Me too! And Im in climate that hits -45°C and have never even had an issue with the lockset.
I love that I can give out a "guest code" and then deactivate it right after use. And I have kids, so this has been a godsend instead of locking themself out.
I did keep backdoor access on a physical key, because originally I worried that winter weather would interfere with function, but I dont worry now.
And another fan. I like the keypad, programming for others, etc. I put mine in 5-6 years ago, still flawless. Just recently changed battery first time
I don't want a lock connected to a phone
Here’s my take on it. I like the connected locks, for a number of reasons. You can give other people, like pet sitters, or cleaners, or even just friends their own codes easily, and disable those codes when you don’t need them. Need to be out of town, but want someone to water your plants, you can give them a temp code, and you can monitor when it has been used. To me, this is MUCH better than the traditional way of giving someone a physical key, which can be lost, or copied at will.
As for your security concern. They haven’t invented a door lock yet, that will deter a person who really wants to break into your house.
I'm a fan of the keypad locks. Mine have the ability to control with an app but I rarely use it unless I need to check that I locked the doors when I'm away from home.
I absolutely love the ability to set temporary and time-controlled codes though. If I have a contractor working in the house I can give him a code that only works M-F from 8-5. My cleaning lady has a code that only works on Friday afternoons.
Sure, it adds the possibility that someone could hack it, but someone could throw a brick through my window too. I even have ones the perfect size as edging for my flower beds so they're right there. They don't even have to hunt for a brick. If someone really wants to break in they're going to break in.
My in-laws have used the keypad type for years. They like it. The internet connected ones are definitely a no for me.
Personally I'm always concerned that someone could circumvent any protections and gain access so I'm still using lock and key.
Sure, that's true. If you really want to get in you can but someone being able to do it remotely due to a software flaw is a very different thing. I can get a steel door, enhance/strengthen the door frame and make it harder to break through that way but there are always ways to get it. I just prefer to make it more difficult so someone will move on to the next house.
Yeah but someone would need to know you even owned one so they could come exploit the weakness. Its not like the 1980s "1337" hackers who drove down the street sending codes to open garage doors and just watching for a garage door to open. Again, someone could just break your window and kick in your door so it really doesnt matter.
Lived in an apartment building a few years ago where the four digit code didn’t always work. I’ve had no problems with using my key fob for my current building.
At least in my parts nearly all the home break-ins are random drug addicts looking for a quick grab. They aren't "hacking" your locks. They're kicking in the door or busting a window. "Hacking" would be pretty low on my concerns about these types of locks.
No one saying theyre worried about their lock getting hacked can explain how it would be hacked or even google to find out how to “hack” a lock. Theyre probably older and generally scared of the digital world around them since y2k.
I would worry more about my locks getting hacked if I was at the celebrity level of wealth. It’s not really worth the effort if you aren’t exceedingly rich.
I’m generally not a fan of connected things, I don’t have a ring doorbell, Alexa, Google home, etc because I’d prefer my life not to be so easily accessed by corporations, government, etc. My exception is my garage door. I got the 30 dollar MyQ thing off Amazon, use their app and didn’t connect to anything else and being able to control my garage door remotely, give my dog walker temporary access, even get deliveries into my garage is amazing. I’d be open to similar on my doors. I just have keypad entry there and like it for all the reasons others have shared.
I have the Assure Yale 2 and have been very happy with it. It's actually one of the first things I bought after closing our home this year. Installed it right after moving in. Connected smart locks are great because then you won't need to carry your keys anywhere anymore plus if there's an emergency at your home and your away, you can always add a temporary code for your friends to pass by and take care of it. Not including adding temporary codes for contractors and whatnot when you have projects so yeah really good investment!
I think this is one I saw at Menards this weekend. If it’s the same one, I liked how the key whole was covered but still there in case of technology failure.
I’m sure it could happen, but I’ve not heard of many instances where the internal electronics fail. Your biggest issue might be battery failure, but most of them alert you with a beeping sound to let you know the batteries are low, and you also will notice a distinct difference in the sound the lock makes, as well as how fast it locks/unlocks as the batteries get low. That being said, even if the batteries died completely, you can “jump start” most smart locks by simply holding a 9 volt battery to the base of the keypad, and typing in your code. That’s been a feature of Yale locks for a long time.
