Why You Can Trust CNET igloohome Smart Deadbolt 02 review: Igloohome's Deadbolt 02 makes lockouts a thing of the past
Singapore-based startup igloohome debuts the Deadbolt 02. For $199, you'll get a Bluetooth fob, a touchscreen keypad and yes, physical keys.
Singapore-based startup igloohome released its second generation deadbolt this year. The Deadbolt 02 is a sleek and simple bluetooth deadbolt with a keypad and physical key. If you're looking for a Bluetooth lock with a touchscreen keypad, the $199 Deadbolt 02 is a sensible choice.
igloohome Smart Deadbolt 02
The Good
The Bad
The Bottom Line
A sleek, stylish keypad is the fastest of the Deadbolt 02's three access methods.
The Deadbolt 02 works via Bluetooth, turning your phone into a Bluetooth key. The touchscreen keypad locks and unlocks your door with a PIN. Having both of these options makes the Deadbolt 02 a valid alternative to using a traditional unconnected lock. You can still access your home with a physical key, though you will need a sharp object to depress a button on a rather flimsy-feeling plastic cover to reveal the keyhole.
Installation is simple enough. Instructions aren't included in the box, but they are available on the app or igloohome's website. Four AA batteries power the lock, and you'll receive notifications when they're running low. If you find yourself locked out of the house with the lock's batteries dead, you can jump start the lock with a 9V battery and two nodes built into the base of the lock.
The Deadbolt 02 includes a physical lock and two keys, as well as two nodes on the bottom for 9V battery jumpstart.
The igloohome app, available on Google Play and the App Store, manages most major features of the lock. From here, you can set individual PINs or send Bluetooth keys to friends and family. You can also view battery life, schedule temporary PINs and see an activity log. The Deadbolt 02 system allows up to 285 active PINs at a time. Once you've reached the maximum, you'll need to clear your PIN list to add more.
An Airbnb Connect feature currently free and in beta testing syncs with your Airbnb calendar and auto-generates a PIN for each scheduled guest. Once the beta testing phase is complete, this service will cost $5 per lock per month. To me, that seems like a big price tag for something I could probably manage myself.
Igloohome put in the work to make this deadbolt secure. A tamper alarm sounds if someone tries to pry the lock from the door. Decoy numbers give you the option to enter up to eight digits before your real PIN. This keeps intruders from guessing your PIN by studying the smudged fingerprints you'll inevitably put on the glossy keypad. A security lockout feature stops the lock from operating for five minutes if an invalid PIN is entered five times.
My biggest disappointment with the Deadbolt 02 was app functionality. It's not possible to lock the deadbolt from the app, and I found myself wishing I could lock the door the same way I unlocked it. To lock it without a physical key you have three options: hold down the # sign on the keypad, turn the physical knob on the inside of the door or set up igloohome's timed re-lock feature. With timed re-lock, the deadbolt will lock anywhere from five seconds to 120 seconds after it's unlocked, depending on the amount of time you've specified. The re-lock feature is set up by entering a series of digits into the keypad, but I really wish it were managed through the app.
I also found it disappointing that you can't view lock status in the app. It works more like a remote control than a monitoring tool. An "easy unlock" feature currently in beta mode, only removes the need to tap the unlock button in the app. You'll still need to have the app open to unlock the door. This means you're still pulling out your phone and opening an app to access your home. Thankfully, the problems presented by the app are easily solved by using the keypad. Entering my PIN proved to be the fastest way to open the door.
The igloohome app manages your lock and creates Bluetooth keys.
Other smart locks like the third generation $150 August Smart Lock offer more features. Add a $79 Wi-Fi module to that lock or the August Smart Lock Pro, and you'll get Alexa, Google and Nest compatibility along with the ability to control your lock from anywhere via the app. While the Deadbolt 02 doesn't offer a Wi-Fi module, Zigbee or Z-Wave compatibility, it does give you a great looking keypad, Bluetooth keys for visitors and a physical key.
Igloohome's Deadbolt 02 is available on the igloohome website, Amazon and other online retailers for $199. Sleek and simple to use, this deadbolt is a good fit for anyone looking for a keypad lock with simple Bluetooth functionality.