What is a smart lock?

Let's get straight to the point: a smart lock is the solution for you if you’re fed up with keeping track of flimsy keys. Why do we secure our prized possessions with such ancient technology anyway? It’s 2023 and life is too short to keep looking for your keys. A smart lock is an electric lock that allows you to unlock and lock without keys. For example, you open the door via your phone or with a personal PIN code. Imagine a life where you never lose your keys again, get locked out or close the door behind you while your keys are still inside. That sounds like a dream, doesn't it? Well, it is reality. And not that of the future, but that of the here and now. It's just as suitable for your home as it is for the office. With a smart lock, you free yourself completely from the hassle of keys. And you don’t just feel the benefits yourself. You can easily share access - from a specific time of day to as long as you want - with others. Share your access with your children, the cleaner or the delivery man. Plus, for business use, easily create digital keys for your colleagues or grant a customer temporary access.

As a start, we would like to introduce you to our smart lock: the Bold Smart Lock. This is the smart door lock that you place in the cylinder opening of your front door, back door or even the shed door. The lock connects wirelessly to your smartphone via Bluetooth, which we additionally secure by means of data encryption so that we are not entirely dependent on Bluetooth protocols. Through the Bold app, you can activate the lock and give others access. But there are other ways to open the lock - such as with a PIN code. Want to know how such a PIN code works? Watch the video about setting up a backup PIN code on our YouTube channel. A way to open the door with one push of a button is via the Bold Clicker. Want to be able to unlock the door from a distance? You can do that too. Combine your smart lock with Bold Connect with WiFi connection. This way, you unlock and lock the door wherever you are.

If you want to buy a smart lock, there are a few things to consider though.

One thing you know for sure: with a smart lock, you ensure a 100% keyless life. Because you use your phone, a PIN or a remote control to open the door. And do you have to grab your phone every time you open the door? No way, at least not if you have a Bold Smart Lock. Then just keep that phone in your pocket. Because there is a friend who is always there for you, and his name is Bluetooth. In the Bold app, you turn on the auto-activation function with ease. Your Bold Smart Lock recognises you and activates itself as soon as you get home. Do you activate the 'auto-activation'? Then the lock will recognise you as soon as you enter the 200-metre zone. Does your lock then open immediately? No. Your lock only opens when you stand in front of your door. So you avoid having to search for your key (or phone) with your hands full of stuff. And it remains safe to use this function.

And if your phone is empty? No worries. With your PIN, you can easily enter your home or office even without your phone. Enter your 5-digit code by turning the outside knob - just like a bank safe - and you're in. And is your phone completely lost or broken? Don't panic. Log in on another phone. Because then you automatically log out on the device that is lost, broken or empty. It's much safer. 

There are actually two types of smart locks on the market: the smart lock that you place on your current cylinder and the smart lock model that replaces your current cylinder altogether. Bold Smart Cylinder belongs to the latter category. Installation is easy. Within 5 minutes, you will have the smart lock installed on most European doors.

Both types of smart locks use smart home technology and home automation - that means your door opens and locks with an app, a personal PIN or a fingerprint. The communication between the smart lock and the app, for example, can be done in different ways. For example via: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, Z-wave home automation or NFC. All ways use wireless and energy-efficient technology. Decide for yourself what you are comfortable with to open your doors.

Some smart locks you can open from a distance using wifi. Do you combine Bold Smart Lock with Bold Connect? Then you can open the door - temporarily - wherever you are in the world. Very handy if you rent out a house, or if your cleaner comes by while you're on holiday and you name it.

Got a minute? The benefits are almost endless - and in every case keyless. But let's start with one of the most important benefits. Do you often lose your keys or find yourself regularly rummaging in your bag outside your door to find them?

How much time have you lost in your life to lost physical keys or waiting for a family member to open your door again - because you locked yourself out? All that is a thing of the past - when you step into a 100% keyless life with a smart lock.

100% keyless - for your home

A smart lock is convenient to use both at home and in the office. With the right accessories, you can even unlock a smart lock anytime, wherever you are. Are you using the smart lock for home? Then, for example, you can also give a family member or your best friend access via the app - they will receive an invitation via text message. To create a Bold account as well as to log in, two-factor authentication is used. That means your lock is extra secure.

So you never have to hide your keys under a doormat, flowerpot or loose brick again. Your kids get in with a PIN that you preset, and with the Bold Clicker, you don't even need a PIN.

The solution for the office

Do you use Bold Smart Cylinder in the office? Then you can easily create a business account for all your colleagues. Via the Business Portal, you also get information about when the door is activated and by whom. Determine who has access when by setting schedules. Handy if, for example, the cleaner only needs access on Wednesdays between 6pm and 9pm. Want to know more about how Bold for Business works? And whether it's useful for your business? You can read all about it on our Bold Business page.

Give others temporary access

Everything passes. Sometimes it's long-lasting. And sometimes of short duration. That is why it is also possible to grant access for a certain period of time. Very handy if you rent out your house or work with a temporary freelance worker. This way, you don't have to be present every time to open the door or copy lost keys. And when the tenants leave your home or the project is completed, you simply revoke access via the app. Besides those temporary periods, you can also grant access for specific times of day. That's nice when a mechanic comes by, for example, or your babysitter.

