Best Smart Locks for Airbnb [A Full Guide]

Airbnb has allowed millions of hosts around the world the opportunity to earn income through short-term vacation renting. And like with every other enterprise, managing an Airbnb comes with specific costs and requirements. With a well-built Airbnb smart lock, keyless access to your vacation rental solves numerous security challenges.

Property managers can easily facilitate the flow of guest check-ins and checkouts, and keep track of who stays on your property, and when. All are simplified through secure code access with a smart lock.

Smart security locks save host time and energy, providing a streamlined service to your clients. But with hundreds of options on the market, which one do you choose?

The Appeal of Keyless Self Check-In

Virtual management of a rental vacation is a massive win for hosts. Add to this, Airbnb data shows that self-check-in can make a listing more appealing to guests too, as they can access a place without needing the host to be there.

Included in the list of self-check-in options are smart locks, with the suggestion of a keypad as a backup option. These options eliminate the need for a key and guests are able to use the same code for their entire stay.

Airbnb host Derek of Chattanooga, Tennessee shared how he uses smart locks on all the properties he manages with “great success”.

“We automate guest code creation with Samsung SmartThings and third-party automation software. It’s seamless for guests [and makes for] a 5-star check-in experience,” he says.

How Do Smart Locks Work?

Smart locks can usually be accessed via a mobile app, allowing remote door locking and unlocking. While smart locks provide quite a few security benefits, one of the most valuable features is the remote access control for hosts.

It allows for the seamless automation of guest check-in and access to vacation rental properties.

Smart locks come in several different styles. All provide keyless entry, usually through a keypad, fingerprint, or remote fob.

However, for hosts, locks that connect to the home’s Wi-Fi network and are accessed via a smartphone app and or keypad are most effective.

When the app sends a command to lock or unlock the door, the smart lock responds and confirms the action. Guests can also manually punch in a code on the keypad or wave the fob or digital key in front of the lock, depending on the style of the lock itself.

It’s important to remember that smart locks can only be attached to a single door. Therefore, if a property has multiple entries or entrance points, you will need to buy and manage numerous smart locks for the property.

What to Look for When Buying Smart Locks for Your Airbnb?

Finding an ideal Airbnb lock depends upon a few factors. Industry research shows the key things to consider when choosing a smart lock for your property include

• Functionality
• Installation
• Batteries
• Automation
• Connectivity

Most smart locks are powered by their own apps. This application lets the user control everything from assigning visitors’ a key to checking battery life and recording entry and exit history. Visitors must use a smartphone to access and activate the smart lock to the listing.

Apps that are easy to understand and use are integral to choosing a good smart lock. Hosts should check for this as well as any reviews to fully understand if the app is user-friendly or not.

Teaching Your Airbnb Guests How To Use a Smart Lock

Once you’ve picked a self-check-in option, remember to add this amenity to your listing.

Airbnb also allows hosts to update the check-in instructions for listings in the listing section of their accounts. However, guests won’t be able to see detailed check-in instructions until three days before their reservation starts.

Guests can filter search results by the amenities in a listing, so it’s important to include everything you offer.

Above all, remember that self-check-in can help you save time — and provide great hospitality from a safe distance. So make sure you communicate all the crucial information with your guests and provide detailed check-in instructions, along with a checklist to ensure your guest has an amazing vacation rental experience.

Which Smart Locks is Best for Your Airbnb?

Take a look at this comprehensive list of smart locks on the market right now, all geared towards better property management.

Akiles has a cloud-based system opens and closes doors, registers users and assigns reservations, schedules, and keys centrally, remotely, and instantly. These devices also allow access with a one-person code that guests can use at any time when the wifi or their phone is done.

AurMur automates the entire guest check-in process with this system that provides temporary access codes, alerts, & notifications of guests’ movements. It also automatically notifies cleaning and maintenance staff, once your guests have checked out.

Brivo is a cloud-based security platform with 20 years of experience in protecting smart locks from both physical and cyber threats. They are partnered with an extensive list of the most popular smart lock providers, affording property managers the luxury of a smart lock that fits their properties’ aesthetic and technical requirements.

Calirom’s recently released solution Sensoo is a complete room automation solution for vacation rentals and hotels. Their a QR/RFID reader is specially developed for rooms, elevators, common areas, and parking barriers, giving apartment buildings, or multi-unit complexes a smart lock keyless solution.

DACK integrates virtually with any lock or cloud provider on the market today. With DACK, guests are automatically assigned a unique digital key and keycode when their reservation pairs to a unit with a digitally connected smart lock, and staff access can be managed remotely from the DACK Operator Portal.

Enso Connect is a dynamic guest experience platform for vacation rentals to help hosts personalize and monetize interactions all along the guest journey. It supports most of the best smart locks for Airbnbs, and open to integration requests if you’re current Airbnb door lock doesn’t feature.

Jervis Systems makes it simple to securely and inexpensively incorporate remote access and automation capabilities into your property management service. Jervis Systems can be easily connected to your existing smart locks and garage doors, automating access for guests, cleaning companies, friends, and family.

Loopkey offers a simple, modernly designed smart lock for Airbnbs, that provides a wide variety of ways for guests to access their environment, from phones and apple watches, to codes, tags, and biometrics. Their mobile app and software solution complete the security ecosystem for property managers.

