Smart locks are the latest home improvement craze. Gone are the boring traditional locks you used to have, replaced with smart devices that let you control access to your home remotely around-the-clock from an app on your phone. Today, smart lock manufacturers are releasing products that easily interface with your existing deadbolt and in most cases, don’t require you to change your deadbolt or install new hooks or screws for installation.
Smart locks are now available that you can install and use with your existing deadbolt. This guide will cover what you need to know about these smart locks, including some great options for the most popular smart lock brands.
What Smart Locks Work With Existing Deadbolts?
As of now, August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, August Smart Lock Pro, August Smart Lock (2nd gen), Yale Assure SL, and Kwikset Kevo Convert appear to be the best smart locks that work with existing deadbolts.
Read on to see the features of each lock, compatible deadbolts, and incompatible deadbolts.
Best Smart Locks That Work With Existing Deadbolts: Features
1. August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation)
If you are looking for a smart lock that can be easily installed on your existing deadbolts, the August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) is one of the best options for you.
At first glance, you might not guess this is a smart lock. It looks just like any other deadbolt on the market, with a silver finish and dimple keypad that can be used to enter a code, or an optional small fob for touch-to-open action. The deadbolt itself is available in four finishes, so you can choose the one that best suits your current hardware: silver (pictured), polished brass, satin nickel and oil rubbed bronze.
The August Wi-Fi smart lock attaches to the inside half of your existing deadbolt, so no one will be able to tell you’ve upgraded your entryway to smart status. The only addition is a small tab that sticks out of the side of the deadbolt and can be pressed if you forget your code. When it comes to keyless entry, the August Wi-Fi smart lock lets you create multiple codes—and share them with friends and family.
The following are some of the other features of this amazing technology.
- Built-in Wi-Fi: The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th Generation) built in Wi-Fi is an excellent smart lock that offers many of the same features as the third-generation model, including support for Alexa, Assistant, and Siri voice commands, but it adds integrated Wi-Fi connectivity. With its own Wi-Fi radio inside, this lock can connect to your home network without the need for a separate hub.
- Remote Access: August’s app allows you to give virtual keys to friends, family members, and service providers. This means you can open or close your door remotely, no matter where you are. You can also set up a recurring schedule with the app, so that you don’t have to worry about locking the door on your way out every day. You can even track who has been coming and going from your home!
- Auto-Lock and Auto-Unlock: with auto-lock feature, you won’t have to lock the door manually. It will just do it itself after some specified time. There’s also an auto-unlock feature available in this smart lock, which automatically unlocks your door as soon as it detects your phone nearby via Bluetooth. However, to use this feature, make sure you have enabled Bluetooth on your smartphone.
- Voice Control: It comes with great features and also it is 100% compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, which lets you control the lock using voice commands.
2. Yale Assure Keyless Smart Lock
If you’re looking for a smart lock that fits right over your existing deadbolt, the Yale Assure is a solid choice. It’s an attractive lock with a touchscreen keypad and a small LCD to display time and temperature. It has an optional backlit keypad for nighttime use, so you can easily see the numbers when you get home in the dark.
It also offers one-touch locking, which means you can tap the lock to lock the door behind you instead of using the touchscreen. The Assure comes in four finishes: polished brass, satin nickel, oil rubbed bronze, and polished chrome.
The other features are:
- Compatible with Z-system: The Yale Assure Lock is compatible with the Z-Wave Plus system, making it a great option for those who already have a smart home and are looking for a way to connect it up in a cohesive and simple way.
- Auto-Lock and Unlock feature via App: The lock is controlled by an app on your phone, which means that you can lock and unlock your door from anywhere in the world. You can also program it to automatically lock when you leave your house and check whether or not the door is locked at any time. It also allows you to assign keys to certain people, scheduling times that they can use their key without letting them know it’s coming. So, if you want someone to be able to get into your house while you’re away, but you don’t want them knowing about it until the last minute, this smart lock can help you do that.
- Voice Control: Yale Assure Keyless Smart Lock works with existing deadbolts and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home. You can lock and unlock your door from anywhere.
