Keyless entry for hosts: lockbox or smart lock?
Both remove the key handover. They differ in security, cost and how much work they save you.
Lockbox
A lockbox holds a physical key behind a code. It is cheap and needs no battery or Wi-Fi, but the code usually stays the same between guests unless you change it by hand, and anyone who learns it can enter.
Smart lock
A smart lock lets you issue a different code for each stay and delete it automatically. It costs more and needs batteries, but it removes the manual reset and the lost-key risk.
How to decide
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Host a few stays a month and can reset codes | Lockbox |
| Host often or live far from the property | Smart lock |
| Cannot change the door lock | Lockbox, or a lock that fits over the existing cylinder |
Whichever you pick, keep a spare key with a trusted person nearby. Product picks follow after hands-on research.