Smart Locks Explained: Are They Actually More Secure Than Traditional Deadbolts?

Smart locks are one of the fastest-growing categories in home security, with the market expected to exceed $4 billion by 2027. The pitch is compelling: unlock your door with your phone, give temporary codes to guests, see who comes and goes, and auto-lock when you forget. But plenty of homeowners worry that adding technology to their deadbolt creates new vulnerabilities. Here's what our testing found.

Smart Locks vs. Traditional Deadbolts: Security Comparison

Physical security: Most quality smart locks use the same ANSI Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt mechanisms as traditional locks. The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Yale Assure Lock 2, and Schlage Encode Plus all meet ANSI Grade 1 - the highest standard, rated to withstand 10 strikes of 75 pounds of force. Physically, they're equally strong. A burglar kicking your door won't notice the difference.

Lock-picking resistance: Traditional deadbolts and smart locks use the same physical keyway mechanisms (or eliminate them entirely with keypad-only models). Smart locks don't introduce new physical vulnerabilities. In fact, keypad-only models like the Yale Assure Lock 2 eliminate the keyhole entirely, removing the lock-picking attack vector completely.

Digital vulnerabilities: This is where the legitimate concern lies. Smart locks communicate via Bluetooth, WiFi, or Z-Wave - all of which are theoretically hackable. However, in practical terms, the risk is extremely low. Modern smart locks use AES-128 or AES-256 encryption (the same standard used by banks). There are zero documented cases of a residential smart lock being hacked in a real-world burglary. Burglars overwhelmingly use physical force or enter through unlocked doors - they don't carry Bluetooth hacking equipment.

The Real Security Advantage of Smart Locks

The biggest security benefit isn't the lock mechanism itself - it's behavioral. Remember that 37.8% of burglaries involve entry through unlocked doors? Smart locks solve this directly with auto-lock features that engage the deadbolt automatically after a set time (30 seconds to 5 minutes). In our testing households, forgotten-to-lock incidents dropped from an average of 3-4 times per week to essentially zero.

Temporary access codes eliminate the security risk of hiding spare keys (under mats, in fake rocks - burglars check these first). Give your dog walker a code that only works weekdays 11 AM-1 PM. Give your Airbnb guest a code that expires at checkout. Give your kid a permanent code so they never need a key. Each code is trackable, time-limited, and instantly revocable.

Activity logs show exactly when every door lock and unlock event occurred, and which code was used. This is invaluable for parents tracking when kids get home from school, for monitoring caregiver access for elderly family members, and for forensic purposes if a break-in does occur.

Integration With Security Systems

Smart locks become significantly more powerful when connected to a home security system. With Vivint, your smart lock can automatically arm the security system when you lock the door and leave. ADT with Google Nest can unlock the door for verified visitors through the Trusted Neighbor feature. Ring Alarm's Alexa integration lets you lock all doors with a single voice command at bedtime.

The security automation possibilities are substantial: door locks at 11 PM, system arms in "stay" mode, lights dim, cameras switch to night mode - all triggered by locking your door or saying "Alexa, goodnight." These routines eliminate the human error that causes most security gaps.

What to Look for When Buying

ANSI Grade 1 rating - non-negotiable for exterior doors. Grade 2 is acceptable for interior doors or low-risk entries. Avoid anything without an ANSI rating.

Auto-lock feature - the single most valuable security function. If the lock doesn't auto-engage after a configurable timeout, it's missing the primary benefit.

Battery life - most smart locks run on 4 AA batteries lasting 6-12 months. Check the low-battery notification system. A dead smart lock typically still works with a physical key backup, but you lose all smart features until batteries are replaced.

Compatibility - check that the lock works with your security system (Z-Wave for Vivint/Frontpoint, WiFi for Ring, Works With Google for ADT). Also verify it fits your door - smart locks are thicker than traditional deadbolts and some don't fit doors with narrow stile widths.

Our Verdict