If you aren’t sure where to start with home security or smart home tech, a smart lock is one of my favorite entry points. I can control mine with an app, send over temporary passes to friends and set it to unlock from certain fingerprints. But smart locks are also sometimes crammed with too many features, so you’ll have some decisions to make.
Here are some of the most important things to consider when buying smart locks, including designs and capabilities like auto-locking.
Read more: Smart Lock Installation Cost Comparison
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Keep or replace: Retrofit vs. new deadbolt
Aqara’s smart lock deadbolt replacement looks and feels great.
How do you want to control your smart lock? Every lock comes with its own brand-created app, but smart locks also offer support for other methods of control based on what you use daily. Always investigate third-party compatibility and if the smart lock works with what you prefer, like these common options.
Amazon Alexa: Amazon’s own Alexa voice assistant and Alexa app tend to have great smart home support. Almost every brand we discuss offers support for Alexa voice command controls, so if you prefer Alexa you won’t have to worry about compatibility.
Google Assistant and Google Home: Google Assistant compatibility refers to the ability to command your smart lock with Hey Google voice commands. Google Home support means you can use the Google Home app to control your smart lock at any time, along with other home devices. Both often go together, but sometimes locks will only support Google Assistant.
Apple Siri and Apple Home: Apple’s voice assistant and Apple Home/HomeKit support aren’t quite as common as other app compatibility, but they’re still easy to find on smart locks. That’s partly because smart locks were an early part of the Matter standard adoption, which ensures Apple Home support and is (slowly) making it easier to control all your devices on one app.
An existing home security system: If you already have a home security system, it’s a good idea to check and see if its app supports the brand of smart lock you want. Many security systems we recommend will support at least one or two lock brands, with systems like Abode offering some of the broadest compatibility.
Samsung SmartThings: While it’s not as common as other platforms, smart locks may also support Samsung SmartThings control, so if you’re a big Samsung fan watch out for this support, too.
IFTTT (If This, Then That): IFTTT makes it easy to whip up simple automations on your own, and may allow for workarounds with voice assistants or abilities that smart locks don’t natively support. It’s a great platform for those who want to tinker.
Unlock options
Fingerprint sensors are one of our favorite smart lock options.
Most smart locks will at least offer an emergency physical key, although the key slot may be hidden by a cover or panel. But one of the biggest advantages of a smart lock is that you have other ways to unlock it. Here’s what to watch for and why it works.
Keypad codes: Simple and reliable, tap in a four-to-six digit code and the door unlocks. You can usually create as many codes as you want and delete them at will, so it can be a versatile way to hand out unlocking options on the fly.
Fingerprints: Many smart locks have fingerprint sensors that can hold dozens of fingerprints and unlock at a touch. We’re particular fans of fingerprint readers and how easy they make smart lock operation. However, you do have to take the time to program in everyone’s fingerprint and make sure they work.
Proximity unlocks: This unlocking option uses technology like Bluetooth or NFC to unlock the door when your phone draws near or when you wave or tap it over the lock. It’s speedy and contactless, making it an especially popular modern option — but you may have to dig your phone out of your pocket first.
Direct app control: You always have the option to go into the lock’s app and directly unlock it from there. Some locks allow you to do this from anywhere via Wi-Fi, while other locks require you to be close to the door. It’s time-consuming, but the Wi-Fi option is especially handy because you can remotely unlock while on vacation and other tricks.
Palm reading technology: We’re also seeing some locks try a contactless method of unlocking that reads a palm like it would read a fingerprint from Philips and other brands. There’s lower risk of germs and you don’t have to fumble with a fingerprint scanner in the dark, but the tech is relatively rare.
“Knock to unlock” features: In the past, some locks we’ve tested from brands like Sesame and Poly-Control that have “knock” features where you rap your phone to unlock the door. They didn’t always work properly and we no longer see this option on new smart locks.
Know your protocols: Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi and more
Schlage locks, among others, support Apple’s Home Key and similar tricks.
What happens when someone else needs to get inside? It’s easy to share codes and add fingerprints for immediate family, but what about more casual friends, petsitters, distant relations or unexpected old college buddies? You have several options to manage these cases, but not ever smart lock supports them.
Codes: One of the easiest methods is to simply create a new access code, message it to your friend, then delete it when they leave. It’s direct and easy to understand.
Digital passes and Home Keys: Digital passes like Apple’s Home Keys essentially give users a proximity-based unlock option on an app that they (hopefully) already have. You can create and delete these passes a lot like codes, as well as get notifications whenever they’re used.
Facial recognition: Facial recognition has come to doors in conjunction with security cameras or even locks that have their own built-in cameras. You can add face profiles for guests for identification and unlocking when they approach like ADT does with its Trusted Neighbor platform, but privacy concerns remain and the tech isn’t legal everywhere.
Unlock time periods: You can also set periods of time, windows where the door is unlocked but locks itself again when the time window is over. These windows can also apply to the options we listed above, so for example a code or Home Key will only work for a certain hour in the afternoon, but otherwise won’t function.
What about battery life?
App automations can save you a lot of time when it comes to lock management.
Finally, smart home fans should consider how the lock can fit into their overall home routines and automations. This makes smart locks more useful and responsive to common conditions throughout the day. Extra features to think about include:
Automatic locking: This simple feature automatically locks the door if it’s left unlocked for a minute or two, an ideal way to stop worrying about unlocked front doors where thieves may enter. It’s one of the most common smart features and you don’t need any other devices to enable it.
Geofencing: Geofencing is a more advanced version of proximity controls that make sure the door locks or unlocks when people with clearance enter the radius of a specific address or area. It can be combined with options to open a garage door, among other tricks.
Home security triggers: Compatible home security systems often allow you to set up locking if an alarm is triggered, or unlocking if a security system is disarmed so that your lock and the system always work together.
Times of day: You can also set smart locks to always lock around sunset, for example, or always unlock when schoolkids usually get off the bus.
Smart light triggers: A common automation that works with many smart lights is arranging for lights to turn on (either inside or outside) when a door is unlocked, useful for seasons where daylight is in short supply.
For more on access control and home security, stop by our guide on how to deter burglars, see why your smart home is safe from hacking and review your best options for home security as a renter or when you’re on vacation.
