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Is a smart lock worth it?

Do you have a fear of break-ins or burglary attacks? Are you concerned for your safety and your loved ones? Now may be the best time to upgrade your home security. One of the most important ways to upgrade home security is to change the locks. When changing your locks, an option that comes to mind is the smart lock. However, it is important to learn more about this security upgrade before investing a fortune in it.

Before investing in them, this article goes through everything you need to know about smart locks. It also explains the pros and cons of this option and gives you enough resources on to base your decision.

What are Smart Locks, and Why Are They So Expensive?

Smart locks are essential digital locks that keep your home safe and secure. They have become a common option among smart homeowners because of their convenience and added layer of safety. The extra perks offered by this security lock are paid for at its price. Smart locks are often expensive, with each new model being pricier than the last.

However, the cost of a smart lock may be justified by its technology. Newer and more expensive smart locks bring newer technology and connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, app support, and other locking and unlocking features. Most of them also come with an in-built surveillance system that may include a microphone and camera, allowing owners to monitor their homes remotely. Additional features may include the ease of changing pins at any time (sometimes done remotely).

Asides from the expensive purchase, you may also need a professional to install it. Professionals charge differently based on various factors, including your location, the type of smart lock to be installed, etc.

The original purchase cost and installation cost may run into thousands of dollars, enough to make you weigh your options. If you’re undecided about whether a smart lock is worth the cost, below are the pros and cons you should know.

Pros and Cons of Smart Locks

You need to be familiar with the pros and cons of a smart lock to determine whether it is worth your money. Find below the information needed to help your decision-making.

Pros of Choosing Smart Locks

Convenient security solution 

Convenience is one of the biggest reasons most homeowners choose smart locks. Asides from the security technology installed, many homeowners are truly happy to have a security system that doesn’t depend on their physical presence to operate.

In terms of convenience, smart locks can be operated remotely via voice activation and respond to physical touch when needed. In today’s modern world, smart homes leverage these advanced features for integration with artificial intelligence solutions like Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, etc., to keep their homes safe and secure.

With AI integrations, you can easily command your home security simply by relaying specific information to Apple’s Siri, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or any other integrated AI technology.

Other than the AI integration, smart locks also come with different connectivity features like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology, allowing you to control your home’s lock with the push of a button from your device.

No need for key changes 

One of the biggest disadvantages of the traditional lock and security solution is the keys. The keys can get lost or may be compromised. In most cases, you may need to dump your keys when changing your traditional lock’s cylinder. You are also faced with the same challenge when changing your locks for improved security.

You no longer have to worry about dumping or accumulating keys to keep your home safe with smart locks. Smart lock technology offers a keyless entry solution, allowing you to control your locks via a dial pad, phone, or voice activation.

In addition, you won’t need to incur extra costs on changing your existing bolts when upgrading the system. New smart locks can be integrated with existing bolts, saving you money and easing the installation process.

A stylish and modern way to secure your home  

The technology backing the smart lock technology is one of the hottest features on it. Homeowners now have a stylish and modern way to keep their homes secure while staying up to date with the latest security information in their homes.

With this modern technology, you can travel in peace or sleep better knowing that your home, family, and property are safe from break-ins or burglary attempts.

Remote Entry and Exit Access 

Smart locks support remote access commands that allow homeowners to control their homes and security from miles away. This removes the burden of keeping your keys in a compromised area.

With smart locks, you can easily let friends, families, and domestic staff into your home or lock them out without physically being present. This gives you greater control over your home and its security.

Cons of Smart Lock Technology

Expensive and Requires Internet and Connectivity 

As beneficial as smart locks are, they are also expensive to purchase and maintain. You need constant access to the internet or other connectivity features to get the best out of your smart lock system. This, perhaps, creates another security problem as you may easily get locked out of your home.

With smart locks, you may need to develop a backup plan to address these shortcomings.

Smart locks rely on batteries

Many homeowners are so busy with daily activities and demands that they forget their smart locks are battery-operated. This creates a potential problem as they may come home one day to a locked home and a dead battery. In such instances, getting into the home may require critical thinking, especially when there’s no backup plan.

With smart locks, you’ll need to constantly monitor the battery or live with the consequences of a dead battery.

Smart locks can be compromised

The right persons can hack most electronic security devices. This means that your home may be secured from low-level criminals but at risk from sophisticated criminals. There have been several reports of hacked smart lock systems, and yours may be next, depending on who is after you and their determination.

While manufacturers and service providers often push security updates, there’s no guarantee that you’d update or that hackers won’t find a way around it. You may need a backup security solution to keep your home truly safe.

These pros and cons should guide your decision on whether smart locks are worth the expense.

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