How Does a Smart Lock Work?

The introduction of smart locks has completely revolutionized home security, and there are a number of reasons for this. Now that smart locks are a thing; there is no need to carry a heavy key ring everywhere with you.

Another reason that this specific piece of home security technology is an essential addition to anyone's smart home environment is that smart locks offer much more functionality as compared to your conventional locks.

How do these smart locks work, though? What exactly makes a lock "smart," and what is the functionality they offer? These are just some of the topics which will be the subject of discussion today as we thoroughly explain the functionality of smart lock technology down to the grassroots level.

What Exactly Is a Smart Lock?

By definition, a smart lock is a device for home security that uses wifi or Bluetooth connectivity or other forms of recognition techniques in order to lock or unlock the door without the need to use a standard key. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is so much more to this technology.

There are many different styles the smart lock comes in; different styles in this context mean smart locks, which offer a variety of different ways of locking and unlocking the door.

Although they may offer different modes of entry and exit, the one thing common in all smart locks like the welock smart locks is that they all offer keyless entry, which means no more searching for keys around your house whenever you want to go somewhere.

How Do Smart Locks Work?

Before we get into the details of how this smart lock technology works, we first have to understand what options this piece of home security offers.

Although the basic principle behind every type of smart lock is the same, that they aim to offer entry or exit without the need to carry keys, the way they achieve it makes a lot of smart locks unique and distinct from each other. Some smart locks offer Wifi connectivity which means that you can lock and unlock them through the app associated with the lock.

In addition to that, some locks like the welock range of smart locks offer keypad entry, where you have to set a specific pin while setting it up and use that Pincode password in order to access it. There are many other ways as well, including remote entry or a fingerprint recognition system set up as well, some of which we will be discussing in a bit detail.

Keypad Smart Lock

As discussed earlier, the way keypad smart locks work is that you have to set a pin code on them, and then you use that password to gain entry to that gate. Although considered to be a highly versatile option, this type of smart lock is mainly used in short-term rentals due to the nature of limitations you can set up on them.

Although smartphones have become a necessity in these modern times, there is a small percentage of people who still prefer to have old-fashioned phones due to the drawbacks smartphones have. You never know when someone interested in your rental home might not have access to a smartphone.

However, you can handle that when you have a smart keypad lock installed. This is because having a keypad lock means that no use of smartphone technology would be required in order to unlock the door, and you can assign a specific pin code to unlock the door.

Another benefit to this is that keypad locks may be much more user-friendly to some audiences who might need help with modern-day technology and are unable to install the companion apps for the lock.

In addition to this, another benefit keypad locks offer is that you would not need to carry any access card or any physical key.

 Although the convenience of keyless entry is very alluring, some still have the mode of entry which requires you to scan or insert a keycard. This might be convenient, but you still have to keep the keycard with you; however, with keypad locks, that is optional.

 All you need is the password in order to type in the keycard, which is usually rather easy to remember and can be stored in your phone for safekeeping.

Biometric Smart Lock

Smart locks, which are based on fingerprint recognition, also known as biometric smart locks, are a great addition to any organization, corporation, or facility where added layers of security would be needed.

This is because the most important benefit of biometric smart locks is that this type of smart lock offers added levels of security. How a biometric smart lock works are that this lock uses a fingerprint sensor that records the fingerprint you embed into it when registering the lock.

 Now that the fingerprint is registered, the lock would only allow entry to that fingerprint signature, and since every fingerprint is unique, this means that it is almost impossible to replicate this security measure, making it one of the most secure smart locks out there.

Another reason is that it is very difficult to breach this type of lock. For keypad locks, the PIN code can be decrypted by skillful hackers using certain devices, while a conventional lock can be easily picked by an experienced lockpicker, but overriding a biometric lock is considered to be highly complex and even virtually impossible in some cases.

One more reason is that biometric smart locks are much more cost-effective as compared to your conventional locks. This is because a biometric lock requires only a hefty initial investment, and due to the mode of entry it offers, there is no maintenance required whatsoever.

Depending on where you live, if you have a conventional lock installed, it may be susceptible to rust, or your key might get stuck in the keyhole, which would require the services of a locksmith, which can set you back a couple of hundred dollars in some cases.

 This may not seem like much right now, but in the long run, the hundreds might stack up to thousands, as compared to the biometric lock, which is manufactured to be weather resistant and highly durable.

Wrap-up

The complex technology implemented in the invention of smart locks is the reason why they have such an ample amount of uses. This condensed guide covered just some basic techniques and uses behind certain smart locks, and the overall potential behind this piece of home security is endless.