I use Google Assistant for most of my home automation. Does anyone have any particular models they recommend for deadbolts? I’d like to be able to automatically lock my front door when I go to sleep.
This post comes up fairly often, and I think it always narrows down to two options:
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Yale/august locks: -More affordable, -can buy hotswappable modules for zwave, zigbee, wifi, etc but the availability seems to be hot and miss (seems like they stopped making the zigbee one last I checked, but YMMV). -Battery backup option seems cool but I’ve seen more posts about it not working that saving someone’s bacon, so I’d personally opt for the keyed version. -Some posts indicate the screens are somewhat prone to failure, but the quantity of these posts is not enough for me to write them off entirely. -integrates easily with homeassistant -has a door closed sensor for auto-relocking. Apparently it’s buggy though.
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Schlage (specifically the encode plus, but they have a more affordable encode option) -Apple homekey integration is sleeeeek -more expensive -was almost impossible to find until a couple weeks ago -almost no reports of reliability issues, but time will tell I guess! This was the main reason I decided to spring for this lock over Yale -was supposed to get a free update to matter, but Schlage changed their minds and now said a separate model will be released with it. Supposedly due to requirements published about the standard, but I’ll cross my fingers that someone figures out how to make it work. -last I checked, no one has been able to integrate this directly into homeassistant. The best I’ve seen is someone posted a hacky solution for homeassistant to trigger an automation in HomeKit, but I think that post was lost in the Reddit blackout.
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I would strongly advise against having a WiFi-connected smart lock.
I use a Schlage deadbolt. Syncs great with Google assistant with no bridge required.
I use August Smart Lock Pro integrated with Google Assistant, the integration was pretty simple but it does require you to get the Connect module to make the whole setup work.
I also use August and while it is true the Gen 2 lock needed a Connect module for WiFi, the newer Gen 3 is more compact and has integrated WiFi. I’ve been debating replacing mine for a while.
You will find that you will still want the Connect module. I could hardly afford the batteries for my 2 August locks. They would barely last a month with moderate usage. I eventually purchased the Connect modules and the batteries easily last 6+ months now.