Smart Door Lock vs Traditional Lock: Choosing the Best

As lock fitting specialists in London we are often asked, “Are smart locks better than traditional locks?“. When choosing a TV or phone it usually makes sense to choose the most recent model with the latest updates and features. In this post, we would like to share our professional experience of smart home lock devices for security and explore the suitability of a UK smart lock vs traditional lock for home security.

Traditional Locks: The Basics and Benefits

Traditional locks secure a door through mechanical means by use of a key. The 3 main types of traditional door locks are;

Cylinder locks – often referred to as Yale Locks or nightlatches
Deadlocks – often referred to as Chubb Locks or 5 lever locks
Auto deadlocking nightlatches – which are a more recent development of traditional locks

Read here for information on traditional door lock types and prices and find out more about how traditional locks work here.

Pros of Traditional Locks

When it comes to security, traditional locks are king for 5 reasons;

The simple design makes them strong, reliable and predictable
They have been tried and tested over many years and people know how to work them
They don’t require power to operate
Cost effective at the time of purchase and long term
There are clear British Standard regulations in place around traditional locks, to prevent the occurrence of unlawful entry when the correct locks are in use

Cons of Traditional Locks

Some points that can sometimes be seen are disadvantages are;

Needing to take care of a key
An individual will need the key to access the property
They don’t have technical features

Traditional Door Lock Overview

From the perspective of a Master Locksmith with 15+ years of experience there are so many security advantages to traditional door locks. When we do an emergency locks change or repair after burglary and we see situations where traditional locks have been compromised it tends to be when the lock product or method of installation doesn’t meet British Standards or the door hasn’t been properly secured. We have great confidence in professionally installed traditional door locks.

Exploring Smart Locks

Smart locks to secure a door are operated through technology that is always evolving including;

Smart phone apps
Biometic finger print recognition
Bluetooth
Key cards
Key pads

Pros of smart locks

Smart lock benefits can be appealing to certain homeowners, these are usually;

Convenience – no key necessary (for those who may lose keys)
Remote access – which works well in scenarios like Airbnb
Integration with smart home systems – advanced security features and the ability to link to other smart home devices such as alarms and cameras

Consider if these advantages outweigh the disadvantages of smart door locks.

Cons of smart locks

These are some of the downsides of smart locks;

Increased vulnerability to break in – smart locks are susceptible to cybersecurity risks and hacking as well as physical attack
Increased risk and uncertainty – methods of attack are less known and predictable
Smart locks operation requires a power source, adding complexity to installation
Failure to operate in the absence of power or internet connectivity
High initial costs and the longevity of a smart lock is uncertain

Smart Door Lock Overview

There are more disadvantages than advantages of smart locks; the cons are real security risks and certainly don’t outweigh the benefits from a security perspective. After all it is important to remember that the main purpose of door locks is to secure your property.

Smart Door Lock vs Traditional Lock: Key Comparisons

Consult a qualified independent security specialist to establish the best locks for your property, circumstances and preferences.

The choice to venture into smart lock security for doors is essentially a case of individual preference and priorities.

Reasons to Choose Traditional Locks	Reasons to Choose Smart Locks
The highest security	Convenience
Reliability	High tech features
Cost effectiveness	High budget

As qualified Master Locksmiths security is our top priority, therefore we recommend traditional locks for the best protection and peace of mind. There are situations where it may make sense to use a traditional lock in conjunction with a smart lock (eg. The Tedee Smart Lock by ACCESS2) for particular low risk circumstances. However, we do not recommend using a smart lock as the primary security measure.

There have been significant advances in traditional door locks over the years. We keep abreast of all the latest lock products on the market and provide a wide range of security solutions, that we know and trust, from high security locks and keys to keyed alike and master key systems to suit a range of needs. As a keyed alike locks specialist we have many customers who really like the idea of having all their locks operating from just 1 key.

Situations Where Smart Locks May be Suitable

From a security perspective, situations where we may recommend installing a smart lock as a backup to traditional locks are;

clients who are repeatedly losing keys
those renting a property as an Airbnb and the property is empty. (In this situation an Airbnb host can give the guest access to the property and once inside they can then find a key in the safe.)

On the whole, in the smart lock vs traditional deadbolt for security debate, the winner is undoubtedly a conventional lock.

Professional Security Advice From a Master Locksmith

As experienced locksmiths approved by the Master Locksmiths Association our qualified security specialists can provide you with tailored advice on the best door locks for your home. We are specialists in business and home security and pride ourselves in bespoke security solutions installing a combination of high security locks, grilles and safes.