Well, not so funnyīecause Local SEO Guide, an SEO agency, was never located in Kansas, but Google My Business believes the Pleasanton, California, company has been located in Fawn Creek Township, KS, since November The BoxLock, meanwhile, is a Wi-Fi-enabled padlock with a built-in scanner that lets mail carriers secure your packages in a storage box where would-be thieves can't see or access them.įor more on smart home safety, see our picks for the best smart home security systems and the best outdoor home security cameras, along with our tips for building a DIY home security system.A funny thing happened on the way to Kansas. They also let you grant temporary or permanent guest access to your terms via the app. Models like this are built to be as tough as any standard lock, but use Bluetooth to unlock with the tap of a button when you're nearby. The Igloohome Smart Padlock is a Bluetooth-connected padlock, for instance. Keep in mind, not all smart locks are designed for your door. You might also configure an indoor security camera to begin recording when someone unlocks the door. That last service enables you to, for example, configure your doors to unlock when a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off or set your smart lights to turn on when someone unlocks the door.ĭepending on your home automation setup, you can even pair your lock with a video doorbell, so you can see who is at the door before you unlock it. Some locks integrate with other connected home devices, such as smoke alarms, and services, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT. Either way, estimate anywhere between 10 and 25 minutes to remove your old lock and install the new one. Additionally, some smart locks simply attach to the inside of your door and use your existing keyed cylinder and deadbolt hardware with those locks, you have to remove the interior escutcheon only. The good news is that most smart locks work with standard pre-drilled holes you often don't need to worry about drilling new ones. Two screws also secure the deadbolt in place. This is simply a matter of removing the two bolts that attach the interior escutcheon to the exterior component and removing both pieces. If your new lock comes with both an interior escutcheon (the housing you mount on the inside of your door) and an exterior component (usually a touchpad or a keyed cylinder), you probably need to completely remove your old lock (including the deadbolt mechanism and strike plate), before you can install the new device. Some are even possible to install and use for renters. None of the locks we tested are especially difficult to install, but some are easier to set up than others. Other features to look for include keyless touchpads for those times when you don't have your phone or your keys, tamper and forced entry alarms that warn you of a possible break-in, and push, text, and email notifications that inform you in real time when anyone enters or leaves. Similarly, the auto-lock feature configures the lock to automatically engage if it remains unlocked for a specified period of time. When you leave the perimeter, you can set the lock to automatically engage behind you. The geofencing feature ensures that you never have to worry about whether you locked up before you left the house just use the mobile app to set up a perimeter around your home and make sure your phone's location services are active. Voice commands via the companion app make smart locks much more convenient for example, you can simply tell your phone to "unlock the front door," to disengage the lock. The latest smart locks offer features such as voice controls, geofencing, and auto-locking features. However, locks with built-in Wi-Fi radios or that use a Wi-Fi bridge allow you to connect from almost anywhere once you set them up with your router. If the lock is Bluetooth-enabled, you have to be within range (around 30 feet) to control it. Make sure your smart lock records activity logs so you can go back in time to see who entered or exited your home and when. Most apps allow you to add permanent and temporary users, as well as set access schedules for specific days and times. Some offer access via the web, allowing you to control things from your PC. Many smart locks pair with a mobile app that allows you to lock and unlock doors with a simple icon tap. A few smart locks cost around $200 (not many of which made this list), but if you want a lock that you can control from anywhere and that offers features such as voice commands, push and email notifications, and tamper alarms, expect to pay somewhere between $300 and $600. After all, a smart lock costs a lot more than the standard-issue lock you can pick up at the local hardware store. One of the first things you should consider is how much it costs to upgrade your traditional lock. What Is a Smart Door Lock and Can It Keep You Safe?
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