locker, the Schlage Z-Wave is exactly what you need. As compared to other lockers, this model uses an advanced technology such as the Z-Wave technology which allows you to lock and unlock the door remotely via the smartphone. Its 3-alert modes (activity, tamper and forced entry) announce you when someone is near the door. The fact that it memories up to 30 different access codes is a major perk, because everyone, from your kids to your parents and close friends can have their own number. Additionally, it comes with an illuminated fingerprint-resistant touchscreen that protects your fingerprints. This way, you can rest assured that wear patterns remain undetectable. Built with high-quality materials, this door lock is backed by a lifetime limited mechanical and finish warranty. Also, it comes with a 1-year warranty for its electronics.
PROS |
CONS |
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| It uses Z-Wave technology | |
| It has 3-alert modes | |
| It comes with an illuminated fingerprint-resistant touchscreen | |
| Made of high-quality materials | |
VERDICT |
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It should come as no surprise that we selected this door lock as the best model out there. It uses an advanced technology and comes equipped with a lot of features and settings. Thanks to its Z-wave technology, you will be able to lock and unlock the door remotely using your smartphone. Another interesting thing that you will notice is the presence if the illuminated fingerprint-resistant touchscreen that will protect your fingerprints. All in all, this is a good option to consider when making a purchase. |
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Yale Touchscreen Deadbolt
2. Yale Touchscreen Deadbolt
With this smart lock, you will never have to carry around your keys again. The Yale door lock is more convenient and versatile than regular deadbolts. It works with Amazon Alexa for the voice control feature and with most Z-Wave automation systems including Wink and Smart Things. It memories up to 250 pin codes which means that you can create one code for each member of your family. More than that, it is equipped with smart features that alert you when visitors come and go. What we really like about this product is the fact that it can unlock the door for guests even if you are not at home. There is no need to give keys to visitors, including housekeepers or other frequent guests because each one of them can have their own 4 to 8 digit code. Overall, if you need an intelligent electronic door lock, this model is surely an option worth taking into consideration.
PROS |
CONS |
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| It works with most Z-Wave automation systems | |
| It memories up to 250 pin codes | |
| It has 4 to 8 digit codes | |
| It has voice control feature | |
VERDICT |
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The Yale Touchscreen Deadbolt is our second option. It is a smart device that allows you to lock and unlock your door via smartphone. It comes with a plethora of interesting features and an impressive technology with voice control option. It is also worth mentioning that it is capable of memorizing up to 250 pin codes. Note that it is more affordable than the above model. |
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Ultraloq UL3 BT
3. Ultraloq UL3 BT
Enjoy security and peace of mind knowing your home is safe and secured by one of the most quality and advanced smart lock on the market. Specially designed to keep your door secure, the Ultraloq UL3 BT is the world’s first 5-in-1 electronic lock. It works at the same time with fingerprint, code, smartphone, knock/shake to open feature and key. All these 5 methods will help you lock and unlock the door in no time. With its 95 fingerprints and 95 codes, this keyless device identifies your fingerprints in less than 0.5 seconds. Additionally, it’s important to know that it features an Anti-peep technology which ensures you that your password cannot be stolen by strange people who are watching you when you enter the code. The Knock to open and Shake to open features allow you to lock and unlock the door without a key. You just have to knock on your phone four times or to shake the phone and your door will be locked. It works with 3 AA batteries which last about 1 year. This means, that you can use the lock about 8000 times.
PROS |
CONS |
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| It is the first 5-in-1 electronic lock | |
| It comes at a reasonable price | |
| It comes with 95 fingeprints and 95 codes | |
| It is capable of identifing your fingerpirnt in less than 0.5 second | |
VERDICT |
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Based on market popularity and available features, this models was one of the finalists in our reviews. It is a great device that has a lot of features and a very reasonable price. It is a 5-in-1 electronic lock that allows you to use at the same time your smartphone, fingerprint, code or lock/shake option in order to open the door. It has 95 fingerprints and 95 codes thanks to which your fingerprint can be identified in less than 0.5 seconds. At a great price and a high-quality, this is by far one of the best models on the market. |
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Samsung Ezon SHS-3321
4. Samsung Ezon SHS-3321
The Samsung Ezon SHS-3321 is kind of a touchscreen 4-digit PIN code combination with a smart anti-theft feature. Since it features 71 different codes, everyone you trust can have its own digit PIN code. Also, it is equipped with an automatic locking mechanism which automatically locks the door for you in case you forgot. As compared to other similar units that allow you to choose number combination from 4 to 8 digits, this door lock is a bit different. It allows you to create your code from 4 to 12 digits. Also, keep in mind that it works with 4 Alkaline AA batteries which last about 10 months, which means an average of 3650 accesses. Like any other products it also has a few drawbacks. For example, it is more difficult to install than other similar locks. More than that the motor could have a few improvements. However, it is a quality keyless door that will surely improve your overall security around your home.
