Smart locks are a great tool to protect your home against malicious intent. Smart locks allow you to lock and unlock your doors remotely via keypads or fingerprint. However, most smart locks are battery-operated and the batteries don’t last forever, so you’d need to replace them sooner or later. You can read on to learn more about the replacement timeframe for smart lock batteries.
Here’s the short answer to the question: How long do smart locks batteries last?
Smart locks batteries usually last between 1 month to 2 years, depending on the lock’s brand, connectivity, and the type of batteries. Smart locks that use Bluetooth and Z-Wave to connect and use lithium batteries can last for 1-2 years. Wi-Fi smart lock batteries that use alkaline batteries are less reliable and require replacement every 1-3 months.
If your smart lock is using alkaline batteries, you can replace them with lithium batteries to increase its battery life. Also, you want to consider using Bluetooth or Z-Wave-compatible smart locks if you don’t want to replace the battery often.
That said, we’ll go on to explain how smart locks consume batteries and the various smart locks brands with reliable batteries. Are you ready for more? Let’s dive in!
Smart Locks with Long-lasting batteries
1. Schlage Smart Locks
Schlage is a leader within the smart lock industry and produces some of the finest models. The Schlage Smart Locks are a leader in the smart lock industry. Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt has an exceptional battery life, if that’s what you want in a smart lock. According to our estimates, this lock’s batteries can last for approximately 1-2 years before they need to be replaced.
This lock’s reliability is due to its use of lithium batteries that last longer than regular batteries on average. It also uses Z-Wave technology for connecting your mobile phone to the smart locks. Smart locks that require ZWave for connection have a longer battery lifetime than regular models that use WiFi.
The Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt’s impressive battery life comes at a high price. A Z-Wave home hub, however, can cost you a significant amount. However, Z-Wave technology is well worth the investment.
2. August Smart Locks
August smart locks are well-known for their affordability, ease of use and effectiveness as well as their stylish design. An August-made lock is a great option if you want a model that doesn’t require incessant battery replacement.
The following is a good example: August Smart Lock ProThe smart lock is the best on the marketplace, the. This lock can be used with Z-Wave technology to extend the battery life.
You’ll probably need to buy a Z-Wave home hub if you don’t have one. Nonetheless, the August Smart Lock Pro’s strong battery life makes it worth the accompanying costs.
3. Kwikset Smart Locks
Kwikset, another smart lock manufacturer, is noted for its long battery life. For example, the Kwikset SmartCode 916 Touchscreen It is said to have a long battery life. Similar results are reported for other Kwikset smart locks models, such as SmartCode 909 and SmartCode 910, SmartCode 914, and many others.
We found that Kwikset smart lock have long-lasting battery life due to Z-Wave’s connectivity. On The average Z-Wave smart locks’ batteries lasts longer than Wi-Fi locks.
4. Yale Smart Locks
Yale smart locks have been the best in the industry for many years. Although they are more expensive than the average smart lock, they provide enough value to justify their high price.
An example of what we mean by “value” is the reliable battery life of many Yale smart locks. Models like this Real Living Deadbolt T1L The Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt and the Real Living Z-Wave Touchscreen Deadbolt are powered by durable batteries.
Yale smart locks, like other models on this list, are compatible with Z-Wave tech. This technology promotes longer battery life and reduces battery drain.
How Smart Locks Use Battery Power
Smart locks are categorized based on the “protocols” used to communicate with smart home systems and with smart-phones. There are three main types of communication protocols: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Z-Wave.
Smart locks use power differently depending on how they communicate. Below is a comparison of how different smart locks use power based upon their communication protocol.
Bluetooth-compatible locks
Bluetooth is a popular smart-lock protocol. It’s known for its simplicity and ease-of-use. Bluetooth-based locks are low on power and last a long time. The batteries in a Bluetooth-type smartlock can last for 12-20 months.
Bluetooth-based smart locks are efficient because they use very little energy and have a low frequency. A Bluetooth smart lock connects with your smartphone only occasionally, so it has a lower impact on your battery.
