I admit to not understanding all the fuss about electronic door locks when they first came out. But things have changed. The latest electronic door locks are also smart, and that makes them pretty cool. I now understand that there is a lot to love about them. So much so that I will be installing one in my own home in the near future.
For the record, there is a difference between an entry level electronic door lock and a smart lock. The former does not feature connectivity in any form. It simply replaces traditional keyed entry with an electronic keypad. That’s it.
A smart lock is a connected lock. It also has an alternate means of entry to replace keys. But connectivity gives it advanced features including remote access, integration with other smart home devices, access reports, and more. If you’d like to learn all of the ins and outs of electronic smart locks, check out the Vivint Smart Home guide here.
1. Keyless Entry
The remainder of this post will discuss seven things to love about the latest electronic smart locks, beginning with keyless entry. I love this particular feature. As I get older, I’m not a big fan of fumbling with my keys to unlock the front door. I am especially lacking in enthusiasm at nighttime. With a smart lock, I don’t need my keys.
Most smart locks are deactivated with a keypad. But there are other options. For example, if you are willing to spend a little more money, you can get a smart lock with a fingerprint scanner. Just touch your finger on the scanner, wait a few seconds, and the door unlocks.
Note that electronic smart locks still come with keyed access. Why? In case the batteries go dead or there is some other malfunction with the electronics. A key will still let you in.
2. Remote Access
Another great feature with today’s electronic smart locks is remote access. Whether a smart lock is integrated with a complete home security system or installed as an independent device, it can be accessed with a mobile app. This is a great feature you might not truly appreciate until you actually use it.
Let us say it’s pouring rain when you get home from grocery shopping. Keyless entry is nice, but what if you didn’t even have to enter a passcode or touch your finger on a scanner? What if you could unlock the door from your car, with your phone? You can.
Remote access also makes it possible for you to remotely unlock the door for visitors. Let out-of-town guests in without giving them a key. Let the delivery driver in so he can place packages inside the front door.
3. Access Tracking
Next up is access tracking. While there are some exceptions, most smart locks come with the ability to assign different access codes that are recorded every time the lock is activated or deactivated. It is possible to see who is coming and going just by checking the records. Your teenager will never again be able to claim he was home on time when he was actually an hour late.
4. Instant Notifications
Hand-in-hand with access tracking are instant notifications. If a lock has this feature and it has been activated, you get phone or email notifications whenever the lock is activated or deactivated. That can be a tremendous help in the event of a burglary resulting from a stolen passcode.
Push notifications can also remind you that you forgot to lock the door when you left. If this is the case, no worries. Just bring up the mobile app and tap the corresponding button. Your door will lock instantly.
5. Automatic Actions
High-end electronic smart locks tend to offer a selection of automatic actions. One of the most popular is automatic locking. Picture this: you are heading out the door with an armful of luggage. You’re on your way to the airport and don’t want to stop to lock the door behind you. No worries. The lock automatically activates 30 seconds after the door closes.
Automatic actions mean never having to worry about the door being locked again. Even when you’re home, your lock is activated. We know how important that is. It’s so important that law enforcement recommends keeping doors and windows locked at all times – even when someone is home.
6. Voice Control
Electronic smart locks are now a viable component in a whole-home security and automation system. That being the case, a system with voice control should be compatible with most smart locks. From a practical standpoint, this suggests the possibility of activating and deactivating your smart lock with verbal commands.
You enter your home at the end of a long workday. Locking the door is as simple as speaking a command to your smart speaker. When your spouse arrives home a few hours later, a verbal command issued through a smartphone unlocked the door. Either one of you can issue the command to lock the door before you head to bed, just in case it was left unlocked inadvertently.
7. Geofencing Integration
Of all the features modern smart locks offer, the one that excites me the most is geofencing integration. If you are not sure what geofencing is, it’s a pretty simple principle to understand. A geofence is a digital border set up around your home via a smartphone app. You can make it as large or small as you like.
Once established, you can program your home automation system to take certain actions based on where you are in relation to the geofence. As you leave the geofence area, your system can automatically lock the doors and turn off the lights. The actions are reversed when you reenter the geofence area again.
There is a lot more I can say about electronic smart locks. For now, I will just close by saying I love this technology. I cannot wait to get my first smart lock installed.
