how long do batteries last in smart locks

Smart locks are designed to offer convenience for your home while you’re away. However, one of the most common questions people ask when installing these devices is how long their batteries last. Most smart lock batteries last between 2 and 3 years, depending on the smart lock’s type of connection. There are two smart lock types: Bluetooth and WiFi. Bluetooth locks don’t drain battery power fast. However, WiFi locks drain energy quicker due to their advanced features. The rest of this article describes how long smart lock batteries last, the factors behind that, and 5 common brands that produce durable batteries. Read on for detailed information on these and tips to ensure your batteries last longer. How Long Do Batteries Last in Smart Locks? Batteries can last in smart locks between 2 and 3 years, depending on the lock’s connection, type of battery, and usage. Generally, heavy use will shorten the lifespan significantly. You can recharge and recycle lithium-ion and NiMH batteries, so they last longer than alkaline batteries. Alkaline batteries are readily available in the market. They’re also cheap, but they don’t last long and can’t be recharged. Lithium-ion and NiMH batteries can be recharged over 500 times, depending on how often you use them before charging. This is a significant advantage of these types of batteries compared to alkaline ones. Here’s a YouTube video that compares different battery types: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqgP16JQ24I Below are the factors that determine how long a battery will last in a smart lock: Battery type: smart locks use different batteries. These include alkaline, lithium-ion, and Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries.Usage factors: the frequency of use is one of the main reasons smart lock batteries last for shorter durations than expected. Use heavy-duty smart locks in areas where activity occurs, such as a school, office, or busy household.Charging status: charging a battery before it drains completely can help increase its lifespan. Reducing the frequency of charge could also increase the runtime. 5 Brands That Make Durable Smart Lock Batteries Having mentioned the factors behind the lifespan of smart lock batteries, here is a rundown of 5 common brands to consider when buying batteries for your locks: 1. Energizer Energizer is a well-known brand in the world of batteries. The company manufactures high-performance, rechargeable, and long-lasting batteries for your home security system as well as other electronics in your house. Additionally, Energizer produces smart lock batteries that can last up to 2 years while in use and 10 years when not in use. Besides, this brand’s rechargeable batteries deliver up to 700 mAh at 21°C (70°F). If you use the SimpleLink CC2640 as your smart lock, it discharges at a rate of 9.1mA in the worst-case scenario, as this analysis by Texas Instruments shows. Therefore, your rechargeable battery will power your system for about 77 hours before requiring you to recharge it. Here’s a table summary of some of the notable batteries Energizer produces (available on Amazon.com) and their features: Energizer MaxEnergizer Ultimate LithiumEnergizer Rechargeable Power PlusSizeAA, AAAAA, AAAAA, AAACompositionAlkalineLithium-IonNiMHBattery Life2 years (5-10 when not in use)2 years (5-10 when not in use)2 years (5-10 when not in use)Rechargeable/Single-UseSingle-UseRechargeableRechargeable 2. Duracell Duracell is another household brand that you can associate with quality and durability. The company manufactures AA, AAA, and lithium coin batteries perfect for powering your home security system like a smart lock. Duracell also offers long-lasting lithium batteries for your smoke detector, garage door opener, and other devices used in your house. The company claims that its products can last up to 2–5 years without requiring replacement or charging. Here are some of its popular batteries (available on Amazon.com): Duracell OptimumDuracell Lithium CoinDuracell RechargeableSizeAA, AAA20 x 3.2 mmAA, AAACompositionAlkalineLithium-IonNiMHBattery Life2 years (10 when not in use)2 years (10 when not in use)2 years (10 when not in use)Rechargeable/Single-UseSingle-UseRechargeableRechargeable Caveat: Although the Duracell Lithium Coin is as durable as most of Duracell’s other products, it has a capacity of 225 mAh. Therefore, it may not last long when used in a power-hungry lock. 3. Panasonic Panasonic is one of Japan’s leading electronics brands. It has been recognized for its high-performance products sold in over 160 countries around the world. The Japanese company manufactures a wide range of batteries, including smart lock batteries with long-lasting lithium-ion technology used in most modern electronic gadgets. Previous reviews by customers who bought Panasonic batteries, especially the Eneloop, show that these batteries can last up to 3 years without requiring charging or replacement. This is slightly higher than Energizer and Duracell batteries that only last 2 years on average. The downside? Some customers have complained that they bought counterfeit Panasonic Eneloop batteries. They’ve also claimed that the customer service was too slow or didn’t respond to their complaint. To avoid such, always ensure the ones you buy come with a manufacturing embossed date stamp from Panasonic. That said, here are some striking features of two worthwhile smart lock batteries (available on Amazon.com) from the Panasonic brand: Panasonic EneloopPanasonic Super Heavy Duty PowerSizeAA, AAAAACompositionLSD Ni-MHZinc Carbon/ AlkalineBattery LifeUp to 3 yearsUp to 3 yearsRechargeable/Single-UseRechargeableSingle-Use 4. Rayovac Rayovac manufactures long-lasting and powerful batteries that last up to 10 years in storage and 2–4 years in use. The company’s smart lock batteries are designed to keep your home secure by preventing unauthorized access from intruders. Unlike the previous brands that leave you spoilt for choice, Rayovac mainly offers one product that comes in different sizes: the Rayovac HIGH ENERGY battery. Here are some of this battery’s features: Rayovac High EnergySizeAA, AAACompositionAlkalineBattery Life2–4 years (10 when not in use)Rechargeable/Single-UseSingle-Use 5. Voniko Voniko is a