Safe and secure

Bold Smart Lock has an SKG*** certificate and is approved by the PKVW. So you can be sure that the smart lock is safe. But in addition, it is nice to know that the major insurers in the Netherlands and Belgium cover the damage in case of theft. It certainly helps if a lock is approved by the independent SKG. Of course, it is smart to check the policy of your business or home insurance to be sure, or ask an employee at your insurer if the damage is covered if you have a smart lock.

In the design of the lock, the keyhole has been completely left out of the model. As a result, known burglary methods are no longer possible. For example: drilling out a lock or 'core pulling'. With the core-pulling method, a burglar screws a screw into the cylinder and pulls it, cylinder and all, out of the lock.

Anyway, the risk of damage with a smart lock is lower than with a "normal" lock. Because you no longer run the risk of your key bending or breaking. And the risk of frost damage is also minimal with smart locks - because there is no keyhole that can get rusty and sticky.

Maybe it feels a bit like "we of toilet duck, recommend toilet duck" but there just aren't really any major drawbacks.

We've listed them for you anyway.

• Not all smart locks fit every kind of door. The Bold Smart Cylinder does fit almost all European doors. But it's smart to check it first in our size chart with help video.
• You do need to measure your current cylinder beforehand. It doesn't take much time or effort, but it has to be done.
• Smart locks often run on a battery. And that can run down, right? That's right. Many smart lock batteries last several months. But Bold's battery lasts more than 2 years. And you already get a few weeks' notice that your battery is running low. So with Bold, the chances of you ending up in front of a closed door due to a dead battery are pretty slim. Does this happen anyway? Then there are always ways to get in.
• Does your smart lock work with a PIN code? Then chances are you will forget this code. And besides, elderly people and the youngest children often don't have a smartphone with which to open the door. Bold has come up with an easy solution to this: the Bold Clicker that you can use - at the touch of a button - as a replacement for your physical key. You can easily wear it on a keycord or keychain. And you can use it to open different locks. By the way, this is also a smart solution for in your business.
• If you fit a smart lock to your owner-occupied house and you sell the house again, however, it is advisable to return the locks to the old cylinder. This is because you can also take the smart lock back to your new house.

We can be brief about that: smart locks are extremely secure. In general, a smart lock is even a lot safer than a "normal" lock. This is because cracking a smart lock is much more difficult than cracking a lock with a physical keyhole. But - as with other locks - how you keep the key also determines part of that security. If you put the key under the doormat, you make it very easy for burglars. It works the same way with a smart lock. You have to use it safely yourself: don't give everyone who visits once an access code. And it's also handy to keep track of who has access yourself.

OK, and talking about a Bold Smart Cylinder? How secure is it? To be real: with Bold, you can be sure that you are relying on the most secure lock. The Bold Smart Cylinder can be fitted to hardware with core pull protection, anti-drill obstruction and multi-point locking. In addition, Bold Smart Lock has received a three-star certificate from the independent SKG. What that means? SKG*** means that our product has achieved the highest possible score for security. In addition, we are affiliated with PKVW - here you can apply for a certificate yourself with a Bold Smart Cylinder. This, in turn, is extra smart for your insurance. The Bold Smart Lock is heavily burglary-resistant. Even when using extra good tools. You can also apply for a Politie Keurmerk Veilig wonen thanks to the SKG*** certificate.

There are some important points you can look out for. It may sound like an open door, but: you choose a lock that is safely tested and certified. Because you won't be surprised to learn that not every smart lock scores the same when it comes to security. Take a look at this video, for example, to see RTL Bright's independent test. Also check whether you can use the lock in combination with security hardware and core pull protection. Then you can be sure you have a safe lock in your home.

Integrate with your other smart devices

Convenience is also important. Do you have more smart devices or even a whole Smart Home system in your accommodation? Then it's a good idea to see which lock you can integrate first. That way, you will not only make your door lock smart, but your entire home or office.

Choose the right size

Yes, of course you do want a smart lock that fits seamlessly with your current cylinder. For example, the Bold Smart Lock fits virtually all doors with a europrofile cylinder - with an inner size of 30 to 35 millimetres and an outer size of 30 to 45 millimetres.

Finally... The Bold is available in 8 different sizes. So there's bound to be one among them to make your door Bold-proof. To make sure you get the right size, first measure the inner [indoor] and outer [outdoor] dimensions of your current lock. Check the explanation here. Measure both sizes from the hole where the locking screw goes in and easily find the model suitable for your door. Nice and easy.

More useful accessories

Determine if and which other products you need for a smart lock. For example, to be able to open your lock remotely - in addition to Bluetooth - you need a wifi solution. Bold Connect is such a solution with wifi. And in addition, it can be handy to have a Bold Clicker, which allows children, seniors and whoever you wish - without a smartphone or PIN - to open the door with the push of a button.

So... can you already imagine your life without the hassle of keys? Be Bold. Join the keyless movement.

Do you have another question about smart locks or need help with installation? We will be happy to help.