Will a smart lock work if the internet goes out?

Check the specific lock’s manual rather than assuming either outcome. Confirm which entry methods and controls remain available without internet access, and whether any required hub also operates locally. Local automation support in a hub does not, by itself, establish every connected lock feature’s offline behavior.

Do I need a hub for a smart lock?

Check the lock’s connection requirements and the functions you want before buying a hub. Our reviewed controllers offer different capabilities: Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro includes Z-Wave and Zigbee radios, while Home Assistant Green needs separate USB adapters for direct connections using those protocols. Verify exact model compatibility in the documentation.

What happens if a smart lock loses power?

Use the manufacturer’s documented backup entry procedure; do not assume a particular lock has a key override or emergency-power connection. Before relying on it, check the manual for power maintenance, warning indicators, and approved fallback access. Plan for an outage before it happens, and keep any required backup accessible.

Can a smart lock be hacked?

Do not assume connected access is risk-free, and do not mistake a hub’s local processing for proof of lock security. Use unique passwords, enable multifactor authentication where available, keep supported software updated, and remove unused access permissions. The supplied reviews contain no smart-lock hacking tests or model-specific security findings.

What is a smart lock, and is it secure?

A smart lock is a door lock with electronic controls and smart-home connectivity; assess security by checking the physical installation, access settings, and dependence on online services.

Research-based article drawn from our 25 smart home devices reviews. Updated September 2026.

Short answer

A smart lock is a door lock that adds electronic access and connected control to the job of securing a door. To judge whether one is secure, check its physical installation, account protections, and behavior during power or internet outages. Prefer local control and verify compatibility before buying; the reviewed products here are supporting hubs, not locks.

Our picks for “what is a smart lock”

What makes a door lock smart?

The basic distinction is connected control: a smart lock combines the job of securing a door with electronic access and smart-home connectivity. When shopping, separate the lock itself from the app, hub, or display used to manage it. A control panel is not a substitute for locking hardware, and a hub’s capabilities do not establish a lock’s physical security.

Start with the access methods you need rather than a list of automation features. Check the lock’s manual for supported ways to enter, whether remote control requires additional equipment, and how access permissions are managed. Do not assume that every connected lock offers the same features or fallback options.

Our supplied review list contains no smart locks, so it cannot support a lock recommendation or a verdict on any lock’s resistance to forced entry. It does include hubs that may help build a more independent smart-home setup, subject to confirmed lock compatibility.

Is a smart lock secure? Check the door and the digital access

Treat security as two checks: whether the door is physically secured and whether electronic access is properly restricted. Do not use an app feature list, a hub review score, or a customer rating as evidence of forced-entry resistance. The supplied reviews contain no lock-security testing.

For physical installation, follow the lock manufacturer’s instructions and confirm that the door closes and the bolt engages without binding. Check the manual for door dimensions, hardware compatibility, and installation requirements. If the frame or existing hardware is damaged, address that before adding connected controls; seek a qualified installer if needed.

For digital access, use a unique account password, enable multifactor authentication where available, and install supported updates. Give access only to people who need it, and revoke permissions when they no longer do. Review any automatic unlocking or voice-access settings rather than accepting defaults without checking them. Keep a documented fallback entry plan that follows the manufacturer’s instructions.

Prioritize local control and verify Matter and Thread support

Before buying, ask which functions work without the internet and which require a vendor’s servers. Prefer local control: do not make a cloud-only service your sole plan for essential access. Check the lock’s manual for behavior during internet outages, loss of power, and service unavailability, including its approved backup entry procedure.

Our buying rule favors Matter and Thread support to reduce ecosystem lock-in. Still, verify the exact lock-and-controller combination rather than treating a compatibility logo as a promise that every feature works. Ask specifically about supported access controls and local operation.

The Aqara Smart Home Hub M3 is a Matter controller and Thread border router that supports local automation execution. Its full setup and diagnostics still rely on Aqara’s companion software. The reviewed Aeotec Smart Home Hub supports Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter, but retains some cloud dependencies. The Aeotec Smart Home Hub2 - V4 drops Z-Wave, so it is not a replacement for a Z-Wave controller when that is what your chosen lock requires.

Read the reviews: Aqara Smart Home Hub M3 for Advanced Automation, Aeotec Smart Home Hub, Aeotec Smart Home Hub2

Which reviewed products can genuinely help?

Choose a supporting hub only after confirming the lock’s requirements. These are controller options, not tested lock-and-hub bundles, and none establishes whether a particular lock is secure.

Home Assistant Green is the strongest fit here for privacy-conscious buyers willing to handle technical setup. It provides local processing without outside-server reliance and has no mandatory monthly subscription. Direct Zigbee or Z-Wave connections require separately purchased USB adapters. Confirm the proposed lock integration and its local capabilities before purchasing.

Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro is an alternative for local Z-Wave and Zigbee automation. It includes both radios, runs routines without external internet access, and requires no subscription for core automation features. Its administrative interface requires deliberate technical setup.

Aqara Smart Home Hub M3 is the relevant option here for Matter and Thread infrastructure, with local automation support and a companion-app requirement. Pick according to verified compatibility and your willingness to configure the system—not simply the hub’s price or review score.

Read the reviews: Home Assistant Green, Hubitat Elevation C‑8 Pro Smart Home Hub, Aqara Smart Home Hub M3 for Advanced Automation

Frequently asked

Will a smart lock work if the internet goes out?: Check the specific lock’s manual rather than assuming either outcome. Confirm which entry methods and controls remain available without internet access, and whether any required hub also operates locally. Local automation support in a hub does not, by itself, establish every connected lock feature’s offline behavior.
Do I need a hub for a smart lock?: Check the lock’s connection requirements and the functions you want before buying a hub. Our reviewed controllers offer different capabilities: Hubitat Elevation C-8 Pro includes Z-Wave and Zigbee radios, while Home Assistant Green needs separate USB adapters for direct connections using those protocols. Verify exact model compatibility in the documentation.
What happens if a smart lock loses power?: Use the manufacturer’s documented backup entry procedure; do not assume a particular lock has a key override or emergency-power connection. Before relying on it, check the manual for power maintenance, warning indicators, and approved fallback access. Plan for an outage before it happens, and keep any required backup accessible.
Can a smart lock be hacked?: Do not assume connected access is risk-free, and do not mistake a hub’s local processing for proof of lock security. Use unique passwords, enable multifactor authentication where available, keep supported software updated, and remove unused access permissions. The supplied reviews contain no smart-lock hacking tests or model-specific security findings.