GoKawiilWhen I’m asked about smart home gadgets, I typically suggest people start at their front door, such as with a video doorbell or smart lock. Smart locks, in particular, are an obvious first step (and only step, if you prefer) into smart home tech, and they can benefit nearly anyone with a front door.
But many people without a smart lock in their lives still don’t know what it is, how it works or why they should spend money on one. It’s time for a clear explanation of this important home technology, and why I’m such a fan.
Best Smart Locks of 2026: Excellent Door Upgrades These powerful, connected locks are useful every day. We've tested the latest to find the best.
Smart lock basics
Retrofits typically only require replacing the thumb turn. Amazon
A smart lock replaces the standard deadbolt found on nearly any front door (and many other doors) in a residential building. Many models replace the deadbolt entirely, which tends to allow extra features like keypads and fingerprint readers. Other types replace only the indoor thumb turn, the knob used to move the deadbolt — a smart lock style called a retrofit — which is often cheaper and easier to install. Either way, the door handle below the lock is usually left untouched.
Once set up, the smart lock connects to your Wi-Fi router and lets you control it from your phone using a corresponding app. This allows you to operate the lock remotely, anywhere you can connect to the internet (like at work, or on vacation). That ability comes with several valuable tricks.
The inside thumbturn is usually the only part of a lock replaced in a retrofit. Tyler Lacoma/CNET
With remote locking and unlocking, you don’t have to be at home to let a pet sitter or guest inside. Most smart lock apps also let you create temporary passcodes or digital passkeys for guests, which grant access and then auto-delete after the timeframe ends.
These locks can also send alerts to your phone, notifying you when the door is locked or unlocked. You can review a history of locking/unlocking in the app, or even set the door to automatically lock after a set amount of time, so no one ever forgets to lock the door again. Those features are also handy for keeping track of someone in an aging-in-place situation.
... continue reading