Looking To Upgrade Your Locks? Here’s What You Should Know: A Smart Lock Buying Guide.
Home Security Upgrade
If you are looking to upgrade your home security one of the best investments you can make in your home is an upgrade to a smart lock. Installing a smart lock on your door, allows you to gain specific advantages that can not only boost the level of convenience that you are able to enjoy but also security features. Below, we will be going over more in our smart lock buying guide.
Smart Lock Buying Guide
Smart locks can provide you with advantages that you wouldn’t be able to get with traditional locks. The installation of smart locks allows you the peace of mind knowing whether you locked your doors while you are not home. So often we are rushing on the way out. How often do you find yourself asking, “Did I remember to lock the door?” With a smart lock, it is as easy as checking on your app to make sure that your doors are locked. It doesn’t matter if you are down the street at the grocery store or across the country on a big trip, checking to see whether or not your doors are locked is as simple as opening up and checking an app.
If you decided that smart locks are something that you want to invest in, you will want to be sure to pick the right option for your needs.
Smart Lock Buying Guide – What to look for:
The best option is a complete replacement. This will provide you with a lot more options and you will not need to worry about compatibility. However, you do have the option to go with a retrofit method. There are manufacturers on the market that do make retrofitting options that essentially clamp in place on top of your existing deadbolt lock which will allow you to gain some of the features of a smart lock without requiring significant installation. However, you do have to worry about whether or not your existing deadbolt is compatible with the smart lock system of your choosing. Also, you will have limited options to choose from which makes it better to simply opt for a complete replacement solution.
Functionality
Once you have decided on the option you are going with, you are going to want to pick the options that you want in the lock. There are three key options that you can choose from including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Z-Wave. Each comes with its own set of pros and cons. Bluetooth offers you better overall battery life, however, you will have a more limited range.
Wi-Fi is a great option but you tend to rush through battery life at a faster pace. This does offer you the greatest range though and you will have less worries because it works off of your home signal.
The last option is Z-Wave. With Z-Wave technology, you are going to need to have a compatible hub that the lock connects to and it will work up to around 120 feet in total. So, there are still limitations. This does open you up the option to invest in more Z-Wave devices which can act sort of like Wi-Fi repeaters and extend the range for you if needed.
Features
Another big thing that you are going to want to consider when shopping for the right smart lock would be the features that you want and how you plan to interact with your smart lock. Are you looking for touch pads, are you looking for something that will allow you to still use your key? Maybe you are looking for something that you can use your phone, or smart watch to unlock? There is even a proximity option that will allow you locks to open when you walk up to it with the phone in your purse or with the watch on your wrist. You want to figure out the features that you are looking for to select the right lock for you.
If we can help you find the right Smart Locks for your home, contact us at any time to discuss all of the options and find the one that is best for your needs!