2023 was a big year for smart locks in China, with a whopping 18.7 million units sold. And guess what? This year, sales are expected to cross the 20 million mark! But as everyday consumers, the burning question is: How do we pick the perfect smart lock? Do we go for features or stick with big brands? After two months of intense research and testing on over a hundred smart locks, we’re here to break it all down for you in this video.

Let’s start with the basics. Traditional mechanical locks are all about the lock core, and when it comes to security, it’s C-grade > B-grade > A-grade. Now, smart locks usually come with a C-grade lock core as standard, but they also include motors and other components that make up the lock body. The type of lock body you choose determines how you’ll be unlocking your door: semi-automatic or fully automatic. And within the fully automatic category, you’ve got mechanical and electronic options.

Semi-automatic locks are pretty straightforward—no motors involved. These are the “do it yourself” type, where you’ll need to manually lock and unlock the door. You’ll find these mostly in the budget-friendly range. On the other hand, fully automatic locks are usually designed with a push-pull mechanism. Fully automatic mechanical locks rely on an internal motor to do the heavy lifting (literally), so you just need to pull to open. However, after closing the door, you might need to manually lock it. Some models even let you set a timer to auto-lock after closing, but this can sometimes result in misfires where the lock bolts itself prematurely. So, compared to semi-automatic, the upgrade isn’t huge. But fully automatic electronic locks? They’re a game-changer. Thanks to the added bolt sensor, they lock immediately after the door closes, and won’t accidentally re-lock if you just crack the door open. In short, they’re smarter, so if you’re in the market, go for the fully automatic electronic option.

Now that we’ve nailed down the lock body differences, let’s dive into the unlocking methods. Everyone knows smart locks offer a few ways to get in: fingerprint, finger vein, palm vein, and facial recognition. But here’s the kicker: a higher price doesn’t always mean more options. Some high-end locks only have one unlocking method, while some cheaper models pack two or three. So, which tech is the best? And is more really better?

Fingerprint recognition is the most common method, and it comes in two flavors: optical and semiconductor. The optical tech is old school, like what you’d find in a company’s time clock. For home use, semiconductor is where it’s at. It’s intuitive, but not perfect—people with less-defined fingerprints, like kids or seniors, or those with dirty or peeling skin might struggle with accuracy. Fingerprint sensors also come in different positions—front, back, or bottom—so think about which one fits your habits best.

Finger vein recognition is like the fingerprint’s cooler, more advanced cousin. It uses near-infrared light to capture and record the unique vein patterns in your finger, making it more reliable for seniors and kids, plus there’s no worry about dirty fingers or hacking. But it’s not flawless either—carrying heavy stuff, pressing too hard, or cold weather (which messes with blood circulation) can throw off the accuracy.

Palm vein tech is the next step up from finger vein—it’s like finger vein but for your whole hand. It’s more forgiving, with a bigger recognition area, and you don’t even need to touch the sensor—just wave your hand. The trade-off? It’s slower, taking about two seconds to unlock, and no, Iron Man’s suit won’t work with it.

Facial recognition is the most seamless method—just stand in front of the door and you’re in. There are a few different types: binocular recognition, 3D TOF, and structured light, which all use various ways to scan and recognize your face. But in everyday use, they’re pretty much the same, so no need to stress over the details. Face recognition is perfect when your hands are full. And even in challenging conditions like strong backlight, low light, or with multiple people in view, it still works like a charm. The downside? Face masks can be a dealbreaker.

So, there’s no one-size-fits-all unlocking solution—it’s all about what works best for you. More unlocking options mean more flexibility in everyday life, so aim for a lock that offers a variety of methods.

A December 2023 market survey revealed that video doorbell locks make up over 80% of the $1,000+ market. The smart doorbell is key to many features like real-time talk and doorstep snapshots. Interestingly, many modern security doors don’t even have a traditional peephole for added safety, so we recommend getting a lock with smart doorbell functionality. These come in two types: with or without an indoor screen. Those without an indoor screen mainly support viewing via your smartphone, while those with a screen make it easier to check on things when someone’s at the door.

When it comes to smart locks, one major factor is how well they integrate with your smart home ecosystem. Here’s a list of smart locks and their connectivity features. But remember, different brands have different designs and capabilities, so keep your eyes peeled and ask the right questions when you’re shopping around.

If you’re aiming for a seamless smart home experience, we suggest picking a lock that fits within your existing smart home setup.

Lastly, don’t forget about the other details that matter in a smart lock. First up: battery life. There are a few different battery configurations out there, but generally, dual battery setups are better than single ones, ensuring that you can still unlock the door even if one battery dies. And in case your lock runs out of juice, the simplest emergency method is to keep a mechanical key handy. However, most brands now support external power sources like a portable charger, and the higher-end locks even offer reverse wireless charging from your smartphone. For instance, with the Huawei Smart Lock Pro or Xiaomi M20 Pro, you just slap your phone on it and boom—you’ve got enough juice for one more unlock.

That’s a wrap on our smart lock rundown! If this video hits 50k likes, we’ll buy 20 popular locks and do a mega comparison in our next video. Drop your model suggestions in the comments, and we’ll see you next time. Bye