Are Smart Locks Safe? A Security Comparison With Traditional Locks

Are smart locks safe? Yes, a well-made smart lock is generally safe. It adds features a traditional key lock doesn't have, like encrypted connections, activity logs, and codes you can remove at any time.

If you've never used one, you might wonder about hacking or a dead battery. Those are fair concerns, and no lock is entirely without risk. Still, smart locks are built with security in mind, from keypad models to biometric locks that read your fingerprint or palm. Here's how they compare with traditional locks.

Key Takeaways

●        Smart locks are generally safe and add security features traditional locks lack. You have more control over who gets in, plus a record of when the door was opened.

●        A smart lock makes the physical key optional for everyday entry. Instead, you can unlock with a code, fingerprint, or your phone.

●        Biometric access adds a layer of protection built around your fingerprint or palm. Palm vein recognition, for example, reads the vein pattern beneath your skin, a trait that’s difficult to replicate.

●        No lock, smart or traditional, is completely risk-free. Traditional locks can be picked, and smart locks carry battery and connectivity risks that backup keys and Bluetooth access help offset.

●        Physical strength depends on the hardware, not the technology. A smart deadbolt still uses a physical bolt, so check for a Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) grade as you would on any lock.

Smart Lock Security Features

Are smart locks safer than key locks? Smart locks offer four security advantages over key locks.

●        No physical key to copy or lose: A traditional key works for anyone who has it. A smart lock uses a code, fingerprint, or phone instead, and you can easily update access the moment you need to.

●        Encrypted communication: Encryption scrambles data so only an authorized device can read it. That helps keep your phone’s unlock command private.

●        Access logs: An activity log records each lock and unlock, so the companion app can tell you the kids got home from school.

●        Codes you can cancel: When a roommate moves out, you delete their code in the app. With a traditional lock, an unreturned key means rekeying.

Are Keypad Door Locks Safe?

Keypad door locks are generally safe when you treat your personal identification number (PIN) like a key. Keep it private, and change it if too many people know it.

The main risk is someone sharing or seeing the code. Some keypads let you add random digits around your real code, so someone watching over your shoulder can’t tell which numbers actually unlock the door.

Guest codes help too. A one-time code lets the plumber in once, and a scheduled code works only during set hours.

Are Keyless Door Locks Safe?

Keyless door locks are generally safe, as long as you plan for power. A keyless door lock opens without a traditional key, using a code, fingerprint, or phone. Without relying on a key, you reduce two common security weak points: lost keys and copied keys. 

The trade-off is that keyless locks run on batteries, and remote unlocking requires Wi-Fi. Look for a lock that sends low-battery alerts, offers emergency USB-C power, and supports Bluetooth control for when your network is down.

Are Electronic Door Locks Safe?

Electronic door locks are generally safe, and biometric models add a strong layer of protection. Biometric authentication confirms identity using a physical trait, like a fingerprint or palm.

A fingerprint or palm belongs to one person, so you can't lend it out or leave it under a doormat. Whatever the access method, firmware updates (software updates for the lock itself) let a manufacturer fix weaknesses after installation.

No Lock Is Completely Risk-Free

Traditional locks can be picked, meaning someone can move the small pins inside the lock without the key. They can also be bumped, a method that uses a specially cut key to jolt those pins into place. Lost or copied keys are a third risk, since the lock can't tell who's holding them.

Smart locks carry different risks. Like any connected device, a smart lock can be a hacking target, so protect it the same way you’d protect any account: a strong, unique password on the lock’s app, and a strong password on your home Wi-Fi.

Batteries also run down, and Wi-Fi can drop out. Backup access covers dead batteries and dropped Wi-Fi. Depending on the model, that may be a backup key, Bluetooth access, or emergency USB-C power. Check which backups a lock has before you buy.

So are smart door locks safe enough to trust with your front door? With a strong app password and a backup way in, they add protection a traditional lock doesn't offer.

Smart Lock vs. Traditional Deadbolt: A Security Comparison

Here's how the smart lock vs. traditional deadbolt matchup looks in terms of security. BHMA grades rate the durability of lock hardware. If a lock has one, that grade is the fairest way to compare physical strength. In the table, a keyway is the slot a key slides into. A strike plate is the metal plate on the door frame that holds the bolt.

In terms of physical strength, both depend on the hardware and its BHMA grade. A smart deadbolt pulls ahead on control, letting you see who came in and cancel access from the app.

The Evolution of Smart Lock Security

Newer smart locks add biometric options, and fingerprint and palm vein recognition work differently.

