> My husband and I are closing on our first home next month (yay!) and we know one of the first things to do is change the locks. A smartlock is very appealing but I'm having trouble deciding which one is best for us, because it seems the more I research the less certain I am. I also have a couple questions.

Ah, the perks of home ownership: feeling optimistic and creative, with a blank canvas in front of you. I envy you both!
Let me tell you why you should be considering the August Smart Lock brand of locks. I will post a small blurb on my contextual background and specific situation (which I posted elsewhere), then briefly mention the possible choices you have, and then respond to your list of requirements and setup,

 

 

PART I: CONTEXT

I am a renter; so obviously a lot of what I have to say may seem irrelevant. Seeing as I do not have a lot of creative control over the property, this would make smart locks tricky business. However, my landlord gave me permissions to replace the entire deadbolt, if I wanted. So, the first set of requirements were drafted as:

MUSTS:

• We have a dog that requires a dog walker to enter our house multiple times a week. The lock must allow this situation in as safe a manner as possible.
  
  
• We do not want to have to make copies of keys
  
  
• We do not want the dog walker (or any visitor) to HAVE TO download an app to get into the property
  
  WANTS:
  
  
• Smart home integrate-able
  
  
• Reliable and well rated
  
  
• Cheap
  
  
• Connect to it remotely to lock/unlock and monitor
  
  
• Z-Wave compatible (came later, when I realized I wanted to have a smart home integration environment)
  
  So, my research began, in earnest. It consumed me. Off the bat, the first names to pop up were August, Kwikset, Schlage and Yale.
  Of those, three had keypad options, which became a requirement soon after. Despite the perks of the Kwikset Kevo (the touch to open), I removed it from the list.
  Also, despite the fiance having an iPhone, I had an Android, so the lock had to have equal footing mobile phone ecosystem-independent. That removed things like Schlage Sense and other Homekit-only options.
  
  The final list:
  
  
• August
  
  
• Yale YRD226 (A really good Yale lock choosing guide here)
  
  
• Schlage Connect
  
  I did a ton of cross referencing, reviews websites, pros and cons, etc etc. And CONSISTENTLY, the August locks were ranked #1/#2/#3. I won't go into too much more detail on what those websites and reviews indicated, I trust you guys can do that research.
  
  But, in the end, the August locks were exactly what we needed, AND more. They were going to be the easiest to set up, and the best out of the gate. So we went with them, and haven't looked back since. My fiance, a "smart-home-always-listening" skeptic, casually told me yesterday how awesome she finds the smart lock.
  
   
  
   
  
  

  PART II: THE LINEUP
  

  
  So, what options to choose from?
  
  

• The August Smart Lock Pro (August | Amazon)
  
  Pros: Most up to date, improved tech under the hood, Z-Wave Plus compatible, Door Sense, most smart home integrations available, Auto lock/unlock
  
  Cons: Most expensive
  
  
• The August Smart Lock 3rd Generation (August | Amazon)
  
  Pros: Improved tech under the hood from the previous generation, Door Sense, Auto lock/unlock, traditional form factor, Cheaper
  
  Cons: No useful smart home integrations (missing homekit, alexa/echo, google home, z wave)
  
  To compare the above two, go here: http://august.com/keyless-entry/
  
  
• The August Smart Lock 2nd Generation (Amazon)
  
  Pros: Most cost effective ($125, but last week it was $109!) but still ranked #1 on MANY reputable websites (CNET | PCMag | etc), has built-in HomeKit capability, can be enhanced with additional devices
  
  Cons: Least impressive underlying tech, no Door Sense capability, no effective smart home integrations
  
   
  
  "Door Sense": The ability to detect "Door open" / "Door Closed" situation.
  
   
  
  An Aside : Enhancement Products
  
  
• The August Smart Keypad (August|Amazon)
  
  This keypad adds in the functionality that you'd expect:
  
  -- keyless code entry for guests (unlimited codes, managed via the app)
  
  -- Lock it with a button press
  
  -- Attachable for preferred outside entry
  
   
  
  
• The August Connect Wifi Bridge (August|Amazon)
  
  This device enables you to link your otherwise-bluetooth-range-only smart lock to your wifi, effectively allowing you to connect and manage the smart lock from ANYWHERE that you have network connectivity. With it, you can:
  
  -- Remotely lock/unlock your door
  
  -- Receive alerts on any actions taken on your door remotely
  
  -- have faster access to your lock as your app selects the best connection to use
  
   
  
  

  PART 2.5: BUNDLES/SALE
  

  
  Consider price-watching for sales; I saw the 2nd gen for, like $109...
  Personally, I jumped when the Smart Lock Pro + Wifi bridge bundle went on sale for $229 (same price as the lock itself), and the keypad was $55, on Amazon.
  
  

• August Smart Lock Pro + Connect Wifi: AMAZON $249 | AUGUST $249
  
  
• Sale price - August Smart lock 2nd Gen HomeKit: AMAZON $125 !!
  
  
• August Smart Lock 3rd Generation + Connect Wifi: AUGUST $199
  
   
  
   
  
  PART III : Why the August Locks work for your situation (below)

I have the august smart lock and have been very happy with it. I chose that over the others for a few reasons

Pros:

• You can't see it from the outside. So someone who doesn't know the house, would not necessarily know there is a smart lock there. There was a big flurry of articles a few months back that many are hackable. I'm not sure of august vs. the others, but at least its not obvious.
  
