Smart locks are becoming increasingly popular amongst Airbnb hosts. It is an excellent fit for homeowners who want to upgrade their security.
They make it simple to keep your home secure while complying with local regulations and ensuring privacy. This article will discuss everything you need to know about smart locks and how to use them.
What Is Smart Lock?
Smart locks are advanced types locks of remotely controlled through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. With just a tap of a finger or voice command, you can unlock and lock your Airbnb home automatically. You can monitor and control your listing remotely with your Airbnb smart lock.
What to Look for When Buying Smart Locks for Your Airbnb?
Selecting the right quality, secure lock that will ensure safety and ease of movement for your guest is vital. Here are crucial things to consider when buying an Airbnb smart lock:
Ease of use
Guest accessibility should be at the top of your lock checklist. Some models of smart locks boast of having several advanced features. But sometimes, having a lot going on can make a product complex. Surely, you don’t want your guest calling you every second.
Also, consider a lock with multiple access points. For example, in a situation when a guest’s battery is flat, or there is no network – how will they gain entry to your Airbnb home?
We recommend that you go for Airbnb smart locks that incorporate keycodes as one of their entry means.
Security
Locks are to ensure security, so it is one of the main factors to consider.
Smart locks with two-factor authentication are more secure against break-ins and hacking. We recommend that you go for locks that function via Bluetooth and Wifi. Wifi-enabled locks only are deemed prone to hacking.
Smart Features
These days, smart locks have advanced features that make running your Airbnb easier and more updated. One of the most important features is the ability to control access to your property from anywhere in the world.
Also, consider smart locks with smart home integration systems. Some Wifi enabled locks can turn on lights or security cameras when integrated with your smart home system. Other features include a log catalogue that informs you about who goes in or out. But strive to keep it simple for ease of use.
Reliability
Having your guest locked out because of a defective lock has to be at the top of every host’s worst nightmare.
Checking for the reliability of a lock before purchase is not up for bargaining. As stated earlier, go for standard locks that are also keypad enabled with an option of traditional key entry. When your Wifi or Bluetooth fails, you can always rely on the keypad.
Installation
Unless your technical skills are advanced or you have an expert to help with the installation. We recommend you consider the installation process of any smart lock you intend to purchase.
Best Smart Locks For Airbnb
Now that you know the right features to check out for in a lock. Let’s look at the top 5 Airbnb Smart Locks in the market.
Yale Assure Lever Smart Lock
The Yale Assure Lock came highly recommended in the market. The smart lock made by Yale and August technology is a deadbolt lock that comes with intelligent features.
Rating on Amazon: 4.6/5 stars. Cost: $232
Product highlights:
- Battery low alert notification.
- Guests can physically disable the lock from the inside to feel more secure
- It offers voice guidance and a backlit touch screen, which helps guide your guests who aren’t good with technology
- The best feature of this smart lock is that it allows you to assign a unique access code for your guests. You can change, limit or cancel access codes from the app at your own will.
| Pro | Cons |
|---|---|
| There is an emergency 9V battery that you can plug in, in case your battery runs out. Easy installation The tapered deadbolt design ensures that it works for any door. | Normally, you have to use a 2-1/8″ hole |
August Smart Lock Pro + Connect WiFi Bridge
When it comes to Airbnb hosting, August smart locks are the best. It syncs perfectly with your Airbnb calendar, allowing you to automatically give remote access to guests, cleaning services, or anyone you trust.
The August lock has this auto-lock/unlock feature, making life easier for hosts. If you are nervous about guests remembering to lock the front door or after they check out. Then this is one of your best choices.
It is currently the market’s most advanced smart lock, but it can weigh on your pocket a bit.
Rating on Amazon: 4.5/5 stars. Cost: $156
Product highlight:
- This lock works with Z-Wave and HomeKit-based smart home systems.
- Through the Airbnb integration, guests will be invited to download the app, giving them remote access for their stay.
- You monitor the door access remotely from the app. It also notifies you when there is unscheduled/unauthorized access.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Auto lock and unlock Monitoring your Airbnb door activity Effortless installation: With a few screws and adapters, you can fit it into any door. | Works better in hotter climates if you are installing it outdoors |
Hornbill Keyless Entry Smart Lock
Out of all the Airbnb-compatible smart locks, this one has one of the best reviews on Amazon, and it is continuously improving.
