How do you choose a smart door lock?

Before you choose a smart door lock, you want to be sure the lock suits you. Besides, not every door lock fits on every door. In this article, we'll help you choose your new smart door lock with the following questions:

• What type of door lock do you have now?
• How do you want to install the lock?
• What's the size of your cylinder?
• How does your door open?
• Who's going to use the door lock?

A smart door lock only replaces the cylinder inside your door. This is the part you normally put your key in. You can't place a smart door lock on a door with a support lock or three-point lock. You'll recognize a support lock by the large case on the inside of your door. A three-point lock locks in 3 places, as the name suggests. You'll recognize it when you see 3 locks on the side of an open door.

There are 2 ways to mount a smart door lock. You can either mount it to your current door lock or replace the cylinder. If you replace the cylinder, you have to mount the new lock to your door. This means there's a smart door lock for every cylinder lock. Make sure to measure the cylinder properly. In addition, you have to choose a door lock that rotates your current key in your current lock. These smart locks don't fit on every type of lock.

When you choose a lock that replaces your old cylinder, you'll need the size of the cylinder. This contains 2 numbers. The standard size is 30/30, for example. The first number indicates the outer size in millimeters, while the second is the inner size in millimeters. You'll find these sizes by measuring from the large screw on the side of your door up to the key hole that points inwards or outwards. You measure the inner size inwards and the outer size outwards.

There are several ways to open a smart lock. You can open certain smart door locks with an app, remote, finger scan, unique PIN code, smart key, or tag. In some cases, you connect to the lock via WiFi or Bluetooth. You often need a bridge for WiFi. Determine which way of opening you prefer in advance, so you can choose a door lock with the right options.

For standard use for you and your housemates, choose a door lock that multiple people can open. With example, with their phone, tag, or number code. Do you use a door lock for your grandmother's home care? Choose a lock with WiFi, so you choose to open the door remotely. Do you rent out your home via AirBnB? It's useful to give guests temporary access with their own code. After the rental period, the code will be invalid and guests don't have access anymore.