Smart Padlocks

Padlocks that authenticate rather than take a key: fingerprint, Bluetooth, PIN or enterprise credential. The security job is unchanged, so shackle and body specification still decide how much force the lock resists. The technology only changes who can open it and how that is managed.

The specifications that matter

Specification	What to look for	Why
Shackle diameter	Stated in mm, commonly 6 mm to 11 mm	Determines bolt-cutter resistance and whether it fits the hasp or chain
Shackle clearance	Vertical and horizontal opening dimensions	A padlock that will not pass through the hasp is useless regardless of rating
Body material	Hardened steel, brass or aluminium alloy	Brass resists corrosion, hardened steel resists attack, alloy is lighter and weaker
IP rating	IP66 for driving rain, IP68 for temporary immersion	Outdoor gates and marine use need a stated rating, not a claim of weather resistance
Power	Rechargeable cell or replaceable battery, plus emergency path	Check whether a flat battery leaves you locked out or can be jumped externally
Key override	Present or absent	Many smart padlocks deliberately omit a keyway. Know before you buy

The four technology types

Fingerprint - fastest for a small fixed group. No phone, no code, nothing to remember.
Bluetooth with app - shared access, revocation and basic logging, within Bluetooth range.
Offline PIN generation - codes generated remotely and entered on the padlock without any connection at the lock. Suits short-stay handover.
Enterprise credential - RFID or wireless access control integration, centrally managed across a fleet of padlocks.

No key override means no key override. If the battery dies on a padlock with no keyway and no external power terminals, the usual outcome is destructive removal. Confirm the emergency path before you fit one to anything you cannot afford to cut off.

Related categories

All Smart Locks · Key Storage · External Gate Locks · Fingerprint Smart Locks

Common questions

Are smart padlocks weatherproof?
The good ones carry a stated IP rating. IP66 covers heavy rain and hosing; IP68 adds temporary immersion. Treat any padlock without a published figure as indoor or sheltered use only. IP ratings for padlocks.

How long does the battery last?
Typically six to twelve months on a fingerprint padlock in normal use, less in cold or with frequent operation. Most give a low-battery warning at the pad. Rechargeable models usually accept a power bank at an external port.

Can several people share one padlock?
Yes. Fingerprint models commonly store ten to twenty prints. App-based models can issue and revoke access per person, and enterprise platforms manage credentials across many padlocks at once.

Guides and reference

Best smart padlocks 2026 · Which padlock suits you · Ch 11 - IP ratings explained