Smart Locks vs. Traditional Deadbolts: Which Is Better for Your Home

Choosing a new lock for your home used to be fairly simple: pick a good deadbolt, have it installed correctly, and keep track of your keys. Today, homeowners have many more choices, including traditional keyed deadbolts, electronic keypad locks, Wi-Fi smart locks, and locks that can be controlled from a phone.

At B-SAFE Lock & Key, we have been helping homeowners throughout Minneapolis and the Twin Cities secure their homes since 1972. One thing hasn't changed during that time: the newest lock isn't automatically the best lock. The right choice depends on your door, your family, how you want to control access, and what features you will actually use.

A quality mechanical deadbolt can still provide excellent residential security. A smart lock adds convenience and access-control features, but the electronics don't replace the importance of a strong lock, proper installation, a solid strike, and a properly aligned door.

What's the Difference Between a Smart Lock and a Deadbolt

A traditional deadbolt is mechanically operated, usually with a key from the outside and a thumbturn from the inside. It is simple, dependable, and doesn't require batteries, Wi-Fi, an app, or an account.

A smart lock adds electronic features to the locking system. Depending on the model, you may be able to unlock the door with a keypad, smartphone, electronic credential, or other method. Some models also allow remote locking and unlocking, temporary access codes, activity history, and notifications.

There is also an important middle ground: electronic keypad deadbolts.

For example, the Schlage BE365 provides keyless entry using programmable codes without requiring Wi-Fi or a smartphone app. It can store up to 19 access codes and still has a conventional key cylinder for keyed access.

For many homeowners, that's exactly what they need: keyless convenience without turning the front door into another connected device.

When a Traditional Deadbolt Makes Sense

There's nothing outdated about a good mechanical deadbolt.

For homeowners who want dependable security with minimal maintenance, a traditional deadbolt remains an excellent choice. There are no batteries to replace, electronics to troubleshoot, apps to update, or wireless connections to maintain.

Mechanical deadbolts can be particularly attractive on secondary entrances, garage service doors, side doors, and homes where the same small group of people regularly needs access.

But the quality of the installation matters just as much as the name on the lock.

A good deadbolt installed on a poorly aligned door with a loose strike or weak frame isn't providing everything it should. The bolt should extend smoothly into the strike without requiring someone to push, pull, lift, or slam the door.

B-SAFE Lock & Key can inspect the complete opening—not just the lock—and determine whether the deadbolt, strike, door, hinges, and frame are working together properly.

Where Smart Locks Really Add Value

Smart locks become particularly useful when managing access is as important as locking the door.

Instead of handing out additional keys, homeowners can use individual access codes for family members, older children, caregivers, contractors, cleaners, dog walkers, or trusted neighbors.

Some smart locks allow those credentials to be changed or deleted when they're no longer needed.

One smart deadbolt that B-SAFE works with is the Schlage Encode Plus. It includes built-in Wi-Fi and allows homeowners to remotely check the lock's status, lock or unlock the door, manage access codes, and review activity through the Schlage Home app. It also supports Apple home keys for compatible iPhones and Apple Watches.

That's a completely different level of access management than a conventional key.

But if you don't need those features, there's no reason to pay for technology you're never going to use.

Smart Doesn't Automatically Mean More Secure

This is one of the most important things homeowners should understand.

The word smart describes the lock's electronic capabilities. It doesn't mean that every smart lock provides better physical security than every mechanical deadbolt.

Physical security still matters.

The quality of the deadbolt, cylinder, bolt, strike, mounting hardware, door and frame all contribute to the security of the opening.

That's why B-SAFE looks at the complete door when installing or replacing locks. Sometimes the homeowner needs a new lock. Other times, adjusting the door or reinforcing the existing hardware can be just as important.

A $300 electronic lock can't compensate for a door that doesn't close correctly.

Minnesota Weather Changes the Equation

Homeowners in Minnesota also have something homeowners in warmer climates don't have to think about quite as much: our winters.

Doors and frames can move as temperatures and humidity change. A door that operates perfectly during the summer may become harder to latch during January.

