Are you in the market for a smart lock with a camera? Then you are in the right place. Tech gadgets are more popular now than ever before, and that is no surprise. They make things so much easier. Moreover, some of the best of them have smart features. Therefore, they are easy to use, and they can do things that were considered impossible some years ago.
Smart locks are relatively new, and there are a lot of models on the market. However, that doesn’t mean that you might not get stuck with a model that doesn’t meet your requirements. That is why we have provided this article just for you. Here we review three of the best smart locks with cameras on the market. We also discuss some of the features to look out for when buying one and some of the most frequently asked questions about these products.
Contents
Best Smart Lock with a Camera
1. Video Camera with Built-in Smart Home Z Wave – Best Security Kit
The first model that we review on this roundup is the smart lock from Toledo. Toledo is an international company based in North and South America. The company is relatively new in this space but has managed to grab many users’ attention because of the quality of its products. The company specializes in making locks, padlocks, and hardware for homes and offices in the region.
One of the brand’s best products is the Video Camera with a built-in Smart Home Z wifi hub and lock. It comes with features that make it a unique proposition on the market.
For one, it comes as a single security kit that has a smart lock capability. It comes with a smart lock and camera combination that offers even more security and surveillance than other options on the market.
It is a rather versatile product that can work with different doors as long as these lie in the sixty to seventy mm thick range. Furthermore, this versatile product can be used for your wooden and metal doors.
Accessibility is a big deal when choosing a smart lock with a camera, and we are glad that this product offers you excellent accessibility. With authorization, this lock can be accessed through its mobile application.
Aside from that, it comes with a touchpad that prevents fingerprint detection. One of the problems users have had with the typical button keypad is fingerprint code detection. Therefore, it is a good thing that you don’t have that problem with this product. For security, you can create a ten-digit password and can give access to thirty people.
Connectivity is another important consideration, which is why it is excellent that this product’s lock and camera are connected by Z-wave technology.
With this model, you don’t have to bother about who is home or if you forgot to lock up after yourself. The combination of the video camera and the lock takes care of all that worry. One of our favorite things about this option is that it offers you different options for opening the door. First, there is the keypad we have talked about. Then there is the ability to enter with a key. Thus, you will not be locked in or out of the house in case of a power outage. And running out of power is even quite impossible since this lock has a battery life that can run for up to a year.
Who is this model best for? Well, we recommend it for people that have kids or older parents living with them. It allows you to check on them without intrusion.
The camera quality is pretty great as it is a full HD resolution. With the 1080p resolution, you can see clear images on this camera. Furthermore, you get the ability to record your footage on cloud storage or use the 64GB built-in SD card.
Other useful benefits include the ability to communicate with the person on the other side of the camera. Also, this product features an IR system that lets you have security and required surveillance all day and night.
Installation is quite easy, as we found out. Pairing it with your router is quite easy, and it offers you the ability to monitor and manage the lock from authorized devices. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features:
- Steel & Brass Material 64GB Built-in SD Card
- 1-Year Warranty
- Keypad Lock
- Satin Nickel Finish
- Two-way audio
- App Control
- Works with metal and wooden doors
- Full HD resolution
- Tricky to set up
- Some keypad issues
2. WYZE WLCKG1 Smart Lock With Camera – Best Value for Money
Next up on our roundup is the WYZE WLCKG1 Smart Lock with Camera. The WYZE brand is slowly gaining many users’ trust as they discover improved stability and security for a fraction of the price.
This is a smart lock, and as such, it boasts of features that make life much easier for you. The main feature is the smart lock that allows you to open or lock the door from anywhere as long as you have the WYZE app. This connects to the wifi through the WYZE Lock Gateway included in the package. The benefit that you get from this is that you don’t have to think about memorizing any codes or getting a key anymore.
With the keyless door entry, you can just walk up to the door, and it will automatically open for you. And once you’re inside, the door locks behind. No more problem with opening doors while you have your arms full of groceries.
While there is no keypad in the base model, you can get the Lock Keypad and Camera to enhance your experience.
Another benefit of using this product is sharing access to your home with the different people you choose. The app allows you to see whenever your door opens and gives total control of who can access your home.
The built-in gyroscope in the lock comes in pretty handy as it helps determine the door’s lock status. Therefore, you can know if the door is locked or not before you go to sleep or whenever else.