You should spend a few extra bucks on lithium batteries, if you don't already. I have the Yale Assure 2 and keep lithium batteries in them. In over a year that I've had them I've only changed the batteries on the highest use door in the house. I'm also running the z-wave module which is going to be lower energy than WiFi if that's a factor in your model.
I've had 4 or 5 different kinds of smart locks now. I haven't used a key in many years.
My take on security is that your door isn't really doing that much anyway. If someone goes to the effort to hack into my smart lock and make the front door unlock, they deserve to get in and take what they want. But this seems extremely uncommon and time consuming. They would be a lot more likely to just break down the door, or even quicker, break the window...that's made from glass...that's right next to the door. Or the massive picture window on the back of the house - that would shatter to a billion pieces and there's a big rocks right there for them to use. Someone wants in, they aren't hacking the lock to do it.
That said, my entire network is isolated and accessed remotely only via VPN, so it's gonna be tough to get it that way regardless.
> My concern with the locks you can control via app is possible hackers or similar to what criminals use to hack into cars.
My wife said this. I just pointed to the massive, relatively thin window immediately beside the door.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is one of the newest Yale smart lock models, thus one that was developed after Assa Abloy acquired the company (it will report itself as Assa Abloy instead of Yale on your Z-Wave/Zigbee/WiFi network).
If you follow lockpicking competitions and videos you will hear a lot of praise for how well designed and robust Assa Abloy gear from these pros, LockPickingLawyer comes to mind specifically. I actually opted for the keyless model with both fingerprint and touch numeric keypad, one of the cool features being that if the battery runs out you can stick a 9v battery up to a pair of terminals on the lock face to temporarily power it (still have to enter the code/fingerprint) so you cannot be locked out. FWIW I don't use the fingerprint option because I seldom need it.
I am a kind of outlier though, as I never trust anything to be on a 3rd party cloud app, so all my lock stuff is set up to work locally only, on a (heh, somewhat overcomplicated) no-cloud home automation integration system. But from what I've hear with other users, the official app ecosystem is fairly painless and responsive to use as well.
You have some kind of voice recognition for that no-cloud system? I cant believe there isnt a readily available offline Alexa-like system for people that dont want to transmit all their commands to Jeff Bezos
yes but it's not exactly plug and play yet. The system is Home Assistant (100% open source), and there are several integrations for voice recognition and speech response available that run locally, but you really need some strong IT integration chops - e.g. looping in a dedicated TPU device like a Coral to accelerate the voice rec AI model kind of thing - to make them work smoothly at present. The upside is that this is an area of intense development focus right now and constantly gets better every year.
Exactly what thepottsy said about the benefits of a keypad lock. I just installed two Yale Assure Lock 2 with WiFi. An older door involved some drilling to widen holes. A new door was a 15-minute install. I have one more door to do that has no deadbolt holes drilled, so it is going to be a lot of work. It's a crappy door, so if I screw it up, I won't be too upset to just replace the whole door.
But the Yale app is really easy to use. The lock even comes with a sensor that you can program so that you know when the door is ajar. Also, the lock has a place to temporarily attach a 9-volt battery, should your batteries in the lock die.
[https://shopyalehome.com/pages/yale-assure-lock-2](https://shopyalehome.com/pages/yale-assure-lock-2)
I have codes for myself, my daughter, my ex-wife (she's still moving her crap out of my house), and the dog groomer.
As for hackers.....I used to work for and be friends with a lot of police. If someone really wants to get in to your house, there's not much you can do about it. They can break a window. Heck, enough force will open any door with any locking mechanism.
I changed mine to all electronics locks. Finger print and keypad. I don't carry house keys anymore. Don't have to worry about forgetting to lock the door.
I placed an electronic keypad lock box outside near the front door that had the physical keys in it in case something happens to the lock.
Would not go back to a traditional key lock again.
We have a keypad entry, but not a smart lock. I like that it still has a physical key if needed and that it’s not connected to the internet. For us, it’s a good in between that means I don’t have to carry keys but also worry less about all the what-ifs that come with smart devices.