PROS |
CONS |
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| It features a touchscreen 4-digit PIN code combination | |
| It memories up to 71 codes | |
| It has 4 to 12 digit codes | |
| Easy to install | |
VERDICT |
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Our forth option is an interesting device that comes with an automatic locking mechanism and a smart anti-theft feature. It is intelligent and uses 71 different codes and a touchscreen 4-digit PIN code combination. As compared to the Yale Touchscreen Deadbolt which allows you to choose from 4 to 8 digits, with this model you will be able to have your own code from 4 to 12 digits. Generally speaking, it is a good value for money. |
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Kwikset 909 SmartCode
5. Kwikset 909 SmartCode
The Kwikset 909 SmartCode is a high-quality door lock with various features at a great price. It comes with eight access codes that can be between 4 and 8 digits depending on your preference. More than that the backlit keypad is a great addition especially because of the fact that it lights up when it is in use. It provides increased visibility, so it is extremely beneficial for when you arrive home after dark. In what regards the design of the product, there are 3 colors to choose from, such as Satin Nickel, Venetian Bronze and Polished. Be sure you will choose a finish that will match with your home. Thanks to its Autolock feature, the door will be automatically locked in less than 30 seconds. In what regards the installation of the lock, it is fairly uncomplicated. The lock operates on 4AA batteries, so there is no need for other special tools. You just need a screwdriver and a measuring tape. All in all, this is a quality door lock that will definitely suit all your needs.
PROS |
CONS |
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| Great design | |
| It comes with an Autolock feature | |
| It has 4 to 8 digit codes | |
| Easy to use | |
VERDICT |
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Last but not least, we are proud to include in our list, the Kwikset 909 SmartCode lock. It is a smart lock that allows you to create your own code from 4 to 8 digits. It has an Autolock feature, thanks to which, your door will be locked in less than 30 seconds. In addition to this, it is very easy to setup and use. Overall, it is a great option worth taking into consideration. |
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What You Need to Know About Door Locks
If you want to replace your existing deadbolt, a smart door lock can be the best decision. Most of them come with features and settings that will surely make your life much easier. Thanks to all these impressive products, the days of forgetting the keys in the house can be a thing of the past. Since you use the deadbolt every day, because you need to lock and unlock your house daily, the door lock can be easily considered a prime candidate for an upgrade. There are hundreds of models out there, all competing for your attention. The only way to find what you are looking for is to understand how these electronic locks work.
These devices have one or more means of entry. This means that they use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), keypad, Bluetooth or biometric (fingerprint).
The keypad locks use a pin number for entry. Despite the fact that most people prefer to use the locks with touchscreen, the keypads are still among the most popular. About the Radio Frequency Identification locks, you should know that they use key fobs or cards for entry. This technology helps you lock and unlock the door without having to remove the key card from the pocket. This method is extremely useful especially when your arms are full of things and you cannot reach your keys to unlock the door.
When it comes to smart entry methods, take a look at the Bluetooth-enabled locks. They open the door using your Bluetooth ID. It works in a similar way to the RFID locks. Last but not least is the bio-metric entry. It is all about fingerprint identification. If you have used before this method on your smartphone, it is very easy to use it now on your door lock. To have access to your home, you need to program your fingerprint and the system will recognize it every time you lock and unlock the door.
Keyless door locks work by entering codes that you have saved. The master code is for you, while the passage code is for other users, including family and friends. Some door locks allow you to create a special digital code for each member of your family, so you can protect your home from any unwanted intrusion.
Benefits of Using a Door Lock
If you are looking for an easy and convenient way to lock and unlock your door, the keyless door locks are the best options on the market. They were originally designed for use in cars with remote entry systems, but things have changed and they have been modified for use in homes as well. There are so many reasons to consider including these smart locks in your home. As such, keep on reading the following lines and discover the benefits of owning a keyless door lock.
