Smart locks have been one of the best technological advancements ever. That’s a statement almost everyone will agree with. However, there are simply far too many smart locks in the markets these days, with even more of them popping up every single day!
The abundance of options makes it really difficult to figure out which smart lock would work for you! But that’s a problem we’re here to fix.
In this post, we’re going to be going over a few things you can keep in mind when you’re picking a smart lock, ensuring that the one you go for, is truly going to be perfect for you!
The Locking Mechanism
One of the main things you need to look at to find the perfect lock for you is what type of locking mechanism you require. If you’re going to be using the door on your own, or have lots of kids, you might want a fingerprint lock. If you’re working with lots of people coming through every day, a numerical lock might work better!
The Installation
While some smart locks are made in a way that you can pop them on your door on your own, others, more secure ones may need to be installed professionally. If your lock company recommends that they’re installed professionally, call Locksmith Los Angeles, or a recommended locksmith in your local area to come and install it for you!
The Rating
Since smart locks don’t have the traditional “lock and key” mechanism, a lot of people think that the locks are all going to be the same strength. That is far from the truth, even smart locks have different types and ratings! In general, the locks will have a The American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and a Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) rating.
As far as the ANSI rating goes, you’d want a Grade 1 for commercial use, and Grade 2 for residential use. Grade 3 locks are not secure enough for a home or an office. BHMA has simple A, B and C ratings for how good the locks are, so you should try to find one that’s got an “A” rating, but a “B” would work too.
The Control Panel and connectivity
Next up, we have what for most people, is the most important thing about having a smart lock, the control panel, and connectivity. You should try to choose a smart lock that not only works flawlessly with your phone but also connects to smart things like Alexa or your smart doorbell. The more connectivity you have across the board, the better.
It is also important that you’re not just getting a smart lock that’s “basic” and just lets you get in and out of the house without a key. You should have as much control on the lock as possible, no matter where you are! Most high-quality smart locks come with a wide array of things you can control over the phone. You should be able to at least unlock the door remotely, have control over who’s going in and out, and an entire log of the number of times the door has been locked and unlocked. These are some of the most useful features of a smart lock, and there are even other features you can get if you’re getting the higher-end ones!
The Battery
Finally, you should ideally get a smart lock with extremely long battery life. You don’t want to have your smart lock’s battery die in the middle of your vacation, leaving the home unlocked! Pick smart locks that have the longest battery possible. But even then, you should always try to have a backup battery just in case it ever runs out unexpectedly! Ensuring that you’ve always got access to a secure lock all the time!