I’m looking at getting smart locks for my front and back door, but don’t know what to look for. Hopefully something with a keypad, so I can give friends a code to get in, and a RFID badge, so I can easily get in and out. Any suggestions are welcome!
I’m sketched out by those, I just stick with pick resistant old-school locks.
It depends on which other smart home stuff you are using also. I use Apple Homekit, and Schlage Encode Plus has been perfect. Keypad, key backup, and uses Thread instead of WiFi for quicker performance and better battery. It doesn’t require Apple products, but does have Apple Homekey function which is nice.
Yeah if you already have a HomeKit setup Apple Homekey is definitely a must
I have 3.
1 yale assure. It’s not loud, doesn’t seem to want to die when locking, good looking and no key hole. I quite like it. They scream quality Imo. The only drawback that I see is that I have no way of getting a zigbee module.
2 Weiser smartcode. One ZWave and one zigbee. They are loud as fuck, they want to die each time you lock or unlock them. At some point I think they will explode. They are cheap because every SIP that sells home security suite give them, so you can find them on the cheap on marketplace.
I recommend yale assure. Jokes aside, the Weiser are fine if you can get them cheap. They will probably last, they’re just annoying.
I don’t want anything wifi and don’t want anymore ZWave (since I have almost no devices, so my network sucks). I tend to prefer digital keypads since you can just wipe your fingerprints. On physical buttons, the buttons will start to wear. Anyway I solved that by taping a NFC tag by each door that unlock their corresponding door, so I almost never touch the keypad. I might investigate the next yale assure 2 when they will release their matter module.
One way to keep your locks from sounding like they are struggling is to invest in some 1.5V rechargeable batteries. They have a different chemistry than regular rechargeable batteries, but put out 1.5V per battery instead of 1.2V. Like most rechargeables, they maintain the voltage until they die suddenly. I just set a reminder on my calendar to charge them once every two months. They also work well in security systems.
Wyze Lock Bolt. We went with a non-internet connected model that has a pin pad outside and bluetooth, so you can add a temp-code for friends or whatever. No RFID but minor issue.
The wyze lock is nice. You just replace the inside of the door’s lock. Their whole smart home ecosystem works well together
They have another model, too, that I went with: https://www.amazon.com/Fingerprint-Bluetooth-Replacement-Weatherproof-Scheduled/dp/B09R38VVXF
Oh yeah I think that came out after I got mine. The fingerprint scanner is cool. But it seemed like they advertised it for like back/side doors, idk why 🤷
I got a Schlange Encode. Has the keypad and ability to use a key should the batteries or wifi be dead. I have to change the batteries maybe once every 6 months.
App is pretty easy to use and you can set up access codes for friends/family and restrictions on times it can be used. It’s also nice I get a notification of who used their code.
I’ve had it 2.5yrs now and still works great.
I will also throw my hat in the ring for the Schlages. I went with a Sense for HomeKit comparability.
They’re a little loud but they’re bullet proof and very reliable. I’ve had one for many years and it’s always worked. I change the batteries about every 6 months.
Schlage encode plus is fantastic, especially if you have an iPhone to utilize homekey to tap your phone/watch to unlock.
It generally has better reviews online than the Yale locks, but the benefit is greatly diminished if you don’t use iOS. Also - it’s wifi only, no zwave or zigbee. Originally promised a software update for Matter, but apparently something in the standard changed and will now have to be an updated SKU.
I’ve purposely stayed away from electronic locks as I don’t see any added security from them and they may even harm security.
Strong disagree on this one.
A) unique keypad keys for guests that can be revoked B) capable of automation and can auto-lock with routines or when left unlocked for too long C) the ability to see if you forgot to lock the door, and the ability to rectify that D) notification for picking unlocks, kick ins, etc.
I disagree. My locks have a keypad, so I can give out codes to friends & family that I can control and revoke. If I gave them a key, they could copy it, lose it, etc.
When I set my alarm for the evening, the script will shut the garage doors if they are open, and lock all the locks if they aren’t already.
I guess it could be said they can be hacked. But as someone mentioned above, regular locks can be picked. Back up your locks with a nice security system.
