Everything you need to know about smart locks

In today’s world, no modern home is complete without the addition of smart home technology. From smart speakers that control appliances using just your voice, to the array of household gadgets that aim to make life more convenient, 21^st century homes do everything the smart way.

And with 2023 in full swing, it’s certainly proving to already be the year of the ‘smart lock’.

Over the past five years, smart security technology has grown in popularity. Offering the convenience that smart home technology already provides, smart security products also provide the added bonus of peace of mind. Homeowners can remotely check in on their properties anywhere at any time using their smartphone, ensuring they can always be clued up on the security of their home.

So it’s no surprise that the smart, stylish must-have gadget of the moment is the smart lock, allowing homeowners to remotely control, monitor and secure their door from afar using their smartphone.

And with this in mind, our experts at Yale have shared their knowledge and expertise on the latest in-demand gadget, so you know everything there is to know about smart locks.

What is a smart lock?

Firstly, let’s go back to basics.

You will most likely already be familiar with exactly what a smart lock is. But for those first learning about the latest must-have smart home gadget, a smart lock is a way of upgrading a lock with the necessary technology to allow for smart functionality. The addition of a smart lock allows homeowners to monitor and control their door lock from anywhere at any time through the convenience of a smartphone.

The addition of remote control and functionality from afar ensures that homeowners can check in on their property whenever they need to, offering peace of mind and convenience. Whether it’s granting temporary access for a cleaner or service professional, or simply creating a key for a family member to let themselves in, smart locks are a great addition to a connected smart home setup.

How do smart locks work?

And now we’re clued up on exactly what a smart lock offers a home, it’s also interesting to discover how they really work.

Although there a wide range of smart locks already on the market, there are three main ways that smart locks provide their functionality - through PIN codes, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connection. The type of system you opt for is often dictated by your door type, your current setup (i.e. whether you already have access to Wi-Fi), your needs, requirements and preferences.

PIN code

Smart locks that opt for a PIN code mechanism are a particularly good option for those looking for easy access and control to their home or are new to the world of smart locks.

Products with PIN code functionality typically offer lock access through a range of other credentials too including a key tag, key fob and key card, providing users with personalised control of their door lock.

Further to this, some high quality PIN code smart locks, including designs created by our experts at Yale, also allow for smartphone access, ensuring that homeowners can benefit from the convenience of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connected smart locks.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth connected smart locks are another great starter product for smart home or smart lock novices.

These types of smart locks work by locating your positioning through your smartphone or other Bluetooth connected device, allowing you to control your smart lock whilst you’re in a certain range. Some more sophisticated smart locks also automatically connect to your device on entry, opening the door without having to move a muscle, offering the ultimate convenience for busy people in need of a helping hand.

Many smart home enthusiasts enjoy the benefits of a Bluetooth connected smart door lock, as they allow for a seamless entry into the home without the need for a key. What’s more, high quality smart lock designs also offer compatibility with a range of other smart home products in the category, to ensure seamless connectivity throughout a home.

Wi-Fi connected

Although Bluetooth connected smart locks offer a lot of what homeowners are looking for in their new smart home gadget, Wi-Fi connected designs take functionality to the next level.

As Bluetooth devices operate locally, as in they can only be controlled within a certain radius of the lock, Wi-Fi connected devices have the additional benefit of control remotely. This means that the lock can be controlled from anywhere at any time, all through the convenience of a smartphone.

This handy functionality also continues through to instant notifications and alerts through your device, so you can be ‘in the know’ over your door security in real time. Users are able to effortlessly access the corresponding smart lock app for their lock, monitoring, controlling and checking in on their home security at any time of the day or night. With audit trails and other handy additions within a smart lock app, users can feel safe in the knowledge they are also clued up on the security of their door, and therefore their home.

Why should I invest in a smart lock?

As we’ve already explored in this blog post, smart locks have an array of benefits that make them a great addition to an ever-growing smart home. But just so you don’t miss out on any of the key features a smart door lock can bring to your home, here’s exactly why our experts would suggest you invest in a smart lock:

Improved monitoring

As we’ve already highlighted in this guide, smart locks are a great way for homeowners to remotely monitor their door, and therefore, home security regularly, easily and conveniently.

High quality smart door locks offer a clear audit trail to show exactly what’s happening in and around your front door, to ensure that you’re able to monitor who’s coming and going from your home.

Remote control

Controlling your smart lock remotely is by far one of the most important elements that a smart lock can provide to a homeowner.

Although this is mainly for those with access to a Wi-Fi controlled smart lock, the ability to control your smart device remotely offers great benefits from checking who’s coming and going to granting remote keys for trusted family, friends and trade professionals.

All these additions ensure that you can have complete control over your door security, whilst also offering all the convenient benefits that smart products provide.

Immediate notifications

Smart locks also provide convenience and heightened monitoring through their ability to provide users with instant notifications via their smartphone.

If your door is unlocked unexpectantly, high quality smart locks will immediately flag this to the user, ensuring that they are always a step ahead of their home security.

Convenience and customisation

Whether it’s opening your front door automatically when you get close to it or allowing you to create mobile keys for visitors to your home remotely, smart door locks offer heightened convenience for users.

What’s more, being able to choose from a range of entry mechanisms means that homeowners can choose their preferred method to suit their lifestyle. Whether that’s adding a tag to your keyring, a card to your wallet or purse, or simply making the most of a smartphone app, smart locks offer heightened customisation and convenience.

Heightened security

And alongside convenience and customisation, smart locks also help to improve the security of a door. Some homeowners can be concerned over the security of smart products, particularly as they are connected to the internet, which they believe welcomes a new variety of criminal. But with high quality smart door locks like those from Yale, this just isn’t the case.

Yale’s smart locks undergo a range of testing by independent bodies in the industry to ensure their smart locks, and other smart products, can protect against a range of sophisticated online attacks. Alongside this, its range of smart locks can also protect against physical attacks just as well as their traditional, mechanical door locks.

And it’s also important to consider that smart locks also help to improve door security by removing the worry of losing keys. With no physical key to keep tabs on, you can quickly and easily create and revoke keys with just the touch of the button, so there’s no one unsuspectedly trying to gain access to your home via an old spare key.

Stylish

And, of course, it’s also important to not forget the stylish finish that a smart lock can provide to a home. With such an array of design options available on the market today, smart door locks are a great new addition to any home design layout.

Whether you live in a contemporary townhouse, country cottage or even an ultra-modern apartment, there is a smart lock that can suit your intended interior design scheme.

At Yale, we have a range of smart door locks available in a range of finishes, designs and entry mechanisms to suit your needs and preferences. And to explore or find out more about the range or smart locks available from Yale, please visit your local site.