When looking at all the options for Ring compatible smart locks, I&#;ve had a hard time narrowing the field to my top picks in each category. Battery life and build quality were recurring issues, so I&#;ve tried to knock those out as much as possible, and I think we&#;ve got a good selection in the list now.
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The best overall smart lock for me has to be the Level Touch due to top class engineering, amazing discrete design, and innovative control methods. Having no keypad is an issue for some, though, and for those people I recommend the Yale Assure as the best model with a keypad. You can choose what style of keypad you want with that one, which gives some nice extra flexibility.
Beyond that I&#;ve called some other locks for different situations. Kwikset&#;s SmartCode 912 Lever lock range is a good quality, basic Z-Wave lock that will work with Ring and shaves off some dollars for the budget conscious. Finally, if you want a Wi-Fi model so you can integrate with other (non-Z-wave) systems as well, the Schalge Encode is your only option.
With anything home security related you can always discuss your needs with an expert. There are many local businesses that can help with this kind of thing, such as Clear Sound Security, that can give you a free security survey and other advice, or a home automation specialist like Avisio.
No, Ring doesn&#;t sell their own smart locks, but provides integration with third party locks in their Ring Alarm system. You can also get some integration with other brand smart locks via Alexa routines.
Arguably having a smart lock is a luxury and does complicate the otherwise simple concept of a door lock. But for the extra cost and maintenance (recharging batteries for example) you do gain several very useful features.
The most obvious benefit is having a backup for if you don&#;t have your keys, or if someone needs to get in when you&#;re not home. By using the Ring app, or the lock brands own app, on your you&#;ll be able to unlock the door from anywhere. You&#;ll also be able to monitor the lock state of your home and be alerted to people coming and going if your desire. Many smart locks also provide an access log or activity so you can review who came and went, and if the door was locked correctly or not.
Smart locks also provide a convenient means for sharing access to your home, permanently or temporarily by the use of guest access codes, shared app access, or contactless key cards.
Yes, using a compatible smart lock integrated with the Ring Alarm system you can unlock your front door with the Ring app. This can be useful if you see a visitor arrive on your Ring doorbell before you get home. You can also tie your Alarm state to your door lock, so entering code on the smart lock keypad can also disarm your alarm as you come in. Note the Ring Modes don&#;t affect lock states, only cameras and sensors.
All smart locks communicate wirelessly, but you can&#;t integrate a smart lock with just the Ring app. Smart lock integration is with the Ring Alarm security system specifically. This requires the Ring Alarm base station to be set up in your home first, and that provides the hub that smart locks can connect to.
The base station support Z-Wave, which is how most third-party products connect to Ring Alarm. Some smart locks may use Bluetooth or connect via integration with Alexa and the new Sidewalk network.
In theory Z-Wave ensures interoperability of devices with any Z-Wave certified controller/hub, but Ring only supports specific models in order to provide the correct functionality. That&#;s a limitation of the Ring app, not Z-Wave. You might still get other Z-Wave models to work, but there&#;s no guarantees, and you certainly won&#;t get any extra features, like the ability to manage user access codes via the Ring app.
It&#;s also important to remember that Z-Wave radios are region specific. Different regions use different frequencies and can&#;t work together. For this reason, make sure you only buy devices from the same region as your Ring Alarm base station.
There are a few potential disadvantages when it comes to smart locks. The biggest of these is the possibility of the lock failing to respond. This could be due to communication issues with the smart lock, or the battery in the lock being too low to be able to actuate the bolt. In these cases you can usually still fall back on the manual key, so long as you still carry it with you.
The other is losing the device associated with your smart lock account. This could pose bigger problems as you may lose the ability to configure or reset the device. Having a backup device and saving your account details in a good password manager will be effective mitigations for this.
The bigger concern could be around front door security. Many smart locks actually don&#;t have very good lock barrels, which can make them relatively easy to pick, but this isn&#;t an issue specific to smart locks per se, but consumer locks in general. The fear of the lock being hacked isn&#;t really a major concern as most people would expect. The data connection security of major brand smart locks is reasonably robust, certainly enough to fend of unsophisticated break and enter attackers.
Remember all those times you've reached your front door only to spend the next few minutes fumbling around for your keys? It's frustrating and it happens to us all. But if you're looking for easier ways to get in and out of your home, you might want to buy a smart lock.