The main appeal of this product, however, is the camera function. With the camera installed, you can live stream whatever is happening in front of the door or inside your house. And with the WYZE app, you enjoy two-way audio with anyone on the other side. Furthermore, you can record video clips whenever motion is detected. And with the Night Vision function, you can see all that is happening at all times of the day.
Interestingly, this model is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, thus giving you even more options to play around with. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features:
- Keypad Lock
- App and Voice Control
- White Color
- Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa Controller Type
- Easy to install
- Solid build
- It can be tied into Amazon routines
- Good notifications
- Slick design
- Auto-lock issues
3. August Home Doorbell Cam – Best Overall
In 2018, the August brand had sold up to a million units of its smart locks and video doorbells, which is a truly remarkable feature for such a young company. One of the best-selling products from the brand is the August Home Doorbell Cam. We picked up this model to test it, and we were well and truly impressed by the overall performance of this product. Several features make it a top option on the market.
The design and durability are some of the important features to consider. If you are looking to have your smart lock fit into your décor, then keep in mind that this product is only available in silver or dark gray. As the smart lock will be exposed to the elements, it is a good thing that this model is durable enough to continue working even when temperatures drop pretty low.
First, it offers you two-way audio. What would a video doorbell be without the speaker and microphone? It wouldn’t be particularly different from being just a way to see visitors that come. And that is certainly not good enough. Well, this model allows you to hold a conversation with visitors before they come into your home. With the microphone, you can listen to what people say. It’s useful for sending door-to-door salesmen away with a firm No and go back to whatever you were doing.
Another feature that makes this a good choice is the storage. With this setup, you can save footage and review it some other time. There are two payment options that you can choose from. As the videos are stored on the cloud, the manufacturer has not included micro-SD slots. While that seems cool, we would have preferred the micro-SD card option.
This product also offers you motion detection features. Just imagine, for a moment, if the smart lock didn’t come with this feature. You’d have to check the feed like a security guard constantly. Fortunately, the camera will alert you whenever motion is detected. This is great, but it also comes with certain drawbacks. If you live somewhere without plenty of traffic, then you might not have a problem. But suppose you stay somewhere with lots of traffic, from vehicles passing to animals walking, or commuters walking to work. In that case, you might be annoyed by the near-constant barrage of notifications.
As a Smart lock, it was thrilling to discover that this model is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. You can control the lock using your voice. Apart from its compatibility with Assistant and Alexa, it also works with many third-party brands ranging from Nest to SmartThings, Logitech, and more. The sheer number of compatible smart home brands the product works with is pretty dope.
If you aren’t home to command the smart lock, you can also control it via the August Home app. It is available on IOS and Android stores. This app comes in pretty useful because it notifies you when there is movement, can let you check on the live feed, and is a central hub for setting up and integrating our smart home. We did not notice issues with the app during testing, which is something to be pleased about. Click here to see the best price.
Key Features:
- 960p Camera Quality
- Smart Platform Integration
- Cloud Storage
- Hardwire Installation
- Affordable
- Color night vision
- Durable
- Compatible with third-party integrations
- Alexa and Assistant compatible
- No micro-SD card slot
- Tricky installation
FAQs
Do smart locks have cameras?
Yes, they do. However, whether a smart lock has a camera or not depends on the model. Some models come with just smart features and don’t have an integrated camera. In such cases, you can buy a compatible camera and attach it with the smart lock.
Which smart lock is the best?
For the best protection, several brands offer some of the best products on the market. Some of the best brands are Schlage, August, WYZE, and Toledo.
Are smart locks worth it?
Although smart locks don’t offer you life-changing benefits in terms of security, they come with some pretty useful features. If you often misplace your keys, you will find these keyless investments worth it.
Can smart locks be hacked?
Yes, they can be hacked. Smart locks are digital devices, which opens a world of risks. In fact, many smart locks have vulnerabilities that make them risky to use because of hacking—some of the hacking issues they might be exposed to include device spoofing and plain text passwords.
Conclusion
Smart locks are getting more popular every day as more people see the benefits that they offer. They are secure, convenient, and fit right in with your smart home. And smart locks with cameras will let you see all that is happening around your door.
While the market for smart locks with a camera isn’t a very big one, it can still be tricky to choose the best fit for your home. We hope that the suggestions that we have provided enable you to make the right decision.
