Smart lock technology evolves with Ring's energy crank and rental-focused security

The smart lock market is seeing new developments aimed at addressing common user pain points, such as battery management and rental property maintenance.

Ring has announced its first entry into the category, the Ring Smart Lock. To combat the risk of lockouts due to dead batteries, the device features a first-of-its-kind energy crank built into the thumbturn. This supercapacitor-powered mechanism allows users to generate approximately 20 seconds of operation with just a few spins of the knob, providing enough power to enter a home even if the batteries are completely removed.

In the rental property sector, smart deadbolts are being utilized to streamline tenant turnovers by allowing remote access management via apps, reducing the need for physical rekeying. Top-rated models for managed units include the Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt, noted for its high security certification and built-in Wi-Fi, the ULTRALOQ Bolt SE WiFi Smart Lock, and the eufy Security Smart Lock C220, which offers fingerprint entry.