What is the best biometric door lock? Biometric door locks use fingerprint or facial authentication to grant access to the building to one or several individuals. Facial recognition door locks make it possible to open the door hands-free, with nothing but your face. All authorized users must provide samples of their faces to be enrolled in a database. However, the most common type includes models that use a fingerprint reader to unlock the door.

When choosing your biometric lock, make sure that it is made by a reliable company specializing in biometric technology. One of the most trusted brands is Samsung, a well-established electronics manufacturer. 

The company offers advanced biometric locks like the Samsung SHS-P718-LMK that have double authentication, an anti-theft mode, automatic locking, and several other beneficial features.

Another reliable brand in smart door locks is Yale, a Swedish producer founded as far back as the 19th century. Its product line includes safes, smart storage products, and smart locks. Its smart lock Google Nest × Yale Lock for keyless entry, allows you to unlock the door with your smartphone.

Apart from a brand, another thing to consider is how long it takes for the lock to recognize the user’s fingerprint or face. This period generally ranges from 0.2 to 0.3 seconds. The number of fingerprint samples stored by the system is essential as well. You can enroll as many users as you need, with each user having different access levels.

Best Fingerprint Reading Locks Compared

1. Samsung SHS-P718-LMK Biometric Door Lock

This is a premium biometric door lock made with an RFID feature and a push-and-pull design. It stores up to 31 codes and 100 fingerprints. Made from metal and plastic, the lock is super sturdy and can fit an 80mm thick door. It has an anti-theft feature, intrusion alarm, fire warning, and many more.

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2. Adel LS9 Keyless Biometric Fingerprint Door Lock

This device recognizes fingerprints quickly (up to 120 fingerprints), is easy to install, and has a low-battery indicator. It allows for 3 ways to unlock the door: with a fingerprint, a code, and a key. You can set a guest password and manage different user groups. The handle can be installed to the left or right.

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3. Google Nest x Yale Lock with Nest Connect

As an alternative, you can choose the smart lock which unlocks a door with a smartphone. Made with a tamper-proof design, this smart lock will alert you if someone tries to break it. The Nest app allows you to lock or unlock the door with your smartphone from anywhere and let your guests in. Or you can create unique codes for family and guests or check the lock's status.

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4. Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch, Fingerprint Scanner

This budget-friendly device works fast and recognizes the user’s fingerprint in 0.3 sec. and unlocks the door in just 1 sec. Apart from the fingerprint reader, you can use the security app, keypad, or an included key to enter your home. It features an IP65 weatherproof rating and can unlock the door automatically.

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5. ULTRALOQ U-Bolt Pro Smart Lock + Bridge WiFi Adaptor

This 6-in-1 smart lock offers a whopping set of features and different ways of access. The lock can be opened through fingerprint identification, an anti-peep keypad, a mechanical key, or controlled remotely from your smartphone. It stores up to 120 fingerprints and has two-layer protection.

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Trusted Manufacturers of Fingerprint Door Locks

While biometric devices are pretty widespread now, it might be a challenging task to find the one that will work really well. That is why we recommend buying products from trusted brands. What are these brands?

  • Perhaps the most trusted and well-known brand is Samsung. This South Korean electronic company is mainly known for its smartphones, refrigerators, air conditioners, and other electronic equipment. However, it offers a line of biometric door locks and security cameras as well.

Samsung door locks feature a push-and-pull design, double authentication, an anti-theft mode, automatic locking, battery backup, and many more. There is a high-end Samsung SHS-P718-LMK Biometric Door Lock with an RFID entry, a fingerprint reader, and a digital touchscreen keypad.

  • The ADEL Group is the world’s leading producer of security door locks. It has a broad product range, including biometric fingerprint locks, hotel lock systems, digital safe boxes, key card systems, and many more.

Based in Malaysia, the company runs an R&D center and manufacturing facility in the USA. The ADEL Group sells its biometric locks worldwide and works with five-star hotels, banks, and universities in Europe, the USA, Asia, and the Middle East. You may try the Adel LS9 Keyless Biometric Fingerprint Door Lock, which is easy to install and works well.

