It seems that there is no limit to what your smartphone can work with. Right now, you can even unlock padlocks with your smartphone, without using keys or without keying in a combination.
What are the best smart padlocks available in the market right now?
Contents (Jump to)
Noke Padlock – 2nd Generation
The 2nd Generation Noke Padlock is unlocked by your smartphone. No more fumbling for your keys and even being locked out when you forget them at home. You also do not have to remember any number combinations. All you need to do is to get your phone close to your Noke padlock. The smart padlock will automatically connect to your phone using Bluetooth and unlock itself.
But what if you lose your phone? Do not fret! You can also set your Noke Padlock to be opened by a series of long and short clicks on the shackle. If you lose your phone, or if you do not have it with you, you can just perform these clicks and open the padlock manually. You can also buy a key fob that you can use to unlock your padlock.
The Noke Padlock has a simple and understated design, but it still looks good. It also feels right in your hand. More importantly, this smart padlock is built tough, with a hardened shackle, and is equipped with an anti-shim technology that can deter even the most persistent thieves.
The Noke app can manage several padlocks. It also allows you to name your locks to easily identify each of them and to unlock the exact one you want to open.
You can also share access with your friends, allowing them to open your Noke padlock at certain times of the day. You can even set the location, time, and duration that each friend is able to unlock the padlock. And using the history tab, you can see when your padlock was opened and by whom.
Noke is very durable and you can use it outdoors even in extreme temperatures. The Noke has silicone rings inside the lock to help keep mud, dust, and water from getting into the electronics. You can safely use the Noke in temperatures ranging from -23°C to 65°C.
This smart padlock uses a standard 2032 watch battery that lasts more than a year of regular use. The mobile app will tell you if you need to replace the battery. If you forget to change the battery and it dies on you, you can jump-start your Noke by placing the replacement battery against the lock’s contact points.
Master Lock 4400D
The Master Lock 4400D is another padlock that you can unlock using your smartphone. This keyless padlock will connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and unlock itself when you are near. To open the lock, all you need to do is to touch it.
The Master Lock 4400D has a very sleek design, using a combination of black and silver. At the center of the locks face is an LED ring that changes colors depending on the lock’s status. The light is blue when the smart padlock is locked and communicating with your smartphone. It is also blue when you are using the padlock’s keypad to unlock it, and if you enter the wrong code during keypad entry, the light will turn red. It turns green when the lock is unlocked or open, and yellow if the battery needs to be replaced.
Using the Master Lock Vault eLocks mobile app, you can see the lock’s status, but that is actually a redundant feature because the LED lights would already provide a visual confirmation of whether the 4400D is locked or not. However, you need the mobile app to provide temporary or guest access to friends and family. You can also monitor the lock’s activity, like who unlocked it and when, whether it has been tampered with, and whether guests were added or deleted.
More than just the tamper alerts, which sends you a push or email notification when somebody tries to key in the wrong keypad entry, the Master Lock 4400D is built strong. It has a boron alloy shackle, making it very resistant to sawing and cutting. The lock itself also has anti-shim technology.
The Master Lock 4400D is designed for indoor use and can withstand temperatures of up to 65°C. If you need a smart padlock that you can use outside, Master Lock offers the 4401 DLH, which sells for around $89 and comes with a thermoplastic covering that can protect it from rain and withstand a freezing temperature of up to -40°C.
Dog & Bone Locksmart Mini Bluetooth Padlock
The Dog & Bone Locksmart Mini Bluetooth Padlock is another smart padlock that is worth considering. Like the other smart padlocks described here, the Dog & Bone Locksmart Mini Bluetooth Padlock can be opened using your smartphone. There are actually three ways to unlock it: you can simply tap the padlock to unlock it, use your fingerprints to make sure that nobody else can open your lock, or use a passcode. But all of these would require the smartphone app to work.
More than this, you can use the mobile app to find your lock on a map. This could be very helpful if somebody stole your backpack or luggage and you used the lock on the stolen item.
You can also share access to your friends and family. You can set different access levels, such as unlimited unlock access, a specific number of unlocks per person, or a one-time-only lock access for somebody. You can also set a scheduled access for people who only need to unlock the smart lock at certain times during the day or on specific days of the week – such as your cleaning lady.
The mobile app will also show you an activity history, detailing who opened your lock and when. You can also be notified when a shared user unlocks your lock, as well as when the battery runs low.
The Dog & Bone Locksmart Mini Bluetooth Padlock uses a rechargeable lithium ion cell battery that can provide enough power for up to 3,000 unlocks or up to two years on a single charge. Once the battery runs low, you can recharge it using a micro USB cable.
Furthermore, the Dog & Bone Locksmart Mini Bluetooth Padlock is made with high-quality materials. The lock’s body is made of die-cast Zamak-3 alloy, while the shackle is hardened stainless steel. You can use it indoors or outdoors as it can withstand a temperature range of -20°C to 70°C. You can choose from three colors available: red, blue and black.
Before you buy
All three smart padlocks, the Noke Padlock – 2nd Generation, the Master Lock 4400D, and the Dog & Bone Locksmart Mini Bluetooth Padlock are capable smart locks that can help keep your things properly secured while doing away with keys and combinations. You only need to have your smartphone with you in order to unlock these. What’s more, these padlocks sell for roughly the same price, so you could go with your choice.
But what if you lose your smartphone, or if you do not have it with you? Both Noke and Master Lock 4400D allow you to open your smart padlock without your smartphone. You can either tug on the Noke’s shackle or key in the directional code on the Master Lock’s keypad. With the Locksmart, you do not have this option. If you lose your phone, you would need to borrow a similar device and log into your account to gain control over your smart padlock. Locksmart just substitutes your keys with your phone. You need your phone to open it.
Furthermore, if you are looking for a durable lock that is also more secure, you might want to choose between the Noke and Master Lock 4400D. Both of them have boron steel shackles, which make them more difficult to cut or saw through. Both of them also have anti-shim mechanism, ensuring that the shackle cannot be forced open. The Dog & Bone LockSmart padlock does not have this.
When it comes to weather and water resistance, Noke and LockSmart are a whole lot more rugged than the Master Lock 4400D (and even its outdoor version, the MasterLock 4401DLH).
However, the LockSmart padlock does come with a rechargeable battery so there are no additional expenses in buying replacement batteries over time. However, the battery used here is proprietary, so if something happens to the battery, you might find it difficult to find a replacement.
Lastly, if you have a Windows Phone, then your only choice is the Noke Padlock.
To make the decision easier, here is a side-by-side comparison of these three smart padlocks:
| Noke Padlock | Master Lock 4400D | Dog & Bone LockSmart | |
| Price | $79.99 | $70.00 | $69.95 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | CR2032 | CR2450 | Rechargeable Li-ion |
| Lock dimensions (wxh, inches) | 2.15 x 3.30 | 1.85 x 3.10 | 2.00 x 4.00 |
| Shackle diameter (inches) | 0.31 | 0.28 | 0.27 |
| Interior shackle width (inches) | 0.75 | 0.79 | 1.14 |
| iOS compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Android compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Windows Phone | Yes | No | No |
| Indoor and outdoor use | Yes | Indoor use | Yes |
| Operating Temperature Range | -23°C to 65°C | Up to 65°C | -20°C to 70°C |
| Boron shackle | Yes | Yes | No |
| Anti-shim | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery jump | Yes | Yes | No |
Further read, The Best Smart Backpacks
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