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The Right Technology Smart Locks In 2020

Get the right technology for your safety, connectivity, convenience, and peace of mind. 

TechHive

Smart lock and key systems will continue to improve. The innovation involves adopting new technology and upgrading locksmith techniques. Criminals are doing their best to get ahead, so should your lock be. It’s time to advance your deadbolts and forge ahead on smart technology. 

Make sure to check our list of the best smart locks in 2020. 

Ultraloq U-bolt Pro + Wi-Fi Bridge   

The multifaceted smart lock. Lets you unlock your door in a number of ways, from mobile app, fingerprint scan, keypad, traditional key, and even voice command. 

Gadget Flow
Pros: 
  • Easy to install 
  • Comes with Wi-Fi bridge 
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice command
Cons: 
  • Magic Shake feature doesn’t work 
  • Apple HomeKit not supported 

The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro belongs to the most versatile smart locks in the market. Just like the other smart locks, it has a mobile app that you can control your door no matter where you are. It also comes with a keypad equipped with permanent and time-based pin codes. 

This smart lock also comes with a fingerprint scanner and a keyed cylinder located behind the keypad. To advance just a little bit, they built it with voice commands. In fact, it’s one of the first smart locks that uses voice commands. 

Igloohome Smart Keybox 3

Lets you store spare keys in a safe, secure, and weatherproof box that you can control with your smartphone. 

Igloohome
Pros: 
  • Strong build 
  • Allows bluetooth connectivity 
  • Diverse access levels 
  • Easy installation 
Cons: 
  • No Wi-Fi and push alerts 
  • Expensive 

Are you hiding your keys the classic way? I refer to the under the rock and doormat. I called it classic because even uninvited guests know about it too. However, with Igloohome Smart Keybox 3, you can rest assured your spare keys, and key cards are stored safely in a weatherproof lockbox. The lockbox can only be opened with a custom PIN code. 

All you need to do is attach the Keybox 3 to your fence, doorknob or any other non-removable surface. Place your keys inside and only give the PIN code to anyone you want to let inside. Also, it comes with a Bluetooth radio that lets you open the box with your smartphone. 

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have push alerts and WiFi connectivity features, which is a little bit of a downfall. 

Trova Go

The slim, stylish little lockbox.

TheGadgetsReview
Pros: 
  • Reliable biometric authentication 
  • Dependable design 
  • Highly Portable 
Cons: 
  • Expensive 

Trova Go offers a safe and secure way to keep your valuables. It’s small and portable that you can fit inside your jacket pocket. Unfortunately, it’s a little bit expensive. However, if you value your stuff, there’s no better way to keep them safe. 

The lockbox is made from aluminum alloy and just slightly bigger than a glass case. While it’s unable to hold legal documents, stash of cash or passports, the Trova Go can hold important memory cards that have sensitive information, keys, cards, and even jewelry. 

The Trova Go comes with an app that works for iOS and Android phones. All you have to do is to pair the app with your Trova Go lock. Unfortunately, the Trova Go lock doesn’t come with multiple user options. However, you can purchase the Trove Home which is fairly expensive. 

Wyze Lock 

The best smart lock under $100. 

The Verge
Pros: 
  • Minimal design
  • Affordable 
  • Easy installation 
Cons: 
  • Unable to join with other Wyze products and third party devices 
  • Don’t come with IFTTT support and voice control 

Wyze has a reputation as an inexpensive brand for home security and sensors. Recently, the company entered the smart lock space. Its first product is the Wyze Lock that costs less than $100. It’s reasonably priced since it can be used with almost any door hardware. The lock is easy to install, and it’s equipped with a plug-in gateway that connects to your home WiFi. 

Wyze Lock uses the door’s key cylinder, latch assembly, and deadbolt. It has an interior escutcheon, mounting plate: plug-in gateway module, and a quick start guide. Moreover, the interior escutcheon features a minimalist design. Thanks to its brushed aluminum finish. 

Furthermore, Wyze Lock is compatible with the app used by other Wyze devices. After you install the app, everything will be controlled using your mobile phone. It also comes with a running event log feature that lets you monitor every lock and unlock event including the person, time, and occasion. 

Kwikset Premis Contemporary Smart Lock

The stunning smart lock for Apple Homekit users. 

