Smart Lock Buyer's Guide

Overview

When shopping for a/an top 10 locks 2022 POSSIBLY WHAT like service/company/plan etc, it’s important to know what to look for so you can easily compare products. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

• Is a lock worth it?

Aside from a monitored home security system, a door lock is the most effective way to protect your home or business against burglars and home invaders. Though a skilled burglar can find his way in with enough determination, high-quality locks are an excellent deterrent. The best locks- or a combination of them- can make accessing your home too much work for an intruder to deal with or slow him down until help arrives.

When deciding how much security you need from a door lock, consider the worth of the possessions and people it may be protecting and the location of the building. If you live or own a business in an area with a high crime rate or have valuable possessions, equipment, or information stored within, the highest quality lock with be worth the investment.

• What are the important features of locks?
  

Whether it’s the old-fashioned kind or a fancy retrofit smart lock, all locks share the same important components. Most locks are single-cylinder, meaning one key-one bolt. Some deadbolts are double-cylinder styles. Locks are operated using either a key or a keypad code from the outside and have a thumb-turn lever on the inside. While smart locks can be accessed remotely, they often have a standard keyed entry option as well.

When shopping for locks, check for important security features, including pick, drill, force, and bump resistance. Key control is also essential when shopping for high-security locks, and the metal key should not be able to be easily duplicated.

• What are the different types of locks?
  

Locks for doors can be separated into four basic categories: doorknob locks, deadbolts, smart locks, and auxiliary locks. Doorknob locks are commonly found on both interior and exterior doors and have a keyed lock cylinder on the outside and a turning lever on the inside. Though they can deter casual intruders, they are incredibly easy for experienced burglars to defeat, so they are often paired with deadbolts on exterior doors.

Deadbolts are the most common residential door locks. Most have a turning lever on the inside and a keyed lock cylinder on the outside. These can be operated with a traditional key or a keypad lock that requires you to enter a code to release the lock. Though they’re beefier than doorknob locks, they’re fairly easy to break using a drill or a few well-placed kicks to the doorframe.
Internet-connected smart locks function like standard locks but can be accessed via a smart device or a PIN code. They make locking or unlocking your door more convenient since they can be accessed remotely but may be just as susceptible to physical break-ins. Retrofit smart locks can be added to your existing locks.

Auxiliary locks, also called drop-bar locks or jimmy-proof locks, include bars, bolts, and chains. They can be added to your standard door locks to add an extra layer of physical protection. They can only be accessed from the inside. Though these can be overcome with brute force, they cannot be tampered with from the outside.

• Are there any substitutes or replacements for locks?
  

While neglecting to put locks on your exterior doors is an unadvisable risk, there are circumstances when your lock is damaged, or the key is lost and you need a temporary security fix. If it’s only short-term, you can remove the doorknob from the door to prevent anyone from opening it. You may also use heavy furniture, a security bar, or a door wedge to jam or barricade the door from the inside.

If your door will be without a standard lock for more than a day, a portable door lock can be added to deter unauthorized entry from the outside. Two types include those that fit over the door handle and those that are installed between the door and frame.
The next best substitute for a door lock is a wireless security system. Though the system will not prevent the door from being opened, the alarm may scare away any potential intruder and alert law enforcement of the break-in.