11 Electronic Door Lock Features That Make You Safer and More Secure

From smart appliances to fully automated home security systems, we’re increasingly welcoming intelligent devices into our homes—and for good reason.

From remotely controlling your home’s functions to automating everyday tasks, these devices help make our lives more convenient and secure.

Electronic door locks are a popular smart home device that provide convenient keyless entry and better door security.

Smart door locks can also integrate with smart home assistants like Amazon Alexa, Apple’s Homekit, and Google Assistant for a fully automated experience.

Take a look at some of the features that can make your home safer and more secure.

 

1. Keyless entry

Unlike traditional locks, with electronic door locks you don’t have to worry about forgetting your keys or creating spare keys for other users.

Smart locks allow you to control the door without a physical key, meaning you can lock and unlock your home’s door using just a mobile app—kind of like a virtual key. Some keyless-entry door locks are also equipped with an electronic keypad above the doorknob or door handle for controlling the door with unique access codes.

This means you don’t have to fumble in your bag to find your keys, hide spare keys under the flower pot, fight with the hard-to-lock existing deadbolt, or worry about forgetting to lock the door when you leave.

2. Control door access at home or away

Controlling your front door from a distance is a big reason many people love electronic door locks.

Smart door locks use your home’s Wi-Fi connection to allow you to lock and unlock your door from the palm of your hand whether you’re at home or far away.

This way, you can open your home to family and friends when you’re not there, double-check that you locked the doors while lying in bed, or let the pet sitter in while enjoying your two-week vacation.

3. Unique user codes for family and visitors

If you think hiding your physical key under the doormat, in the mailbox, or near that fake rock is safe—think twice.

Burglars are aware of the most common hideaway places homeowners use to hide their spare keys to existing locks. One thing you can do to enhance front door security is eliminate the need for a spare key in the first place.

With Vivint’s Kwikset Smart Locks, you can assign up to 30 individual access codes for friends and family. Once used, you can change or delete the smart codes to your keyless door lock.

4. Visitor and status notifications

Imagine knowing who’s coming in and out of your home at any time, even when you’re hundreds of miles away.

Electronic door locks, like Vivint’s Kwikset Smart Locks, will send visitor and status notifications to your smartphone or touch-screen base station, like the Vivint Smart Hub, whenever there’s front door activity.

Moreover, you can set custom alerts through your lock’s settings for specific events. For instance, you can receive a reminder to lock the door when you leave home or an alert when someone checks into your home through your touch-screen keypad.

This way, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your kids returned from school safely, the dog walker arrived on time, your family member stopped by to visit, and the guests checked in securely.

5. Front door security and remote access

Pairing your keypad door lock with a security camera system, such as the Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro, adds an extra layer of security to your home.

The Vivint Outdoor Camera Pro allows you to see live footage of your property’s surroundings and keeps your home safe from prying eyes, while Vivint’s Kwikset Smart Locks restrict home access to those with a unique access code.

Together, a smart lock and a key code can maximize your front door security by allowing you to see and manage what’s going on outside your doorstep, day or night.

And with the Vivint app, it’s easy to control your front door and other home access points (like the garage door) with a simple pin code.

6. Custom smart home actions

By 2025, the number of smart home systems will surpass 400 million households, meaning smart home compatibility is now more important than ever.

With a Wi-Fi- or Bluetooth-enabled device, you can use voice commands to control your home’s ambiance, adjust the room temperature, and even lock the doors.

Just say, “Alexa, lock my front door.” It’s that easy.

On that note, you can also choose to set custom smart home actions from your smartphone or touchpad to make your everyday life simpler.

For instance, you can set your device to alert you when the front door is left unlocked.

7. Automatic locking

When you install a Kwikset Smart Lock, you can rest easy knowing that your home is safe and protected around the clock.

Besides knowing who’s coming in and out of your home, electronic door locks can enhance front door security with auto-locking, auto-unlocking, and custom smart actions.

In other words, you can set your Vivint system to lock automatically after a specified amount of time or after particular actions, such as when you arm your security system.

This can take the worry out of having to lock your doors throughout the day (and night).

8. Professional installation

You have two choices when it comes to installing smart devices in your home: doing it yourself or contacting a professional installer.

Most smart locks have a fairly easy installation process.

However, DIY might also mean spending an entire afternoon trying to get your device up and running only to realize you’re unsure how to make it work with your existing door security or smart devices.

To take the hard work off your shoulders, Vivint’s Smart Home Pros can install your smart lock correctly and integrate it with your current door hardware, including other digital door locks or electronic deadbolt lock sets.

9. Two-factor authentication for enhanced security

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your electronic door locks.

This feature requires two forms of identification before access is granted. For instance, after entering your access code, the lock might require a fingerprint or a mobile app approval.

This significantly reduces the chances of unauthorized entry, ensuring that only those with verified access can enter your home.

10. Voice assistance compatibility

Voice assistance integration takes convenience to a new level. Modern electronic door locks are compatible with popular voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa.

This feature allows you to lock or unlock your door using simple voice commands. For example, just say "Hey Siri, unlock my front door," or "Alexa, lock the door," and your smart lock obeys, hands-free.

11. Geofencing for automated control

Geofencing technology enables your electronic door lock to recognize when you're near or away from your home.

It can automatically lock the door when you leave a designated area and unlock it as you return. This feature ensures you never forget to secure your home, adding convenience and peace of mind.

Are electronic door locks worth it?

When it comes to front door security, electronic door locks are worth the investment—and Vivint offers the best smart locks for key-free access to your home.

From locking your entire home with a single touch to controlling your locks with your voice, Vivint’s Kwikset Smart Locks can give you that much-needed peace of mind when you’re at home or far away.

If you’re ready to start enjoying the added security and convenience that comes with a smart door lock, contact our Smart Home Pros at 855.822.1220 for a free consultation.