  • Another well-established brand is Yale, a lock manufacturer owned by a Swedish conglomerate Assa Abloy AB. With 180 years of history, the Yale brand is one of the oldest producers of locks in the world.

It was founded in Connecticut in the 19th century by Linus Yale, a man who invented the pin tumbler lock. Today, the company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. It offers a variety of security solutions, such as locks, safes, and smart storage products. One of the most popular products is the Google Nest × Yale Lock allowing you to use your smartphone to control access to your home.

Alternatives to Biometric Door Locks

Besides biometric locks, there are other types of door locks that use modern technologies to provide you access to the building. Code locks require the user to remember the code, which should be changed every month or even more frequently. With such a lock, you can grant temporary or permanent access to your visitors or employees. Unlike conventional locks, these cannot be bumped, making your house more secure.

The intelligent home access system allows you to lock and unlock the door using your smartphone. Moreover, you will know what is going on in and outside your house. One of the examples is the 3rd-generation August Smart Lock Pro that works with Alexa for voice control. You can keep track of visitors just with your phone and receive notifications when the battery is low.

 

TOP Best Biometric Door Locks | Reviews

The review covers biometric door locks of different levels of complexity, ranging from a basic-feature fingerprint door lock at a price of slightly more than $100 to a sophisticated face recognition device worth over $500. They differ in design and the number of features. Some models have RFID while others come with a mechanical key as an additional access method. An intrusion alarm is another important feature to consider as it will both deter a person with ill intent and notify your neighbors.

Samsung SHS-P718-LMK | Best Trusted

When you’re dealing with Samsung devices, you know you’re getting years of experience in quality electronics and modern innovation. It may be surprising that Samsung would work in the security field, but they like to have their fingers in every tech pie around.

This is a touch-based multi-faceted biometric system that also offers RFID and code input for multiple access methods. With a sleek brushed steel design, it looks elegant and inviting, while also conveying serious business to anyone looking for trouble.

Features

  • Biometric Type: Optical.
  • RFID: Yes.
  • Mechanical Key: No.
  • Keypad: Yes.
  • Intrusion Alarm: Yes.
  • False Rejection Rate: Very low.
  • Power Source: Battery. (8 AA alkaline). 12 months/10 uses per day lifespan.
  • Fingerprint Capacity: 100 unique prints.
  • Display: Touch screen.

Performance

Being battery-powered, you needn’t worry about power outages affecting this system. Its touch screen is very durable and provides full readouts of what’s going on. Along with key codes and RFID, you have multiple ways to get in or multiple layers of security. This is like something out of a 90s science fiction movie but with the elegance of modern design.

This system is definitely not cheap, but if you want top-of-the-line, you can’t go wrong with Samsung in general.

Pros Cons
  • Modern design.
  • Samsung quality.
  • Touch screen.
  • Multi-tiered security.
  • Runs during power outages.
  • Durable.
  • Uses AA batteries, instead of a power pack.
  • Touch screen seems a tad vulnerable.
  • No mechanical key.
  • Very expensive.

Conclusion

If you don’t mind the cost and you’re comfortable with no key option, then I’m comfortable recommending this solution. However, it honestly seems a bit overpowered unless you have a lot of valuables, and your house is pretty evident in conveying your favorable financial situation. But you definitely can’t go wrong with these, and if I were going to invest in a biometric lock for my house, I’d probably just bite the bullet and get these. Though, I’d probably modify them to use a power pack. I hate antiquated AAA/AA batteries in modern devices.

Samsung SHS-P718-LMK: Check the current price

Testing & Customers Reviews

There are YouTube bloggers' reviews about the products in our article.

