If you’re weighing up your options for home or business security, you’ve probably landed on the same question many others do: are smart locks better than traditional locks?
The honest answer is that both have real strengths, but the right choice depends on your property, how you manage access, and what matters most to you. Armstrong has been helping New Zealand homeowners and businesses make this call for over 40 years, so we’re here to give you a straightforward breakdown.
A smart lock is an electronic locking system that lets you control access to your property without a traditional key. Instead, you can unlock your door via a PIN keypad, smartphone app, fingerprint, access card, or even a voice command through a smart home system.
Most quality smart locks still include a physical key override as a backup, so you’re not entirely dependent on technology. They run on batteries rather than mains power, and many connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to give you remote access and real-time entry logs.
We supply both residential digital locks and commercial digital locks suited to different properties and security needs.
Traditional locks, typically pin tumbler deadbolts or mortice locks, have been the standard for residential and commercial security for well over a century. They operate purely mechanically; the correct key lifts a series of pins to the right height, allowing the cylinder to rotate and the bolt to retract.
There are no batteries, apps, or connectivity. Just a physical key and a mechanical mechanism. They’re simple, reliable, and widely understood, but come with limitations that are easy to overlook, particularly around key control and access management.
Here’s a clear breakdown of the features, highlighting the pros and cons of smart locks compared to traditional locks.
Here is the markdown version of your table. If you are using a standard markdown viewer or website builder (like Notion, GitHub, or Squarespace), this format will automatically scale and stack to fit mobile screens:
| Security Factor | Smart Locks | Traditional Locks |
| Entry Method | Keyless entry via PIN, app, fingerprint, or access card | Simple, proven mechanical key entry |
| Remote Access | Lock and unlock from anywhere via smartphone | No remote access |
| Access Logs | Full record of who came and went, and when | No audit trail |
| Temporary Access | Time-limited codes for tradies, cleaners, or guests | Requires cutting and collecting physical keys |
| Access Revocation | Revoke a code instantly when a staff member or flatmate leaves | Rekeying required when access needs to change |
| Power Dependency | Battery-powered—needs regular replacement | No battery or connectivity required |
| Upfront Cost | Higher upfront cost than a standard keyed lock | Generally more affordable |
| Hacking Risk | Low risk with a reputable brand and strong PIN, but the risk exists | No connectivity vulnerabilities |
| Picking Risk | Electronic components can’t be picked | A skilled person can bypass a standard pin tumbler lock in under 30 seconds |
| Tech Requirement | Requires basic digital confidence to set up and manage | No tech knowledge needed |
| Security System Integration | Many models connect to broader home or business security systems | Standalone only |
As a simple guide, it’s best to choose a smart lock if you want remote access, manage multiple users, run a business with regular staff changes, or want a record of who’s accessing your property and when.
Choose a traditional lock if you want a straightforward, power-independent solution, or as a reliable backup layer alongside a smart system.
Consider installing both types if you want the mechanical reliability of a deadbolt with the convenience of smart access. Many quality locks do exactly this, using a keypad or app entry with a physical key override, which also answers a common concern about what happens if a smart lock battery dies.
The best answer really depends on your door type, how your property’s used day-to-day, and the level of access management you need. Armstrong’s certified technicians can assess your property and recommend what solution makes the most sense.
Technically yes, but the real-world risk is much lower than most people assume. Modern smart locks use AES-128 encryption (the same standard that protects your online banking), two-factor authentication, and automatic lockout after multiple failed PIN attempts. So, can smart locks be hacked? With these features, a targeted hack becomes much more difficult.
The more common vulnerabilities are things within your control: weak PIN codes, outdated firmware, or an unsecured Wi-Fi network. Choosing a reputable brand, using a strong, unique code, and keeping your lock’s firmware up to date addresses most of these risks. Our technicians configure every lock correctly at installation, ensuring there are no setup-related gaps in your security.
Most quality smart locks start sending low-battery warnings through the app and via an audible alert well before the battery fails. You’ll typically get weeks of notice, not a sudden cutoff. But what happens if your smart lock battery dies? If it goes flat before you replace it, you have options:
We recommend making it a habit to replace your batteries every 6–12 months to avoid getting close to this situation. And if you ever do get locked out, our team is available to help with prompt residential key cutting services and commercial key services.
For businesses, smart locks offer a real advantage. You can issue individual access to staff and revoke it instantly when someone leaves. There’s no physical key handover needed, and no question marks about whether a copy was made. You also get a full access log, which is useful for compliance, insurance purposes, or if something goes wrong on-site.
For businesses with after-hours operations, remote locking is a handy daily bonus. You can confirm your premises are secured without driving back to check. That said, traditional master key systems still have their place, especially in high-security areas where no connectivity is preferred.
Most smart locks still include a physical keyway as a backup entry method, so technically that cylinder can be picked, just like any traditional lock. The electronic components themselves, however, can’t be picked.
So, how secure are smart locks against physical attack? The answer mainly comes down to the cylinder quality. Look for a model with a high-security cylinder rating. We can advise on which models offer the best physical resistance alongside their electronic features.
Yes. Smart locks run on batteries, not mains power, so an outage has no effect on them whatsoever. You can still lock and unlock your door during a blackout, which is one advantage smart locks have over alternative electronic systems that rely on mains power.
It depends. Door thickness, the existing hardware, and the frame type all affect which models will work. Most standard deadbolt doors can be retrofitted with a smart lock without major modification. If you’re weighing up the pros and cons of smart locks, compatibility with your existing door setup is worth considering early on.
It’s worth having a professional assess your door before purchasing a smart lock. Armstrong’s technicians do this as part of every installation. We’ll confirm compatibility, recommend the right hardware, and fit it correctly the first time. Find your nearest branch to get started.
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