Brinks Security Door Locks

What smart locks does Brinks use?

When you sign up for a Brinks home security system, you can choose between two smart door locks. You can choose an equipment package that includes one of these locks or add a smart door lock to any package you select.

As you’ll see below, Brinks offers both a basic smart door lock and one with more sophisticated features. You can use the information below to understand which lock is best for your home and security system.

Before we dive into the specifics of each lock, let’s take a look at some of the features they share.

Access codes

Whether you’ve forgotten your key or your visitors arrived before you returned home, relying on a key to open your door can be frustrating. Smart door locks like the options offered through Brinks solve this issue with access codes.

You can create 30 unique access codes with this lock. Set codes for your kids and partner to make coming and going easier. If you have roommates, create individual codes for each person in the household. You can even create options for trusted friends and family to make visits simpler.

Along with regular user codes, you can set one-time codes. You can delete and set new codes as needed, as long as you have 30 or fewer active codes at one time.

One-touch locking

Traditional deadbolts need a key for both locking and unlocking the door. With a smart door lock, you can lock the door with just the press of a button. Just make sure the door is closed all the way and press the center button with the lock icon. The smart lock will automatically engage, securing your home in seconds so you can be on your way.

SmartKey Security

Though you can rely on your more secure access options, your KwikSet smart door lock comes with two keys. You can use these keys and any copies you make to access your door as needed. 

Unlike most keys, your security risks are much lower with these keys. If someone loses one of your keys, you suspect it’s been copied, a key is stolen, or you want to remove access from someone who does have a key, you can easily rekey it with SmartKey Security.

This feature is available with all KwikSet smart locks. As long as you have another KW1 key to replace the original, you can change the lock in just a few minutes.

First, you will insert the current key and rotate it 90° clockwise. Then, take the SmartKey tool and insert it firmly into the lock with the current key. Remove both the key and the tool. Next, insert the new key into the lock and turn it 180°. Rotate it 90° until the lock is in the same position as when you started the process. 

Once you remove the key, your lock will be rekeyed and the old keys won’t work any longer. You can save the time and money it would take to replace the lock with minimal fuss. Plus, you’ll keep your home and family safer no matter the circumstances.

Automatic locking

Most people don’t mean to leave the door unlocked. Maybe they’re in a rush and just forgot to secure the door as they left. Or perhaps one of your kids ran out without thinking about the door lock. You may have even thought your spouse locked the door when they’re under the same misconception.

Whatever the reason, leaving your front door unlocked makes your home vulnerable to anyone who tries to open it. Burglars can easily walk in and take your valuables, just by turning the lever.

The KwikSet SmartCode Wireless Keypad Leverlock covers this vulnerability with its 30-second automatic locking feature. If you shut the door without locking it, the smart lock will start a countdown. When it reaches 30 seconds without the door opening or locking, the lock will automatically engage.

Additionally, you can change this timeframe in your smart lock’s settings. You can choose to have it automatically lock in 30, 60, 90, 120, or 180 seconds.

This feature ensures that your home is safe, even when you forget to secure it. This additional peace of mind can help you enjoy your day without worry or stress.

Side-locking bar technology

Traditional deadbolts can keep your home safe, but they are vulnerable to lock-breaking techniques. Thieves can use the keyhole to pick the lock, for instance, disengaging the bolt from outside the door. Lock bumping is another popular technique. With just a few simple tools, burglars can bypass your deadbolt and access your home.

Even smart locks, which are more secure in many ways, can be defeated by these methods.

Thankfully, KwikSet has developed unique locking bar technology that prevents these attacks. They’ve challenged locksmiths to defeat their locks, holding contests to prove the effectiveness of this technology. When your home is equipped with a KwikSet smart door lock, you’ll know that it is truly safe.

Warranties

Smart door locks use motors to extend and retract the latch bolt. Over time, this motor may wear out. You may eventually see problems with your numerical buttons and batteries as well, though not for several years.

When you do experience problems with your smart lock, Brinks’ lifetime mechanical and finish warranty will allow you to get the help you need. If any parts of your lock stop working or the finish is damaged, contact Brinks to request repairs or a replacement. Each Brinks smart lock also includes a one-year electronics warranty that covers additional problems.

