Best Smart Locks for Apartment: Detailed Buying Guide & Top Picks for You
Apartment smart locks enable you to unlock your door even without mechanical keys.
You can even share access for your family or friends even miles away with the remote unlock function.
Today, we have listed 3 main points for you to pick the best smart locks for your apartment door ASAP.
And we also recommend top 3 picks of smart locks for apartment buildings, including the main pros, cons and videos!
Note: If you want to make your flat even smarter, you can check this post to get best doorbells for your apartment.
Content:
#1. How to Choose Apartment Smart Locks
#2. Best Smart Locks for Apartment Buildings
#1. How to Choose Best Smart Locks for Apartment: Top 5 Points to Note
Different apartment smart lock types come up with various features for your needs.
You can go through the below features that you can expect from a smart lock for your apartment door.
1. Pick an Apartment Smart Lock That Fits over the Existing Deadbolt
When you rent an apartment, your landlord would not allow you to rip the existing deadbolt to put up your own smart lock.
Thus, make sure you opt to a smart lock for your apartment door that doesn’t require completely changing the existing lock.
You can install your own smart lock over the existing deadbolt and recover the door back to the same status after you have left the condo.
2. Easy to Install
Obviously, you don’t want a smart lock that needs a whole installation team to mount it to your rented apartment door.
Therefore, always get a smart lock that you can DIY installing by yourself.
For example, you can read the reviews of the previous customers to see how long they need to install the smart lock.
Or you can look through the product page to see whether the apartment building smart lock is DIY type.
3. Battery Powered Design
Always pick a battery operated smart lock for your apt building so that you don’t need to run any cable to power the smart deadbolt.
Simply insert the batteries to the smart lock body, mount it to the flat door and all is done.
Don’t forget to get an apartment smart lock with long battery life so that you don’t need to change the batteries frequently.
Take Schlage Sense smart lock as an example. The battery can last up to 1 year after fully charged.
4. Remote Control
Smart features like remote lock/unlock, scheduling guest access would be extremely convenient for your daily life.
You can unlock your door even without a mechanical key. Get direct access to your home in a 100% keyless way.
Thus, you don’t need to worry about forgetting to take the keys with you or losing the keys.
When your friends, neighbors or guests visit your home, you can unlock the door for them remotely via your smartphone, without letting them wait for you outside your porch.
5. Smart Home Compatibility (Add-on Feature)
If you have an Alexa device, a Google Home or HomePod smart speaker, you can opt to a smart lock that is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant for your apartment door.
By linking your smart lock to the Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control the door via your voice in a 100% hands-free way.
Also, you can also opt to a smart lock that works with third-party protocol, like Z-Wave, Zigbee so that you can integrate your smart lock with other smart devices, such as a video doorbell, security camera, etc.
#2. Top 2 Best Smart Locks for Your Apartment Door & Building
We have listed 2 best smart locks for renters or dwellers, be it as a duplex, a small NYC apartment, penthouses, Classic Sixes, lofts, one-bedroom, or a communal living in the condo or complexes.
We also include each product’ features mentioned above so that you can get the best apartment-friendly smart lock.
1. Best Overall: Schlage Sense Smart Lock for Your Apartment Door
With a solid metal design, the Schlage Sense smart lock would be a nice bet for your apartment building.
With a solid lock installed on your condo door, the thieves would skip your home and seek another easier target.
Features:
The Schlage Sense smart lock is easy-to-install and can be installed above your existing door.
If your landlord allows you to change the existing door lock, you can replace it with this exceptional smart lock.
By adding the Schalge Sense WiFi Adapter to this apartment smart lock, you can lock or unlock with your smartphone wherever you are.
Combing an Alexa to the Schalge Sense smart lock and WiFi Adapter enables you to control the door via the hands-free voice control.
Pros:
. Remote lock or unlock function
. 100% battery powered
. Works with Alexa devices and Apple HomeKit devices for voice control
. Secure encryption
Cons:
. Remote access & voice control need extra devices or hubs
For more details about this apartment smart door lock, watch the video below.
2. Best Design: Ultraloq UL3 Smart Lock for Your Condo Door
Ultraloq UL3 smart lock comes with an elegant design, fits your home Décor perfectly
That’s one of the best and most versatile smart locks for apartment use.
Features:
Ultraloq UL3 is world’s FIRST 5-in-1 smart lock that is equipped with 5 entry ways, including fingerprint, password, smartphone, knock-to-open and mechanical keys.
It comes with a reversible handle for easy access. You can read this post for more details about smart locks with handle.
Its waterproof design makes it perfect for outdoor use, so the durable smart lock can withstand rain or shine, hot or rain.
The Bluetooth technology enables you to unlock your door with your mobile in a certain distance for remote control.
Pros:
. 5-in-1 invincible feature
. Bluetooth connection
. 100% battery powered
. Up to 1-year battery life
. Designed for DIY installation
Cons:
. Doesn’t work with Alexa, Google Assistant or HomeKit
. Long-distance remote control is currently NOT supported
For the video version of introducing the Ultraloq, view the video below.
