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By Access Method

How the lock authenticates you, and how many ways it can do it. Nearly every smart lock here supports three or more methods, so the useful question is not which single method you want but which combination suits the people who will actually use the door.

The methods comparedThe methods compared

MethodBest suited toPractical limits
PIN codeHouseholds, tradespeople, cleaners, anyone you do not want to hand hardware to.Codes get shared. Use temporary or time-limited codes where the platform supports them.
FingerprintFast repeat entry for a fixed group of users.Wet, cold, dry or worn fingers read poorly. Enrol two fingers per user.
RFID card or fobStaff, tenants, short-stay guests, anyone who needs revocable access.Cards can be lost. Revocation needs app or admin access to the lock.
BluetoothPhone-in-pocket unlocking and local app administration.Range is roughly 10 m line of sight. No remote control on its own.
WiFiRemote unlocking, remote code issuing, event notifications.Needs a stable 2.4 GHz network. Band steering on modern routers causes most dropouts.
Face or palmHands-full entry and accessibility applications.3D sensing is materially more secure than 2D camera matching. Check which you are buying.
Mechanical keyA fallback path when electronics or batteries fail.Not universal. Some models deliberately omit it.

Capacity and administrationCapacity and administration

Credential capacity varies widely between models. Check the figures against your actual user count before buying, particularly for shared or commercial doors.

  • User capacity - entry-level locks may hold 20 to 50 credentials; commercial platforms run into the hundreds.
  • Code types - permanent, one-time, timed, cyclic and duress codes are platform features, not universal.
  • Audit trail - event logging usually requires a connected platform, and history depth varies.
  • Revocation - removing a credential may need physical access to the lock unless a gateway is fitted.
Note
The credential is only half the picture. The app platform behind it determines where your data sits, how codes are issued and how long the product will be supported. Chapter 15 compares the platforms.

Related categoriesRelated categories

All Smart Locks · By Door Style · RFID Fobs, Tags and Cards · Keypads

Common questionsCommon questions

Question
How many access methods should a lock have?
Two as a working minimum, so there is a fallback when one fails. A keypad plus fingerprint, or a keypad plus mechanical key, covers most residential situations. Single-method locks leave you with no options when that method stops working.
Question
Is fingerprint more secure than a PIN?
Not inherently. A fingerprint cannot be shared or observed, which is its real advantage. A long PIN that is never reused is comparably secure. The weakness in PINs is human, not technical. Access method comparison.
Question
Can I add a method later?
Sometimes. Some locks accept an external wireless keypad or an RFID reader as an accessory; others are fixed at manufacture. Check Keypads for Smart Locks for what can be retrofitted.

Guides and referenceGuides and reference

Ch 03 - Access methods · Ch 15 - App platforms · Ch 14 - TTLock passcode types · Mechanical key override explained

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