PCMag
Pros: 
  • Compatible with Apple HomeKit including Siri voice commands 
  • Touch screen features 
  • Easy installation 
  • Elegant design 
Cons: 
  • Only available for iOS devices 
  • Remote access requires Apple TV or Homepod  
  • Not compatible with Amazon Alexa
  • No IFTTT and Google Assistant support

The Kwikset Premis Contemporary uses Bluetooth technology. It lets you control your door’s lock with your iOS device or Siri voice commands. This smart lock is easy to install. However, it only works with iOS devices. That means it won’t work with Android devices. 

The Premis Contemporary Smart Lock can be installed like a traditional lock. It’ll only take you about 20 minutes to install. After you install the lock, you need to download the Premis app. Next, you need to tap the Setup Your Lock and choose the right model from the list. Likewise, you can choose the interactive guide if you want detailed instructions. 

This smart lock is a solid choice for Apple Homekit users. It’s attractive, responsive and easy to install. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support Wi-Fi. For this reason, you need to use Apple TV or HomePod to access the lock remotely. 

Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock 

The smart lock that offers numerous ways to control your door. 

Asmag
Pros: 
  • Alexa and Google voice commands 
  • Easy to install 
  • Smart design 
  • Comes with a built-in Wi-Fi 
Cons: 
  • Pricey 
  • Restricted third-party unification 
  • No HomeKit and IFTTT support 

The Kwikset Halo Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the new addition to the Kwikset brand of smart locks. It comes with a touch-screen panel for entering the pin code, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice commands, a mobile app, and a traditional key. Furthermore, it comes with Bluetooth and WiFi radios but doesn’t offer third-party integration. 

This smart lock has a complete locking system for standard doors measuring 1-⅜ to 2 inches of thickness. It has interior and exterior escutcheons, traditional keys, mounting hardware, latch and strike, and four AA batteries. 

While some smart locks like Wyze Lock and August Wi-Fi Smart Lock use your door’s existing deadbolt and strike components, the Halo comes with a complete lock solution. That means it requires more time to install. 

August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

The feature-rich smart lock. 

The Verge
Pros: 
  • Compatible with Alexa, Google, IFTTT, HomeKit, and etc. 
  • Automatic lock and unlock features 
  • Easy to install 
  • Sleek design 
Cons: 
  • Expensive 

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is the smallest smart lock you can find anywhere. Despite its small size, it’s the first to offer built-in Wi-Fi. Along with its many features, the most notable is it supports Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and many third-party platforms and devices. 

Just like every August Lock, this new smart lock requires you to replace your existing interior thumb turn mechanism. However, it retains your existing lock hardware along with the keys. This smart lock model is easy to install, and it comes with a mobile app. All you need to do is download the app and create an account. 

There’s an on-screen installation guide to help you. Moreover, it has a strong third-party integration and multi-platform support. Probably one of the good reasons to consider the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is it’s easy to use. Likewise, you can take advantage of its wide range of support and integrations for home automation and security. 

Lockly Vision Doorbell Camera Smart Lock 

The unique smart lock with a video doorbell. 

PCMag Asia
Pros: 
  • Built-in doorbell camera
  • Support voice control
  • Video storage 
  • Pin Genie code protection 
  • Comes with a touchpad, key access and fingerprint scanner 
Cons:  
  • Doesn’t come with night vision and motion detection features 
  • No IFTTT and HomeKit support 
  • Costly 

The Lockly Vision Smart Lock is the first to come up with the combination of smart lock and video doorbells. It’s a feature-packed smart lock system that comes with a 720p camera, fingerprint scanner, touch-screen keypad, doorbell, keyed cylinder, MicroSD card slot, and recorded video storage. 

This smart lock requires a Wi-Fi hub to connect to your home network. It supports Alexa and Google voice commands. However, it’s not compatible with Apple HomeKit and other devices using IFTTT applets. Unfortunately, the doorbell’s video doesn’t come with a night vision and motion detection features. 

Lockly Vision is a complete lock system which means it comes with the standard interior and exterior escutcheons, mounting plate, gasket, deadbolt, strike plate, different mounting hardware, an activation card, 8 AA batteries, and quick start manuals. In addition, it’s equipped with the Lockly’s Pin Genie system to secure your access codes.