You can prevent issues by maintaining your lock as well. Use a slightly damp rag to wipe away any dirt or debris. Pay attention to alerts and malfunctions, addressing the problem as soon as possible. You should also pay attention to your batteries’ health to keep the smart lock operating smoothly.

Brinks’ KwikSet SmartCode Wireless Keypad Leverlock

The KwikSet SmartCode Wireless Keypad Leverlock is the more basic smart lock that Brinks offers. That said, this lock offers numerous features that make it a better and safer alternative to the traditional deadbolt you find on most doors. When you install this device, you will enjoy all of the smart lock features listed above.

Appearance and design

This lock is available in a satin nickel finish to complement any door. It features a curved lever handle and four numbered buttons arranged around a central button for locking the door. It also has a keyhole. It can be hard to type your access code in the dark, so the keypad also lights up when it is in use. 

Best of all, this door lock has a reversible handle. If you aren’t right-handed or just prefer to have to handle face the other way, you can change the lever’s orientation.

You will need one 9V battery to operate your door lock. The battery should last around three years before needing to be changed, though this timeframe may be longer or shorter depending on the number of times the lock is used on a regular basis. When the battery is low, the lock will beep to alert you to the problem.

Installation

As with all Brinks security products, you will install this smart lock yourself. Thankfully, it’s easy to set up and doesn’t require any complicated wiring.

After removing your current door handle, you will add the new latch. Next, you will add the exterior keypad, pulling the cable underneath the latch. You will install the cable in the interior assembly by pulling it through clips before connecting it. Once the interior assembly is fully engaged with the spindle in the latch, you can use a screwdriver and mounting screws to secure it to the door.

Choose which way you want the lever to face and then install it to the exterior assembly. You will then insert the key and turn it 90° clockwise. After tightening the set screw to secure the exterior level, you can turn and remove the key. Finally, you will install the interior lever, tightening the set screw to secure it.

Your smart door lock with come with detailed installation instructions to aid your set-up. You can also contact Brinks for help from a professional installer.

Kwikset 888 Smartcode Deadbolt

If you’d like to enjoy a few more features that go beyond basic smart lock capabilities, the Kwikset 888 Smartcode Deadbolt is the better option. This lock does connect to your Wi-Fi, offering additional convenience and security. Choosing this smart door lock gives you access to all the best benefits offered by smart security technology.

Appearance and design

With this lock, you will keep your current door handle and replace the existing deadbolt. The smart door lock features five numbered buttons arranged around a center button with a lock icon. It has a keyhole as well. The interior assembly features a small and sleek turnpiece to lock and unlock the deadbolt. 

This door lock is available in satin nickel to complement your door and decor. 

When you use the lock, the center lock button will light up for 30 seconds. This extra illumination makes unlocking the door in the dark easier.

The smart door lock is powered by four AA batteries. When the batteries are running low, the lock will beep to let you know that they need to be changed. The batteries should last for three to six months, depending on how much you use the lock. You may also need to change the batteries more frequently if you live in an area that experiences extreme temperatures.

Z-Wave technology

In addition to the exciting features included above, the Kwikset 888 Smartcode Deadbolt offers all the benefits of internet connectivity.

Once your smart door lock is installed and connected to your Wi-Fi, you can integrate it into your smart home network. If you have other smart devices, you can link them to your smart lock. This allows you to add your door lock to any automated actions you create.

Adding a smart door lock to your Brinks home security system, for example, simplifies your routines. You can have your security system disarm when the smart lock disengages to save time. Alternatively, you can have the system arm whenever you lock the front door.

Smart lights can also connect to your lock. You can program your lights to turn on when you unlock the door, for instance.

Perhaps most importantly, you can program your front door to lock whenever your doorbell camera senses a visitor. With this action, your home will always be secured against anyone who approaches the door. No matter who is outside, they won’t be able to walk inside easily.

Remote access

Internet connectivity also enables remote access and control. Since you’re getting your smart door lock through Brinks, you can view the lock and its settings on the Brinks Home app. Whether you want to change a setting or create a new automation, it is all available at your fingertips.