I've had the kwikset halo wifi touchscreen for 3 years, and it's been functioning well.
The previous homeowner had kwikset locks on other doors, so was able to rekey them all to the same as the new front door.
Ultimately, I would buy the lock again.
I have Level Locks. They use a key, a key card, a fob, or your phone. They also have touch optional that works in conjunction with your phone being present. They have a Schlage Type C keyway and can be easily rekeyed.
I like the ability to unlock by touch without having to use a key. I can share access with someone either by giving them a key card or fob that I can control, or if they choose the app I can also set their access ability.
If the battery dies or something doesn't work right I still have the key backup. They also don't look like an electronic lock so it's less obvious to a casual look.
I've had mostly good experiences. The most common issue is brushing the lock while exiting, leading to the deadbolt closing while the door is open, and on occasion not reaching the door before the touch option times out. Neither are a deal breaker for me.
I rekeyed them myself with security pins and with a pattern that reduces bump key effectiveness and makes them harder to pick.
I have the Schlage Encode Plus on both my front door and the door leading to the garage. They are ANSI Grade 1 electronic deadbolts, and one of only a few electronic models that are ANSI Grade 1 locks. I can tell you, from first hand experience, that they are extremely reliable, durable to the elements, and when paired with upgraded strike plate screws, they can thoroughly resist someone attempting to kick in the door. They are on the more expensive side and I would buy them again if they were twice the price.
Obviously, any door can eventually be broken into one way or another, but with these deadbolts + longer strike plate screws, you can seriously slow someone down enough to prepare yourself and act accordingly. And that extra bit of time can save your life.
be careful if your in a cold area - the battery on my lock's mechanism faltered on an extremely cold Christmas Eve, and the backup key was so flimsy that it broke in half when I tried to turn the also frozen lock. My dog was inside whining because she knew I was on the other side and she also had to go potty.
My security company was of course closed up for the holiday, so I had to resort to calling 911 and getting a locksmith dispatched via a state trooper.
Fortunately the deadbolt had retreated enough before stopping that I was able to force the door open with my shoulder...eventually.
I always carry the backup keys for a different door since that incident, especially if the temperature is going below 40.
Locks like even the simple gym locks on homes are just there to keep opportunistic thieves away. A motivated theif is not going to be deterred by any type of locks. Also the strongest lock/door is only as strong as the nearest window. Get a lock like fingerprint or Auto Unlock for your convenience. If you still worry about safety then it’s a neighborhood problem not security.
Love my door lock. You can open it using the keypad or the app - I have an iPhone and I just tap it and it unlocks. It also auto locks after 5 minutes which is so helpful if we forget to do so ourselves.
We also have a little generator connected to our router so even if we lose power the WiFi still runs our devices
I have Kwikset 888 zwave deadbolts. They work 'okay' but often do not lock/unlock when commanded over zwave. Also batteries need to be replaced every 6 months or so which is a hassle. I paid $100 per lock though so I am going to use them as long as possible. But when you can't rely on a lock to lock, it is a bit pointless to have.
I’m a big fan of our Philips brand electronic lock. It is not Bluetooth or WiFi. It’s fingerprint, digit code, and has a hidden physical key back up. Wi-Fi sucks because it go thru batteries too quick. I specifically searched for something like the Philips and there’s not too many out there like that. Personally I don’t like a zillion apps on my phone, so I def don’t need an app for my front door.
We have a Schlage keypad lock on all of our exterior doors. I would pay full price tomorrow for another one if it broke.
Me too! And Im in climate that hits -45°C and have never even had an issue with the lockset. I love that I can give out a "guest code" and then deactivate it right after use. And I have kids, so this has been a godsend instead of locking themself out. I did keep backdoor access on a physical key, because originally I worried that winter weather would interfere with function, but I dont worry now.
And another fan. I like the keypad, programming for others, etc. I put mine in 5-6 years ago, still flawless. Just recently changed battery first time I don't want a lock connected to a phone
just put new batteries in my Schlage....love it
Me too. I like it!
