Top 3 Smart Locks For Remote Hosting On AirBnB

When you’re dealing with same-day turnover, cleaning schedules and key transfers, there’s a lot that can go wrong.

Guests may forget to give the keys back, they might lose it in their luggage or their car, and it’s possible that you might even have a guest make a copy of your house key so they can return later to steal all of your stuff!

Or your new guests’ things.

Then you have to deal with someone being available to meet your guest. Are you going to hang around until 1AM if they decide to have a night out on the town before checking in?

Me neither.

As introverts, not having to interact with guests was a very appealing idea. Not to mention the security risk of having keys floating around.

Sure, there came times when we needed to take care of problems: like guests not checking out on time or equipment not working. But for the most part it has been pretty laid back.

All because we used smart locks for our AirBnB property.

So in this article, we’re going to focus on the top 3 smart locks that we believe will add value to yourself, as well as to your guests.

Summary

• Smart locks enable you to host your properties remotely, without ever having to meet your guest in person.
• You can set temporary codes that expire after a reservation, and one-time use codes for maintenance personnel.
• Self Check-In properties are preferred by guests, but may also attract illegitimate guests. Check out our guide on party prevention devices.
• Schlage, August, and Kwikset are the brands we recommend for new and experienced hosts because of their ease of use, installation, and remote capabilities.

Comparison Chart

Info	Schlage Encode	August	Kwikset
Wifi Connectivity	Built-In	Connect Hub	Built-In
User Codes	100	Virtual Key (App)	30
Scheduled Codes	Yes	Yes	No
Smart Home Integration	Alexa/Google	Alexa/Google	Home Connect
Purchase	Shop On Amazon	Shop On Amazon	Shop On Amazon

Best Smart Locks For Remote Hosting

Would you be surprised if I told you that my wife and I have never met any of our guests for the first 3 months of our hosting journey? Or that we were able to start getting our guests to check out on time by reminding them that their code is about to expire?

There are some very expensive and highly secure locks available on the market, but we haven’t listed them here because we feel that they will be way too overkill for most hosts.

In our opinion, the best smart locks are the ones that allow you to run your short term rental business on autopilot.

What Makes A Good Smart Lock?

So how did we determine which locks made the list?

There are TONS of smart locks on the market that can work for your short term rental. So in order to not overwhelm you, we have taken an approach that deals only with the things that we believe matter.

When Sheila and I were looking for which lock to get, we settled on the following criteria:

• Ease of installation. Can you simply replace your pre-existing deadbolt?
• Features. Are you able to add/delete codes, lock/unlock remotely, or get notified when the lock is used?
• All-In-One Solution. Do you need to install additional hardware for features to work?

This helped narrow the list down to locks that fit with how we intended on operating our business, and it came with an additional benefit…

Self Check-In With Smart Locks

The main advantage of using a smart lock for your property is the ability to offer Self Check-In for your guests so you can host remotely.

It’s not just convenient for your guest, but it’s listed as an amenity on the AirBnB platform as well as a ranking factor for ease of use.

You’ll also never lose a key or have to meet with your guest in the middle of the night if you set up your property with a smart lock too.

So it’s win-win.

We’ve interviewed several of our guests who have mentioned that they specifically look for properties that have Self Check-In because they don’t want to disturb their host if they arrive at the property late.

There seems to be a growing demand for smart lock technology by both guests and hosts, and it’s incredibly inexpensive to add to your listing too.

However, it doesn’t come without it’s caveats.

Because remote locks make things so much more convenient for guests, they also attract less legitimate guests who have been known to choose Self Check-In properties in order to:

• Throw a party.
• Use your property for commercial use (photo/video shoots).
• Use your property for illegal activities (escorts/drugs).

This is because Self Check-In properties are typically ran by hosts who are totally hands off.

So if you’re going to set up your property with a smart lock, definitely check out our guide on party prevention devices so you can protect your property from these types of guests.

Our #1 Recommendation: Schlage

This was a tough decision, because all of the locks on this list are able to do the job very well. Ultimately we decided to recommend the Schlage lock because of how easy it was to install, its features and because of the App.

The Schlage Encode replaces most standard dead-bolts and I was able to install it within 15 minutes on my first try (I’m not a handyman when it comes to installing hardware).

It connects directly to your wifi so you don’t have to install any third party hardware, but it can also be used with Alexa/Google Hub.

And have you ever had the pleasure of trying to explain to someone unfamiliar with technology how to install/use an app? Thankfully your guest doesn’t have to download anything and you can give them simple instructions.

We also liked that we could operate the lock remotely and get notified whenever it was used by our guest, and it differentiated the code from the thumb turn being used. We also liked that the code was stored in the device itself so it would still work if you lost wifi/power.

And speaking of losing power, it is operated by 4 x AA batteries and lasts quite a long time. The App will notify you when you need to change the batteries, and the device will also alert you when they get low.

Pro’s

• Long battery life.
• Multiple administrative users.
• Add up to 100 codes.
• Temporary codes for guests with time & date.
• Guests don’t need to install app.
• Codes are stored in device in case of wifi/power outage.
• Easy to install.

Con’s

• Sometimes App will be unresponsive when saving codes or locking/unlocking remotely.
• Need to factory reset if reinstalling lock in new location.
• Keypad is hard to see in the dark.

#2 Runner Up: August

If you are a property management company or have multiple short term rentals then August will be the lock for you.

