Smart lock unlock methods compared

Modern smart locks usually combine several ways to unlock, and each has strengths and limits. Understanding the differences helps you choose a set that works for the people in your home and their visitors, rather than simply picking the longest feature list.

Face recognition

A camera on the outer panel captures your face and compares it with the faces enrolled on the lock. Its great advantage is that there is nothing to carry or touch, which is welcome when your hands are full of shopping. Performance depends on the camera and software, on lighting and the angle you stand at, and on how carefully each face was enrolled. Enrol each person deliberately, in good light. Children may need to be enrolled again over time, as their features change.

Palm vein

The reader uses near-infrared light to read the pattern of veins beneath the skin of the hand. Because it reads below the surface, it is generally less affected by dry skin or minor cuts than a fingerprint reader. You hold your palm in front of the reader for a moment and the door opens. Some locks pair palm vein with face recognition, giving two biometric methods in one panel, as in our Palm Vein & Face Locks.

Fingerprint

The most widespread biometric method, and it works well for most people. It can struggle with very dry, wet or worn fingerprints, which is sometimes the case for older people or anyone who works with their hands. Enrol more than one finger per person, ideally one from each hand.

Card and NFC

Card access means holding an enrolled card or key fob to the lock. Cards are easy to hand out to staff or guests, and a lost card can usually be deleted from the lock. NFC is a short-range wireless standard that may allow other compatible items to be used, depending on the model. Not every lock lists NFC, so check the product page.

Password

A password needs no hardware and can be shared in a message, which is both its convenience and its risk. Change the code after giving it to someone temporarily, and avoid predictable codes such as birthdays; use six digits or more if the lock allows it. Some locks let you type extra random digits before or after the real code to hide it from onlookers; check the guide for your model.

Phone app

An app, such as the Tuya app, lets you manage the lock from your phone. Common features in these apps include adding and removing users, viewing an access log and receiving notifications, but what is actually available varies by model and depends on the lock’s network connection. Treat the app as a management tool, not as your only way in.

Conventional key

A key may look old-fashioned, but it is the safety net when the battery runs flat or an electronic part fails. Keep it somewhere you can reach from outside the home, such as with a trusted relative, rather than inside the house.

Which combination suits you?

• A busy household: one or two biometric methods, plus a password for guests.
• A home with staff or frequent visitors: cards or codes that can be removed later.
• If you prefer simplicity: fingerprint, password and key, as in our Handle & Waterproof Locks.
• If you like remote management: a model with app support, while keeping a method that does not rely on the network.

Whatever you choose, always include one method that depends on neither biometrics nor the network. That is what keeps the door working for you on unusual days. To see models that lead with face recognition, browse our Face Recognition Locks.