When choosing a smart lock, sometimes you may be overwhelmed by the numerous advertisements and feature introductions. After all, smart locks have intelligent features, and although they have many functions, you may not know what these features are good for or what to compare them with. Here, I will summarize some functional features of smart locks and their respective pros and cons, which can help you choose a suitable smart lock.
Fingerprint Recognition vs. Password Unlocking
Advantages of Fingerprint Unlocking: Nowadays, smartphones with fingerprint unlocking are very common, and fingerprint recognition has long been a household feature. The characteristics of fingerprint recognition are also very obvious: simple and easy to use; the fingerprint key is very complex, with an extremely low repetition rate, ensuring high security; moreover, fingerprint recognition on smart locks can set different fingerprint permissions for different people; and today's fingerprint recognition is also very fast.
Advantages of fingerprint unlocking Advantages of fingerprint unlocking
Disadvantages of Fingerprint Unlocking: However, fingerprint recognition still has drawbacks. A person has only ten fingerprints in their lifetime, and the shape of fingerprints cannot be changed; when verifying a fingerprint, you must free a hand and 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 still relatively easy to obtain, and some smart locks' fingerprint recognition does not have liveness detection, making them easier to crack.
Disadvantages of fingerprint unlocking Disadvantages of fingerprint unlocking
Advantages of Password Unlocking: 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 any time; many smart locks with password unlocking have functions like false passwords and low-permission temporary passwords to ensure the security of the main password and prevent leakage.
False password function False password function
Disadvantages of Password Unlocking: You need to change passwords frequently to ensure security, but this can also lead to forgetting the password; even with false passwords, if you enter the correct sequence, the door can still be opened. Password unlocking is not as convenient and fast as fingerprint unlocking, which is also a disadvantage.
Ordinary passwords can be cracked through thermal imaging Ordinary passwords can be cracked through thermal imaging
Summary: Fingerprint unlocking and password unlocking 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 the one hand, such smart locks are relatively expensive; on the other hand, smart locks are designed 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 at will. If there are elderly or children at home, it is recommended to purchase smart locks primarily with fingerprint unlocking. After all, fingerprint unlocking does not require memorization; you can open the door as soon as you reach the entrance. 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 benefit is that if the smart lock runs out of battery, you can use the mechanical lock to open the door, which fits 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. Reliable smart locks' mechanical lock parts often use new national standard C-level lock cylinders, which are much safer.
C-level lock cylinder is currently the highest security level lock cylinder C-level 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. Locks are products that follow the barrel principle; if there is a short board in the barrel, security depends on that short board. On the other hand, the biggest feature of smart locks is not having to carry keys, but to avoid running out of battery, carrying keys every day defeats the purpose. Additionally, keys can be lost; if lost carelessly, the cost of replacing the lock is very high.
Smart locks with backup mechanical locks Smart locks with backup mechanical locks
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. Manufacturers will definitely provide a backup solution, such as using a power bank for emergency charging, and giving a low-battery warning before the battery runs out to remind users to replace the batteries.
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 phones' charging cables are divided into MicroUSB and Type-C interfaces. Although the future will definitely be dominated by Type-C interfaces, considering current popularity, MicroUSB will be prioritized for charging, which may lead to incompatibility with future data cables, causing trouble later.
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, as C-level mechanical locks are currently quite difficult to pick, and they won't become a weak point of the entire smart lock. This is more suitable for families with elderly people, or those accustomed to mechanical locks, or those who go out for months at a time.
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 babysitters or relatives who arrive early to enter the room after permission is granted, making the lock more convenient to use.
Remote video connection unlocking function of smart locks Remote video connection unlocking function of smart locks
Disadvantages of Smart Locks with Remote Control: However, remote control also brings security issues. Although smart door locks are still relatively niche, and those who can crack them could have jobs with annual salaries of hundreds of thousands, they wouldn't be willing to break into homes. But over time and with the popularity of smart locks, they will 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 to smart locks with remote control, those without remote control are standalone 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 brings many inconveniences. If relatives or friends visit while you are not at home, you cannot open the door to let them in. Also, if the door is pried open or smashed, you won't have any alerts or data stored by the lock, so it's relatively inconvenient.
Summary: Remote control for smart locks currently poses little danger, but with the popularity of smart locks, the security of remote network connections should gradually improve. Considering the security of remote control, smart locks with remote control unlocking are more suitable for families with infants or pets, allowing real-time understanding of the home situation and visiting guests.
