Looking for an entry level device to get your foot in the smart home door? One of the easiest smart devices to install and use is the smart lock. It is an electronic lock that offers a number of helpful features, including remote access. As home automation devices, they add convenience and security to any home.
Smart locks are designed to be keyless for day-to-day operation. They still come with keys just in case the batteries die, or the internal electronics fail. But as long as everything remains in good working order, you should never need your keys to unlock and lock the door.
So how do you lock and unlock smart locks? In addition to traditional keys, there are other options. Vivint Smart Home, a nationwide home automation and security provider, says keypads are the most common choice. Let us look at all the options in more detail.
1. Keypad Entry
Keypad entry is the most common because it is the easiest to design and deploy. A typical smart lock has a 10-digit keypad through which you enter a PIN to gain access. This sort of lock can be set to be always locked by default. That way, you do not have to remember to lock the door on the way out.
Most smart locks with keypads allow programming multiple codes. This offers numerous advantages including being able to track who comes and goes by assigning family members different codes. Another benefit is being able to program a temporary code for guests. Once your guests leave, you can wipe out their codes.
2. Cell Phone
The smart locks sold by Vivint can be locked and unlocked with a cell phone and the Vivint app. This is in addition to keypad entry. What are the advantages of using a cell phone? You can lock or unlock the door without physically standing in front of it. You can even access the lock from hundreds of miles away.
This is super convenient when you are coming home with several bags of groceries. Unlock the door to your phone before you get out of the car. You will have easy access even with full hands. Using a cell phone also offers the opportunity to lock the door from a remote location. If you get to work and suddenly realize you did not lock the door, just pull up the app.
3. Biometric Access
High-end smart locks are more likely to offer biometric access. They rely on things like fingerprint scans, retina scans, and facial recognition for access. Let us say your smart lock can be accessed with nothing but your fingerprint. Getting into the house is as easy as touching your finger on a small plate and letting the lock do the rest. Each member of the family can have their fingerprint scanned and stored so that no one is ever locked out.
4. Voice Control
Some smart locks can even be locked and unlocked with voice control. This requires integration with either a smart speaker or mobile app. Either way, you issue the right verbal command and the lock either engages or disengages. This is a great feature to have when you’re locking up at night. Just speak and all your first-floor doors are locked automatically.
Smart locks represent one of the easiest smart home devices to use. If you have been looking to get started in the smart home space but don’t know which devices to invest in, consider a smart lock on your main entry door. Before long you will wonder how you ever lived without it.
