Digital Locks vs Smart Locks: Is There A Difference?

More homeowners have begun to embrace digital technology, integrating it in various ways to make their lives more comfortable and convenient. Digital and smart locks are crucial to this paradigm shift, giving homeowners new, novel ways to easily secure their property against various safety hazards, including would-be burglars and sudden fire breakouts. At first glance, however, a digital and smart lock look nearly identical, so why should you pay more for similar door and gate locks? There is more to digital and smart locks than meets the eye, and we will discuss their key differences in this handy article.

Given their electronic nature, digital and smart locks share some similarities and offer valuable features that you would love to have to keep your property safe and sound.

Digital and smart locks have several unique access methods that allow you to engage or disengage the lock conveniently. Where traditional key locks require a physical key to engage or disengage the locking mechanism, digital and smart locks allow you to use several keyless methods that provide plenty of convenience: no more fumbling for your keys while at the front door!

The best part is that you are not limited to one access method only: most, if not all, digital and smart locks will come with at least two or three access methods, giving you plenty of choice for whichever option you prefer.

• PIN code: Considered the standard issue access method for any digital and smart lock, you will key in a several-digit code using a keypad to engage or disengage the locking mechanism.
• RFID card/tag: Using radio-frequency identification, you can swipe a card or tag with an internal RFID transponder across the lock’s RFID sensor, automatically engaging or disengaging the lock.
• Fingerprint sensor: The lock has a dedicated fingerprint scanner, which scans your fingerprint when you place it on the sensor. If the print matches the one saved in the scanner’s memory, it engages or disengages the lock.
• Remote control: Much like a television remote, this portable device can automatically engage or disengage the lock from a short distance.
• Bluetooth/Wi-Fi connectivity: These operate similarly to a remote control, except the remote is your smartphone, which uses wireless technology to engage or disengage the lock from a short distance.
• Facial/palm recognition: The digital or smart lock has a built-in camera to scan your facial or palm features, ensuring they match the saved entries in its database before engaging or disengaging the lock.

You can find digital and smart locks with two different power requirements: standard AA batteries and built-in battery packs that connect to your property’s mains or recharge via a power bank. Most digital and smart locks have a decent lifespan on a single charge, going as far as a year for some models.

AA batteries are the most convenient power source since you can easily replace them when their charge runs low, but you will always need to have spares handy. Built-in batteries are the most efficient option, as you can directly connect them to a power socket in your home for perpetual charging or to a power bank if you cannot add a power socket next to the door.

Besides the locking mechanism and access methods, digital and smart locks typically come with additional features for your convenience or to enhance overall security. Some models may feature built-in low-battery alerts, intrusion sensors, or even a fire alarm that detects sudden spikes in temperature. These features improve the lock’s functionality and offer you more peace of mind regarding your property’s safety.

Digital and smart locks are designed around general convenience and user friendliness, especially with keyless access methods that help you quickly enter and exit your property anytime while keeping it secure while you are away. Their design also ensures that anyone can quickly get used to the digital or smart lock’s functions and make the most of their features.

There are still various ways that digital and smart locks differ from one another, and that will inform your final purchasing decision based on the features you prefer.

While digital and smart locks offer plenty of convenience, smart locks have an advantage by incorporating wireless access methods via a dedicated smartphone app that connects to the lock via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Remote access can mean not needing to manually key in PINs, swipe access cards, or scan your fingerprint or facial pattern to disengage the lock. All you need is your app, and, at the press of a button or two, you will be in and out of your property in moments.

Moreover, some smart lock models can integrate with a smart home system, giving you further control over nearly every aspect of your property from a seamless interface. You can even view the smart lock’s access records, which record details such as when the lock was engaged or disengaged and even the person who engaged or disengaged the lock.

Digital and smart lock prices depend on the features a model comes with; the more features it possesses, the higher its price. Comparing the two, smart locks typically have a higher price point than digital locks, primarily because of their advanced features and smart integrations, which tend to cost more to manufacture. As such, it is common to see some brands market their smart locks as higher-end purchases for property security.

A digital lock can cost anywhere from SGD 400 to SGD 1,000 and higher, while smart locks can cost from SGD 600 to SGD 1,200 or higher. Prices will still vary depending on the brand, among other criteria.

Even as technology improves, security remains vital to safeguarding your property from unscrupulous persons. Digital and smart locks are excellent solutions, but even so, their security can be compromised by those who exploit specific bugs or issues to bypass the locks’ security features. For example, digital locks can be physically interfaced with to bypass security safeguards that can cause the lock to be turned off, but that generally requires the perpetrator to be close to the digital lock. Digital locks with tamper alerts or external cameras can be your first line of defense.

Smart locks have the advantage of receiving periodic security updates that improve functionality and protect them from flaws and exploits that hamper overall security. If it integrates with your property’s smart system, you can also receive updates to the app to complement the smart lock’s security functions.

Thanks to their impressive smart integrations, smart locks provide unprecedented flexibility. Viewing access logs from anywhere and anytime lets you stay on top of your property’s security, especially if you may be expecting visitors. Some smart lock models with a camera can also let you see who is outside the door, giving you even more peace of mind in knowing if a stranger or a family friend is waiting at the door. Some models can generate one-time passcodes that enable temporary entry for specific people you expect. Combined with other smart system integrations in your property, you can get a comprehensive view of your property whenever you need it.

Enjoy peace of mind, high-quality home security, and more, thanks to Eazea’s selection of the latest digital and smart 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!