Marc Tobias, lock security expert: "These companies spend millions of dollars designing things that sometimes we figure out how to break in 30 seconds. Everything is moving towards smart locks in the industry. So that's why we're testing the Nest x Yale Smart Lock. It's a collaboration of two major companies, Yale, one of the world's oldest lock manufacturers, and Google Nest, a key player in home automation. The interesting thing about this lock that you'll notice there's no lock, which means it's a computer-controlled deadbolt. There's no cylinder, there's no bypass key. Some of the smart locks on the market have a cylinder or a bypass key. There's pros and cons. And I should also note that there's a steel insert, a little pin in the middle of this deadbolt, that makes sawing much more difficult.

This is also gonna give me a history of every time this lock has been accessed, locked, and unlocked. And it'll tell me by whom. This is a very clever app, especially if you have kids, cleaning staff, or gardening. You send them the code for two hours, one hour, whatever the time block is, and then it'll automatically cancel after that time block. Still, with a smart lock installed on the door, it doesn't automatically mean the home is secure. Of course, the real problem is there's glass everywhere. The majority of attacks on homes are against the doors, the strikes, and the glass.

If you need the option, it's definitely worth it. I would rate it as a five for a smart lock with the caveat it's not a high-security lock, and we did not test the electronic security as far as the ability to hack into it. Having said that, I would put this on my condo if I could. It looks to me like it's got all the options. The other thing is you don't need key copies, and copies of keys today can be expensive. So is it secure? It's probably as secure as any conventional lock, maybe more so because you can't bump this lock open, and you can't pick this lock open. So as far as vulnerabilities on the mechanical side, we don't see any vulnerabilities."

Tech With Brett: "After using the eufy Security Smart Lock Touch for a few days, I can say that this is the best smart lock that we have used from the installation to setting up the application. Everything worked really well. It was very simple to understand, and it did what it said it would do. Now I think this is really great because it doesn't have a ton of features. Sometimes when devices have too many features, some don't work really well. But this has the right amount to make it a really high-quality device with enough features to be really useful without adding a bunch of stuff that makes it slower.

Now some of the things that I really really like about this smart lock. One of the auto-timers. I love that I can have it automatically lock after 9 PM all by itself without me having to do anything. We have a lot of traffic going in and out of the door, so having it locked every time just gets really annoying so it's great that there is a schedule. Another feature I really like about the auto lock is it knows if the door is closed. You don't need to add another door sensor or anything. I never had it locked when it shouldn't be locked. It only locked if the door was shut, which is something that the competitors can't say that they do. Now when it's dark on the inside, it is a bit hard to tell if it's locked or unlocked from a distance. If there was a little white dot on the locked part of the thumb turn, that would be nice. But overall, we really love the look of this smart lock. My wife loved how easy it was, and it matches our new door knobs perfectly. Now, as for the speed. Eufy did say that this is way faster than any other smart lock. Now during the comparison, it was like the same as the Lockly Secure Pro, so really, that's not a huge issue as long as every time I use the fingerprint scanner, it is able to unlock that. And so far, every time I have tried it, the kids have tried it it has worked flawlessly.

Now talking about some of the things that I would like to see improved or that didn't work as great. First the fingerprints on the pin pad. So if you are typing in your pin, it's going to pick up those fingerprints so if you're using that a lot just know there's going to be some smudges on there. Now the second thing is this didn't work great if you want to like send a code to somebody to get in. Maybe you want a one-time access code where you can unlock to come in your home. This isn't great for that if you're not connected to the device. So if I'm at home I can go in and add pin codes and I can help others set up the fingerprint, which works great. But if I want to just use this as like an Airbnb situation or something like that it's not going to work great because you would have to authenticate each user by scanning the QR code. I do like, however, that as an admin, I'm the only one that has access to adjust the sharing, so I'm the only one that can add more people to it or add pin codes. If I share the app with somebody else they have the option to unlock and lock it, but they can't add different access so that's really cool. "

LifeHackster: "Lockly Secure Pro is the only lock that I've tested that has all the options for locking and unlocking a door: manually using the key using the keypad using the app and also using your fingerprint. And if the battery is drained and you haven't changed it and you don't have the physical key then you can use a 9-volt battery to temporarily turn on the keypad so that you can key in your code. The outside part is pretty robust and well made. Quality is spot-on, especially for the price point. No issues with the lock. I like the peep-proof digital keypad which changes and is unique every time you use it.

