Our Editor's Review on the Samsung SHS-3321 Deadbolt Digital Door Lock

On my journey to find a secure and user-friendly deadbolt, I discovered this gem after a disappointing run with Kevo. Its unpickable design, absence of Bluetooth dependency, and keyless system drew me in. I can either use my custom code or one of the four provided fobs. For extra security, there's a dual-authentication mode using both the fob and code. I'm particularly impressed by its auto-lock feature that kicks in within two seconds, signalled by a musical tone, so I always know it's secure. The touchscreen keypad, instead of traditional buttons, adds a step to prevent code guessing from fingerprints: you touch two random numbers before the actual code. The screen stays elegantly dark until touched, but I wonder how it'll react to colder fingers like my wife's.

Setting it up took longer than I expected, but the sturdy construction and premium materials compensated for the delay. The instructions could be more straightforward, but they were understandable in English. It's worth mentioning that the deadbolt protrudes a bit more than the usual American ones, necessitating some minor woodwork. For the lock to work best, it's essential for the bolt to move smoothly, as is the case with all motorized locks. A heads-up about the bracket bolts: if tightened too much, they can affect the lock's performance. This design flaw seems possibly fixable with shims to avoid bracket squeezing.

Contrasting this with the older Korean models, the newer ones (after 2015) appear to have improved with more lucid instructions. My primary installation issue was the sensitivity of the bracket bolt. However, once tweaked, everything functioned flawlessly. The advanced touchpad and keyless access are particularly useful for late-night entries. I'm fond of the auto-lock feature, with its swift action and musical cue. If necessary, I can deactivate it by slightly opening the door or taking out the magnet. Overall, this lock has significantly enhanced my home's security.

What Could be Improved:

• When the alarm triggers, the auto-lock magnet also acts as a tamper detector. It identifies any door movement without the correct inside unlock action or the external key/pin entry as a potential breach. To turn it off, you'd usually need an external key or pin. But I've discovered a simple trick: momentarily disconnect the battery.
• This technology might have been cutting-edge around 4-5 years ago, but it now seems outdated. For starters, it's quite bulky. Plus, it misses out on modern connectivity features – there's no integration with phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, customer service, Samsung, Alexa, or Siri. While the RF chip feature (for keychains or phones) is cool, there's no mechanism to monitor who comes and goes. Setting up periodic access, like for a weekly maid service, is also not intuitive.
• Furthermore, the lock isn't built for all conditions. It can't handle extreme weather, continuous sun exposure, or even the oils from our hands.