relatively new brand, but it has managed to create a good reputation due to the high quality of its products. The brand promises that its products have been tested thoroughly before being released in the market, guaranteeing customers complete satisfaction. Besides, the brand assures customers that its batteries have a shelf life of up to 10 years (7 years for the 9V), can withstand extreme temperatures, and feature twin-barrier leak protection. Here are some of the features of Voniko’s key products (available on Amazon.com): Voniko Ultra AlkalineVoniko RechargeableSizeAA, AAAAA, AAACompositionAlkalineNi-MHBattery Life10 years (when not in use)10 years (when not in use)Rechargeable/Single-UseSingle-UseRechargeable How To Make Your Smart Lock Batteries Last Longer Now you know the different brands that can provide quality smart lock batteries. So how do you ensure your batteries last longer? Don’t Put Too Much Pressure on the Batteries Firstly, try to avoid putting pressure on the batteries when installing them. This will help extend their life as most common types of pressure are usually responsible for damaging batteries and rendering them useless after a few months. Install Your Lock in a Warm Location Another thing you can do to help the batteries last longer is by installing your smart lock in a warmer location. Some batteries drain faster when used in places with extreme temperatures, so they should be placed in warmer places that will enable them to work better. For this reason, smart lock manufacturers suggest that you install the device in areas with good ventilation. Note: You’ll have to check with the manufacturer of your brand of smart locks for suggestions on how to best deal with product issues. Notably, each manufacturer has a unique way of dealing with such problems, either over the phone or online tech support, such as chat agents. Don’t Let Your Batteries Discharge Fully Never let your smart lock batteries discharge fully before recharging them. Discharging batteries can lead to them getting damaged permanently, and this is why you should set a reminder so that you remember to recharge the batteries when they’re about 25% discharged. Most smart locks have a low-battery indicator light, which will come on during charging so that you know when the battery needs juice. In most cases, a steady blue light will indicate that the lock has completed charging, while a flashing red warning light means that there’s still some charge left in it. From then onwards, you can leave the batteries to charge for another hour or two to replenish their lost charges. Ensure Your Door Locks Are Clean One of the reasons smart locks tend to malfunction is because they’re affected by dirt and dust. Keeping them clean will help extend their battery life because you won’t be dealing with issues that may arise when your device is dirty. Invest in Quality Smart Lock Batteries Also, consider buying quality smart lock batteries from reputable manufacturers online. You’ll find them listed on reputable e-commerce sites like Amazon.com. They’re also available in retail stores such as Home Depot. Buying from such stores can be expensive, but it’s worth it since you’ll get brand new batteries that won’t drain fast after a short while. Other Factors To Consider for Smart Lock Batteries Besides durability, here are other crucial factors for you to evaluate when buying smart lock batteries: Manufacturer Reputation Buy quality batteries from reputable manufacturers; that way, you won’t have to buy replacements frequently. Before choosing a brand, look at its reputation regarding durability and reviews on Amazon.com from existing users. If the product has high ratings, it’s probably worth your time and money because your smart lock will have fewer chances of having power issues after purchase. Product Quality Make sure that the smart lock batteries you choose are manufactured with high-quality materials by reputable brands. Durable brands are likely to be more expensive, but they’ll last longer and require fewer replacements. Look for a warranty (at least 1 year) as some manufacturers offer them. This means that if your batteries fail within this period, you can return them and get new ones for free. The Lock’s Connection Type The type of battery to choose will depend on whether your smart lock uses Bluetooth, Z-wave, or WiFi connection. Generally, the average battery life for smart locks that use Bluetooth tends to be higher than those of locks that use either Z-Wave or WiFi. Conversely, smart locks that use WiFi connections have the highest power demand. This could be due to the more complex features that such types of locks come with. As a result, the batteries that come with WiFi-enabled smart locks typically last shorter. Troubleshooting Your Smart Lock Suppose your smart lock battery is failing, or you see some unusual activity with the device. In that case, try using these troubleshooting tips to help get it back to working order: Make sure that your smart locks are connected well. Sometimes, connectivity issues can make devices inoperable. Therefore, even if you’re trying to use battery power on a lock, you should first ensure that the phones and accessories used with the phone are communicating properly.Check for any settings problems. Another problem may be an incorrect setting on the door lock itself. So before calling customer service or ordering replacements, check for any settings which have been set wrong. These may include invalid codes entered incorrectly too many times.Replace your batteries. Finally, suppose you’ve tried everything else, but it’s still not working correctly. In that case, it would help to try replacing the batteries in your smart door lock with newer versions. Final Thoughts Now that you’ve read this blog post, it’ll be easier to make an informed decision about which battery or brand is best for your needs. Perhaps the most important takeaway from this article is how battery life varies depending on what connection a lock uses, the type of battery, and frequency of usage. Regardless of the brand you choose, chances are your battery will last longer if your lock relies primarily on Bluetooth. In contrast, a lock that uses WiFi more frequently will drain its batteries much quicker, so consider this in your decision.