What smart lock to get?

June 3, 2019 6:17 PM

I think I'd like to get a smartlock. The kind that fits over your existing deadbolt thing on the inside and turns it. A) Any experience with these that suggests I should or shouldn't. B) Which one. C) Would love a keypad, but reviews suggest the one that exists is not reliable. Thoughts?

My existing spare key solution -- one of those real estate lawyer lockboxes is no longer an option. My condo is banning them. I also can't change the outside appearance of the door lock. I think just sticking a keypad onto my door with 3m strips or whatever would be ok.

I would prefer a keypad option because it seems like the bluetooth only option is flawed in that if you forget your phone, too, you're SOL.

Also, I want it to work when there's no power and/or when Google's down, so probably not the google one, unless you tell me I'm wrong.

posted by If only I had a penguin... to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

August Smartlock fits over your existing deadbolt and turns it, but leaves the keyed portion on the outside accessible. You can set up a geofence that will unlock the door when you are nearby. You can also set the door to auto lock after x number of minutes (newer locks will detect if the door is closed first too). You get the benefit of the smart features plus the backup of still being able to get in with your key in event of Bluetooth / power failure.
posted by kellygrape at 7:45 PM on June 3, 2019

I have a keypad lock that turns the deadbolt on both my doors. They are different and not “smart.” They both also have key options so if you want to keep a spare somewhere in case the batteries die while you’re out, that’s an option.

One of my doors is new and fiberglass. That one works like a dream. The other door is wood and older and the lock doesn’t fit as well so that one gets stuck, especially as the batteries wind down. I keep that key on my ring.

On the whole, I like them a lot. It’s great not to worry about a key. You can do multiple key codes for different people, etc.
posted by amanda at 8:26 PM on June 3, 2019

Response by poster: Amanda, is it a fit-over-the-existing-lock-and-don't-change-the-outside-lock type? I need that for the condo. I only found one such option with keypad and reviews say the keypad is unreliable and needs new batteries every 3 months. If yours fits my nerds and is more reliable, can you tell me the brand?
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:45 AM on June 4, 2019

Response by poster: Incidentally, I'd be happy with keypad only (no phone), assuming it was fit-over-the-lock-leave-the-outside-lock-untouched. I was just looking at the bluetooth ones because they seem to be the ones making over-the-lock options.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 5:58 AM on June 4, 2019

Seconding the August lock recommendation...our friends have one and like it, and we've had one now for a couple of weeks and really like it quite a bit. We've got the add-on August Connect that allows it to interface with our Google Homes too via our wifi, which is actually a bit of redundancy because then it can be operated by both a wifi network connection and Bluetooth on the phones (whichever is the stronger connection), as well as by voice via yelling at Google. (It's also nice to be able to ask Google if the front door is locked or not and have it report yay or nay, because the August lock comes with a sensor to detect whether or not the deadbolt is locked.)

We've found that it's been totally reliable thus far, and the August app launches very quickly and connects very quickly to the lock itself - I find myself using the app over my key about 50/50 on my way out the door because it's just as convenient as the physical key (which is saying a lot).

The August lock is nice because we're in a rental apartment (so changing the actual lock is a no-go), and it took me all of 10 minutes to install with just a Phillips screwdriver. Their installation instructions are little videos built right into their app, and it comes with literally everything you need except the screwdriver (like, everything - even the strip of masking tape to hold your deadbolt on to your door while it's half disassembled during installation). Very impressed with it so far.
posted by rossferguson at 7:27 AM on June 4, 2019

If the only problem with replacing the deadbolt is that you can't change the appearance of your outside door lock, check to see if the same manufacturer has any keypad deadbolt locks in the same style as your existing one. Doorknob/lock manufacturers tend to keep the same styles around forever so that people can continue to match existing installations.

These are a lot more likely to be available and work well and securely than something that fits over your deadbolt and turns it physically.

I have heard good things about this keypad deadbolt lock from Schlage, and if you click around, the same lock mechanics are available with lots of different trim styles and finish colors. I'm considering installing one of these on my condo's door on account of I'm not renting anymore and the lock needs replacing anyway.
posted by asperity at 8:48 AM on June 4, 2019 [1 favorite]

I have a Yale and a MiLock. I think I chose the MiLock after reading a Wire Cutter article. It wasn't expensive. Both are replacements for the deadbolt. You pull out the old one and put this in its place. If you can't do that with the condo (it's very easy to do) then going with an over-the-lock one seems like the way to go. Both locks give warning when the batteries are running low and they are quick to change out. I think the front door runs low quicker because the door is stiffer and it has to work harder sometimes to turn the lock. The Yale one feels much nicer. I'd go with reviews, of course!
posted by amanda at 8:56 AM on June 4, 2019

I have used a Kevo. AFAICT, they don't offer a keypad version. Supposedly they make a kit that works with your existing outside lock, although if you use their lock bezel (which might count as changing the appearance, but only just), it has a discreet LED ring and can lock/unlock by touch, if your smartphone or fob are nearby.

The base model only works by Bluetooth, so you need to be physically present. You can buy an add-on that lets you control the lock over the Internet.
posted by adamrice at 10:33 AM on June 4, 2019

You also need to consider what type of lock you have on your condo door. Our building has mortise locks, which are incompatible with August. You need to screw the August on, and mortise locks don't have those screws on either side of the latch like cylinder deadbolts do. I've been eyeing the Sesame lock, which sticks over the deadbolt, though it doesn't meet your criteria.

Our HOA doesn't allow anything stuck on the outside of the door, so check your regulations.
posted by homesickness at 1:57 PM on June 4, 2019