Digital Lock vs Key Lock: Which Is The Best Choice For Your Home?

Modern technology has imparted many innovative solutions to make our daily lives more convenient. One such solution is digital locks, which are packed with helpful security features to safeguard your home. But when you already have a conventional key lock, you might wonder if upgrading to a digital lock is necessary in the long term. This article can help you compare key and digital locks and see if a digital lock might be for you.

Also known as conventional locks, key locks are your standard door locks with a simple door handle and a locking mechanism to secure your door. As the name goes, they use physical keys to engage and disengage the lock to ensure your property. Their longevity stems from the fact that they have been in use for a very long time, on top of how easy replacing one is with the help of a professional.

Most doors in Singapore use a mortise lock, which features a durable metal locking mechanism embedded within the door frame. The mortise lock is popular because it provides significant security thanks to its robust locking mechanism and overall construction, making it difficult for anyone to try and pry the lock open. Other common locks you will find include simple door knobs with either an integrated locking mechanism or an external one positioned below the door knob.

While some houses will have doors that share one key, it is common for some homeowners to have multiple keys for different locks around their property.

Digital locks do not require a physical key to engage or disengage the lock (or bolt) but feature multiple access methods, including using your fingerprint pattern and facial features. Many digital locks come with multiple access methods: some are standard, while others are optional add-ons.

● PIN codes.
● Fingerprint scanning.
● Facial recognition.
● Palm recognition.
● Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags/cards.

A digital lock aims to provide maximum convenience, allowing you to freely enter and exit your home without needing a physical key; the keyless nature of the digital lock makes it so much easier to quickly enter and exit your home without compromising your property’s security. Each digital lock is purpose-built to give you plenty of security assurance thanks to its high-quality construction and security features and various extras that add to their ease of use.

With that quick primer in mind, comparing the advantages of digital and key locks should help you decide whether to stick with your current lock or opt for a welcome upgrade to improve your property’s security further.

Key locks only have two security methods: their built-in locking mechanism and a padlock for doors with a padlock slot. In such a scenario, you would have two separate keys to lock and unlock the door and the padlock. You become used to this routine after some time, but it can still take time to take out your keyring, find the right key, and use it to engage or disengage each lock. Nevertheless, key locks are still widely used because of their tried-and-true nature.

While key locks are durable, they are still vulnerable to significant physical force that can break them open and compromise their security capabilities. They are also vulnerable to lockpicking tools that enable burglars to disengage the lock without needing a key. As such, while key locks are good, they are not immune to tampering that can threaten your safety.

In contrast, digital locks do not require physical keys (except for some models that feature a backup key), relying solely on keyless or alternate access methods that remove the need for a keyring. You might be happy with relying on PIN codes or a fingerprint scanner for ease of use, especially with the latter, but the other access options provide more utility than you might expect. RFID tags, for example, only require you to wave the tag in front of the digital lock’s sensor, and the lock is disengaged immediately.

Security-wise, a digital lock packs many valuable features that a key lock lacks. One simple example is having a built-in alarm whenever someone tries to tamper with the digital lock. Key locks can rely on an external alarm system, but those can be costly to install and require power to operate; a power outage can instantly defeat the alarm’s purpose. Moreover, some digital locks have independent power sources, so their alarm systems will still function if the rest of your house is out of power.

Some digital locks may also come equipped with a built-in camera so you can see who may be outside your property. Some models also feature remote access via an app, which you can use to check access records or get notified if the digital lock is triggered in any way.

Key locks are primarily made from sturdy metals and other materials and are reasonably durable unless acted on by a significant external force. However, that does not mean they are ineffective since they can still provide a much-needed buffer while you contact the authorities or alert your neighbours for assistance. Even so, this is still not ideal for your property’s safety. Key locks are also vulnerable to rusting because of their primarily metal composition, especially if they are exposed to the elements or not cared for after years of use.

Digital locks are made from a mix of materials and generally have additional features to protect them from the elements. They contain delicate electronic components that are easily damaged, so extra insulation and protection are necessary. While they are still vulnerable to physical force, built-in alarms reduce the chances of intrusions (since the alarm will immediately go off), greatly helping increase their overall durability and longevity.

Key and digital locks are relatively easy to install with the help of a trained professional. Still, in most cases, digital locks have a more straightforward installation since you do not need to cut into the door frame to mount the digital lock. A digital lock can be mounted onto the door frame, though minimal drilling may be necessary to connect some models on both sides. In contrast, key locks require sufficient space to fit the entire locking mechanism within the door frame, so plenty of drilling and mounting work is needed to ensure it is properly installed and secured.

Digital locks typically come with detailed instructions in the manual so you can install them yourself, but it never hurts to have the help of a trained professional who can install them for you for peace of mind. On the other hand, you will need a professional locksmith to install key locks correctly.

Key locks are not the most convenient door locks, given the odd fumbling with physical keys that can sometimes happen. At best, you only delay yourself by a few seconds; at worst, when you have multiple keys, that can take a few minutes while you frantically look for the right key. Again, you get used to the routine, but sometimes you may rush for time and scramble to find where you placed your keyring. Moreover, a brand-new digital lock’s keyless methods will make that physical key routine redundant (and even minimise headaches, too).

Whether you prefer keying in your PIN code, swiping with an RFID tag, or even facial recognition using the digital lock’s built-in camera, your digital lock’s many features make it a massive time-saver for getting into your property without sacrificing security. Moreover, some models also feature built-in power supplies and emergency charging systems, letting you quickly recharge them on the fly with something as simple as an AA battery or a power bank.

Best of all, digital locks provide unique customisation options that make securing your property more efficient and effective. For instance, specific models may provide one-time passcodes that you can give to family and friends who may be stopping by while you are away. It is also possible for schedule-specific passcodes that only allow access on certain days or dates while rendering them unusable outside of that timeframe. It is also possible to use an app that connects to your digital lock to change your digital lock’s functions on the fly, giving you even more control over what you can do to protect your property.

Lastly, your budgetary needs will also play a massive part in your lock choice. Key locks are generally the more affordable since they provide the basic security functions your property needs. However, some key locks may tout additional benefits, such as using more durable metals or a different locking mechanism, which will hike its selling price substantially. For the most part, they remain the more cost-effective option than digital locks, as key locks do not need very regular maintenance to keep them in working order.

Digital locks are not all expensive, however, as their price is typically tied to the number of security features that come with the model. You can easily find a basic, budget-friendly digital lock that uses PIN codes and RFID tags for below SGD 400, while those equipped with more than three access methods and various additional features can go from SGD 600 to SGD 900. The digital lock brand can also influence the overall price of your chosen model, with those by Samsung and Midea having high-end models above SGD 900.

Ultimately, your budget-conscious choice will depend on whether you find a key or digital lock with more long-term value regarding security features. Many homeowners find digital locks more agreeable nowadays, thanks to their plentiful features and affordable rates.

Key locks rely on physical keys to engage and disengage the lock, while digital locks operate on electricity to power their functions. Key locks have the advantage here, but many digital locks come with their built-in power supply, ensuring that even if your property faces a blackout, the digital locks will still be operable until power is restored. Recharging them is also easy: all you need is a power bank with a compatible charging cable, while some models can also support a quick recharge from an AA battery via an emergency charging port. It also helps that many digital locks have significant battery life, which can extend up to half a year on a single charge, so you only need to recharge them as needed.

Enjoy peace of mind, high-quality home security, and more, thanks to Eazea’s wide selection of digital locks. Take your pick from our Korean-engineered digital locks at affordable prices, or opt for something fancier or more high-tech with select picks from Samsung, Philips, and Midea. Going keyless has never been Eazea!