Lynx makes smart locks for Airbnbs, with leading keyless and home automation software that works with any lock and smart device. Automated, time-sensitive access for guests and staff, with an audit trail provides invaluable information on your entire property operation. Lynx smart lock software is compatible with any smart lock device.

Nuki is Europe’s leading supplier of retrofittable, smart access solutions. The Nuki Smart Lock is an electronic, retrofit door lock that can be installed on the inside of the door in a few minutes, with no drilling or lock changing necessary. It turns smartphones into smart keys, letting hosts control access to properties for guests, cleaning staff, employees, and anyone else who needs it.

Operto offers a wide range of smart locks as a property automation solution. It includes the necessary software to completely integrate with your PMS for a keyless guest entry. It provides a comprehensive activity log of property access too.

PointCentral is an enterprise-level platform for property managers. Their industry-leading solution monitors and controls Smart Home technology across all properties in their inventory over a best-in-class secure and reliable network that can run without Wi-Fi for added robustness. PointCentral’s mobile app and enterprise dashboard enable customers to manage access to properties, save energy, coordinate staff, and manage security measures.

RemoteLock is a cloud-based solution that is managed from a single dashboard. The RemoteLock app lets you manage and monitor all of your connected locks. It works on the properties existing WiFi, and property managers can manage all operations from their phone or laptop, where they can control guest and staff access.

Schlage Connect lock uses smart devices to open and close. Near-field communication (NFC) lets you tap your Apple iPhone or Apple Watch to activate or it can be paired with the Schlage Home App and Apple HomeKit at the same time.

SCLAK works via an electronic locking device and smartphone app. It lets you integrate all your Airbnb door locks into a simple and secure system. It is compatible with all electric, electromagnetic or electromechanical locking devices.

Tedee is Europe’s smallest, strongest, and most innovative Airbnb smart lock. Their smart lock is an electronic device that can be installed on the inside of any door without screws, drilling, or running cables. Its mobile app and web portal make it keyless.

Valnes WebLock is an online door-locking system allowing property managers to automate and simplify their guests’ experience. They do this by simplifying their hardware and providing a sleek, simple, intuitive cloud platform for both guests and staff.

Vikey‘s extensive smart lock offering is centred around the Vikey App, which allows guests to submit any necessary documents and payments, and access their vacation rental with complete autonomy by inserting their reservation code.

FAQs: The Lowdown on Smart Locks

Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions regarding Airbnb smart locks, curated across industry experts and leading smart lock partners.

What If A Guest’s Phone Dies?

No stress! All smart locks can still be opened with a traditional key. Alternatively, you can open the door remotely for your guests.

What If The WiFi Is Down? 

Most smart locks operate via Bluetooth, so are unaffected by wifi blackouts. And again, all models can be opened with a good old-fashioned key.

How Secure Are Smart locks?

In short – very secure. When a smart lock communicates with a smartphone (sending digital passcodes or receiving signals), any data exchanged is protected with 128-bit encryption – the same level of security found in online banking.

What happens if my smart lock’s battery dies?  

Depending on the lock brand, connectivity and type of batteries, smart lock batteries can last for months or even years. Today, many smart locks run on lithium batteries, which can last one to two years, whereas alkaline batteries may need replacing every few months.

What is a wired access control system?

This door system is hardwired into your property’s power supply by a professional installer, and requires its own panel and wiring to operate. A wired access control system is a very secure and reliable solution for heavy-traffic doors that would quickly wear out batteries.

What is universal access control?

Universal access control is defined as a software platform that manages smart locks from all the leading brands, as well as wired access control systems. The flexible design of an open API allows our customers to manage different hardware brands and integrate with many different software on a single system and across property portfolios. With universal access control hosts have a centralized way to manage all doors, no matter the type, easily and remotely.

Can I use different locks at the same property? Across multiple properties?

Most smart locks are designed around universal access control, giving customers the flexibility to use different smart locks, as well as wired access control systems, on one easy-to-use dashboard. Our software is also infinitely scalable, allowing customers to expand the system from 10 doors to thousands.

Does an access control system improve security?

Smart locks paired with access control software don’t rely on physical keys. These traditional keys can be easily copied, passed on to others, or lost and fall into the wrong hands. Furthermore, there is zero visibility with traditional keys and mechanical locks. Smart locks allow you to see who has entered your property and when. You can also set up alerts for failed access attempts.

Best of all, you can easily revoke access in just a few clicks from your dashboard versus the old way of tracking down a physical key.

Ultimately, a smart lock on your Airbnb is no more or less secure than having a traditional lock – but there are definitely automation benefits for hosts and property managers.

iGMS ‘s vacation rental software can help you automate tasks and reduce your workload by:

• Managing multiple accounts and listings on the major vacation rental platforms
• Using the unified inbox to organize your messages into a single feed and automated templates and triggered messaging to improve guest communication
• Automating the process of guest reviews creation and send-outs 
• Managing direct bookings using a direct booking management toolkit
• Creating essential reports on your business results and tracking metrics with the Dashboard feature
• Receiving payouts and creating invoices by connecting your Stripe account to iGMS
• Sharing daily schedules with your team and auto-assigning tasks.