Using the Yale app, you can lock and unlock your door from anywhere. With the optional Yale iM1 Network Module, you can also ask Siri to control it using an Apple TV as a hub.
3. Kwikset Kevo Convert
A great choice for people who want to turn their existing deadbolts into smart locks is Kwikset Kevo Convert (formerly Kevo Plus). It comes with a Bluetooth adapter and integrates with most types of deadbolts.
The Kevo Convert uses four AA batteries and an indicator will light up on the interior lock when it needs new batteries. You’ll get email notifications if the batteries are low and when they need to be replaced.
It has several other features, which are discussed below:
- Remote Access: The lock has an app that lets you send eKeys to family members or friends who may need access when you’re not home. You can set up alerts to let you know when someone unlocks your door, or if they try to unlock it while you’re away.
- Smart Home Compatibility: The Kwikset Kevo Convert works with both Apple HomeKit and Amazon Alexa, so you can control it from your phone or voice-controlled device.
- Auto-Lock: If you’ve ever had to run out the door, only to realize that you left the lights on or the door unlocked, then the Kwikset Kevo Convert Auto-Lock is for you. This smart lock automatically locks after 30 seconds of being unlocked, and it can be set to never lock on its own if you prefer.
4. August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Generation)
The August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Generation) is one of the most popular smart locks out there and for good reason: it has all kinds of features that make it worth considering if you want to add some extra convenience to your home security system. It’s also relatively easy to install and doesn’t require any additional wiring or drilling into walls like some other smart locks do.
August says you should replace four AA batteries every year on average, but they’ll last longer if you don’t use the auto-lock feature. The company offers a free upgrade service when the battery gets close to running out.
Here are some the features explained in detail.
- Wi-Fi Bridge: This model requires the August Wi-Fi Bridge to connect to Wi-Fi as it has no built-in Wi-Fi. That is, you can’t connect it directly to your smartphone for remote access without a Wi-Fi bridge.
It uses Bluetooth to connect with your phone and a Wi-Fi bridge to connect with other devices, so you can control the lock using your voice or remotely.
- Smart Home Compatibility: The August Smart Lock Pro (3rd Generation works with Apple HomeKit, so if you have invested in creating a smart home that works with Apple devices, this lock may be the right choice for you. This smart lock also works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control your lock by talking to your smart home assistant.
Other features include auto-lock, biometric verification, and facial recognition.
5. August Smart Lock
One of the best smart locks on the market, the August Smart Lock works with your existing deadbolt and can be fitted over it by anyone with basic do-it-yourself skills. Simply twist off the existing thumb turn and pop in the August Smart Lock. This means you’ll still have the option of using a key to unlock your door, if necessary, which is good since the August Smart Lock Pro does not include a keyed cylinder.
It can be paired with Wi-Fi bridge that allows you to connect the lock to the app. This app then can be used to control all the features like locking and unlocking the door.
The lock integrates with other smart home products like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Nest Thermostats, Xfinity Home, Logitech Harmony and more.
It also includes an auto-unlock feature that uses your smartphone’s location to sense when you’re near your door and automatically unlocks it for you. There’s also a virtual keypad that allows you to issue temporary guest keys via the app without giving someone a physical key. The app also shows you a history of who locked and unlocked the door.
Conclusion
Smart locks can occasionally fail. When the lock doesn’t answer, for example, you’re locked out. If this happens, you’ll need to use a physical key to unlock your door, which you may do with either a smart lock that comes with a deadbolt or a smart lock that works with an existing deadbolt.
While smart locks can be used to replace your existing deadbolt, it’s more practical to keep your present deadbolt and utilize the keys to lock and open your door.
So, if you’re looking for a smart lock that can operate with your existing deadbolt but aren’t sure which one to acquire, this article can help.
In the end, you have to look at what sort of lock you require i.e., the features, and then decide which lock to buy.
- Jimmy Proof Lock vs Deadbolt - September 30, 2023
- Level Lock vs August: Detailed Comparison - September 30, 2023
- How to Reset Kwikset Smart Lock Master Code - September 30, 2023
