Ikea has come out with a new smart lock, named Rothult. I saw it at Ikea today, and it seems like just the thing I’ve been looking for to add to two of my tool drawers!
I have several DIY kitchen-style tool cabinets, and plan to build more. A design/accessory search has been plaguing me for a while – how do I make some drawers inaccessible to my kids? While my kids respect my tools and equipment, they’re curious, and there’s too much to keep out of reach, such as knives, scribes, precision tools, and solder.
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Keyed locks for drawers are pricy, not to mention a hassle to use. Key-code locks are more appealing, but much more expensive and extremely hard to find.
I toyed with the idea of creating a hidden mechanical locking mechanism that locks an entire bank of drawers without requiring any keys, but with no existing projects to draw inspiration from, I’ve been stuck at the drawing board. Do I want it to be purely mechanical? Or electronically-controlled, with a geared motor, servo motor, or maybe a solenoid?
But, looking at the details and features of the new Ikea Rothult smart lock, it looks like I now have a good option for securing a couple of individual drawers.
The Ikea smart lock might require some creativity for DIY implementation, but it’s designed as a screw-on module that’s powered by AAA batteries. It really doesn’t get any simpler.
The Ikea Rothult smart lock is unlocked via NFC/RFID. It comes with two “master keycards,” and you can also train it to use other keycards or devices, including NFC-compatible smartphones.
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Ikea says that other NFC/RFID products can potentially be used as keys, such as membership cards, credit cards, or public transport cards. It might also be possible to use things like RFID key fobs, or maybe even hotel keycards.
I only learned about the Rothult because I came upon new filing cabinets and was curious as to why they had square punch-outs. If I had to guess, I’d say that they might come out with other smart lock-compatible storage products in the future.
Price: $20 each
For one or two drawers, $20 each seems reasonable. But I think it’ll still look into other solutions for locking a column of drawers.
At the store, there was one cabinet door fixed with a Rothult smart lock, and the pin was set to the unlocked position.
I bought two of them, and plan to do some testing and playing around. Please let me know if you have any questions.
More Info(via Ikea)
Most recently, I have considered experimenting with an electronic solenoid, which can be found for ~$10 at Amazon. I picked up two of the Ikea smart locks without hesitation, based on how I probably cannot build anything similar for less money.
Bob
Neat idea for casual acces denial. Only concern is what happens when the battery is drained? Looks weak enough that you could break into it if you had too but strong enough for keeping the kiddos out of the razor blade drawer.
I also researched electronic locks, key pads, bio metrics, smart locks about a year ago. I spoke to a business that supplied safes for jewlery stores. He was not aware of electronic locks at the time that were ready for prime time when failure is not an option for access denial and just as important, access (firearms storage). Atleast for under the $400 -$500 price point. Even then most UL listed safes i.e. a real safe, not the bs they sell at big box retailers, use old school rotary dial combination locks.
I ended up going with a mechanical push button lock (kaba simplex cabinet lock) in a 1/4” plate steel enclosure.
These locks are $70 and up so locking each drawer would get pricey.
Eric
Another problem with keys or keycodes is that your kids with pretty quickly figure out where you keep the keys or what the code is. When my brother and I were little it never took very long to figure out where my dad had moved the keys to the tool box. Or what the code was to unlock the car just by watching them put it in. If the key was your phone it wouldn’t be something extra to carry around and that you would be more likely to just hide in the room so you didn’t waste time walking back and forth to get it all the time.
MM
I love a lot of electronic things but electronic locks are not on the list. In my opinion they offer a variety of disadvantages:
1) they can be hacked, many very easily with nothing more than a bluetooth device (and if it’s one thing kids know it’s how to use smartphones and computers)
2) they require constant battery replacement
3) when the battery fails the lock fails in one way or another, either locking you out or in.
4) they are generally less reliable than mechanical locks
5) many electronic locks have a “security feature” which locks out with a time delay if you fail to enter the correct code too many times or if there are a certain number of RFID read errors. That can be a huge issue if its an emergency and you need to get into the lock NOW.
And what do you get in exchange for all that? A slight increase in convenience. In my opinion that is a very bad trade-off.
BradWH
Running a $2 esp8266 or esp32 board to control a solenoid would be easy. Just consider designing it so the solenoid doesnt have to be charged all the time and draw power.
Farid
A latching solenoid is what is typically used here. It only required power during activation, which typically takes couple hundred milliseconds or so. These are also used on water valves. The batteries can last for a long time. To lock or unlock, you would have to reverse the polarity of the solenoid connections, but a simple H-bridge driver works (Ive used one with Arduino and it worked beautifully). The biggest power draw would be from the monitoring circuit, which has to keep checking for key activity.
A reed switch can be rigged to simply power a solenoid from battery when magnet is placed near it. This is very similar to the hidden child safety locks I’ve used on my drawers. Yes, it would be easy to defeat if you know about, but for little kids, as long as they don’t see you unlocking it, it should be OK. Drawback is they cannot be used with steel cabinet, unless the reed switch is placed behind a hole or plastic part, such as a brand tag.
