
Curated recommendations and “best of” lists to help you choose smart locks by budget or priority features.
Discover privacy-focused smart locks that work offline, support open standards, and simplify access for homeowners, renters, and hosts.
Curated recommendations and “best of” lists to help you choose smart locks by budget or priority features.
Side‑by‑side comparisons of brands, features, and product types to clarify trade‑offs and aid selection.
Practical guidance on DIY vs pro installation, ease of setup, and purchasing options.
In‑depth explainers on how smart locks work, security considerations, connectivity, battery life, and smart home integration.
Learn how to choose a fingerprint lock that stays accurate and usable when weather, internet, or vendors fail by prioritizing on‑device biometrics, open standards (Matter/Thread, Zigbee), and verifiable offline control. Get practical tests and model recommendations to future‑proof without cloud lock‑in.
Learn to choose and set up local-first smart locks that keep check-ins working during outages and protect guest privacy, with a clear checklist, blackout test, workflows for time-bound codes, and steps to migrate from cloud-dependent systems.
Use a renter-safe framework to pick a no-drill smart lock that preserves landlord key access and keeps working offline. Prioritize local authentication, ANSI Grade 2+ mechanics, and zero-default telemetry to avoid the common failure points of cloud-dependent locks.
Choose the right smart lock for each door: rugged, offline-capable hardware outside and simple, long-lasting options inside to avoid subscriptions, cut battery swaps, and lower 5-year costs.
Understand the real trade-offs between budget and premium smart locks - and why solid mechanics and local-first privacy matter more than flashy features. Use simple door checks and certification cues to pick a reliable lock that fits your needs and avoids lockouts.