Best Vacation Rental Smart Locks 2024

Smart locks are not anything new. In fact, did you know the first smart lock was invented in 1873 by James Sargent when he created the time lock?

Despite widespread availability and use, even in private residences, the vacation rental industry has been slow to fully adopt smart locks. This in spite of the many advantages they offer and guest preference.

Top 8 Benefits of Using a Smart Lock for Your Vacation Rental

1. No more lost keys
2. Save time
3. Provide guests privacy
4. Monitor access
5. Extra security
6. OTA integration
7. A smart home
8. PMS integration

What is a Vacation Rental Smart Lock?

A smart lock is an electromechanical (electronic and mechanical) locking device that allows a door to be opened wirelessly using authorized authentication such as a code. Basically, a smart lock allows a homeowner or property manager to allow guests access to the property without a traditional key.

Instead, you send the guest a virtual key or key code that provides access. This can be set to provide access for a limited time only.

Smart locks are also different from electronic locks. While smart locks can be unlocked through wi-fi or bluetooth technology, electronic locks require a physical interaction. A common example of an electronic lock is the keycard lock used by hotels.

Benefits of Using Smart Locks for Guests

No more keys

Because smart locks eliminate the traditional key, your guests don’t have to keep track of keys or worry about losing them.

Save time

Smart locks save guests the time they would otherwise spend waiting for their key or having to be at the vacation rental at a specific time.

Provide guests privacy

Quite often guests are tired when they reach their destination and just want to get into their Airbnb without any hassle. Smart locks provide guests the privacy of entering their rented space without any fuss.

Extra security

Physical keys can be lost, duplicated or left for long periods under mats and pots. When used properly, smart locks provide guests with an extra layer of security.

Benefits of Using Smart Locks for Hosts

Improves conversion

According to a study by smart lock provider August, vacation guests (80%) and business travelers (92%) are more likely to complete their rental reservation if the property has smart home tech like smart locks. This means smart locks can improve the conversion of your listing.

Better reviews

Smart locks enable a seamless check-in and check-out process, an important factor in providing a great guest journey, and ultimately better ratings and reviews.

Operational efficiency

By eliminating the logistics of physical keys such as handoffs, replacements, etc, using smart locks reduces operational costs.

Real-time monitoring

Hosts can monitor access through each smart lock, allowing you to know when guests and cleaners arrived and departed.

Unusual activity can be an indication of unauthorized extra guests or even a party, allowing you to tackle the problem early.

Earn more

According to the August study, 60% of guests would pay more for a vacation rental with a smart home feature like smart locks, so you can charge higher rates and earn more.

Remote access control

You can give or deny access to your property during emergencies without being physically present.

Long-term savings

By reducing the risk of break-ins and providing savings from operational efficiencies and rewards from happier guests and higher rates, smart locks deliver savings to hosts in the longer term.

PMS integration

Smart locks that integrate with your vacation rental software provide a huge advantage as they can be controlled from your PMS’ dashboard.

Smart Lock Best Practices

1. Change access codes regularly

Give each guest their own access code and time lock it to their stay, so they can’t overstay or return later and enter your property.

2. Monitor battery life

Keep an eye on the battery life of your smart lock so you don’t risk a guest getting locked out due to the battery dying mid-stay.

3. Lock your control device

Whether you control your smart lock from an app on your mobile phone or PMS dashboard or both, make sure the devices are locked when not in use so no one else can access your locks.

4. Make sure your doors are strong

No matter how great your smart lock technology, it won’t matter if the lock is attached to a cracked or broken door. Make sure your doors are strong.

5. Use safety features

Many smart locks have built-in safety features like alarms that go off if someone attempts to tamper with the lock or break open the door. Switch these on for better protection.

What to Look for when Choosing a Vacation Rental Smart Lock

Design

Smart locks are available in various shapes and sizes and come with options such as deadbolts, levers, handles and knobs. Pick a smart lock that best suits your needs and is the right size for your door.

