Smart door lock vs traditional door lock is an ongoing debate as homeowners seek the most effective ways to secure their properties. The emergence of smart home technology has introduced high-tech devices with various benefits, including remote access and monitoring, over traditional locks.
In this article, we will delve into the comparison between smart door locks and traditional door locks, focusing on their pros, cons, comparative analysis, and more. Whether you’re a businessman or an individual, this article will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision on which one is best suited for your security needs. So let’s dive in and explore the world of smart door locks vs traditional door locks!
Traditional door locks are a kind of locking mechanism that has been used for centuries to protect the doors of homes, hotels, offices, and other buildings. These traditional mechanical locks do not contain any electronic components and require manual unlocking. However, they still provide the most basic level of security protection and remain a popular and reliable choice.
Today’s most common traditional mechanical lock on the market is the pin-tumbler lock, which uses a series of pins to prevent the lock from turning without the correct key. When the key is inserted into the lock, it raises the pins to the correct height, allowing the cylinder to turn and unlock the door.
In addition to the pin-tumbler lock, traditional mechanical locks include cylinder locks, mortise locks, deadbolt locks, rim locks, knob locks, among others. Each lock type has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of which type of lock to use depends on factors such as the desired level of security, the style of the door, and the available budget.
The Pros and Cons of Traditional Locks
Pros:
Affordability: Traditional door locks are typically more affordable than electronic locks, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious homeowners.
Durability: Traditional door locks are made from sturdy materials such as brass and steel, making them long-lasting and resistant to wear and tear.
Ease of use: Traditional door locks are easy to use, and most people are already familiar with how they work. They are also easy to install, and homeowners can do it themselves without professional installation.
Reliability: Traditional door locks have been used for centuries and have a proven track record, making them a trustworthy and dependable choice for homeowners.
Cons:
Low Security: Traditional door locks are vulnerable to being picked, and lower-quality locks can even be opened with a simple card, making them less secure.
Lack of Access Control: This means that traditional door locks can be opened by anyone with a key, regardless of who they are.
Inconvenient: Traditional door locks require a physical key to be inserted into the lock to open the door, which can be inconvenient if you forget your key or need to provide access to someone while you are away from home.
Smart Door Locks
As the name suggests, a smart lock is Smart + Lock, which means that it adds some modern smart features to the traditional lock to make unlocking more intelligent, more convenient, and more secure.
Compare with traditional lock mechanisms, the biggest difference between smart locks is that they require electrical power to operate, but most of them still retain mechanical key unlocking methods for emergencies.
Furthermore, modern intelligent locks offer Wi-Fi connection or non-Wi-Fi connection options. Wi-Fi-connected locks have more convenient features, such as remote unlock, real-time upload of unlocking records, video monitoring, etc. Non-Wi-Fi connected locks may have fewer features, but they can still meet basic access control needs and have stronger stability.
Modern intelligent locks have multiple unlocking methods, including keycard unlocks, Bluetooth unlocks, NFC device unlocks, face recognition unlocks, fingerprint unlocks, password unlocks, etc. With multiple unlocking ways, you don’t have to worry anymore even if forget your key, making your life more intelligent and more convenient.
The Pros and Cons of Smart Door Locks
Pros:
High security: Currently, most smart locks on the market use C-level lock cores, which enhance their anti-pry ability. In addition, intelligent locks can provide a range of advanced security features, including unlocking records, anti-prying alarm systems, anti-peephole door openings, and remote monitor access.
More portable: The use of intelligent locks has changed people’s habit of carrying keys when going out, making it more convenient to open doors. Users no longer have to worry about the risk of losing or duplicating keys. Intelligent locks support multiple unlocking methods, such as fingerprint, password, keycard, biometric, etc.
More intelligent: Users can monitor the lock status through the APP software on their smart devices, even when they are away from home. A warning message will be sent directly to the user’s phone if there are special circumstances, such as the lock being tampered with or multiple incorrect fingerprint or password entries. The house owner can easily grasp the security situation of their front door.
Integration with other smart home devices: Intelligent locks can be integrated with other smart home products, such as security cameras and motion sensors, to provide a complete security solution for your home.
Beautiful and stylish: Unlike traditional locks, intelligent locks are more humanized in design and come in a variety of colors. Their exquisite craftsmanship and different styles can satisfy modern people’s pursuit of beauty and fashion.
Cons:
Price: Intelligent locks are usually more expensive than traditional ones, requiring frequent maintenance, which can be costly.
Installation: Intelligent locks come with more accessories and can be more difficult to install. If any parts are assembled incorrectly, the lock may not work properly, so it is recommended to have a professional locksmith install it.
Power source: Intelligent locks rely on batteries or power sources, which means they will stop working in case of a power outage. Although most of them can still be operated with a mechanical key, it is not ideal for users who are accustomed to not carrying keys.
Vulnerabilities to hacker attacks: Some intelligent locks allow internet connection, which makes them vulnerable to hacker attacks and other network security risks. This means you need to take measures to ensure that your intelligent lock is properly protected, such as regular software updates.
Compatibility issues: Intelligent locks may not be compatible with all types of doors or door frames, limiting your options when choosing a lock that suits your needs.
