Best smart locks for your home
Electronic locks are probably familiar to everyone in one way or another. But owning one yourself is not as common. The market for smart locks is growing in line with the supply and with the modern family it is almost a must today. Being able to see who is going and coming at different times, opening the door when you are not at home or connecting the lock to the home alarm are some of the valuable features many people demand today.
What should be considered when it comes to smart locks?
Needs analysis As usual, we recommend that you start from your own needs. Think about what features you need to have and choose from there.
Kompatibilnost — Check if the lock fits your door and works with a possible smart home.
Insurance — Always double check with your insurance company what applies when changing the lock.
Aqara has recently launched the Smart Lock U200. This automatic lock comes with support for Matter. Locke also offers more unlocking features such as fingerprint recognition, PIN code, mobile apps, voice assistants, Apple Home key, Aqara NFC card and traditional keys. In addition, this lock requires no Aqara hub!
The idea of the Aqara U200 lock is that it should be a simple installation. You will not need to change the keys or modify the door structure. It is a sk. retrofitted cover, which means it is designed to be able to be installed on existing locks and replace a traditional mechanical lock without having to make major changes or adaptations.
For added security, the lock is encrypted and has tampering alarm and automatic lock function. It also has real-time notifications and Auto lock, which means you can set the lock to lock automatically after a specific period of time after closing the door.
The battery life of the lock is up to 6 months, it also supports the Thread protocol for long-term use. The keypad is IPX5 rated and can be powered by AAA batteries or existing doorbell wire.
The lock can withstand extreme weather conditions, - 15 Celcius and up to +66 Celcius.
This is clearly a smart lock that is at the forefront and has features that most people ask for. In terms of price, the lock is in the middle segment, so it is not the most expensive lock but not among the cheapest either.
Yale Linus 2 is an enhanced version of the company's popular Linus lock, and offers a range of updates to provide users with increased security and convenience in their home. Like its predecessor, it is a smart lock that can be installed on the inside of the door, allowing one to still use their regular key lock externally.
- Built-in WiFi: Now the lock has built-in WiFi so you don't have to use the Yale Connect bridge inside your home.
- Mobile access: Through the Yale Access app, you can lock and unlock the door remotely, making it easy to grant access to guests, artisans or family members even if you're not at home.
- Activity Log: Keep track of when the door opens and closes, and see who has access at different times. This provides an extra level of control and transparency.
- Integration with smart homes: Yale Linus 2 works with a range of smart home platforms, including Apple HomeKit, Google Home and Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control the lock with voice commands and automate locking functions alongside other devices.
- New design: Linus 2 has received a slightly updated design compared to its predecessor. The new lock is both more compact and discreet, which allows it to blend better into modern interiors.
- Yale Dot: With the mobile's NFC chip, you can now unlock the door by holding the mobile against the tray that you easily mount outside your door.
If you wish, you can buy a keypad that you can mount on the outside of the door. If the technology does not work, it can always be opened with your regular key.
Compact, affordable and stylish design make this lock get our best rating. The fact that it is one of the most compatible on the market is also a contributing factor. Danalock v3 is a fairly discreet installation that can be suitable for those users who live in an apartment and do not want/are allowed to do any major damage to their door. If you wish, you can supplement with a wireless code lock that can be easily installed on the outside of the door. If you want to have the ability to access the lock when you are not at home, you can buy Danabridge V3. Danalock comes in four versions depending on which protocol is right for you. Here you can Compare the different models.
Not available in th UK.
One of the later additions for smart locks is Nimly formerly called Easyaccess. The Norwegian company has entered the Swedish market and impresses with its feature-packed smart locks specially developed and designed for the Scandinavian conditions.
Nimly Touch Pro Black is one of the latest additions where you can use your fingerprint to unlock your door, unlike their other Lock Touch which lacks this feature.
The lock also has touch panel for code entry and the ability to use one of the three RFID code tags included to unlock the lock. Three physical keys are also included for added security.
If you want to control your lock via their app and be able to automate your lock with Homey, Homely or Futurehome, you can purchase a gateway and a ZigBee module that you can easily install yourself.
The lock comes in black and silver.
Yale doorman L3S is a well-sold and well-liked lock. Installation can be somewhat demanding and not as easy as a locking door. Keep in mind that the price can skyrocket if you have to hire an installer. An advantage of the lock is the locking piston rotates upwards which increases safety slightly. The lock only works with Yale's own key washers, for better or worse. The advantage is that their own badges are harder to copy than other RFID tags and the downside is that you have to buy Yale badges that cost over 200kr/pc. Three trays are included. The L3S has received an updated end ink from its predecessor L3. The lock itself is the same as the L3.
Not available in the UK.
The lock is an updated version of ID Lock 150. We had hoped for more updates and improvements from ID lock. The lock has a smaller outdoor and indoor module than ID lock 150.
ID Lock 202 is a well-built and robust lock with the right security class. It requires investing time in installation and functionality in order to be fully aware of all the functions of the lock. If you compare the lock with the competitors on the market, then there is more to be desired. ID Lock has some way to go before they can compete with the other players in the market for real.
Glue is so far the only lock on the Swedish market that provides services that facilitate home delivery of e.g. food. Functionally, it is a very simple addition to your existing door lock. It lacks some smart features so here there is more to be desired. A wifi bridge is included to be able to control the lock when you are not at home.
How does a smart lock work?
As a rule, there are two different types of smart locks. First they are the locks that you can install on top of your existing lock and then there are the locks you replace altogether. There are, of course, advantages and disadvantages to both options.
With a lock on top of your existing one, it will be a smoother installation without major intervention. You can also rely on the lock you had before purely for security purposes as well as continue to use the regular key. This can be crucial if you live in an apartment, for example, as some associations do not like changing the locks on the outside.
