Why are the warranty for smart locks so short?

 Generally, the warranty for a smart lock covers the mechanical components for two years and the electronic components for one year—the same duration as the warranty for a mobile phone of comparable value. 

Why does spending one or two thousand yuan on a lock feel like poor value—with a warranty that seems too short—whereas spending the same amount on a phone doesn't elicit that same feeling?

Put simply, people don't think locking a door is worth such a high price; after all, a mechanical lock costing two or three hundred yuan does the job just as well and can last a decade without issues. In contrast, a smart lock costing two or three thousand yuan might break or malfunction after just over a year, and you have to pay for repairs yourself—it feels like a rip-off. If I’m spending that much money, shouldn't the warranty period be longer? If a company doesn't dare to extend the warranty, doesn't that imply their product quality simply isn't up to par?

This is a common sentiment among buyers, stemming fundamentally from the fact that the value-for-money ratio falls short of expectations. Even though a smartphone for daily use costs between two and three thousand yuan, performance often deteriorates after a year or so, and repair costs are exorbitant—to the point where replacing the device makes more financial sense than fixing it. Yet, people rarely complain about the short warranty period; instead, they often welcome the decline in performance as a convenient excuse to upgrade. With the rapid pace of technological advancement and the constant evolution of features and aesthetics, many users are already eager to buy a new model. If their current phone continued to work perfectly, they might feel guilty about replacing it.

People don't have such high expectations for smart locks on their front doors; the only real requirement is that they simply work reliably. After all, it’s not something I can show off to others—even a stunning design is something only I would see, and eventually, it just blends into the background. Unless I were replacing the door itself, I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to swap the lock for a different-looking one just for the sake of variety. Ideally, it would never break and would last a lifetime—that would be the most cost-effective choice.

Consequently, many people enjoy the convenience offered by smart locks while simultaneously holding them to the durability standards of traditional mechanical locks—a clear case of applying a double standard. The convenience of smart locks stems from their electronic components; like all electronic devices, they are subject to failure rates and the reality of constant technological evolution.

When a smart lock malfunctions, the issue usually lies with the fingerprint scanner or the keypad, leaving the mechanical unlocking mechanism unaffected. In other words, if you choose not to pay for a replacement fingerprint module, you can still open the door with a physical key; the fundamental function of locking and unlocking remains intact. You could simply use it as a mechanical lock, and it would still last for a decade.

But who would actually want to do that? After all, having paid several times the price of a mechanical lock, using it merely as one feels like a bad deal.

This is precisely why there is so much dissatisfaction regarding the short warranty periods offered for smart locks.

Recognizing these consumer needs, many smart lock manufacturers and distributors are continuously improving product quality and extending their warranty periods. This is undoubtedly good news for consumers. However, buyers should remain discerning; d.

 generally,a warranty period of less than three years is relatively reliable.