Quote:
Originally Posted by Barnes
There's a billion choices. My suggestion is to get one that also works with a key. I have an August Lock that is connected locally via Zwave to SmartThings but they have WiFi Versions. It replaces only the inside portion of the lock so the exterior and internal mechanisms of your existing lock stay the same and you can continue to use a key.
You can have it set to lock if unlocked after a certain time, with your phone, generate keys for visitors. Theres a version that comes with a sensor to tell if the door is not shut so it wont lock, you can set up proximity boundries to lock and unlock based on location, and there's a separate keypad you can get.
I keep it pretty simple as I am in and out of my garage and find it a pain in the ass to have to unlock it all the time but because it's tied to SmartThings it will still work with no power or if the Internet is down. I have an Alexa routine so when I say 'Goodnight', it turns off the TVs, outside, main floor and basement lights, locks the front and garage door.
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There are very few smart locks that don't take a physical key, so I don't think that's an issue. The lock needs a method to unlock as a contingency if there is no power.
What I would highly recommend though, is a smart lock with an app. That way you can enter your home using your phone or a physical key. The August lock as you mentioned lets you leave the outside lock the same, or customized to whatever compatible lock you want. This is great because it allows you to retain the profile/look outside. There are certain locks that require you swap the whole thing and I kinda found they exterior piece often looked ugly on a house door. A key pad or interface on a front door lock looks weird to me.
I used a Weiser keypad lock on a detached garage in the past and I thought it was awesome. I'm not sure I want to use an August lock on a detached garage. But an August lock for an attached garage is pretty great.