One gripe that I have with the Lockly smart lock are the notifications. The only notification that you will get if it's connected to the Wi-Fi is when the door is opened or closed. If you unlock the lock, you will not get any notification. Also, no alarm would go off if the door is left open, and it will not notify you if someone attempts to type in the wrong passcode. The app doesn't have schedules. You do, however, can set up a routine with Alexa to do that but with a $300 price tag I wish the app has more features."

Products with a 5-star rating

 

Product5 Stars Votes
Ultraloq UL3 BT2381(12.9%)
Lockly Secure Plus PGD728FSN510(2.8%)
Samsung SHS-P718-LMK156(0.8%)

 

Optical 3D Biometric Fingerprint Door Lock Review

Lockley's keyless biometric door Secure Pro is a different take on the implementation. Similar to Samsung’s solution, it offers a touchscreen system for readouts and keypad input but uses a new generation of 3D print detection, which is far more strict but also has a remarkably lower false negative rate as well.

This one is less costly, a plus, and offers Bluetooth sync with iOS or Android and auto-lock.

Features

  • Biometric Type: Optical 3D.
  • RFID: No.
  • Mechanical Key: Yes.
  • Keypad: Yes.
  • Intrusion Alarm: Yes.
  • False Rejection Rate: Very low.
  • Power Source: House power w/ 9v backup.
  • Fingerprint Capacity: Unstated.
  • Display: Touch screen.

Performance

The big advantage this one has, in my opinion, is that it has dual power sources, so you don’t have to mess with batteries as often. The interoperability via Bluetooth with mobile devices is a neat idea, but anyone who’s used Bluetooth knows what a pain it is to sync devices, and it takes a minute. Imagine getting home, needing the facilities badly, and having to do the bathroom dance at your front door while waiting for the sync.

Nonetheless, this is a solid design, if a bit utilitarian.

Pros Cons
  • Touch screen.
  • Multi-tiered security.
  • Runs during power outages.
  • Durable.
  • Backup is a 9v battery …
  • Touch screen seems a tad vulnerable.

Conclusion

This one’s a bit simpler in some ways than the Samsung offering, and the reduced price reflects this. I like the idea of integrating one’s phone into systems like this. Still, Bluetooth is kind of a crummy technology/protocol I anticipate being replaced in the fairly near future with something faster and more reliable. I wouldn’t use that feature of this thing, given my past experiences with Bluetooth. Nonetheless, everything else about this lock system is very solid, so I’m ok with recommending it.

Detailed Buyer’s Guide

This guide is designed to give you a tour of the features of a biometric door lock, answer the most frequently asked questions, and provide tips on what you should look for when buying a product. You will learn why biometric door locks cannot be fooled as well as about its other advantages over using a regular lock. And yet, this technology has weak points, also mentioned in the guide. A detailed review of TOP-7 best biometric door locks and a comparative chart of the products will make it easier for you to choose your best bet.

Security has never been a bigger concern than it is today. Of course, every generation opines that the moral fabric of society has declined since they were young. That’s debatable, the increase in crime being more likely due to population – the more people there are, the more bad people there will be, as a volume within percentages inflates with the containing total. Population, economic pressure, and of course, the prevalence of “valuable” goods even in lower-income homes just makes for a perfect storm of burglaries and other home invasion-based crimes.

That’s not to say that these factors remotely justify crime – they do not – but understanding them is critical in appreciating the need for security. You may live in an area that seems crime-free. Well, there’s a first time for everything, no matter your area. All it takes is one person with ill intent wandering into your neighborhood, determining it looks like a prime target, and acting on this.

Statistically, independent of location, homes without security systems are 300% more likely to be burglarized after.

Unsurprisingly, technology has exploded in the security sector in recent years as a direct response to this increasing rate of criminal activity. A prime example is the availability of advanced technologies once reserved for high-security corporate, military or government installations. Biometrics, which we’ve all heard of, and have all seen in action and spy movies, is a technology that has become more than available for average consumers.

