Your 2023 Guide: Top Smart Locks to Consider

Chosen theme: Top Smart Locks to Consider in 2023. Step into a safer, smarter home with insights, real stories, and practical guidance on the most compelling smart locks of the year—so you can choose confidently and live more effortlessly.

Choosing the Right Lock for Your Door

Retrofit or Full Replacement

Retrofit models replace only the interior side, preserving your exterior hardware—great for rentals and historic doors. Full replacements deliver a unified look and keypad or fingerprint options. Decide based on your landlord’s rules and your preferred access style.

Door Fit, Backset, and Strike Alignment

Before buying, confirm door thickness, backset length, and strike plate alignment to avoid binding. A properly aligned deadbolt lets a smart lock turn smoothly, reducing battery drain and ensuring reliable auto-locking every day of the year.

Power, Batteries, and Alerts

Top locks in 2023 notify you early when batteries run low and allow easy swaps without re-pairing. Check for standard battery types, cold-weather performance, and emergency power options so you are never locked outside at the worst moment.

Standout Options by Need

Retrofit choices like the August Wi‑Fi Smart Lock or Level Bolt keep your exterior unchanged while delivering app control and shared access. They are discreet, reversible, and ideal when you want top-tier convenience without upsetting building guidelines.

Security and Privacy Best Practices

Assign unique PINs for family, guests, and services, and remove them promptly when no longer needed. Enable two-factor authentication in the companion app to reduce account takeover risks. Small, consistent habits keep great hardware truly secure.

Security and Privacy Best Practices

Choose locks with physical keys or reliable keypads as offline backups for Wi‑Fi outages or dead batteries. Redundant access prevents panicked situations, ensuring your 2023 pick stays convenient even when your internet service decides to take a break.

Real Stories from Everyday Use

One reader replaced a finicky deadbolt with a retrofit lock in under an hour and never looked back. Auto-unlock on approach and scheduled auto-lock at night eliminated key fumbling and become a once-unthinkable comfort they now depend on.

Real Stories from Everyday Use

A busy owner gave a recurring weekday PIN to a trusted walker, then paused it during a vacation. No key handoffs, no stress, just a tidy access record and the calming certainty that furry routines continued exactly as planned.

Maintenance, Updates, and Longevity

Battery chemistry and tight door seals affect runtime. Keep the bolt path smooth, consider lithiums for winter resilience, and watch for early low-battery warnings. The right habits turn a good lock into a set-and-forget essential.

Maintenance, Updates, and Longevity

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, enhance security, and sometimes add features. Schedule a monthly check, skim release notes, and back up your access lists. A quick routine keeps your 2023 favorite performing like new into the next year.