Smart Locks The Pros And Cons A Good Or Bad Idea

We must confess that the concept of Smart locks has caught my interest ever since the first time heard about them. We were interested in several of the advantages that they provided, so We decided to purchase one for the entrance to my home.

What We came to realize is that there are many things regarding having and using one that others don’t tell you about it.

The benefits include a higher level of convenience, the freedom to allow people in or out according to your whims, and an increased sense of safety.

Problems with installation, the need to change batteries, and the high cost are among the drawbacks. Unfortunately, this is a difficult topic to discuss.

If you are thinking about purchasing a smart lock for your house, you should familiarize yourself with what features it has before you go ahead and install it.

It could turn out to be an excellent choice for you, or it might turn out to be your worst personal nightmare ever.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using smart locks?

The use of smart locks is comparable to the use of a blade with two edges. To have a better understanding of what they have to offer, let’s take a look at the advantages of having a smart lock in each scenario, as well as the drawbacks that come along with having one.

The Advantages That Come Together with Using a Smart Lock

When they were originally introduced, smart locks were hailed as the next-generation solution for ensuring the security of one’s house and gaining worry-free access to one’s property.

Without the need for a large number of additional procedures, installing a smart lock in your home may be an excellent method to improve the safety of your property.

There are a large number of individuals who are overjoyed with the utilization of their smart locks. People use smart locks for a variety of reasons, the most common of which are the following:

• You do not need to be there to lock or unlock your doors. It is the most significant advantage. Apps and smart home hubs are the primary means through which control may be exercised over smart locks. You can use your phone to remotely unlock the door for anybody you need to allow in if you need to let them in. If you forget to lock your door, you may easily do it by giving the app a fast touch.
• When you are out and about, another thing you can do is check to see sure the door is closed behind you. Have you ever, when you were out doing something else, had the fleeting thought that you may not have locked the door properly? That is, to put it mildly, not always easy on the nerves.
• You may also use codes to allow someone into your home when you have smart locks installed. The number codes are not only simple to remember, but they may also be given out to persons you know and trust. When you no longer need their presence in your house, all you need to do to prevent them from entering is alter the access code using the app. Because of this, Airbnb houses often choose to use them.
• They also provide you with information about what is happening in your own home. Imagine that you are away on vacation and someone tries to break into your house while you are away. What would you do? In times ago, you would have no way of knowing this. A smart lock, on the other hand, would notify you by sending a notification to your phone in this situation.
• Those who have difficulties with accessibility may benefit greatly from smart locks. A conventional lock and key system could be difficult to use for those who struggle with movement due to conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. The use of smart locks is simpler.
• There is no need for concern over the loss of your keys. Even though keys are one of the household objects that are most likely to go missing, it is impossible to leave a typical home without them. When it comes to smart locks, the absence of keys is not an issue at all.
• Moreover, they can operate with the system that you already have in place. A lot of individuals don’t like the idea of a number pad being the sole method to get into a property because it makes them feel uneasy. It is comforting to know that, if necessary, a smart lock may be made to cooperate with a deadbolt system that is already in place.
• You may also keep tabs on who comes and goes from your home, depending on how you put it to use. By assigning a unique key code to each individual, you will be able to ensure more responsibility and have a better understanding of who is responsible for what.

The Drawbacks Included with Using a Smart Lock

Smart locks aren’t suitable for everyone, and despite the many advantages and customization options they provide, they aren’t a panacea for all types of safety problems either.

The following is a list of reasons why certain individuals do not get along well with smart locks:

• Installing smart locks might be challenging at times. A smart lock may drive you bonkers if you’re not very sophisticated with technology or if you simply have a hard time getting devices to work properly. Even those that are advertised as having a “simple installation” might be a hassle.
• To collaborate with them, you need to have a smartphone. It may be hard to believe, but not everyone has a smartphone or is familiar with how to use one. It may be frustrating at best, and pointless at worst, to attempt to persuade elderly parents to use home security software on their smartphones.
• It is especially true if you are a child of old parents. Battery problems are a thing that may happen. The smart locks don’t need to be plugged in. They run off of rechargeable batteries. When the battery in your lock stops working properly, you may have to replace the lock itself if you are unable to replace the battery.
• However, every lock will flash light for almost a month to let you know that the battery needs to be changed. It will continue until the battery is removed and replaced. Also, the cost is rather high.
• A standard lock may still be purchased at a reasonable price and put to good use. The price of Smart locks typically begins in the region of $100. It is more expensive than many families can afford. If you utilize electronic keys, often known as number codes, someone may be able to see the code and then use it after you have left the building.
• This is a potentially hazardous circumstance that has arisen in the past, and this fact must be brought to everyone’s attention. Because of this, it is strongly recommended to “double up” on security by using both a smart lock and a traditional key.
• Even smart locks are susceptible to malfunction. By using a traditional lock and key system, you can dependably assume that your lock will always operate as long as you have the key in your possession. If you have a smart lock, there is always a chance that the lock won’t work because of a problem with the associated software or the battery. It may result in people contacting the local locksmith for assistance.
• They are also susceptible to hacking. If you are considering installing a smart lock on your house, you should be aware of this danger, even though it is very rare to occur.
• Smart locks, in contrast to traditional locks, have the potential to and already do become outdated. There is a limit to the amount of time that a corporation will continue to be willing to maintain and upgrade its applications. The same reasoning may be used for locks.
• Applications can be upgraded in a way that makes certain lock models incompatible with the update. This indicates that you may need to upgrade your lock, even if it functions just well in every other way.

