Pros and Cons of Smart Lock Technology

Pros

Create codes for others.

There are many positive features of smart lock technology. Perhaps the most useful application of smart locks are the ability to create codes for others and send them remotely. This would allow a friend access to your house while your away so they can water your plants, bring your mail inside, or feed your animals. Once you return home, you (as the admin) have the ability to delete your friends code, revoking their access.

Different codes means different access.

Say your friend is coming over while you are out of town, you don't want them to have access to everything, do you? With smart locks, you can have a different code for each lock in your house, or sent access priority. While the admin (house owner) has the greatest amount of access, they can grant lower levels to others. This way when your friend is feeding your cat, he can't go in to your room, safe or any other areas that their priority does not allow them to be.

No extra baggage and easy to use.

Another advantage that smart locks have is that they don't require the user to carry anything extra. Since most people who would want a smart lock already have a smart phone, the convenience is a huge advantage. The app that correlates with the smart lock may take up some memory on the users phone, but it doesn't force the user to carry around anything else. The fact that most users already know how smart phones work means that there is almost no learning curve to managing your smart lock.

Advanced Monitoring.

By using the app on your smart phone, you will be able to see who has entered and left your house. This way you can see how long your friend stopped by to feed your cat, or if your kids will be home when you arrive.

Cons

Vulnerable Codes.

If you are using an older system that lets you create the codes, or has a digital pad lock, your codes are very vulnerable, especially if you picked a weak code like "1234".

Hackable Software.

Like all other technology, smart locks are hacakble. If someone wanted to gain access to your home or your belongings, they could potentially hack in to your house, especially if the locks firmware isn't kept updated. At DEF CON 2016, two security experts tested sixteen smart locks, and found that 75% were not sufficiently secure.

Limited Integration.

Although most smart locks and smart locks apps can be integrated with doorbells and security systems, they can not be integrated with other technologies like the Amazon Echo. This may be a problem for the smart lock industry due to the ever rising desire of fully integrated houses.

High Price.

Since smart locks are a relatively new technology, they are not cheap. The high end smart lock systems cost ~$200 and could cost more if you are hoping to have the locks on multiple doors, toolboxes or safes.