Popular Mechanics - USA (2020-07)

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MART LOCKS—OR SMART DEAD BOLTS,
more accurately—allow you to lock and
unlock doors remotely, check their status
and history, and provide access to visitors
when you aren’t home. They employ Blue-
tooth, WiFi, or Z-Wave radio signals to
communicate with apps on smartphones,
WiFi bridges, or smart home hubs, and may also be
integrated with security systems. If you want the
convenience of smart locks but don’t know where
to start, we’ll cover the basics to ensure you get one
that’s compatible with your home and helpful for
your household.

■ HOW TO INSTALL
Smart locks generally come in two configurations
for dead bolts. The first is the full dead-bolt lock-
set—including the dead bolt, the exterior keyed
lock and/or keypad, and the interior thumb lever
and plate. These will completely replace your
existing dead bolt or can be added above a door-
knob or handle. The latter configuration replaces
only the interior thumb lever and plate, utilizing

the existing dead bolt and exterior keyed lock. If
you have a matching doorknob and dead bolt, or
have all your locks keyed alike, then this option
will let you keep your current setup. There are also
full mortise-handle sets that include the handle
and associated latch bolt, as well as the “smart”
dead-bolt, all-in-one unit, but we focused only on
the dead-bolt options.
If you’re replacing an existing dead bolt or
installing one in a predrilled door, the job is fairly
easy and can be done with just one screwdriver in
about 15 minutes. But if you’re installing a dead bolt
in a door that hasn’t already had one, it’ll take a bit
more time and a door-hardware-installation jig to
get it right. The kit will help get the holes positioned
accurately and make the job go quicker.

The Best


Smart Locks


for Your


Home or


Rental


Property


The locks on this list have been thoroughly vetted, evaluated, and tested by our editors. First, we installed
each of them in a metal exterior door to assess fit and ease of installation. We then paired them with our
smartphones, ran through the setup processes, and tested Bluetooth functionality. To connect the smart
locks to a consumer-grade wireless network, we installed them all in a single test stand, took them off-site,
and set up a live-stream video camera to monitor functionality. We then locked and unlocked them remotely
using our smartphone, while reviewing the video stream, and confirmed lock status via the manufacturer’s
app. We were careful to test all of the smart locks’ features, taking aesthetics into account.

HOW WE


TESTED THESE


SMART LOCKS


Home


// B Y B R A D F O R D //

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