Secure the best choice for your household
Smart locks offer keyless entry and remote access for enhanced convenience
Regular locks provide reliable, low-maintenance security without the need for power
Smart locks integrate with smart home systems but may face compatibility issues
Regular locks are simpler to install
Locks are essential for keeping your home safe and giving you valuable peace of mind. But with so many options available, deciding between a smart lock and a regular lock can feel overwhelming. Smart locks offer conveniences like keyless entry and remote access, while regular locks offer tried-and-true reliability and simplicity.
This guide walks you through the key differences so you can choose the right option for your home.
Smart locks and regular locks both serve the same purpose—to secure your home— but they differ quite a bit in terms of functionality and features. Smart locks offer tech-driven perks like keyless door entry, remote access, and smart home system integration, making them ideal for tech-savvy users who value flexibility and control. Meanwhile, regular locks rely on manual keys or combinations, providing straightforward and reliable security without the need for power or internet connectivity.
A regular lock is a traditional manual lock used to secure doors and other entry points. You’ll need to use a key or enter a manual combination to unlock it since it doesn’t comprise any electronic components or power sources.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reliable | Limited access options |
| Easy to use and install | Keys can be lost or duplicated |
| Low maintenance | Fewer security features |
| Affordable | No remote control |
Best for:
Homeowners who prefer low-maintenance simplicity and reliability.
Those on a tight budget looking for an affordable security solution.
Folks who don’t need remote access or smart home integration.
Regular locks have fewer components than smart locks, which means they have fewer opportunities to fail. Since they don’t have electronic parts, they can secure your home without the risk of malfunctions from power issues or technical glitches.
Another significant advantage is their simplicity and ease of use. Using a regular lock with a key or combination requires no technical know-how. Plus, regular locks are generally more affordable and require much less maintenance than smart locks.
One of the main drawbacks of regular locks is their limited access options. This means you can’t unlock them remotely like you can with smart locks, which often let you control access from your phone. Plus, physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated without your knowledge, posing a potential security risk.
Changing a door lock can be difficult to DIY and damage the door's structure if not done correctly. For the best results, we recommend contacting a local pro.
A smart lock is an electronic locking system that lets you secure your home without the need for traditional keys. These locks can be controlled and monitored remotely using smartphones, keypads, and/or voice commands. By integrating with smart home ecosystems, smart locks also offer enhanced security features compared to traditional locks.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Remote access and monitoring | Expensive |
| Advanced security features | Higher maintenance than traditional locks |
| Smart home integration | Data privacy concerns |
| Keyless entry | Complex installation. |
Best for:
Tech-savvy homeowners who appreciate added conveniences and smart home integration.
Folks who frequently grant access to guests or service providers and want to manage permissions remotely.
Those who value the ability to monitor and control their home’s security from anywhere.
People looking to eliminate the hassle of carrying and managing physical keys.
Smart locks let you unlock your door remotely using a smartphone or other connected devices, so they make it easy to grant access to guests or service providers remotely. Plus, they often have features like keypads and voice commands, so you don’t have to worry about carrying around (or losing) a key to your home.
In addition, many smart locks offer advanced features like encryption, tamper alerts, and home security system integrations. These features allow you to monitor who enters your home in real-time and receive instant notifications about any activity at your door, even when you’re miles away.
Smart locks are more expensive than their traditional counterparts because they have additional electronic components, so you’ll need to pay more for them up front. They also cost more to maintain, often requiring battery replacements and software subscriptions, which add to their long-term costs.
Plus, smart locks fully rely on power and internet connectivity, so if there’s a power outage or the batteries die, entering your home can be difficult unless there’s an easy and reliable manual override option. And because smart locks are connected devices, they can be vulnerable to hacking and software glitches, which means you need to stay vigilant with updates and security measures to protect your home and your data.
When considering a smart lock versus a regular lock, there are a few important factors to keep in mind to choose the right type of door lock for your home. The following sections compare the two locks based on factors like security and cost so you can properly weigh your options.
Smart locks operate using electronic components, allowing for features like keyless entry and remote access. While these features are convenient, they also introduce potential problems, like electronic malfunctions and dead batteries.
Meanwhile, regular locks rely on a purely mechanical system that employs manual keys or combinations. While using a key might not be as fast or convenient as keyless entry, it also means there are fewer ways your lock can fail since regular locks don’t have any electronic components that can go out, so in terms of consistency and reliability, regular locks have an edge over smart locks.
Access methods are where smart locks shine. Depending on the lock and its features, smart locks can offer smartphone integration, biometric sensors, keypads, and remote access capabilities. These options let you unlock doors from virtually anywhere and manage who has access to your home from afar, making it really easy to grant temporary access to guests or service providers without sharing a physical key.
Regular locks are limited to traditional key or combination-based entries, which can be less flexible and convenient. Keys can be lost or duplicated without your knowledge, and managing multiple keys for different users can become cumbersome.
When it comes to security, smart locks often have advanced features like encryption, tamper alerts, and home security system integration. These features can provide a higher level of protection against intruders while letting you monitor who enters your home in real time.
Regular locks, while reliable, are limited in terms of security features. They don’t provide the ability to monitor access or receive alerts. You also can’t connect them to your broader home security systems. So while high-quality traditional locks can be very secure, smart locks have an edge in terms of advanced security features.
Smart locks collect data on entry and exit times, which can raise privacy issues if the data isn’t properly secured or if there are any broader system vulnerabilities. A data breach can mean that unauthorized people have access to your personal information, including access codes.
Regular locks don’t collect or transmit any data, which means you don’t have to worry about data breaches or unauthorized access to your personal information, so if data privacy is at the top of your lock priority list, consider going with a regular lock.
Installing a regular lock is pretty straightforward and doesn’t require any specialized tools or knowledge. Most homeowners can do it themselves within an hour. Maintenance for regular locks is also minimal, usually only requiring occasional lubrication to keep keys turning in the lock smoothly.
Smart locks have a more complex installation process, especially if they need to integrate with existing home automation systems or require firmware updates. These installations usually take longer and, in some cases, require a pro to complete. In addition, maintaining a smart lock often involves regular battery replacements and software updates, so regular locks have an advantage in terms of installation ease and maintenance.
Due to their lack of electrical components, regular locks are generally much more affordable than smart locks. You can often buy a regular lock for just a few cents on the dollar compared to smart locks. That’s because smart locks include advanced technology, which drives up their cost. Smart locks also usually need periodic updates and battery replacements, which adds to their long-term costs.
Regular locks are compatible with most standard doors and frames, making them a versatile choice for a wide range of homes without the need for additional modifications. Smart locks, however, may face compatibility issues depending on the type of door, existing lock setup, and home automation systems. So ensuring that a smart lock works seamlessly with your current system can sometimes require additional adjustments or investments.
Regular locks are known for their durability and long life span. Since they don’t have electronic components that can fail, they often function reliably for decades with minimal maintenance. Smart locks, meanwhile, rely on electronic components that can degrade over time. You may need to replace batteries multiple times, and the software can become outdated and, in rare cases, useless over time, requiring you to purchase a whole new smart lock.