Remote access gives you the freedom to check on your door lock from anywhere and at any time. If you forgot to lock the door and you’re worried that it didn’t automatically lock after 30 seconds, you can view the lock’s status in just moments. This empowers total stress relief, even when you can’t shake your worry.

You can control the lock from anywhere as well. Let’s say you have visitors coming from out of town and they arrive early. Rather than making them wait outside in the cold or the heat, you can unlock your door and disarm your security system to let them in. You won’t have to rush home or leave a key hidden outside.

Gaining remote access and control over your front door’s lock is the greatest benefit offered by a smart lock. Internet connectivity is undoubtedly worth the extra cost required for this feature.

Voice commands

When you are trying to get into your home with your hands full, unlocking the door is the last thing you want to do. Punching in an access code is easier than finding and using your key, but it’s still not ideal.

That’s where voice commands come in.

When your smart door lock is integrated with your smart home ecosystem, you can ask your smart assistant to unlock the door. Brinks works with both Amazon Echo devices and Google Home products, so this lock will work with most smart homes.

You can use these commands to open the door for visitors when your phone is not nearby and you can’t get to the door. Smart door locks provide utter convenience in numerous ways.

Powerful encryptions

Many homeowners are wary of the potential dangers associated with smart devices. They worry that using internet-connected devices will leave them open to hackers. No one wants strangers to have access to their equipment, especially when those devices control their safety systems.

KwikSet has equipped the Kwikset 888 Smartcode Deadbolt with 128-but wireless encryptions to prevent hacking and protect your devices. Hackers may try to access your smart network, but they won’t be able to get past the powerful protections.

In fact, your system is more at risk from your passwords being hacked than someone breaking past the encryptions.

Many people use the same passwords for multiple accounts. If one of these accounts is included in a data leak, thieves can use the stolen password to access other accounts. For this reason, it’s always crucial to use a new password with every account you open.

That means a brand new, secure password, not just a variation of a password you used recently. Keep your accounts secured by creating strong passwords. You can keep an eye out for recent data leaks as well to make sure you can change any information that was stolen.

Additionally, some smart devices use a pre-programmed factory password until you choose your own. Be sure to change these passwords as soon as you set your device up. Otherwise, thieves can search online for the factory password and use it to hack into your devices.

Finally, a string of random characters will always be more secure than a word, date, or another password that is easier to guess. Above all, never use options such as “password,” “p@ssword,” “1234,” or another similar variation if you want to keep your accounts secured.

Installation

For the first step, you will replace your door’s current deadbolt with the Kwikset 888 Smartcode Deadbolt’s latch. Once the latch is secured, you can add the exterior keypad and mounting plate to the door. 

Like the KwikSet SmartCode Wireless Keypad Leverlock, you will need to route the cable through the latch to install the exterior assembly. You can then tighten the screws to secure the assembly. 

At this point, you will use the key to try to lock the deadbolt. If the latch doesn’t retract and extend smoothly, you’ll need to adjust the screws until it does. Once that’s working correctly, you can remove the key while keeping the latch bolt extended.

Next, remove the battery cover and battery pack from the interior assembly. The turnpiece should be upright and vertical. Connect the cables from each assembly to each other and tuck any excess cable into the bottom of the interior assembly’s housing. Click the interior assembly into place and use the screws to secure it.

Lastly, add four AA batteries to the battery pack. Leaving the door open and the latch bolt extended, insert the battery pack into the interior assembly. The latch bolt should retract and extend automatically to understand the door’s orientation.

After this door handling process, you can add the lock to your Brinks home security system. You can also start programming your access codes and learning how to control the lock through the app.

You will receive detailed instructions with the Kwikset 888 Smartcode Deadbolt to help with your self-installation. If you get stuck or prefer to have assistance with the set-up, you can contact Brinks’ installation experts.

How much do Brinks smart locks cost?

The KwikSet SmartCode Wireless Keypad Leverlock costs $249 and the Kwikset 888 Smartcode Deadbolt costs slightly more at $299. These prices are subject to change, so call us to learn the current pricing for a Brinks smart door lock.