I'm looking for zwave or zigbee lock recommendations. NOT SCHLAGE (read below). I would entertain WiFi locks, but they would need to work without cloud integrations.
I purchased a Schlage Z-wave lock BE469ZP, within 3 years that lock failed to connect to zwave anymore. Schlage replaced the lock and the replacement lasted just less than 2 years. That lock failed to actuate the deadbolt properly (the deadbolt would lock and then bind up and unlock). Thinking it was a physical problem, I put the old lock back in (with the broken zwave board) and it would actuate properly. In fact I left zwave broken lock in the door, so the family could use the keypad to get in the house. And Schlage is refusing to replace the replacement lock. So I'm not going to re-purchase a Schlage given their short life span.
I had Yale zigbee locks in my previous home. They worked really well for 5+ years, and I think they still do. In my current home, I have Kwikset Home Connect 620 z-wave+ locks. They're also available as a Z-Wave LR version. The ones I have work without any major issues.
I dislike the big, clunky boxes on typical locks. I decided to go for the Level Lock. It has been working great. I use rechargeable batteries which don't last as long as alkaline so I just replace the battery every now and then when I think about it. It ends up being about every four months. It uses the same CR2 batteries that my motion sensors do so I always have plenty on hand.
I have used the lock with geofencing, a keypad, and an RFID tag. All have been working reliably.
Sorry for your troubles, I have been using Schlage smart locks since 2014 and they have worked great for me. Given the quick failure I have to ask if your deadbolt is hard to lock because the bolt rubs against the strike plate? If so other motorized smart locks will also fail and you may need to adjust your door.
I'm using 3 of the Yale Assure 2 locks. I have the keyless model with physical buttons, but there are lots of other variants of this lock including ones with a key slot and ones with a touchpad instead of buttons.
I think I've had the one furthest from the hub fail to respond once or twice, but I am now using the 'use command retry logic' option in the latest hub firmware and haven't seen a failure recently. They use older Z-Wave chips and S0 security, which isn't ideal, but the newer ZW3 modules that are available on eBay cost way more than I would be willing to spend to get S2 security. They use 4 AA batteries which have lasted me about 4 to 5 months a set.
I do not believe that's the problem. I realize that we're pointing out the physical problem. But I've had two failures, one hardware and one software.
For the lock/unlock issue:
Since Schlage sent me a replacement, I have all the components from two locks. I've mixed and matched their components and nothing's works. I've also completed removed the lock and it still lock/unlocks with zero resistance.
These locks need to be able to attempt a lock and back out of too much resistance. Also doors have weather stripping so there's always going to be some resistance in the pocket due to the pressure from the weather stripping.
I started an almost identical thread 6 weeks ago that you might want to have a look at. I've been very happy with the Zigbee Kwikset locks that I settled on, though I think they are rather large. The ability to key them the same (myself) is very cool though.
