Smart Lock Security: Is a Smart Lock a Smart Purchase?

Last updated: May 2026

Written by a former Certified Registered Locksmith and current IT Director with 27 years in IT and cybersecurity.

Smart locks make it easy to unlock your door with a phone, a keypad, or your voice. No fumbling for keys, no lockouts, and you can let someone in from across town with a tap. But with all that convenience comes a fair question: how secure are they, really? Understanding smart lock security starts with knowing how these devices actually work. As a former Certified Registered Locksmith, I’ve spent time on both sides of that door, and the answer is more nuanced than most buying guides will tell you. In this guide, you’ll learn how smart locks work, where they can fall short, and exactly what to look for before you buy.

Are smart locks safe? Yes, when chosen and configured correctly. Quality smart locks combine ANSI Grade 1 hardware with AES-256 encryption and regular firmware updates. The biggest risks come from weak PINs, skipped updates, and unsecured home Wi-Fi, not the lock hardware itself.

Use this smart lock security checklist before you consider setup complete.

ANSI Grade 1 rated hardware
AES-256 encrypted communication
Multi-factor authentication on the companion app
Regular firmware updates
A secured home Wi-Fi network

How Smart Locks Actually Work

Most smart locks connect to your home through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. They pair with a smartphone app so you can lock or unlock your door remotely, check history logs, or share digital access with others. Some integrate with voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home for even more control.

What separates one model from another is how it handles encryption, app security, and mechanical strength. A quality smart lock combines hardened physical hardware with secure digital protocols.

Encryption, in plain terms, means the signal between your phone and your lock is scrambled so that even if someone intercepts it, they can’t read or use it.

Smart Lock Security: Physical Strength vs. Digital Protection

When it comes to safety, a smart lock must be strong both mechanically and digitally.

Physical security: Look for locks that meet ANSI Grade 1 standards, the highest rating given by the American National Standards Institute, meaning the lock has passed rigorous tests for strength, durability, and resistance to forced entry. Locks at this level also resist picking and bumping, and the better models include tamper alerts, making them just as strong as top traditional deadbolts.

Digital security: This is where many homeowners overlook risk. Smart locks rely on encrypted communication between your phone, Wi-Fi network, and the lock itself. Without good encryption or regular firmware updates, hackers could potentially intercept or exploit the connection.

The bottom line: a smart lock is only as secure as both its hardware build and its digital design.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends keeping all connected home devices updated and segregated on a dedicated network.

Your Wi-Fi Network Is Part of Your Lock’s Security

A smart lock is only as secure as the network it runs on. Make sure your home Wi-Fi isn’t the weak link.

What Your Smart Lock Is Quietly Recording

Most people think about smart locks in terms of keeping people out. Fewer think about what the lock is quietly recording while they go about their day.

Every time someone unlocks or locks your door, that event gets logged. Timestamps, which user profile triggered it, whether it was done remotely or from the keypad, and how long the door stayed open can all be captured depending on the lock and the app. Over time that builds a surprisingly detailed record of who comes and goes from your home and when.

That log lives on the manufacturer’s cloud servers, not just in your app. Depending on the brand, it may be accessible to company employees under certain circumstances, shared with third-party platforms your lock integrates with, or potentially provided to law enforcement in response to a legal request. This has already happened in real cases involving connected home devices.

A few things worth checking before you buy or configure any smart lock:

Who controls the access logs. Can you delete them, and how far back does the history go?
Where the data is stored. On the manufacturer’s servers, a third-party cloud, or locally on your home hub?
What the app integrations share. Connecting your lock to Alexa, Google Home, or a smart home platform extends your data footprint to those platforms as well.
Whether the brand has a clear data policy. If you cannot find a plain-language explanation of what is collected and how long it is kept, that is worth noting before you hand that company a log of every entry and exit at your front door.

None of this means smart locks are a bad choice. It means they are a connected device, and connected devices require a little more thought than their mechanical counterparts. A traditional deadbolt does not phone home. A smart lock does.

If privacy is a top concern for your household, look for brands that offer local storage options or that have publicly committed to not selling user data.

