Smart lock for small office

September 9, 2024 3:34 PM

Which smart lock should we get for a small office? Ideally, one that doesn't need an app to create codes.

Our small office needs a smart lock that:

• Allows people to open it with their own permanent code
• Allows us to give other people temporary codes (ideally without having to use an app, maybe this could be done through a web page)
• Optionally, would let us open the door with our phones (this could be with an app)

If we can't get away from an app, then something that uses Google Accounts would be ideal as we are in the Google ecosystem, but it really would be better if we could add permanent and temporary codes without requiring an app. We don't need high security, so residential grade is fine (small town, nothing much valuable in the office). It would be nice if it has a long battery life and doesn't mind the cold as it will be exposed to a Canadian winter quite directly.

posted by ssg to Home & Garden (2 answers total)

Schlage BE365 CAM 622 can hold up to 19 different access codes simultaneously. Adding or removing codes is very quick, and is done using the lock keypad.

There's no internet connectivity, nor ability to lock/unlock via an app.

You need to change the battery once a year or so - and it's just a single standard 9 volt.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 5:41 PM on September 9 [1 favorite]

Be aware that a lot of "smart" lock mechanisms use an electromagnetic relay to switch the power that drives the activation solenoid, and that in many designs that relay is positioned such that putting a strong neodymium magnet close to the right spot on the case is enough to bypass the electronics completely and operate the relay by brute magnetic force.

I know you said that your security needs are not super high but it's probably worth taking a strong little magnet with you when you're shopping for locks, just to make sure you're not going to end up with one that's both trivial and unobtrusive to defeat. Always a bit sad when defeating a lock with a workaround is actually faster and easier than opening it the normal way.
posted by flabdablet at 3:17 AM on September 10