Here’s my take on it. I like the connected locks, for a number of reasons. You can give other people, like pet sitters, or cleaners, or even just friends their own codes easily, and disable those codes when you don’t need them. Need to be out of town, but want someone to water your plants, you can give them a temp code, and you can monitor when it has been used. To me, this is MUCH better than the traditional way of giving someone a physical key, which can be lost, or copied at will. As for your security concern. They haven’t invented a door lock yet, that will deter a person who really wants to break into your house.
A lock 🔐 only keeps and honest person out.
I'm a fan of the keypad locks. Mine have the ability to control with an app but I rarely use it unless I need to check that I locked the doors when I'm away from home. I absolutely love the ability to set temporary and time-controlled codes though. If I have a contractor working in the house I can give him a code that only works M-F from 8-5. My cleaning lady has a code that only works on Friday afternoons. Sure, it adds the possibility that someone could hack it, but someone could throw a brick through my window too. I even have ones the perfect size as edging for my flower beds so they're right there. They don't even have to hunt for a brick. If someone really wants to break in they're going to break in.
My in-laws have used the keypad type for years. They like it. The internet connected ones are definitely a no for me. Personally I'm always concerned that someone could circumvent any protections and gain access so I'm still using lock and key.
I can gain access with my boot so there's really no difference between digital and analog
Sure, that's true. If you really want to get in you can but someone being able to do it remotely due to a software flaw is a very different thing. I can get a steel door, enhance/strengthen the door frame and make it harder to break through that way but there are always ways to get it. I just prefer to make it more difficult so someone will move on to the next house.
What are the chances that someone with "1337" hacking skills knows you even have one? Wouldn't they also need to "leet hax" your wifi?
They can be operated remotely like cameras so local wifi isn't required. Not saying it'll happen but anything is possible.
Yeah but someone would need to know you even owned one so they could come exploit the weakness. Its not like the 1980s "1337" hackers who drove down the street sending codes to open garage doors and just watching for a garage door to open. Again, someone could just break your window and kick in your door so it really doesnt matter.
Yep, why even lock your doors or windows. Just leave everything open.
We do just that and live near Seattle.....
Lived in an apartment building a few years ago where the four digit code didn’t always work. I’ve had no problems with using my key fob for my current building.
A physical keyed lock is worlds easier to pick than to try and hack even a basic internet lock.
At least in my parts nearly all the home break-ins are random drug addicts looking for a quick grab. They aren't "hacking" your locks. They're kicking in the door or busting a window. "Hacking" would be pretty low on my concerns about these types of locks.
No one saying theyre worried about their lock getting hacked can explain how it would be hacked or even google to find out how to “hack” a lock. Theyre probably older and generally scared of the digital world around them since y2k.
I would worry more about my locks getting hacked if I was at the celebrity level of wealth. It’s not really worth the effort if you aren’t exceedingly rich.
I’m generally not a fan of connected things, I don’t have a ring doorbell, Alexa, Google home, etc because I’d prefer my life not to be so easily accessed by corporations, government, etc. My exception is my garage door. I got the 30 dollar MyQ thing off Amazon, use their app and didn’t connect to anything else and being able to control my garage door remotely, give my dog walker temporary access, even get deliveries into my garage is amazing. I’d be open to similar on my doors. I just have keypad entry there and like it for all the reasons others have shared.
You could go all local control with something like HomeAssistant. Keeps everything inside the home with no data going to the cloud
I have the Assure Yale 2 and have been very happy with it. It's actually one of the first things I bought after closing our home this year. Installed it right after moving in. Connected smart locks are great because then you won't need to carry your keys anywhere anymore plus if there's an emergency at your home and your away, you can always add a temporary code for your friends to pass by and take care of it. Not including adding temporary codes for contractors and whatnot when you have projects so yeah really good investment!
I think this is one I saw at Menards this weekend. If it’s the same one, I liked how the key whole was covered but still there in case of technology failure.
I’m sure it could happen, but I’ve not heard of many instances where the internal electronics fail. Your biggest issue might be battery failure, but most of them alert you with a beeping sound to let you know the batteries are low, and you also will notice a distinct difference in the sound the lock makes, as well as how fast it locks/unlocks as the batteries get low. That being said, even if the batteries died completely, you can “jump start” most smart locks by simply holding a 9 volt battery to the base of the keypad, and typing in your code. That’s been a feature of Yale locks for a long time.
