New Level smart lock may be the smallest ever made, but it has tons of featuresĪ smart lock is often one of the first types of smart tech someone encounters, and for the past few years, CES has been a treasure trove of smart lock technology from a dozen different companies. What is a smart lock and how does it work? The Halo doesn’t have a match when it comes to its strength and toughness, but the tech isn’t great. If you want a smart lock with a keypad, opt for the Nest X Yale or the Schlage Encode. They cost about the same, but these locks function better overall. The August Smart Lock Pro is only $85, and it works with your current deadbolt. At $229, other smart locks are priced better and work better. The keypad is a hassle, and installing a new deadbolt is a big turn off. So far as I can tell, the feature simply doesn’t work as advertise. I contacted the company’s support team, and they said it may be due to low batteries or the connection coming loose. Other attempts haven’t yielded an alarm, either. I entered three random codes, and to my dismay, nothing happened. So, in the interest of science, I tried it out. Image used with permission by copyright holder This would instantly let you know if someone was trying to figure out your code and break into your home. One of the features I liked when I first learned of the Halo is that an alarm sounds if the code is entered incorrectly three times. I can see where that would come in handy. It’s a shame, because this lock can store up to 250 user codes, complete with time limits and expiration dates that you can control through the app. It undermines the whole point of a smart lock with a keypad, but that tells you how much I don’t like the Halo’s keypad. Then, you can use your keys or the app to control the locking and unlocking of your door. One feature I like is that you can use the app to turn off the keypad altogether. I tried wiping the touchpad after using it, but who is really going to clean off their lock every time they use it? That means a would-be crook could take a look at the pattern of fingerprints on the touchpad and come up with your code easily. If you’re in a hurry to get inside, this is a no-go.Īlso, the keypad shows fingerprints clearly. I’d stand around, tapping the screen impatiently, trying to get it to come back to life for a minute or two. I found that if I didn’t type in my code fast enough, within seconds, the pad would go to sleep and wouldn’t wake back up. You need to touch the pad to activate it, and then type in your key code. While the Halo has a keypad that lights up for easy viewing, it doesn’t escape the inherent problems with touch pads. Keypad and access Image used with permission by copyright holder You can tell just by its heft that it’s made to last. Even the connecting wires inside are reinforced. The Halo is kick-proof, fire resistant for up to 20 minutes, pick resistant, and hardened against drills or saws. The most trait of this smart lock is its toughness. I had to find it again, and then try to find the installation screen I was at before the interruption. When that was done, it didn’t take me back to the installation process. When I came back to the app, it insisted I go through a long, drawn out account sign up process. However, I had to switch screens to answer a text. You then need to follow the on-screen instructions to install the lock. The quick start guide tells you to download the app. My biggest installation frustration, though, was due to the app. Lockly Flex Touch ditches the bulk in favor of a slimmer fingerprint smart lock Lockly smart lock adds voice controls, fingerprint sensor to existing deadbolts Aqara launches U100 smart lock with full Apple HomeKit support
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