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It ensures you a high security
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It is convenient for elderly and disabled people
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Create codes for your dear ones
If you start using a keyless lock, it won’t be necessary anymore to store a key somewhere on your property as many homeowners currently do. The “unwelcome guests” can easily enter into your home, especially if there is a spare key around the house. It’s quite hard to break a smart locking system because their mechanism follows a security protocol that you will only find in bank systems. It works with digital encryption modes that cannot be duplicate or hacked.
There is nothing more useful and convenient for elderly or disabled people than gadgets or other intelligent appliances. All these advances in technology are extremely useful for people, especially for elderly people and the keyless door locks are no exception in that. The main benefit of these systems is that they can be opened with smartphones and they do need keys to be opened.
Another advantage of keyless door locks is that it allows you to create digital codes for your dear ones. With this smart locking system, your family members can enter your home, even if you are not there. You can send them codes via the mobile app and let them in the house. In simple words, you don’t have to skip office to hand your parents the key to wait for you at home. More than that, you don’t have to make copies of your keys for your housekeepers, dog walkers or nannies. They just have to use their customized code in order to gain access.
Things to Know Before Rushing out to the Hardware Store
Over the last few years, a big number of door locks have popped up on the market. There are dozens of interesting deadbolts on the market, but keep in mind that not all models will fit your needs. Since not every lock is the same, there are a few things to consider before buying a door lock.
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Inspect your door
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Inspect the features
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Check the connections
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Think about how to lock and unlock the door
As it has been mentioned above, not all smart locks are the same. They use different technologies, different ways of unlocking and they could also have different features. That’s why, before purchasing a door lock, you need to inspect your door and see if it is compatible with the lock. Make sure your door works properly, because you may not be there all the time to lock and unlock it manually. Also, you need to check if the bolt is able to extend into the jamb. If the door jamb cannot be fully extended, your lock motor can be burnt. However, these are some issues that can be easily solved, but it is important to know about them before installing a new deadbolt.
Do you want to change your existing deadbolt or you want to attach a smart lock onto it? Not every smart lock works as a deadbolt, but there are several models that can operate like this. You can attach a smart lock onto your old deadbolt. In these cases, the installation is much easier, but you need to be sure that they are compatible with your deadbolt. Also, you will want to know more about the entering methods. Some models can be controlled with smartphones, while others allow you to use a code for keyless entry.
How do you want to connect your new smart lock to the internet? Some of the most popular connections are Bluetooth. Most people prefer to use Bluetooth because as compared to WiFi, it doesn’t consume so much power. Remember this in mind, especially if you want to use a battery powered device. Moreover, it is important to know that Bluetooth cannot help you if you are not near the lock. It can only operate within a certain range. The good news about Bluetooth is that you can use it with its own hub. Most of the latest door locks work with Z-Wave standard connection. It requires a separate hub, so you can easily control it from your device. It connects to WiFi as well and it has a range of around 120 feet. Last but not least is the WiFi standard connection. The benefits of using this one are that you can control your door lock from any part you have WiFi. For example, if you are on holiday and your parents need to get in the house, but they don’t have digital codes, you can unlock the door for them.
There are so many models on the market that it’s a bit complicated to choose only one model. The traditional locks work with the traditional keyhole, while the newest models are keyless. This means that they use something else over a keyhole. For example, most locks are equipped with a touchpad where you can use a PIN code to unlock them.
What’s Behind Our Ratings
As it was mentioned before, there are dozens of models on the market and each one of these models is equipped with impressive features, designed to make life much easier. Keep on reading the following lines and choose a keyless door lock that comes with features that meet your requirements.
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Wireless connectivity
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Remote access
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Safety features
One of the main qualities of a keyless door lock system is its wireless connectivity. Usually, when we talk about smart locks we talk about Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication networks. In simple words, it is all about better signal transmission. The Bluetooth connections will help you keep the door locks systems in communication with security components that are placed near them. On the other hand, the Wi-Fi connections are efficient for long distance controls.
Another important advantage of using a door lock is that it allows you to control it remotely. In a few words, you will be able to open and close the door and even change the passwords from a considerable distance. Remote connectivity increases the state of your home security. Plus, it comes in handy in instances where the lock becomes compromised.
The main purpose of any door lock is to provide security. While the traditional locks are not as stylish as the smart locks, they are extremely secure and well-made. In what regards the keyless door locks, the manufacturers have tried to divide their attention. They have tried to make them look stylish yet efficient. Most keyless locks are easy to use, comfortable and extremely versatile. They can be used with smartphones and other smart devices and provide optimum security for the home.
