Unlock your home’s smart potential
The high-tech way to open your front door
Danalock smart door lock Price: €250. More info: danalock.com
The list of connected gadgets to help you make your home smarter is growing longer and very quickly too. Perhaps the most useful smart-home gadget, though, is the smart door lock. You’ll probably use it every day and you’ll know who’s home even when you’re not. Maybe the best feature, though, is being able to grant access to a plumber while you’re stuck in the office.
The first one I’ve tried is the Danalock. Made in Denmark, with a nice touch of Scandinavian design, it’s available as a simple Bluetooth device, or a Z-Wave and Bluetooth version.
Z-Wave is a technology that allows the lock to connect to the net and can be controlled from anywhere, whereas Bluetooth is limited to use by a nearby smartphone. For a true smart-home experience the Z-Wave version is essential.
Unboxing the Danalock reveals the circular lock itself. Weighing just over 360g, it’s about 50mm deep, with a stylish anodised aluminium bezel. In the box, there are various lock cylinders, as this device replaces the existing lock cylinder on your door. Replacing a lock cylinder should be straightforward for anyone who’s comfortable with mid-level DIY, but it took me an hour or so.
The lock works just like a regular door lock. Pressing the small user button on the front of the Danalock initiates the locking mechanism and with a reassuring whir it seals your front door. To unlock, just touch the button again. The really fun features require you to download the free app. Once you have connected your phone to the lock using Bluetooth, you have control of the lock via your smartphone. Using the app is incredibly intuitive. Operating the lock is as easy as pressing a red or green padlock icon to open or close it.
The stand-out feature is the ability to share virtual keys. You can send a permanent key to family members, or time-limited keys for sharing with a tradesman who needs access for a specific time. There’s also an autounlock function that unlocks the door as you approach, so no more fumbling for keys.
The Danalock is well made, sturdy and secure looking and reasonably priced for a smart-home device. I didn’t find the installation easy and would probably ask a handyman to fit the next one. However, the freedom it can bring in managing access to your home and keeping track of that access make this an attractive upgrade for front doors everywhere.