Fingerprint recognition compares the ridge pattern on your fingertip with prints stored on the lock. Palm vein recognition uses near-infrared light to scan the vein pattern beneath your palm's skin. That pattern is unique to each person, and because it sits inside the body, it's difficult to copy. Some locks also keep biometric data on the lock instead, so it isn’t uploaded to the cloud.

A video doorbell adds another layer of security. You can see and talk to visitors before anyone unlocks the door. Some doorbell cameras work without Wi-Fi, so a weak signal at the entrance doesn't have to rule one out.

Smart Door Lock vs. Traditional: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between a smart door lock and traditional hardware comes down to how your household uses the front door.

A traditional lock suits a simple setup with few people coming and going. It also fits if you'd rather not manage a lock from a phone. A smart lock fits when access changes often.

●        Busy families: Each person gets their own code or fingerprint, and the activity log shows when everyone gets home.

●        Service visits: A scheduled code lets a dog walker or housekeeper in during set hours, so you’re not handing out a key or waiting around to let them in yourself.

●        Rental properties: A one-time or scheduled code lets a guest in for their stay, and you remove it once they check out.

If a smart lock is the right fit, Tapo's lineup covers fingerprint, keypad, and palm vein access.

Tapo DL105: Fingerprint and Keypad Entry

Picture getting home with a grocery bag in each arm and pressing one finger to the lock, instead of digging through your pocket to find your keys. The Tapo DL105 stores up to 100 fingerprints and 200 access codes, so everyone gets their own way in. It also locks down after repeated failed attempts. The battery lasts up to one year on a single charge in Wi-Fi mode, based on Tapo testing.

The DL105 carries BHMA Grade 3 certification. Its exterior unit has an IP54 rating, meaning it’s sealed against dust and holds up against water splashed or sprayed from any direction, so dust from the walkway or a passing sprinkler won’t trouble it.

Tapo DL110: Weather-Ready With a Built-In Doorbell

If your front door takes rain head-on, the Tapo DL110 has an IP65-rated exterior unit for dust and water resistance. The exterior unit is built to operate from -22°F to 158°F. The BHMA Grade 2 certification adds long-lasting reliability for a door you use every day.

The built-in doorbell lets a delivery driver ring right at the door, so you know someone’s there. Bluetooth control keeps working if your Wi-Fi goes out, and two backup keys get you in if the battery dies.

Tapo DL130: Palm Vein Access for the Whole Household

When a grandparent and a young child share a front door, the Tapo DL130 lets each of them hold up a palm to get in. Its DuoBiometric™ access pairs palm vein recognition with fingerprint. It encrypts and stores both sets of biometric data on the lock, instead of uploading them to the cloud.

If someone enters the wrong code, palm, or fingerprint too many times, the DL130 disables entry and sends you a notification. Its built-in doorbell lets a visitor ring right at the door, no separate device needed. Pair it with a separate Tapo video doorbell, and you can unlock the door from that doorbell’s call screen. A built-in backup battery keeps it powered while the main battery recharges.

The DL105, DL110, and DL130 all use 128-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) encryption to protect communication with the lock. None of them needs a subscription for core features. TP-Link Systems, Tapo’s parent company, signed the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Secure by Design pledge, committing to building security in from the start.

Tapo's roundup of the best smart deadbolt locks compares them in more detail.

Choosing a Lock You Can Trust

A carefully chosen smart lock gives you real security advantages over a traditional lock. You decide who gets in, you can review entries in the app, and a lost key isn't an emergency.

Start with a solid BHMA grade, a dead-battery fallback, and a strong app password. Then pick the access method that suits your household. Explore Tapo's smart entry collection to compare locks and video doorbells.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are smart locks worth it?

Smart locks are worth it for busy households, rental hosts, and anyone who often lets in guests. You can grant and revoke access without copying keys. If you live alone and rarely share access, a quality traditional deadbolt may be enough.

How do smart locks work?

A smart lock recognizes an approved code, fingerprint, or palm, then locks or unlocks the bolt for you. It connects to an app over Wi-Fi for remote control and alerts, or over Bluetooth when you're standing nearby.

Can smart locks be hacked?

It's possible, as with any connected device, which is why encryption matters. Look for a lock that encrypts its communication. On your end, use a unique password for the lock's app, protect your router with a strong Wi-Fi password, and install updates when they're offered.

What happens if a smart lock's battery dies?

You'll need a backup way in, like a physical key or an emergency power port, if the model includes one. To avoid that moment, choose a lock that warns you in the app when the battery gets low.

Are fingerprint locks safe?

For everyday home use, fingerprint locks are a strong choice. You can’t lend out your fingerprint or get it copied at a hardware store like a key. Choose a model that encrypts stored fingerprint data and blocks entry after several wrong tries.