Having worked as a locksmith for over a decade, I’ve seen countless people get tricked into buying smart locks for novelty. Issues like fingerprint recognition failure trapping people outside, remote unlocking being hacked, and even hundred-yuan no-name locks being instantly opened by “black boxes” happen dozens of times a year. When choosing a smart lock, fancy features are useless; security details are fundamental.
Core Buying Principles: Prioritize Safety, Then Consider Others
Choose reputable brands and national standards
Don’t be tempted by cheap no-name locks costing a hundred yuan or so. They can’t even cover the cost and are most likely “three-no products” (no manufacturer, no quality certificate, no production date). Big brands are more reliable in quality control and technology, saving a lot of trouble.
Prioritize basic security, be cautious with complex functions
Face recognition and remote unlocking are extremely risky. There are many cases of hackers forging faces and remotely cracking them. Avoid them if possible. Prioritize the combination of fingerprint and password verification, which doubles security. If you really need complex functions, choose those with strict security certification and mature technology.
Lock cylinder and panel are key
The lock cylinder must be grade C or above, with electronic alarm lock cylinders being the best, making technical unlocking almost impossible. The panel should be made of anti-pry metal, preferably with anti-tamper alarm function. It will sound an alarm once pried, scaring off thieves. The material should also be durable and anti-oxidation to adapt to different environments.
After-sales service is more important than price
Don’t just look at the price tag. First, ask if installation is free and how soon someone can come for repairs if it breaks. Small brands have slow after-sales service, and you’ll have to find third-party repairs yourself, which is costly and time-consuming. Big brands have complete after-sales systems and can handle problems promptly.