Durability

You want to make sure your smart lock lasts. Make sure it is made with durable, heavy-duty materials and is not mostly plastic. Because smart locks are placed outside the home ensure your pick is weatherproof and won’t rust.

Security

Like any smart device, smart locks can also be hacked. Make sure the smart lock you choose uses AES encryption and 2-factor authentication (2FA) before granting access.

Ease of installation

Check the installation process that your smart lock involves before making the purchase. A complicated installation can not only leave you frustrated but require you to pay a professional to do it for you.

What are the Best Vacation Rental Smart Locks for 2023?

August

The award-winning August smart locks come in a simple, clean design and upgrade your existing locks. They are super easy to install, simply attaching to your existing deadbolt and allowing you to keep your original key. They work with mainstream home automation platforms, integrate into the Airbnb calendar and can even be controlled with popular voice assistants. And because it comes built-in with wi-fi, there is no need for additional hardware to connect.

• Very easy to install

• Built in wi-fi bridge

• Auto-Lock feature allows door to lock once it’s closed or after a specified amount of time

• Monitor door use and send keys from smartphone app (iOS and Android) or Apple watch

• BLE technology encryption, TLS, and 2FA

• DoorSense feature lets you know if the door is locked

• Smart alerts for when door is opened, closed, left ajar or unlocked

• Quickly and easily disable the August app and all virtual keys at any time on any device in case of lost phone

• Can enable biometric verification via smartphone fingerprint or facial verification

• Integrates with smart home partners including Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, etc

• Pairs with voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa

• No limit to number of guests who can be added

• Set validity period for digital keys

• Integrates with Airbnb Calendar

• August keypad also available

• Addition of August Doorbell Cam Pro provides footage of property

Kwikset

Kwikset smart locks offer a variety of smart locks, deadbolts and touchscreens. Guests can touch the lock with their Bluetooth enabled phone or type in eKeys on the touchscreen to enter. Most Kwikset smart locks also retain a traditional keyway, so you'll always have a backup key that can be used to lock and unlock your door. Meanwhile, the Kwikset Halo is wi-fi enabled so you can control the lock from anywhere.

• Easy to install

• Auto lock automatically locks door lock if left unlocked

• A master code restricts users from adding, changing or deleting existing codes

• Military grade PKI encryption, data encryption and 2FA

• Securescreen technology prevents code detection from fingerprints left on the touchscreen surface

• Monitor lock use and status through app

• Schedule activation and expiration for keys and codes

• Create up to 30 personalized codes

• Receive notifications on lock status

• Automatically lock doors and dim lights by clicking ‘good night’ on app

• Integrates with Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, Ring video doorbell, Amazon Alexa, IFTTT, Zwave and Zigbee

Schlage

Sturdy and stylish, Schlage smart locks are compatible with any smart home system. The Schlage Encode TM Smart WiFi Deadbolt doesn’t require adaptors or accessories to connect while the Sense Smart Deadbolt lets you unlock the door from the app or by entering an access code on the touchscreen. Meanwhile, the Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt includes an additional layer of encryption and can be controlled with your voice.

• Easy installation with only a screwdriver

• Backlit touchscreen keypad

• Finger resistant touchscreen prevents code peeking

• Up to 100 codes with 3 levels of access

• Unlock door via smartphone from anywhere

• Works with voice assistants including Alexa, Google Assistant and EchoShow

• Integrates with smart home networks including Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit, Wink, American Standard and many more

• Works with other systems such as Ring doorbell and alarm, Key by Amazon and more

Lockly

Lockly smart locks come with digital keypads and 3D fingerprint scanners while the Lockly Vision has a built-in HD video doorbell that can stream live video straight to your smartphone. Meanwhile, the Lockly Secure Lux offers multiple methods of access. Lockly smart locks have won several awards including CES Innovation Awards 2021 and HKEIA in the smartech category.