These smart home devices allow you to unlock doors from anywhere through an app on your , or they can open when you're in close proximity to your front door. While smart locks won't necessarily make your home any safer, they do allow for more control and efficiency. Not only will they make sure you never again have to drop everything in your hands to look for keys, but smart locks can lock and unlock your door from anywhere and extend digital "keys" to friends, family, caregivers or anyone else who regularly visits your home.
Sure, you can still use a regular ol' key to open a smart-lock-equipped door (or most of them, anyhow), but don't be too quick to discount the convenience of connectivity -- especially when your hands are full of grocery bags, squirming tiny humans or anything else that makes it tough to rummage around for your keys. And when you crawl into bed, only to second guess whether you locked the door or not, you won't need to throw on a bathrobe and stumble to the front door. You can just pick up your and check the lock status.
That said, not all smart locks are the same. There are keyless options, Bluetooth options, locks that use your fingerprint, locks that fit on your existing deadbolt and complete deadbolt replacement locks. It can be tricky to navigate if you're new to smart home tech. Here's a look at today's smart lock options, what you need to know before buying one and how to choose the right lock for your needs.
Watch this: Your guide to buying the right smart lock
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With some smart locks, you can hang on to the deadbolt that you already have. They're typically described as "retrofit" options, and they can be great for renters or anyone not wanting to change keys.
Models like the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Kwikset Kevo Convert and Sesame Smart Lock are designed specifically to clamp in place over top of your existing deadbolt hardware. All three work with a lot of standard deadbolt brands. In August's case, the compatibility ranges from Arrow Hardware and Baldwin to Defiant, Kwikset, Schlage and many more. (Here's August's and Kwikset's deadlock compatibility charts for more details.)
The August Smart Lock clamps over your existing deadbolt and can turn it automatically whenever you want it to.
With these retrofit setups, you get to keep the hardware already defending your door and add a layer of connectivity over top of it. This also means you get to keep your physical keys. Retrofit smart locks are the simplest way to add connectivity to your door without replacing your entire deadbolt system.
The other option is to replace your existing deadbolt altogether. The majority of smart locks take this approach, including the Schlage Sense Bluetooth Deadbolt, the Kwikset Kevo and the Yale Assure SL Touchscreen Deadbolt. There's even an "invisible" smart lock called Level Lock that is just a deadbolt replacement, so you can keep your existing hardware.
Locks like these will take a little more time and effort to install, but it's definitely doable for a novice DIYer. Since most locks are entire deadbolt replacements, you're going to have significantly more options if you go this route. Similar to the retrofit versions, you just need a screwdriver and about 20 minutes. Just remember to make sure that your door is smart-lock compatible before buying in.
Another tip: Snap a picture of your existing setup before you begin, so you can reverse the install if you run into any unexpected issues with the new smart lock. A new deadbolt may mean a new set of keys (unless you choose a keyless model), so everyone in your family who wants a physical key will need a copy of the new one.
The Kwikset Kevo Convert connects directly to your via Bluetooth.
A smart lock needs to be able to communicate with the rest of your smart home setup and with your . Most will do that using one of three common communication protocols: Bluetooth, Z-Wave or Wi-Fi.
There are pros and cons to each, so you'll want to be sure to understand the differences before making a purchase.
Bluetooth is a common smart-lock protocol because it doesn't burn through battery life as quickly as Wi-Fi does. After all, it's not like you can plug your deadbolt in, and who will remember to change the batteries on a door lock? With Bluetooth, your lock's batteries should last a year or longer.
The downside to Bluetooth is that your range is somewhat limited &#; roughly 300 feet in a best-case scenario, and probably a lot less than that depending on how your home is laid out. It's enough to control your lock while you're at home, but wander too far afield and you'll lose the connection.
Something else to keep in mind is that Bluetooth locks will connect directly with your or tablet. You don't need any sort of hub device to act as translator, since your already speaks the language. That's convenient if your smart-home aspirations end at your lock, but hubs grant you the ability to control multiple connected devices from a single app, which can be more convenient than dividing home control among an assortment of device-specific apps.
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There are still some neat integrations available with Bluetooth-only smart locks, though. For instance, the August lock has an opt-in auto-unlock feature that's tied to your 's Bluetooth. Lock your front door, leave home, then return within Bluetooth range, and your front deadbolt will automatically unlock.
If you want to control your lock remotely, adding passcodes or letting people in while you're away, you're going to need a Z-Wave hub or Wi-Fi-connected smart lock.