• I can send a key to the nanny, dog walker, cleaner, repairman, (insert service here) via the phone and limit when they can be in the house. This was helpful when watching our pets while we were on vacation, since I could enable the lock daily from noon - 1pm just for the sitter.
  
• I get alerts anytime the door is opened. So I know when people are going in/out of the house.
  
  Cons
  
  
• The alignment on the lock is finicky. Often some family members don't put the door in the right position so the lock can spin endlessly.
  
• Which leads to the batteries have to be replaced. Its bluetooth LE, so it doesn't use a lot for connectivity, but a motor is still a motor.
  
• Lastly (and specific to august), not a lot of people know the service. I've sent keys to family members who never activate because they don't want another app on their phone just for my house (versus its easy just to add another key on a keychain). If you have a keypad, this might not be relevant.

I bought a couple of kits online and have been learning how everything works and going from there. Are you interested in learning from the ground up? Or are you more specifically trying to complete 1 or 2 projects and be done?

Edit: https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/turn-your-pi-into-a-low-cost-hd-surveillance-cam/

This page talks about making a low cost security camera using the Raspberry Pi and camera module, which is motion activated using the camera. Here is the link to the actual project. https://www.codeproject.com/articles/665518/raspberry-pi-as-low-cost-hd-surveillance-camera.


Unlocking a door would probably be a little complicated. You'd need a physical device that can move the lock, so servos and whatever else, which I don't know much of anything about. Something would have to move, though. You'd also have to trust the security of that door. I had considered buying one of these https://www.amazon.com/August-Smart-Lock-Latest-Generation/dp/B0168IXNZQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1482266351&sr=8-2&keywords=smart+door+lock , but I read that they sometimes unlock themselves randomly. I imagine the Raspberry Pi would have it's own security vulnerabilities for something as important as a lock.

However, if you weren't worried about being absolutely secure. You could most likely purchase something along these lines that you would activate with some code.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/12V-Electronic-Door-Lock-Rfid-Access-Control-for-Cabinet-Drawer-hangslot-met-nummer-verrous-combination-locks/32639649761.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_2_10065_10068_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10060_10061_10062_10056_10055_10054_10059_10099_10078_10079_427_10073_10103_10102_10096_10052_10050_10051,searchweb201603_2&btsid=6a3e15ec-5155-4fa9-a461-4103a4d08e4d

Editedit: That last link says it's 12V, you'd probably need some sort of power converter for it as I don't think the Raspberry Pi can do that.

I was looking at some that keep your existing dead bolt in place, but replaces the interior pad. That way you can use your key, but can also unlock it from your phone/ auto unlocks when you get close.

But it's battery powered and I'd imagine moving a dead bolt that often uses them up pretty quickly.

https://www.amazon.com/August-Smart-Lock-2nd-Generation/dp/B0168IXNZQ/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1501194479&sr=8-4&keywords=smart%2Bdoo

Alternatively.

First, it's $125.

Second, that's a referral link hidden in a Twitter post. Here is the actual link: https://www.amazon.com/August-Smart-Lock-2nd-Generation/dp/B0168IXNZQ/

Lastly, that's about the price for a 3rd gen on eBay. 2nd gens can be had for $85 less the memorial day coupon..

Here's what you asked for

Hub:
Wink Hub 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KW8WGZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_D2e7ybH4AEXCA

Bulbs:
Hue White Ambiance https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ESW34RQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_B0e7ybX5B7KF0

Lock:
August Smart Lock (2nd Gen) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0168IXNZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_R3e7ybSK95NFG

Outlets:
GE Z-Wave Wireless Control Duplex Receptacle Outlet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013V1SRY/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_04e7ybQXPB1TX

Based on what you said about a nice slick UI I think the Wink 2 wins that battle over a Samsung Smart Things hub. Plus if you get into adding shades Lutron makes a nice z wave shade called the Serena and the Wink 2 can operate Lutron devices without needing another hub. It's not as customizable as Smart Things, but I think it works well and has good support behind it.

The Hue Ambiance bulbs are nice, does tons of white light shades only so it fits your requirements there. You will need a Hue bridge, but that integrates with the Wink 2 nicely.

If you can get the August lock with Z-wave functionality I'd go with that over what I linked because I think the normal August is pretty shit, but it's the only lock I know of where you can assign one time use codes or time sensitive ones. Getting the normal (Bluetooth) August lock online requires the August Connect and its a buggy piece of shit that barely works even with the best connection and very close to the lock. Maybe software will\has fixed it but in my prior experience with it I was very not impressed. You can also add a keypad to the August on the secured side of the door. All those extras add up though, but you can do everything you said was required with the August that I believe no other lock can do.

The outlets are pretty self explanatory, work off Z-wave and only one plug is automated the other is always on.

Alexa can integrate with everything I listed, all you need to do is give everything a unique name and have her find the smart home devices and you can give simple commands like, "Alexa turn off kitchen light" and it'll do it.

You could definitely get more complicated setups but all of these things will work together, you could even pair your Ecobee with the Wink 2 if you wanted to.

Here's a sneak peek of /r/PrimeDay using the top posts of all time!

#1: Prime Day 2017 General Discussion Thread
#2: Save $50 on August Smart Lock | 0 comments
#3: Amazon’s 2017 Prime Day sale will be on July 11, with select deals starting at 6 p.m. Pacific / 9 p.m. Eastern on July 10.

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