Living as a parent of six children in a remote Nebraska town, embracing modern shifts has proven challenging for Linsey Knerl. Having spent most of her life in tight-knit rural areas, aside from a brief stint in Omaha, she notes that leaving vehicles or houses unsecured and recognizing every neighbor remains typical in her locale.
However, recent local incidents, including attempted burglaries and prison escapes, have heightened concerns, especially during solitary nighttime hours at home.
Despite recognizing the need for enhanced home protection, Knerl hesitated to adopt advanced technology solutions. Her region's frequent outages from severe weather and unreliable broadband made her wary of systems dependent on mobile applications, potentially rendering them useless during disruptions.
An invitation from PCWorld changed that, prompting her to test her initial smart lock installation and document the process. Though an enthusiast of various devices and a frequent reviewer, she remained cautious about relying on such tech for safeguarding her residence, fearing scenarios like app failures or forgotten access codes stranding her outside at odd hours.
Additional worries included the time commitment for setup, her spouse's potential resistance to new tech, and the risk of abandoning the upgraded entry altogether.
Undeterred by such challenges—especially with five sons to manage—Knerl proceeded. The outcome exceeded expectations, leaving her regretting the delay in trying it.
Integrating a smart lock into her security measures proved remarkably straightforward and adaptable to different family members' tech familiarity levels. The process unfolded without drama, a welcome aspect for newcomers.
Prior to purchasing, assess your home's entryways carefully. Not every door suits every model; standard kits like the Schlage Encode Plus, which Knerl used (see the detailed expert analysis), include compatibility details on packaging. Older, irregular, or glass-paneled doors might not align well.
Knerl selected an exterior door within Wi-Fi reach yet distant enough to benefit from remote access. Their choice was the garage's front entrance, exposed to harsh winter cold but lacking a prior deadbolt.
For doors without a deadbolt, drilling becomes necessary—a step they undertook. Local suppliers offer kits for this, but verify inclusion of the hole saw and latch jig, as they might sell separately. Without a skilled partner, hiring a professional completes this in under 60 minutes.
With the deadbolt opening and latch position prepared, fitting the device required minimal effort, wrapping up in fewer than 10 minutes—far from a full-day endeavor, freeing time from other obligations.
Key insights from the setup include opting for battery-operated models over wired ones. The latter demand electrical expertise and extend the labor significantly.
Knerl's mixed feelings toward devices stem from data privacy issues and app overload, but smart locks offer flexibility. They integrate into broader smart setups or function independently.
Initial setup involves downloading the app and creating a complimentary account, but ongoing reliance on it is not mandatory. Her unit included a physical key and keypad, allowing disconnection from voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home if preferred. During blackouts or connectivity lapses, battery and code entry or the traditional key suffice. This setup suits families delaying smartphone access for children, enabling independent entry while upholding limits.
The guest code feature stands out, permitting service providers, relatives, or pet caregivers temporary access via unique codes. App alerts track entries and exits, with easy revocation options.
Alternatives feature biometric scanning, which Knerl avoided due to glove use in cold seasons and reluctance to share biometric info. Users can select based on personal privacy thresholds.
The device ultimately boosts security confidence. Knerl valued instant status checks via app from any location, including late-night bedside views—ideal for avoiding winter garage chills. Note that Bluetooth-exclusive versions require proximity, unlike Wi-Fi or hub-linked ones.
It reassures when children are unsupervised at home, replacing constant reminders and confirmations with direct app verification. Alerts arrive for any activation method, from digital to manual.
Remote locking capability proved invaluable during a real local escapee alert, allowing quick securing from indoors without traversing to the garage. Though rarely time-critical, the immediacy adds practicality.
Cost concerns for premium models are valid, particularly in temporary housing or amid door upgrades. Removal, however, simplifies further than initial placement.
Retaining original components enables swift reversion or relocation of the smart unit, preserving investment across moves or renovations despite the price tag.
Knerl remains selective with innovations, skipping items like intelligent refrigerators, yet acknowledges this addition reshaped her security perspective and subtly improved daily life.
The lock streamlines protection to a single tap, akin to a vehicle remote—prioritizing safety minus disruptions like nighttime queries to confirm door status. It eases mental burdens while better shielding loved ones.
Beyond anxious verifiers, the tool benefits those in frosty areas or seeking alternatives to concealed spares. Safeguarding essentials ought to be effortless, not anxiety-inducing.
Explore TechHive's recommendations for leading smart lock options.
Linsey Knerl, a freelance contributor for over 15 years, has contributed to outlets including USA Today, PC Magazine, Tom's Guide, and others. She has held roles such as Social Media Chair and Volunteer Chair for the American Society of Journalists and Authors.