These days, there are countless products to make your home “smarter.” From smartphone-controlled thermostats, to voice-activated security systems, you can easily feel like you’re living in the future with just a few updates. Despite the various bells and whistles, the goal with all of these products is ultimately the same: make your life easier. And for some people, that begins before they even open their front door.
While electronic keypad locks have been around for quite some time, they’re only just now becoming a popular residential choice. Rather than unlocking your front door with a key, users enter a code on the keypad. Of course, a few obvious benefits immediately come to mind: no more fumbling with a cluttered key ring, no more forgetting your keys and getting locked out, no more paying for copies of keys or hiring a locksmith to change the locks. However, that’s not to say that an electronic keypad lock is for everyone. Let’s examine a few pros and cons to determine if it’s worth the upgrade in your home.
The Benefits of an Electronic Keypad Lock
Aside from the above-mentioned conveniences of going keyless, a keypad lock can also provide added security benefits. With the ability to program in multiple user codes, you can share temporary codes with dog walkers, house sitters or overnight guests. You can also schedule auto-locking, ensuring that your house is never accidentally left unlocked.
A keypad lock also leaves your home less vulnerable to break-ins since it can’t be picked or bumped like a traditional mechanical lock. Plus, you won’t ever have to hide a key under your doormat or inside a fake rock hide-a-key ever again.
There’s also an added safety benefit for children who come home before their parents are home from work. Rather than worrying about keeping track of a key, your child can just input their code, and you can rest easy knowing the door will lock automatically behind them.
The Downsides of an Electronic Keypad Lock
While ideally you would choose a code that was easy to remember, a keypad lock does require that you actually remember your code — which can be tricky if you’re a forgetful person. And though there are many security benefits, there are also some concerns as well. For instance, frequently inputting the same code could cause the buttons to wear down, allowing an intruder to guess the correct combination based on the state of the numbers. Luckily, this is easily solved by periodically changing your code or by giving each member of your household their own unique code.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that electronics sometimes break or fail — and while the risk isn’t much greater than accidentally breaking your key off in a mechanical lock, it’s still an important consideration.
With all the pros and cons laid out, the choice is now yours: keyless or traditional entry?
Ready to make a decision? Shop our hardware to see your options.