For a broader look at what smart home devices collect and the practical steps to manage it, our smart home device privacy guide covers everything from voice assistants to robot vacuums, including what to look for in a brand’s privacy policy before you buy.

The Most Common Smart Lock Mistakes Homeowners Make

Here’s where most homeowners go wrong, and the fixes are usually simple:

Using weak PINs or default passwords on the lock’s keypad or companion app
Forgetting to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on the lock’s mobile app or online account
Skipping firmware updates that patch known vulnerabilities
Buying low-quality, untested brands
Overlooking the importance of securing your home Wi-Fi network, which is the foundation of every connected smart device. (Learn how in Lock Down Your Home Wi-Fi)

Smart locks are not inherently unsafe. They simply require you to treat them like any connected device: configure them properly and keep them updated.

What Happens When the Power or Wi-Fi Goes Out?

This is one of the most common questions people have before buying a smart lock, and it’s a good one.

Most smart locks run on AA or AAA batteries, not your home’s electrical system, so a power outage won’t lock you out. Battery life typically ranges from six months to a year depending on usage, and most locks will alert you in the app when the battery gets low. Some models, like the TP-Link Tapo DL110 mentioned below, use a rechargeable battery instead.

Wi-Fi outages are a different story for remote access. If your internet goes down, you generally lose the ability to control the lock from outside your home through the app. However, you can still use the keypad, fingerprint reader, or a physical key backup to get in. The lock itself keeps working locally even when the cloud connection is unavailable.

The takeaway: always maintain a physical key backup, and make sure your lock model supports keypad or fingerprint entry as a fallback.

For a broader look at how to keep your home secure when systems fail, see our Door and Window Security 101 guide.

A Quick Note on Smart Lock Installation

Most smart locks are designed as DIY installs and take about 15 to 30 minutes with a screwdriver. You do not need a locksmith. That said, if your door is misaligned, has a non-standard bore size, or you’re replacing a multipoint lock system, it’s worth getting a professional opinion before you buy.

Smart Locks Worth Considering

These are examples of well-regarded models at the time of writing. Always check current reviews before purchasing, as firmware and app quality can change.

1. Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
Built-in Wi-Fi with no hub required. ANSI Grade 1 hardware, touchscreen keypad for PIN codes, auto-lock, and tamper alarm. Works with Alexa and Google Assistant. Available in several trim styles and finishes.

2. TP-Link Tapo DL110 Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt
A modern smart deadbolt that offers six ways to unlock: fingerprint recognition, keypad passcodes, app control over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant, and a backup key. Features rapid fingerprint recognition (0.42 seconds), one-touch locking, and automatic relocking for convenience and safety. The rechargeable 10,000 mAh battery provides up to one year of use per charge and recharges easily via USB-C. You can manage up to 100 fingerprints, create custom codes for residents, and set one-time or scheduled codes for guests.

3. Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wi-Fi Smart Lock
An advanced 8-in-1 keyless entry lock with fingerprint ID, keypad access, smartphone app control, and mechanical key backup. Connects directly to Wi-Fi (no hub required) and integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, and IFTTT. Includes a door sensor for auto-locking, door-left-open alerts, and detailed access logs. Built to ANSI Grade 1 standards with an IP65 weather-resistant exterior, it’s designed for both strength and durability.

Lock	Connectivity	Entry Methods	ANSI Grade	Battery	Hub Required
Schlage Encode	Wi-Fi	Keypad, App, Voice	Grade 1	AA	No
TP-Link Tapo DL110	Wi-Fi + Bluetooth	Fingerprint, Keypad, App, Voice, Key	Not specified	Rechargeable USB-C	No
Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro	Wi-Fi	Fingerprint, Keypad, App, Voice, Key	Grade 1	AA	No

Pro Tip: Choose a smart lock that uses AES-256 encryption, supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) for its mobile app or online account, and receives regular firmware updates from the manufacturer.