• Easy, one person installation

• Auto lock feature

• Remote management and real-time monitoring via smartphone or online portal

• Restrict access codes to specific days and times

• View and download reports on activity across doors

• Video monitoring and recording (only available with Lockly Vision)

• Greet guests and provide instructions (only available with Lockly Vision)

• Advanced 3D biometric fingerprint sensor stores up to 99 fingerprints

• PIN Genie technology prevents theft of access codes through digital keypad

• Generate offline access codes that don’t require an internet connection

• Backup access through physical key

• Integrates with home automation systems

• Can be controlled via voice through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Yale

Yale smart locks can be found in a variety of designs and sizes and can be installed without the help of a professional.

Yale offers a wide variety of lock types such as deadlocks, rim locks, cabinet locks and mortice locks and can be fitted on a range of doors such as wooden, metal and glass. They are also available in a variety of designs and finishes to match your décor.

Access can be provided through fingerprint, PIN and RFID cards and come with advanced encryption. They also include a tamper alarm, mechanical key override for emergencies and emergency power supply. Some Yale smart locks even come with a two-year guarantee.

• DIY installation

• Remote control and notifications through app

• Tamper alarm

• Low battery warning

• Create and manage multiple access codes and set expiration times

• Compatible with many smart home systems such as Amazon Alexa and Google Home

• Secure locks that are difficult to pick, drill or bump

• Access through fingerprint, PIN (key code) and RFI cards

• Create and share up to 25 (or 250 with network module) unique PIN codes with some locks

• Mechanical override key for emergencies

• Emergency power supply

• Two-year guarantee (Yale Keyless Connected only)

How Hostaway Enables Smart Locks

Consolidated lock management

All your smart locks can be connected, mapped and managed in the Hostaway Dashboard.

Automated code creation & sending

Automatically generate and send codes to your guests through message automations or the Hostaway Guest Portal.

Codes can also be sent through text messages and Whatsapp.

Connect to Different Brands

Connect locks from a wide range of different providers including Yale, Schlage Encode, August, Kwikset and Lockly.

Remote lock/unlock

Lock or unlock your locks whenever you need, wherever you are.

Battery status

See the battery life of all your devices and set up notifications so you’ll never have a deadlock.

Multi-lock, multi-unit

Map multiple locks to one listing, one lock to multiple listings, as well as multi-unit listings.

Mobile-friendly

Codes can be edited in the mobile app. Soon lock/unlock will also be available on mobile.

Conditional automations

If your guests sign a rental agreement, the instructions and code can be sent automatically.

Smart Locks and Home Automation

You can integrate your smart locks with vacation rental home automation services through Hostaway. This allows the opening and closing of the smart lock affixed door to trigger Hostaway’s automated messaging feature for example, sending out a welcome email to your guests, etc.

Operto, which integrates with Hostway as well as August and Schlage smart locks, acts as a single solution for all the smart devices in your vacation rental. It also helps property managers make the switch from traditional to self check-in and provides a modern, fully automated check-in experience that integrates into your existing PMS. With Operto you can manage in real-time integrated keyless entry, guest communication, energy savings including lights, temperature and humidity, noise and occupancy monitoring, security and fire alarms as well as personalized in-suite technology from a single place.

Minut is another Hostaway-integrated home automation solution that works in tandem with smart locks. Minut monitors noise, tracks occupancy and acts as a security alarm and siren even between bookings. Easy to place and install, it is tamper-proof, works wired and wireless, requires minimal maintenance and will call and/or message guests on your behalf. You can monitor your entire portfolio on the mobile or web app and receive instant alerts at the first sign of trouble.

For hosts looking for more complex smart lock automation and management, Hostaway also offers an integration with RemoteLock. Remote Lock supports managing and securing hundreds of doors from anywhere, from the main door to parking garages. You can customize access schedules for any user and provide instant, one-time access for cleaners, handymen, delivery persons, etc with just a click. You can also create door groups for common areas such as entrances, elevators, lobbies, and more. RemoteLock can be used across any number of listings and is compatible with August, Kwikset, Yale and Schlage smart locks.