Smart Locks & Security
Browse all articles in smart locks & security
Smart Garage Door Openers: Compatibility & Buying Guide (2026)
Will a smart garage controller work with your opener? A compatibility-first guide to Security+ generations, local control, state sensing and Matter 1.5.
Smart Locks for Apartments & Rentals: No-Drill, No Permanent Install Picks (2026)
Find the best smart locks for apartments and rentals that need no permanent install. We separate true retrofits, reversible deadbolt swaps, and bedroom lever locks.
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.