Smart Locks & Access

A complete smart entry system does more than lock and unlock a door — it recognizes who is arriving, adjusts lighting, disarms the alarm, records video, and sends notifications. All of this is possible without any cloud accounts, subscription fees, or manufacturer apps. Here is how to build it with Home Assistant. Components of a … Read more

Schlage and Yale are the two leading smart lock brands for local, cloud-free home access control. Both make excellent Z-Wave locks that work perfectly with Home Assistant — but they have real differences in build quality, form factor, feature set, and integration depth. Build Quality and Security Rating Schlage is the clear winner on pure … Read more

Z-Wave is the gold standard protocol for smart locks. Dedicated security encryption, excellent battery life, proven reliability, and full local control make it the right choice for anyone serious about subscription-free home access control. Why Z-Wave for Door Locks Specifically? Security: Z-Wave S2 uses AES-128 encryption for all commands — essential for a device that … Read more

Adding a smart lock to Home Assistant gives you local, instant control — lock status updates in under a second, automations fire reliably, and nothing routes through a manufacturer cloud. This guide covers the complete setup process for Z-Wave smart locks. Prerequisites Home Assistant running on a Raspberry Pi 4, mini PC, or similar hardware … Read more

Most smart lock manufacturers want you on a monthly plan — cloud bridge subscriptions, remote access fees, or activity log storage costs. These smart locks work without any subscription, offer local control via Z-Wave or Zigbee, and integrate directly with Home Assistant. What Makes a Smart Lock Subscription-Free? Works without any ongoing fees Supports local … Read more