Smart Locks & Security
Browse all articles in smart locks & security
Schlage Smart Lock: Complete Guide & Model Comparison
Every Schlage smart lock compared: Arrive, Encode, Encode Plus, Connect, and Sense Pro — specs, local control, and which model fits your smart home setup today.
Yale Smart Lock: Complete Guide & Model Comparison
Every current Yale smart lock compared — Assure Lock 2, SL, Approach, and the new Matter model — with honest notes on what actually works locally with Home Assistant.
Smart Lock Installation & Retrofit Guide: Will It Fit Your Door? (2026)
Measure your door in five minutes to know if a smart lock retrofit will fit, then install it solo. Backset, bore hole, cylinder type, and real install costs.
Home Assistant Compatible Smart Locks: What Actually Works Locally (2026)
Which smart locks give Home Assistant real local control — no cloud, no subscription, works when the internet drops. Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter locks compared.
Smart Locks Compatible with Google Home, Ring & Apple HomeKit (2026)
No smart lock does Google Home, Ring, and Apple HomeKit natively the same way. Here's which locks actually work with each — and which claims are overstated.
Best Smart Home Security Systems (No Subscription Required) (2026)
Real no-subscription smart home security compared: local NVR kits, DIY Frigate builds, and which 'no monthly fee' claims are marketing spin.
Best Smart Locks 2026: The Right Pick for Every Door Type
Smart lock picks sorted by door type and real local control — Z-Wave, Matter-over-Thread, and Zigbee options for Home Assistant, plus the segments where no good option exists yet.
Kwikset Smart Lock: Complete Guide & Model Comparison (2026)
Kwikset's lineup splits into Z-Wave, Wi-Fi/Matter, and Bluetooth locks that don't integrate the same way with Home Assistant. Here's which model matches your hub.
Best Smart Locks for Sliding & Glass Doors (2026)
Most smart deadbolts don't fit sliding doors. Here's what actually locks a slider — mortise locks, retrofit kits, and local-control DIY builds that work.
Smart Lock Battery, Rekey & Troubleshooting Guide (2026)
Why your smart lock eats batteries, which ones you can actually rekey, and how to fix a jammed bolt — with per-model fixes for Schlage, Yale, Aqara and more.