Pros & Cons
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- Extremely sturdy.
- Multiple options for providing temporary and guest access.
- Useful lock history.
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- Expensive.
- Bluetooth-only connectivity means you can must be physically close to the lock to change settings or check history.
Master Lock 4401DLH Outdoor Bluetooth Padlock Specs
| App | Mobile |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
| Geofencing/Location Services | |
| Guest Access | |
| Tamper Alarm | |
| Touchpad | |
| Voice Activation |
Master Lock's new line of Bluetooth padlocks adds app control where you wouldn't expect it. We're impressed by the 4400D Indoor Bluetooth Padlock ($63.22 at Amazon) , and the bigger, pricier 4401DLH Outdoor Bluetooth Padlock is just as useful. It's very expensive for a padlock at $89, but the convenience of automatic unlocking and the ability to remotely provide access to guests is welcome, putting it up there with door-mounted smart locks like the Editors' Choice August Smart Lock ($174.99 at Amazon) in terms of utility and features. The rugged design makes it ideal for locking gates and sheds, especially if you rent out your property and need an easy, secure way to allow people in.
Design
The 4401DLH ($89.67 at Amazon) is a bulky padlock, measuring 5.4 by 2.3 by 1.2 inches (HWD) and weighing 13.3 ounces. The body itself is 2.9 inches high, with the 0.4-inch-thick steel shackle extending 2.5 inches out of it. The padlock is covered in a two-piece protective sleeve made of thick black rubber. The sleeve parts can slide off to expose the padlock's boron carbide body, including the battery compartment that stays locked unless the padlock is open. If the battery in the padlock dies while it's closed, you can jump-start it to open it and replace the battery by pressing a 9-volt battery to the contact points on the bottom. Master Lock says the 4401 can last five years on a single 9-volt battery in Touch Unlock mode, and two years in Swipe Unlock mode (these are explained in the next section).
A circular four-direction button with a light in the center sits in the middle of the padlock's front panel. Pressing the center of the button wakes up the lock and has <spanit search for any nearby authorized devices. You can also manually open the lock by pressing a sequence of directions.
Between the thick steel shackle and the boron carbide body (the same material used in tanks and body armor), the 4401DLH is exceedingly sturdy. Like all Master locks, the holes where the shackle extends from the body of the padlock are engineered to provide almost no wiggle room for a shim to spring it open, and the solid materials ensure it won't be busted with a blunt object unless you're Thor. Even bolt cutters and power tools will likely have problems getting through the lock.
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App Control
You can control and remotely unlock the 4401DLH using the free Master Lock Vault eLocks app for Android and iOS. The app lets the padlock automatically unlock when it detects an authorized mobile device in <spanrange in Touch Unlock mode, or you can set the lock to only unlock when you swipe down in the app in Swipe Unlock mode. Swipe Unlock mode is currently in beta, and according to Master Lock significantly cuts down the battery life of the padlock. You can also set a new manual directional combination, send temporary combinations to other people, and authorize guests to use the lock.
The lock only uses Bluetooth, so you need to be physically close (around 10 to 15 feet in testing) in order to change settings like the lock mode or permanent combination. You don't need to be nearby to change guest access; you can alter guest permissions and send temporary combinations from anywhere. We go into the app in much more detail in our review of the 4400D padlock.
The 4401DLH performed just as well as the 4400D. Both the Android and iOS apps detected and communicated with the lock quickly, and it took only about five seconds for the lock to open in Touch Unlock mode. The lock history was accurate when I synced it with my mobile devices, and guest access worked reliably.
Conclusions
The Master Lock 4401DLH Outdoor Bluetooth Lock is a big and expensive padlock, but it gets you a lot of flexibility with letting other people use it. It's nearly indestructible, and the ability to offer guest access and send out temporary combinations (and track who opens the lock and when) make it a big boon for landlords, Airbnb hosts, and anyone who might want to keep an object or place secure while granting access to other people as needed.