This technology still isn’t “cheap”, but it’s no more costly than other electronic security systems at the end of the day, and it can add significant peace of mind. Most of these systems are basically impossible to get around or cripple from outside, as long as there’s the power to them. Of course, that power supply is a bit of a hitch, but we’ll get to that.

What You Will Learn From This Guide:

What Is A Biometric Door Lock?

Biometric locking mechanisms are unique. Where other locks use mechanical keys, RFID, swipe cards, keypads, or other digital/mechanical means of opening, biometrics scan a physical body in one of several ways.

The most common form of biometric locks uses fingerprints, which are nearly as unique as someone’s DNA, to gain entry. Some biometrics use DNA, iris scans, or even breath analysis. Still, such measures aren’t used for commercial or residential locks, only by government and law enforcement for the time being due to the complexity of those technologies.

What is it made up of?

Generally, they are comprised of housing around the door handle, with an optical (and possibly capacitive) plate for pressing one’s thumb or finger. Along with this, some also include a traditional locking mechanism (usually only operational in a power outage), as well as a keypad. The latter two aren’t always present, depending on the door lock.

Inside is some fairly simple circuitry that can analyze the optical/capacitive data from the print and match it to a database of people allowed to pass.

Are these devices secure?

There is a downside to biometric door locks, and it’s the same one that any electronic locking mechanism faces, and we’ll get to that soon enough. Under normal circumstances, they are indeed very secure. Where theft of a key/card/fob could allow a thief to break into your home with other lock types, they’d have to steal your fingers to pull that with biometric locks. If someone’s stolen your fingers, you have bigger problems than burglars, most likely.

How Does A Biometric Door Lock Work? Explaining the technologies behind

As we discussed a moment ago, these are thumbprint scanners combined with an electric lock. Sometimes, it requires a thumbprint as well as a keypad combination, and maybe even a physical key all three, to open. It depends on your configuration and the model of lock you have.

There aren’t any significant risks of people breaking in through a biometric lock. They’re basically impossible to pick, and trying to dismantle them will usually sound an alarm. The tricks done in movies to falsify thumbprints (making casts of prints etc.) aren’t real things that actually work, so if you’ve been hesitant to look into this technology due to what you’ve seen slick criminals do in those, you can rest easy.

Of course, you can further enhance the effectiveness of biometrics by adding a deadbolt to the door and using locks that also take a key and/or a combination keypad.

What Are The Types And Their Differences?

When it comes to the actual biometric technology, there isn’t much difference across the spectrum because there’s really only one way to scan prints. However, the additional security layers that can exist, such as mechanical keys, keypads, smartphone interfaces, and so on can enhance security and provide alternate means of entry in an emergency.

A completely keyless, pure biometric solution can actually be troublesome in some circumstances, but again, we’ll get to that in just a bit.

What To Look For When Buying?

There are a host of things to consider when shopping for biometric door locks, and we’re going to go over some of the most important factors now, before going over our top five favorite models. Depending on your needs, some of these may be more or less important to you, but they’re all things to be aware of.

