Smart Locks vs Digital Locks: Which to Buy For Your Home?
- Sep 30, 2020
Both smart locks and digital locks have the benefit of convenience over traditional mechanical locks. Replacing your conventional lock with a smart or digital one will mean you won’t need to carry a physical key everywhere you go. Smart locks however, work a little differently from digital ones, so which to get depends on your preference and needs. We put together a quick guide to help you understand the difference so you can better decide which to get for your home.
Is there a difference?
Which is the smart lock? The left features the Starke Starke Seamless Länge Smart Lock, which can be accessed using a mobile app. On the right, the Irisys IFP 7070 PushPull Digital Lock has facial recognition capabilities.

Me no fancy. I just want to get a digital lock.
If you are shopping around for a digital lock, one of the first things to ask yourself is what sort of modes of access (method of entry) do you want. Depending on the brands, digital locks can have access modes through PIN codes (typing a PIN onto the keypad), security tokens (e.g. RFID card) or biometric means (fingerprint, facial recognition). You may find having a digital lock with biometric means more useful than a digital lock with just PIN code entry, especially if you live with seniors who tend to be more forgetful. Decide if you want to install the digital lock on your gate or the door as the lock you buy will be different.The Kaiser+ Gate Digital Lock (which has 5 whopping access modes) and the gorgeous Yale’s YDR323GN that features a sleek mirror surface for instance are designed specifically for installation on gates only.
Deadbolt digital locks like the Samsung SHP-DS510 (left) usually serve as an additional security measure to your existing lock mechanism, while mortise digital locks like the Schlage S-7800 Digital Lock (right) serve to replace your entire lock mechanism as they include a handle. The latter features a push/pull handle rather than a lever one which can be used if you have an existing long handle bar (commonly seen in new BTO flats or condominiums).
- Automatic lock that will automatically lock your door once it closes. Offers more convenience than having to manually lock your door.
- Built-in fire detection sensor/alarm that will automatically unlock your lock if it senses a high increase in temperature indoors.
- Low battery warning system that lets you know when you need to replace your batteries so you won’t be caught in a situation of your lock not working.
- An emergency system that allows you to power your lock externally with a battery in the event that your lock runs out of battery.

What about smart locks? What makes them smart, anyway?
Homegrown smart lock company igloohome calls smart locks “digital locks on steroids”. And they are right. Smart locks are just like digital locks, but with the additional mode of access through your smartphone and the ability to change the settings of your lock remotely. While how it works differs slightly from brand to brand, smartphone capabilities essentially allow smart locks to do things like:- Unlock your lock remotely.
- Track the ins and outs of visitors.
- Receive notifications each time someone enters your home.
- Provide unique one-time access codes remotely—this is particularly useful if you have say, a part-time cleaner coming in and you need to grant them a one-time access to your home.
Using the igloohome app, you can manage the Smart Deadbolt 2S from wherever you are.
The actual device for the August Smart Lock pro sits at the back of your door, so no one can tell from the outside that you have a smart lock.
It all sounds very complicated. So which should I get?
If you just want the convenience of not having physical keys with you, a digital lock will suffice. Depending on the access modes and features available, you will be able to unlock your lock in a variety of ways and have useful features like helping you automatically lock your door when the door closes. Smart locks are a step-up from that and are for those who want to use their smartphone as a key. If you regularly have visitors or part-time cleaners coming by, a smart lock is useful to provide access to your home even when you are away. The access you provide (usually a PIN code or your guest can download the same app you use to gain access) is often one-time or only accessible at a designated time you set, so when they leave your home, they won’t be able to use the same access again. Complement your smart lock with a doorbell camera for added security.
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