One of the best ways to upgrade your home’s security is by changing your standard door lock to a smart lock. While traditional door locks are fairly common amongst homeowners as they offer a decent means to control access to your home, they do have some flaws. Firstly, you might lock yourself outside your home if you happen to forget your keys. You could also lose your keys, which could be easily copied without your knowledge by a random stranger. Worst of all, they can also be picked or forced open without you being able to know if your door lock has been compromised. Alternatively, there are smart locks, which allow you to better protect your home entrance without requiring keys and even control its door access remotely by using unlock codes via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. You can also grant access to guests or service providers with temporary codes, even when you’re not home. Most importantly, smart locks also enable you to monitor who enters and exits your home, thus adding an extra layer of security. For a smart lock that’s reliable and easy to operate, the Abode Lock is an excellent choice for modern homeowners.
The Abode Lock is a retrofit smart lock which features compatibility with all standard deadbolts and universal adaptability. It has a durable, weather-resistant construction and also comes with a weatherproof Bluetooth keypad equipped with a built-in fingerprint reader which provides simple and secure exterior access either via PIN codes or fingerprint recognition, while also featuring a timed auto-lock function. The lock boasts Wi-Fi connectivity, up to 12 months of battery on a single charge, and Voice Assistant support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Abode Lock can be used as a standalone solution or ultimately integrated into an existing Abode smart home security system operating on an Abode plan, making it is capable of powerful home automations including scheduling and geolocation capabilities, thus offering enhanced security and flexibility to homeowners. Via the Abode App, homeowners can configure customizable pin codes that can be permanent, single-use, or time-limited, add unique fingerprints, monitor the lock’s current status, lock and unlock it from anywhere, and also receive low battery warnings.
Designed to transform any latch-style deadbolt into a smart lock without much effort, this retrofit smart lock offers you a seamless way to upgrade the security of your home entrance.
Below is our in-depth review of the Abode Lock, where we explain in detail exactly how this retrofit smart lock is designed to work, and also go over all of its functionalities.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the device’s size, the kit’s retrofit smart lock has a sleek form factor, measuring just 2.83 inches long by 1.46 inches wide by 5.94 inches tall, and weighs only 8.84 oz.
Then there’s also the lock’s dedicated Bluetooth keypad, which is slightly smaller and somewhat slimmer than the lock, measuring 1.23 inches long by 0.83 inches wide by 4.34 inches tall, while weighing just 1.69 oz.
The Abode Lock and its keypad also sport a beautiful minimalist design, which allows both devices to seamlessly blend in with your home entrance. Both the smart lock and its keypad come in a solid Black color and also have a glossy finish that gives them an added touch of elegance.
Furthermore, both the Abode Lock and its keypad also pack a very high-quality and durable construction, and they’re also rated to have a IPX5 Weather-Resistance Rating, making them capable of withstanding all sorts of harsh weather conditions, whether that’s heat, strong winds, heavy rain or snow.
SETUP / INSTALLATION
When it comes to the lock’s installation, know that this smart door lock is rather easy to install, as it is designed to offer homeowners a simple DIY installation, allowing you to convert any latch-style deadbolt into a smart lock without requiring you to change complicated door hardware.
More specifically, the Abode Lock is meant to be installed directly over an existing deadbolt lock, as it features compatibility with all standard deadbolts as well as universal adaptability.
The kit’s installation process should take you no more than half an hour.
To install it, you simply have to replace your existing locking mechanism on the inside of your door with the Abode Lock. The kit also comes with 3 deadbolt lock adapters that fit most common deadbolt locks, so use the one that better fits your current door lock.
Once the lock is installed, you just have to mount its Bluetooth keypad on the outside of your door or door frame.
Keep in mind that the lock’s keypad should be mounted within 15 feet of the lock for its Bluetooth connection to work properly.
Below you can find the company’s official video guide for the installation of the lock and its keypad:
INTERFACE / CONTROL PANEL
Moving on to the lock’s and keypad’s interface, both of which feature a user-friendly interface that makes them easy and straightforward to operate.
The lock itself comes equipped with a built-in hand cylinder integrated at its bottom side which allows users to manually unlock and lock the door lock’s cylinder lock, while still allowing you to use physical keys from the outer side of your home door.
The lock also integrates a built-in LED Status Light that displays its current status, for which a Green LED Light color represents that the lock is securely locked, while a Red LED Light color means it is currently unlocked.
It’s also worth noting that the Abode Lock also features a timed auto-lock function that automatically locks the smart lock for you if you ever forget to lock it yourself. This is a really nice security feature to have available.
In addition, there’s also the lock’s dedicated Bluetooth keypad, which comes equipped with a 12-button keypad (features ten buttons from 0 to 10 plus a Cancel and Confirm buttons) through which you can insert its programmed access codes, along with a built-in fingerprint reader that allows users to unlock the lock via fingerprint recognition.
CONNECTIVITY
For establishing a wireless connection with its mobile app, the Abode Lock utilizes Wi-Fi connectivity (works with the most common wireless standards (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)), for which it supports both 2.4 GHz and 5GHz networks.
The lock’s Bluetooth keypad utilizes Bluetooth connectivity for establishing its own wireless connection with the lock.
While the Abode Lock can be used as a standalone solution, it can also be ultimately integrated into an existing Abode smart home security system operating on an Abode plan (can be either the Standard Plan for $6.99/mo or the Pro Plan for $21.99/mo), thus offering homeowners enhanced security and even more functionalities.
Integrating the lock into a pre-existing Abode smart home security system will provide homeowners with powerful home automations for the lock such as scheduling and geolocation capabilities, as well as auto-arm and auto-disarm functions by using Abode CUE automations.
Last but not least, the Abode Lock also boasts Voice Assistant support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing homeowners to control its operation (i.e. locking and unlocking it) via simple voice commands.
BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE
For its power, the Abode Lock comes equipped with a 4000mAh Lithium-Ion battery that offers homeowners up to 12 months of battery on a single charge (with average use). Note that the lock’s battery can be conveniently recharged via USB-C.
The lock’s Bluetooth keypad is powered by two (x2) AAA batteries, which provide approximately the same battery life as its lock does, meaning approximately 12 months.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Abode App
For controlling all of the Abode Lock’s different functionalities remotely, users simply have to install the Abode App on their smartphone, which is available to download for free for both iOS and Android devices.
Via the Abode App, homeowners can configure customizable pin codes, which can be set programmed as permanent, single-use, or time-limited codes, and they can also add unique fingerprints.
Moreover, the app also allows homeowners to monitor the lock’s current status, lock and unlock it remotely from anywhere.
Finally, the Abode App also automatically sends homeowners low battery warnings whenever the lock itself or its keypad are running low on power as a way to help ensure continuous protection for their home.
FINAL THOUGHTS
All in all, this retrofit smart door lock offers homeowners a keyless method for locking and unlocking their home door. The kit’s lock and keypad pack are a sturdy build, are relatively easy to install, and also intuitive to configure and control.
If you’re interested in purchasing the Abode Lock, know that each set is currently discounted from its normal price of $159.99, and is now going for just $129.99 (saves you $30), and each purchase also comes accompanied by a 1-Year Warranty and a 30-Day Return Period. You can order it online either directly from Abode’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you can get it from Amazon if you’d prefer.
