Are smart locks worth it? An honest take
Keypads, fingerprints and app control are genuinely useful, for some doors and some households. What we tell customers before they buy.
Sam Porter
6 min read
We install dozens of smart locks every month, and we also remove a few. The difference usually comes down to the door, the household and the model.
Where smart locks shine
Families with kids who lose keys
Short-term rentals and cleaners who need temporary codes
Anyone who wants to check the door from bed
Garage entry doors used many times a day
Where they struggle
Doors that stick, sag or sit in full afternoon sun make motors work harder and drain batteries. We fix alignment first, otherwise even a great lock will jam.
What to look for
A physical key backup
Low-battery warnings weeks in advance
A solid Grade 2 or Grade 1 deadbolt underneath the electronics
Codes you can create and delete without a subscription
Our verdict
For a well-hung front or garage door, a good smart deadbolt is worth it. For an old door that already fights you, spend the money on the door first.
Need a locksmith right now?
Average arrival is 25 minutes across the Phoenix metro. Price on the phone first.
Tap to call, answered 24/7
(602) 555-0114
