The Homeowner’s Smart Lock Buying Guide

The Real Problem

Keys are a liability you’ve been ignoring

A physical key can be copied, lost, stolen, or simply forgotten at the worst possible moment. Every time you hand a spare to a contractor, a neighbor, or a family member, you create a security risk you can’t track or control.

Smart locks eliminate that risk — but only if you buy the right one for your home, your door, and your lifestyle. That’s exactly what this guide is for.

• 🔑 Lost or copied keys — the average homeowner has 3+ copies of their house key in circulation at any time, with no way to revoke access.
• 🌙 Lockouts at bad times — a locksmith call at 11pm costs $150–$300. Smart locks eliminate this permanently.
• 👷 Contractor and visitor access — handing keys to cleaners, dog walkers, or repair crews means zero visibility into who enters and when.
• 🤔 Did I lock the door? — remote lock status checking and auto-lock features eliminate the anxiety entirely.

The Complete Checklist

5 Things to Check Before You Buy

Run through every one of these before you add a smart lock to your cart. Each one can make or break your experience.

1) Does It Fit Your Door?

Smart locks are not universally compatible. Your door thickness, backset measurement, and existing hardware cutouts all matter. A lock that doesn’t fit your door is useless regardless of its features. Measure your door thickness (standard is 40-120mm) before browsing a single product.

Check this: Most quality smart locks state their compatibility clearly. If you can’t find it in the product specs, that’s a red flag.

2) Is It Actually Secure?

A smart lock is only as secure as its physical and digital construction. Look for security details along with anti-pick, anti-bump, and anti-drill protection. On the digital side, verify that the lock uses encryption at a minimum and that the manufacturer is clear on security policy.

Check this: Any smart lock at the $300+ price point should meet security standards. Ask about the security specifications.

3) How Does It Integrate With Your Smart Home?

If you use Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit, your lock needs to be compatible with your existing ecosystem. Mismatched systems mean your lock won’t respond to voice commands, won’t appear in your home app, and won’t work in automations like “lock everything when I say goodnight.” Integration compatibility is non-negotiable if you want a genuinely smart home.

Check this: Look for the compatibility logos on the product page — Works with Alexa, Works with Google, or HomeKit Enabled. Verify it explicitly.

4) What Happens When the Battery Dies?

Every smart lock runs on batteries. The question is what happens when they run out. Some locks provide low-battery alerts via app notifications weeks in advance. Others simply stop working. The best locks include a physical key override or an external USB/9V battery terminal that provides emergency power to unlock the door before you can replace the batteries. Never buy a lock without verifying its low-battery behavior.

Check this: A quality smart lock will notify you at 20–30% battery and include a physical backup entry method. Verify both before purchasing.

5) What Connectivity Does It Use?

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and Zigbee are the four main connectivity types — and they behave very differently. Bluetooth-only locks require your phone to be nearby. Wi-Fi locks allow remote access from anywhere but drain batteries faster. Z-Wave and Zigbee require a compatible smart home hub. Know which ecosystem your home uses before you buy.

Check this: If you want to lock and check your door from work or while travelling, you need a Wi-Fi enabled lock or a hub-connected system with remote capability.