What Are Your Thoughts on Smart Locks?

Smart Home Forum
1

Hi everyone, I’m interested in hearing your views, opinions, and experiences with smart locks. Whether you already own one or are considering getting one, I’d love to hear from you.

For current users:

  • What model do you have?
  • What are its pros and cons?
  • If you could, what would you add or change about it?

For those considering a smart lock:

  • Have you thought about upgrading to a smart lock?
  • Are there any specific models you’re interested in?
  • What’s holding you back from making the switch?

I’m here to discuss and answer any related questions you might have. Looking forward to your feedback!

Best regards, ArdanShield

2

I’ve had a great experience with my Schlage Z-wave locks. Pros: Seamless integration with Home Assistant. Cons: None that I’ve encountered. I wouldn’t change anything about it.

3

Miguel said:
I’ve had a great experience with my Schlage Z-wave locks. Pros: Seamless integration with Home Assistant. Cons: None that I’ve encountered. I wouldn’t change anything about it.

I have the same lock. It’s been perfect for my front door. I can generate codes for friends when I’m away, and it’s handled Canadian weather perfectly. I also control it with my watch via Alexa. Planning to link it with a doorbell camera and geofencing soon. Absolutely no regrets, it’s indispensable now.

4

Miguel said:
I’ve had a great experience with my Schlage Z-wave locks. Pros: Seamless integration with Home Assistant. Cons: None that I’ve encountered. I wouldn’t change anything about it.

It’s great to hear positive feedback about Schlage, especially with its integration with Home Assistant. Setting up such a system can seem daunting to some, so your success with it is reassuring. Thanks for sharing your experience!

5

I’ve installed Hornbill locks on my property, including outbuildings. They’ve been reliable and easy to use with Alexa and their dedicated app.

6

I have an August Home Smart Lock + Connect. Pros: It’s convenient to check the lock status remotely. Cons: It frequently goes offline and jams if not perfectly aligned, which happens often with temperature changes. I wish it was less sensitive to alignment issues. The need for a separate bridge device is also a drawback.

7

@Dexter
I’ve had similar issues with my August lock, especially the WiFi bridge failing. I’m exploring other options because it’s become too unreliable.

8

@Dexter
I’ve experienced similar alignment issues with my Wyze lock. It’s frustrating not to trust the app’s status. I have to manually check the lock each time.

9

Nolan said:
@Dexter
I’ve experienced similar alignment issues with my Wyze lock. It’s frustrating not to trust the app’s status. I have to manually check the lock each time.

It’s a common frustration, and I haven’t found a reliable fix yet. The remote unlock works, but relocking is always manual for me.

10

@Dexter
With manual locks, we learn to adjust the door naturally. Smart locks can’t make those adjustments, which is a fundamental limitation due to natural changes in door alignment from temperature and settling.

11

@Natalie
Exactly, the lock should be able to handle slight misalignments without jamming. It works manually every time without adjustments, which makes the smart lock’s sensitivity more frustrating.

12

I’m considering the Nuki smart lock as it fits my existing key setup without needing a cylinder change. Pros: Keyless entry, possible additions like a keypad or fingerprint scanner, and checking lock status remotely. Cons: Limited aesthetic options and compatibility issues with other systems. The price is also a factor, especially when adding accessories like the keypad.

13

@Scott
The Nuki is great, especially for its encryption standards. I got a great deal on it recently, which included the keypad. It’s definitely worth considering for its security features.

14

I’ve been using August Smart Locks with Home Assistant. Pros: Geofencing, remote operation, and additional sensors for door status. Cons: The lock can jam if the door isn’t closed properly, often due to weather stripping. Despite this, I’ve had a good overall experience and haven’t felt the need to try other brands.

15

We use U-BOLT-PRO-ZWAVE locks. Pros: Fingerprint unlocking and excellent integration with Home Assistant. Cons: The fingerprint reader could be more accurate, and I wish the Home Assistant integration allowed for better user and code management.

16

The Nuki 4 pro is a standout in my home automation setup. It integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant, and the device management is straightforward. I love the automation possibilities it offers.

17

I’d advise against Tuya smart locks based on other user experiences shared here. They seem to have significant reliability issues.

18

I’ve had a good experience with my Wyze lock. It unlocks with a fingerprint and connects to WiFi through a doorbell, which is quite convenient. However, I wish it had native WiFi capability.

19

After a disappointing experience with a Kevo lock, I’m considering switching to Schlage based on positive reviews here.

20

I use Schlage Encode Plus and Aqara U100 locks. Pros for Schlage: Easy battery changes and no hub required. Cons: Firmware updates are hit or miss. Aqara offers better battery life and superior door status detection, but requires a hub.