Z-Wave smart locks are available from brands like Schlage, Poly-Control and others. Unlike Bluetooth locks, Z-Wave locks don't connect directly with your . Instead, they'll need to connect to a Z-Wave-compatible hub. That hub will translate the lock's Z-Wave signal into something your router can understand &#; once it does, you'll be able to connect with your lock from anywhere.
The Wink Hub can translate a Z-Wave smart lock's transmissions into something your router can understand.
Samsung's SmartThings and the Wink Hub are two examples of Z-Wave control hubs. SmartThings in particular works with a bunch of third-party Z-Wave locks, from Kwikset and Poly-Control to Schlage and Yale. (Here are the complete lists of SmartThings- and Wink-compatible locks.)
The range of a Z-Wave connection is about 120 feet, so the lock will need to be at least that close to the hub &#; though additional Z-Wave devices can act as range extenders by repeating the signal from the hub and sending it further. The Z-Wave signal can bounce up to four different times, for a maximum range of about 600 feet (walls, doors and other obstructions will all take a toll on range).
Some Z-Wave locks like the Schlage Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt don't offer their own app &#; instead the interface for the lock will pop up in the app of whatever Z-Wave hub you use. This can either leave you feeling disappointed that you don't have detailed, dedicated settings for your lock, or happy to not be downloading yet another app with yet another log-in. Again, it's all about preference here.
Z-Wave's biggest setback is the requirement of an additional hub to talk to Wi-Fi. The plus side is that you can connect to more third-party devices than a standard Bluetooth lock &#; if you have SmartThings or another hub. But, if you don't plan to use a bunch of other devices in conjunction with your lock, Z-Wave may not be right for you.
The Kwikset Kevo Plus translates your lock's Bluetooth signal into a Wi-Fi signal you can access from anywhere.
Wi-Fi is available as an optional add-on with some smart locks. For August's line of locks, a $79 August Connect plugs into a power outlet and bridges the connection between the Bluetooth August lock and your Wi-Fi network. The same goes for the $100 Kwikset Kevo Plus. Once you've plugged in these accessory devices and made that connection, you can control your lock from anywhere with an Internet connection.
In , August released a smart lock with Wi-Fi built in. Schlage and Kwikset are also ditching Wi-Fi modules, so I'd advise against filling up another outlet in your home with a Wi-Fi module if you aren't dead set on a specific smart lock. That said, built-in Wi-Fi will likely drain your batteries quicker than Bluetooth, so stock up on the required batteries.
With Wi-Fi enabled, you can lock and unlock your door remotely, create new users or access codes from anywhere and view your lock's status and activity log. Connecting your smart lock to the internet with Wi-Fi is going to give you the most options for features, including integration with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
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August's Bluetooth Smart Lock next to the Connect Wi-Fi accessory.
Related to all of this protocol-talk is the question of interoperability with products from other manufacturers.
With the Z-Wave locks that work over "universal" hubs like SmartThings and Wink , this functionality is built in. That means other smart gadgets that are compatible with your Z-Wave hub should have some level of integration with your smart lock. Want to set up a rule that turns on your Zigbee-powered Philips Hue LEDs whenever you unlock your door? That's a reasonable option when you have a hub that speaks both Zigbee and Z-Wave. There are even more possibilities with locks that have IFTTT (If This Then That) services. Read up on smart home IFTTT recipes here.
In addition, products like the Schlage Sense Bluetooth Deadbolt , the Kwikset Premis, and the second-gen August Smart Lock and newer models work with Apple's HomeKit, Apple's own network of smart home devices that harnesses the voice-control powers of Siri to control your lock. The Schlage model works with Siri today, and August allows you to use voice control to lock and unlock your door with a PIN code.
Then there's Amazon's Alexa. After first rolling out support for the August Smart Lock, Amazon's virtual voice assistant now has an entire set of software development tools for smart lock integrations, along with a whole host of partners, including Yale, Kwikset, Schlage and the Z-Wave Alliance. As a result, it's easier than ever to find a smart lock that you can control with Alexa voice commands for locking, unlocking or checking the lock status.
Google is also in the mix with Google Assistant. August smart locks work with Google and Nest, owned by Google, has partnered with Yale on a smart lock designed to work with the Nest Secure system that includes Nest's Weave technology for wireless smart home communication.
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The Schlage Century lock with touchpad.
