The world of technology moves more and more quickly as each day goes by, and the world of security and locksmithing is not immune to the changes wrought by the technological revolution: enter the “Smart Lock”. A smart lock, simply put, is a lock that can be controlled (opened, closed, etc) by something other than (or often in addition to) a manual, physical key. These locks often also give you the ability to see whether your door is opened or closed, depending on the model. There are a few different options when it comes to smart locks, and today we’ll be walking you through a few of the most popular functions for smart locks and an example of each.
Keypads
One of the more cost-effective options for smart locks are keypad locks. These are locks – and these can be deadbolts or handle/passage locks – that can be locked and unlocked using buttons on the face of the lock. With these, you can program in a 4 digit code that can be used to unlock the door. Depending on the model, you can often program in up to 100 different codes that can be erased at any time, so if you want to give temporary access to someone like a cleaner or contractor, you can do this with ease and peace of mind.
EXAMPLE: Schlage BE365. This lock has keypad functions, giving you the ability to program up to 19 different codes that can be added or erased within minutes. We have this lock in stock at our Hanover store today!
Phone Apps
There’s an app for everything these days; including your front door. Many smart locks nowadays have smart phone capabilities, where you can download an app and then control your door lock from anywhere in the world, as long as your lock is connected to your home’s wifi. You can lock, unlock, check the status of the door (whether it is opened or closed), and more. Often these locks have a manual key override as well as keypad
EXAMPLE: eufy Smart Lock C30. This lock has wifi and phone app capabilities, as well as keypad and manual key options as well. We have this lock in stock at our Hanover store today!
Biometrics
This is where things get real cool and futuristic: biometrics. These locks use fingerprints, palm prints, and even facial recognition scanning software to control access to your home or business.
EXAMPLE: eufy Smart Lock C220. This lock has fingerprint as well as wifi and phone app capabilities, and of course as keypad and manual key options as well. We have this lock in stock at our Hanover store today!
In Closing
Keep in mind that there are many smart locks that have the capabilities for all three of these functions (and even more functions not listed here!) This blog is not a comprehensive breakdown of every smart lock option out there, but rather a guide to helping you understand what these locks are and how they work.
That being said, we keep dozens of different smart locks in stock at all times and are able to order plenty of others, and we have skilled technicians on hand who are able to install these locks for you as well, so if you’re thinking of upgrading to a smart lock, give us a call today to discuss which option might be right for you! We are more than happy to hear about your unique security needs and desires and to work with you to get the perfect solution for all your lock & key needs, as is our mission here at South Shore Lock & Key!