  • Low Battery Indicator – If you have an isolated power source for your lock (a good idea), then you want advance warning for when the battery is low. You don’t want to find out when you can’t easily get into your house!
  • Multiple Fingerprints – You really don’t want a lock that can only identify one fingerprint profile, or a single finger. Even if you live alone, granting other people (family, friends) access is crucial.
  • LCD Display – An LCD showing time, access attempts, and a readout of perhaps why you didn’t get access on a given try is also very helpful. A stoic piece of metal with no indication but beeps and flashing lights is remarkably unhelpful in any circumstance.
  • Built-In Alarm – An alarm system for attempted tampering, and that perhaps chirps whenever the door opens, can be helpful too. If someone somehow manages to pry this thing open, the alarm will likely scare them off. It also means nobody’s sneaking up on you if you’re home!
  • Mechanical Key Option – You still want a way to open this with a mechanical key, more often than not. If the battery is low, or it’s tied into the house electricity, and the power goes out, you still want to be able to get in without any problems. These locks are very hard to pick, and while their presence of them slightly diminishes the effectiveness of the biometrics, sometimes compromises must be made.
  • Live Finger Detection Option – While most of those tactics you’ve seen people use in movies to get past biometrics do not work, the use of silicon casts has succeeded if the right skill is applied. Live finger detection can tell if it’s a real finger, still attached to a living body.
  • False Rejection Rate (FRR) – Technology can never be perfect, and you want to look for a biometric device that has a low rate of rejecting valid users. This is something I wish the biometric panels, where I did security, had.
  • Material of Locks – You’ll want to choose strong materials such as titanium or steel if possible, as they’re harder to drill or break by impact.
  • Power Source – This is a big one. Some of these systems are tied into the house power and the house power alone. This can be a problem if the power fails, and you don’t have a mechanical way to open the door. Others are battery-only, which is less disastrous, but means you have to stay on top of keeping them charged. If you can get a mix of both, it’s good peace of mind.

Other Popular Locks Reviewed

Stylish Fingerprint Door Lock | Ultraloq UL3 BT

This is a pretty standard OLED-enabled biometric locking system. What’s really interesting, aside from the affordability partnered with quality, is how this reflects modern technology trying to fit into an aesthetically-minded world. The aged bronze and matte black detail of this lock intrigues me.

Features

  • Biometric Type: Optical 3D.
  • RFID: No.
  • Mechanical Key: Yes.
  • Keypad: Yes.
  • Intrusion Alarm: Yes.
  • False Rejection Rate: Very low.
  • Power Source: 3 AA batteries.
  • Fingerprint Capacity: Unstated.
  • Display: Touch screen.

Performance

This is a pretty run-of-the-mill lock, with standard features, and it works well enough. This is really a lock for someone who wants it to blend in with their antique-styled home. It’s interesting to see how these new technologies try to blend in with old architecture. I used to watch star trek, and wonder “how does all this future tech blend into the old houses we never see?”.

Pros Cons
  • Touch screen.
  • Multi-tiered security.
  • Runs during power outages.
  • Durable.
  • AA battery power. Stop this …
  • Touch screen seems a tad vulnerable.
  • The knob/handle is a bit meh.

Conclusion

Given this is pretty elegant-looking, and affordable, I’m alright with recommending this to average users. However, it’s not very feature-rich, so if you live in a home that needs absolute security, this is a bit underpowered. However, it looks tasteful, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, and it does indeed look nice, so you’ll probably be happy with it.

Ultraloq UL3 BT: Check the current price

Basic Feature Fingerprint Door Lock

If you’re looking for the most basic, affordable option, then this offering by Ardwolf will meet your specifications. It’s very lacking in features, being just a biometric panel, a physical keypad, and an optional mechanical key.

It works fine, but it’s pretty basic, similar to the ones I encountered when working security. It’s not very attractive, but the look of it, again, will likely be a solid deterrent in and of itself.

Features

  • Biometric Type: Optical 3D.
  • RFID: No.
  • Mechanical Key: Yes.
  • Keypad: Yes.
  • Intrusion Alarm: No.
  • False Rejection Rate: Average.
  • Power Source: 4 AA batteries.
  • Fingerprint Capacity: Unstated.
  • Display: None.

Performance

This is a barebones biometric lock, but it’ll keep your home or other location secure, and that’s what counts. Honestly, for the price, this is a good, solid lock and if I didn’t get the Samsung, I’d probably go with this. I like no-frills solutions that work and don’t cut corners. It’s ugly, but I dare a criminal to look at this thing and think, “Yeah, I can crack this lock!”.

Pros Cons
  • Affordable.
  • No drilling needed.
  • Reliable.
  • Simple.
  • Durable.
  • AA battery power. Seriously, why? We have battery packs.
  • Ugly as sin.