Another idea is to place the battery and reed switch in accessible spot and run wires to the solenoids. or you can use a key switch. This way, you can lock/unlock several drawers with one key and take it away to keep kids safe.
But, why not use hidden magnetic child locks in the first place (assuming non-steel drawers) ? No batteries to worry about.
Stuart
Many magnetic locks and other childproofing methods require a face-frame to install to. Others don’t, suck as spring-plastic locks (e.g. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90148691/), but I can’t use most without modification.
The easiest solution would be to build a loop at the rear of each bank of drawers, and create a vertical bar with hooks that lock into them. Raise the bar and turn it, and all the drawers unlock. Lower it, and all of them closed. That’s what I’ll do if I need to secure everything from my kids.
I bought the Ikea smart lock partly because it seemed like a perfect solution for something I was struggling to figure out how to DIY.
Once I started looking into solenoid locks, I thought I could build a neat cooperative riddle box for my kids. It would have buttons and what-not, and they would have to work together on a scavenger hunt, or to solve a color/switch pattern, to open a box to get to something inside, maybe a treat, toy, or box of munchkins.
I’ve said “I wish I could add an electronic lock” about different tool boxes or office cabinets before, and this seems like a fairly inexpensive way to go about it, compared to other options I’ve looked at in the past.
Farid
Many options and many solutions. The IKEA Lock is a neat little gadget. My son has been wanting to make a box with a secret lock. This might fit the bill perfectly, especially I don’t have as much time to tinker anymore.
Should I be looking for your reviews on about this on Make: anytime soon?
Kurt
How about a simple system like this, only put the catches back a bit, so only a more powerful rare earth magnet can activate them, and then put that up where they can’t reach?
https://www.amazon.com/Safety-1st-Magnetic-Locking-System/dp/B004GCJMLG
Stuart
Those are really only strong enough to prevent access to toddlers. And they require face frames for drawer use. I’m looking for something to last through preschool and elementary school ages.
I keep most stuff well out of reach. But there are things I’d like to keep more accessible.
My kids are respectful and supervised, but curious. In the garage, I might want a drawer for locking say utility knives and power tool activation keys. In my office, solder and knives.
MichaelHammer
Please pardon me if step out of bounds. I think you’re worrying too much. School age children have the capacity to understand the individual dangers associated with each tool. Rather than bubble wrap their world, I let my kids hold the tool, explained its use and it’s dangers. In other words, I fed their curiosity and added just a touch of fear. It was all the security I needed. I had toddler prevention devices all over the place and found that when they were old enough to subvert them, they were old enough to understand the danger. I have a sixth-grader and a second-grader and with all the unsecured home improvement tools I have, there has not been a single incident.
Stuart
They have a good respect for tools, but they’re just kids. It’s my responsibility to ensure that my most dangerous tools are a little more secure. For my convenience, a locked drawer or two would be easier than an out of reach wall cabinet.
Plus, its an excuse to tinker. =)
Greg
Also keep in mind, your kids might have friends over, and their friends might not have been educated about tools, or their potential dangers. A lock puts a bit more of a buffer between the unforeseen event.
Stuart
Yikes, I didn’t even think about that yet. But, I suppose that by the time my kids can have friends over unsupervised, that’s when my office door will be closed and locked, and the garage off-limits.
Bill
I remember an incident in HD with my grandson when he was about 2.5 years old. We were walking side by side down an aisle and as we were passing a display of a spray cleaner stacked in the aisle, my grandson unexpectedly lunged for the one of the bottles and tried to squeeze the trigger. The spray nozzles were facing him and he was able to grab the trigger with both hands, where his thumbs were on the trigger and his other fingers were wrapped around the back side of the neck of the bottle. Fortunately all the bottles were in a locked position, so try as he did nothing came out. While a spray or two in the face may not have blinded him (there are some very caustic spray cleaners) it would have resulted in a trip the bathroom or the eye wash station and perhaps the emergency room.
Yes, he was a toddler but even school age kids don’t always see the consequences of their actions. Most of us can recall having done some pretty dumb things as a kid. When I was about six years old and a self professed great hunter with my BB gun, I shot my big toe, through my Keds tennis shoes, just to see if it hurt. And yes it does. No we can’t and shouldn’t try to bubble wrap the world for our kids but a little due diligence can go a long way in helping them survive to adulthood.
Seamus
It’s probably the nudie mags he’s trying to hide. Grampa left those out for me to find when I was 8 or so. Thanks gramps!!