That matters with any deadbolt, but it can be especially noticeable with motorized smart locks. If the bolt is rubbing against the strike or the door must be pushed or pulled before it locks, the electronic motor is being asked to overcome resistance that shouldn't be there.

Batteries are another consideration. Smart locks require routine battery replacement, and homeowners should pay attention to low-battery warnings, particularly going into winter.

For example, the Schlage Encode Plus operates on four AA batteries and provides low-battery warnings through the lock and Schlage Home app.

A properly fitted and aligned door helps either type of lock—mechanical or electronic—operate the way it was designed to.

Don't Forget Electronic Keypad Locks

There is sometimes too much emphasis on choosing between an old-fashioned key and a full Wi-Fi smart lock.

There's another very practical option.

An electronic keypad deadbolt can give you the convenience of entering a code without requiring remote access or a smartphone.

The Schlage BE365 is a good example. It is battery powered and uses a keypad for keyless entry, but the user manually operates the deadbolt rather than relying on a motor to throw the bolt.

For homeowners who mainly want to stop carrying or handing out keys, this type of lock can provide a nice balance between traditional hardware and smart technology.

What About Schlage, Kwikset, Yale and Other Brands

There are plenty of electronic locks on the market today, and price shouldn't be the only deciding factor.

B-SAFE Lock & Key works with established residential lock manufacturers and can help homeowners compare traditional, keypad, and smart-lock options from manufacturers such as Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Weiser and others.

The best lock for one house may not be the best choice for another.

Before purchasing a lock, consider the existing door preparation, backset, door thickness, handing, trim clearance, condition of the frame, and how the door is actually used.

This is particularly important when replacing older hardware. A new lock may not cover existing holes or marks, and some doors require adjustment or modification before new hardware can operate properly.

Rekeying May Be All You Need

Sometimes you don't need a new lock at all.

If you've recently purchased a home and the existing hardware is in good condition, rekeying may be the simplest and most economical solution.

Rekeying changes the internal key combination of the lock so the old keys no longer operate it. That means keys previously given to contractors, former owners, neighbors, relatives, cleaners, or anyone else will no longer work.

B-SAFE can also key compatible locks alike, allowing one key to operate multiple doors instead of carrying several different house keys.

For homeowners who have just moved, restoring control over who has working keys should be one of the first security considerations.

So Which Lock Should You Choose

Choose a traditional mechanical deadbolt if you want straightforward, durable security with minimal maintenance and don't need electronic access features.

Choose an electronic keypad deadbolt if you like the convenience of entering a code but don't need Wi-Fi, remote control, or extensive smart-home features.

Choose a smart deadbolt if you want greater control over who can enter, individual credentials, remote capabilities, notifications, activity information, or integration with other smart-home technology.

And remember that you don't necessarily need the same type of lock on every door.

A homeowner might install a smart lock on the main entrance while keeping dependable mechanical deadbolts on secondary entrances. The right solution is the one that fits how your household actually uses the property.

Professional Lock Installation in the Twin Cities

B-SAFE Lock & Key has been serving Minneapolis and the Twin Cities since 1972. We install, replace, repair and rekey residential locks, including traditional deadbolts, electronic keypad locks and today's smart-lock systems.

We can also inspect the door and frame to make sure the new lock operates properly rather than simply replacing hardware and ignoring an underlying door problem.

Unlike many mobile-only locksmith listings, B-SAFE Lock & Key has an established brick-and-mortar location in Minneapolis, along with decades of experience serving Twin Cities homeowners and businesses.

If you're considering a smart lock, keypad deadbolt, traditional deadbolt, or simply aren't sure what will work with your existing door, B-SAFE can help you choose an option that makes sense for your home.

B-SAFE Lock & Key

4757 Lyndale Ave N

Minneapolis, MN 55430

763-900-8119

service@bsafelock.com

bsafelock.com

Areas We Service

B-SAFE Lock & Key provides residential locksmith services throughout Minneapolis, North Minneapolis, Northeast Minneapolis, Downtown Minneapolis, Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale, Crystal, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Plymouth, Champlin, Anoka, Blaine, New Brighton, and surrounding Twin Cities communities.