Smart home technology is slowly becoming a part of our everyday lives. From smart speakers like Amazon Alexa or Google Home to affordable Wi-Fi cameras or smart lighting. But another type of smart home technology is growing in popularity — smart door locks in Canada are the next hot smart technology trend.
Smart locks are usually Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled deadbolts that let you lock and unlock your door through a standard door key, passcode, your phone, or a third-party application. These locks have gained popularity in Canada due to their versatility and ease of use.
For example, with a smart door lock, you can allow guests or service providers to enter your home without your presence and allow or revoke access at will. Some locks will even allow admittance of Amazon delivery drivers when you use a service like Amazon Home Key.
If you’re considering adding a smart door lock to your home’s technology lineup, here are our picks for the best locks, along with what to consider when choosing a smart lock and how to install them.
How Secure are Smart Locks?
Before purchasing a smart door lock, it’s important to understand how secure they are. Most of the locks we review can be unlocked in a variety of ways: with a key, by entering a code into a keypad, or with your phone. This redundancy means it’s unlikely you will be locked out due to a dead battery or a lock on the fritz.
When it comes to the possibilities of outside hackers unlocking your door, there is some minimal risk, as there is with any smart technology getting hijacked. You can mitigate this risk by regularly changing the password to your app, staying away from unknown manufacturers that may have vulnerabilities in their software, and avoiding unnecessary third-party integrations.
Finally, are smart home locks more susceptible to break-ins? The answer depends on the lock. A well-made smart lock from a reputable lock manufacturer will have the necessary safety features to resist an attack. If your smart door lock has a built-in alarm, it may be even safer than a standard deadbolt.
5 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Smart Lock
These locks aren’t just a piece of electronic equipment. They perform the essential service of keeping your home secure. So it’s vital to choose a smart lock that will accomplish this core function well in addition to the flashy integrations that make it appealing as a piece of smart home technology.
Here’s what we considered when choosing the best smart door locks in Canada.
1. Reliability
A smart door lock that will reliably lock and keep your home safe is the foremost quality you should consider. To ensure your lock is reliable, consider choosing a recognized brand. Brands like Schlage, Weiser, and August are good choices.
2. Connectivity
What makes a smart lock different from a regular deadbolt? The ability to connect control it through your smartphone. When evaluating a potential smart lock, consider how it achieves this connection. Ask yourself these questions:
- Does it use Bluetooth, which requires you to be physically near the lock to interact with it?
- Does it use Wi-Fi, and if so, is there an additional module, or bridge, necessary to connect?
- Do the lock reviews indicate whether the connectivity technology is clunky, or is connecting a breeze?
- Finally, does the smart lock connect directly to your smartphone via an app, or do you need to use a third-party system like ZigBee, Z-wave, or similar?
3. Integrations
Suppose this isn’t your first smart home technology purchase. In that case, you might be interested in integrating your smart door lock with the other technology in your home, for example, creating a routine that unlocks your door, turns on your lighting, and plays your favourite music when you come home. You’ll need a smart door lock that goes beyond a manufacturer’s app and offers third-party integration with software like Apple HomeKit, Google Home, IFTTT, or Amazon Alexa for this level of functionality.
4. Features
While smart door locks must perform essential functions like keeping your home safe and smartphone accessibility, most have additional features that are just plain fun to use. Here’s a list of features that the average smart door lock may have:
- Geofencing: Track your phone’s location to automatically unlock and lock your door as you come and go from your home automatically.
- Guest access: If you anticipate giving guests access to your home, your smart lock may have a way to pair their phone with your lock temporarily or to issue unique and temporary access codes.
- Tamper alarm: If your smart door lock detects forced entry, it may be able to sound an alarm. Although this alarm won’t summon the authorities, it may be enough to deter the intruder.
- Touchpad: Most smart door locks have a touchpad for quick access when you don’t have your phone handy.
- Voice activation: Third-party integrations with Amazon Alexa or Apple Homekit allow you to command your door to lock and unlock using just your voice.
- Auto-locking: Automatic locking will automatically engage the deadbolt of a door after a period of time has elapsed.
5. Cost
Finally, there is the cost to consider. Depending on the features, smart door locks range from $150 to $350. Of course, the higher the price, the more features your smart lock will have.
Our Picks for Best Smart Door Locks in Canada
Best Overall: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
- Price: $279
- Available at: Best Buy
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Bridge Required: No
- Manufacturer App: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit
The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock doesn’t look like a lock initially, but this little circle of metal packs many features. The August lock has unlimited codes, senses when the door is left ajar, and, since it installs on the inside of your door, allows you to still use keys from your existing deadbolt. The only downside of this lock is that if you wish to integrate a keypad, that is sold separately.
Best Looking: Schlage Sense Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
- Price: $349
- Available at: Canadian Tire
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Bridge Required: No
- Manufacturer App: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa, Google Home
If you’re looking for a smart lock with all of the bells and whistles, that has been reliably designed as a deadbolt lock first and is sleek enough to blend in with all decor styles, this lock is for you. The Schlage Sense Encode does not require a bridge, connecting straight to your Wi-Fi from your phone, and allowing you to program 100 unique codes. This lock has an included keypad, a tamper alarm to deter thieves, auto-locking functions, and it even supports Amazon Home Key, which lets delivery people temporarily open your door to deposit parcels.
Best for Your Budget: Wyze Smart Lock
- Price: $149
- Available at: Amazon.ca
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Bridge Required: Yes
- Manufacturer App: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa, Google Home
For a budget-friendly lock, look no further than this Wyze model. Starting at just $149, this lock requires a bridge, homes without a keypad (which can be added for an extra fee), and lacks some of the features other, more expensive locks consider standard (like a keypad). That said, if your goal is to be able to lock and unlock your door remotely, this lock will get the job done.
Best Minimalist Design: Yale Real Living Assure SL
- Price: $250
- Available at: Amazon.ca
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, Z-Wave Plus, Zigbee
- Bridge Required: Yes
- Manufacturer App: Yes
- Integrations: Alexa, Google Home, Apple Homekit, SmartThings
For an ultra-modern look, the Yale Real Living Assure SL is sure to impress. This sleek little lock is available in a variety of finishes and integrates through the included bridge to several third-party applications. You can program up to 250 codes into this lock, but make sure you keep the battery charged, as there is no option for a keyed entry.
How to Install a Smart Door Lock in Canada
Once you’ve selected your smart lock, it’s time to install it. Fortunately, this project is very DIY-friendly, and you’ll be able to tackle it with a power drill or screwdriver. The entire process should take no more than 30 minutes. It’s important to follow the instructions step by step, especially when attempting to pair the lock with your smartphone or bridge. A misstep derails the process and requires you to start back at the beginning. Ultimately, the manufacturer’s website is the best place to go if you are having trouble installing your smart lock.
Should You Buy a Smart Door Lock?
After reviewing all of the options and getting to know what makes smart technology so valuable as a homeowner, you probably know whether this decision makes sense for you. Either way, being aware of what options are available can help a last-minute decision as a homeowner that much easier.
