Best Smart Locks Under Rs 20,000
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You will be familiar with this scene – grocery bags in hand, phone held against your shoulder, keys in your hand with the right one being concealed behind four others. Smart locks solve this problem, and in India they no longer come with a premium price tag under Rs 20,000, and come with fingerprint scanners, app access and reputable brands that you have heard of.
SurveyBut most smart lock specifications are based off of Western doors. Mortise locks are common in India and used for doors made from wood, and of varying door thicknesses, so it’s equally important to consider installation of the device as much as the product itself. Consider if the brand provides you with free installation services, measure the thickness of your doors and see if the smart lock replaces your mortise or is simply bolted on like a deadbolt lock. Finally, look into connectivity options – Bluetooth only works well if you are close to your door. It is good for those who prefer using fingerprints and PINs.
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Qubo Smart Door Lock Ultra Wi-Fi (Rs 19,990)
Here comes our security-first choice. This one is fitted with a 5-bolt lock and a separate deadlock, intended for your main doors, together with Wi-Fi that allows for remote unlocking, push notifications, and activity logging. It can be unlocked in five different ways – either through fingerprints, PIN code, Qubo application, access card or the mechanical key, and includes a child lock feature. It is the most expensive on the list because it is the best-designed lock of them all.
Yale Zuri S (Rs 17,800)
Yale delivers trust, and trust is important in something that is going to keep your front door locked. Zuri S comes with access using Bluetooth, fingerprint, RFID tag, and PIN, but there’s still a physical key just in case. Yale Home app gives real time notifications, while the lock provides auto-locking feature, voice-guidance, and intrusion alert. Power failure is no problem – there’s a USB backup power option, too.
Atomberg SL1 (Rs 14,995)
The lock of the fan manufacturer is the practical middle child. It comes with a fingerprint scan, access card, PIN code, one-time password and mechanical key as well as a two-year warranty. Snoop-proofing and power backup during emergencies are included in its features. Privacy is not left unnoticed either; the user data is hosted by servers of India, using end-to-end encryption.
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Godrej Smart Lock Advantis GSL D1 (Rs 13,199)
Godrej started selling the GSL D1 starting at Rs 18,499, and right now, you can get this lock at an even cheaper price on Amazon. The number of unlocking methods provided by Godrej is seven, and the presence of in-built Wi-Fi enables remote locking using their app. The additional features are mobile NFC, Bluetooth, USB-C for emergency charging, free installation, and a three-year warranty. If anyone tries to tamper with your door, they will not go undetected. That is the correct approach of a lock.
TP-Link Tapo DL100 (Rs 6,441)
Here comes the weird duck. Available for about a third of the price of the Godrej, the DL100 is the cheapest way to have a Wi-Fi lock, and it lacks the fingerprint reader altogether. This was an intentional compromise at the time of launch. With a backlit keypad, Bluetooth, remote Wi-Fi connectivity via the Tapo app, voice commands, PIN authentication, and two backup keys, you get the whole deal. The DL100 holds up to 200 passcodes and can also scramble your passcode using random digits, making it impossible for any neighbour to figure out anything.
The problem here is in the form factor. The DL100 is a smart deadbolt; make sure that it fits your door before hitting the ‘purchase’ button. Looking for an affordable way out for a rental flat with a standard door? Great. Have a joint family home with a massive teak door? Not so much.