Conclusion

If you want biometric security on a budget, then I am very comfortable recommending this. It looks like it belongs in an office or on a storage shed, but honestly, if you’re that obsessed with aesthetics, you’re probably asking for a burglar to break in.

Face Recognition Door Locks

We see much more advanced biometric identification technologies in use, in even realistic science fiction movies, and these technologies do in fact exist, albeit rarely as consumer products. Some facial recognition technologies are becoming available, and other things such as voice print, thermal imaging, and even DNA are possible moving forward. Better sensors, faster computing, and all of that being cheaper are the barriers to those being commonplace right now.

Facial recognition is available if a few costly units, though. However, facial recognition has a few issues, such as eyewear, facial hair, complexion changes, and so on potentially confusing them. Optical recognition doesn’t like subtle movement or ambient light being difficult either. Better cameras (passive scan and three-dimensional imaging) becoming possible, along with faster data processing, are gradually making these more and more practical.

Full-Featured Face Recognition Biometric Door Lock

This unit offers every type of security measure possible, short of some impractical technologies not yet available. It has a three-dimensional facial analysis system, a thumbprint identification system, RFID sensors, a touchpad, an alarm, the works.

Features

  • Thumb Panel Type: Optical.
  • Facial Recognition: Stereoscopic Camera.
  • Key Pad: Touchscreen.
  • Display: Touchscreen.
  • RFID: Yes.
  • Mechanical Key: Yes.
  • Power Supply: 12v Power Port/Power Pack.

Performance

This is a next-generation biometric lock, complete with every type of access layer available right now, including USB, smartphone compatibility, 3D face recognition, you name it. The optical is a bit fiddly, meaning you may often resort to bypassing it, as is the case with optical recognition in general for now.

Pros Cons
  • Future proof.
  • Multi-tiered security.
  • Durable.
  • Modern power supply.
  • Surprisingly accurate.
  • Optical recognition has a lot of room to improve.
  • Touch screen may be fragile.
  • USB port could potentially allow this to be hacked (though it’d take long enough you’d likely be busted).

Conclusion

This is an interesting unit, and while it looks a bit industrial, that look itself would be a good deterrent. This is proof that facial recognition could be a practical ID system across the board one day.

Next-Generation Face Recognition Door Lock 

This one looks like something out of a science fiction movie. With a mobile-styled display, it offers all the layers of security except for thumbprint. This has a potential issue, which we’ll get to in a moment.

However, the camera on this one, as well as the optical processor, are very fast, making this the least fiddly/fickle one on the market for now.

Features

  • Thumb Panel Type: None.
  • Facial Recognition: Stereoscopic Camera.
  • Key Pad: Touchscreen.
  • Display: Touchscreen.
  • RFID: Yes.
  • Mechanical Key: Yes.
  • Power Supply: Rechargeable.

Performance

The one downside with this one is that it doesn’t have a fingerprint, and facial recognition can mess up if you change anything about your appearance (even age can do this), while prints never change. While it offers other methods (card, key, passcode), this defeats the point of biometrics.

This is a trade-off, but this is probably the most reliable face scanner on the market, and its dummy-proof recognition means you’re not fooling it easily.

Pros Cons
  • Dummy-proof.
  • Can’t be hacked.
  • Durable touchscreen.
  • Encrypted RFID.
  • Less dodgy recognition.
  • No fingerprint capabilities, which means the biometric aspect may be partially defeated if the camera decides it doesn’t like your new glasses.
  • The power needs are a bit dubious.
  • The mechanical lock looks slightly vulnerable.

Conclusion

This looks like the type of form future locks will often take, though I see fingerprint capabilities remaining in play, which this one doesn’t have. However, capacitive fingerprint scanning (which some phones do) doesn’t require a special screen, merely the right software to analyze the tough. This means these locks could be updated, potentially, to remedy this at some point.