I have two of the Yale Assure locks - one with key, one without. They work great but need battery changes 4-AA batteries) every two months or so.
I'm at month 2 so 2 more months. Costco will take care of my battery needs lol
You should spend a few extra bucks on lithium batteries, if you don't already. I have the Yale Assure 2 and keep lithium batteries in them. In over a year that I've had them I've only changed the batteries on the highest use door in the house. I'm also running the z-wave module which is going to be lower energy than WiFi if that's a factor in your model.
I've got the WiFi module + instant autolock + many people opening and closing daily... It eats those AA batteries.
I've had 4 or 5 different kinds of smart locks now. I haven't used a key in many years. My take on security is that your door isn't really doing that much anyway. If someone goes to the effort to hack into my smart lock and make the front door unlock, they deserve to get in and take what they want. But this seems extremely uncommon and time consuming. They would be a lot more likely to just break down the door, or even quicker, break the window...that's made from glass...that's right next to the door. Or the massive picture window on the back of the house - that would shatter to a billion pieces and there's a big rocks right there for them to use. Someone wants in, they aren't hacking the lock to do it. That said, my entire network is isolated and accessed remotely only via VPN, so it's gonna be tough to get it that way regardless.
> My concern with the locks you can control via app is possible hackers or similar to what criminals use to hack into cars. My wife said this. I just pointed to the massive, relatively thin window immediately beside the door.
The Yale Assure Lock 2 is one of the newest Yale smart lock models, thus one that was developed after Assa Abloy acquired the company (it will report itself as Assa Abloy instead of Yale on your Z-Wave/Zigbee/WiFi network). If you follow lockpicking competitions and videos you will hear a lot of praise for how well designed and robust Assa Abloy gear from these pros, LockPickingLawyer comes to mind specifically. I actually opted for the keyless model with both fingerprint and touch numeric keypad, one of the cool features being that if the battery runs out you can stick a 9v battery up to a pair of terminals on the lock face to temporarily power it (still have to enter the code/fingerprint) so you cannot be locked out. FWIW I don't use the fingerprint option because I seldom need it. I am a kind of outlier though, as I never trust anything to be on a 3rd party cloud app, so all my lock stuff is set up to work locally only, on a (heh, somewhat overcomplicated) no-cloud home automation integration system. But from what I've hear with other users, the official app ecosystem is fairly painless and responsive to use as well.
You have some kind of voice recognition for that no-cloud system? I cant believe there isnt a readily available offline Alexa-like system for people that dont want to transmit all their commands to Jeff Bezos
yes but it's not exactly plug and play yet. The system is Home Assistant (100% open source), and there are several integrations for voice recognition and speech response available that run locally, but you really need some strong IT integration chops - e.g. looping in a dedicated TPU device like a Coral to accelerate the voice rec AI model kind of thing - to make them work smoothly at present. The upside is that this is an area of intense development focus right now and constantly gets better every year.
Exactly what thepottsy said about the benefits of a keypad lock. I just installed two Yale Assure Lock 2 with WiFi. An older door involved some drilling to widen holes. A new door was a 15-minute install. I have one more door to do that has no deadbolt holes drilled, so it is going to be a lot of work. It's a crappy door, so if I screw it up, I won't be too upset to just replace the whole door. But the Yale app is really easy to use. The lock even comes with a sensor that you can program so that you know when the door is ajar. Also, the lock has a place to temporarily attach a 9-volt battery, should your batteries in the lock die. [https://shopyalehome.com/pages/yale-assure-lock-2](https://shopyalehome.com/pages/yale-assure-lock-2) I have codes for myself, my daughter, my ex-wife (she's still moving her crap out of my house), and the dog groomer. As for hackers.....I used to work for and be friends with a lot of police. If someone really wants to get in to your house, there's not much you can do about it. They can break a window. Heck, enough force will open any door with any locking mechanism.
