Standard and smart locks are the two types of locks most frequently used in homes and businesses today. Although traditional locks have been around for centuries and are still frequently used, smart locks have become more and more popular recently because of their cutting-edge capabilities.
In this article, we will compare and contrast smart locks and traditional locks to help you determine which type of lock is more beneficial for your needs. We will examine factors such as convenience, safety, and cost to give you a comprehensive understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of lock.
Convenience
When it comes to convenience, the smart lock is winning. One of the fantastic features of a smart lock is that you can let anybody inside your house, even if you’re miles away. You wouldn’t have to worry if your spouse or kids lost their keys, as you can open the door for them.
In a traditional lock, when you lose your keys or get locked out of your house, you’ll need to contact a quality locksmith that can quickly arrive at your home to open your lock for you. At this age, people always bring their phones. We are even more likely to forget the keys than our phones.
The downside is that you can still get locked out with a smart lock if your phone dies, doesn’t have internet access, or you experience problems with Bluetooth connection. And in this situation, a locksmith wouldn’t be able to help you.
But don’t fret. In case this scenario happens, smart locks have a key override, which defeats the objective of choosing a smart lock. That’s why when going for a smart lock, it would be best to choose the one with a keypad where you can manually open it using a password.
Safety
When it comes to safety, traditional locks can win this round. Since smart locks rely on technology, they will likely be hacked. Smart locks have been known to get hacked easily. It means that someone can control your lock remotely and will be given a chance to enter your home without difficulty.
Traditional locks, however, can be more reliable regarding safety as long as you use high-quality locks. Since the only ones who can open a traditional lock are those with its keys, you can sleep tight at night knowing that no one can hack into your lock and enter your home unless you lose a key and someone gets hold of it.
That said, a traditional lock can be easily replaced if you think your safety has been compromised. Although smart locks can be replaced, they can be complicated and expensive.
Cost
In regard to replacement costs, the next thing you need to consider when choosing a lock for your home is the overall cost. Include the initial installation cost, the maintenance cost, and the replacement cost.
Obviously, a smart lock is the most expensive option between the two, especially if you will choose to install a smart lock with an added alarm system and camera for extra security. Smart locks typically cost from $100 to $500, depending on the features it includes.
Meanwhile, traditional locks can only cost around $40. Aside from the initial cost of the locks, you should also need to consider the maintenance. Traditional locks don’t need maintenance. The only expense that could come up for this type of lock is when you lose a key or want to duplicate a key.
Smart locks, on the other hand, need battery replacement and software updates, which can cost you a few bucks. Remember that this maintenance should be regularly done, or your smart lock won’t work correctly.
Control And Versatility
Due to the popularity of smart locks, the market has grown, providing consumers with a wide array of options. Therefore, when it comes to versatility, smart locks win. Smart locks don’t only work through a mobile app. As mentioned earlier, it also has an override key and a keypad to enter your password.
Some smart locks also have a fingerprint scanner, which uses your fingerprints as the key to give you access to your house. You can even find a smart lock connected to Alexa for more ease of control.
Traditional locks aren’t versatile at all. It’s a plain lock. Only keys will allow you to access it, and nothing else. Although you can find different types, designs, and brands of traditional locks on the market, they all work the same.
Bottomline
Both the smart lock and traditional lock are beneficial depending on the circumstances. Choosing will be more on a personal preference of what is essential for you. If you aim to make your family safe, the traditional lock would be ideal. Meanwhile, a smart lock would be a suitable option if you’re looking for convenience.
