How do you pick a digital lock? This is a young and wildly immature space, and many products on the market are still extremely rough around the edges. Even top products can balk when dealing with old or stiff deadbolts, doors that don’t shut well, or environments where non-standard fixtures are in use. The bottom line is that it’s tough to declare that any product is universally perfect for every home. That said, here are some key considerations to take into account to help you narrow down your shopping list.

How smart is it? An important issue to consider first: Some “digital locks” don’t work with a smartphone app or any smart home networking hubs at all; they’re really just electronic locks that use a code instead of a key to open up. One step up from that, you’ll find Bluetooth-only locks. These work with a smartphone app, but can’t be monitored remotely or via a smart home system. That’s fine if you’re looking to get rid of the keys in your pocket, but less impressive if you want to make your entrance portals a true part of your home network.

You’re forgiven if you don’t want to replace your antique doorknob with a metallic device that looks like it would be more at home keeping people out of a strip mall bank branch. A sizeable number of digital lock products don’t require you to replace all your existing hardware. Instead, they are installed on the inside of the door only, replacing only the interior part of the deadbolt. You can continue to use a standard key from the outside or open the lock via a smartphone app.

If you have an existing hub like Amazon, Google Home, or an Apple TV, you’ll want to ensure your chosen smart lock is compatible from the start. Many digital lock support Bluetooth, so they work with your phone, but lack the technology needed to connect with your home network. If you’re using a smart home hub like the Google Home or Amazon, look for a lock that supports Z-Wave or ZigBee, instead.
 

What do you do if the batteries inside the lock die—and you’re stuck outside? Some locks allow for emergency power to be applied should this happen. Raizo digital locks feature external posts to which you can connect a power bank, giving you to supply temporary power to get the door open. Other models retain the traditional key cylinder for backup.

Most digital locks let you set up temporary keys for houseguests, which you can delete when they’ve returned home. Smarter systems even let you set time restrictions around when each access code can be used.