Probably.

The reason why this wasn’t listed as our recommendation, despite how popular it is, was because of how we use the lock. We also wanted to have a consistent guest experience, because your guests will need to install an additional app on their phone in order to use it.

However, August has some slick features that can make hosting a lot of properties much easier, and is a favorite of property management companies.

For example, August can integrate into the AirBnB platform and automatically assign/delete codes for your guests.

It has many of the same features as the Schlage, installs over existing locks quickly, and tracks usage too. It can even be set up with Bluetooth to automatically lock/unlock as you approach the door.

But that’s where we found that the benefits end.

Not only do you have to install additional hardware to get it to connect to your wifi, but if you want keypad functionality then you have another piece of hardware to buy.

With the way the app and hardware is set up, as well as needing to get your guests to install an App, we feel like there are just too many moving parts.

And lots of moving parts mean lots of things that can go wrong.

But that shouldn’t stop you from getting an August lock if it fits with how you run your business.

Pro’s

• Attaches to your existing deadbolt.
• Integrates with AirBnB for automatic virtual keys.
• HomeKit/Alexa integration for voice control.
• Easy to install.
• Long battery life.

Con’s

• Needs an additional Connect bridge, which can only work with one lock at a time.
• Keypad purchased separately, otherwise guests must install & use App.
• Doesn’t integrate with subroutines for smart hubs.

#3 Best Budget Smart Lock: Kwikset Smart Code 888

What if you only wanted some of the functionality as the other locks?

This Kwikset smart lock is a great entry level solution for hosts that don’t need a lot of bells & whistles. It allows you to change codes and operate the lock remotely, notifies you when your lock is used, and has a log of all activity.

But with budget prices come budget features.

The Kwikset Smart Code 888 only stores up to 30 user codes and they will need to be programmed manually (no temporary access codes here). But if you’re looking for an inexpensive solution, this is one of the best options we could find.

Pro’s

• Easy to install.
• Simple to use.
• Long battery life.
• Does not need additional wifi device.

Con’s

• Limited functionality.
• Needs Home Connect Hub to work with Alexa.
• Only 30 user codes.

Best Smart Lock Under $100

I have searched high and low for a smart lock under $100 that had all of the features of the options above. This was quite difficult as you can imagine, and I only found one option.

At the time of this writing, the Colzer smart lock comes in at just the right price point. But there’s a catch:

• It’s not a known brand.
• The App has not been tested for reliability.
• The long term customer support is unknown.

However, it does appear to have a lot of the features of the August lock. Save, the AirBnB integration.

It can install over your existing deadbolt, virtual keys can be sent remotely, and can integrate with Siri (but not Alexa/Google). Additionally, it has a 1,500 mAh internal rechargeable battery.

Would I use it in a live environment and trust my business to a Chinese brand?

I’ll let you make that decision.

Alternative Remote Locks For AirBnB Hosts

If money isn’t an issue for you, and you want some options with additional features like biometrics or RFID functionality, then here are some premium options you should check out.

Lockly Secure Pro

If you’re like James Bond, or simply just want more security in your smart lock, then the Lockly Secure Pro is a really cool device that allows you to store up to 99 unique finger prints for unlocking the door.

It also has a “peak proof” LCD panel, meaning that someone standing behind you won’t be able to see what your PIN code is. And if they try to guess based on where you pressed the digital buttons, the LCD panel randomizes the numbers on the pad each time someone approaches the lock.

Take that, Neal Caffrey!

Like all of the options above, Lockly Secure Pro also integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant, but it does need an additional wifi hub that needs to be plugged in.

If the Schlage Encode is the Toyota of wifi smart locks, then the Lockly Secure Pro is the Lexus.

Samsung SHS-P718-LMK

The Samsung smart lock is the only one on the list that requires door modification due to it’s size, shape, and mortise lock.

It also looks the coolest.

However, appearance aside, the Samsung SHS-P718-LMK (great name, right?) is more of a solution for commercial applications. It has RFID functionality and compatible with NFC items (Near Field Communication), fire detection, tamper proof, and fingerprint reading that can store up to 99 fingerprints.

It can store up to 31 user codes, but if you plan to get this for your short term rental then you might want to consider something else.

It’s advanced security functions can be accidentally tripped by guests who try to figure out how to work the lock, and doesn’t have an app to operate it remotely.

So aside from being one of the coolest looking smart locks on the market with some advanced security functionality, this might not be a good option for hosting unless you want to impress your guests and have someone local to program the lock (or hand out custom cards with NFC tags on them).

Final Thoughts

Welcome to the 21st century!

There are a lot of locks on the market that can do some pretty cool things, but not all of them are the best for remote hosting.

The locks we chose for this list were specifically chosen for hosts that need remote functionality and are easy for guests to use. This will help you get good reviews by having an easy check-in process, and will limit the amount of late night calls you receive by guests unable to figure out how to unlock the door.

Believe me, it happens.

We have had a few times where older travelers didn’t get the door unlocked on the first try. But because they were familiar enough with keypads, they were able to get it figured out without having to call us.

The Schlage Encode is the one we use and have had great success with it.

We love it.

The August locks tend to be better suited for hosts that have multiple properties and need to automate their check-in process, and the Kwikset lock is a simple solution for those that don’t need many features.

Have more locks come on the market that we should know about, or a story to share? Leave us a comment below!