Smart lock for your front door: what to check before choosing one

A smart lock is chosen for its functions: fingerprint, keypad code, app, card. But before the functions comes the door. Each model is designed for a certain door thickness and a certain type of lock, and the Keliss specifications give the data to compare. We cannot know in advance whether your door is suitable for a model: this is why it is worth making a few checks, ideally together with your locksmith or door fitter, before choosing.

Door thickness

This is the first figure to measure. Each product page states the range of thicknesses the model accepts. According to the specifications: from 35 to 45 mm for the Enigma, from 35 to 65 mm for the Vortex, from 35 to 70 mm for the Hydro HD021, from 40 to 120 mm for the Cipher and Eikona. The Astra AT010 is given as 35 to 110 mm, the Astra AT011 as 38 mm and above.

In the manufacturer's manuals some ranges differ slightly from those in the specifications: you will find them on the lock installation and warranty page. If your door is close to one of the limits, ask us for confirmation before ordering.

Lock type

Keliss locks are not all fitted in the same way. The Astra, Cipher, Eikona EK06, Hydro and Vortex have a mortise lock body, which fits into a recess in the edge of the door. The specifications give the lock body code: 6068 for the Astra, Cipher and Eikona, 3585 for the Hydro HD021, 5050 for the Vortex. The manual for the Astra AT011 also lists the compatible lock bodies.

The Enigma, on the other hand, is a motorised cylinder that takes the place of the cylinder of the existing lock, and the Lumina is designed for glass doors from 10 to 12 mm thick.

Comparing what is on your door with what the model requires is a job for someone who knows the door: the locksmith measures the recess, the holes and the distances and tells you whether any work is needed.

Opening direction

Doors open to the right or to the left, inwards or outwards. According to the manuals, the Astra and Hydro adapt to the different directions by turning the handle through 180° and reversing the latch; on the Cipher the latch is reversed and the direction is set from the menu; on the Vortex the stop screws are used. This step is part of the fitting, but the locksmith should be told from the outset.

Power supply

Smart locks run on batteries, and the type varies from model to model. According to the specifications: four AA batteries for the Hydro HD021, Lumina and Vortex, eight for the Astra AT010; a rechargeable lithium battery for the Cipher CP2663 and Eikona EK06, of 5000 mAh, and for the Eikona EK01, of 4200 mAh; a CR123A lithium battery for the Enigma.

It is worth knowing from the outset what happens when the batteries run flat. On the Astra and Hydro HD021 a voice warning signals a low battery; many models have a USB Type-C port on the outside for connecting a power bank, and most also have a hidden mechanical key. We discuss this in the article on batteries, emergencies and temporary codes.

Where the door is and who uses it

A door exposed to rain calls for a protected model: the Hydro HD021 has an IP66 protection rating and its specifications state operation between -25 and 60 °C. Who comes in also matters: fingerprint for the family, the app and time-limited codes for a short-let home, a card for an office. The specifications state which unlocking methods each model has.

The checks, in brief

• The measured door thickness, and the model's range in the specifications.
• The type of lock you have today: mortise body, cylinder or glass door.
• The opening direction of the door.
• The type of batteries and the emergency solution if they run flat.
• The door's exposure to rain and sun.

We do not currently offer an installation service: the lock is fitted by your own locksmith or installer, using the model's manual. Before ordering, send them the specifications and, if you have any doubts, write to us with the measurements of your door.