Bluetooth

Bluetooth Low Energy is the short-range radio nearly every smart lock uses to talk to a phone. Range is roughly 10 metres line of sight, less through masonry. It is enough to unlock as you approach and to administer the lock at the door, but on its own it does nothing remotely.

What Bluetooth does and does not do

Why Bluetooth-only is often the right answer

• Lower power draw - a Bluetooth lock typically runs materially longer on a set of batteries than one holding a WiFi connection.
• Fewer failure points - no router, no network credentials, no band steering problems, no internet dependency.
• Better security posture - a lock not exposed to the internet has a smaller attack surface.
• Cheaper - no gateway to buy and no ongoing network requirement.

If the only thing you need remotely is a code for a visitor, some platforms generate valid codes offline, without the lock ever being connected. That covers most short-stay handover without a gateway. Offline code generation explained.

Related categories

WiFi Smart Locks · App Enabled · Modules and WiFi Gateways · Smart Padlocks

Common questions

What is the real-world range?
About 10 metres in open air, and considerably less through brick, rendered walls or metal security screens. Expect to be close to the door for the connection to be reliable.

Can I add remote access later?
On most platforms, yes, by adding a gateway or module on the same network. Check the specific lock supports one before assuming. Gateways and modules.

Does Bluetooth drain the battery?
Bluetooth Low Energy is designed for exactly this application and draws very little. A WiFi lock holding a persistent connection uses far more, which is why battery life figures differ so much between the two.

Guides and reference

Ch 03 - Bluetooth · Ch 08 - Gateway comparison · Ch 14 - Bluetooth versus gateway