When choosing a smart lock, one can sometimes be overwhelmed by the myriad of advertising slogans and feature introductions. After all, smart locks are characterized by their intelligence; although they have many functions, sometimes you might not know what these features are for, nor who to compare them with. Here, I will summarize some of the functional characteristics of smart locks and their respective pros and cons, which can help you choose a suitable smart lock.



Fingerprint Recognition vs. Password Unlock



Advantages of Fingerprint Unlock: Nowadays, smartphones with fingerprint unlock are very common, and fingerprint recognition has long been a part of everyday life. The features of fingerprint recognition are also very obvious: it is simple and easy to use; the fingerprint key is very complex, with an extremely low duplication rate, ensuring high security; moreover, smart lock fingerprint recognition can set different fingerprint permissions for different people; today's fingerprint recognition is also very fast.



Advantages of fingerprint unlock Advantages of fingerprint unlock

Disadvantages of Fingerprint Unlock: However, fingerprint recognition still has drawbacks. A person has only ten fingerprints in their lifetime, and the shape of fingerprints cannot be changed; verifying a fingerprint requires freeing a hand to extend a specific finger; many fingerprint recognition systems, due to technical and cost limitations, cannot achieve wet-hand unlocking; fingerprint collection for some elderly people and children is difficult, and verification can be time-consuming and laborious. Although the cost is high, fingerprints are relatively easy to obtain, and some smart locks' fingerprint recognition does not have liveness detection, making them relatively easy to crack.



Disadvantages of fingerprint unlock Disadvantages of fingerprint unlock

Advantages of Password Unlock: Passwords have existed in human production and life for a long time but have not been completely eliminated. The reason is that passwords are relatively easy to remember, and the length of passwords can be customized, and they can be changed at will; many smart locks with password unlock have features like false passwords and low-permission temporary passwords, ensuring the security of the main password and preventing leakage.



False password function False password function

Disadvantages of Password Unlock: It is necessary to change passwords frequently to ensure security, but this can lead to often forgetting the password; even with false passwords, if entered exactly as shown, the door can still be opened. Password unlock is not as convenient and fast as fingerprint unlock, which is also a disadvantage.



Ordinary passwords can be cracked through thermal imaging Ordinary passwords can be cracked through thermal imaging

Summary: Fingerprint unlock and password unlock are two common unlocking methods for smart locks today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Although there are smart locks that adopt both unlocking methods, and some even have three or four unlocking methods, on one hand, such smart locks are relatively expensive; on the other hand, smart locks are born for security, and the fewer unlocking entry points, the safer. If there are no elderly or children at home, you can choose either type of smart lock freely. If there are elderly or children at home, it is recommended to purchase a smart lock primarily based on fingerprint unlock. After all, fingerprint unlock does not require memorization; you can open the door as soon as you reach it. It is still quite suitable for the elderly.



With Backup Mechanical Lock vs. Without Backup Mechanical Lock



Advantages of Having a Backup Mechanical Lock: Many mechanical locks have a mechanical lock as a backup. The advantage is that if the smart lock runs out of battery, you can use the mechanical lock to open the door, which is in line with usage habits, and you don't have to worry about running out of power at any time. You can also give the mechanical lock to the elderly, which better suits their usage habits and reduces the need for them to remember passwords. Moreover, reliable smart locks' mechanical lock cylinders will adopt the new national standard C-grade lock cylinder, which greatly enhances security.



C-grade lock cylinder is currently the highest security level lock cylinder C-grade lock cylinder is currently the highest security level lock cylinder

Disadvantages of Having a Backup Mechanical Lock: Some smart locks, for cost considerations, may use mechanical locks with lower security. A lock is a product that follows the barrel principle; if there is a short board in the barrel, the security will depend on that short board. On the other hand, the biggest feature of smart locks is not needing to carry keys, but to avoid running out of battery, carrying keys for the smart lock every day is redundant. Additionally, keys can be lost; if accidentally lost, the cost of replacing the lock is very high.



Smart lock with backup mechanical lock Smart lock with backup mechanical lock

Advantages of No Backup Mechanical Lock: No need to carry keys, and no worry about losing keys, suitable for people who often go out but are forgetful. Moreover, manufacturers will definitely have a backup solution, such as using a power bank to provide emergency charging for the mechanical lock, and giving a low-battery warning before the battery runs out to remind users to replace the battery.



Smart locks with mechanical locks also provide emergency charging ports Smart locks with mechanical locks also provide emergency charging ports

Disadvantages of No Backup Mechanical Lock: Not everyone carries a power bank, and currently, phone data interfaces are quite chaotic. Apple phones have a separate one, while Android phone charging cables are divided into MicroUSB and Type-C interfaces. Although the future of USB interfaces is definitely Type-C, from the perspective of current popularity, MicroUSB will be prioritized for charging, which may lead to incompatibility of data cables in the future, causing trouble then.



Emergency charging ports will soon be upgraded Emergency charging ports will soon be upgraded

Summary: Regarding whether to have a backup mechanical lock, many manufacturers will prioritize having a mechanical lock as a backup, after all, the difficulty of opening a C-grade mechanical lock is relatively high now, and it will not become a short board of the entire smart lock. It is suitable for families with elderly people, or people accustomed to mechanical locks, or those who go out for months without opening the door.



With Remote Control vs. Without Remote Control



Advantages of Smart Locks with Remote Control: The characteristic of smart homes is remote control. Smart locks with remote control can also achieve remote unlocking and remote monitoring, allowing nannies or relatives who arrive early to enter the room after permission is granted, making the lock more convenient to use.



Smart lock remote video connection unlocking function Smart lock remote video connection unlocking function

Disadvantages of Smart Locks with Remote Control: However, the remote control function also brings security issues. Although smart door locks are currently a relatively niche item, and those who can crack smart door locks can have jobs with annual salaries of hundreds of thousands, they would not be willing to engage in burglary. But over time and with the popularization of smart locks, smart locks will also become targets for hackers.



Smart locks will become targets for hackers in the future Smart locks will become targets for hackers in the future

Advantages of Smart Locks without Remote Control: Compared with smart locks with remote control, smart locks without remote control are independent devices, and their security is not affected by the network environment they are in. From a network security perspective, smart locks without physical connection to the internet are definitely more secure.



Bluetooth unlocking can replace remote unlocking Bluetooth unlocking can replace remote unlocking



Disadvantages of Smart Locks without Remote Control: However, the lack of remote control function brings many inconveniences for smart locks. If relatives or friends visit while you are not at home, there is no way to open the door to let them in. Also, if the door is pried or smashed, you would not have any alerts or data stored by the lock, so it is relatively inconvenient.



Summary: The remote control of smart locks currently does not pose much danger, but with the popularization of smart locks, the security of their remote network connections should gradually improve. Considering the security of smart lock remote control, smart locks with remote unlocking are more suitable for families with infants or pets, allowing real-time understanding of the home situation and visiting guests.