However, Bluetooth’s greatest quality is also its greatest undoing: the low frequency makes connection possible only in short ranges. Only when you’re within 300ft or lesser can your phone connect with the smart lock. This means you cannot do things like granting entry to people while you’re away.
Z-Wave Locks
Z-Wave is another popular communication protocol for smart locks. Z-Wave smart locks can be connected to a smart hub instead of a smartphone, unlike Bluetooth. The smart hub must be plugged in and connected to a WiFi router. Once you have completed the setup, you can access your smart locks from anywhere.
Z-Wave-compatible locks are energy-efficient, which is a big advantage. From what we can tell, their batteries can last for a long time—think 12 to 18 months.
The smart home hub handles all energy-intensive tasks, so Z-Wave locks’ battery life is long-lasting. This reduces the strain on battery-powered locks and preserves their battery life.
The only perceivable downside to Z-Wave smart locks is that you need to buy a smart home hub like Samsung’s SmartThings. Still, getting a smart home hub is beneficial in some situations—like when you have other smart home devices.
Wi-Fi locks that work
Wi-Fi, apart from Z-Wave is the most advanced communication protocol. Typically, you’ll install an accessory to make the connection between your smart lock and your Wi-Fi network. Once you’re done with that, you can control your lock from anywhere, so long as you have an internet connection. You can unlock your door remotely to allow people entry in your absence and monitor your lock’s activity.
But, Wi-Fi-based locks have a downside: they use less battery life. Wi-Fi smart locks consume more power than other locks. According to reports, Wi Fi smart locks last for 1-3 months.
How to extend the life of your smart lock battery?
Replacing batteries in your smart lock can get tiring — and expensive, since smart lock batteries don’t come cheap. Continue reading if you want your batteries last longer.
For smart lock battery life improvement, the best advice is to purchase lithium batteries. Lithium batteries are more durable and reliable than regular AA (alkaline).
Many people believe that a lithium-ion battery can last twice as many years as an average alkaline battery. A smart lock powered by a Li-ion battery can last for a very long time.
A Z-Wave hub can be paired with a lithium powered smart lock for greater efficiency. This setup promises extraordinary features and a long-lasting battery life, which makes life easier.
Before purchasing a smart lock, it is wise to verify that it can use lithium batteries. A non-lithium smartlock may be unable to use lithium batteries. This can lead to severe damage.
Also, avoid using rechargeable batteries to charge your smart lock if it has disposable batteries. There are inherent safety risks to charging alkaline or lithium batteries that you want to avoid.
FAQs about Smart Locks Batteries
Can I charge my smartlock?
If your smart lock came with disposable batteries, you can’t charge it. Some models come with rechargeable batteries that you can plug in to a power supply. Smart locks are primarily powered by disposable batteries that need to be replaced at regular intervals.
Can my smart lock be plugged into a wall outlet
No smart lock is currently able to be plugged in to a wall outlet. There may be a few DIY videos that show you how to power your smart locks with an in-wall outlet. We recommend that you avoid these DIY videos as you could easily injure yourself or cause damage to the lock.
How can I tell if my smart lock battery has run out?
The low-battery indicator on newer smart locks warns you when your battery is at dangerously low levels. A slower response time is another sign of low battery power. It will also take longer to open your smart lock if the battery is low.
How do I replace the batteries in my smartlock?
Although models may have slight differences, most have the same procedure for replacing a battery. In most situations, you’ll need a screwdriver to open the battery compartment to remove the battery. Once you’re done with swapping out the batteries, close the compartment and switch on the lock.
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Conclusion
Smart locks are cool, but you may find it less enjoyable to have to replace the batteries all the time. It is important to choose a model with optimal energy efficiency.
However, smart locks are not only efficient but also have other benefits. You should look for a smart/electronic lock with a balance between functionality, durability, affordability, and security. If you need help, check out our top picks for smart locks.