Smart Door Lock vs Traditional
Hardware
1. Structure
From the comparison of the pictures, it can be seen that the structure of smart locks is more complex than that of traditional locks, and there are many components. However, they both have one thing in common, which is that they both have a mechanical unlocking structure.
2. Lock Body
Traditional lock body is a lock without electronic devices. It does not require electricity and relies on manpower. You need a corresponding mechanical key to unlock the door. And the door can be opened with force.
Smart lock body is an electric lock body that is powered through data cables and has a built-in electronic clutch mechanism. The moving parts of the smart lock body are designed with guides or pulleys, which have lower friction coefficients and provide a smooth lock feel. The lock body has a five-lock tongue linkage structure, and all parts are reinforced for greater safety and stability.
For the material of the lock body, smart locks mostly use alloy or space alloy, which greatly improves the material quality. Some lock bodies even use a one-piece casting technique, which makes the lock body a solid unit and increases its security.
3. Lock Core
There are three types of lock cores on the market: A-level, B-level, and C-level. They are compared in terms of anti-drilling, anti-saving, anti-prying, anti-pulling, and anti-impact, the C-level is the most secure.
Currently, smart door locks commonly use C-level lock cores, while many models of traditional mechanical locks still use unsafe B-level or even A-level lock cores.
Software
Smart locks allow users to manage them online, such as through mobile app management. Especially in the application of hotels, the smart locks used in hotels are equipped with card issuers, keycards, hotel management software, etc., forming an access control system that facilitates hotel staff management. Access permissions can also be set, greatly improving the security of the lock.
As for traditional locks, there is no software management, and the door can be opened as long as the corresponding key is held. Therefore, smart locks are naturally much more secure than traditional locks, and have advantages in protecting personal safety.
Functionality
Ordinary locks have no additional functions, but smart locks now have additional features such as fingerprint recognition, password entry, smart doorbells, cat eyes, face recognition, app alerts, and more. This makes the lock, not just a door lock, which is where smart locks are more advanced than regular locks.
Convenience
Ordinary locks must be opened with a key, while smart locks can be opened without a key by using smart technology such as facial recognition, fingerprint recognition, and password entry. It frees up hands, and there is no need to carry keys. And it is no longer to worry about forgetting your keys when going out.
Which One is Better?
The history of traditional locks dates back more than 5000 years, while intelligent locks have only been around for a short 30 years. As a consumer, how should you choose?
In my opinion, on the one hand, if installed in a door that doesn’t require high security, such as a bathroom door, a traditional door lock is the most cost-effective option. However, for doors with higher security requirements, such as outdoor or front doors, choosing a smart lock is a wise choice.
On the other hand, as times progress, people’s lifestyles will inevitably improve. Traditional locks have gradually become unable to meet the demands of this new era. In this fast-paced era, people need convenience and ease of travel. Many people are already tired of the troubles caused by traditional mechanical locks, such as forgetting keys, losing keys, carrying keys as a burden when going out, and easy lock picking.
And smart locks have multiple unlocking methods such as fingerprint, password, mobile NFC, and temporary access code, which can meet various daily unlocking needs. And they have many functions such as real-time upload the unlocking records, anti-pry alarm, anti-coercion alarm, and low battery reminder push, which can help users monitor the security status of their locks in real-time.
Whether it is convenience, security, or fashion, smart locks are far superior to traditional locks, which is why they are much more expensive than traditional locks and why more and more people are buying smart locks. The following will analyze how to choose a suitable smart lock. Please keep reading.
How to Choose a Smart Door Lock?
Functions
Generally speaking, the more functions and technologically advanced the intelligent lock, the higher the price. Choose a suitable product based on your budget. Generally, the four basic lock and unlock ways (fingerprint, password, card, and key) can meet the needs of different age groups in a household.
Young people who pursue high technology can also choose secure options like facial recognition, electronic cat eyes, and remote unlocking. Regardless of the budget, they pay attention to the anti-theft functions of the lock, such as whether it has a C-level lock core, anti-copying fingerprint head, anti-collision design of the latch bolt, and anti-peeping structure, to ensure safety.
Quality
When it comes to quality, the price is a reflection of the product. Every cheap lock has its reason. It may look the same on the surface, but upon closer inspection, you will find there have many shortages in it.
For example, the lock panel may be thin and prone to cracking, and the wiring may be messy and unprotected, making it impossible to function properly in complex environments, and making it vulnerable to Tesla coil interference.
Therefore, in the selection process, pay attention to the details of the lock, such as whether it has burrs, check its weight, and use a Tesla coil to verify its quality. Or you can check the authoritative testing reports of the products directly.
After-sales service
Reputable and professional smart lock manufacturers should have certain capabilities. Specifically speaking, timely response is fundamental, and quick resolution of users’ problems provides a better experience. Good after-sales service also demonstrates the manufacturer’s confidence in the quality of their product. High-quality products can stand the test of time.
YGS has been focused on smart lock manufacturing for more than 21 years. Strictly implements the corporate quality management policy of “careful manufacturing, joint development, continuous improvement, and sincere service,” providing high-quality smart locks for hotels, schools, real estate projects, and end-users.
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