What to Check Before You Buy a Smart Lock

To get the most secure setup, keep these points in mind:

Stick with reputable brands and certified models
Enable multi-factor authentication in the app
Use strong, unique admin passwords
Keep firmware updated regularly
Maintain a physical backup key
Avoid connecting through public or unsecured Wi-Fi

A few small steps go a long way toward keeping your smart lock as safe as the door it protects.

Are Smart Locks a Good Fit for Renters?

If you rent your home, smart locks can still work for you, but with some important caveats. Most smart locks replace the existing deadbolt, which typically requires your landlord’s permission. Some renter-friendly options sit over your existing deadbolt on the interior side and do not require drilling, though these tend to have more limited features.

If you own your home, there are no restrictions. Just make sure the lock you choose fits your door’s existing bore hole and backset measurements before you buy. Most major brands fit standard US door preparations.

For more renter-focused options, see our guide on home security for renters that apply whether you own or rent.

Smart Lock Security Checklist

Before you consider your smart lock fully set up, run through this quick list:

Changed the default admin password in the app
Enabled multi-factor authentication on your account
Set up auto-lock so the door never stays unlocked by accident
Registered for firmware update notifications
Confirmed your physical key backup works
Checked that your home Wi-Fi network uses WPA2 or WPA3 encryption
Reviewed which third-party platforms your lock is connected to

Smart Lock Bought? Now Check Your Privacy Settings

Your lock logs every entry and exit. Learn what your smart devices are sharing and how to manage it.

Final Thoughts

Smart locks are not magic, but they’re also not a gimmick. Smart lock security comes down to two things: choosing the right hardware and configuring it properly. The best models give you real convenience without giving up real security, as long as you choose one that’s built to a proper standard and set it up correctly.

Think of a smart lock the way you’d think about any connected device in your home: it works well when you take a few minutes to configure it properly, keep it updated, and make sure the basics around it are solid. A strong door frame, a secured Wi-Fi network, and a reliable deadbolt platform are what make a smart lock actually smart.

If you do those things, you’re not taking a risk. You’re making an upgrade.

Explore more Home Security guides for related tips, tools, and reviews.

Smart Locks FAQ

Are smart locks safer than traditional locks?

Smart locks can be equally safe or safer than traditional locks when you choose a model with ANSI Grade 1 hardware and proper encryption. The risk is not usually the lock hardware itself. It’s weak PINs, skipped software updates, or an unsecured home Wi-Fi network.

Can smart locks be hacked?

It’s possible but uncommon with reputable brands. Quality smart locks use AES-256 encryption, which is the same standard used to protect financial data. The more realistic risk is someone guessing a weak PIN or exploiting an outdated app. Keeping firmware updated and using a strong, unique password on your account eliminates most of that risk.

What happens if my Wi-Fi goes down?

You lose remote app access, but the lock itself still works. You can use the keypad, fingerprint reader, or a physical key backup to get in locally. Wi-Fi outages do not disable the lock.

What happens if the battery dies?

Most smart locks warn you in the app well before the battery gets low. If the battery does die completely, many models allow you to temporarily power the lock using an external 9-volt battery held against the terminals so you can enter and replace the batteries from inside.

Do smart locks work with Alexa or Google Home?

Most major brands do, yes. The Schlage Encode, TP-Link Tapo DL110, and Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro all support Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands like locking the door. Unlocking via voice is usually restricted for security reasons.

Can a landlord install a smart lock on a rental?

Yes, but renters typically need permission to replace the deadbolt. Some renter-friendly smart locks sit over the existing interior hardware and do not replace the deadbolt, avoiding the permission issue while still adding keypad or app access.

How do I know if a smart lock is good quality?

Look for ANSI Grade 1 certification, AES-256 encryption in the product specs, an active support history from the manufacturer for firmware updates, and reviews that specifically address the app’s reliability. Brands that have been around for several years and sell through major retailers tend to have better long-term support.

Smart locks can add convenience and security, but setup and maintenance matter. If this guide helped, share it with someone considering a smart lock.

Michael Kendrick

Director of IT and former Certified Registered Locksmith with 27 years in technology and cybersecurity. Practical, everyday guidance to help you protect everything from the locks on your doors to the logins on your accounts.