Keyless entry locks have become all the rage in recent years. The ability to lock or unlock your door with just your smartphone is incredibly handy. Plus, now that Covid-19 is in full swing, opening your door by hand may not be the smartest course of action anymore.
Since smart locks are fairly new, it is understandable that you may not be familiar with all of the latest brands and models just yet. Not to worry, as this guide will discuss the five smart locks that provide the most value for your dollar in 2020.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
August has been at the top of the smart lock game for several years. Despite the already high bar they’ve set for themselves, their new 2020 model is easily the best iteration yet. Not only is 40% smaller than last year’s offering, but it now has Wi-fi capability built right in. This is a huge improvement over having to buy a separate connection bridge to make your setup wireless.
You also have the option of using Bluetooth to manage your deadbolt lock. If you want to add a touchpad, there is an optional upgrade that gives you access to unlimited door codes.
The August smart lock is compatible with most smart home configurations including Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Home Kit. No matter which configuration you choose, the installation is incredibly simple and only takes a few minutes to set up fully. All in all, this smart lock is one of the best choices for anyone who desires a robust security system that is easy to operate.
Schlage Encode
One of the best ways to mitigate break-ins is to use an alarm system. The Schlage Encode comes with an emergency alarm built right in. The alarm is easy to spot and should deter most criminals from even attempting to enter your home. If someone does try to force the lock, a deafening siren will alert the whole neighborhood. A number pad is included with the unit and allows you to enter up to 100 unique entry codes.
There is support for Amazon Key, which is great for anyone who is worried about packages being stolen. This service allows an Amazon delivery driver to open your door and place the package inside. You need to buy an additional camera to use Amazon Key, but it is well worth it if you live in a crime-ridden area. However, there is currently no Apple Home Kit support. For this reason, be sure to use a different smart home configuration if you plan to go with this model.
Yale Real Living Assure SL
Yale smart lock is an excellent case study in elegant design. It is incredibly simple visually, which allows it to blend in organically with most home exteriors. In addition to physical compatibility, the Real Living Assure SL works with nearly all smart home configurations out there. You most likely already have multiple devices in your home that will already be compatible out of the box.
The lock is a deadbolt that requires a keypad code for entry. You can program up to 250 unique codes that the keypad will store automatically.
Unfortunately, there is no alarm that gets triggered when an incorrect password is used. There also isn’t a manual key option. The good news is that you can use a 9v battery to give your system a quick charge should it run out of juice while you are away. As long as you store a 9v battery in your car, this is an incredible smart lock that will keep your possessions safe.
Kwikset Halo
The Kwikset Halo was devised with rental property owners in mind. It features a completely rekeyable physical lock in addition to the smart home capability. The rekeyable lock is incredibly important whenever a tenant leaves. It allows you to quickly change the mechanism in case the old tenant made spare copies of the old key. You keep full control of the smart lock functions and give the latest physical key to the next tenant.
It is only compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so keep that in mind before picking up this unit. There is a touchpad that can store unlimited entry codes.
There is a bit of a learning curve when using the SmartScreen for the first time. That being said, once you get used to how it works the advanced security features are a great bonus. If you have rental properties, the Kwikset Halo is a must-buy for all of your units.
Lockly Secure Plus
The Lockly Secure Plus comes with a fingerprint reader that serves as your primary key. This allows for extremely effortless unlocking on each of your doors. There is also a touchpad that allows other people you trust to enter the home.
You can set an unlimited number of codes and the touch screen always switches the layout of each number. This is a slick feature that prevents thieves from guessing your code using finger smudges.
There is only support for Lockly’s proprietary smart home system. If you have an existing configuration, you are going to need to swap it out. The good news is that the Lockly smart home system is included when you purchase the lock.
You can also opt for a lever-based lock as an alternative to the deadbolt system used by most other devices. If the fingerprint reader or lever locking mechanism intrigues you, then this smart lock is a solid choice for securing your home.
Conclusion
Each of the above smart locks will dramatically decrease the chances of someone breaking into your property. Not only do they provide a visual deterrent, but most criminals will give up long before guessing one of your passcodes. If you have something that you want to protect, these smart locks will get the job done in 2020 and beyond. And there’s no need to worry about installing a smart lock. You can entrust this job to a professional locksmith.
Author Bio:
David Lahav is the Owner of Advanced Locksmith, and his passion is to provide quality and honest service helping keep the company’s customers in Colorado safe and secure while offering the latest and most advanced solutions that can be found on the market.
Website: https://advanced247locksmith.com/