The comments are funny... I run Home Assistant (using ZigBee, so devices have no Internet connectivity) at home but I also lock pick, for fun.

Sure, your "smart" or "connected" gadgets can be hacked but don't get fooled by believing your "dumb" locks are safe!

As somebody pointed out check the LockPickingLawyer... but if you believe it's complicated buy yourself a lock-picking training kit for 30€. Sure you won't open "fancy" locks easily but you can open a lot of locks by training for like 1h. Get a kit, watch few videos, train while paying attention, repeat while watching a movie (basically blind picking) and you'll get surprised how quickly it comes. If you have very fancy lock (the ones that cost more than 200€) then you need better tooling, like 1000€ automated ones, but that still requires little skill and need a minute to pop a lock (so I heard, this I never tried).

So yes, please, do NOT buy a connected lock if you believe that's unsafe BUT also do not imagine you are safer with a "traditional" cheap one.

PS: full disclosure, I do not have a connected lock but it's not because I think they are more unsafe, just because I didn't bother. I'm not convinced of the utility for the price. That said if you have suggestions, I'm all ears.

PS2: as with similar questions on software, depends on your thread model. If you have to deter playful teenagers or drunkards, sure, it'll hopefully slow them down enough so that they give up. If you are facing professionals it won't matter either way, safer to get insurance for the outcome.

I had these exact concerns after buying a house!

Anything connected to the Internet is inherently vastly less secure. Fortunately, your two usecases can be addressed with a "dumb" keypad lock with two features:

1. Multiple access codes. Set a different code for each trusted party, as well as an extra code that you can give out in case of emergency, which you can reprogram once you return.

2. Automatic locking. Set a timeout for the deadbolt to re-engage after a set period of time. If you forget to lock the door, it simply locks itself.

If you find one, see if you can get it to work with Home Assistant. I already cross-posted this to the Home Assistant community, so they might chime in as well.

It's a 'dumb' solution, but you might be better off with a key safe. My mother in law uses one, and it lets the family have access if she's working or on holiday and something needs doing.

The PIN can be changed quite easily, and there's no chance of being locked out due to a power / battery failure.

Something that uses the Matter protocol might be what you’re looking for. My understanding is that they can be disconnected from the internet (only able to communicate with your Matter controller over your local network) and still work.

Maybe something like this:

https://a.co/d/0rMibVK

With a controller like this:

https://a.co/d/9OD97pR

I use a keypad lock that has z-wave in it and tie it back to home assistant. I access home assistant through my wireguard vpn and lock or unlock as i please.

https://www.zigbee2mqtt.io/supported-devices/#s=Lock

I prefer an old school security door with key for my home, any electronic doorlock is hackeable, more with online functions. Same as generally "smarthomes" are never private.

Fair warning: anything like this that you may want to buy has almost certainly been defeated, especially anything that is a combo lock. The only systems I've seen that are actually somewhat secure are the types that have a separate keypad and lock mechanism, and require electricity in the door frame latch.