Smart Lock vs Traditional Lock: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Smart locks have gone from "cool tech gadget" to "boringly common" in the last five years. About one in three homes we work on in Charlotte and Lake Norman now has at least one smart lock — usually on the front door.
If you're trying to decide whether to upgrade, here's the honest breakdown.
The 30-second answer
| You should… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Get a smart lock | Hate carrying keys, want to give temporary access (cleaners, contractors, AirBnB guests), use Apple Home / Google Home / Alexa, share a home with multiple adults |
| Stick with traditional | Don't want anything battery-dependent, have a non-standard door, are on a tight budget, primarily want maximum physical security |
| Get both (most homes) | Smart lock on main entry, traditional deadbolts on secondary doors and garage entry |
What smart locks actually do
Most smart locks today do three things on top of regular lock-and-key:
- Unlock without a key — keypad code, phone app, Apple Home / Google Home, or auto-unlock when you're nearby
- Track activity — log of who unlocked when (useful with family, cleaners, contractors)
- Grant temporary or scheduled access — a code that works only on Tuesdays 9–11am, for example
The good ones also keep a physical key as backup (Schlage Encode, Yale Assure with Key) — so if the batteries die, you're not stranded outside.
The honest pros and cons
Pros:
- No more "did I leave a spare under the mat?"
- Stop sharing physical keys (cleaners, dog walker, in-laws)
- See exactly when teens got home
- One less thing to lose
Cons:
- Batteries die (usually every 6–12 months on AAs)
- Wi-Fi versions need a stable home network
- Older models can be hacked (mostly not the current generation)
- Slightly more expensive ($150–$350 vs $30–$80 for a traditional Grade-2 deadbolt)
Brand-by-brand comparison
The four we install most often, ranked by what they're best for:
Schlage Encode (Wi-Fi) — best overall. Built-in Wi-Fi (no extra hub), works with Alexa/Google/HomeKit through bridges, real physical key backup, Grade 2 security rating. ~$280.
Yale Assure Lock 2 — best for Apple users. Native HomeKit, very clean app, super sleek hardware. ~$200–$280 depending on options.
August Wi-Fi Smart Lock (4th gen) — best for renters / retrofit. Installs over your existing deadbolt — you keep your existing key for outside, app works for inside. Landlord-friendly. ~$180.
Google Nest x Yale — best for Nest households. Tight integration with Google Home and Nest cameras. Keypad-only (no key backup), so battery management matters. ~$280.
We generally don't recommend the bargain-bin no-name smart locks on Amazon — security flaws, hard-to-source replacement parts, and "the company went out of business" stories every other year.
Installation reality
Most smart locks fit a standard prepped door (the same hole pattern as a normal deadbolt). About 80% of installs are straightforward and take 30–45 minutes including pairing with your Wi-Fi and app setup.
The other 20%:
- Older doors with non-standard deadbolt cutouts may need light drilling or a shim
- Metal doors (storm doors, some apartments) can interfere with Wi-Fi — need a hub
- Sliding patio doors generally don't accept standard smart locks; you need a specialty product
- Mortise-style locks (some older Charlotte craftsmans, older condos) require a different model entirely
What we charge
- Smart lock installation only (you supply the lock) — from $95
- Full installation + lock supplied (Schlage Encode or equivalent) — from $380
- Add-on app setup, HomeKit/Google Home integration, key sharing setup — included with installation
If you're not sure whether your door will fit a particular smart lock, send us a picture and we'll tell you before you buy.
Want a quote?
Call (336) 790-2233 — we install smart locks across Charlotte, Cornelius, Huntersville, Davidson, Mooresville, and the rest of the Lake Norman area.
See smart lock installation for our full pricing and supported models.