That's a good feature if you're worried about people snooping over your shoulder as you unlock the door.Ī retrofit smart lock like the August lock will replace the interior of your existing lock, but not the exterior keyhole or the deadbolt. Another nice design touch: You can punch in dummy digits before or after your code, and the lock will still let you in. We also liked the physical buttons on that lock for coded entry, as buttons like those are easier to use in inclement weather than touchscreen controls. Hiding the keyhole makes a lot of sense - most of the time, you aren't going to use it to get in, and putting it out of sight gives the lock a smaller footprint on your front door than other fingerprint-scanning locks.
NEST LOCK REVIEW CNET PRO
Apart from the fact that these locks are likely going to be sitting on the front face of your home's exterior and making a first impression on visitors, good design can make for better implementation of core features.įor instance, the U-Bolt Pro stood out for its clever build, with the fingerprint-scanning front face of the lock folding down entirely to reveal a standard keyhole backup. Whatever the lock's approach, the features need to work well if it wants to earn our recommendation.
NEST LOCK REVIEW CNET BLUETOOTH
Others, including Bluetooth locks with auto-unlocking smarts whenever you draw near, are better for users who are more convenience-minded.
Some smart locks, particularly coded smart locks, are better for sharing access with guests. We pay attention to important physical considerations like the size of the lock and how loud the motor gets when the deadbolt turns, as well as practical considerations like app features, ease of use and the range of compatibility with different smart home platforms and peripheral devices. Ry Crist/CNET Additional features and app integrationįrom there, the testing is largely experiential. No other Wi-Fi lock we tested worked as flawlessly this far from the router. The U-Bolt Pro with built-in Wi-Fi was the top finisher in our range tests, as we were able to reliably control it from a phone even with the lock in a backyard, on the fringes of the home Wi-Fi network. It doesn't support Apple HomeKit, though, and it's difficult to find it on sale for less than $250, which makes it hard to recommend. On top of that, it's a really nice-looking smart lock, with a classy touchpad for coded entry and a variety of elegant finishes. It's also compatible with Amazon Key, in case you're interested in in-home delivery drop-offs.
NEST LOCK REVIEW CNET INSTALL
Schlage Encode Wi-Fi Deadbolt: We liked the Encode's simplicity when we tested it out - with built-in Wi-Fi, there's no need for any extra hub hardware, meaning you can pair it with your home network and with Alexa or Google Assistant for voice controls as soon as you install it. In addition to that, you'll need to buy an overpriced $80 plug-in Wi-Fi hub if you want to control the lock via your phone from beyond Bluetooth range. That fingerprint sensor worked great when we tested it out, but the interior part of the lock is made of faux-stainless-steel plastic that feels a bit cheap to the touch. Lockly Flex Touch: An understated fingerprint lock, the Flex Touch looks like a standard deadbolt on the outside, apart from the small fingerprint sensor that dangles underneath. Beyond that, you'll find a growing number of models with advanced features like touchpad controls, fingerprint readers, and built-in sensors that can tell you if the door is ever left ajar. They're great for letting workers, houseguests, and pet sitters in without need for a key, and they're a godsend when you get into bed only to realize you forgot to lock up. That said, you'll find plenty of compelling smart lock options if you're in the market for a new one, many of which are well worth considering.Īt a basic level, the best smart locks will help you manage access to your home. In most cases, the first smart lock we'd recommend is the August Smart Lock, as it has a good track history in our tests and comes with a well-developed mix of features and compatible accessories, including support for the top three voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri). Smart locks can bring a lot of connected convenience to your front door, and we've spent years testing the devices out to find the best of the bunch.
0 kommentar(er)