What do you need in addition to a smart lock to use it?

Knowing whether or not you have the equipment necessary to utilize smart locks is an essential component of determining whether or not you should invest in them.

To function properly, smart locks often need both a smartphone and a smart home hub (such as Amazon’s Alexa).

When it comes to making use of a smartphone, you are going to be required to acquire an application from the market and put it to use.

The great majority of smart locks are compatible with mobile devices running Apple iOS and Android. A smart lock is not something you should have if your smartphone has sufficient storage space for the associated app.

Are Smart Locks Safe?

They can be. That depends on how you put it to use. As is the case with any other kind of security measure, it is essential to keep in mind that selecting the appropriate lock and using one that can work in tandem with the lock you currently own might be the most effective method to manage the situation.

When it comes to matters of this kind, a little common sense goes a very long way. It is essential to your success to make responsible use of smart locks.

The following advice may help lessen the likelihood that your smart lock will give you any trouble.

Does a Smart lock need WIFI to function?

Using a smart lock might be more complicated without access to the internet. Nevertheless, this is not completely out of the question, especially because most modern smart locks have built-in wireless connectivity.

A smart lock can be used successfully even if there is no internet connection in the house.

How long do batteries typically last in a smart lock?

This is very model-dependent. Batteries for certain locks may last for years without being changed. Every three to six months, you’ll need to replace something else. The battery life of a smart lock should be indicated on the packaging.

How do you be sure no one breaks into your smart lock?

Keeping your applications up-to-date is the greatest method to stop hackers from exploiting a security hole in your lock. You may also employ a professional security expert to assist you to secure your property if you are worried about hackers.

What’s causing that beeping sound from my smart lock?

There are many potential causes for a smart lock to sound an alarm, such as the low battery, incorrect programming, malfunctioning hardware, or an excessive number of failed entry attempts.

The owner’s handbook for your smart lock should be consulted if you are unclear about the cause of the beeping sound.

Does the possibility of false alerts from smart locks exist?

The possibility of a false alert from your smart lock is small yet there. Each warning may be false, but it’s still a good idea to investigate them all. It’s preferable to err on the side of caution.

Comparison between smart locks and traditional locks:

Today’s our living style has become advanced. Smart technology takes the place of traditional ones. Smart locks have various benefits such as, it has keyless technology it can also operate with your smartphone, it enables you to monitor your home remotely. 

On the other hand, traditional locks do not have these smart features, you can open and close traditional locks manually.

These locks have keys to lock or open the door. Smart locks have potential risks of hacking, but traditional locks are more safe and secure.

There is a huge difference between the prices of them. Smart locks are costly because of their smart features and traditional locks are affordable.

Smart locks offer advanced security features, like alarms or cameras, but traditional locks do not offer these security features.

Smart locks depend on electrical power, and these electrical power and batteries may be run out. This may create an issue for you. However, traditional locks do not operate with batteries.

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Which one is better for security purposes?

A smart lock is better for security purposes because it offers advanced technology for enhancing security such as alarms, cameras, and mobile apps to operate smart locks remotely. But, you should know about the pros and cons of smart locks before buying them. 

You can effectively ensure the safety of your home with your smartphone and also call the police if you feel any danger at the main door of your home.  Traditional locks do not have this feature, you cannot ensure safety by these locks.

Conclusion:

We must admit that smart locks are good to go. Although, it is more costly than traditional ones. Smart locks hardly take 30 minutes to install. You just create a password on a PIN code for security.

While technology has various benefits, it also has some drawbacks. You should change your smart lock password over time, in this way, you can prevent your lock from hacking.