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Technology has worked its way into almost everything we use around the house, with some of the best smart home devices sporting cutting edge tech. Included in this are padlocks, which can now be controlled over Bluetooth. A smart padlock or two makes a great addition to the home, office, or upcoming vacation, and we’ve rounded up our selections for the best smart padlocks on the market. Reading onward you’ll find what we think is the best smart padlock overall, as well as several selections for more specific use cases.
The Smart Lock by Master Lock is the best padlock overall because of its versatility. It comes in both indoor ad outdoor models and can connect to your smart phone with Bluetooth. This means you don’t need a wifi connection nearby in order for it to work. The outdoor model has all-weather security to protect against the elements, and both models are capable of providing activity monitor that includes tamper and low battery alerts.
Whether for a garage, storage, or even an internal door, a smart padlock is something that can come in handy around the house. The igloohome Smart Padlock E offers great convenience, as it can be accessed remotely and instantly no matter where you are. It’s app-enabled to manage and send PIN codes or Bluetooth keys via the igloohome app. It even has igloohome’s unique AlgoCode technology that allows it to work offline.
The Pinnaco Smart Padlock is the best smart padlock for all-purpose use. It’s capable of unlocking a number of different ways, including by password, swiping a card, through the mobile app, by fingerprint, and with included keys. It has weather resistance that makes it good for outdoor use such as on sheds, garages, and gates, but it’s also small enough to work well with lockers, storage units, and around the house. It can store up to 100 different fingerprints, which also makes the Pinnaco Smart Padlock a great option for multiple users.
If you’re looking to ensure your luggage stays zipped up and secure on your next travel adventure, the Boread Fingerprint Lock is a portable, minimalist option. It features little more than a fingerprint reader that works to unlock the smart padlock, and it’s good for multiple users as it can store up to 20 different fingerprints. It offers decent security with a zinc alloy boy and stainless teal beam. It doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity, but should the battery run dead you can simply get the lock functioning again with a quick plugin via USB cable.
Real estate agents and owners of rental properties will likely love the strength and convenience of the Master Lock Lock Box. It’s perfect for use on model homes, apartments, and Airbnb vacation rentals. It has both Home and Enterprise apps that can help you keep track of multiple Master Lock Lock Boxes across different properties, and you can share temporary or permanent access with invited guests via Bluetooth or keypad code.
We’ve been covering smart home tech for quite awhile now, as well as tech involved with the best laptops and the best phones. A lot of this mobile tech finds its way into the best smart padlocks and best Bluetooth padlocks, so we’re pretty easily able to look at a padlock and see where it stacks up.
We’ve taken into consideration things like affordability, durability, and general convenience when it comes to selecting the best smart padlocks, as we feel things like build quality and app control are important when it comes to locking your things up. We’ve also taken into account our own experience in keeping things locked up around the house, around the office, and on our vacations.
Andrew has been writing professionally for more than 20 years and has been writing about tech for three of them. His focus at Digital Trends is on deals writing and covering the year’s major sales events. His work in the tech realm also includes contributions to Sporting News, Pocket-lint, and Android Police. In his spare time Andrew enjoys skateboarding, road tripping, and moonlighting as a fiction writer and independent filmmaker.
Get up to 32% off Aqara smart locks for the holidays
At the risk of sounding dull, the key to the smart home begins with — in my humble opinion — the front door. Allow me to explain. One of the top recommendations I always give for people starting a smart home is to install either a video doorbell or a smart lock. When used together, they are a tour de force. You can let package couriers in temporarily to drop an expensive delivery inside your home -- instead of having it sit around outside for hours. You can also issue guest or temp keys for family, friends, and beyond. Which brings us to the topic of today, Aqara's smart locks. They do all of this and more and they're on sale today for a pretty hefty discount.
The Aqara Smart Lock U100 and Aqara Smart Lock U300 are the focus today, and you can get up to 32% off at Amazon from now until December 22. The U100 is $130 instead of $190, while the U300 is $180 instead of $230. Let's talk a bit more about what they can do.
These Linkind smart bulbs are 37% off, and have one of the best apps I’ve used
I know some people think that a lot of smart home tech is frivolous, and some of it is, I'll agree, but there are certain things that make daily life a little better. For example, I have security cameras, a video doorbell, smart lights, a smart garage door, and all of these things make living in my home convenient. With my lights, for example, I can create on-off schedules and I don't have to get up to use them. After a long day, that's a welcome feature, believe me. It's especially helpful with Christmas lights and decorative lights -- like the ones I have set up to automatically turn on at sunset on my patio.
With a smart video doorbell, I can answer my door, converse with parcel delivery teams, and shoo off solicitors -- we get a lot of them where I live. But among all of those experiences and devices, one of my biggest qualms is with the apps you use to interact with this tech.
Best Cyber Monday generator deals: Gas and solar generators at up to 62% off
Buying a generator for your home has become a necessity these days, as it's very tough to last even for a few hours without power. There's always the possibility of a power outage, wherever you may be, so if you don't have one yet, we highly recommend taking advantage of any of these live Cyber Monday generator deals. A generator may also serve as a power source for your outdoor adventures and your backyard parties, so it's going to prove to be a worthwhile purchase for everyone. Don't forget, that the best portable power station deals also include some reliable electric generators and solar-powered backup batteries.
There are all kinds of Amazon Cyber Monday deals and Best Buy Cyber Monday deals that you can spend your money on, with offers covering practically every product category out there. However, you should start your shopping focused on your needs over your wants, and a generator is most certainly something that will help your family. Check out the Cyber Monday generator deals that we've gathered below, and if you see something that you like, complete your transaction for it as soon as possible as there's no telling how much time is remaining before the bargain ends.
Our top pick: Anker SOLIX F2000 2,048 Watt-hour Solar Generator + 400 Watt Solar Panel -- $1,499 $2,898 48% off