Smart lock buying guide: what to check before you buy
Short answer: buy a smart lock that fits your door’s measurements, connects the way the rest of your home does, has a backup way in when the battery dies, and has a real ANSI/BHMA security grade. Measure first, then shop.
1. Measure your door first
Most smart deadbolts replace a standard deadbolt, so your door needs to match what the lock is built for. Check three things:
- Backset: the distance from the door edge to the center of the deadbolt hole. US homes almost always use 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inches.
- Bore hole: the big round hole through the door, usually 2-1/8 inches across.
- Door thickness: most residential doors are 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick.
If your door is thicker, has a mortise lock, or has a handle set joined to the deadbolt, check the fit list before you buy.
2. Pick how it connects
- Bluetooth: works from your phone when you’re near the door. Simple, but no remote access without a hub or bridge.
- Wi-Fi: remote access without a hub, usually at the cost of shorter battery life.
- Z-Wave or Zigbee: for homes that already run a smart-home hub.
- Matter (often over Thread): a newer shared standard meant to work across Apple, Google, Amazon and other systems.
Pick the one that matches what’s already in your house so you aren’t running two apps for one door.
Smart lock fit check
| Backset (edge to hole center) | 2-3/8 in or 2-3/4 in |
| Bore hole diameter | 2-1/8 in |
| Door thickness most locks fit | 1-3/8 in to 1-3/4 in |
| Common battery setup | AA batteries, often 4 |
| Security grades (ANSI/BHMA) | Grade 1, 2 or 3 (1 is strongest) |
3. Plan for a dead battery
Most smart locks run on AA batteries and warn you in the app when they get low. Still, have a backup way in: a keyed cylinder, or emergency power terminals on the outside (some models take a 9-volt or USB-C jump). If your keypad faces the afternoon sun, check the operating temperature on the spec sheet. Austin summers are hard on electronics.
4. Check the security grade, not just the features
A smart lock is still a deadbolt. Look for an ANSI/BHMA grade on the box or spec sheet. Grade 1 is the strongest and Grade 2 is a good level for most homes. Pair it with a reinforced strike plate and 3-inch screws into the framing.
5. Set it up safely
- Change any default code on day one.
- Give each person their own code, so you can delete one without changing everyone’s.
- Turn on auto-lock if your household tends to forget.
- Keep the app and lock firmware updated.
6. Renters and HOAs
In a rental, check your lease before swapping a lock. In Texas, landlords have duties around security devices and may require a key or code. If it has a keyed backup, a locksmith can rekey that cylinder to match your other doors so you still carry one key. See our residential locksmith services for installs.
Quick answers
Will a smart lock fit my door?
Most smart deadbolts fit doors with a 2-3/8 or 2-3/4 inch backset, a 2-1/8 inch bore hole and a door 1-3/8 to 1-3/4 inches thick. Measure before you buy.
What happens if the smart lock battery dies?
Most locks warn you well before the batteries run out. Choose one with a keyed backup or external emergency power terminals so you can still get in.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth smart lock?
Bluetooth works when you're near the door and is easy on batteries. Wi-Fi adds remote access without a hub but usually drains batteries faster.
Are smart locks as secure as regular deadbolts?
They can be. Look for an ANSI/BHMA grade, use a reinforced strike plate, change default codes and keep the firmware updated.
Can a locksmith install a smart lock?
Yes. A locksmith can fit it to your door, adjust the strike so the bolt throws cleanly, and rekey any keyed backup to match your other locks.