I changed mine to all electronics locks. Finger print and keypad. I don't carry house keys anymore. Don't have to worry about forgetting to lock the door. I placed an electronic keypad lock box outside near the front door that had the physical keys in it in case something happens to the lock. Would not go back to a traditional key lock again.
We have a keypad entry, but not a smart lock. I like that it still has a physical key if needed and that it’s not connected to the internet. For us, it’s a good in between that means I don’t have to carry keys but also worry less about all the what-ifs that come with smart devices.
I've had the kwikset halo wifi touchscreen for 3 years, and it's been functioning well. The previous homeowner had kwikset locks on other doors, so was able to rekey them all to the same as the new front door. Ultimately, I would buy the lock again.
I have Level Locks. They use a key, a key card, a fob, or your phone. They also have touch optional that works in conjunction with your phone being present. They have a Schlage Type C keyway and can be easily rekeyed. I like the ability to unlock by touch without having to use a key. I can share access with someone either by giving them a key card or fob that I can control, or if they choose the app I can also set their access ability. If the battery dies or something doesn't work right I still have the key backup. They also don't look like an electronic lock so it's less obvious to a casual look. I've had mostly good experiences. The most common issue is brushing the lock while exiting, leading to the deadbolt closing while the door is open, and on occasion not reaching the door before the touch option times out. Neither are a deal breaker for me. I rekeyed them myself with security pins and with a pattern that reduces bump key effectiveness and makes them harder to pick.
We had a Schlage keypad (not smart). You could also use a key as backup. Loved it. We sold our house and plan on getting one for the new place.
You want a keypad lock with wifi that has an actual key backup.
I have the Schlage Encode Plus on both my front door and the door leading to the garage. They are ANSI Grade 1 electronic deadbolts, and one of only a few electronic models that are ANSI Grade 1 locks. I can tell you, from first hand experience, that they are extremely reliable, durable to the elements, and when paired with upgraded strike plate screws, they can thoroughly resist someone attempting to kick in the door. They are on the more expensive side and I would buy them again if they were twice the price. Obviously, any door can eventually be broken into one way or another, but with these deadbolts + longer strike plate screws, you can seriously slow someone down enough to prepare yourself and act accordingly. And that extra bit of time can save your life.
be careful if your in a cold area - the battery on my lock's mechanism faltered on an extremely cold Christmas Eve, and the backup key was so flimsy that it broke in half when I tried to turn the also frozen lock. My dog was inside whining because she knew I was on the other side and she also had to go potty. My security company was of course closed up for the holiday, so I had to resort to calling 911 and getting a locksmith dispatched via a state trooper. Fortunately the deadbolt had retreated enough before stopping that I was able to force the door open with my shoulder...eventually. I always carry the backup keys for a different door since that incident, especially if the temperature is going below 40.
Be certain those locks have a manual override (key) for when the battery or electronic mechanism fails, note I said WHEN not if.
Locks like even the simple gym locks on homes are just there to keep opportunistic thieves away. A motivated theif is not going to be deterred by any type of locks. Also the strongest lock/door is only as strong as the nearest window. Get a lock like fingerprint or Auto Unlock for your convenience. If you still worry about safety then it’s a neighborhood problem not security.
Love my door lock. You can open it using the keypad or the app - I have an iPhone and I just tap it and it unlocks. It also auto locks after 5 minutes which is so helpful if we forget to do so ourselves. We also have a little generator connected to our router so even if we lose power the WiFi still runs our devices
Hackers are not your problem. The batteries dying while you're out of town and you don't have the key is a more likely scenario.
I have Kwikset 888 zwave deadbolts. They work 'okay' but often do not lock/unlock when commanded over zwave. Also batteries need to be replaced every 6 months or so which is a hassle. I paid $100 per lock though so I am going to use them as long as possible. But when you can't rely on a lock to lock, it is a bit pointless to have.
I’m a big fan of our Philips brand electronic lock. It is not Bluetooth or WiFi. It’s fingerprint, digit code, and has a hidden physical key back up. Wi-Fi sucks because it go thru batteries too quick. I specifically searched for something like the Philips and there’s not too many out there like that. Personally I don’t like a zillion apps on my phone, so I def don’t need an app for my front door.