ZDNET's key takeaways You can buy a Philips Home Access 4000 Series smart lock for the MSRP of $210
This smart lock is very responsive, taking quick action when commanded, and features plenty of unlocking options in the user-friendly app
The lock is a bit slow in the process of locking itself and then being receptive to a code or fingerprint and makes some errors with fingerprint unlock. View now at Amazon
The Philips Home Access 4000 Series smart lock is available for $90 off during Amazon Prime Day, now priced at only $120.
Also: The best Prime Day deals you can shop now.
Testing smart locks is more fun than you'd expect for a device with such a simple function: to lock your door with the deadbolt packed within. Different smart locks feature varied unlocking options and a wide range of reliability, while others have flashy features to make them stand out from their competitors.
But smart locks like the Philips Home Access 4000 Series are a perfect blend of simplicity and convenience. I've been testing this smart lock for weeks and have concluded it's one of the best options most people can buy, with multiple ways to unlock it that include a passcode, a physical key, fingerprint, or through the app.
Beyond unlocking options, the 4000 Series smart lock also includes a sensor that you put on your doorframe next to the deadbolt to determine whether your door is open or closed. A smart lock that only tells you when your door is unlocked or locked isn't very useful, as your deadbolt can engage when the door is wide open, and the lock would still tell you it's locked.
I appreciate having a sensor that checks whether the door is in fact closed, especially if I'm headed out the door in a hurry and want to peek at the app to ensure I closed my door. Additionally, the sensor adds auto-lock functionality, which lets me unlock and open the door and then have the deadbolt lock within a few seconds of my closing it again, no matter how long I kept it open.
This Philips smart lock does this reliably, failing to lock itself upon closing only once in the weeks I've used it.
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