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Smart deadbolts are a worthwhile investment for homeowners seeking more convenience, flexibility, and advanced features than a traditional deadbolt can provide. While a strong conventional deadbolt offers sufficient security for most, smart deadbolts provide significant upgrades.

Key benefits include keyless entry via smartphone, keypads, or biometric sensors, and the ability to lock or unlock your door remotely. You can also manage access for guests by creating temporary codes, eliminating the need for physical keys and the risk of them being lost or duplicated. Many models integrate with smart home systems and offer features like automatic locking, entry-exit monitoring, and tamper alerts with encryption for enhanced security.

However, there are downsides to consider. Smart deadbolts are more expensive than their traditional counterparts and rely on batteries and wireless networks to function. This dependency introduces potential vulnerabilities, such as hacking by skilled intruders and privacy concerns. Installation can also be more complex. Despite these drawbacks, the added layer of convenience and protection makes them a compelling option for many.

Rekeying your own locks is a low-cost task that prevents you from having to replace the locks themselves completely. The first couple of times you rekey a lock may be challenging because this is an intermediate DIY task. You can purchase a rekey kit from most hardware stores, but make sure you’re buying the kit from the brand of lock in your home that you’re going to rekey. 

When you take a key to a hardware store or a locksmith for copying, you can expect the key-cutting process to take as little as 30 seconds. The key copier will review your current key to decide on the correct blank. Then, your original key and the blank are inserted into a key duplication machine to cut an exact key copy. When it’s all said and done, you can have a new key in your hand in just a couple of minutes.

As with any computer, smart locks can be hacked by someone with the technical skills to do so, but most people do not have that ability, making smart locks relatively safe. If you have any concerns about a compromised smart lock, opt for an encrypted smart lock, change your Wi-Fi password, and make sure that you only give out your password to trusted family and friends.