This story is part of our continuing coverage of CES 2020, including tech and gadgets from the showroom floor.
CES 2020 has paved the way for some amazing new smart locks from Lockly, Kwikset, and BenjiLock that are tough, intelligent, and straightforward. We’re surprised that Ring hasn’t unveiled its Ring Video Doorbell 3, especially since the company filed a patent for the device last year, but there is still time. For now, here are the best smart locks we’ve seen so far at the annual tech show.
Lockly Vision
This year, the smart lock that really stood out was the Lockly Vision. The $400 lock features an integrated doorbell and an HD camera that allows for two-way talk. The Vision also provides its homeowners with ample versatility. You can unlock the door five different ways, including via a fingerprint scan, a digital key, a code, or an app. On top of all that, the lock can alert you in real-time if it’s being tampered with.
“We wanted to create a smart lock that provides unparalleled access and convenience from anywhere around the world,” said Lockly founder and CEO Lee Zheng. “Consumers have voiced their concerns with doorbell-mounted cameras being at the wrong angle, extremely slow, and often incompatible with household wiring. We are filling a void in the marketplace by offering a true wireless solution that combines an advanced smart lock and an HD camera to capture real-time video directly in front of the door.
“Whether it’s to ask a delivery agent to place your package behind a plant or provide a temporary access code to groundskeepers, the potential of Lockly Vision is truly limitless and ensures that users have ultimate control over who comes and goes.”
BenjiLock deadbolts
BenjiLock is one of those feel-good Shark Tank stories. After being named an Innovation Awards Honoree at CES 2017 — and receiving $100,000 in funding from investor Kevin O’Leary on an episode of Shark Tank — the lock company went on to debut its first smart deadbolts at CES 2020. The BenjiLock by Hampton lineup now includes the Livia Deadbolt and the Luca Deadbolt, the latter of which has been named a 2020 CES Innovation Award Honoree in the Smart Home product category.
The new connected deadbolts have some great security features, too. They are pick-, impact-, and drill-resistant to prevent intrusion. They also sport multi-oint encrypted security across the app, cloud, and deadbolt, and the touchscreen randomizes digits and removes use patterns to further prevent hacking. The Livia and Luca deadbolts range in price from $139 to $229.
Kwikset Halo Touch
Don’t like the look of number pads on your door? Then Kwikset’s Halo Touch smart lock might be the solution you’re looking for. All you need to do is swipe your finger across the plate to lock and unlock the door, which features an advanced fingerprint reader. The Halo Touch can store up to 100 fingerprints with 50 different user profiles, each accessible and editable through an accompanying mobile app. The lock also works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and will be available later this year for $250.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
The new August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is another lock designed to take up as little space as possible. The device is 45 percent smaller than its predecessor and features Wi-Fi built-in, which means you don’t need to connect to a bridge to get it up and running.
“After launching nine door-entry locks, cameras, and keypads, we are delighted to introduce the completely reimagined, small-sized, always-connected August Wi-Fi Smart Lock,” said Yves Béhar, co-founder of August and founder of design firm Fuseproject. “We had this advance in our sights since the early days of August, and it took two years of development to achieve the balance of features and functionality with a form factor the size of a doorknob.”
Yale Linus Smart Lock
For the first time, Yale is introducing a lock to the global community. The Linus Smart Lock can be used by those in the Nordic, Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries, as well as those in the U.K., Israel, Middle East, and South Africa. Features of the Linus include the ability to unlock your door with your phone or smartwatch, notifications that will alert you as to when your door is open, PIN code access, and digital keys designed to limit access.
CES is still going, so check back here for more great lock releases as the week rolls on.
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