Comparative Chart Of Biometric Door Locks Effectiveness

Product Features

Samsung SHS-P718-LMK

Optical with a touch screen.
RFID, keypad and intrusion alarm.
Very low False Rejection Rate.
Powered by 8 AA alkaline batteries lasting for 12 months.
100 fingerprints.
Effectiveness: 9

Lockly

Optical 3D with a touch screen.
The mechanical key, keypad and intrusion alarm.
Very low False Rejection Rate.
House power w/ 9v backup.
Effectiveness: 8

Ultraloq UL3 BT

Optical 3D with a touch screen.
Mechanical key, keypad and intrusion alarm.
Very low False Rejection Rate.
Powered by 3 AA batteries.
Effectiveness: 7

 
 

 

FAQ On How To Use

Are they safe?
The only instances where they wouldn’t be is if you’re being chased by a killer and need to get inside in a second or less.

What is the best fingerprint door lock?
For the money, probably the Ardwolf. If you want bang for your buck, the Samsung.

How to install it?
It’s generally a lot like installing a deadbolt or a fancy doorknob.

Can a fingerprint door locks be hacked?
No. Not at the moment, at least.

How to reset it?
Your manual will come with a series of keystrokes to do this. It varies from lock to lock.

Pros & Cons Of Using Biometric Door Locks

Pros

  • Keys and combination locks can be stolen/snooped. Biometrics really can’t be, practically.
  • Thanks to live finger detection, even elite “spy” methods for fooling biometrics really don’t work. You can’t fool these systems.
  • The sight of these systems is usually enough to deter most criminals.
  • The key locks, where present, are pretty much impossible to pick.

Cons

  • These systems rely on power. If it goes out, you could be locked out, or stuck with a simple mechanical lock.
  • If your fingers are cut or otherwise damaged, the biometrics don’t work well (I can vouch for this one!)
  • They’re very expensive for now.
  • Some of these feel fragile in the sense that, out of spite, a criminal will break the screens.

Conclusion

Biometrics have their advantages. It’s pretty much impossible to fool modern biometrics, and they make an excellent deterrent. Also, when it works, it’s great to not have to fumble for your keys or RFID card to get in. However, this technology still has a ways to go, and the fact that most of them rely on old battery technologies instead of modern power packs baffles me. Honestly, nothing should use these old battery form factors in the second decade of the 21st century, and that’s a big detracting problem for me. If you don’t mind that, then any solution on this list should work excellently for you.

 

My experience with biometric devices

I do not have a biometric door lock on my house. This is for two reasons – for one, I have cameras, I have a standard security system, and on the rare occasions, I’m not home for prolonged periods of time, my elderly neighbor across the street is, and she keeps an eye on the block. The other reason is, they’re a little costlier than I personally am willing to spend when I have the previously-mentioned measures.

However, I have plenty of experience with biometric devices on laptops, my phone, and in commercial businesses from back when I worked in security. I never had problems with the technology itself, but I will say it can be a nuisance at times if the build quality of a device isn’t of a decent standard.

The thumbprint biometric door locks I had to pass through on patrols when I worked security, they didn’t like any kind of motion while scanning your thumb. This is normally all well and good, but I happen to have somewhat shaky hands and have had since shortly out of high school due to some minor nerve damage. I cannot hold my hand perfectly still for any length of time, which meant the then slow thumbprint scanner often required multiple attempts from me.

There was also a time when I suffered burns on my hands while working that job. The burns weren’t severe, but they were just bad enough that my hands were bandaged up for a couple days. This made the biometric scanner impossible for me to use.

Now, most biometric systems also have a keypad/combination system for such occasions, but let me tell you, I detest combination locks. Remembering numeric sequences is not something I have ever been good at, and that’s not uncommon. If I’m asked for my phone number, I have to look myself up in my contacts.

So, while this technology generally works pretty well, I have to say it can be a nuisance if your hands are shaky, or you’re temporarily unable to provide a thumbprint. On top of this, if you’ve got a combination pad involved, and you’re not one for memorizing numbers, you’re going to have a bad time.

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0 #1 Lord of the UniverseDave 2019-11-03 20:29
I wonder if these locks use battery tech because of the down-time involved in recharging a battery pack, or the added cost and forward planning of having a second power pack ready to swap out?