Lisa
You are assuming that all school age children have the same capabilities. While it is wonderful that yourself and your children understand these dangers and have been without incident, not all people function/understand at the same level. My son and many other neurodivergent kiddos do not have the level or ability to discern and avoid these dangers (no matter how many times they are told or taught) as some others may have. There are so many variables that come into play here and you are generalizing/roping every child/person under the same umbrella, school age or otherwise (chronological vs mental age, levels of cognition & understand capabilities, disabilities/differently abled, the ability to understand abstract concepts etc). Beside that, it’s about prevention/risk and harm reduction. I for one came to this site to see if this would work as one of those strategies of prevention and really appreciate that someone is thoughtful enough to think of others like this ! The world as it is is not made for everyone to have the same level of success and it’s a breath of fresh air to see others making accommodations for those who accommodate so much already to fit into our world!
Bruce
You should be a little more honest with yourself. Cabinet locks are not expensive, or difficult to work with. You want to secure every cabinet in your shop? You can buy keyed alike cabinet locks in the $5 each price range, less if you can buy in bulk. One key, on your key ring, no problems.
The new Ikea locks are nifty and give you that smooth front look, but I bet they break long before you kids are out of school.
Stuart
I’d rather not mess with mechanical keys.
In my mind, if keycards or my phone are too slow, or a keyfob I keep on the table, I’ll try to modify the products to use a hidden pushbutton, or use them in a different DIY product as-is.
Stuart
Besides, over-complicating things is one of my biggest hobbies.
Scar McDyess
I spend large chunks of my day thinking of ways to over complicate things.
Rick
Over complicated is using a camera and zigbee presence sensor to unlock automatically when it detects adult sized persons, but deny access when the presence sensor is no longer present, or when the camera detects only little people with a presence sensor.
if your children defeat that, I’d ship them straight off….
to engineering school.
Stuart
What about face detection, voice recognition, or fingerprint sensing? =)
Jason
I use magnetic cabinet latches on everything from kitchen cabinets, to dresser drawers, to tool cabinets. I’ve tried multiple brands but these inexpensive ones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01M6Z8VB1/ seem to work the best and are the fastest to install.
It’s just a plastic latch affixed by double-sided tape inside of the drawer, and a strong magnet that releases the latch, so I wouldn’t use them to keep a criminal out – but for keeping the kids out of the tool drawers, they work great.
We store the key up high where the kids can’t reach it, and if they did, it requires a bit of coordination and practice to unlock and pull the drawer open. Haven’t had any break-ins by the kids in 5+ years of using the locks.
Highly recommended, and they are easily removed when the kids get older (without any damage to your drawer).
Scar McDyess
I use something very similar, but I attach them with screws. It is a good design. I haven’t tried, but I don’t think I could open them without using a pry bar.
I also like them because if you install them properly, the drawers, cabinets, etc stay completely shut (rather than popping open a 1/2 inch) unless the magnet is present.
Works on framed and framed cabinets.
Lisa
Would these work on bedroom doors such as the furnace or basement door?
MT_Noob
If you are locking up a column of drawers, and do some of them individually, you might run into the situation where someone can get into the middle drawer by simply opening up the top drawer all the way and reaching behind it. I always chuckle when I see an individual drawer in the middle with some sort of hasp bolted on it, while the above and below drawers are unsecured. If I figured that out when I was a kid, I’m sure yours will also.
Stuart
Or, an upper drawer can be completely removed off the drawers slides. But by the time my kids know how to do that, access won’t need to be restricted.
If really needed, it would take 5 minutes to install sheet metal above and even below a drawer to ensure that it cannot be removed or its contents accessed without first opening the drawer.
Kevlar
Forgive me if somebody already posted this (too many comments to wade through), but per Ikea’s instructions/manual, the batteries will last 17 months with 3 cycles daily, and if they aren’t replaced on time the lock will, uh, lock open until they are replaced.
Stuart
Thanks! I didn’t get that far yet. What I saw was that it’ll beep when the battery to notify when the battery starts to run low.
Joe A
Certainly better than the alternative.
Frank
Hi, Did you ever get these up and running? I’m also getting 2 locks. Just a couple of questions. Are the master cards the same for every lock or programmed for just that lock? What I would like is to open both locks with 1 card, is that possible? Thanks
E
Hi, I’m also interested in an update about how these locks are working out for you. I live in a rented apartment, and am trying to find a way to lock my kitchen items and food away, so my housemates can’t steal/use these items. I’m going to start out by putting in some Kallax cabinet inserts, and am hoping that these do the trick with the cabinet doors.
Cindy
I would be interested in your bank drawer lock idea. I have the same issue as you. I have several Helmer cabinets with things I would rather keep my preschooler away from. Kids are curious and I like to safety this type of storage. I am running out of storage that’s high and out of reach plus his brothers climb to get things down…
Rowan
I have a question regarding this ikea lock. Can it be used with sliding doors? I want to buy it ,but im very hesitant as m cabinet has sliding doors.
Stuart
Possibly, but it seems designed for much smaller scale uses such as with drawers.
Kent
My Rothult locks, well one of them anyway, beeps 3 times randomly for no reason. I’ve changed the batteries to brand new ones. When they’re low they beep 5 times. But nowhere do I see what beeping 3 times is. It also happened in the middle of the night a few times. Very annoying.