Kwikset Kevo Gen 1 vs. Gen 2

Have You Changed Your Door Locks?

What can possibly change about door locks? They’ve been around for hundreds of years, right? Well, Kwikset’s Kevo locks revolutionized door locks in 2013 with the release of the Kwikset Kevo smart lock. The 2nd generation of a smart lock is here, and it is better than ever.

A Quick Intro to Smart Locks

What is a Kwikset Kevo smart lock? It is a Bluetooth-enabled lock providing wireless access to homes and businesses. All of them feature touch-to-open access to your home or business.

How does it work?

The lock works due to a few parts. Here is a short description of the main build parts:

• Interior Mechanism. The smart lock brains and hardware are inside your home. This keeps them hidden away from potential thieves and maintains a nice finish for your property.
• Exterior Housing. No one wants an ugly lock, so the exterior housing is designed to look almost identical to a traditional deadbolt.
• Software and Accessories. Never fumble for your keys again. That is the company’s promise. The Bluetooth software and fob accessories make this possible with a smartphone.

After the lock is installed, you can touch it to unlock your door because it senses your approach through your phone’s Bluetooth. That’s a smart lock!

Similarities of Kwikset Kevo 1st Gen vs 2nd Gen

Kwikset didn’t throw out all the good things when they made their new Kevo lock. The really useful features were kept and expanded to be even better.

Same Great Function

Both the Kevo 1st Gen and 2nd Gen unlock doors. The simple function of touch to open remains the same on both versions of the smart lock. Landlords and homeowners enjoy the simplicity of not needing to dig for keys every time they approach the door.

Same Geofencing Ability

Through the Kevo app, this either Kwikset Kevo can tell whether you are inside or outside your home. This is helpful because the lock doesn’t open automatically if you are inside. It’s a small security feature, but useful.

Same Awesome Accessories

Kevo has two great accessories: Kevo Plus and the Kevo Key Fob. 

Kevo Plus is a gateway and a service. The gateway is a device that plugs into your WiFi router and connects to your smart lock. The service allows you to check the status of your lock from anywhere. You can unlock the door for deliveries or friends, let service people into your home, or even respond to an emergency by letting your neighbor inside.

The Kevo Key Fob is a key fob that unlocks the door. This is great for people who don’t use smartphones or places where smartphones aren’t carried. The locks can be opened at a touch while the key fob is in your pocket.

Kwikset Kevo Gen 1 vs. Gen 2 Buying Guide

Differences Between the Kevo 1st Gen and 2nd Gen

Everything has not stayed the same, though. Kwikset has been busy with upgrades to its smart lock. The 2nd Gen is smaller, more secure, and easier to install. These changes, especially around security, make this upgrade great value for homeowners.

Smaller is Better

We know the cliché says bigger is better, but not in this case. A comparison of the interior mechanism of the Kwikset Kevo 1st gen vs 2nd gen reveals a big size difference between the two. The 2nd generation smart lock is about 25% smaller than the 1st gen. It is not as tall, not as wide, but slightly thicker. 

Security Has Improved

The bigger changes in the Kwikset Kevo smart lock have been in the area of security. The new lock is more secure than the old one. 

Kwikset eliminated the ability of thieves to use lock bumping to force the lock open. This simple and common technique was a problem for the first generation of the smart lock.

The deadbolt is sturdier now, as well. Several years ago, the team at cNet showed how the 1st generation Kwikset Kevo could be forced open with common tools. Now, the physical security has been beefed up and the lock cannot be forced open.

The Kwikset Kevo also uses end-to-end encryption for all wireless transmissions. It doesn’t connect to the cloud unless you use the Kevo Plus WiFi extender. This makes it very hard to crack electronically.

Getting Started is Simpler

The installation process has been simplified since the 1st generation launched. Simplicity is achieved by following a much-improved installation guide in the Kevo app. Also, the 2nd generation smart lock features automatic calibration of the Bluetooth sensor. This neat feature saves significant time and hassle during installation.

Kwikset Kevo Gen 1 vs. Gen 2 Comparison Chart

Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock Accessories

We already mentioned the Kevo accessories in the similarities section. However, these great features deserve a more in-depth look to help you see what you get for your money.

Kevo Key Fob

The key fob is a great accessory for the smart lock. It is smaller and lighter than a phone and doesn’t rely on any software to run. Without an app dependency, using the key fob is more reliable and secure. There is zero possibility of a battery that dies or Bluetooth that won’t connect.

Why use the fob? There are some easy scenarios when the key fob works great.

• Homeowners might like the fob when they go out for exercise. If you don’t take your smartphone, then you’re not distracted by calls, texts, notifications, or the weight of the device. 
• If you have a family who doesn’t use smartphones, then the key fob is a great option. Children coming home from school and grandparents visiting are a couple of examples of when this might be a great feature.
• Businesses might take advantage of the key fobs to create secure, smartphone free environments. One key fob can unlock up to 25 locks. Create different security zones in a warehouse or building complex and enable access control.

Kevo Plus

The Kevo Plus service is another great feature of the Kevo lock. After installation, this service allows you much greater control of your lock from anywhere you can connect to the internet. You can unlock your door remotely, check who has opened the door, and set up new access for visitors. Again, there are a few uses for this feature.

• Parents can check when their kids have left the house by tracking the door’s opening times. Make sure your kids aren’t late for school!
• Employers could track access to their businesses and facilities. This can improve security and help track employee timesheets.
• If you rent a property, the Kevo Plus allows you to set up access for guests as they arrive. Guest access can be cut off after their stay has finished.

Conclusion

What’s our conclusion? If you’re considering the Kevo 1st gen vs 2nd gen, then we definitely recommend the upgrade. A lock’s most basic function is keeping your property secure. The upgrades add a tremendous amount of physical security. Improved installation and visual appeal are great bonuses as well. At the end of the day, the 2nd gen smart lock is simply a better lock.