It happens every day. Especially when I’m running late, on my way out the door, even when I’m at the door. I can’t find my keys.

The struggle is real when I’m searching my bag for my keys and all I can find is 7 lipsticks, headphones, change and some gum. My phone on the other hand, is usually just there, in the other hand. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to wait outside my own door just to get in. I’ve been locked out waiting on my husband or landlord to save me from myself.

Or even scarier - realizing I never locked my door! It’s a completely normal problem, we all rush out the door - leaving later than we thought we were going to and when you’re rushing you tend to be more forgetful.

Que the NEST and Yale lock, aka the life saver. Nest heard I was making my home a smart home and sent over the smart lock to make sure I enter on the right foot.

At a glance

This smart lock was designed by Nest and Yale. The lock replaces your existing deadbolt and uses 4 standard double a batteries. It’s  tamper-proof, key-free deadbolt that you control from your Nest app. All I need is my phone and I can unlock and lock my door from anywhere.

What I love about this - is even if I forget my phone, I can still use the touchscreen outside to use my pin and get in. So it basically has a built in backup plan. Let’ be honest - I forget my keys way more than my phone so I’m pretty set on that front.

The set up is easier than you think. If you take out the tech portion, it’s just another deadbolt to screw on. And then after that it’s setting up the tech side - connecting it to your phone, the nest connect, any other nest products and setting up your pin. After that - you’re nested and secure.

What appeals to me are all the ways it’s going to make my life just that much easier. With my busy lifestyle, anything that can make me worry less, take some time off my hands and simplify my life is definitely what I want.  

So the fact that I can lock and unlock your door anywhere (with internet access) is a big win for me. No need to make an extra key for your brother visiting from New York or your cleaning lady. The Nest x Yale Lock lets you create personalized passcodes for people you trust, and choose when they can get in. Instead of giving a key to them, I can just give a code to enter and it’s set! Not only that, but I’ll be notified when someone lets themself in and heads out.

What ifs?

I know, Jessica, what if my wifi goes down? Do I just live outside my door now? No, the touch screen outside is available to pin in your code and you’re in!

Okay, but Jessica, what if all my batteries die? Phone dead? Use the keypad! Lock dead? One, it tells you when it’s low - so you can change the batteries ahead of time. But let’s say you kept forgetting - you can  hold a 9 Volt battery terminal at the bottom of your lock to provide temporary power and in case of an emergency. Then you can enter your passcode and unlock the door.

I’m a techie girl in a techie world, and having a smart lock is just another step to making my home the most efficient. My phone is slowly becoming a one stop shop to all my basic needs.

Final Thoughts

Pros: The pro’s are definitely all there and seemingly limitless - from airheaded mornings to preventing Airbnb disasters, this is the kind of gadget that ensures your safety and peace of mind.

Cons: If you’re not someone who installs a door lock or your setups your wifi network - this installation is a little of both so it might be more difficult for some.

Bottom Line: This $279 smart lock is worth the heavier price tag, the pro’s definitely outweigh the cons. The smart lock secures your Nest products when you're away, disarms your system when you come home and gives you piece of mind. If you own multiple nest delivers it’s easy integration. I’m not gifting anymore clutter into anyones life, not even a small key.

This blog was in partnership with Nest