There are clear variations among smart locks in terms of installation, wireless technology and integration with third-party products, but they all do roughly the same thing &#; give you advanced, remote control access to a space. But there are still nuances in terms of how that advanced smart control happens.
Most Schlage, Kwikset and Yale locks, including the Schlage Sense Bluetooth Deadbolt, the Schlage Camelot Touchscreen Deadbolt, the Yale Real Living Touchscreen Z-Wave Deadbolt and the Nest x Yale lock all have touchpads. Don't have your lock's app pulled up? Just enter your secret code and voila! Your door will open without a key.
That said, installing a smart lock doesn't necessarily mean giving up your key. You might not need to use one if you choose to rely on coded or app-enabled entry, but most smart locks still let you use your key, too.
If it detects your , the Kwikset Kevo will let you in with a single tap on the lock.
Others, like the Yale Assure SL Touchscreen Deadbolt and the Kwikset Obsidian, ditch the keyway altogether. With smart locks like those, you can lose your keys for good &#; and there's zero risk of someone breaking in by picking your lock.
Locks like August don't come with touchpads as a standard option, but they do offer plenty of useful automatic functions &#; use the auto-unlock feature and you shouldn't have to do anything &#; no app, no secret pin, no effort at all. August's Smart Lock Pro and Wi-Fi Smart Locks also come with DoorSense, a small sensor that can tell you if your door is open, closed, locked or unlocked.
It's the same with Poly-Control's Danalock (in theory, at least); it has a "knock to unlock" option that literally means you should be able to "knock" on your smartphone to unlock your front door, but it didn't work during our testing. The Sesame Lock, however, did have a functioning "knock to unlock" feature, if that's something that appeals to you. The Kwikset Kevo was much more successful &#; if it detects your smartphone or a keychain fob, it'll let you in with just a tap.
Each brand seems to take a slightly different approach, but the results are pretty much the same. Think about the one that makes the most sense to you and your needs and then go from there.
Plenty of smart locks work with Siri and Alexa -- or even both.
Some locks offer scheduled key codes, allowing certain access codes to work only during specific days and times. Some locks also include activity history, letting you know when doors are locked and unlocked and by which access codes. The Kwikset Premis allows you to limit access to specific days and times or create codes that expire after a set amount of time.
Another general concern is battery life, but this will vary significantly (for all smart locks) based on how much you lock or unlock your door, the quality of the batteries you're using, if your deadbolt occasionally sticks and requires extra effort from the built-in motor, and even the weather &#; colder temperatures can hurt battery life. Battery power shouldn't deter you from buying a smart lock you love, though. In fact, almost all keyless smart locks now include a pair of jumpstart nodes on the bottom of the lock. Grab a 9V battery and connect it to the nodes for just enough power to enter your keypad code and unlock the lock.
Smart locks can grant convenient access to more than just your friends, family and neighbors. An Amazon Key kit includes the Amazon Cloud Cam and compatible smart lock for in-home delivery of all your Prime packages. Current smart lock choices include models from Kwikset, Yale and Schlage. You can check out the options on Amazon's Key site.
Amazon Key aims to eliminate the porch problem by letting delivery people put packages inside your front door.
In , we sat down with August CEO Jason Johnson to discuss what's on the horizon for smart locks and in-home delivery. If the idea of someone unlocking your door to deliver a package makes you nervous, you're not alone. Companies pioneering this territory are well aware of consumer resistance. But, if the thought of packages delivered inside your home safe from would-be thieves and mother nature appeals to you, August, Yale, Schlage and Kwikset are likely to have the most in-home delivery compatible locks, at least for now.
As we mentioned earlier, a smart lock doesn't necessarily equal a safer home. If you're skeptical of the whole smart home thing and are unsure about a lock that's linked over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or another protocol, this sort of product probably isn't for you and that's OK. And if you're ever going to unlock your door with voice commands, you should absolutely use a PIN.
With smart locks, it's really all about adding a small convenience to your daily life. They can make getting into your house easier when your arms are full and your keys are out of reach. They can also save you a trip the hardware store to have a key made for a new roommate or having to rush home on your lunch break to let in a service professional.
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In the end, there's no right answer in terms of the model you should buy, but considering key details (see what I did there?) like if you want to keep your keys, what connection method lines up with your smart home, and what, if any, third-party devices you'd like your lock to work with &#; will help you narrow down your options so you can quickly find the right smart lock for you.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Ring Lock System. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.