Manual overrides are a must—totally agree there. I’ve had tenants call me at 2am because their “smart” lock glitched, and honestly, a backup key in a lockbox is just good risk management. The battery thing is interesting; I’ve noticed the same with some brands, especially in units that get direct sun. Not sure why more companies don’t focus on recycled materials either... seems like a no-brainer, especially with how many batteries we go through.
Had a similar situation last summer—brand new “smart” deadbolt on a flip, and the thing just froze up after a week. Buyer locked out, standing in the driveway with groceries melting in the sun. I ended up driving over with a drill and a crowbar, which is not exactly the “smart” solution I was hoping for. After that, I started putting old-school lockboxes with backup keys on every property, even if it felt redundant. People think tech solves everything, but when batteries die or the app glitches, you’re right back to basics.
The battery issue’s a pain too. I’ve noticed some locks chew through batteries way faster if they’re in direct sunlight or if the door doesn’t close quite right. It’s not something you think about until you’re replacing AAs every couple months. Wouldn’t mind paying extra for a solar option or at least something that warns you before it dies, but half these brands just don’t bother.
And yeah, the recycling thing bugs me. Between batteries, packaging, and all the plastic from these gadgets, there’s a lot of waste. You’d think with how many of these things get swapped out in rentals or flips, companies would want to stand out by going green. Guess it’s just not a priority for most of them.
Anyway, manual override is non-negotiable for me now. If it doesn’t have a key slot, I’m not buying it. Learned that lesson the hard way.
Manual override is a must, no question. I learned that the hard way too—first time I tried one of those “keyless” models, it died on me during a rainstorm. Ended up crawling through a window like a burglar. I get the appeal of all the tech, but honestly, nothing beats a backup key. And yeah, the battery waste is just another headache. You’re not alone in thinking these companies could do better.
“nothing beats a backup key. And yeah, the battery waste is just another headache.”
I get where you’re coming from, but isn’t a manual override just another thing to break or get stuck? I’ve seen plenty of old-school locks jam up—especially after a few years of weather. I’m not totally sold on keyless, but I wonder if it’s more about the quality of the install and the hardware than the tech itself. Maybe the real issue is companies cutting corners on both fronts? Curious if anyone’s had a keyless system that actually held up long-term, rain or shine.
Had a Schlage keyless deadbolt on my back door for about five years—rain, snow, summer heat, you name it. Honestly, it held up way better than the old keyed lock I had before. Only thing I ever had to do was swap the batteries maybe once a year, and I always kept a 9V stashed in the junk drawer just in case. I get the worry about stuff breaking, but I think it’s more about getting decent hardware and not those bargain-bin brands. Still, nothing’s totally foolproof... I’ve seen both types fail when you least expect it.
