Is a smart lock worth it for rental apartments?

Smart locks in rental apartments are always a gray area. The main problem: you're normally not allowed to simply replace the lock without asking your landlord first. Many landlords are skeptical about this because they need access to the apartment - for emergencies, repairs, or inspections. If you change the lock on your own, in the worst case it could violate a clause in your lease and cause trouble.

But there are solutions that are much less problematic. There are these mountable smart variants that you can install without any modifications and remove later - something like an electronic additional lock for the outside. That's less risky for landlords because the original installation remains untouched and you can just take it with you when you move out. Still, I'd clarify with your landlord beforehand whether he's okay with it.

Whether it's worth it also depends on what you need. If you just don't want to carry your keys around anymore or you'd like to give friends code access, it can be practical. But keep in mind: smart locks need power or batteries that have to be replaced regularly - and if the battery dies, you're locked out. My advice: talk to your landlord first before you spend money on it.