Smart Lock Buying Guide: What to Look for Before You Install One (2026)

Smart locks have gone from novelty gadgets to genuinely useful home security upgrades. You can let a dog walker in without a spare key, check whether you locked up from your office, and set unique codes for family members. But not every smart lock is built the same, and picking the wrong one can leave you dealing with dead batteries, weak security, or a door that will not talk to the rest of your smart home.

This guide walks through what to check before you buy, so your new lock actually makes your home safer and more convenient instead of adding a new headache.

Start With Your Door, Not the Lock#

Before comparing features, measure your door and hardware. Most smart locks are designed to replace a standard deadbolt, but the details matter.

Check these before shopping:

• Door thickness. Most smart deadbolts fit standard 1.375 to 2 inch thick doors, but some struggle with extra-thick or metal doors.
• Backset measurement. This is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the bolt hole, usually 2 3/8 or 2 3/4 inches.
• Existing deadbolt type. Single-cylinder deadbolts (key outside, thumb-turn inside) are the easiest to retrofit. Some smart locks replace the entire deadbolt; others, like lock-and-latch retrofit kits, attach over your existing hardware.
• Door material. Fiberglass, wood, and metal doors can all work, but some locks have known compatibility issues with certain frames or storm doors.

Skipping this step is the most common reason DIY smart lock installs go wrong.

Decide How You Want to Get In#

Smart locks offer several unlock methods, and the best one depends on your household.

Keypad codes are the most popular option. You can assign a permanent code to family members and temporary codes to guests, cleaners, or contractors, then delete them when they are no longer needed.

Smartphone app control lets you lock and unlock remotely, which is handy for letting in a delivery person or checking the door status while traveling.

Bluetooth or auto-unlock detects your phone as you approach and unlocks automatically. Convenient, but it depends on your phone's Bluetooth staying on and can occasionally be slow or inconsistent.

Physical key backup is worth prioritizing. Batteries die, apps crash, and internet outages happen. A lock that still accepts a traditional key, or at least has a reliable manual override, gives you a fallback when technology fails.

Voice assistant integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Home is a nice-to-have for some households, but be cautious about voice-unlocking your front door unless you have added a PIN confirmation step.

Look Past the Marketing at Actual Security#

A smart lock is still a physical lock, and the fundamentals still apply.

Check whether the lock has an ANSI/BHMA Grade rating. Grade 1 is the highest residential security and durability rating, Grade 2 is standard, and Grade 3 is the minimum acceptable grade for a home. The ANSI/BHMA A156.36 standard covers auxiliary hardware including many smart locks, so look for that certification on the product page or spec sheet.

Also consider:

• Encryption standards. Locks that use Bluetooth Low Energy or Wi-Fi should support current encryption protocols rather than outdated ones.
• Tamper alerts. Some locks notify you if someone attempts to force the lock or repeatedly enters wrong codes.
• Firmware update history. A manufacturer that regularly patches security vulnerabilities is a good sign. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) publishes general guidance on IoT device security that is worth a skim if you want to understand what "secure by design" actually means for connected devices.
• Local vs. cloud dependency. Understand whether your lock still works during an internet outage. Locks that operate over Bluetooth locally tend to be more resilient than ones fully dependent on cloud servers.

Think About How It Fits Your Smart Home#

A smart lock rarely lives in isolation. It should work well with whatever else you have or plan to add.

Ask these questions before buying:

1. Does it use Z-Wave, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or Matter? Matter is an emerging cross-brand smart home standard backed by major manufacturers, and locks that support it are more likely to play nicely with different ecosystems over time.
2. Will it integrate with your existing security system, alerting you or your monitoring provider if the door is forced or left unlocked?
3. Can it trigger automations, like turning on entry lights when you unlock the door at night?

If you already have, or are considering, a professionally monitored security system, this is where a smart lock earns its keep. A lock that reports status to your monitoring platform means someone can flag unusual entry activity or verify the door's status during an alarm event, not just log unlock times in an app nobody checks.

Battery Life and Maintenance Reality Check#

Manufacturers advertise battery life under ideal conditions, and real-world use rarely matches the marketing number. Cold weather, frequent use, and Wi-Fi-connected models all drain batteries faster.

Look for:

• Low battery alerts sent to your phone well before the lock actually dies.
• External power backup, such as a 9-volt battery contact point on the outside of the lock, so you are not locked out if the internal batteries fail.
• Battery type and cost. Some locks use standard AA batteries, which are cheap and easy to replace. Others use proprietary battery packs that cost more and are harder to find in a pinch.

Installation: DIY or Professional?#

Many smart locks are marketed as 20-minute DIY installs, and for a straightforward deadbolt swap, that is often realistic. But a poorly aligned strike plate or a misjudged backset can cause the bolt to bind, which either damages the lock's motor over time or leaves the door not fully secured.

If you are already having a security system professionally installed, it often makes sense to have the smart lock installed and configured at the same time. That way the installer can confirm the door hardware is properly aligned and that the lock is correctly integrated with your monitoring setup, rather than treating it as a separate afterthought project.

How a Smart Lock Fits Into Your Overall Security Plan#

A smart lock is one layer of protection, not a replacement for a full security system. It is excellent for managing who can get in and when, but it does not detect a break-in through a window, alert you to smoke, or connect to a monitoring center that can dispatch help.

That is why smart locks work best as part of a broader setup that includes door and window sensors, cameras, and 24/7 professional monitoring. When ADT-monitored systems and smart locks are integrated, you get both convenience (managing entry codes and remote locking) and real protection (a monitored network that responds to actual threats).

If you are weighing a smart lock purchase alongside a broader home security upgrade, it is worth comparing options rather than buying pieces separately. You can browse more smart-home and security topics on our resources page, or head back to our homepage to see how professionally monitored systems and smart-home devices work together.

Quick Buying Checklist#

Before you check out, confirm the lock:

• Fits your door thickness, backset, and existing deadbolt type
• Has a physical key or reliable manual backup
• Carries an ANSI/BHMA grade rating appropriate for a home
• Uses current encryption and receives regular firmware updates
• Works with your preferred smart home protocol (Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, Zigbee, or Matter)
• Sends low battery alerts and has a backup power option
• Can integrate with a monitored security system if you have or plan to add one

Common Questions#

Is a smart lock actually more secure than a traditional deadbolt?

It depends on the lock. A well-built smart lock with a Grade 1 or Grade 2 rating and strong encryption can match or exceed traditional deadbolt security, plus give you activity logs and remote control. A poorly made smart lock, though, can actually be a weaker point if it lacks proper certification or has known firmware vulnerabilities. Check the manufacturer's security documentation before assuming "smart" means "more secure."

Do smart locks work during a power outage or internet outage?

Most smart locks run on batteries, so a home power outage typically will not disable them. An internet outage is a different story. Locks that rely on Wi-Fi for daily operation may lose remote access features until the connection returns, while locks built around Bluetooth or Z-Wave often keep working locally even without internet. If remote access during outages matters to you, ask about this specifically before buying.

Can I add a smart lock to a system that is already professionally monitored?

In most cases, yes. Many smart locks integrate with existing monitored security platforms, letting your system reflect door lock status alongside sensors and cameras. If you already work with a provider, or are considering one, it is worth asking whether your preferred lock brand is supported. You can call 833-842-0818 to talk through compatibility with an ADT-authorized specialist before you buy.

Get a Free Quote#

Ready to protect what matters most? Get a free, no obligation quote on a professionally installed ADT home security system with 24/7 monitoring from MFPGSecurity. Request your free quote or call 833-842-0818 to talk with a security specialist today.