Rating on Amazon: 4.1/5 Stars. Cost: $120
Product Highlights
- It can be unlocked and locked with a key, mobile app, passcode or touchscreen.
- It records every door unlock attempt, both successful and unsuccessful, in real-time.
- It has a password customization feature that allows you to generate a one-time or long-term password for any purpose.
- The mobile app displays the battery information and lets you know when to change the batteries.
Furthermore, this smart lock has an auto-lock function, so you don’t have to remember if you locked your door.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Simple programming steps Easy to Install It has excellent aesthetics | Some new installation batteries don’t last long Numbers only light up when you touch the screen |
Smonet Smart Deadbolt Lock
It has a minimalistic look with just a simple silver body and a black touchpad. Besides having a sleek look and feel to this product, the company’s customer service is also exceptional.
On a personal note, we have had some issues with a shipment before, and their customer service took care of it without much fuss. Once we had our shipment sorted, the installation was easy. You will most likely need to drill a new hole for the smart lock, but you get a drill bit and template to do it effortlessly.
Rating on Amazon: 4.5/5 stars. Cost: $206
Product Highlights
- 7 entry methods: a smartphone app, passcode, fingerprint, Bluetooth, IC card, Wifi Gateway, or mechanical keys.
- This Smart Lock works with Alexa and Apple Watch. It is also compatible with Airbnb integration.
- You can set the IC card per lock or one IC card that can unlock all smart locks in your Airbnb listing (if you have more than one)
- By using the TTLock App or Sciener App, you can give remote access to your guests, friends, cleaning service, or any employees.
- Furthermore, you can create permanent, one-time access or customized passcodes from anywhere in the world. Generate up to 500 times.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The direction of the handle can be reversed after installation. Easy to install 1-year product warranty Exceptional customer service | You can consider it expensive based on your budget Having to drill a new hole for the lock. |
Kwikset 909 SmartCode Deadbolt Lock
Kwikset is a basic deadbolt lock with intelligent features. It has multiple programmable codes and also a key entry.
Rating on Amazon: 4.6/5 stars. Cost: $183
Product highlights
- Ability to lock and unlock your door from anywhere in the world with your phone as long as you have Z-Wave support.
- It allows you to rekey a physical key to the rest of your locks.
- You can assign up to 30 passcodes for guests, friends, or cleaning services and lock the door with a touch button.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to install with a simple design Multiple program codes Built with quality | The battery that comes with the device doesn’t last as long as new ones. |
How Do Airbnb Smart Locks Work?
Every smart lock model has unique features; therefore, there is no one-way manual on how to use it. But each lock comes with a handbook explaining how to set it up and run it.
A basic smart lock process involves using an app to send a command to lock and unlock the door. When you click the action button on the app, the lock responds automatically and either confirms or rejects the action.
However, guests can also punch in the keycode manually – or use the key fob in front of the door.
Final Thoughts
A smart lock solves multiple issues for hosts, such as security, and provides guests with a more convenient way to handle door entry. If you’re not quite convinced that these locks will work for you, I highly recommend looking at some of the newer ones on the market and testing them yourself. You’ll be blown away by how convenient they are!
If you have any specific questions regarding these smart locks, feel free to leave a comment below, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
FAQs
Here is a breakdown of other questions you might have concerning the Airbnb smart lock
How do I add a smart lock to my Airbnb listing?
When it comes to locks like the August smart lock pro with native Airbnb integration, it is easily remedied. It provides an option for linking directly to your host account.
Once it is connected to your home, you can integrate it with your listing to message guests with check-in instructions when it is due.
However, for locks without an Airbnb integration, you can send the custom check-in code to your guest through the Airbnb in-messaging app.
What If A Guest’s phone battery run’s out?
This common issue can be remedied by sending the code ahead of time, or you can grant them remote access. But you are advised to stick to the smart locks with a traditional key entry point to avoid issues like this.
This is why you should have a lockbox and smart lock, just for double surety.
What happens if my smart lock’s battery dies?
This is hardly a case of concern these days. Most of the lock’s batteries can last up to 6 months – 1 year. And again, it sends a notification to warn you of a battery low.